kidding around

Yesterday, Simon and I went on a nice excursion to a semi-local monastery.

To visit such a place is so incredibly breathtaking. I am an Orthodox Christian, but I find any sort of sacred space to be completely humbling. I hope you all can appreciate the artist’s work. It was impossible to even capture the interior of this place.

I know these little guys were pretty speechless!


When I asked Simon if he had a good day, he simply replied “you were my favorite person to be with.” Love it. Love him.

I never feel like my day has ended well if I have not read for a few minutes before bed. I always need a book to go to when I want to learn, escape, or relax. How do you like my popsicle bookmark?!

I just completed “Sky Burial” last night and was totally moved by it! It’s this month’s book club selection and I appreciated a shorter novel. Most of the books we have read this year have been between 350-500 pages. This book is a short 167 pages and is utterly one of the most beautiful stories. The reader learns more about China, a lot about Ttibet, culture, religon, family and of course undying love. I can not recommend this book more. It’s a super short read- you could literally finish it in a day and forget about everything else.

So- to celebrate my sort of blog anniversary (I have had a blog since 2004, but really began writing more consistently a year ago…not sure why my archives does not indicate this), I will give this book away. Just leave a comment and I will do a drawing on Friday. The only thing I ask is that you mail the book to my sister when you are finished- there is no timeline, just pop it in the mail.

Now, this book is occupying my attention. It was referenced in the series of NPR stories and so I checked it out from my library. I like this book so much I just may need to devote an entire post to it!

Okay, READ!

The weather was spectacular today and so we decided to go visit one of our favorite places. I can tell that we will soon see many of the plants replaced by Fall beauty…everything was starting to look tired and a bit worn.

It’s hard to believe, but my kids will be returning to school in 2 weeks. Just as we were getting to used to the summer routine, we now will have to adapt to early mornings. I will have to be a bit more organized and deal with missing my kids and husband. Good thing I still have Penelope Tess!

We are trying to fill our days with togetherness and anticipation for school, friends, and new teachers. Ellie and I are also busy planning her 8th birthday party (her party happens to be the first day of school!). She insists on having her party at home (love that!) and making icecream sundaes. We also will have the girls paint their toe nails and make individual homemade pizzas. I know we will have fun. I love the planning, but know that next year we must keep it small. It’s time to take a break.

I love this idea. I’m already beginning to make mental notes for next Spring and summer. Visiting places like the Arboretum could totally make me change my preoccupations- FAST!

I rarely can get a shot of these three together!

Hurray for easy shirts! Remember I discovered an easy pattern, but it definitely was a tad drab? Well, I like this simple shape for a shirt and had fun making it to suit my taste. It really takes about an hour to sew- the longest part is just ironing the hems so they are more finished.

I don’t always like wearing t-shirts and tank tops are not my thing either- so I liked piecing fabric together I like. So much so that I have to stop making these shirts or else my kids will think my upper part of my body is this permanent shape.

I did make another shirt that I will share after I alter it a bit. I had sewn two perfectly centered pockets, to give it a more smock effect. Umm, I looked like a kangaroo with two pouches…not good. So I have to make smaller pockets.

I love this print. It looks like dandelions…

Happy Weekend!

For some of you readers, this may shock you to know that it was 6 years today(August 4th) we moved to the Chicago area.

Nathan, Ellie, Beatrice and I were packed and ready for a new adventure- leaving Los Angeles. Home for Nathan and home to me for 9 years of my adult life. I attended college in California, met Nathan, fell in love, graduated, got married, enjoyed couplehood, got pregnant and had Ellie in 1998.

It’s a sweet memory. Moving is a huge deal and I can see why some people prefer to stay in one place for their entire life. But for me, it has not been in my plan to stay somewhere forever. I would have never had met Nathan, his family or good friends.

Anyway, this summer has been pretty full of many emotions and this anniversary has had me thinking…(here’s a list, I love lists!)

1. We moved back to Chicago to be near my family and have a better quality of life.

2. Moving can be incredibly stressful and emotional.

3. This is definitely a fact for me…I was also pregnant at the time of moving with Simon, so this played a big factor, but I was still incredibly sad…

4. I am much much better now. Still miss having good friends. I feel pretty alone most of the time.

5. Moving can also realize you have married your best friend, which I did…

6. When we moved to the midwest, I had forgotten about the lush green vegetation…something you don’t see in LA in August.

7. I also forgot about the frigid winter and horrific windchill.

8. In the Spring, you feel pretty smug because you have braved a long winter.

9. In the Spring, you are a kid again and discovering the magic all over again.

10. When we moved, I valued my family even more.

11. I am so happy my kids have a relationship with their grandparents (my parents).

12. Nathan and I both realize how fortunate he is to be teaching art as his profession…not the easiest job to come by…

13. And be able to begin and complete his Masters in Art.

14. I have always been grateful for my terrific part-time job. I get to bake all sorts of things for my sister and her husband’s shop.

15. My kids get to see cows almost daily.

16. My kids have the opportunity to take the train to the city and take advantage of the Art Institute, the lakefront, etc. We have such a great city!

17. Never did I realize that when we moved we would lose contact with those we really love and care for…

18. That’s the down side of moving.

19.The upside is getting back into contact with some people and feeling like no time has past.

20. I miss the ocean.

21. I miss Chinatown and Pho.

22. I miss my cute house (see photo above).

23. I miss my really kind neighbor.

24. I miss hanging out with my sister-in-laws (although now, most are out of the area…or soon will be.).

25. I miss really cheap avocados at the end of people’s driveways.

26. I miss KCRW, I stream it…but it’s not the same!

27. I love that we were able to purchase a home.

28. I love that my kids can begin to understand the cycle of the seasons.

29. I love that I don’t have the pressure of working a full-time job. Something I know I would have had to do in LA. Note: Husband is a teacher!!

30. I love that someday, perhaps I will meet a few nice friends and it will feel like home.

31. I love that when I told my parents I would move back to the midwest someday, I never let them down (not that there was the pressure).

32. And finally, I love that my husband has had the most positive attitude since we have left LA. He has never once looked back and thought we had made a bad decision. He cheered me when I was feeling low and helped create memories to make this place feel more like home…for now! Who knows, anyone know a great place to live?!

This is a shot of Nathan, Ellie and me (Simon in utero, 10 weeks!) just days before we moved. Once Nathan had a job offer and we knew we were leaving, we wanted to leave a mark. What better place than our Parish (St. Michael Orthodox Church in Whittier) that we loved?

So- about 6 weeks before we left, we began and completed this mosaic (funny what you can do with one kid!). This time, while making the mosaic, was such a dramatic way to close this chapter in our life. I rarely share this work because it was an offering to a communtiy we loved and desired no praise. It’s impossible to think that this was 6 years ago as well…

…something I need to do more. A little more lounging and perhaps napping with my tongue peeking out like my pup.

To me, resting is working on a project or tackling a painting job. But when there are kids underfoot, this sort of resting will only come at night (if I’m lucky!).

Okay, so NPR is having a series on kids and the media. Tonight is the second part of a 3 night series.

I didn’t realize Ellie will soon be, what the marketers say, a tween. Check out the article and listen to the story as well. I didn’t realize that the audio story would be completely different.

It’s pretty sobering.

So what sort of music do you let your kids listen to OR once they hit the “tween” stage what will you allow?

Credit to give:
The painting is of my son Simon that my husband so wonderfully created. He has been working (finished this summer) on his Masters in Art Education and has taken several painting classes. I am always in awe of his ability to create such "color rich" portraits so spontaneously. If it were me, I would still be trying to perfect my first painting way back in undergraduate school of a boring still life.

First off, thanks to everyone who has commented on my last post. My intent was to just share a piece of news that is intriguing and important. Not that this is new information.

Like I have said before, I love hearing from people. For most mothers, there are times we feel slightly isolated and I really enjoy hearing from people and what their perspective is on topics. We can learn so much from one another!

What I gained from this article is to teach my children to be critical thinkers. One of my biggest goals as a parent is to raise happy adults. I want them to know how to relax, be happy with what they have, wisely purchase items, and to show compassion to the world. The article that I shared doesn’t fit into my values, but I am willing to be confronted with it and learn.

The above photo is a perfect example of a well-known image and how it is widely accepted. A few weeks ago, Ellie and I were at the post office. I asked for stamps and the postal worker said, “I bet I know what you (looking at Ellie) would love!”. I looked down at the stamps and gave an uneasy smile and thanked him. Just because I had an 8 year old with me, he assumed we would choose this over any other design. Obviously I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I am 33- I don’t really like mailing letters with Disney advertising. I am the one buying the stamps, not my daughter! With that to say, we have to pick and choose our battles and I chose to loose this one.