How lovely is that?

Dublin XIII aka Angel Exit, 8x8 inch print, $100 at vlad

Saying goodbye to 2009 feels a little bit like watching a bad boyfriend walk away. You did the best you could and now he's gone and it's better this way but still.... Onward.

I've missed them so.

It took a lot longer than I thought it would, but the workroom is finally clean. Apparently, I am easily distracted. There was just enough time left for a long run - thinking about bare trees, flightless birds, seeking, chamomile, Baltimore, and breathing.

Now it's time to go pick up my monkeys. I've missed them so.

It's all over but the sweeping up.

Christmas is done and my monkeys have run off to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days, so now I have no reason to procrastinate further. I have to clean my room. It looks like a bomb went off in here during a cyclone. And then a mail truck crashed into it.

Unless, of course, someone can think something else to do? Anyone? Want to come over?

Anyone?

Gingerbread, iced.

Happy Christmas to you, sweet ones (and sour ones too)!

Scones for Christmas breakfast.

Gingerbread.

Retail obligations having been fulfilled, the holiday baking begins in earnest. Actually, there was a lovely chocolate-chip banana bread yesterday, which I neglected to photograph - but that was baked just so we'd have something to snack on. While we're baking.

Renegade! whew....

Sorry, the pictures are kinda meh, I took them with my phone and I was in a hurry and I didn't care that much because, Renegade? Was awesome! I can't say enough good things about it and I stood up on a concrete floor for two solid days....

Everybody was talented and hardworking and beautiful and amazing and nice. Nice. How does that happen? I love nice people who make cool things. Especially Megan from Harrilu and her patient husband who knows what baby-rib is. The girls from Aroo Studio? I love them. Sweet Meats? Love (thank you for the awesome deal on the Hambone) and the adorable Kelso from Kelso Doesn't Dance and Long Beach Craft Mafia. I loved them so much I didn't even care that I didn't get to pee for like eight hours. Whatever.

Thank you thank you to everyone who came to visit: Maia and Mimi and Lucia, Mick and Christine, Silvia and friends, Dad, Paula and Tom - and even Colin.

Thank you x the power of 10,000 suns to Julie, who did everything and was the best boss I ever had. And thank you for texting.

Tomorrow there will be unpacking and cleaning and counting and accounting.

But today, there is couch and coffee, resting tired toes, snuggling my sweeties and caring for their coughs.

Ready, or not....

I'm absolutely not ready. Not an ultra-super-bitchin time to be having yet another crisis of confidence since 95% of all success in this business seems to come directly from believing in yourself and your work. But, I'm showing up (which is the other 5%) and I have my little thrifted table, which is now blue and awesome and I have my Julie (bRex Saleswoman of the Year) and I just need to finish pricing everything and pack it all up and make some wholesome snacks.... And then get some sleep. Unless I decide to stay up all night making myself something to wear. It wouldn't be the first time.

Tis upon us.

This is what I want.

For Christmas. This is what I want. Of course, it's already sold out - so, unless you're Steve Jobs, you're probably not going to be able to get me in. Just in case: Steve, if you're reading - all I want for Christmas is to go to TED2010.

Party time....

All decorated (even my dear deer) and it's time to party like the kids are sleeping over at Mimi and Papa's.

Hobbypreneurs?

From the Intuit Future of Small Business Report:

Today’s passion-driven hobbyists will breed many of tomorrow’s small businesses. Stemming from the “Maker” movement, and enabled by technology, these hobbypreneurs – both knowledge and craft-based – are leading a new generation of entrepreneurs who increasingly take the step to turn fun into profit.

Hobbypreneurs will continue to grow in numbers and influence, creating new niche products and markets in the U.S. and abroad. These frugal, techsavvy, green-oriented, out-of-the-box thinkers are creating new business methods, models and processes. And along the way, they are spurring growth and innovation.

Hobbypreneurs? I don't know whether I should feel encouraged or insulted. It's certainly apt and a thousand times better than "Mompreneur." Maybe I'm just cranky (highly likely) and inclined to bristle at anything that makes me sound like the dilettante that I am.

You can read the report here, if you're into that sort of thing.

What are they trying to say?

This morning, my kids found ornaments - instead of candy - in their advent calendar. So they put them in the back of the toy garbage truck. hmm.

The Salahis: who cares?

Congress has subpoenaed the Salahis. Really, Congress? This is how you're spending your time? Attempting to question two media hounds about a party at which nothing untoward actually happened? Remember when you were going to fix health care and regulate the financial services industry? Just wondering.

In unrelated news, Tiger Woods: who cares? I'm starting to hate the internet.

More Goodies for Renegade!

More Goodies for Renegade!

WhAat?

It's snowing here today. At my house. "This Never happens," I said to the ever-delightful Fin, and he replied: "Mama, it's happening right now." And so it is. This being California, we all have to pull over to the side of the road and gape at the sky as though we've never seen weather before, so I'm looking forward to a mildly unproductive, but enchanting sort of day. And hot cocoa.

How lovely is that?

Tangerine Hewn Ring, $70 at QuercusSilver

Goodies for Renegade!

Thrift store madness.

Omy, but I do love me some junk. This little table is not in the best of shape, but it's made of wood and isn't broken. $15, but I probably overpaid - Fin was dismantling a garment rack and I was in no position to haggle. But look at it! It's gorgeous! Just needs a little sanding and a little spray paint.....

Goodies for Renegade!

Fin (age 4): Knock Knock.

Fin: Knock Knock.

Me: Who's there?

Fin: Boobs!

Me: Really? Because I thought we had another year or two before that started.

You Win!

If you've made the best strawberry jam at the County Fair, if you're a really good driver, if you've emptied the dishwasher.... You should be commended. Your Prize Ribbon will be waiting for you at Renegade Craft at Fort Mason on December 19th and 20th. Have I mentioned it enough yet? I'm a teensy bit excited about it.