Out with the old...

"Movin' on up...To the east side (of PCH)..."

Not to be outdone by the brand-spanking new Farbenmix world headquarters (well, I mean, sure, totally outdone), I've signed the lease and I'm moving into my own office.

No streamers and balloons, just moving boxes adoring the house today. I'm kind of melancholy about the idea. Maybe I'm just melancholy about paying rent instead of buying a tricked out new camera.

I have encroached a bit much into the family's (rather small) house with my work. I do admit. The above photo is a bit of the mayhem. I'll post photos once I've moved.

My wishes for growth, renewal, adventure, health, learning, love and joy for the New Year.

Love and joy come to you!

Merry Christmas. Love from us to you.

Merry CraigsList!

Part of the reason I love CraigsList is that, in my quest for the perfect set of Mid Century dining chairs or just the right case study sofa, I traverse my city and see things I might not otherwise see. Like these wall murals.


And wherever I go in town, Farmer's Market is always on the way.

Let's meet at Fairfax and Third for a Bennett's Cola. Made in Los Angeles.

... and some Blenheim Ginger Ale: Some of the spiciest ever! Yum! And ouch.

Christmastime at our house

When the sun shines on these, the colorful mirror mobiles turn our backyard into a disco. Boogie-oogie-oogie.

Bits of coral collected from Maui (no rocks, because rocks from Maui can contain angry spirits, just bits of coral).
Fresh pomegranates. Anything is better with pomegranates.

Hope your holiday hurriedness is winding down and you are enjoying your winter days.

Christmastime is here

Image via Apartment Therapy.

I'm not huge on Christmas. I take that back: I practice the faith and I think the man, whose birthday we are recognizing, deserves a great big "For he's a jolly good", for sure.

So I don't mean Christmas. I mean Christmas. Doesn't sound right, does it? For a crafter like me? I should have, oh, a few tree skirts crocheted from recycled bubble wrap or somesuch to show off. Not really. I don't get my holly jollies from jolly holly and the rest of it.

We don't put up the tree until very close to Christmas Eve, so that the tree is as fresh as possible, because we light real candles on the thing come Christmas Eve. It is about the worst fire hazard imaginable, but, ah, just gaze once upon a tree with real beeswax candles burning and you will understand.

We purchased our tree today. Pretty slim pickings on the tree lot. I pride myself on having had some pretty odd looking trees over the years. This year's tree is especially funny. It's a bit leaning and a bit fat, like an eccentric auntie that has been at the rum punch and asks much too personal questions. The tree lot guy gave me 50% off the tree without my even asking. Nobody wants the drunken auntie of a tree? No worries, we'll make sure she makes it home safely. And thank you for the discount.

You funny tannenbaum.

Well, if I wasn't much for one for decorating this day, mother nature did a fine job after the rains.

No. 12,800 ... No. 32 in Sewing Books? Okay, okay, no worries...all good...

Okay, I'm sufficiently freaked out.

Yeah, okay, I'll admit that I check my Amazon book page. I check how it ranks in sales. Last I checked a couple of weeks ago, it was down there in the No. 200,000-something slot.

Today, um, Sewing Clothes Kids Love is ranked No. 12,800 of all books? And No. 32 in sewing books? The book isn't even out yet. Last I heard, not until February 1st. That many pre-orders for an unknown commodity? Deep cleansing breath...

Thank you.

I'm excited. Absolutely stoked. Butterflies in my stomach. And freaking out. I hope I did a good job.

Thank you.

Did I mention, "thank you?"

Thank you.

*exhale slowly...*