Rainy Day

It's a dreary day with misty rain in my neighborhood. Amira and I are off to an accordingly slow start but I don't need to be to work until 2, so we have the time to lounge.


I can't believe this plant made it through the winter! I certainly did not tend to is appropriately.


I don't think it will stop feeling like early morning today.



So we look through books: Below are a few Klimt landscapes, I love the patterns he makes.




The flowers on this Gaudi tower are like whimsical pinwheels! The fantasy of his buildings makes anything seem possible!


And work on projects: I am starting to seam my hexagons, so maybe this project will come to an end!


A pattern of a dress for Amira (on an old proof of a wood cut). I am experimenting with collars. I think some bright dresses with flowers at the collar will be so cute on her this summer! I can't wait it get to the final product!



And still working on those red flowers! But this blanket will be so warm, I'm in no hurry here. The summer should be warm...I guess that remains to be seen though!


So much to do inside on a rainy day!

Lunch Break

I decided to take a walk for lunch today and see what is in some of the galleries around me. I love the orange flowers in this arrangement-but I don't know what they are...?



I am always drawn to Japanese prints. I love the patterns, and the colors always seem so clear. The expressions on faces are so extreme too, they are very engaging.



This one I didn't get a good picture of, the background is dark, shades of black with white flowers, it made me feel the intimacy of night.

There is so much going on here!

I walked by this pitcher a few times, I know those should be leaves, but don't they look like lips? Like some just kissed all around the pitcher?

I don't often take time to look at ceramics in galleries, like so many I am drawn to the paintings, but there are some very whimisical drawing on so many pieces.

I am lucky to work surrounded by interesting items, but I have to admit, I miss my time at home on the couch with Amira and Wednesday!

Mother's Day

I had a relatively peaceful first Mother's Day. We ate scones from the Greenhills Irish Bakery and played around the house before Adrian left to teach that morning. Despite that expression, Amira really likes daddy playing the guitar:)


Amira and I then took a long nap in the late morning, which was very relaxing for both of us.


Once we woke, we scooted around the house, goofing off. Amira was in a great mood, the two teeth she was pushing out finally cut reliving her of the discomfort she had been feeling. These are the flowers Amira got me from Lopez the florist.


Later we went and I finally picked up a five foot folding table. Such a simple purchase I have been putting off, but now I have a much better space to spread out my journal so I can keep my entries going.


My goal is to fill out the sketch book before Amira turns a year. I've done 9 of 15 and she is 10 months old. Doable, but this project is clearly back loaded. This is my latest entry, a memory of walking in the park one Tuesday. There were mommies and babies everywhere that day!

Getting there!

My afgan is coming along. I have about half of the hexagons done. Amira likes to grab them and stick them in her mouth. They have lots of color, but they are not candy!


Other than that I have been looking for inspiration for new ideas in my frequently traveled places. Like these flowers that were given away by the volunteers at work. I brought some of the outdoors this past weekend when I was at work envying all other who were enjoying some very beautiful weather. That's a picture I drew of me and Adrian about 4 years ago!


This is a watercolor of the harbor here in Boston. I like the patterns the rocks and the waves were making.

Below are some sketches of possible patterns for future projects:

And of course, my favorite piece of inspiration!

Food!!

Adrian, Amira and I all need our lunches packed in the morning-and this is quite a feat. Amira usually leaves with the best as we plan her food in advance. We cook and freeze fruits and vegetables in ice cube trays over the weekend so we can just pop them out for her in the morning before leaving for work and daycare (aka "school").


Today Amira had: sweet potatoes and peas; spinach, pears and spaghetti squash; snap peas, beef and carrots. Mom and Dad had left over pizza and wings and of course a piece of fruit each. I also keep a variety of snacks in my desk at work like oatmeal and microwave popcorn. And I extremely dependent on the wonderful treats members of my team bake on a fairly frequent basis.


Amira enjoying trying to feed herself:)


I know she gets herself pretty messy, but she has to learn somehow right? While she was mashing banana and cantaloupe in her mouth, I tried cleaning up the kitchen a bit and found this dried pepper in our vegetable bowl!

You can see how long its been since I have had a chance to clean out the vegetable bowl by how many onion and garlic peels were at the bottom. Well, that and how long does it take a peper to dry out like that?

After that I fed Amira her meal with a spoon. She has this habit of pressing her feet against my knee during meals. Now I know why people love little baby feet so much!

Good Morning! I am going into work late today so I actually have a minute to drink my coffee! Some bright hexagons I have been making lately to go with the pretty flowers Adrian brought home.

Amira and I picking up this Saturday while dad is getting the oil changed in the car-the to-do list never ends...And then there are all the things I want to do! I need to get back to my diary! Maybe I can work on that tonight?
This, however, is what I really need to tackle!!!

Still crochetting!
I have started working on a crocheted red flower blanket-above are the flowers I have done so far. I look forward to its completion!


I always fall for multicolored yarn. Here are a couple of squares that seem tie dyed when crocheted. I may have to make a summer dress for my Amira, tie dye seems appropriate for summer days which are getting nearer and nearer. I can't wait to take our baby to the beach for the first time!

Amira-are you excited too! She is wearing her liberty of london dress grandma got at target and my necklace-I never had a gold chain before as I just remember boys in elementary school wearing stiff fish tail styles, but lately I have become fond of them. However, anytime I wear jewelery the baby is too interested for it to stay on me.

I relearned to crochet last weekend. I made the above sun hat for Amira...


I have started this blanket for a friends baby, but think in might be better suited to be a felted basket-any thoughts?


I have been playing with making different flowers, this one is inspired by hydrangeas which will soon be in season here in New England.

As I want to make an afgan, I am trying to learn some classic patterns.

Here's Amira getting caught up in some of my yarn!