Ransacked Goods

The Saddest Crisp

Last night we hosted a little going away gathering for some dear friends who are moving to South Africa. We had a great BBQ dinner, sat outside and ate by candle light and let the kids roam wild. It's such a great feeling when you have a diverse group of friends who all just click. You'll help one another out at the drop of a hat, you'll listen while another parent speaks to your child about something serious in a firm voice and it sits well with you, you'll commiserate about marriage, you'll share stories about sleepless nights, tough choices at work and pre-children travels, and basically you just adore one another's children and don't get sick of each other - that friendship is not easy to find and sustain.

We ate a peach blackberry crisp and homemade fresh vanilla ice cream which the Chickpea and I made with love for those we care about. There were tears all around, long sustained hugs and shouting of last goodbyes into the darkness. We've all decided that we'll just pick up where we have left off when they return in 2 and a half years. But life is best left unplanned and we all know that often the choices and events that have the most impact on us aren't always ours to make. I remind myself to let go and seek out kindness and embrace it when I see it and all will be well.

As sad as we are to miss our friends we know it is a great opportunity and we are undeniably happy for them. I don't know what to expect from the kids. Chickpea's best buddy departing will leave a big hole to fill but kids are resilient and adaptable. Thankfully, the little girls have a few more weeks before they say their final goodbye.

Archiving

So I'm working on archiving around here - a task that I have put off over and over again. Old home movies, new videos, prints, digital photos, albums... I'm trying to get it all backed up on DVD or organized in books and boxes. Above are super 8 reels from 1974-82 that my dad shot. I haven't seen them in about 20 years but I've had them sitting in this box and they aren't going to last forever. There are notes written on the cases indicating my first steps, my younger brother being brought home, a trip to Mexico, the beach house, birthday parties. Not many people my age have moving documents of these events like we do for our children now. They are worth preserving even though it will cost a pretty penny. I'm eager to pick up the DVDs and watch them in a few weeks. I have a picture in my head of what my great grandmother's house and land looked liked to me as a child that I explore in my head occasionally as I'm trying to go to sleep. Will I be surprised by what it really looked like? As I go through all of this I'm reminded that we can only hold on to so much of the past. We can't nor should we document and preserve every last detail but rather enjoy the present.

Reconstructing the Creative Space

What does your art space look like? Back before motherhood I used to be lucky enough to have a whole bedroom devoted to my studio space. I could work in there all day and then just leave my mess and close the door - creative bliss contained. Now it's a different story. Without the time and space to create as much art as I want, I look in on my supplies now and then and realize my taste have changed. I've purged the giant tubs of papers I used to use for my collage work and just saved the best for someday. Oh, so many unfinished projects hanging around too.

We're in the works cleaning out our garage and converting it into a better office space. I'll be selling my light table and again cleaning out more supplies to make a succinct and focused space. It's hard work letting things go but I'm looking forward to a new space to call my own. The Hubby has already done his share reorganizing his space in our dingy depths, selling bike equipment and organizing tools. Our motto is "if it doesn't make your life better now, ditch it".

Random Thoughts

I'm just a random jumble of to-do lists these days. Good intentions but lousy follow through - I'm being too hard on myself - I'm a busy full time working, pregnant Mommy, with an almost 3 year old. I'm also an artist, collector, crafter, friend, wife, traveler and general neatnik housekeeper. Too many personas to attend to at once, what's a girl to do. So here are some of my random thoughts and places I've visited this week.

• For all my designer, artist and architect friends who have had a rough year - NY Times article Architect, or Whatever. 
• Craft Hope for Haiti shop on Etsy. Don't hesitate, just shop and keep those donations coming.Indie Fixx has some cool auctions up too. I'm proud the company I work for is matching dollar-for-dollar the donations from it's employees.
• Polyvore is very addictive, creating sets, layered and collages products and images of your choice - cool in a materialistic kind of way.
• A new e-book on how to become a textile designer is coming out by Lizzy House. I'm quite intrigued after my stint in fabric design school.
• I'm going to (or should I say the hubby will do it for me) go Rust-Oleum crazy on the adorable cast iron kids bench (above) I picked up at a garage sale for $10. Turquoise or teal, perhaps like this table?
• Curtains for the front room are finally coming together with this fabric from Echino. I'm in love with so many of the patterns.
• Just finished reading Goldengrove on the way home today. Heavy but good.
• I'm posting to craigslist like mad - it's winter cleaning around here and that means purging what's not needed. Chuck it!!
• Rain, rain and more rain here... I'm thinking boots, the Recchiuti hot chocolate I slogged out in the rain for today because I couldn't be cooped up any more, the clogged sump pump that almost flooded our garage again... and how I miss sunshine.
• I know there's more... there is always more.