Random Winter Fun

The post otherwise known as "I haven't posted in a long time, so now I'm cramming the last random Winter pictures into one post since it's Spring already!"

Owen, Clay & Reed making Snowcones out of ... snow :)



My stepmom Angela sent me some great photos of banners made for my Dad that she saw in a race on Jacksonville Beach, Florida:



Another good snow, and actually packable snow!











Skipping stones at lake below Biltmore Estate:








Vivian & Leah (daycare) making homemade crackers:



My lovely friend Jenn won tickets to not only see Brett Dennen in concert when he came to Asheville, but also to go to his studio performance at the local radio station, and invited me along. Thank you Jenn - that was so much fun ... I loved boogying down with you at the show! Here's Brett (and Jenn in some photos) at the station ...





This is one of my most favoritest cookbooks ever! Old school! I just ordered my 3rd copy of it, thought I'd document how well used the second copy was :)

OBAMA!!!

I actually cried during the inauguration - i was SO excited!! We went to the Asheville Pizza & Brew right near the house for the event - it was jam packed. They have not only a bar, arcade, seating area, but a movie theater with booths and tables for eating. We went to the movie theater room and crammed in on the floor with Leah and her mama Shonna. My photos didn't turn out well, so the photos posted get full credit from the Mountain Xpress newspaper.

So many things make me joyful about this presidency - not only that Americans finally can see past race, but also that he's actually going to start our country going in the right direction after the mess our last president made. I'm so happy to actually be proud to be an American instead of embarrassed, and happy to see the same in other people, that FINALLY the American flag is something to celebrate :)

I'm In Business!

A couple months ago, I wanted some legwarmers, but wasn't pleased with what was on the market. So, stubborn me had to make my own! The very first night I wore them out, to the Xmas Jam concert downtown, I got SO many compliments and strangers asking where they could buy them, etc. So, I thought about it a bit, and decided that maybe it could be a good business opportunity!

There were obstacles - One being that I've done this before! Going on phish tour, selling at so many festivals and shows, I got burnt out on sewing for others. But I figure, this time it's not my sole source of income and I can work as I please and not feel pressured. Second, it was an obstacle to figure out how to make these one-size-fits-all. Mine were custom made for me, of course. I tried several different ideas, and then a friend came over and suggested doing half elastic, half velcro (like the sleeve cuff on a kids' winter coat). It was a remarkable great idea! They stay on even better than the ones I custom made for myself originally!! So, both problems solved, time to start sewing!

Wish me luck! And if you know any gals who like some funky outfits, send 'em my way :)
http://hippylongstocking.etsy.com

Many thanks for Bryce and Steve for having sewing sessions with me and letting me bounce ideas off them; thanks Jackie and Falan's husband (sorry on the name blank!) for the velcro inspiration; and of course thanks to Bryce and Shonna for the awesome photos!!

Saying Farewell to the Sloans

I knew it couldn't last forever, but it really did pass too quickly, in my opinion... the Sloan family has driven off into the sunset - headed to the West Coast and Mexico. You can check out their blog, also - it's over there in the right-hand sidebar. They came back from a week of selling fireworks in S. Carolina for New Years and we celebrated by setting off fireworks (of course!).

Reed


Lincoln & Reed


I also took my boys plus Lincoln Sloan ice skating one day.

Clay & Lincoln


our friend Jacob, Clay & Lincoln


Reed finding his balance


taking a break at the rink


Then it was time to say good-bye... Have safe travels! We love you guys and miss you already ... hope you come back with many new adventures to share!



hot mamas


gettin goofy

Just wanted to say...

Wow, so many things happened in 2008 - not sure I've ever had such a busy year... good memories and not-so-good, but still all part of the great plan, and I'm happy just going along for the ride :) I find contentment in knowing that the sun keeps shining & flowers keep blooming, friends are abundant, and even after rocky times - peace always finds us. I'm so excited to see what this next year will bring us! I'll get to be an auntie twice! I'll sell my house and finalize the divorce so I can start fresh in a different part of town. We'll get an amazing new leader for our country that is deperately needing change! We'll make new friends, reconnect with old friends, and deepen our connections with all the current ones. I constantly feel blessed to be surrounded with such good friends and good energy! To all my dear friends who are reading this - I love you all, and am eternally grateful for all the love you give to our family.

Christmas 2008

Since the boys' plans to spend Thanksgiving with their grandparents in memphis was unexpectedly cancelled, they went to spend a long weekend with them mid-December. They celbrated "Early Christmas" there with their Aunts Holly & Elizabeth, Uncles Alex & Brian, cousins Grant & Elizabeth Claire, and Gram & Papoo Houston. They LOVED it! Hopefully I'll have more photos to post of this visit soon ;)

Elizabeth Claire & Reed (she stuck by his side the whole visit)


Cousins


Two nights before Christmas (Xmas Eve Eve?) we went to the Asheville Pizza and Brew to watch a free Xmas movie. The kids had a blast, except Reed who wasn't feeling good - he and I went home early, but Clay stayed to enjoy the rest with the Sloans and Fotis

(parents) Julie, Steve, Todd, Theresa; (kids) Quinn, Connor, Isabelle, Winston, Clay, Lincoln, Reed


Clay & best friend Lincoln at Pizza & Brew


As you can imagine, Christmas with 6 kids is completely chaotic and lovely all together. The kids woke up when it was still dark, they opened their stockings and legos from Santa ... and didn't wake me up until 7:30 (how convenient that Santa always gives them something to occupy their time for a while!). Soon after, the Sloans came in, and the present opening commenced! We had hoped for a slow, relaxed present opening, involving taking turns and acknowledging the giver... haha! the kids had other plans - I think they had torn through everything in about 10 minutes.



Julie & Bryce (still not quite awake)

Happy December Chaos

December was really much too fun! Our friends the Sloans (http://organictribe.blogspot.com) came to stay the entire month in their RV/School Bus. They have 4 amazing kids, who are all great friends with Clay & Reed; 2 dogs who at least tolerate Mountain Laurel; a cute cat; and Bryce & Steve (the parents) whom I love dearly. I really couldn't imagine a better fit for people to have stay with us for so long... nearly all meals were together, the kids always had playmates, etc. I feel like we adults all motivated each other as far as creative projects, gift ideas for xmas, and especially nice to have adult conversation and someone to go out with at night (one of the downsides of being a single mama running a daycare - not much adult interaction usually)!

Before I get to the Dec. pics, here's the boys and I spending Thanksgiving in Charlotte with my brother Scott and his wife Julia. My mom and brother David were also there from Omaha.





Here are some photos of us making sugar cookies for neighbors and chocolate pretzels for family presents...

Isabelle & Clay


Clay & Lincoln




Winston & Reed


Pretzel making