Somewhere under the rainbow....

This past weekend I went to visit my friend in D.C. We walked out of Second Story Books on Dupont Circle to the most amazing rainbow either of us had ever seen. It was huge and luminous and the picture doesn't do it justice, but it was worth documenting.

Last night we celebrated Solstice which is, of course, technically today, but today Micaela has a friend over and Sofia is at a sleepover. This is the first year we have decided to do the whole gift thing on Solstice. I look forward to sleeping in on the day most dedicate to presents. The kids were beyond happy with their gifts and extremely grateful. I'm grateful that today brought a Solstice mix (and other goodies!) from the musical Wordy Diva and a gift certificate to a local spa from my boss.

Tomorrow we will be invaded by teenage girls for a birthday party. Micaela will officially be 14 on Sunday. There is an element of deja vu in the whole thing; some of these kids are dressing in the "latest" 80s fashions and the movie line up is retro too....The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Stand By Me and Heathers. The last two I recommended as they asked me help them find 80s films. Nice to be of some use.


There is absolutely no one who makes me laugh like Micaela makes me laugh. I could not have imagined, 14 years ago, as I cursed the heat and my enormous belly how much I would enjoy being the mother of a teenage girl. She speaks her mind, has great style, stands up for what she believes in and isn't afraid to show us affection in public or act like a total goof ball. Who else would skip down the bayou walking path with me while singing made up lyrics to hypothetical heavy metal songs? I know, no one. Truly she's a kindred spirit and I'm glad we met up this time around.

Late night loopy

It's late and I'm luxuriating in the thought of not having to get up at six in the morning and walk the dog in the dark before heading off to eight hours in an office. Of course the long list of things I have to do tomorrow will hit me like a speeding truck in the haze of my impending sleep deprivation, but for now I'm goofing off. Happy Friday (ok, technically Saturday now)!

Let the madness begin!

Today was my second day back at work full time. So far so good, except reading policy and bioethics papers for 4 hours in a row starts to make your eyes go blurry. The biggest bonus was finding out that the center closes for two weeks over the holidays. Enforced vacation time and no more worries about juggling the kids being out of school, priceless. Crazy evenings trying to catch up with kids, make dinner or walk the dog (Juan and I switch off), supervise homework, then violin practice , make the next days lunches etc. etc. not so much. A balance will be found!

I can finally post a picture of my latest finished object, the last swap in an almost year long swap with the members of my former knit and spin group in Illinois. This hat has Sarah written all over it!

Sofia looks pretty cute in it too, although the light could be better. I spun the yarn and then knit the hat and felted it. The red flower is from a sweater Sarah gave me long ago and the black velvet button was taken from a 1940's coat dress I no longer wear.

I've been sewing quite a bit and have everything to make this (I was the happy recipient of the one pictured, my last swap gift from Dorie. Ironically I bought Lotta Jansdotter's book the day before I got the bag, I now plan to make one for my mom.) and this. Both of them holiday gifts. Sofia made a place mat for herself from the Lotta Jansdotter book and I made this backpack.


My plan was to show it on my back, but it makes me look like a linebacker. Note to self: much longer straps next time. This backpack will go to some lucky kid.

Just a few pictures from today...

Getting Gracie riled up!

Battle of the Bands, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Juan exchanging breath with a statue outside the Museum of Fine Arts Houston where I also saw an amazing exhibition of Avant-Garde jewelery, but somehow missed the Kara Walker exhibition. Next time.