SO LONG 2011 (AND 2 PROJECTS IN THE CAN)

Not much posting went on in 2011.... it was a pretty busy year, here. Finally finished the cross stitched stocking... just in time for our daughter Frida to arrive on December 15th! So much can change in one measly year...

2010 Christmas Cards

These were my Christmas cards for this past season. Martha paper punch with vintage wrapping paper and/or Anthropologie catalogue images of white birch trees, and rubber stamps, and gold pen! Easy peasy, and liked how each one was a little different.

Cross Stitch Stocking Project

Dudes... I have spent well over 30 hours on this I would say. Cross stitch is a time sucker. But the results are so worth it, so I keep doing it.

I have started this stocking to give to a future progeny at some point; a child that in no way exists yet but I am hopeful that when I do eventually become pregnant, have a kid, send it to high school and listen to it tell me that my music is "lame and old fashioned" or whatever kids in the future will say, that the stocking may get done. And then the child will be so in awe and grateful that he or she will sit down with me, look at the stocking lovingly, and we will listen to Sonic Youth together and eat Christmas shortbread. That'll shut 'em up.

Madewell tank make me swoon

Want it, but it would look weird on me. Sads. Why am I so sequin-obsessed?

I cooked a turkey

It wasn't massive (9 lbs or so) and the brining process definitely helped make it tasty (lots of sugar, salt, thyme, sage, apple, celery, carrot, onion, bay leaf etc, for 24 hours sitting in the fridge, marinating the turkey). But it really is a little daunting when you keep brushing past the oven and the too-sensitive knob keeps turning the temp down to 200F. And you are trying to time the cooking with the 4 sides one must make with a dinner such as this. I must salute my aunts and grandmothers for their turkey-making for up to 20+ people over the years, and to my in-laws for being my guinea pigs for my very first one! (And to my vegetarian hubs for not vocally getting grossed-out by the carcass- because they are weird). All that said, I look forward to doing it again!

Mrs Press

Mrs Press is Clare Press of Australia, a designer and blogger who, I believe, makes my dream clothes; every single piece I would wear, if I had the money and appropriate places to go. I have been looking for a perfect sequin bolero for a while, and this one would be in my closet by now if it were about 500$ cheaper, oy. The "Mia" blouse, pictured left, reminds me of something Katherine Hepburn might have worn in Bringing Up Baby. Maybe a little cuckoo for day to day, but so gorgeous. (I tried to find a pic of Katherine Hepburn's totally insane hat in that movie- like two ribbons cascading down from the top of her head. Hard to describe, but seriously, the craziest headgear ever. If you haven't seen the movie, you should. Delightful.)

TERRORDOME!

Well, actually, terrarium, made with old mason jars and plants from the cottage. Terrordome sounds more exciting.