Sipping once, Sipping twice…

Maurice Sendak wrote in my favorite (lesser known Sendak book) Chicken Soup with Rice,

“In January it’s so nice, While slipping on the sliding ice, To sip hot chicken soup with rice. Sipping once, sipping twice, Sipping chicken soup with rice.”

And how I wish my January was filled with slipping on sliding ice while eating chicken soup with rice. Instead it has been filled with friends, folly, and infections. The infection though, is being treated with antibiotics and complimented by soup, which is so nice. I have not done nearly what I wanted to accomplish in January, but I have begun a new project, which, in my head of crazy deadlines, I’d like to see done by Monday when semester begins again.

A while ago, I listened to an interview on Fresh Air, where Terry Gross interviewed Sendak. I was in tears my whole way home. He was on to talk about his newest book, This Pig Wants to Party, but it was such an amazingly touching story of him growing older, loving, being loved, and knowing his end is near. His end will never be near, I know he is so loved, not just by me, but by everyone. His book like Where the Wild Things Are is a classic. All of his books are classics, in my mind. So are his illustrations.

I decided to embroider a drawing out of Chicken Soup with Rice. I know I carried this book with me everwhere. And somewhere in moves, my original hard copy has been misplaced and has been replaced with a newer, paperback version. This is my way of expressing my love to a man who I grew up with and can most definitely say, with whom I’d sip chicken soup with rice.

 

HI!

Hey there! Hi! YOO HOO! (I really just like saying YOO HOO! <- see, I did it again)

I wanted to update you…no, I haven’t quite moved to Tumblr yet. I know. And no, Jon Hamm did not show up at my house with hockey tickets, or a trip away, or anything like that. Mr. Lulu did make me scream on Christmas morning LIKE JON HAMM was at the door, when my stocking rang…and inside (buried at the very bottom) was a new iPhone 4s. SIRI! She’s my new BFF.

But this isn’t about Christmas past….No. Or New Years…because that too has come and gone and here we are, ten days into the new year. Only 355 days left to accomplish all I need to accomplish! 

Let us start with a list of (and I will put this in big bold letters for dramatic effect) EVERYTHING LULU BEAN WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2012!!! (if you said it in a big booming voice, you got what I was going for!)

• Clean my sewing closet. I wish I had taken photos of it to post, but um, its an embarrassment. It needs cleaned, purged, reorganized and made all the better. Are baskets REALLY the best way to store fabric if it ends up in piles? I don’t know. Thoughts, dear reader(s)?
• Take three more graduate classes (and then I will have one left in 2013 and I will graduate!)
• Continue to work with the commissions I sit on, without being a poopoo head about it
• Continue to work with my most awesome church and do the most awesome things for the Most Awesome. (She totally deserves capitals!)
• Keep my hubby happy. (Make your hobby, hubby. Keep your hubby happy. When he’s a little chubby. He’s the happy pappy. With Rockenschpeel! Flintstones, anyone…anyone…?) This includes renewing our vows at our 10 year anniversary.
• Redo my screened in porch, which includes painting, replacing wainscotting, cleaning, maybe removing furniture. Why DO we have so much furniture? Again, I’d show pictures, but…it’s scary
• Sew more. Hey! Look at that! A sewing bullet! And by sewing more, I mean, the quilt top for me. A new dress for me. And work harder to better my sewing skills.
• Better my sewing skills (totally deserves its own)
• Learn how to use my serger

It’s going to be an exciting year, this 2012. Iwill do what I always do…get ridiculously busy, freak out, wonder why I do it, enjoy it, and then rinse and repeat. Because that’s what I do. And at 32, I think I’ve become OK with that. I’m not sure Mr. Lulu has…I really don’t think Mr. Lulu is OK with the “freak out” step in all that, but he’s supportive. But I’m sure he’d like to see one of those bullet points “not freak out when I put too much on my plate and can’t deal with it simultaneously.”

So before I leave this posting today, here is the finished quilt I made for my friend April. We are doing a blanket swap. She’s crocheted me a blanket, I quilted her one! It’s so exciting!

April's Quit

This is the beginnings of Charlotte’s quilt. Her mama picked out the fabrics, which are adorable! It’s another Disappearing/ Vanishing 9 patch. When it’s finished, I’ll post more pictures!

 

 

Charlotte's Quilt

 

Till then, happy sewing and happy 2012!

 

 

 

Twas the week before Christmas…and no donkey (or John Hamm) in sight

I have found that I cannot name a post until I write the post. I mean, who writes their abstract of their 55 page paper before writing the actual paper? I cannot predict WHERE this may go.

Except, I thought I would update you all since my last posting about John Hamm. He has not shown up at my house yet, but when he does, with hockey tickets in hand (for the Leafs game in Toronto, no doubt), I will let you all know. In the meantime, I have a super amazing husband who is not indulging my Christmas wishes. No one likes a spoiled wife, apparently.

I have yet to find a donkey and this is a slight tragedy, but in the grand scheme of things, this could be kind of frightening:

Hello, Christmas Donkey

 

 

 

 

 

My baking is almost finished. I’ve made Christmas thins, almond crescents, white chocolate cherry shortbread, kolaches, and chocolate orange fudge. I still have the frangelico crinkles to make, but I keep forgetting to leave my eggs out.

 

We had a slew of people over to make gingerbread houses. I will post pictures when I get them off my camera, but in the mean time, this is what mine didn’t look like:

So….maybe I lifted this off of Google images and didn’t really make it.

We had a great time with Kelly, Aaron, Meredith, Todd, Sue Ann, and four of Todd’s nieces and his nephew. I loved seeing the kitchen a mess and the beauty and creativity of all everyone.

 

In other news, my shopping is *almost* finished.

 

And lastly, before I go, because now I’m sorely irritated that WordPress will not un-center …

I opened a tumblr account. My Mr. Lulu urged me to think about it and so I did. I haven’t started it yet, but if you want to go ahead and bookmark the site, it’s Gin & Tunic. Get it? Get it??? I will probably make the transition off of wordpress to tumblr at the beginning of the year.

 

Until then,happy baking!

 

 

 

A Non Sewing Post

First…Candy Land was a success (i thought). It was cold (hey- heat next year???) but it was fun and I met new peoples and generally had a great time. I have an order for a bag (I haven’t forgotten, Kyllee!) and have some sewing to do, but you know, there was thing called…Christmas.

Right. Christmas. So let me begin with this: Christmas Pageant. Each year, my church puts on a Christmas Pageant with the wee folk of the church. I love them. They are wonderful. They make me squeal with delight. I have beautiful angels and stars and wise peoples, and shepherds, and you names it….but this year, my priest wants….

A donkey

Yes, a donkey. Now, mind you, we have a historic church. Like a 1700 and something church with beautiful slate floors. And all I keep thinking of is…donkey poop. Which will get me in mad trouble with some of the other ladies in the church. We were trying to devise a fake donkey but…yeah…that’s not working out either.

So I’ve been spending a lot of time and energy into getting a donkey. Real or not. And working on this pageant, which is always stressful  a barrel of fun, is just time consuming.

And besides that, and trying to sew, I’ve had meetings. And I’m skipping meetings. And then there was another migraine. And going out to see friends (which may or may not be why I had a migraine after a few elderflower yummy things). And a visit to the Spy Museum, and cutting down a Christmas tree. And decorating a Christmas tree. And the Christmas tree lights not working and not finding them and having to go buy lights only for the other sets of lights we had to be out in the garage…And decorating the house. And … and…

I haven’t done my shopping. WEll, I have my nieces done and part of my sister and brother in law. My Dad is finished (HA!) and thats about it. My baking isn’t even started. THIS IS AN ISSUE! This Sunday is Gingerbread House Sunday.

We will gather with friends, build gingerbread houses, consume too much sugar, and visit Flat Iron Farm. I recommend it. Here, take a peak. So I have gingerbread to bake. I have cookies to make. And candy. And Christmas dinner to buy!

And my poor Mr. Lulu says “I don’t know what to get you” so…i will make a Christmas Wish List right now. I love lists. Its that or make a list of all the cleaning and things that need done before Christmas! I think a list of things I’d like is better than a list of things I need to do. In no particular order…

• John Hamm
• fingernails and toenails that naturally manicure themselves and stay painted
• jewerly. Things that sparkle. Emeralds. Diamonds. Tanzanite. Opals. However, with the price of gold, I think this is a ridiculous request and should best be saved up for for our 10th anniversary this year.
• a food dehydrator
• sewing feet
• a kayak
• an iPhone
• an e-reader
• plants (air plants, green plants, flowering plants, terrariums)
• peace on earth
• good will
• a few more hours in the day
• new non-melting spatulas
• books from my Amazon list
• anything off my Etsy list
• Caps vs. Leafs tickets in DC (March 11)
• Caps vs. Leafs tickets in Toronto (Feb 25)
• a weekend away
• John Hamm (just in case you missed it the first time)
• a weekend away with John Hamm (you know, if you want to combine gifts, thats OK too)

There is so much more to do and get done, but it’ll get there. It always does. And then there will be feasting and visits from friends and family and all the wonderful accoutrements to the celebration of Christmas. Which I love. And if anything, let us all receive a little peace and good will this Christmas. And John Hamm.

Everyone Wins!

I have a migraine. Great way to start a post, huh? You are probably wondering how that relates to “Everyone Wins!” Well, let me tell you.

My little GIANT migrane started yesterday when I knew I needed to be sewing for the upcoming Candy Land game. I knew I couldn’t sew, so I went ahead and priced all of my bags. And I have terrible judgement when I have a migraine.

Here’s where you win: no bag is priced over $30. How awesome is that? My bags are priced lower than on my Etsy site. Each tag is labeled with T.O.L.B. in a certain color. Depending on the color, depends on the price. The lowest price for a bag is $5. You will find make up bags and smaller bags at this price.

I guarantee you will find something for someone on your Christmas list and it won’t break your budget. Fashionable and pretty bags should not cost an arm and a leg. You may even find something for yourself!

And I bet you are wondering how I win at this, if everyone wins. Well, I get my inventory cleaned out by the end of the year. And that is pretty stinkin’ awesome.

So come join us at Candy Land at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds tomorrow, beginning at 11. It runs till 6 (I hope I got those hours right). It’s a nut free event. There will be food. There will be fun! So come join us and stop by The Original Lulu Bean and say hello (and buy a bag!)

 

What Could I Possibly Need?

MORE FABRIC!

YES INDEEDY!!!

I went today and bought a little more fabric for the upcoming Candy Land show. I found I lack in things pink, so I grabbed a couple yards of:

 

I love the pink peacock feathers. It’s just fun. We’ll see what comes out of this, I’m not sure yet. I am sure it won’t get touched till after Thanksgiving though!

Almost Here!

Just like the due date for my final paper in Land Use Management, the date for Candy Land Live is rapidly approaching!

I know my last few blog posts have been about this great event, but I hope to keep talking about it and what a great cause it is for. Many many people are affected by breast cancer. Not just those who have the horrible disease, but those families and friends who reach out and offer their support. I guarantee everyone knows at least one person who has been touched in some way by breast cancer.

 Candy Land  has been rolling out more details, some of which I will share here. But I encourage you! Go look at their blog! Keep up with the updates! And come see me at the event on December 3rd!

In no particular order, here are some AWESOME notes about Candy Land Live!

• Bear Creek BBQ will be there with food!
• Babycakes Cupcakes will be there with a special cupcake JUST for the event
• IT’S PEANUT FREE! (I realize that this is a massive WOO HOO for some folks, but I love me some peanuts!)
• Dress up like your favorite candy! Or dress up your children! Who doesn’t love being able to dress up outside of Halloween?
• Face Painting
• Macaroni Mama will be there to talk about Macaroni Kids!
• Raffles

See?! So many cool things will be going on! Come say hi. Come eat! Come play! And most of all, come out and support a great cause.

See you in Candyland!

Candyland! A little over a month away!

Playing Games…for a cause!

About a month ago, I played a game of telephone (sort of). My good friend Kelly told me that there was going to be a vendor fair and they wanted people to be able to buy and take products, so I contacted the organizers, and now, here I am, preparing for another game….of CANDY LAND!!!

I’m so excited! Thanks for the Mammaries, a local group who raise money for breast cancer research and do the Avon Breast Cancer Walk each year are organizing a giant life size game of Candy Land at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds on December 3, 2011. They are having a vendor fair and many other opportunities for fun that day!

You’ll find me there with my whole inventory and a few other goodies (busty pin cushions, anyone?) This will be a great opportunity to support a great cause, meet new people, and have a lot of fun! Oh yeah, did I mention Christmas shopping?!

Go check out their blog, Candy Land SOMD, and read The Original Lulu Bean’s profile posted this week!

Breaking My Own Sewing Rule

When I last left this blog, I posted a picture of my new birthday pj pants. They are pretty awesome. I came home this afternoon from work and took the waistband off, brought the pants up 3 inches so they’d fit better, and reattached the band. They fit now. They aren’t one massive baggy blob.

Somewhere in my head I decided that it wasn’t so difficult to sew a pair of pajama pants. And after years of sewing lots of things, I realized I never have sewn anything for Mr. Lulu. But that breaks my general rule of thumb. My Cardinal Rule. The Rule That Shall Not Be Broke. And I broked it.

My Rule: Don’t sew for anyone but yourself.

There are exceptions to this rule: blankets are ok to sew, some accessories, and embroidery is fine. But sewing clothes is a number one no no. So whatever on earth possessed me to sew for my husband, I will never know.

But the sewing fairy was on my side on this one. Over the weekend, we went to Joanns and Mr. Lulu went through the flannels. We looked at plaids (yawn) we looked at dinosaurs (kinda cool), there wasn’t enough mushroom fabric on the bolt (bummer) but Mr. Lulu kept going back to … puppies.

Maybe this comes from his love of puppy piles, but we brought home some yardage and I sewed him a pair of pajama pants.

It went remarkably well. One, it helps that the pattern is super easy. Two, it helps that the pattern is super easy. :) With a little taking in, hemming of the legs, and fixing the elastic, Mr. Lulu now has a new pair of stylin’ puppy pants.