Under A Shady Tree

Something Missing

2011-09-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well Hello, Blogland friends!

Can you tell I have been busy? Its only been six+ months since I've posted. Remember that job offer I accepted back in February? Well--let's say that I didn't really have a full understanding of how much time would be left at the end of the day for me when I took it.

Its a classic story, right? Getting back into the full-time world of work after five years of working from home and consulting. All of a sudden in this new world my time is not my own. It has taken some getting used to, and some strong organizational skills to navigate.

I haven't been wholly absent from the social media sphere, however. My Twitter account, though mostly geared toward my work at Ovation has been growing steadily. I am also a regular poster on our blog, OvationNation. And even though I am enjoying the job immensely, part of me is missing. I've been mulling it over for a few days.

I have a family blog, Under A Shady Tree. I have this blog, which combines my love of antiques, crafting, baking. But really, what it all is is storytelling. I am a storyteller through and through. But where do I blog when I have a few precious moments? Under A Shady Tree? Here? I feel pulled in two different directions. What I am considering is closing Under A Shady Tree and posting family content on Vintage Pollyanna. Those of you who read VP get the occasional family tidbit anyhow. And why not? Its part of the fabric of who I am.

And--I'm a marketer, through and through, and I gotta say, the ring that Vintage Pollyanna has as a blog name is so true. It resonates with me, and clearly with the thousands of readers who stop in here to lurk, or to read, or to say hello.

I've missed you guys. I think I am coming home. Stay tuned.

Ella Starts Pre-School

2011-09-06T17:51:00.000-07:00

Get a load of the smile on this kid's face. Think she's excited?
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BABY!?

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ella!

2011-08-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Our Ella, now three years old--it is just unbelievable!
You have such an amazing personality--
either 100% princess of 100% imp!
Your giggle, your smile, the way you bat your eyelashes at your daddy,
the hugs you give your brother--always his little shadow and into everything he is.
You tell everyone what to do--I think sometimes you are a little drill sergeant--
and yet each night before bed when I am rocking you to sleep
you are the sweetest thing in all the world.
You have our hearts, always,
and we wish you every happiness for every birthday to come.

Love you baby girl--
xoxo
Mommy, Daddy and James

Happy 5th Birthday James!

2011-07-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

I love you, my dear boy, and am just amazed that you are five.
Five years of great big smiles;
big, warm, hugs;
hundreds of bedtime stories, silly knock knock jokes and impromptu songs;
hours and hours of Mario on the Wii, the Nintendo and the DS;
a million jars of peanut butter;
a bizillion donuts worth of "I Love You's."

You are a sweet, kind and caring young boy
that is pretty good (most of the time) to your sister;
you do a great job being the "man of the house" when Daddy is on the road;
you never, EVER forget to clear your plate;
you are the best little reader I know
and you stole my heart from the very MOMENT I laid eyes on you.

Happy 5th Birthday, my Love.

XOXO Mommy

No Seriously, I'm Back

2011-05-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

Maybe.

That is, if this new life of full-time work, drive the kids back and forth to school, squeeze in laundry and grocery shopping, and oh maybe kiss my hubby once in a while doesn't grind the life outta me.

Well that was cheerful! Aren't you glad you checked in?

Naw, its not that bad. Really its not. The newness has worn off of it though, and while I do still love my job I guess I would say that the bloom is officially off the rose. My company is filled with amazing people doing amazing things but all of that amazingness is REALLY.HARD.WORK.

And it should be, of course. I am working my ASS off. Am I using caps too much, do you think?

Anyhow, now that I have belabored how hard the work thing is, let's talk about home. The kids are doing well. Other than the fact that Ella hurt her arm this weekend and I had to take her to the Doc first thing this morning and he looked at me and said "Do you swing her around by one arm a lot?" At which point I beat him over the head with my bag, grabbed Ella and went screaming from the room. Well, that is what rolled through my head, but instead I calmly answered "No, I do not." Turns out she basically just about dislocated her elbow at some point over the weekend when she fell off of her trike three times and bounced like a madwoman in the bouncy house all weekend long. The actual condition is called "Nursemaid's Elbow." And she is fine. Thank goodness.

James is also doing great--well, except for that he had a fever for three days last week and I tried sending him to school all doped up with Motrin for one of them because I had a REALLY IMPORTANT MEETING which is I am sure exactly how he got sick in the first place, from some other mother saying "Oh honey, here, you're fine, suck down this Motrin and I'll pick you up at 1 when your fever magically appears. " I know. I STINK. Anyhoo. He's fine now, and had a great weekend.

BTW, did you know we have a pool this year? I have never had one and I am so totally and unabashedly psyched about it! Plus, I get to watch Chris be the pool boy and pretend I am sipping a Mojito and my address is Wisteria Lane. He opened it this weekend and it should be all ready to go this Saturday which is his birthday!

Alright, I better stop now, or else you will call the police and ask who took over my body because the Allison you know does NOT write like this on her blog. Let me clue you in--I do, sometimes. It feels darn good, too.

Maybe I'll do it again sometime.

PS Ella fell asleep in my arms tonight while I rocked her and sang her favorite good night song. If I am lucky enough to hold on to those moments in my mind forever I will be happy. I want to be 90 years old, surrounded by my family and remembering the moments when I rocked Ella to sleep and hugged James goodnight and he says "You are the best Mom, Mom, EVER." Truly amazing. My heart is full.

Goodnight.

XOXO

Allison

Oh Where Has Allison Gone?

2011-05-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

Hmm, to work, to work, to work!

I had hoped it wouldn't be quite so long between postings, but I guess something had to give! I felt terrible when I had to put Vintage Pollyanna aside, and now look at me, I am not blogging on Shady Tree, where I've been documenting my life for the LAST FOUR YEARS!

I have read other blogs and seen how sometimes the authors come and go, ebb and flow, but I was always pretty consistent. NOT ANYMORE!

I was in Tulsa last week visiting my grandparents with my husband, my kids and my younger sister. Amy was talking about how she missed the blog and I felt a little pang. ME TOO!

Well, folks, here's to trying. Maybe if I can get here a few times a week I can get back in the swing of things. So I promise to put up some recent pics of the kids later in the week. Want to see if I keep my word? Check back! And Amy, thanks for being a great sister and for giving me that little nudge that I needed. Love you!

And BTW, I had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday, and I hope all of you Moms out in Blogland did too. Mom, you know I miss you and I think of you often. A little lately I think of you in a happier way and less in a sad way. You will always be with me. xoxo

My Little Star Twinkles

2011-03-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

My little girl singing "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star."

She makes my heart melt!

A Grab Bag Assortment of Photos and Thoughts

2011-03-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hello? Is anyone out there still reading? I haven't posted for ten days, so if I have lost all of my Bloggy friends I won't be too surprised!

I have been back to work for two weeks now and I have to say, it is thrilling and disconcerting all at the same time. Dropping my little ones at school at 7 in the morning is tough--but when they literally RUN into school and start laughing and playing I have to feel pretty good.

We had some bumps in the road last week--not the least of which was the call I received around 12:30 on Friday letting me know that James had a temp of almost 102. I raced out of work to get him and got to see nap time in full swing for the first time. The kids were all on cozy costs with their special blankies and lovies and favorite stuffed toys from home, backs being rubbed by the teachers--it was a sweet scene. My heart broke a little when I saw my boy, passed out from his fever--but I collected him and then Ella and brought him home and made him comfortable. In times like those it is good to know that you have loving professionals who can take great care of your children!

So work is great for me--I am turning my space at work into the "Un-corporate office" and am filling it up with vintage everything! Books, artwork, even a great repro birdcage that Dad brought down last weekend. I will post pics when I have it completed!

On to the photos of the kids . . . ENJOY! (And hopefully it won't be ten days until I post a again!) xoxo Allison

The Man of the House (this Week)

2011-03-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

My boy has been Man of the House all week while his Dad is in Maine for work.

He has taken his job very seriously, watching over Ella and I with great care. What a love!

After I posted this, I saw how the little pic of me in my sidebar is looking at this pic of James. Sweet! The look on my face is the way I feel about him--like I could just eat him up with a spoon!

Ella Bella Schmella

2011-03-02T17:23:00.000-08:00

That's what James calls Ella, and I love it.

I had the brains to grab my camera tonight, and was snapping pics of my girl since she was being extra-special silly.

This week has not been so hard so much as new. New routines, packing lunches the night before, rousing the kids out of bed at 6 (I never had to do THAT before I started working!). I actually sang both of them to sleep tonite and they were doing this crazy thing--I think its called "yawning." I don;t know because that has never happened in this house before!

I am glad to see that all of the NEW has not changed my little sweetheart. She is still funny, and bossy, and just shining so brightly. Now it just seems that more people get to see that.

Yesterday her teacher told me that when James' class came through to go downstairs and play in the gym, each and every one of the kids in the class stopped to hug my little peanut.

No wonder she knows how to shine for the camera. She has her own little paparazzi!

Unexpected Beauty

2011-02-26T04:15:00.000-08:00

I purchased a Christmas Cactus back in November and it never bloomed around the holiday. Imagine my surprise when I was dusting last week and found that one whole side of the plant was covered with blooms! I hadn't seen them because they were on the window side. A beautiful surprise!

As you can see my blogging as slowed to a near stall. No excuse for it really--just life taking over.

I started my new job as Marketing Director at Ovation Benefits yesterday. Starting on a Friday was pretty fun! Ironically, 11 years ago I did some freelance work with the Ovation partners to help them develop their company name. Now here I am full circle, returning to them as their Marketing Director. I AM THRILLED. The outfit is smart, entrepreneurial, funny and filled with ideas about how to reduce chronic health problems for employees, thereby recognizing significant cost savings for employers and saving lives in the process. This organization is really not much of a departure from the work I have been doing for the last 9 years. I am looking forward to long relationship with them!

Chris stayed home with the kids yesterday, but they will begin attending school full-time on Monday. We spent several hours this past Wednesday and Thursday with each of them in their respective classrooms, which are side-by-side. If one or the other gets lonely their teachers have promised to give them some time together. The staff is wonderful and the kids already have been hugging their teachers and playing with their friends. I know that when I drop them off Monday they will be fine, I will be the one who needs a binkie!

Of course I am grappling with the guilt that many mothers feel when they have made the decision to return to work. I wasn't even really thinking about doing it until the fall when Ella would enter pre-k, but I knew that if the right opportunity came along I would strongly consider it.

One of the great perks with this new job is that I will be able to work from home one day a week, and the hours are very flexible so that I can not have to worry too much about beating traffic to pick up the kids before their school closes.

I have to thank a few people who have really been there for me over the last month and a half as I went through the most arduous interview process of my life. Chris of course, and my Dad and my sister, and then my friends Flan, Katie and Molly, and a few others who would be too shy to see their names here. I know that I have a strong network of friends and family who help to guide me through these difficult, exhilarating, and rewarding experiences. Thanks to each of you!

Now I am off to enjoy the weekend. I hope you will to, and thanks for reading!

XOXO

Allison

Love You, Mom

2011-02-18T04:17:00.000-08:00

Mom, Dad, Amy, James & I, 2006

Yesterday was a hard day for my Dad, my sister, my grandparents and I. I know we were all thinking about Mom all day. She passed two years ago on February 17th and I remember that day as a blur. It is tragic losing a parent, and even more so when you aren't at all expecting it. I have a lot of feelings about her death, but mostly I try to remind myself to celebrate her life instead of mourning her absence.

I was looking at some old photos and found these two that are remarkably similar. The first is of Mom holding my little sister Amy:

The second is Mom holding James when he was just six weeks old:

What do I love most about these photos? You know it--her smile.

In her poem "Remember" Christina Rossetti's last two lines say,

"Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad."

I don't know that I think of Mom any less, but I try not to be so sad.

It may sound cliche, but remember to tell your family how much you love them, because one day you may no longer have the chance.

I told my Dad the other day that even though I had a truly wonderful, almost idyllic childhood, right now what I am most grateful for is the adult relationship I had with my Mom. Talking with her about motherhood, about parenting, about juggling work and home, about the weather, about recipes--those things are what resonate with me right now.

Like any teenager and young adult obsessed with themselves, there were a few years where I was not close with my Mom. Once I grew up a little and got out of my own way, I had the wonderful opportunity to look at her as a friend. I am so glad that I did.

I love you my Mother, my friend. And I smile while I am writing that.

XOXO

Allison

Happy Love Day!

2011-02-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

I really do love Valentine's Day!

I took the kiddos to get balloons today and they came home with these.

I had to laugh when James had initially picked a Sponge Bob Valentine's Day balloon, but then he said "I think it is just a little silly, Mom, and I would rather have one with cursive on it." So that's what he got!

You might notice that the dress Ella is wearing is the same one she wore in the Christmas card photos. I am a little short of red clothing for her. I was laughing to myself when she and I were picking out an outfit this morning, because she has to much PINK. She's a girly girl!

I am about to start making a heart-shaped chocolate cookie / bar with the kids for Chris. My Dad gave me a wonderful old heart-shaped baking pan and I am excited to use it.

I snapped this photo of the pups yesterday. I feel like it is a great example of puppy love.

Have a wonderful day!

XOXO

Mmmmm . . . a Yummy Saturday

2011-02-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful day it has been today.

I am sitting here blogging while the aroma of minestrone is filling the house. Don't you love a homemade soup that fills you up with warmth and love? I always chop some prosciutto and caramelize it with some onions in the beginning to add a wonderful depth of flavor.

I am just about to begin making bread from this recipe. It is a tried and true recipe that gives you lovely homemade bread in under two hours. You can't ask for much more heaven than that. Well, after you have slathered it with some Kate's Butter from Maine, or Cabot.

I just put Ella down for her nap. Lately she has been wanting to sing the pretty song, which is actually "You are My Sunshine" but I sing "You are so pretty" in the first line instead. She loves it.

James and Chris are at this very moment sitting in the XL Center in downtown Hartford watching a Monster Jam Truck Show! James was so excited about it--this morning he woke up and told me that he had had a dream that was "Momster Jam-ish." I add "ish" a lot to things I say, it is a little quirk of mine that he has picked up. I can't wait to see the excitement on his face when they get back home. A little alone time for Daddy and his boy is a good thing.

Before Ella's nap we made Valentine's Day cards for Chris and James. Ella is so insistent "Mommy, I CUT!" and "Mommy I GLUE!". What a personality! Sometimes on the phone my Dad calls her "his little Pumpkin." I love that--but sometimes it is more like his "little Jack O' Lantern," you know, one with a wicked face. She is a sassy girl, for sure.

Wow, look at this--all writing and no photos. I guess you can tell that I am enjoying a moment of quiet.

My bloggy friend Stephanie has been in my thoughts lately. I enjoy her writing style. I used to write much more in my blog, but got somewhat turned off to sharing so many private thoughts. I was reading her blog and remembering how good it feels to get my thoughts out. Not for anyone else, but just for me. And then a family friend let me know that she had started a blog. Her writing style is wonderful, and her thoughts are interspersed with poetry and photos from my home town. Reading her posts, and Stephanie's posts made me want to begin to write more again. So here I am.

And did you see my new banner? James drew it a few weeks ago. Lovely for Valentine's Day, don't you think?

I hope you all have a wonderful Love Day on Monday.

XOXO

Allison

Just Some Goings On

2011-02-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

My girl napping. I love this--two lovies, a pillow pet, her favorite cowboy blanket (handmade by a family friend) and her Minnie.

I was making dinner the other night and she had been very busy playing. "Look Mom!" she said, "an ice cream cone!"

And then, of course, she licked it!

Here is what my son has been playing a lot of lately.

Chris got an old Nintendo off of Ebay and James get to play it for a little while every day as a special treat. We are taking an extended break from the WII--he gets a little too riled up. I like that the Nintendo Mario game is a little less involved.

The kids were excited to get a package from Peepaw last week--in it was this fabulous chapter book on American Indians that James has been pouring over.

I was so happy to see him reading it. Sure he comes across words h doesn't know, but he sounds them out on his own and asks me what they mean.

And he's pretty happy about being such a good reader!

And here is a little video I shot of one of Ella's new stomping temper tantrums:

That's it for now--I have an interview tomorrow for full time work with a company that I really admire. It is my second in the interview process and involves a webcast presentation that I had to put together. I have enjoyed being challenged a bit, but of course I am feeling guilty at the prospect of going back to work full time. We see how it shakes out. Wish me luck!

The Downright Amazing Snowfall of 2011

2011-01-27T05:55:00.000-08:00

I am just STUNNED by how much snow we have gotten . . . take a look!

Oh, wait--that was last week. This is what we have now:

CRAZY! There just isn't any place to even put it now!

Check this out--after having just gotten 2 feet of snow last week, this is what we got last night--another foot!

It makes for some pretty phenomonal icicles, snowbanks and drifts!

The poor birds won't even be able to sit on the feeders today.

Luckily, Chris got a snow rake and spent two hours yesterday clearing the snow from the roof! There have been several building collapses around the state, and we heard on the news this morning about a barn collapse with four horses inside. So sad--we don't know the outcome on that yet.

There is a pool under here somewhere!

Check out Ella's little playhouse. I feel like a North Pole elf is going to step out the front door and wave any moment!

I do love the snow, though! But maybe not quite this month!

A Big Day for James!

2011-01-26T17:54:00.000-08:00

He got his library card today!

Can you tell how excited and proud he is? I love that he is so excited about reading. That's our boy.

Love you, buddy!

Puzzle Fun

2011-01-22T16:00:00.000-08:00

I think James received this puzzle when he was about two years-old. Ella has just about got her alphabet song down, so I thought it would be fun to pull the puzzle out and see how well she did putting it together. Looks like fun was had by all--including Rocco!

For the Birds

2011-01-17T14:05:00.000-08:00

You may have heard that we received 23 inches of snow last week . . . we did! And we also made sure to take good care of our feathered friends as the snow fell. Here is a glimpse of the visitors we had, over a period of a few short minutes:

Goldfinch

Downy Woodpecker

Carolina Wren and Junco

Female Cardinal

Nuthatch

Male Cardinal

House Sparrow

House Finch

I continue to be astounded by the beauty of this little corner of the world. And although these birds eat like a herd of cows, I love them just as much!

Thanks Peepaw!

2011-01-11T06:07:00.000-08:00

Ella and James were very excited to receive some wonderful presents from Grandpa (or as Ella says, "Peepaw") last week!

Did I say excited? Maybe I mean crazily happy, or gleefully surprised . . .

Grandpa brought Ella an enormous dollhouse for Christmas, and he just sent her more people, kids and furniture to put in it!

She was ecstatic!

Here she is saying " Aww . . . beautiful!"

"Look, Mom! A Mommy!"

"Awww . . . pretty!"

Already putting one of the little girls to "Baby 'night 'night" . . .

"A kitty!"

Seriously, EVERY SINGLE doll or piece of furniture that came out of the box received an equally excited reaction!

Grandpa, in case you didn't know it, Ella LOVES each and everything thing that was in the box! Thanks for feeding her dollhouse addiction--she and I will remember these moments ALWAYS.

Now, on to what James got--American Bricks!

According to Dad, every middle class little boy in America had these--they are from the 50s and are made of wood.

Sadly, Dad was not able to have any of these when he was young. But now James has some!

I love the colors and the textures.

They have been keeping James and his imagination busy!

Aren't they neat?

Thanks Grandpa!

Love you!

From Our Snow Family to Yours!

2011-01-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

I've been falling behind posting photos lately, I literally have 50 or so that I'd like to get posted and haven't taken the time to do it. So stay tuned! In the meantime, here are a few that I took during the last snowstorm.

Ella in the snow pants just KILLS ME! She looked like a little sausage. Here's Ella's Snow Girl:

My Snow Mommy:

James' Snow Boy:

And our Snow Daddy:

Chris didn't help because he was too busy setting up his new weather station thing that tells him a hundred weather readings. I didn't mind because to see his face light up like a kid on Christmas Day once he got it working was priceless.

Don't we look happy? The funny thing is that now when I hold up a carrot and ask Ella what it is she says "Nose!"

HA HA HA!!

A Year in Photos

2011-01-04T04:10:00.001-08:00

I made this on Facebook and thought I'd put it here. What a great year!

Have A Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T16:25:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the close of 2010, I decided to pull a photo from each month of blogging from the past year.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December (OK, I am actually cheating with this one--it was from our Christmas card and I didn't want to spoil it for my family and friends that were getting one!)

Looking back thru posts from this past year, I realize that I am absolutely BLESSED to be living a life so rich and full with love and friendship. I never take that for granted. Never.

And to you my friends, I wish you a joyous and prosperous New Year!

All the best,

Allison

Christmas Day 2010

2010-12-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

The kids loved their presents!

This was the first time that Ella was really able to unwrap presents and she had a great time.

Digging into her stocking . . .

James had told Santa that all he wanted for Christmas was the Mario Galaxy Wii game, and that's what Santa left for him!

Ella sitting in the bath tub of her new baby care center. Too funny!

Look at this gorgeous face . . .

All dressed up in the Christmas outfit that her Great Grandfather picked out for her! She looked like a little doll. Thanks Papa Okie and Jane!

My Dad and sister Amy arrived from Maine at about noon. What a treat! Here is Ella opening a Victorian ornament from her Peepaw (as she calls Grandpa).

Dad was able to get a sleigh bell for James to coincide with the Polar Express story. James loved it and the handmade box that Dad made so much that he said "Grandpa! I'm going to put this in my collection!" He was referring to the collection of fossils, shells and feathers that Dad has been helping him to grow. The look of pride on my Dad's face was unforgettable.

Dad brought Ella this dollhouse for Christmas. We had seen it at an indoor flea market a few months back and Ella had fallen in love with it. It comes with people and furniture and everything! She calls it "My dollhouse" and she won't let James near it. It is the first thing she plays with every morning and the last thing she plays with before bed.

Dad gave James a whole box of vintage stamps, art supplies and puzzles. Each box is a work of art in itself.

Ella opening a box with all of the dollhouse furniture . . .

A little later in the day, everyone was playing Super Mario Brothers on the Wii. James was in HEAVEN as playing the Wii is a very special treat and his Auntie Amy and Grandpa and his Dad were playing with him!

One of the best shots of the day:

Amy brought a red bean bag for Ella. James already had one and the two of them squabble over it constantly, so this present was really for me I think! Thanks Amy!

A photo of Amy, Ella, James and Dad right before they left to drive back to Maine. Dad brought Beezus, his Beagle. She was exhausted from the day's excitement!

This was our second Christmas without Mom. I know she was in the back of everyone's mind as we celebrated together. I so wish she was there with us to share in the warmth and joy that our little family shared together that day. But instead of feeling sad, I am smiling, thinking that she watched all of the fun we had being together and was happy for us.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

XOXO

Allison

Ready for Christmas!

2010-12-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

So this is our tree this year and I have one word: HUGE!!!!

Our new home has great ceilings for a tree of this height--so we decided to go for it. I did forget that a tree of this size requires a little more work, a much larger tree stand lots of water!

It looks great, especially now that our new sectional has finally arrived and we can sit in this room and enjoy the tree and the fireplace!

Has your jaw dropped yet? I know--mine did when I first saw this fireplace--and I am in love with it! See those feet? That is Chris enjoying our first fire in the new place, after having hung all of the lights on the house!

We have always done traditional candles in the windows, but James was beginning to ask when we were going to put lights on the house. Plus, the roof line is so perfect for lights that we decided to do it. These are the new LED lights and they require very little energy. James and Ella are THRILLED!

Here is the wreath from Maine that my Dad made. He makes one for me every year (and for my sister, all of our family and his friends and neighbors, too.) Nice bow, Dad!

Here's a shot from outside:

The mantle was fun to decorate--it is just a little narrower than I would like. I can't do greens and anything else. Maybe next year it will just be greens, and my favorite tree candle will find another location in the house.

Rocco enjoying the fire on his brand new dog bed (aka the sectional).

Ella loves the fire too--we are teaching her to respect it, but for the most part she is pretty sensible about it. Here she is with James' DS--she doesn't know how to play it, she just turns it off and on. The penguin on the left? I have had that for years! Another great gift from Mom and Dad.

Here are a few of the fun cards we have received--the one in the middle is from 2008 from my parents, and the last one before my Mom passed away. They usually always gave (and my dad still does) vintage cards for every occasion. The one on the left is from my sister. It was fun that she wrote in it because James was able to read all of it!

Amy and Dad are coming for Christmas from Maine and that will be the best present EVER!

Love the tree this year! OK, gotta go, I am making Chocolate Bark, Candied Orange Peels and my Mom's Snowballs today!

Whatever you are doing to get ready for the big day, I am sending you thoughts of peace and warmth and happiness for Christmas!

XOXO

Allison

Decorating the Tree

2010-12-20T04:15:00.000-08:00

This post is short and sweet! Just pics--I have to run back to getting ready for Saturday! ;-)

Picking a Beautiful Tree for Christmas

2010-12-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

Every year since we have been back in New England we have gone to Dzen Tree Farm to find our tree. This year, we decided to get an 11 footer since we have such high ceilings in the living room. Measuring . . . (this ultimately is not the tree we picked.)I remember there always being more snow on the ground than there was on this morning last week, but it was still pretty!

I had told James that we were getting a really big tree this year, but I don't think he realized how BIG until he saw it! (I did not realize how tall 11 feet was until I carried it, put the lights on it, and decorated it!!!)

Ella was not that interested in the whole game of find a tree. She preferred playing with this stick:

Getting ready to shout "TIMBER!" (Hint: tall trees have thicker trunks, too.)

I snapped this shot quickly and was really pleased with it:

A close up of Ella, still not all that interested. That will change in the next post--she pretty much directed the tree trimming this year!

My men, hauling in the tree:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ella Trims Her Very Own Christmas Tree

2010-12-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

Of course it's pink!!!

I found these little tinsel trees at the dollar store! The kids picked out their own color of tree (Ella pink, James green) and they also picked out ornaments.

I should have expected that Ella would want to decorate her tree herself. And she did!

The look of concentration is priceless.

She was so busy I think when I snapped this shot she had actually forgotten that I was sitting there.

This is a classic Ella look--this is the expression we see constantly now, especially when she is putting on ALL of her own clothes.

Look at these milky white hands!

"All done, Mommy!!! It's BEAUTIFUL!!!!" Yes it is, honey. And so are you.

Here is James' tree!! The cutest thing was that at the store they were fighting over the one ornament that was left that said Grandpa. I have to find another one!

Every visitor we have had to the house has been immediately dragged by the hand by Ella, to see her tree and James'. These are the moments that I love to remember.

We are getting our real tomorrow. I can't wait! It is going to be a 9 footer!!!!

Enjoy the weekend!

James' First Pre-K Concert at Pre-School for the Arts

2010-12-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

James' first pre-school concert was this past Tuesday. His school, the Ellington Pre-School for the Arts hosted the event at a local church. It reminded me of when I graduated from Three Little Bears Nursery School, in a similar church basement.

Here is a look at a couple of his art pieces that were displayed in their art show:

Here he is below, having just found his seat. Does he look excited?

Ella wanted very much to join all of the big kids onstage!

Here is a closeup of him, having so much fun with the performance.

Here they are singing "I Have A Car and Its Made of Tin."

What is it about preschoolers, all dressed up, singing so beautifully that makes me want to smile? I LOVED IT!!

I have a similar picture of myself in the front row of a little recital that we had at my elementary school when I was in first grade. Maybe James will be showing one of these photos to his children!

I especially loved all of the scene design--it was great!

Just look at his smile! I always say that I had to go to college to get my theatre degree--this kid was born for the stage!

What a great time he had! Chris and I were so proud. We love being a part of his new school community, and we are so happy that James has found a such a wonderful place to learn and play!

A Silly Goose

2010-11-29T07:17:00.001-08:00

My girl is such a ham. It must be a great feeling to be able to crack yourself up on a regular basis. I was reading yesterday on my bed and she came and wanted up. She then proceeded to start rolling around the bed, giggling and shrieking.

The light was so beautiful that I had to grab my camera.

I love that I have had a part in bringing this silly, crazy girl into the world. What a gift she is!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T03:56:00.000-08:00

We are settled in the new place! It was a pretty smooth move. Other than a few boxes and some window treatments to hang, it is feeling like home. Just in time for Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a wonderful day visiting with your family and your friends. Enjoy the day--the opportunity for togetherness, sharing love, and giving thanks for all that is important to you. I know that my day will be filled with thankful thoughts, too.

Best to you and yours on this day,

Allison

Busy, Busy Busy

2010-11-14T04:49:00.000-08:00

Hi friends! Just a quick note to let you know that we haven't fallen off of the face of the planet--we are just crazy busy with our move! Yes, for those of you that have been following us from the beginning, you know that we have moved a lot over the last two years--but we found a house that we couldn't resist and so this Saturday the 20th we will be laying our heads on our pillows in the new place.

I will miss a lot about our current home--the little architectural details that make me smile, the warmth and coziness of the kitchen, the great memories we have made here in the last year--and most of all I will miss the new friends I have made--especially my crafty friend Flannery. We have promised to stay close--and we are only moving 25 minutes away--so there will be plenty more joint crafty projects to blog about over at Vintage Pollyanna.

So in the meantime, that is where I have been. Painting at the new house, packing in the old house and certainly not blogging. But no fears--I will be back at it soon enough. I have also not been taking pictures--but I did snap this quick one a few days ago--highlighting the fact that in this house my kids build block towers with vintage kitchen tins!!!

Best to you and yours this week--be sure to come back and check in on me after the 20th!

Happy Birthday(s) Mom and Dad

2010-11-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

Mom's birthday was November 3rd, and Dad's birthday was November 5th. Here they are on their wedding day,

And here they are a couple of years ago (I think this photo is from 2008).

Love you both. Mom I miss you so much. Dad, I love how wonderful you are with the kids, and I know Mom can see what a great Grandpa you are being to them.

XOXO

Allison

Happy Halloween 2010!

2010-10-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

Halloween Bash #1

2010-10-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

We were invited to attend a Halloween Bash at my dear friend Sheri's last night. A party at Sheri's? I'M THERE! I hadn't quite finished getting our costumes together, so there was some last-minute running around but we pulled it off!

James wanted to be Luigi from Mario Brothers. I lost his mustache (bad mommy) and when we got to Sheri's her daughter, Kameron, graciously offered to draw him one with eyeliner. He wasn't too keen on that idea, and wiped the one we had managed to draw on off immediately!

The picture below was one of my favorite moments of the evening--Kam tied donuts to a ribbon, and each participant had to eat their doughnut without using their hands. Guess who won? You know it! Moi! (Let's be happy that there aren't any pics of me swallowing the donut almost whole. YUCK!)

Here is my other favorite moment--Kam had us do a chain ghost storytelling game. James loved it! Almost every night we do a "made up story" before bed. One of us starts, and each takes a turn telling. This was a hit!!

And did you see Kam's hat? She was the Johnny Depp version of the Mad Hatter. AWESOME. Her costume was all put together by hand.

Here is a pic of another great moment (okay, the whole evening was filled with fabulous moments!) Sheri's son Joe is a volunteer fireman. He came in to the party after his shift in his uniform. He went to his room and a few minutes later he came out in a Dunkin Donuts uniform. I was like "Dude! That's classic!" Thinking it was his costume for the party. NOPE! He works across the street at D&D! D-o-h!!!!

We all ran across the street in our costumes and he gave James and Ella donuts (I had already had my fill, thank you VERY much!) James LOVES D&D and firemen, so Joe is his new hero!

Here is Sheri, or should I say Edward Scissorhands, and her daughter Kameron. Isn't their makeup fantastic? I seriously couldn't look Sheri in the eye all night. She FREAKED ME OUT!!!

Here is Joe, Sheri and Kam:

Here are two more party goers and really fun ladies, Aldene and her daughter Amanda:

Here is Sheri's Mom:

James making a fun Boo Drink!

Cute pic of the kids (love the wings!)

Chris dressed as Mike Holmes from Holmes on Holmes!

Meow!

Yum!

My little fairy princess! (Her little sparkly flats are so cute!!!!!)

Thanks Sheri! We had a spooky great time!!!!

Pumpkin Picking with Grandpa in Maine

2010-10-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

We visited with my Dad and my sister Amy in Maine last weekend. Dad had grown some pumpkins for the kids, and took them out in the garden to harvest them.

It was a sweet moment for me. I remember as a child Dad growing pumpkins for Amy and I; he would put a mason jar with water next to the pumpkins, cut a slit in the shell and run a piece of cheesecloth from the slit in the pumpkin to the water in the jar. Somehow this would make the pumpkins grow larger.

I love the look on James' face in this photo:

He gave Ella a smaller "pupin" as she calls them; she carried it around the yard all afternoon!

Here's a shot of Dad and Ella that I fooled around with in Photoshop--I think that the hazy quality really captures my nostalgic feelings while I look at it.

The foliage was amazing--Autumn is definitely my favorite time of year! Happy pumpkin picking!

Let's Read

2010-10-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Reading is a FAVORITE pastime around here. James gets up every morning about 6am and reads in his room until it is time to head downstairs at 7. I don't know why it still surprises me every morning, but it still does.

After lunch he has quiet time in his room (this used to be his nap time) and reads.

We read before bed, too.

Here he is the other night reading one of the harder Thomas books his Grandpa gave him.

I get a little sad when I think about how I read to him almost every night from the time he was just a baby until he started to read on his own, and now he reads to me! That means that he is no longer my little baby boy anymore!

Here is Ella getting in on the reading action. She wouldn't let me even show here a book until a few months ago. In fact, if I put her on my lap with a book, she would SCREAM!!!! They are so different!

Here are my munchkins "reading" together!!!

OK, the truth is, Ella had just hopped up on the chair with her book when James abruptly left. He doesn't much like to share his reading with her!!

Too funny!

Smooch!!!

2010-10-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a kiss for my Grandpa and my Auntie Amy!
See you in a couple of weeks!
XOXO
Ella

Mr. Expressive

2010-09-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

I asked James to run through some emotions today and here's what I got:

HAPPY

SAD

GOOFY

MAD

SURPRISED

ANNOYED AT HIS SISTER

LOVING

I did a similar post when he was about a little more than a year old. You can see it here.

Swing!

2010-09-23T04:43:00.000-07:00

Ella started using the big swing this past weekend!

One last time in the baby swing before it came down; now we have two big swings!

Such a big girl! (Is my heart supposed to be this happy and hurting this much at the same time?)

Our Annual Apple Picking Trip 2010

2010-09-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

It was a blast, like always. This is the third year we have been back to this orchard. Wanna read about our 2009 and 2008 trips? (I'll tell you that it is pretty crazy to see basically the same photos taken of the kids each year, and how much they have grown. James was two the first time he went, and now Ella is two!)

Our 2009 Trip

Our 2008 Trip

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

I Wonder . . .

2010-09-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Why James' hermit crabs never come out of their coconut shell home?

(hee hee)

Oh, and I have been messing around with my Blog design (have you noticed?)
It needs a change . . .

A Vintage Pollyanna Update

2010-09-14T10:20:00.001-07:00

I have to say I am overwhelmingly pleased with how my new blog, Vintage Pollyanna is being received. I don't think I could have known how much interest there really is out there in Blogland for vintage, thrift, craft and baking all thrown into one blog.

I've had over 15,000 visits in 5 weeks. That is astonishingly high for a little blog just in its infancy (and being that I know a little about social marketing and blog networking, I am really flabbergasted by the numbers.)

My good bloggy friend Kim over at Small Words surprised me by featuring my blog on her blog. Don't you love that? One friend supporting another? It makes me so crazy happy I almost can't stand it. Thank you, Kim!

I just finished a few fun button necklaces today, made from buttons out of Mom's shop. I think she would have loved them, especially since she got me started on button bracelets a few years ago.

I know that my Mom cab see what's going on down here in my little world--I know that she is aware of how well the kids are doing, how happy and silly and loved they are, and I also know that she is keeping a loving and watchful eye on Chris and I, on my Dad and on my sister Amy. I know she must be aware of how much she is missed. Every time I post on Vintage Pollyanna I feel like I am connecting with her, and that is a really wonderful feeling. Love you and miss you Mom.

Those Curls!

2010-09-12T05:10:00.000-07:00

Priceless.

First Day of James' 2nd Year in Pre-K

2010-09-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

He was SO EXCITED to go back to school!

Chris took the day off and we rode our bikes (kids in the bike trailer) over to school. He was really happy to see Mrs. B., one of his teachers. I mean, he doesn't look ecstatic or anything, does he?

Mr. Cool in front of the school building.

Gotta love that cocked eyebrow. He looks full of trouble, this one!

Happy first day of school, buddy!!

XOXO

Mommy

Our First Fair of the Season

2010-09-07T04:08:00.000-07:00

I love fairs. I love the agricultural exhibits, the animals barns, the tractor pulls, the fried dough, the pig races, the midway rides, and especially, ESPECIALLY the look on my kids' faces!

This past weekend we visited the Three County Fair in Northampton, MA. It was fabulous. I also really like the smaller fairs, and this was one of those.

W e started the visit with some lunch--fried pierogies, sausage and peppers, hotdogs and cheeseburgers and apple crisp. While we ate we watched a little magic / juggling / acrobatics show. James was quite taken with this--especially the guy who could balance a wheelbarrow on his chin.

See? I loved how intently he was watching. This was about when he turned to me and said he wanted to be on stage. I think my heart skipped a beat at that very moment!!

We visited the animal barns--and Ella went NUTS when she got to pet some cows. I was so busy trying to keep her from running headlong into every animal stall that I didn't get many photos. But I did get this one. So cute!

We also took the kids to ride some horses--they wore helmets and everything. James really enjoyed it (of course he is a pro because his Grandpa always takes him!)

Tah-dahh!!!

Ella was so excited to ride that she nearly had a fit! Then once she got on she was really serious!

I love this shot.

She cried and cried when she had to get off. I only wish that she could have a pony like I did when I was a little girl!

Here is a fun shot from one of the exhibit barns.

Chris really liked this souped up tractor.

And here is our favorite, the Farm-All!

I really liked this shot--the patina on these little engines was great, and you have to love that Simplicity logo.

Something about these tractors all lined up makes me smile like crazy. I guess I really am a farm geek!

We also got to see a Monster Truck show! Here is Ella clapping for the quad race. The event was too lound for her, so we left before the Monster Truck racing began, but James and Chris stayed.

Here are two of the trucks in mid-jump.

And here is the headliner, Bigfoot in the air.

I think James really liked this part of the fair the best! What do you think? (he is reading this over my shoulder as I type and he just said "Well Mommy, it was a tiny bit loud for me.")

The best part of the day?

Making memories with our kids.

I'm A Finalist in the Great Ugly Knit Upcycle & Now I Need YOUR Vote!

2010-09-04T05:17:00.000-07:00

Blog friends I REALLY need your help--

My Toddler Dress Tutorial was picked as a finalist in a national upcycling sewing contest!

(It's gotta be because my model is so dang cute!)

Click this link and vote for me--Finalist #7!

If I win I will get a Singer 2932 Sewing Machine!

Thanks everyone!

Allison

Welcome to Ella's House!

2010-08-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

We had wanted to get Ella a playhouse for her birthday, but we couldn't find one we really liked. They were too small, or too pink, or too fancy. I also didn't want to buy a brand new one, and instead had been hoping for a great find on Craigslist.

Well look what I found!

Ella is loving her new little house! The porch, the bench, the mailbox, the half-door,

she can boss her brother around (hey, it is HER house, don't forget!)

Looks like James is enjoying it too!

I hope they will get a lot of use out of it. It retails for $280 and I got it for $65!

That's what I would call a real steal.

Love you baby!

Mr. Puzzle Man

2010-08-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

James has been really interested in the United States of America puzzle for the last few days. He played it on Friday night when Olivia the babysitter was over, and he has played it a couple of times a day since. He was very excited to put it together with his Grandpa on Sunday. He made it again this morning and I asked him if we could take a photo.

I asked him a few questions.

"James, why do you like doing the USA puzzle?"

"Because it is fun, and because I like to play with it every day."

"What is your favorite state on the puzzle?"

"Maine."

"Why?"

"Because Grandpa lives in Maine."

My heart is just BURSTING with that answer!!!

Photos from Ella's Birthday Weekend

2010-08-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday to My Sweetheart Ella

2010-08-20T04:29:00.000-07:00

You are the sweetest, funniest, silliest most precocious little girl I know.

I love you with all my heart and always will.

Happy 2nd Birthday Ella Josephine!

My Little Dollface

2010-08-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

What can I say about this group of photos?
NOTHING
because I am just laughing my head off
looking at this kid!!!
WHAT A HAM!
(And she knows it!)

A Little Piece of Heaven at Sandy Beach

2010-08-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

We are lucky that about 20 miles away from us there is a nice lake called Crystal Lake. We were able to head out there yesterday and spend the afternoon at Sandy Beach. I love it because it is very clean, the water is warm and there are areas marked off "deep" and "shallow" so there is a great area for James and Ella.

Needless to say, this is our new beachy spot. Close to home, not too far of a drive, close parking, and it only cost us $5 to park. A good deal all around. I can't wait to head back!

Welcome to the Bouncy House!

2010-08-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

Come on in!

Have a blast!

Shake your sillies out!

Dance around!

Make a goofy face!

Smile and smile and smile!

See you later! Come back soon!

Announcing a New Blog Adventure!

2010-08-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

Over the last three years this blog has gone through many changes. It began as Tutta la Storia, meaning "The Whole Story." But then I lost my Mom and for a while felt like I lost myself, and so I needed a respite, and something new, and so then I started over with Under A Shady Tree. It has always been a blog most about my little family, with some snippets of baking, crafting and antiquing thrown in.

Over the last few months I have really felt a need to give my creative pursuits a new home all their own. I have also recognized that many of those pursuits have a common theme--that of "vintage." To me vintage refers to anything 50 to 100 years old, and antique refers to anything 100+ years old. Retro is less than 50 years old. While my heart adores aspects of each of those areas, it truly lies in the vintage world the most.

So here I am, introducing a new blogging adventure, Vintage Pollyanna! Go take a look. The current post is about how the new blog pays homage to my parents and the shop that they had in Bath, Maine for nearly 20 years. I hope you'll become a regular visitor as I share my vintage adventures in baking, crafting, collecting and design.

Meanwhile, family life will continue as it has here Under the Shady Tree. If you want to see photos of some crazy-cute kiddos, pop over here. If you have a hankering for some vintage treasures, hop over to Vintage Pollyanna. In any case, I hope you'll continue to read.

Best,

Allison

Spin Art Day!

2010-08-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

James has a good friend named Hayden that he plays with. One day James came home from a playdate with a really neat painting. He told me he had done "Spin Art" at Hayden's house. For his birthday, Hayden gave James a Spin Art set. Today we used it because even though it is nice out, the kids are both running little fevers. This was a fun activity for James while Ella napped.

I love how each painting comes out a bit different. I also love the EASY CLEAN UP!

Thanks Hayden! (And Hayden's mom, Ivy!!)

Where Have I Been?

2010-08-02T04:59:00.001-07:00

Wow! Summer is already half-way over and I have been loving my new, "no-commitment" philosophy that I adopted at the start of it. I decided not to enroll the kids in any summer classes, story-times, camps or anything that would be a regular commitment so that we would keep our days loose and wide open. The result has been spur-of-the-moment bike rides, trips to amusement parks, visits to friends' houses and impromptu fun projects of all kinds. Mostly it has meant that we have been so R-E-L-A-X-E-D. Ahhhhh . . . .

It has also meant that I have been enjoying playing with photo editing, both on Picnik and with Adobe Photoshop, and creating effects like these:

We have had some great play dates with my friend Katie and her girl Alexa:

I have enjoyed sewing, sewing and sewing like crazy! This headband was made by Flannery, but I am going to get her to show me how to do it (even if it means I have to kidnap her and chain her to my sewing machine to do it) ha ha ha . . .

Oh yes--and James has been enjoying his new pursuit--that of hermit crab husbandry.

And Ella? She is her crazy self, as usual. I posted on Facebook a few days ago:

"My Ella is a bull in a china shop. She whips food at her brother, laughs like a barmaid at her own farts, pinches her mother and screams like a banshee. But those curls! And that grin! And those cheeks! And that laugh! I ♥ my girl!"

On deck for today? Sewing a ruffle shirt for a friend, some Spin Art, courtesy of James' friend Hayden (a gift for James' birthday). Oh yes--and the invites for Ella' birthday party--which will be a Lemonade and Sunshine Social!!!

The Ruffle T-Shirt Craze Continues . . .

2010-07-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

I am hooked on and have fallen head-over-heels for these ruffled t-shirts! Am I crazy? I definitely have the ruffle bug!

I am also excited to say that I have been given a feedback e-mail on the tutorial I did for the Ruffled Toddler Dress from an Upcycled T-Shirt, AND it included a photo of the reader's finished dress!

Oh, and if you noticed the "Vintage Pollyanna" name on the photo collage, it is a blog I am creating that showcases a love for all things vintage, lovingly named after my Mom's antique store.

Stay tuned,

More later, gotta run and sew!

Ruffled T-Shirt #2

2010-07-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

I went over to my friend Flannery's house last night to sew with her--we decided to try out this tutorial from Tea Rose Home. She chose a white tee and I chose lavender.

Sewing with a friend is so much fun! It was great to work together--she is a more experienced sewer than I am, so I feel like I learned a lot. Her shirt isn't quite done yet, but when it is I will be sure to have her post some photos so that I can share them with you!

This one was a bit harder than the first ruffled t-shirt I did, but I am really happy with how it turned out!

My friend Erica has asked for one of my ruffle tees and I think this one would be great on her!

Spirograph--Something Old is New Again

2010-07-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Chris had mentioned to me last year that he wished he still had his old Spirograph kit from when he was a boy. I did some searching on Ebay and found one, with all of the discs and the original pens. He pulled it out a few days ago to show to James and needless to say, the boy loved it!

Ruffled Toddler Dress Tutorial from Upcycled Tee Shirt

2010-07-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hold your horses folks--I am about to present you with my VERY FIRST sewing tutorial! I have been absolutely crazed with the ruffle shirt tutorials over at Tea Rose Home, (see my recent attempt here) and so I started poking around looking for a toddler dress tutorial which I found at Happy Together. My dress is a combination of both.

For those of you that know me, you know I am NOT great with a sewing machine. I am NOT organized, I am NOT patient, I do NOT use patterns,--basically the way I sew is haphazard, frenzied with excitement and usually with James or Ella (or both) running around. So, my point is that if I can do this, YOU CAN DO THIS!

Start with a tee shirt. I went through my closet this morning and found an old, OLD long-sleeved tee from Old Navy that I used to wear when I was pregnant with James.

I'm not sure why I still have it, as it has a HUGE grease stain on it, but I am sure glad that I hung on to it!

As is instructed by the tutorial over at Happy Together, I found a dress that Ella currently is wearing that I really like the cut of. I folded the tee shirt in half vertically, and then did the same with the dress, which I placed on top of the tee shirt and then cut around it with scissor. See? NO PATTERN!

Then I cut up the side seams on the tee shirt and placed right sides together, pinning them so that I could stitch up the sides (leaving the armholes open) and across the shoulders.

After I finished stitching the two sides together I turned it inside out. Don;t worry about stitching the hem, as you will be covering it with a ruffle. Notice in later photos that when I cut the shape of the dress out, I centered what will be the dress' neckline over the v-neck of the tee. That way there is a more finished look on the dress. Not necessary, but so helpful for someone like me.

Next I cut open the arms of the tee shirt.

I trimmed them with my rotary cutter into a rough rectangle (notice I say "rough" there is blissfully nothing exact about this pattern.) Then I cut two pieces about three inches wide and one piece about 2" wide. I did the same on the other arm.

Now for the ruffle. sew all four of your two-inch pieces together, to form a nice long strip. Next, change your machine settings so that you are using a wide straight stitch. (If this ruffle part makes no sense, I will not be offended if you need to jump over here or over here for a better explanation of how to do it.)

Sew down the middle of your strip. DO NOT BACK STITCH at the beginning and the end.

When you are done, take one end and gently pull the bobbin thread (this is when it is handy to use two different thread colors) or else just try each thread until you find out that when you pull it you make a ruffle.

THIS is the step that is time consuming, almost frustrating, as it can take some time to get the ruffle to look just right.

VOILA! Ruffle!

Next pin the ruffle around the bottom edge of the dress. Tee shirt material can be a little wonky, so make sure that you aren't pulling or stretching either the dress or the ruffle as you go along.

Next, sew RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE of the ruffle, all the way around. Some people do this step, but not me, as I said, I am a haphazard, let be what will be, it may all come out in the wash (fingers crossed that it doesn't) kind of seamstress.

Now make a ruffle out of each of the 1 1/2" pieces for each armhole. Pin them around (start and end at the armpit) and sew again.

Ta-DAAAH!!! I was so excited at this point that I was jumping around the room, shoving the dress at Ella and James and yelling "LOOK WHAT MOMMY MADE!!!"

You could be done at this point, but I was going ALL OUT and felt like I was on top of the sewing world, so I got a little crazy and wanted to add an embellishment. I had made one of the flowers in the Tea Rose Home tutorial and it just about did me in, so I went for what I thought might be an easier approach--the rose in the Happy Together tutorial.

I sacrificed an old tee shirt of James' that is too small for him.

From the back I cut a large oval-ish piece and then began to cut a 1/4" (sort of) piece from all the way around it.

Next I pinned it to the shirt and started winding around it loosely.

Next I stitched it in my typical lackadaisical fashion. Not great, but that is why I like the shabby part of shabby chic. (Wink, wink).

I added a vintage purple button to the center of the rose and that was it! (For the life of me I can't get this photo oriented vertically, so just bend your head to the right and you'll see the dress properly.) HA HA.

My Ella in her brandy-new upcycled tee-shirt dress!! (Seriously, I could stitch some paper bags together, throw them on her and she would look great.) Who can even look at what she is wearing when her smile is co crazy-cute??!!

I hope you try my tutorial! And if you make this dress, please leave me a comment and let me know how it turned out!

I am linked up over at Tea Rose Home for Link Party 17! Go see what everyone is posting! Fun stuff!

Oh, and stay tuned . . . I am in the midst of a new blog project combining all of my favorite loves--cooking, baking, homemaking, crafting and collecting--and all with a vintage twist!

XOXO

Allison

Meet A Few of our Feathered Friends

2010-07-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

Chris and I are amateur birdwatchers, and we have quite the bird feeder set-up in the back yard, right outside the dining room windows. Yesterday I noticed that we had an unusually high amount of bird activity, and in the space of a few minutes I snapped these photos. Enjoy!

House sparrow in flight.

Blue Jay and House Sparrow in flight (next to the really long, new tube feeder Chris just brought home.)

Blue Jay.

Blue Jay and juvenile Starling.

Common Pigeon.

Pesky Squirrel. OK, I know he is not feathered, but I had to include him. Look at his hind feet!

More Blue Jay. I can't say that I really like Jays, because they seem to be really bossy and eat a ton of our birdseed, but you have to admit that that they are beautiful!

Grackle.

More House Sparrows. I really liked the composition of this photo.

Juvenile Starling. Look at the speckled feathers on his breast. I also shot some photos of a juvenile female cardinal, but they were blurry.

Common Pigeon.

I believe that this is a female Downy Woodpecker.

I have said it before, but again I am astonished at the number and variety of birds we get to see here in our neighborhood!

2 Tee Shirts + 2 Hours = Homemade Goodness!

2010-07-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to try this do-it-yourself upcycled ruffled t-shirt tutorial for months! A friend suggested that we work on a similar one together, and once I got the idea in my brain I just.couldn't.stop.thinking.about.it!!

I grabbed two shirts from Old Navy on sale for $5 each, and then raced home to start. I finished sewing all of the ruffles in the first hour. EASY PEASY. The flower??? Dang it, Flan told me it would probably give me issues, AND IT DID. (Notice there is one shirt on my flower and two in the tutorial.) Sigh.
Anyhow--it's done! Whaddya think?

(And stop slobbering over my new bag. HANDS OFF!) I got it on wicked clearance when I was as the Freeport Outlets last weekend. Anyhoo--my husband says it reminds him of a construction zone. Whaaaaaaaaaatt??????

Here is the shirt as pictured on Old Navy's website. The color I got is called "dumbell."

Go make yourself a shirt!

Grown Here, Not Flown Here - - Shaker Farm

2010-07-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Having grown up with parents who had an enormous garden and kept chickens, geese, turkeys, rabbits and horses on a 24-acre piece of heaven in Maine, the "buy local" phrase has been a part of my life forever.

Yes, if I could, at this very moment I would be living on a small farm with all of the above-mentioned animals, a somewhat smaller garden (I do not profess to have the green thumb that my Dad has) and millions of flowers. That day will come. Soon. I. hope.

In the meantime, I get the majority of my local produce from a little place called Shaker Farm. Chris and I have been going there since we met (10+ years ago.) During that time that we lived in the desert on the other side of the country we often spoke about Shaker Farms, and how we wished that we were running out for their blueberries, or tomatoes, or butter and sugar corn.

Thankfully, now Shaker Farm is just the next town over.

I stopped in today for some tomatoes and blueberries, and when I noticed that the girl that rang me up had on a new shirt. I HAD to have one!

A few minutes later the owner came out with one for me!! YAY!!!

If you are in the mood for some local produce (and baked goods--me, the baker now has a strawberry-rhubarb pie on the counter), just head to Shaker Farm!

My Yankee Doodle Dandy Girl

2010-07-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

I just remembered that I had this great photo of Ella that was taken during our little friend Mary Larkin's birthday party. I completely forgot to post it. The theme of the party was an Olde Tyme Bike Decorating Party to get ready for the 4th. How sweet!

A July Visit to Grandpa's

2010-07-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

We headed up to Maine this weekend to spend some time with my Dad and Sister Amy. Unfortunately we had wet weather, but we made the best of it! I think the highlight of the visit was when Dad and Amy took James down to the creek to go fishing. Dad fashioned James a fishing rod from a sapling like he did for Amy and I when we were little. The headed down to the creek in nice weather and on the way back got hid with a nice mid-summer downpour!

Just look at that smile on James' face. He LOVES his Grandpa! Ella as you can see is giving her new look to the camera, the one where she lowers her head and looks at you from beneath her eyelashes.

Here's Ell, Dad and I. Isn't my little sweetheart the cutest? And Dad just showers her with kisses. There's nothing quite like seeing your parent with your children. It's a very precious sight.

Here's Ella trying out her demure look:

And James being his regular goofball self:

Dad treated us to Maine lobstah and haddock on Saturday night, and my sister made us an old-fashioned chocolate sheetcake. What a feast!

We came home with a car loaded down with goodies, including a vintage folk art rocking horse, a ride-on plane from a dear family friend, tons of belated birthday gifts for James from his Auntie Amy, and some special items for Chris and I from Dad, including a beautiful painting of a Greyhound.

I meant to take more photos from around my childhood home, but the weather just did not cooperate. Maybe next time!

Going on a Piknik

2010-07-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

So I've been fiddling around with Photoshop actions for a while, and I happened upon a post by my Bloggy friend Sharon over at My New England Life, in which she writes about Picnik, an online free photo editing wonderland. If you haven't visited Saron's site from my blogroll before, do.it.now. Breathtaking photos in and around New England, more specifically the NH coastline.

Four words for Picnik? I.am.in.love!!! Check out my little birdwatcher!

I think this next photo is just hilarious. See her little toothy smile under those binoculars? CRACKS ME UP!

Anyway, speaking of picnics, we are headed out to Maine tomorrow for a long weekend. We'll start tomorrow south of Portland at a place called The Clambake for lunch, and then on to Pine Point Beach for the afternoon, head to Portland to check into our hotel, and then to a fun spot (or so I hear) for dinner called Silly's.

Saturday and Sunday we'll be in Brunswick visiting with Dad and my sister Amy. Dad has promised to take James fishing at the brook that borders the back edge of our property. I remember splashing in that brook as a kid--I know James will love the special time with his Grandpa.

I hope you all have a sunny weekend!

My New Calling

2010-07-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Frosting cupcakes.

So, I think I need to start a either a travelling kids cupcake party business,
or else just open up a nursery school / drama camp / art school.

I've been lucky to have this crowd of kids hanging out with me over the past two days,
and as much as their moms ~~think I'm out of my ever lovin' mind~~
appreciate it, I wish that I could have these little ones over every day for a few hours.

SERIOUSLY. I mean where else can I bundle all of the fun things
that I enjoy doing into one period of time? Like,
Art
Storytelling
Baking
Drama
Singing
Jewelry Making
Laughing
Dancing
Cooking

Where else can I have an adoring crush of fans loving me as I pass out
Popsicles
Brownies
Cheese-sticks
Cookies
Cupcakes
Capri-Suns,

And at what other point can I read stories to my heart's content,
and then be begged for
another,
and another,
and another?

Did I mention that my Mom ran a daycare?
Did I mention that I have a theatre degree?
Did I mention that I LOVE kids???

Hmmm . . .

maybe I'll call it
Pollyanna's Pre-School!!!!

Summer Fun (with Photoshop Actions)

2010-07-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

I've been having a ton of fun with my camera (thanks Dad!) and have been trying to learn a new Photoshop trick or two every few days. Here are a few of my new favorite actions that I have been using (click on the image to enlarge it):

RAW Definition

(Ahem, I don't come up with the names) Bitchin' Black & White

Sun Kissed

Polaroid Type 600

Okay, it was 102.9 here in Longmeadow, MA today!!! I am not sure that the heat translates in these photos, but who cares about the heat when you are surrounded by such cutie patootie kids!!

Sunshine and Laughter for Independence Day 2010

2010-07-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

It was all smiles at our place today--we had a low-key holiday, just the four of us and some BEAUTIFUL weather.

Happy 4th of July!

I Love Kids

2010-06-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

They make me happy.
How could they not?
Isn't this the cutest Pinata line you've ever seen?

Party for our friend Mary Larkin, far right.
Photo by her Mom, Flannery.
James is in the blue t-shirt with the ginormous smile.
Yes, that is Chris and I in the back. Can you tell I'm all partied out?

Scenes from James' 4th Birthday Party

2010-06-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

I think I am still in shock that my son is now 4.
His party was this past Saturday and his actual birthday is today.
WOW.
His party was a total blast, which is what I was going for,
as the kid is so interested in space right now.
Check out that cake. FANTASTIC. Gotta love the rocket.
My husband's cousin's daughter made it.
Emily--you are brilliant.
Oh yeah--and that bouncy house?
That HUGE bouncy house?
Best.idea.ever.
While the kids (and adults) bounced,
I got to enjoy the party guests and have a beer or two,
but most importantly I didn't miss
a single smile that spread across James' face
ALL DAY LONG.
So really, that bouncy house was a gift for ME.
I'm not quite ready to do my typical, look back through the years
post about my boy, you know--the one where I weep
in writing about how he's not a snugly little baby anymore.
But maybe that's because I am really enjoying him at this age.
Independent but still a Mama's boy;
inquisitive about the world around him but still cuddles his favorite
stuffed animal at night;
loves all of his new friends but is still happiest
around his cousins;
happy to receive all of the latest gadgets as gifts,
but it was the collection of arrowheads, fossils and rocks from his Grandpa
that he arranged on his bedside table tonight when he went to bed.
I love that boy.

Happy 4th Birthday, James.

XOXO

Our Little Curly Top

2010-06-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

The dress Ella is wearing was a gift from my mother--a little retro seersucker dress that I really love. Yellow was my Mom's favorite color--and I wish she could see her running around the yard, cute as a button and reminiscent of Shirley Temple. But I guess she probably can.

It has been more than a year since I lost my Mom, and though her absence is still painful, that pain is a little less sharp, and more often than not I am smiling when I am remembering her instead of feeling sad.

I think that the quality of the sunshine is really special in these photos--I am getting better at capturing the light.

Big day for us tomorrow--James is having his fourth birthday party! We are expecting about a dozen kids and 30 adults so it will be a fun day for sure. We even rented a huge bouncy house for him (seems to be the birthday party trend on our street these days!) It is actually due to arrive tonight--so no doubt we will be bouncing into the night and he will be exhausted before the big day even arrives!

Happy weekend to you!

Hello Summer!

2010-06-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

We're awfully excited about summer over here under the shady tree.
How about you?

Handmade Vintage Freshness Can Be Found at Three Sisterz

2010-06-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

Introducing Three Sisterz!

I know I have mentioned my friend Flannery about a million times on this blog, but I have been meaning to introduce the recent work that she and I and her sister Courtenay have recently finished, branding their business, Three Sisterz.

Flan came over a month or so ago and I walked her through some marketing ideas to help get Three Sisterz off the ground. They had a blog, but they needed to find a way to update it, get more exposure, and move to the next level. They were interested in how online marketing could help them, and seeing as how I make my living in marketing, communications and social media design, I was excited to assist them. I do really enjoy helping strong, creative women in their pursuing their dreams.

She and her sisters sew charming, one-of-a-kind pillowcase dresses using the most beautiful, whimsical fabric you can imagine. I think their sensibility is a fresh take on vintage and I adore it. They also make appliqued onesies, precious little skirts and a number of other custom-made items. Here's a few items from their recent work:

We talked about the look and feel that they wanted, played around with some images and came up with a new banner and design for the blog. Here is the banner, but you have to go and visit to get a real feel for the changes that we made.

Next we parlayed the new look for the brand into a Facebook badge and graphics for their Etsy store. A few days later I took some photos for them (this one is my fave!) of Flannery's middle daughter, Mary Larkin in one of their signature dresses. (Okay, you can't see much of the dress in this shot, I know . . . bad marketer, BAD!)

You can find their Facbook page here:

And you can take a look at their Etsy page here:

So please, before you run into a big box store for a summer dress that every little girl on the block is going to be wearing, think twice and buy something custom-made and AFFORDABLE and unique. Plus, doesn't it feel great to support another woman, another mother, in their efforts?

Remember this shot of my little Ella in her Three Sisterz pillowcase dress? (Just look at that little bow mouth!!!) Do you need any more convincing than this?

There's just something about these stunning handmade creations that these women are making, that make little girls' cheeks that much more PINCHABLE and SMOOCHABLE!

Now, go and "like" their Facebook page, and then go browse their blog and their Etsy store!

And be sure to spread the word and tell your friends, too.

An Oreo Cookie Eating Tutorial by Ella

2010-06-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

I came around the corner into the kitchen the other day and saw this:

And so I quickly ran and got my camera and started shooting. Wow--she's really loving this vanilla Oreo!! (Just like her Mom, while James prefers traditional Oreos, like his Dad).

Oops!! She sees me!

Caught cha!!!

So then I asked her what she was doing and she proceeded to show me! Reach into the bag of Oreos (conveniently they are at her perfect height in the pantry cabinet).

Get one and T-W-I-S-T.

See Mom? This is the good stuff!!

Mmmm . . . just look at all that sugary goodness!

Lick!!!

Yay!! Yummy!!

(Sigh) she's getting so big!! (Now I gotta run and move those cookies up a shelf or two!!)

Discovering Space with Sidewalk Chalk

2010-06-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

Take a boy that is obsessed with space, add some sidewalk chalk and a sunny day and 3-2-1 LIFT OFF!!! Here is one of the rockets he drew this week. (Ahem--I am not sure which way is up, so use your imagination.)

Here is another:

Here is one of mine that James added more flames to (in blue):

And an alien spaceship that he added pink flames to:

After more rockets and aliens were drawn, we started a super-sized word find thingy. He has been enjoying word finds, so I started by asking him to give me a space word, then another, and we linked them all together.

Make no mistake--this kid is reading these words, no problem! (Nice, but does he listen? No. Is he nice to his sister? No. Does he pick up his dirty clothes? No. But one step at a time, right?) Here is a big view of the whole shebang:

(Yes, here is Ella dashing thru, about to run and draw on the house, the garage, the swingset and the Adirondack chairs with chalk. SO CUTE!!!!)

I asked him what his favorite space word was on the word search and he ROLLED HIS EYES and said "C'mon Mom!!! Pluto, OF COURSE!!!")

Does it get any better than this? My heart will simply BURST if it does.

The Cake Frosting that Took the Cake

2010-06-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

So, I know I have posted before about great recipes--recipes that have blown my socks off, recipes that I felt produced the best bread, cookies or treat on the planet.

Well folks, I have a new one. And if you didn't like the fact that you drowned yourself with the last ultimate and amazing recipe I shared for Bark, then read no further.

I said,

READ

NO

FURTHER.

What? You still reading? Okay, then here it is:

The Best Damn Cake Frosting In the Universe

Last week was my husband's birthday. I always make him a cake from scratch, but this year I felt trapped by errands, childcare and work and I opted to make him a yellow boxed cake mix. But that DID NOT mean that I would be shoveling pre-made icing out of a can onto his cake. I mean, hey, in a pinch if you feel you have to take that route, so be it. But I still hold true to my belief that with a few ingredients and about five minutes of time, you can make a to-die-for homemade icing.

And this year, folks? Well this year I made the best icing EVAH. EVAH.

This year I made an icing recipe that I had been drooling at over on Ree Drummond's Pioneer Woman website. I was intrigued buy it's sheer simplicity, and so I went for it. You can find the recipe here.

The recipe that she uses is flavored with vanilla. I used the juice of half a lemon.

And no, I don't have any pictures of the cake, or the icing, or anything. There aren't any. It's gone. How do I know? I just finished cutting the edges off of the cake and eating them. Oh, and I also took the layers apart and scraped off the icing that lay between them.

No joke. The cake itself? B-O-R-I-N-G. The icing? Ahhhhhhhh!!!!

Oh, and I have included this post in today's Tasty Tuesday line-up over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. Go join in on the fun!

And if you make the frosting, please come back and let me know how it turned out!

It's Carnival Season Again!

2010-06-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

(Click the collage to enlarge.)

We went to our first carnival of the summer season last night. It was a little local affair held by a Catholic School, very similar to the little carnival that I went to as a kid. A few rides, the necessary cotton candy, fried dough and fresh cut fry vendors, great music and affordable ride tickets make it a neighborhood crowd pleaser.

Ella is just small enough that she couldn't ride anything (boo!) so I spent $7 on a pretty pink dolphin ballon that she likes. I know--$7!! But--so worth it to hear her say "BalOOOOOOn!!!" over and over!

The best thing I did was spend $20 on an unlimited rides bracelet for James. Can I tell you that kid went thru the fun house, on the tea cups (which he calls the Bowls of Soup ride), the train and a few others a hundred times! In short--this little trip (without his Dad as Chris was in San Diego for work) was all about my little man.

I love a good carnival. We had so much fun! I have already bookmarked a list of local festivals, carnivals and fairs that will be going on throughout the summer. Remember this post? Yeah. You know what I mean--the noise, the smells, the excitement, the looks on my little ones faces? You could say that these little events are about the highlight of my summer.

Now stop reading my blog, and go get yourself a ticket to ride in a bowl of soup!!!

Happy Birthday to My Best Friend

2010-06-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here's looking at you, Babe!!!

Every time I look at this picture I giggle like a school girl
who just got her pigtails pulled on the playground by a boy.

Every year you continue to bring that kind of fun and laughter
into my life, and I am a happier woman for it.

My best friend, my husband, my rock--
I hope you keep pulling my pigtails for years to come!

Happy 36th birthday!

XOXO

Allison

Just for fun, here's a look at your
2009 birthday
2008 birthday

The Many Faces of My Goofball

2010-06-03T06:45:00.000-07:00

What more can I say but that
my boy is one crazy kid!

He loves to make everyone laugh with his silly faces,
can you tell?

Who knows--maybe someday he will be named the
Maine State Storytelling Champion like his Mom!

Love you buddy--
keep being silly, express yourself in your own way
and bask in your own spotlight!

The Little Rascals

2010-05-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

It has been very quiet around here, especially because my neighbor, Flannery and her husband and three little ones are off visiting family. We sure have missed them around the neighborhood! I marvel at her three little girls, Eleanor, Mary Larkin and Ginger the baby. Here are some pics I took last week when Eleanor and Mary Larkin came over to play.

Just look at little Mommy Eleanor with her hand over Ella's shoulder. I think that is just precious! Don't you love the flirty look on James' face? When I say he loves these girls, I mean he LOVES them. He asks about them nearly every day. Are they coming over to play? Do we have a play date over there today? Can we go ride bikes with them? And on . . . . and on . . . .

I think they are yelling in the photo above--not sure why. I am noticing that in the photos I took, Ella isn't looking at me IN A SINGLE STINKING ONE. Oh well. She was busy!

In this one I was asking them to pretend they were riding a roller coaster. See Eleanor repeating my instructions to Ella? Too funny!

Take a load of that scowl on Eleanor's face. She is staring so hard at ML that she is going to burn a hole right in her! I think she looks like she is saying "Nice dress, princess. I'd like to see you score a soccer goal in THAT get-up!" HA HA! And that look on Mary Larkin's face? IRRESISTIBLE!

Okay, this one cracks me up. Clearly, James is trying to put on some kind of funny show, and the girls are just so absorbed in their conversation with Ella about the particular nuances of blue raspberry Popsicles that they have no clue he even exists! Get used to it buddy.

Anyhoo. Okay Flannery. You can come home now!!! Ahem. Please?

Sandbox Summer Fun

2010-05-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

I was at a friend's house this past weekend with the kids and they spent almost an hour playing with the sand table that she had.

It made me remember that my Dad had built my sister and I a sandbox as kids. Chris and I had discussed it at one point but with him being gone for work so much, hadn't really pursued it. I started thinking about it, and remembered that there is a built in sandbox under their playscape (the one we got from Craigslist for $50 last summer).

I went out and bought nine 50lbs bags of playground sand and some ground cover that would prevent weeds from coming up. After toting 450 lbs of sand into my car, out of my car and into the sand box I needed a day at the beach myself!

When I was done putting it together, James and Ella hopped in and were SO INTENT that I could barely get them to look up for a photo! Let's just say that they love it--there seems to be some mysterious magical power that sand coming through a sifter seems to have on my little ones!

YES, they had sand EVERYWHERE when I finally coaxed them into the house for dinner, and YES James asked me when I tucked him in last night if he could play in it the next day and YES score one for Mom on the sandbox!

My First 5K!

2010-05-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today I participated in a 5K put on by the town of Longmeadow and I loved every minute of it!

We had to get to the race registration at 7am, where I paid my fee and got my number, and then the walkers (my group, since right now I am only alternating walking and jogging) started off at 7:30am.

The day was cool and beautiful, and the kids were in great spirits. At many houses we passed, people were gathered on the front steps or the lawn to watch the race go buy--so it felt like we had a little cheering section every block or so.

With every step I felt really good about how much stronger I have gotten, just in the last few months because of all of the walking and biking I have been doing. I have really been trying to make a mindset change--worrying less about having the perfect body and more about having a healthy and athletic body. I don't want my kids to worry about their weight or their looks--I want them to be confident in their strength.

The runners started 30 minutes after the walking group--and I was just happy that they didn't lap us! We came in third! They only part that stank was that Chris is out of town for work, so while other people had their families cheering them thru the finish we did not. But--the two people that came in before us turned and congratulated us as we came thru. That was a class act, I think!

Maybe we'll be in the running group next year!

Taking A Moment to Breathe

2010-05-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Flowers from my yard in my favorite vase. Aren't they pretty?

Wow I'm a busy!
I just realized I haven't posted since Sunday.
I have been playing with kids,
planning a trip to San Diego and Sea World,
helping to promote a conference,
doing a little graphic design work,
reading books by my new favorite author, Sarah Waters,
making meals from a great cookbook I got for Mother's Day,
thinking about a little trip to Maine,
and
dreaming about having my own little farm in the country.

So I am busy, but good.
But--that means I haven't been reading or posting on too many blogs,
so if you haven't seen me around for a bit--
just know I am still here.
I might just be taking more time to blow bubbles and play with sidewalk chalk,
or
cozying into bed with a great historical novel,
or daydreaming about having my own farm fresh eggs.

And goodness!
Summer is just around the corner--and you know what happens then--
less and less blogging.

Plus, in a month James will be out of school and
out on his first summer vacation--
and I plan to fill it up with as much fun as I can stuff
into as many hours of sunlight as Mother Nature can give us.

So I'm here--just winding down a bit and focusing on other things.

And hey, I think I've written a similar post
every year for the last three,
so it's nothing new.

Whatever you are up to--
ENJOY!

And don't count me out of Blogland just yet--
I might just have a surprise or two up my sleeve,
but first I need to go and lay under my shady tree
and look up at the clouds for a while.

XOXO

Allison

A Portrait of Friendship

2010-05-16T05:16:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom, can we all go out and play???

Blog & Banner Design

2010-05-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

A friend was over last night to chat about growing her small business, and I mentioned to her that I enjoy designing blog banners. I wanted to show her some of the work that I have done, and thought well hey--I'll show you too!

Here is just a sampling of some of the work I have put together for myself and for family and friends over the last few years.

If you are interested in a new look for your blog, let me know!