Book Suggestions?!?

I need a new book. I just finished The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham. It was enchanting, captivating and I loved the imagery. Now I am rereading Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes for maybe the third time. Steve hates that I can watch certain movies over and over and love them every single time. I have explained to him that the reason for this is because I LOVE the way these movies make me feel or what they make me day dream of. The same goes for Under the Tuscan Sun. I read it before bed each night and I often dream of living in Tuscany and growing my own grapes and olives – mmm such sweet dreams! But lately after these nice dreams the shock of my reality (office full of tax returns) makes me a bit depressed, so I think it is time for a new novel. What have you read lately?

The blizzard

True to form Colorado delivered its annual Spring blizzard last week and we got a half day snow day! Yippee! I took a few pictures of our little blooming tree in the front yard before and after the snow hit. This is exactly why they say "In Colorado no matter how tempted you may be, DO NOT plant anything before Mother's Day"!

Almost done...

Well we are nearing the end of the bathroom remodel. Kay has kindly offered to make the shower curtain (red/white damask kind of mod, hopefully). The fabric is on order! And Steve is in the midst of making some amazing cabinet doors for the corner cabinet. He was out in the shop all weekend last weekend and taught himself how to make raised panel doors out of Alder. My dad would be so proud! They are really too pretty to paint, but I will have to in order to stick to the theme. Here is a little taste of what is to come once we are all done as well as a picture of the doors (I am imagining designs for future built-ins and armoires - Steve will be busy)...

Bring it on 30's!

It is no secret to my friends and family that I have entered my dreaded thirties – yikes?!? Up until now I have tried to take this new number on with grace, politely saying goodbye to my twenties and embracing this new era… up until now! My favorite ski pants are all of a sudden too tight and much too uncomfortable to be sitting in and totally inappropriate for navigating mountains. So unless any of you have noticed that stretch ski pants are back in style, I am going to buy some new ones hopefully at a cheap end-of-season price. What do you think of these? Keep in mind that I am a skier NOT a teenage snowboarder…

Giggles and Smiles Galore!

If any of you out there need a reason to giggle with unexplainable glee, check out my good friend Cindy’s blog and her adorable son Landon. I can’t think of a better reason to smile! Thanks Cindy!

http://cdeily.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html

To Sew or Not to Sew

While I was in New Mexico not only did I get new curtains, I also learned how to sew. My good friend Kelly and her mom Linda took a day out of their busy schedules to teach me the ropes of using a sewing machine. With so many babies on the way (11 and counting) in my wider circle of friends I wanted to be able to make these special mothers something personal, cute and straight from the heart. And although I did teach myself to knit while I was sick in bed for four days, I thought perhaps sewing would be a more effective (and hopefully faster) way of making baby things. Check out the blanket and burp clothes they helped me create. Thank you ladies!

Hopefully I can figure out how to make the ancient machine I have in the basement work like Linda's much newer and lighter model.

Wish me luck!