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. 

This morning I have the windows open so the cats can look out and so I can let the fresh air in. A few minutes ago, I heard Murphy crying like a baby from the window sill. So I looked out, then up and…wow! This lovely creature and two buddies were bouncing from limb to…

This scene caught my eye out the window while standing in Lorraine’s office today. This little guy did whatever it took to get to the seed clusters at the end of the branch. A precarious position, to say the least. But he was determined to hang on. When he was dangling completely upside down, he…

This photo is a result of my boss’s trip to Italy. After I picked up my jaw, I wanted nothing more than to go home and paint, make jewelry, take photos, do anything creative.

Seventeen years ago at 2:20 in the afternoon, my oldest son entered the world. From the beginning, he’s been a happy heart, a kind soul, a strong spirit, and such a source of laughter and joy to everyone he meets. I have lots of thoughts as this big birthday comes to a close, but two…

Check out this little car! A 1957 BMW Isetta. I’d never seen one before, so I pulled into the classic car dealership on the way back from lunch when I caught a glimpse from the road. I had total Addam’s Family flashbacks of Cousin It’s little car. How wickedly cool is this thing? It only…

My neighbor’s holly bush is going bonkers, so I thought I’d get started with some holiday photos. But the sky looked this this and it was 80 degrees. So it felt more natural to focus on these. It just doesn’t feel like the holidays are right around the corner.

These beads will have a home tomorrow. Hopefully so will a few other beads as well. No jewelry made today because I spent the entire day cleaning the house, trying to get a jump start for Thanksgiving dinner. I also replaced a few things today — including a toilet seat and a toilet paper holder….