Another year older!

Yesterday was my- should I put it in print??? My 47th birthday! We ended up seeing Benjamine Button, and then going to the Boathouse Grill.
The movie was REALLY interesting, although I would caution- take tissue, it's a bit of tear jerker!
As far as dinner goes, it was good, but I think next time it will be a lunch stop- I was in the mood for something a bit more "gourmet", however the crab cakes were de-lish!
It is really funny, my eyes seem to have gotten worse over night! I can't even see the computer without a pair of glasses! I guess that is what happens when you have another birthday!

enjoying my time off

I have been a bit lazy this week! I am trying to destress after the crazy week before Christmas. I even spent one hole day in my pajamas! Wow that was nice! Today I will be going into Rochester to visit my 93 year old grandmother, it has been a while since we visited her, so that will be nice. Then we will be dropping Wils off to have a sleepover with my parents for a couple of days. Don and I will have my annual birthday celebration- dinner and a movie tomorrow. I want to see Slumdog Millionaire, not sure where I want to eat, any suggestions?

A fab holiday!

Here are some shots of my little guy at our Christmas Eve party with Grandma and Gramdpa!
Wils loves the train around the tree.
He found the pickle- again! The game was the pickle prize. The seafood crepes were my prize!
We always end the evening with a group reading of the Night Before Christmas. This was the first year Wils actually read his part!
We had such a wonderful holiday, it is a lot of work, but so special when you have a young child. I want Wils to believe in Santa forever!

Christmas morning!

Don and I got a new video camera from Santa- here we are waiting for Wilson to get up, he is SLEEPING IN ON CHRISTMAS!!!???

A vid for Gary:

The last order is out!

Just in time! My customer will be happy. If there is one thing I can't stand- it is "camo print"!
So when someone ordered a bowl with "my take on camo" (for a wedding gift), I wasn't real excited! But I did it- and I have to admit I do camo pretty well! I don't think it will be a regular pattern in my repertoire, but it looks great on this one bowl.

The Holiday is on top of me! I still have lots of cleaning- I don't know what I was thinking, inviting my parents for Christmas brunch! I still can't see my dinning room table and the pet hair tumbleweeds are drifting all over the place! On top of that Wilson wants to make gingerbread people when I get home from the gallery this afternoon! I am going to take items to wrap with me so I can try to put a dent in that- not even started yet! Christmas was such a magical time when I was a child- it is one big stress ball when you have kids. There is so much pressure to make it a special day. Really when I think about it, Wils is such a great kid he would probably be happy no matter what we did!

Lights, camera, Wilson!

Wilson took a couple of pics of the Christmas tree.

I was surprised to get home last night and see lights on the tree! Don got them up while I was at a Groton Business Association event.
Tonight we pull out the boxes of ornaments and really get to work!
Wils Decorates a tree the way most kids do- hanging everything at his eye level in a big cluster. Good thing we have tons of ornaments that I have been collecting since I was a child- breakables on top!

I did it!

I was able to clear a corner of my very cluttered parlor- the tree is in and actually standing! That took a little muscle (and yelling!) Don will be surprised to see I did it. He always makes such a fuss- and I do the yelling. I even think it is straight. I love when the tree is finally up and all 4 of the cats come out of their hiding places and inspect it. The Christmas tree is a big deal in my house- it does smell good.
I just realized I never mentioned where I get my tree. My Dad's best friend was a Christmas tree farmer. Years ago (when we were very young- 10-14) my brother and I would help Carl plant trees in the spring. Every year a beautiful tree appears at my door all ready to bring in and decorate. I always think maybe this is one of the seedlings I stuck in the ground. Although the trees I planted are probably about 60 feet tall that was so long ago!

Every year I look at my tree and say "This is the prettiest one we have ever had".

My next goal...

This is the beautiful tree we had LAST YEAR! I have my tree, ready to be put up for this year outside- waiting for a spot to become available. My goal today is to have the living room clean and ready for this years tree! Wilson is anxious to have it inside. I looked at the advent calender this morning- ONLY 10 DAYS LEFT!!!!! I am done with shows and openings and now I need to focus on my own stuff.
I came home exhausted and pretty happy with the way things went yesterday at the Temple Beth 'El Holiday fest. I sold a lot of dreidels and a few other pieces. It was a nice show, although a long day. My face hurts from smiling at people.
My montra today- a clean home is a happy home, and we will have a spot for the Christmas tree. Time to go make myself happy.

Could things get any better?

Well the first one this year- a snow day, and my little "helper" will be with me ALL DAY! that will probably put a glitch in the dreidel production. Hopefully the snow is good for packing- my guy likes to make snow people! The good news is I made double chocolate brownies- I'm sure there will not be many customers visiting the gallery, so I will be sure to eat plenty of "butt spreading" goodies!

It is pretty out with all the snow sticking to all the trees- it looks like the holidays.

UUGGHHHH!

Okay, just when I decided I would have what I have for the Temple Beth 'El holiday show- I find out about this in the Ithaca Journal!
I am really happy about the advert, but I need to produce MORE DREIDELS! I finished 4 yesterday- I'm shooting for 5 today! The family will have to fend for themselves as far as dinner goes. I will be painting!

Taking a poll...

I can't decide which one of these photos to use for my Christmas card. Taking a poll, #1 or #2?

On With The Holidays!

The artwork was fabulous, the food was plentiful, the wine was a pouring, but the crowd was a bit light. I think the weather was a little much for a lot of people to venture out yesterday. It was snowin, blowin, and REALLY cold! Hopefully my wonderful local art enthusiasts will come in to see the "Gifted" show in the next couple of weeks. I feel very honored to have such a delightful group of artists participating in this show, I really want people to see it! I am NOT totally disappointed, the people that did come, did some shopping, and sales were pretty good- but I'm always chasing that "green" dragon. You have to to stay in business. I always say "I'm not in it to get rich", but I do want to make my artists happy and I need to pay the rent.

Thanks to all that came and enjoyed the afternoon, and thanks so much Alice, Werner, Jolene, Dee, and Gary.

Excited!!!!

Today is the day! The final show of the year- and a REALLY good one. Tons of food and drink. Come celebrate the season with us. Meet the artists, share the holiday cheer, and do a bit of shopping in a truly special setting. All are welcome. Gotta go- lots to do!

Gary on display!

Plenty of Gary Rith Pottery on display for Sunday's Artists' Reception. Only 2 more artists to get hung and displayed. Don't want to leave it till the last minute- DEE and JOLENE!!! After that I have to get home and cut veggies, make the vegan olive spread, mix up dips and guac, and make about 150 gingerbread people! I was also hoping to get some painting in- SURE!

Uplifted!

Yesterday we were busy hanging the big wall. Here is Werner making adjustments to one of his mobiles. Alice's birds, clouds, moon and lady fly among the colorful gentile movement of the mobiles. I am SO HAPPY with this wall! It is absolutely beautiful. There are still a couple of pieces to hang. Thanks to my fab artists- it looks incredible!

Are you kidding me?

Okay, I started getting these when I was about 35 years old. Yesterday one of these came in the mail for my son Wilson! Wils just turned 7! I think he has to grow up and get a job before he can join the American Association for Retired People. Retirement is a long way away for me, for Wilson it unimaginable! I thought this was absolutely hilarious!

A sad night...

Yesterday my husband got news that his sister Carolyn had passed away. Carolyn had been very sick in the hospital the past 2 weeks. She had also been surviving cancer for many years (although it never went away).

We are very sad to have lost such a wonderful person. Don was very close to his sister and his best friend Jim, from childhood was also her husband.

Carolyn had a PHD from Cornell in psychology and when Don was in graduate school at Cornell, he and Carolyn were roommates for a year while she was finishing up and he was starting.

Our hearts go out to Jim, and our spirits fly with Carolyn. We will miss you.

Gingerbread people on parade!

My kitchen is being taken over by an invasion of gingerbread people! They are everywhere! The best thing about making these guys is I can do them ahead of time. Gingerbread gets better a few days after it is made! Oh, and no dairy my dairy free friend!

My head is a jumble!

My 93 year old Grandmother is still going strong! She lives in her townhouse in Fairport NY on her own. She will still even venture out to Wegmans, or the liquor store (just out her complex driveway) in her 1986 white Volvo. Grandma always does the "jumble" in the morning- she says it keeps her mind nimble. Anyway, I thought to myself "my head is a jumble" and I started thinking about Gram... I need to take a drive to Fairport, to the Georgetown Commons Townhouse complex and have a nice visit with her.

Martini anyone?

I just finished this pair of martini glasses last night. I think they came out FAB! The thing I love about these is they look as good from the inside as they do from the outside! Might as well have something pretty to look at while your drinking! Although, after a few they might make you a bit dizzy.

The Shopper Ad for this week- I think it looks pretty good. I am really hoping for a good crowd. I went and got wine yesterday. I need to go to the grocery store for supplies so I will have a nice selection of festive munchies. I also have to make gingerbread people this week- and get them decorated. Not to mention rearranging the gallery and hanging/setting up the new work! WOW- busy week!

Successful Holiday

Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house was FAB! We all ate too much and enjoyed every bite!
We then played a family game of Parcheesi (Wilson's favorite game) and I was the big winner!

I have made the best oatmeal cookies this morning. I made them for the crowds hitting the gallery on "Black Friday". Actually, I don't really think my "little off the main drag" shop will be getting a lot of traffic, but I am always hopeful. Maybe my sign will attract someone going to the mall.
I do however plan on a big crowd a week from this Sunday for the opening of "Gifted". I have been handing out cards and talking things up big time. The artists will be hanging this week, I always look forward to seeing everything in place.

Happy Thanksiving

Norman Rockwell depicted the all American family Thanksgiving better than words ever could.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with the family. My mother is cooking the dinner! I am excited SO EXCITED for this. Last year my mom decided she was taking the day off, and we went to a restaurant- It just wasn't the Thanksgiving I wanted! Our family food tradition is something called cranberry ice, this is a sorbet served as an appetizer and it is the best stuff! It is like having a little dessert before dinner. There really isn't a story behind the cranberry ice my Great Grandmother started this tradition after finding the recipe in a women's magazine in the 50's. It has been a staple on the table ever since. I can't wait! I am thankful for so much, but one of the little things is cranberry ice!

I need a change!

I'm thinking I need a change- in my hair that is.
I found this picture and I really like the style. I think a new doo might perk me up. I am sure I will look exactly like this model (if I put on make-up). Although I think I will stick with my signature bright unnatural red! Yes, I need a change.
Now that I have made up my mind I hope the roads are not too bad for me to get to my appointment this morning. We have had a lot of very wet snow. The cars are moving pretty slow out there.

Super Busy!!!

I have been painting "like the wind", trying to get things done for people that want orders by Thanksgiving. I just finished this sugar/creamer set this morning, and I am delivering it at 11:30 in Ithaca. I am still painting dreidels and ornaments and just trying to get my inventory better stocked for the store. Everyone that comes in says, "where is all your work?" To that I reply, "that is all my work"! Orders are GREAT, but they do not help the display. I better get crackin!

I should be working!

But I am goofing off a bit- my son LOVES the photo booth on my MacBook and for some reason I felt like playing around a bit. It is a lot of fun!

Requests from customers...

I had an interesting request from a customer yesterday. He was looking at my selection of Gary Rith pottery and he says to me: "Does this guy do a bacon press? I can not find a bacon press to fit my frying pan! If this guy did one of those I would buy it." I told him I would be happy to ask the artist if he would consider making him one, and I would need to know the size of his frying pan.
The gentlemen than said "I bet he could sell a lot of those- they are hard to find". I explained to my customer that I might be able to get Gary to make one, but since he is a vegan he probably would not want to go into the bacon utensil business! He understood, hey Gary- want to do me a favor? you could put a little piggy on top!

Getting in the spirit!

I am getting into the spirit of the holidays! I have a tree at the gallery I need to decorate and make festive. Here a couple of items that will be going on. I also have a number of artists that do special ornaments to help fill up my tree.
Ornaments make great Teacher gifts!























Everyone Loves a little sparkling t-light! A very affordable gift for anybody!

I have a bit of an injury- an accedent with my exacto knife has left my thumb very sore. Never use an exacto for anything other than its intended use!

I have the card revised and , I think it is looking good. It's off to the printer and I should have it ready to hand out by Thursday! I am really hoping for a good turn out for this one- lots of food and wine! I also have never had an opening on a Sunday in the afternoon, so I hope that helps bring people in too.

perils of the porch!

My beautiful front porch is still a mess. I am at my wit's end! I have not seen my "contractor" or had anything done since the day before Halloween- when he came, hammered on something 4 times and left! I still need the concrete slab for the steps, and one support poured. It is 33 degrees here, and as far as I know, you can't do concrete in that kind of temp. If the support is not done, he can't put the new joist in place, and I am looking at this all winter! UGHHHH! I am so full of exasperation I could scream!!!!

Getting it together!

I have been working hard on getting the card done for my group holiday show at Thou Art Gallery! I have a group of 5 fabulous artists, all with very different work. The show is called "Gifted" because the artists are gifted in talent, and the artwork makes great gifts! We will have holiday items such as ornaments, cards, and VERY affordable gifts for everyone. All items are produced in the Finger Lakes area. I'm looking forward to this one!

Spindle Santas

My Dad got one of these Santas in a gallery somewhere- the original was made in Sweden. I don't usually "knock off" things, but I found these guys so sweet, I had to give it a shot. Yesterday I went out and bought myself a miter saw and some spindle wood. They came out GREAT! I love them, However, it is really hard for me NOT to checker, stripe or polka dot them up. I do think the simplicity is what is so appealing. I'm a bit sore from sawing by hand, but it was worth it.

The Holidays!

The snow yesterday made me think about the holidays! Somehow it always to sneaks up on me. I have quite a few orders to get done, and I have many dreidels and ornaments to paint, not to mention the shopping, and cleaning. I haven't been able to see my dining room table in a year or so- I hope it is still under that big pile of stuff!

The BIG birthday weekend!

When your child's birthday falls on a Sunday, the celebration tends to be a three day event! Friday we had the school party, Saturday we had Wilson's pick for what he wanted to do- Chuckie Cheese's! He LOVED THAT! Then Finally we went to Gram and Gramp's house for the family party. It was a great weekend- and, as far as Wilson is concerned, the BEST 7th birthday celebration ever!

Workshops at Thou Art

The classes began at Thou Art! I would have LOVED to have more people take advantage of this opportunity, but the kids and adults that came had a really good time, and that is what is important! I am sure we will have a better turn out next week, I have already had calls from people wanting to attend. Thanks Reagen, you did a great job.