Getting Crafty

I've recently started getting together with two of my most creative and amazing friends, Coquette and Belle Epoque, for regular craft days.  These two ladies are insanely crafty and if there is anything I'd like to learn, they can (and are!) my personal tutors.  

With Halloween right around the corner I decided that it was time to get started on making costumes for the littles.  My mom was always good at making me costumes so I thought that I would give it a go as well.  For some unknown reason, I decided the theme this year would be popcorn.  With encouragement from my crafty friends, I set out to make my very first costume(s).

I didn't have a pattern but had a clear visual in my head on how I wanted them to turn out.  With a quick trip to Jo Anne's, I had all the supplies including wooden letters for me to trace, felt and foam.  I unearthed my sewing machine which has been waiting patiently in my storage and got to work.  

Getting started with the sewing machine!

Not only did I manage to make two (!) homemade costumes, I had the them finished in time for our annual twin club Spooktacular event this past weekend!  I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with the results!

Ta-da!  My little bag of buttered popcorn!

Proud mama

Our Poor Sweetie

A couple of years ago my hubby and I wrote a book for Chronicle Books.  It's not quite as impressive as it sounds as (a) I was working there at the time, (b) I happened to be in the meeting where we conceived of the idea, and (c) it's a little gift item, not really a book book.  But still, we were authors, complete with a listing on Amazon, placement in fabulous stores like Paper Source and we had our very own ISBN.  But last week I got the sad email from my editor, our book was going to be remaindered and sent to the big pile of paper in the sky.  I just placed a big order to have on hand but if you have ever wondered, "what is my husband's neck size?", "what was his first pet named?" or "what anniversary gift is for 10 years?", you should buy one too.

Sweetie Stats by Ryan and Nancy Deane

Little Pumpkins

This past weekend we were b-u-s-y!  The hubby and I were lucky enough to see Argo at the Mill Valley Film Festival which was amazing.  Sadly, Mr. Affleck called in "sick" (strep throat, really? he seemed fine the night before at the LA premiere) but he sent Brian Cranston in his place which made my man extremely excited as he's an avid Breaking Bad fan.

  Argo

Saturday we took the littles to the Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch.  Only a short drive from downtown San Anselmo, this little farm had everything that we were looking for including ponies for our very first pony ride!

This is fun, right?

So many pumpkins to choose from!

We topped the weekend off with an amazing ride on the San Francisco Bay on our friends' boat.  Not only were we right below all the planes during their Fleet Week stunts, we were also front row for the America's Cup races.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday in my opinion!

Relaxing on the deck watching the races

And how was your weekend?

Thursday Traditions

The Thursday San Rafael Farmer's Market has quickly become a weekly tradition in our house.  I love the early morning sun, grabbing my coffee and indulging in a waffle.  I seemed to have passed along my pastry love to Lady Baby and Mr. Baby as well!
 

Waffles make Lady Baby very happy

Morning croissants

Fresh flowers for the weekend

Musical interlude

Hello Photograph

Do you ever have those moments when you see a perfect photograph standing before you?  If it's a person, I think, "Should I ask them if I can take their picture?", "Is that weird?", "What if they think I'm a crazy person?" and so on until usually the moment has passed.  A few months ago I was walking across the street in downtown Toronto and Alice Cooper was standing on the street corner talking to several people in his entourage wearing a golf shirt and white fedora, it was sort of unnerving.  I'm not a fan (at all. sorry.) but to see him just hanging out in very non-Alice Cooper attire was exciting, and I wanted to take his picture.  But I didn't.  And the moment was gone.  I encountered another moment today when I was running errands in Union Square in San Francisco (well, really I was at the dentist but "running errands" sounds more glamorous, right?) and I hesitated.  But I turned back just as these three sailors were turning to catch a better look at a giant poodle sauntering down the street and I got this.  Perfect.

Photo by me via Instagram

Lemon-Basil Linguine

We're in the middle of a heat wave and I wanted something light and refreshing for dinner, so I whipped up this recipe that I found on Pinterest.  For someone who is a self-proclaimed non-cook, it was surprisingly easy and tasted delicious.  You have to remember to save some of the pasta water to mix with the pesto you prepare, but other than that, it's fool proof.  When I make it again, I'll probably double the amount of lemon-basil pesto sauce as I definitely wanted seconds!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens