Wrapping The Year: 2011

Looking back at 2011 and realizing how much great travel we were able to do this year...two trips to Chicago, a two week vacation to Colorado, and an anniversary trip to New Mexico. And we had visitors here in St. Louis. Below is a pictorial recap of some 2011 highlights–certainly not all of them.

1. Getting my new camera. / 2. Having my St. Louis City Guide published on Design*Sponge. / 3. Fourth of July and summer. / 4. Lindsey's birthday trip to Chicago-just the two of us. / 5. All of our summer trips to the park and picnics. / 6. Our fall trip to New Mexico to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. / 7. The Kick Ass Awards. / 8. Our vacation with my family to Colorado. / 9. Lindsey's folks visiting us this summer. / 10. A visit from Rebecca! / 11. My cousin's wedding. / 12. Halloween! / 13. Audrey turning four. / 14. My nephews continuing to be such sweet young men and big parts of our lives. / 15. Christmas being more fun than ever before. / 16. Girl's trip to Tracy's in Chicago.

Again, certainly  not everything. I didn't capture was how wonderful it has been having my folks live so much closer. It is convenient, special, and so important to Audrey and to us. Watching Audrey continue to grow and develop this year has been remarkable. She is a constant joy and I marvel at all that she is and all that she may become. The three of us have so much fun.

In the next week I will spend some time reflecting on my personal successes and where I still have some work to do. I try to do this at the start of each year. I'm pretty pleased that I have 225 blog posts for the year. It sort of proves that I can be successful at cultivating new habits. So...what can that mean for 2012?

Sweet Letters

On Christmas Eve I asked Audrey if she wanted help writing a letter to Santa. I thought she might dictate a short list of gifts she wanted. To my surprise, she wanted to write the letter. She started with, "I learn how to go to bathroom." So I told her the letters to spell bathroom and she wrote them. Then she said, "I help with dishes." Again, I told her the letters and she wrote them. Then, "I fold a clothes." I started tearing up realizing she was telling me all the ways she was a good girl and never once had asked for any gifts. At that point I told her she was the sweetest girl in the world and Santa would always love her no matter what. So she wrote, "3-W-E-E-T" and signed it "AUEY" (Audrey). Really, she is the sweetest. On Christmas morning she was just as interested in passing out gifts and seeing what we were opening as she was in opening her own presents.

For a four year old, I think her letters are pretty impressive, especially since Lindsey and I have never really worked on this with her. She has kind of picked it up on her own. We try concentrate on the magic and wonder and exploration. (I think this is a great little post on what should a 4 year old know). Sorry for the brag. I loves my kid. 

Frankenthaler

Helen Frankenthaler (1928 - 2011)
Art In America | New York Times

Christmas Vacation

We've been holed up enjoying all our Christmas goodies–from toys and books to candies and other yum yums. Audrey was elated to wake up this morning to enough snow for her to quickly try out her new toboggan and throw a few snowballs at us. It was mostly gone by noon. Her favorite gift seems to be her easel, which delights me beyond measure. We have it easily accessible in her play area and moved her old art table, which she'd outgrown for art purposes, into the office with us. She feels like she has a desk and is a big shot now. We also took the tree down today. It felt good to get some order back to the house.

Wrapping The Week

I asked Audrey to clean the living room so Santa would have room.

She lined everyone up on the shelves.

We are ready.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Random: End Annie One Way

OBSERVATION

If I don't drive around the park,
I'm pretty sure to make my mark.
If I'm in bed each night by ten,
I may get back my looks again,
If I abstain from fun and such,
I'll probably amount to much,
But I shall stay the way I am,
Because I do not give a damn.

-Dorothy Parker

Christmas Countdown

For years at my grandma Avery's we would have barbeque at Christmas. Even if there was a blizzard, the uncles would warm themselves in the garage while tending to the pork steaks. The side dishes would include macaroni and cheese with a thick gooey top crust, pork and beans that were like caramel, twice baked potatoes, slaw, and a myriad of oddball salads. And always on the counter, loads of divinity. Her secret ingredient in everything, which wasn't so secret,  was butter. Even in the pork and beans. Butter. Good for our hearts? Depends on your definition of good. It was damned good eats made with love and I miss her and her cooking.

This year, I'm making collard greens at the Avery Christmas. Grandma never made them, which surprises me. But they are a staple in my husband's native North Carolina and I think she would like them.
  
I'm trying to take Shauna's approach to this week leading up to Christmas.

Present over perfect.
Quality over quantity.
Relationship over rushing.
People over pressure.
Meaning over mania.

Happy Birthday

Four years ago today, the most perfect little girl was born. The sunshine. The moon. The stars. They've got nothing on this one. Oh, how she shines. Every day is a magic carpet ride of discovery. Every second radiates with joy. My sweet Audrey, mama's little girl, always and forever.   

Weekend Bits & Pieces

Wrapping The Week

{Source}

Well, it continued to be a celebratory week with Audrey's preschool party yesterday. I managed to drop an "Oh, Shit!" amongst a bunch of preschoolers when my camera battery went dead in the middle of her sing-a-long. I am pretty sure only the grown-ups (and maybe Audrey) heard me. But not a shining moment. Earlier in the week, my Warby Parker glasses arrived and I must say I have been elated with their insanely speedy service and L-O-V-E my new specs. Finished up Christmas cards yesterday so this weekend, just tiny bits of Christmas odds and ends and some actual bona fide relaxing.

Cripes this is a dreamy way to live. Lonely, but there is a lot to like.

Tweedy, can you stop being so so so...I dunno...perfect?

Vintage Child Safety. Wow.

This garden in Scotland (open only one day a year) is beyond amazing.

This is fun. Cottage Cheese Containers?

I found this hilarious. Who would you invite?

Love this Christmas wreath project.

Aw man. Really?

Get out there and play kids. While you still can.

Softlightes

I've said it before. I can't get enough of Ron Fountenberry and the Softlightes. And yesterday they released Captain Brokenheart Fights the Infinite Summer up in its entirety on Soundcloud. Free. Because their former label didn't want the album. What the what?

Just about the best Christmas present this Cindy Lou Who could ask for.

Most Days

My friend Rebecca sent me this picture last night. I adore it. 

This is our life most days. Audrey barefoot. Me in apron and mary janes. 

Waving to Katy or the mailman or neighbors.

Having Audrey means I often get to see things like a four year old again.

Where everything seems amazing or terrifying. 

But I guess life is amazing and terrifying at any age.

And that is why waving is so important. 

Hello. I am here. You are here.

Together. 

Amazing.

Photography

Francesca Woodman

Emmet Gowin

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Weekend Bits & Pieces

Audrey's Cupcake Party celebrating her 4th birthday was a hit, even though she was still feeling under the weather. The girls had a blast decorating their cupcakes, taking it serious (for about 2 minutes) and then chowing. I'm glad we kept it as small as we did. It was perfect and sweet and most of all she was happy. Girl just wants to play. I love that kid something fierce.

Wrapping The Week

I've been neglecting my camera and this blog. So busy with preparing for Audrey's birthday and Christmas. She is having a tiny party on Sunday with just one cousin and her two besties from daycare. She actually told me, "big parties make me tired." She is very excited to just have the girls over and play in her room, since we rarely have play dates at the house. So I'm going to let them decorate their own cupcakes, play a few games, and then do whatever they want. Her birthday isn't until next weekend. So I'm sure I'll feel the urge/obliged to do something for her then too. Soon followed by Christmas. This kid is hitting the jackpot this month. She is so excited. Four has got to be the best age for Christmas. I'm so excited too. I do have 90% of my Christmas shopping done and wrapped. All that is left to do is some baking and make our Christmas cards.

Incredibly beautiful pie.

What children's drawings would look like if painted realistically.

Swinging pad.

These manipulated tree photos are brilliant and beautiful.

Jordan at Oh Happy Day had some great finds including these scissors, which are gorgeous and a super fun camera.

Can't wait to try this when we get cabin fever this winter.

Tap, tap tap. Party on, people!

Video Inspiration

Salon of Beauty from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.


Hero from Miguel Endara on Vimeo.


The Alphabet 2 from n9ve on Vimeo.


Memory Twelve from Bill Newsinger on Vimeo.

Not Feeling It

• Socks that slip down into my shoe. Constantly.
• Stores that blast music from speakers outside their store – as if listening to Feliz Navidad inside their store isn’t torture enough.
• Check engine light coming on just two payments away from car being paid off.  
• Restaurants that play contemporary country music while I’m trying to eat.

Weekend Bits & Pieces

{Source: Tobias Gaulke / gato-gato-gato}

I had such a wonderful weekend with all the women of my family. And we found out that my cousin Joe and his new wife are having a honeymoon baby. Woot! A new member will join the family in July.

Lindsey and I are lucky in so many ways. We don't have a lot of extra money, but I'm giving to the St. Louis Area Foodbank's having hearing how much trouble they are having keeping up with demand. Also, this NPR story on kids aging out of foster care broke my heart so I'm going to give something to Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. There are so many other causes I care about (Women's Media Center, Mom's Rising, Fracking). Wish I had an endless supply of cash...but I gotta lotta love. 

Wrapping The Week

I'm off for the annual Christmas shopping weekend. For 20+ years on the first weekend of December,  I've decked the retail halls with my mom, three aunts, and three cousins. The aunts dress alike and have coerced the next generation into doing the same. In 2007 (above) my Aunt Debbie knitted us matching scarves and I was 8-1/2 months pregnant! Tonight, most of them will be spending the night at my house. It is one of the best weekends of the year, every year. Even though I'm trying to make more gifts and shop local/small whenever I can...I wouldn't pass this tradition up, ever. Do you have any shopping traditions?


Speaking of making gifts, here are some great ideas for kids.

Animal blocks. So cute.

I think any of these crafting books for kids would be great. Especially felting.

Love these toys from recycled skateboards.  

#notbuyingit is a Twitter campaign calling attention to sexist toys.

Have fun!