Basking in the Glow

One of the best things about Christmas is the two days after, when you get to hang around in your pajamas all day and play with all your new toys!  That's what all three of us have been doing the last couple of days.  We had a great Christmas, getting to see all our family and friends, and sharing the excitement with Elliot, but it sure feels good to indulge in doing nothing.  Maybe I'll make it outside today to prune the roses, but  I don't know for sure.  Might need to take a nap or two, or lounge around the house a little longer... there's a lot of lounging to be done.  I have been drawing with my new colored pencils, Elliot has been playing his computer, which is actually an educational video-game of sorts, and watching new movies, and Erik has been playing guitar with his new blues-driver guitar pedal.  He has big plans today - off to spend a gift certificate at Harbor Freight, the cheapest tool store ever.  What a nice little vacation we are having.  Ahhh! Here are some Christmas pictures:

My dad spent hours setting up our old, super-fragile electric train around the Christmas tree so Elliot could watch it go around when we got there.  So precious getting to share that with him.  He ended up getting an electric train of his very own from Mary and Bill - a bigger one that's not so fragile, which was very exciting for him.
My sister enjoying the train with Elliot - she looks so much like our mom in this picture!
Had to throw in this great shot of the dogs.  I think Erin took this one.
Later that day, we went to Gary and Leslie's house (Nana and Papa), and visited with all our friends, which are really more like family.  Here's Annie and Beau, and their little elf, Dustin.
Christmas morning, Elliot was so thrilled that Santa had filled up his stocking, or "Boon-stock", as he likes to call it, and left him some presents.
Grandpa Timo, Auntie Erin, and Grandma and Grandpa came over for Christmas brunch, and to give Elliot his presents.  We got a little jam session going on with Erik and my dad.  Erin and I think it's the first time we've ever heard our dad play a "trap set", rather than hand drums, parade drums, and the like.

Elliot was having my dad and sister bury him in tissue paper, and then popping out to scare everyone.  It was pretty fun for all.  Then we finished off the night at Mary and Bill's house, where Elliot got his big train, but I must have left my camera at home, because I sadly don't have any pictures of it.  Erik and I ended the evening at home with a sigh of happy relief and a nice drop of chocolate flavored port.  Thus ended a very merry Nappier Christmas.

Reindeer Games

Many of you may have thought that you knew the words to the popular Christmas tune, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".  Elliot has his own version of it:

"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

Letty letty slimy mose

(a long pause for the rest of the song to go by in his brain)

.....  stor eeeeeeeee!  Ho, ho, ho!"

There it is!  Then he claps for himself at the end, and does the whole thing again.  Shorter, and also more interesting than the original, I would have to say.  I'm pretty sure we have a rock-star in the making here.

Quote of the Week

Not that I'm going to start doing a quote of the week or anything, but I just had to share something funny that Elliot said.  

As we were driving around Christmas shopping with my sister the other day, he said, "Remember what Santa says?"  I said, "Does Santa say, 'Ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas!'?"  Elliot said, "Remember Santa says, 'Hey, check out my jingle bells!'"  

We started laughing, having no idea where he got that particular statement.  He explained further by saying that reindeers love jingle bells on their leashes.  Oh, well that makes sense then.  :)  Now Erik has him doing it with a somewhat gangster-ish hand motion, which is funny, but I still like the original best.  

Okay, one other kind of funny thing.  We went to Panera for lunch the other day, and as we were leaving, he walked by this young girl sitting at a table and totally ran his hand up her leg.  I mean, all the way up to the inner thigh area.  And he wasn't even paying attention to what he was doing.  She might as well have been a picket fence that he was running a stick across as he walked by.  I apologized to her, and she seemed not to really care, but we thought it was kind of funny in a shocking way.  As Erik said, "Very few guys could get away with something like that!"  ;)

A Long Winter's Nap

That's what I feel like I'm ready for now that all the crafting flurry has slowed down.  But what it's time to do instead is shop till I drop, since up until this week I had basically not purchased any gifts.  This isn't like me.  The last few years I have had everything done by the time December came, but now I have to deal with the bustle.  Oh well.  It makes it all seem okay when you can come home and put on Christmas music, turn on the lights on the tree and light a fire in the fireplace.  Since you haven't heard about what's going on with the family for a little while, I will fill you in.  

Here is our son sitting on Santa's lap for the first time! I said to him, "You might want to tell Santa what you want him to bring you for Christmas." His response... holding up a crooked finger, making himself shake, and telling Mrs. Claus, "I'm turning into a giant bunny!" That's why she's laughing in the picture. Elliot is really cute... he just got a much needed haircut, and I decided to go on the short side so I wouldn't have to cut it again for a while.  It's sort of a modern rockstar look, which looks especially cool with food or paint rubbed into it, which is his favorite new thing to do.  I guess I should be quicker with the napkins, because if he doesn't have one, he just uses the hair.  Ironically, if you try to get something out of his hair, he gets mad at you for "messing it up". Here he is with the "red caboose" he made just for me. He made it all by himself balancing on those wheels!  

He likes to be my big helper now.  We made Funfetti Holiday cupcakes the other night for no particular reason, and he loved mixing and being a chef.  He's also been helping me put the clothes in the dryer, clearing his dishes, and holding the ribbon with his finger when we wrap presents.  Now we just need to work on picking up toys!

He's still into pretending, making fart noises, taking long baths (multiple times a day if we allow it), and building things.  One of the cute things he says now is, "Mom, sometimes boys like to --------------", fill in the blank.  Usually it's something he wants at that moment, like, "Sometimes boys just like to have a candy with their cheerlios."  He makes us laugh every day, and we are really looking forward to sharing Christmas with him together again this year.  And last but not least... well, kind of least, but you know what I mean:  Christmas dogs, and Christmas ducks!

One More Event....

So, we had a great time at holiday in the plaza!  Although we didn't make tons of money, we did make lots of sales, and lots of connections.  We talked with a couple of buyers that were really interested in selling our stuff in their stores.  That was exciting.  And it's so great and affirming to meet customers who love and connect with our stuff.  Hearing comments all day like, "This is the cutest blanket I've ever seen in my life", "This is by far the cutest thing in the whole show", "Of all the vendors here, this is what I really connect with", "Pretty soon I'll be seeing you guys in the magazines!"..... I can't help but feel like it was all worth it.  All the work and love we put into it, and all the excitement we have about it is not in vain when we get to share it with people who love it equally as much.  And it let's me know that I wasn't crazy for getting into this thing... this craft fair adventure.... just brave.  Our last show is coming up at Winter Wonderland in Atascadero, which will be quite an event!  Five snow areas, pony rides, bounce houses, fire engine rides, iceskating, train rides, BBQ, and vendors will make this Friday a night to remember! Come support your local crafters if you get the chance.  It will be worth the drive!  Come to the sunken gardens from 5-9pm this Friday!

Come and See for Yourself

If you have been following my blog, you have seen and heard lots about crafting and AMEN, and the love of creativity.  So, for those of you who are local, come out and support us, and other crafters this weekend, and see what the buzz is all about!

It's Personal.

Driving around the other day, I had some deep thoughts as I was listening to a mixed CD my loving lil' sister made me.  As the charming, unpolished notes of various indie-sounding musicians calmed me and the rain fell gently, I started thinking about how much beauty there is in the imperfection of humanity.  What is it, I asked myself, that makes you look for the places in the painting where you can clearly see the brush strokes - the work of the artists hand? What is it that makes husbands think their wives look beautiful first thing in the morning with no makeup and messy hair? 

 

My mind traveled on to AMEN Handmade, and how we love things to look worn, flawed, one of a kind.  There's also a major uprising going on right now (ucc) of young crafters (renegade) and artists (capsule) who share the same feeling, selling wobbly, almost childlike drawings, and lopsided craft-monsters, funky felted purses where you can see the stitching, and clothing with raw edges exposed.  EXPOSED.  That's the key word, I think.  There's something in all of these experiences that lets you into the secret little world of the person who made it.  Somehow you feel that you've gotten to see a glimpse of their honest soul - the inmost part of their creative heart, and that..... that is something precious.  More precious than ever in this world quick notes and backward glances, top eight friends and wall-to-walls.  

Last weekend at the poorly attended Paso Robles Digital Film Festival, Ann and I were lucky enough to get situated next to a man with a positive attitude.  A silversmithing storyteller.  

And, he told us a good one as we were about to pack up and go home.  In the story of the "Cracked Pot", a water carrier took water in two jugs back to his master's house time after time.  One perfect pot, and one cracked.  The cracked one was very ashamed of it's flaw, and always apologizing, until the water carrier helped it to see that it was watering flowers all along the roadside each time it was carried, and that the flowers were known throughout the land for their beauty.

Maybe the parts of us that are different are ready to be shared, and maybe what the world sees as awkward or flawed is actually just the intricate and beautiful work of the master's hand?

So, I am not sure why I am writing this (or crying about it), but I know there is something in all of us that longs to connect... to really know and be known.  I will end with this verse, which has been a particular treasure to me of late:

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  1 Cor 13:12

The Adventure Begins

This weekend has been a whirlwind of excitement, fun, and learning. We have done two craft shows in the last two days, and really enjoyed making our booth beautiful, meeting kindred spirits and crafty characters, and sharing our creations with people who love and appreciate them. Here are some photos of the cuteness.

Also, you can now purchase our products on Etsy! Click here to go to our etsy store. Happy shopping!

My Two Hams

I have been so busy taking care of animals and getting ready for our first craft fair, which is this Saturday, that I have hardly taken any welcome home pictures of Erik!  So here is one of him shaving his head, and looking like Friar Tuck!  Both Elliot and I are really happy to have him back.  Our lives are so much more fun with him here. 

The other pictures of Elliot are him pretending he is s snowman, and he is using a piece of fettuccini as a "snow mouth."  He is really into pretending.  He likes to be a baby fish, a blue morpho butterfly, a giant rabbit, a chinchilla, a dinosaur... what else?.... so many different things.  So when he has pasta with parmesean cheese, he always pretends the cheese is snow, and the last couple times, he has done the snow mouth thing, and pretended he is a snowman.  So cute, and creative!

Getaway

We were so blessed to have a little weekend getaway last weekend with our dearest friends, who are really much more like family.  Gary and Leslie invited us to join them and the rest of the family who could make it for a weekend in Avila!  We stayed at a beautiful condo right across from the beach.  It was amazing!  The whole glass wall of the livingroom opened onto a balcony overlooking the ocean.  It was so great to get to spend some time with Gary, Leslie, Annie, Beau,  Dustin (he is getting so big, and cuter and cuter all the time)!  Gary's son Tim was there, with his wife Mo, and son Carter, who is about a year younger than Elliot.  So it was really fun visiting with them, and seeing Carter and Elliot play together.  Mimosas were plentiful, as was love and good company!  Time seems to fly by when you have a kid, so it just felt so good to be with everyone.  Elliot had a great time playing on the beach, and I had fun wine tasting with Annie, Beau, and Gary, and playing Texas Hold'em, which I seem to be getting pretty good at!  :)  We walked on the peer, and looked around in stores, took the boys on the swings, and went to Avila valley barn!  Such a great time, and a much-needed breath of fresh air for me!

Harvest Time Again

Avila Valley Barn is so great.  In my mind, it's become a symbol of all that was once free in the world, and one of the last places on earth where people don't necessarily charge money for something just because they can.  I love the old-timey-ness of the place:  how you can pick berries, apples, peaches, etc.  And I love that unless you buy something, it's all free:  entrance, feeding the animals, and the hayride and maze.  We were only there for a short while this time to buy squash, and cornstalks as decorations for the Harvest Party we are having this Friday at church, and Elliot didn't get to play in the hay as much as he wanted to.  But, in the end, he settled for some bribery (come get in the car, and I'll give you some trailmix (with m&ms) once you're buckled in).  The seasons are changing quickly now, and I think today I will finally plant my fall vegetable garden.  Hopefully Roscoe won't dig it up before everything gets a chance to sprout.

It's Beginning to look a lot like....

Christmas! Here is a sneak peek of the Christmas crafts we have been whipping up to sell at some upcoming Christmas craft fairs. If you are interested in attending and purchasing some really cute stuff, the dates are: Holiday Boutique at the Atascadero Lake Pavillion - November 15th; Winter Wonderland at the Atascadero Sunken Gardens - December 12th 5-9pm; Holiday in the Plaza in San Luis Obispo - December 6th and 7th.

Make Way for Ducklings

The ducklings arrived today!  The post office called me around 2:30 and told me I could come pick them up.  Four little ladies in a box.  I don't know for sure what their names will be yet, but it will have to be something fitting with Featherfield park.  Right off the back, we could tell that the faun and white Indian Runner was way more active than the rest, kept trying to escape, and basically thought she was the boss.  Here are a few quick pictures of them.  Feel free to write in with your name suggestions (they are all girls).

Meet Roscoe

Yesterday was a whirlwind of cleaning for a Pampered Chef party that I hosted (click the link if you want to order from my party - you have until Tuesday).  Then I went to pick up our new Boxer puppy, Roscoe (I named him on the way there).  What fun!  And mess!  And fenzy!  He is so cute, and really seems smart.  He already knows his name, and comes when you call him.  Last night he was not enjoying the crate, but when I told him to lay down, he seemed like he pretty much obeyed.  Not bad for a little guy!  So far only one pee spot in the house, and no poop!  He is doing great and is such a mellow puppy for a boxer.  Chewie is helping him learn where to go to the bathroom, and get his excess energy out!  And, he is pretty tuckered out today after whining half the night.  

Elliot getting mobbed by Roscoe's brothers and sisters.

Here's Roscoe in the morning sunlight.

Uncle Chewie abiding over his young one.

It's funny how much alike they are in coloring and markings.  Sometimes their movements are synchronized, which is really funny!

Roscoe claimed this blankie as his bed.  He likes to take a nap in front of the fireplace.

Mini Holiday

Wow, it has been a busy few days!  We went to see our friends, Brooke, Darin, and Mikayla in San Clemente Monday through Wednesday.  While there, we went to the beach, San Diego Zoo, and ZooMars... also had a pool party on their deck which I don't have pictures of, but maybe those will come later.  What a sweet time with friends!  Elliot got along pretty well with Mikayla, aside from the occasional grabbing away of a toy, and scaring her with a growling voice.  We enjoyed a very hot day at the zoo, during which we saw Dominique Monaghan hanging out with Billy Boyd and his wife (I think) and kid.  So, we're pretty much famous.  Also, we accidentally stayed at the zoo way after it was closed.  We were way out in the zoo boonies by the hippos, and we started to realize that there was no one else there, but we just figured people left to pick their kids up from school or something.  Actually it was 5:25, and the zoo had closed at 5:00.  So then we basically took our time slowly making our way toward the entrance and left at about 6:15, I think.  It was great because it was finally starting to cool down, and all the animals were getting more active and waking up from their naps.  I think those are my highlights, aside from spending some great quality time with friends.  :)

Here's Elliot at the San Clemente beach right by their house.  He is pretty much in heaven with all the sand to build "nests" in, swings, and train tracks right behind him.

Elliot and Mikayla riding a tortise at the San Diego Zoo.

Aw, he loves the daddy Gorilla.

Elliot and Mikayla chatting over breakfast.

And here's Elliot holding a bunny at ZooMars, a little petting zoo with a huge pen  

of bunnies and guinea pigs, among other things.

Me and the Moon

The moon followed me home from San Clemente tonight.  Though I should have been watching the road, as I drove north on the 101, I found myself stealing glimpses of the reflection of the moonlight on the beautiful pacific ocean.  It has always been one of the few sights that absolutely takes my breath away.  I have tried to take pictures of it, and paint it, but it seems impossible to capture the majesty of the glittering, glowing waters.  Tonight it struck me a little different for some reason, and I started thinking about how dark the water is, yet how brightly it can shine even though it's only dimly and intermittently reflecting the moon, which is in turn a dim reflection of the sun.  Tears made me into an even worse driver as I began to read the scene as an allegory.  I believe that we as humans are a dim reflection of the brightness and perfection of God.  Despite all the flaws and folly of humanity, he still sees traces of Himself in us, and to Him we are so very lovely... so very loved.

Featherfield Park Preview

Here is a little glimpse of the glorious duck house, made by my genius dad.  I guess I should say, "duck cottage".  That seems more fitting, doesn't it?  Check out all the cool features!  Wheels that can go up or down, handles to wheel it with.  Awesome cedar roof, and a little back door for sneaking the eggs out of the nesting area!  Also, you can't see it, but the whole top part detaches from the floor for a thorough spray out a couple times a year.  My dad put so much work into this, and I am so touched, and grateful.  It's just so cute, I almost don't want to put the ducks in there for fear they will mess it up!

The Nappier Farm

Today was a big day for animals at my house.  First thing when I woke up, there was a message on my cell phone from a friend/dog breeder telling me that my puppy is ready to be picked up!  I wasn't expecting him to be ready (8 weeks) for another week or two, but I guess we lost track of how many weeks old they were (now they're 9 weeks).  Luckily she didn't mind keeping him an extra week, because I am going on a little trip out of town for a couple days next week.  But we will be picking him up Thursday or Friday.  I think we are going to name him Porter.  He is a flashy fawn Boxer, just like Chewie.  I think Chewie will be so glad to have a little brother-dog to play with.

A little while later, my dad called and told me that the duck house he has been building me (we call it Featherfield Park) is finished!  He has been working on it non-stop for about three weeks, and it is amazing.  It looks just like a miniature house complete with hinged doors, and a peaked roof.  It has a mesh bottom, and wheels that can be lifted up or locked down so that I can put the house on the lawn (duck fertilizer, you know), and wheel it to a different spot each day!  Also, it has big handles that you lift up like a wheelbarrow to wheel it, and a little nest area in the back with a back door right by it so I can reach in in the morning and grab out the fresh eggs!  So, among some other errands, I squeezed in a trip to Farm Supply and bought some duck starter crumbles,  a waterer, and a feed container.  The ducks will be shipped on October 13th in a little cardboard box with air holes, and a heat pack to keep them warm.  I ordered them from Metzer Farms, and got all females:  a Faun and White Indian Runner, a Blue Indian Runner, and two Blue Swedish.

Erik pretty much talked me into getting the puppy, but the theory is that if the pup and the ducks grow up together, they will be used to each other, and maybe even be friends.  I guess I can't complain too much, because I really talked him into the ducks!  As soon as my vegetable garden starts cranking out the produce, it will really be like a miniature farm around here!  I just hope the animals don't decide to organize and take us hostage or anything like that.  But, I am really, really excited about all my fluffy babies.  It's going to be so fun to have little creatures prancing about the lawn!

Joys for Boys

There are few things in the life of this 3 year old that I believe would bring him more joy than running around the yard in his tiny 2T sized boxer briefs...
...filling up his dump truck with water from the hose, then dumping it on the one part of the path that will make a puddle, then bringing over a little tiny matchbox dump truck and driving that around in the muddy water...
...... and of course when you're that busy with your work, you don't have time to go in the house to pee, so you just go ahead and pee on the grass.  Somehow you don' t have to train boys to love these things.  It just seems to come with the territory - boyhood.