Not too long ago, my boss showed me a photo that she took in Italy that inspired me in the biggest way. So, for the first time in years (maybe since undergrad??), I actually painted. I started this last week and finished it tonight. I took some liberties with the photo (some things work in…

Much of this afternoon was spent making peppermint bark. Typically, it’s one of the easiest things to make. But I had a tough time because I switched the type of chocolate I used. I had to pitch out three batches. Honestly, I’m not blaming the chocolate. I think it’s just me. The kitchen and I…

After wrapping up the first phase of a huge project at work, I was able to leave the office a few minutes early. Here’s the scene at my house at this very moment: it’s a Friday evening. I’m wearing flannel pjs, eating mac and cheese that I picked up on the way home (a lovely…

Omigod. I was one of those mothers tonight. The mothers who invariably make me snicker and roll my eyes at every school function. Yes, I went there: I sat in one of the front rows AND I took pictures at Tanner’s winter orchestra concert. In my defense, I didn’t have a video camera and I…

Had to have my oil changed today, so the dealership gave me a rental for the day. Don’t get me wrong — that program is so nice when I need to get from A to B, but today’s loaner totally mystified me. It was this itty bitty scrap of metal that reminded me of a…

“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.”— Linus Van Pelt So today was my office’s overly-complicated cookie crawl. In spite of my initial crabbiness, it turned out to be a neat day. For starters, our department’s “Charlie Brown Christmas”…

Tanner had his last match at oh-gawd-o’clock this morning, so we headed back to Belleville bright and early. Not ready to make small talk with tennis parents, I picked up some caffeine and headed back over to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. There were so many things that were begging for a…

I’m happy to report that the jewelry show is over and I can exhale a little. It went well, but mostly I’m just glad to have it out of the way. I have the most supportive coworkers. I’m so lucky. After the show, I headed to Illinois for Tanner’s match. The tournament was in Belleville…

This was in front of me in the drive-thru last night. Yes, the woman got out of her car to pay for and collect her food. I know her windows were working because I saw her place her order (which took an unusually long time — should’ve been a red flag). So what the heck…

“Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy’s right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest.”— LinusIf Charlie Brown is the only person Linus knows who can turn Christmas into a problem, mine is…

http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:457232 Movie Trailers – Movies Blog Looking for an excuse to go to New York sometime in the next few months. There is an extensive Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA that I am dying to see. Oh my gosh, we were just there at this time a year ago!! Argh!!! (Be sure to click on…

(More photos taken and edited with my new phone. Technology is amazing.)

Thanksgiving dinner has come and gone…and I’m happy to report that we didn’t have to resort to my Plan B of steakburgers and chili from a fast food joint. Making a meal of that scale is a lot of work (and a little intimidating for someone with my limited culinary skills), but it really was…

With my jewelry show coming up, I’ve been creating a lot of new pieces lately. But tonight’s pieces were a little unusual for me. The autumn jasper (above) is so cool. Each bead tells a different story — and named appropriately. And (believe it or not) all of the beads in the piece below are…

It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but I went ahead and took advantage of the lovely weather and hung Christmas decorations outside. When I figured out that two of my pre-lit wreaths from last year were burned out, I headed to the hardware store down the street. (Somehow I just couldn’t bring myself to test two wreaths-worth…

Chilly air and a vibrant sunset right before a joyous celebration for one of our hospitals made for a perfect evening from my hotel room balcony last night.

(Taken with my new phone — and edited with an app on the phone. SO cool.)

Nothing beats coming home to a box of yummy, smelly Zum stuff on a rainy Tuesday. It was a group order, but this little vase and whiff sticks was my part of the order. Vanilla-cinnamon whiff sticks, to be more specific. My house smells like something is baking. Nice…

Each October, our system celebrates Mother Odilia and our system’s founding Sisters. With five dollars between them, five Sisters came to America from Germany 137 years ago to serve God and care for the poor. Over the years, many stories have been told and retold about our Sisters. My favorite legend relates to the loaves…

A new store recently opened down the road and it has the best window displays — wow! Such detail! This one was too funny to pass up — just loved the sassy nun.