looking forward...

sidney, christmas day 2009, watching family arrive

i can't believe another year has gone by and christmas is nearly here again! i look back at how many changes there have been over the last few years and it makes me wonder, what is next? life is so unpredictable. even though the day to day seems like so much of the same, when you pause and look back the amount of changes can be surprising.

so, this week i am slowly starting to pull out christmas decorations... going through old photos to see how i decorated last year. i am looking at the evolution of this home over the short time we have lived here and i am amazed! i haven't even shared recent pics since i repainted the living room and kitchen. i have poured a lot into this house, which i don't regret, even knowing this will probably be our second and last christmas here. a short but meaningful stay. this was our first house in georgia, and the first real house we have ever lived in as a family. we have really enjoyed our experience in this house and creating this new life together. it looks like we will be buying our own house soon and starting a whole new adventure! being a new yorker for my entire adult life this will be a whole new experience for me! i'm looking forward to finding a home that will be ours, one where we can decorate how we like and know that if we move it will be our own choice to do so. i'm looking forward to this new adventure ahead, and to sharing it with you!

new mushroom ornaments...

i hae added four more mushroom ornaments to the shop, including the ones above. i'm working away at my christmas list for the shop. any requests for animals?

prematurity awareness day...

one in eight babies is too many. we can do better. november is prematurity awareness month and today is prematurity awareness day. i had two babies born premature. one who made it... and my first baby we didn't know was struggling in time to save him.  i made a donation in today in honor of my babies and in honor of all those families who have struggled or are currently struggling with this now. i remember my time spent in the hospital after the birth of my daughter sidney, who was born 7 weeks early. i remember weeks of watching her struggle to learn how to breath on her own, learn how to eat, how to stay warm. i remember more weeks spent at christmas time in the hospital again where she almost lost her life from rsv, a common virus to strike preemies. i'm thankful everyday for my little girl and her life. i know she is too. every baby deserves the best we can give them. during this time of year when we think of giving thanks, and giving to others please consider the march of dimes and all the little babies that could be helped by each of us. even the smallest donations add up! i also have placed a button on my side bar you can click on any time. thanks!!

xoxo cary and sidney

fall in the air...

it has been so beautiful here the last few days. rain and wind, and leaves flying through the air. it is magical. we are enjoying this bit of magic while we huddle on the couch and read harry potter (again!). i'm so excited for the movie to come out. i'm also trying to get in bits of sewing too. more ornaments to arrive in the shop soon.

i saw these lovely wreaths made by emily thompson over on design* sponge this morning. how beautifully do they capture the essence of the season? such simple design, but soo lovely. i want them all!

here is another bit of fall goodness i have been meaning to share with you. a simple recipe you can through together in a dutch oven, but it is so yummy! treat yourself!

happy fall!

apple slump
recipe by tracy seaman (from a rachel ray magazine i found in a free pile!)

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 3 tablespoons chopped and chilled
• 2-1/4 pounds gala apples, peeled and cut into eighths
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup whole milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small Dutch oven, melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the apples, then stir in 1/2 cup sugar, the lemon juice and cinnamon. Cover and simmer until the apples are nearly tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and remove from the heat.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the 3 tablespoons chilled butter, working it in with your fingertips until crumbly. Add the milk and stir to combine.
3. Return the Dutch oven to medium-low heat and spoon the batter onto the hot fruit to almost cover the surface. Cover and simmer until the batter is cooked through, about 20 minutes.

holiday collection...

i'm hard at work on my holiday collection... i can't believe how fast it is coming up! i have already listed and sold a few ornaments in the shop. i have made them in linen with wool so far. i will also make some with white wool. i have changed the pattern a bit from last year, and i'm happy how they came out. my penguin has already sold, but i have another in the works... also with linen (can you tell i'm a bit addicted to it right now!). i have put my deer back in the shop (which is a special price as i have changed the pattern a bit now)... along with a new companion!

i'm really happy how this guy came out! i have had in mind for soo long now. sometimes i am frustrated at how long it takes me to get to work on things, but often it ends up being for the best. i'm not sure i could have made him how i envisioned a few years ago. i'm feeling gooda bout how my work is evolving, and i hope to continue to grow as ana artist.

we have sold two nativity scenes in my sister's shop. i'm hoping i can fit in another before christmas. i have such a long list! i'm feeling a bit like another chap must be felling right now... ho, ho, ho:)

check out the featured seller (hint, she is related to me!)...

i'm so happy to share the lovely featured seller on etsy this weekend is my wonderful sister katy!!! i have been so excited waiting for this to come... it's hard to keep a secret! katy is such an amazing and talented artist... completely deserving of this (and i say that not as her sister:)! i'm so happy for her. so go read the wonderful interview, and definitely visit her shop before all those beautiful items are snatched up! go, go...

yay!!!

while there you can also see the beautiful nativity scene we collaborated on. i'm really happy how it turned out, and we have one more in the works. christmas is coming fast!

new penguin...

two penguins are standing on an iceberg. one penguin says to the other... "it looks like you are wearing a tuxedo." the other penguin replies... "who says I'm not."

i love the beautiful absurdity of the funny little penguin.

i have also put up a custom listing for polar bears. they will only be there for a short time before christmas.

i will be adding new items for the holidays over the next few weeks.

be sure to check out my sister katy's home on the get the look feature on etsy right now!!

five...

i love everything about this little (big to her) girl. i love that she says things like "rememorize" and "long-legged daddy". i love that when you give her a compliment she says "you're welcome". i love how strong and confident she has always been... even when she came into this world at only 4lbs. i love that when she asked to get her ears pierced and i carefully explained the whole process, including that it would hurt, she just looked at me and asked if i would hold her hand. "of course", i replied. "then i will be o.k." and she was. didn't even flinch once. you know what? whenever she holds my hand it makes everything o.k. for me too.