Pretty things and ideas.

I got lost today looking at Christina Weber's blog, especially when I got down to the weavings. They are so pretty. Weaving has a lot of appeal to me. I never really considered it before. I have a feeling it could suck me in the way a jig saw puzzle does. And then when you're done, you have a nice little piece of art to keep instead of just taking it apart and boxing it up.

Christina is also the creator of these amazing tea towels I've had bookmarked to get someone as a gift for months. I never ventured past Studio Patró before. It's funny but the only two links I clicked today in the "friends" list on 2 or 3 Things were the same person and led me back to those beautiful tea towels.

The first thing I reach for.

Those first two weaves are actually the same thing, just different due to age. Both beautiful I think.

Purging and Organizing.

Spent the weekend, almost the ENTIRE weekend, going through drawers, cleaning out cabinets, dusting, sweeping, organizing closets... the works. Baked a loaf of bread and made meatballs and spaghetti sauce, too. I'm tired!

My hands are like, raw. Must have washed them seriously about 950 times.


I also organized my books by color (not the bottom over-sized). I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Finished putting them on the shelves, turned around, and an entire stack of black ones didn't make it in there.

Wine!

Bad pictures of wine bottles I haven't been throwing out because I don't want to forget about them – so I can throw them out. Thanks, Carter!

Blood Red.

I baked some beets the other night. The recipe said to put a layer of parchment over them and then a layer of foil. When I took it out of the oven, the parchment was filled with these pretty spatter-paint like designs.

The water in the bottom of the pan was the beautiful deep red of the beet. But when I poured it out in the sink (way to salty to drink) it felt a bit heavy, and watching it inch slowly toward the drain I couldn't help but think of blood. Then I sort of remembered that they used beet juice as blood on – maybe True Blood? But that led me to think of Dexter and the blood patterns he analyzes on the show. Doesn't this look like that, too?

Kind of an odd train of thought. I still think this is really pretty.

Thanks, Neighbors!

Jim, Bob and Mark dug me out this morning. Phew. I dug my own path to the garage and I swear the snow was 3 ft. high back there. They really saved me a lot of shoveling. We sure got hit!


It's weird to think of how long it will take this stuff to melt. Spring's not exactly around the corner... And I feel like bitter cold is on the way. Hello -35º in Steamboat.

2011 Blizzard.

All of us Chicagoeans have been watching the newscasts for the past few days skeptically. What's a little snow? A little wind? So what if it's accompanied by lightening and thunder. This is Chicago after all.

I wish I could record it with justice, and frankly, I can't wait to get out tomorrow to take some pictures.

Even though we are Chicago, and we are fully functional and equipped for it, I love it when the weather throws for a loop, and shuts even this place down. It really is doing that today. I just stood in my front doorway to grab this shot before cowering back inside from the cold and wind. It's blowing so hard the house shakes. When I got home from my hour and 45 minute commute, on roads that lacked actual lanes, I had to dig out the drift in front of my door to get inside – after my neighbor had already generously shoveled for me.

To tell you the truth, I'd like it to keep on coming down and put this place at a stand-still for a day or two. I mean, if we're saying 'Don't go anywhere' and people aren't, it is for good reason. But really, I still have power. Even though I can hear the wind and watch the snow accumulate by the hour, I can still chat online, listen to music, and cook if I decide I'd like to. I'm also blessed that in a matter of minutes I could have these things, and company if I need it, should I find myself wanting or without.

No power would suck. And so would having no place to go or nowhere to feel warm. So look at that, another reason to count blessings. And stay in. And slow down. And remember all the good in our lives, instead of cursing the snow and the immobility it causes, every 10 years or so.

I invite you to embrace the snow day! Yay!

PS: For some video, visit Steves local LGP Adventure Sports blog.