Wednesday, May 23, 2012

a trip to the redwoods

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Danny suggested that we drive north on Sunday so that we could see the full eclipse. We decided that since we were driving north anyway, we might as well go all the way up to the redwood forest and make a day out of it.

We drove about 4 hours, and stopped at the Humbolt Redwoods State Park.

Just last week, Danny's BFF Ashkan moved out here because he got a job with the same company that Danny works for. So Ashkan drove, and him and Danny were taking and laughing and being their geeky selves, while I sat in the back reading a book. Most of you that know my husband know that he's a quiet guy. So it's nice to see him interact with his good friend- to see him totally being himself in front of someone else besides me. 

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There were mini fields of clovers all over.



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We brought a picnic and ate our sandwiches at a cute little picnic table. I forgot how quiet a forest can be.



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And the ferns- the were also everywhere, mostly grouped around the base of the trees.



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We drove a little further to the next flat "hiking" trail, (I don't hike) to Founders Grove.



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Massive trees were everywhere- still upright, and fallen.



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Some of them twisted...



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So quiet, and beautiful. I loved being there.



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Action shot of the boys "hiking".

They were so funny- taking about how nature does whatever and how things happen and science this and science that, and then they'd pretend to be trees and it just totally seemed like a glimpse into Danny's childhood. They were like kids playing in the forest. I loved it- and I'm pretty sure they did too.



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This fallen giant was particularly long, or would it be tall?



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I love moss.



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Many people had carved their names into the fallen tree trunks, including Edgar who went all in.



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And there were lots of these- little "caves" inside the trees bases. I joked that if the smoke monster came through, that we could all hide in there. Ashkan laughed, Danny did not.



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It was almost time for the eclipse, so we drove a little more to find some clear sky.



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Danny figured out that we could view the eclipse safely if we used my camera's lenses. Good thing I brought my whole camera bag! We were just at the side of the road by an off/on ramp. I bet we looked silly standing there with lenses pointed at the sky, looking for the shadow on our chests.



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There was this crazy lichen growing on the trees- some of it looked like this, and the other looked like green muppet hair.



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Don't worry, I did.



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So the clouds rolled in, right as it was starting. Lame. So I didn't get any actual photos of the eclipse. But it was cloudy enough that we could just look at the sun without worrying about burning our eyes out.



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Then we figured out that if pointed just right, we could get a lens flare that showed the eclipse.



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So we did get to see it, even if we didn't get any proof.

It was an awesome weekend. I hope to plan many more trips to the forest!



Monday, May 21, 2012

a doll of my very own

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Awhile ago, Lindsay loo asked me "why you not make doll for you yet?" So I did.

Meet Penelope.

I've been working on learning how to make more detailed doll clothes, and was frustrated with not having "anybody" to try them on. So making a doll for me to have hanging around makes sense, right? I mean, I get to keep a really cute doll and make lots of cute clothes for her and OMG I am totally living out some childhood dream. Good thing my husband dosen't mind.


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Looking at these photos of her- she totally looks like my grandma. Whoa.

I guess I should re-name her then.

Hello, Betty!



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Aaaaaannnnnd her bun. Yes, that is the very popular top knot ballerina bun that is so very popular right now and is the hairstyle that I wear most days. I just HAD to figure out how to do it on a doll. It took me 2 days to figure out, and I practiced on a smaller doll first, before doing it on her with very expensive but oh so worth it hand-dyed yarn from a local yarn shop. Each strand of yarn is individually hand stitched on her head. It sounds so tedious, but it's actually kinda fun, and totally worth every minute.



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She's a little top heavy, and that bun is as big as it looks. Damn cute, right?



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I'm totally into peach right now, so I gave her a peachy striped peasant top and a grey paper bag skirt, and of course matchy peach shoes.


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Fairly simple pesant top.



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I tried to make a similar grey paper bag skirt for myself, like same fabric and everything, and failed. Failed so bad. BUT. I do have to say that it was totally the patterns fault- it was written wrong. It said to add 2 inches to your waist measurement, when it clearly needed DOUBLE your waist plus the 2 inches. But the large buttonholes for the tie are damn perfect, even though I can't get it over my hips. It might fit a broom. 

Right before I went back home, I successfully made a paper bag skirt for myself. (from a different pattern) And it's gorgeous. It's a not so deep navy blue non corded corduroy, the drape is so fantastic and wonderfully unplanned- it was on sale so I bought it and I wanted a navy skirt so I used it and I couldn't have picked a better fabric. I'll have to take some photos.

Friday, May 18, 2012

my love is true

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...what I made for Danny for our 4th anniversary.

Told you I've been itching to embroider lately! I can't seem to get enough- I just want to do more, more!

BTW, where am I going to put all of these??

(if you are interested in the pattern, it's by Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. I've bought like 10 new patterns from her, as well as some new embroidery scissors. Her site rocks!)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

a master of architecture

I've know Mike since I was 15. (Stop counting!)

I've seen him grow, so so much. From his punk rock days to his mission, starting the architecture program, falling in love with Nan, getting married, having his firstborn son, and now to graduating, winning a prestigious award, getting a job with an amazing firm, and also a second baby on the way- I have to say that he has accomplished almost everything he has ever wanted. To say that I am proud is such an understatement.

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He already has the "I've had enough damn photos, stop it right now" face, and the picture taking has just begun!



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Walking the stage.



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Nan made him a traditional Hawaiian tea leaf lei, with white carnations. She graduated from BYU Hawaii, so it's special and important to her.

This was such an emotional event- they have sacrificed and been through so much, it was amazing to be there and feel the love all around.



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Annnndddd Nan is the only one participating in this family photo op.



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The graduation was during Van's nap time- but he was happy to be around all of his favorite people. Look how his sweet yawn turns into a mischievous nose crinkly grin!



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Those lashes.


While Mike was getting more photos taken and talking to people, I chased Van around the campus. You could tell he's grown up there- he led me all around the big room with all the projects- pointing out each one like he was a mini tour guide. Then he led me down the stairs and outside, to the grassy hill, where we played with all the other kids until it was time to go. He was so good for not napping! He's such a sweet kid- a total boy, but considerate and cautious.

Then we were off to the celebratory BBQ held at Mike & Nan's house. I made two amazing desserts for the event, and totally forgot to take photos of them. One was a white chocolate caramel cheesecake and the other was a peanut butter pie.

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Such a cute family!!!



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Van was totally into my camera- he just kept looking into the lens hoping to see what was making all those clicking sounds...


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...which gave me a great opportunity to snap some great photos of those gorgeous blue eyes.



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With grandpa Doug.

After dessert- most of the family left, but Nan's parents and I stayed until it got dark and we chatted and blabbed. I had so much fun catching up with everyone- it's like I never left. It's like that with them- Mike and Nan- we stay on the same page even though our lives get busy and we don't talk as much. But when we do it's like we never stopped. You know?

I am so happy I got to go to the actual graduation. I thought for sure it would be limited to family- so I didn't even ask Nan if I could go when I booked my flight. We got to spend the wednesday together before the graduation- and she mentioned that it was open admission and I was so excited, it meant so much to be to be there.

Nan's parents, Mikes family- his mom and step-dad, his dad and step-mom, sisters and niece and nephews, all coming together to celebrate and congratulate Mike and his many accomplishments was unprecedented. Every single person was so happy and so full of love. I have never seen all of them so comfortable and happy to be around each other before, it was incredible and amazing and I will never forget it.


Monday, May 14, 2012

a week in salt lake city

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I love flying over the great salt lake. It's so odd and strange looking, I always lean my forehead on the window, watching and trying to decipher just how big it really is. It's pretty entertaining.



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Matilda, in her carrier, at the airport.

So I'm officially the crazy cat lady that takes her cat on vacation with her. At least, that's what it looks like at the airport. So here's the story...

Sunday, 3 p.m. Danny gets a call that he might have to go to Hawaii for work. My flight for SLC is leaving at 9 a.m. the next day. I have prepared the house for me being gone for a week, not both of us to be gone. Luckily I had already packed my bag. We don't know how long Danny will be gone, and the only friend that could check in on the cat could only do it until friday, so we decide that she has to go with me. I figure everything out, and I call the airline and double check. I am so nervous and feel bad for making her fly with me, but whatever. At least I won't have to worry about her.

Danny drives us to the airport. We go through security- I have to take her out of her carrier and hold her while walking through the security thing. I have no idea if she will flip out and scratch my eyes out or not.

She does amazing. I held her like a little monkey as she looked around totally calm and happy. All the TSA agents comment on what a pro she is, and one tells me of the teeny dog that bit him the day before. Hilarious.

My mom picked us up, and we went a few places before going home. I recently switched to feeding her raw food (a totally different post) so we needed to go and get her some. We stopped by a fabric store, I took her in with us (in the carrier) and she sat on the floor by the register totally content.

We got home just in time for Lindsay Loo to get home, and we were starving so we went to one of my favorite places...

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Kneaders.

Their Turkey Bacon Avocado sandwich is the most amazing turkey sandwich ever. It's not lunchmeat sliced turkey- it's like thanksgiving chunky turkey. Mmmmmmm.



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Lindsay Loo got a cookie for dessert- and posed for the camera as Cookie Monster- to match her shirt.


On our way home, we visited another fabric store, one of my very favorites- Quilters Haven in North Salt Lake. The owner Joanie is so nice, she was there and we got to chat for a bit before I bought a stack of fat quarters.



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Lindsay Loo loves to color- and has a ton of crayons. She likes to sit and sort them into rows. It's very calming to her. This day it was by color, but sometimes she does it differently. It amazes me- I want to know what she's thinking, why she sorts in the order that she does.



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Matilda didn't have her usual 43 naps that day- so by the time night came, she was out cold.


The next day my mom and I were looking for something in the basement, when I found this...



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Our old Robie the Robot bank. You would put a coin on his hand, and he would gobble it up while rocking back and forth, licking his robot lips. We loved this thing- we got it for Christmas, and we spent all day taking turns feeding him change.



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Loo says "Me take picture with you?"

He said "Why?"

And Loo says "Because I love you."

Simple. It's always the obvious and simple things that get me. That remind me to slow down and stop thinking so much.

I had to go to the dentist that day. I had a cleaning and one cavity. Not bad! I love having a dentist in the family- especially one that's so on top of all the new tech. In and out, hardly any pain at all. Plus, his office just happens to be a few blocks from one of my other very favorite fabric stores- Material Girls. Another fat stack of fabric, how I miss fabric shopping! It's such a part of the process for me- it's been so hard not being able to go and match colors and get inspired by all the new prints and collections. Since moving to SF, I've been ordering most of my fabric through sellers on Etsy. So it was WAY fun to be able to go to all my favorite places and renew my love for fabric shopping again!

We also went to Hobby Lobby while we were out there. No Hobby Lobby by me either. Their ribbon is half off every other week- such a great deal!

On Wednesday, I drove to Salt Lake, grabbed a pizza from the Pie, and met Nan and Van at a park. After lunch, we went back to her place so Van could nap, and I sort of helped her make decorations for the graduation party. We were trying to make those yarn balls- the ones that you use balloons and glue dipped yarn. Yea, so we had like 20 balloons and only made 3. We ran out of glue, balloons sprayed with Pam are very slippery and we dripped glue all over their patio.

For dinner that night, I met Danny's dad, sister Chels and Auntie Gayleen and her friend Lisa at Little America. I love the turkey dinner there- but I was still so full from the pie that I had a side salad instead. We had a great time catching up- Gayleen is a riot and always has me almost laughing until I pee. I never get to spent time with Chels- and since we had a few hours I asked her if she wanted to go to the new mall with me.

City Creek is gorgeous, it's everything they promised it would be back when they torn down Crossroads and announced their plans. Before Gateway decided to sneak in and build quickly before the Olympics. Now Gateway is doomed. An outside mall in Utah was always a stupid decision. But City Creek had enough time to perfect the moveable roof. Smart, so smart!

So we move away, and Utah has the mildest winter ever. And then they get an H&M and a Lush. That's just how it goes, right?

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On Thursday, I picked up the Loo from her day program.



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And granted her a photo op in from of her beloved handicapped parking sign.

We went to Orson Gygi, to find some cupcake wrappers for her birthday cupcakes. She loves going there as much as I do- she loves looking at all the cookie cutters and colorful candies.


Then we were off to Gardener Village- I heard a rumor that the fabric shop Pine needles had Tula Pink's new fabric line, Nightshade.


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But I was starving, so we went into a little cafe and I had a sandwich. I peeked into the ice cream case, but knew I would be sorely disappointed from being spoiled by the fantastic Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous. Except that I spied the familiar Swiss Milk Chocolate, so I asked the girl where their ice cream was from. She replied Leatherby's- I worked at Leatherby's in high school, and they have fantastic ice cream. So I ordered a cone of the Strawberry Cheesecake, and it did NOT disappoint! They didn't have that flavor when I worked there, so loooooong ago.



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Pine needles did not have Nightshade, (sadface) but they had a million other things that I piled high in my basket. Loo spied the kids corner, sat down in a tiny chair and sorted blocks like it was her job, while I combed through rows of fabric looking for perfect matches. It's funny- Pine needles isn't one of my favorite shops, it's so hit and miss, mostly miss with me. But when it's a hit- it's huge. I had so much luck there I felt like I should go out and buy a lottery ticket.



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Loo spotted the goose and insisted that I take a photo. A close up photo. She directed me from afar, saying closer, closer, slower, perfect, now!



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Clouds. Big white fluffy clouds. In SF it's either foggy or clear. And if there is clouds in the sky- they are weak and wispy. The sky looks so big here, I guess I've gotten used to the tightly woven hills of SF.



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We went home and made cake. Loo wanted cherry cake. I was just going to color it red and call it good- but she picked up a package of cherry jello while we were shopping, so I googled if that was a good idea or not and it came up good. So I thought I'd risk it.

It's SO nice to be able to bake in such an amazing kitchen while I'm there. People don't just miss me, they miss my baking. So I have to bake while I'm there- and I love being able to use my mom's super kitchen. She has 3 weddings coming up, so she was sewing a quilt top while I was baking. And we didn't get in each others way. Oh, how I miss gigantic countertops to make baking messes on!

I was planning on coming out to Utah for Loo's birthday, which is at the end of this month. But since Mike was graduating at the beginning- and I wasn't going to miss that- we decided to have Loo's birthday party early.

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Banner found at Orson Gygi.



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Pink polka dot cake.



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It turned out totally delicious! All I did was add one small package of cherry jello to a package of yellow butter recipe duncan hines cake mix. It was a little sticky in the pan- I wish I had greased and floured it better.



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Van approves!



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I loved how he just laid on the floor and played with the cars. Such a sweet boy. He has grown up so much since we moved away- but he's still the same gentle, intense, inquisitive boy that he was back then, its just that now he runs and says no quite well.



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Mike, Van, Nan, me.

Unrelated, but totally to the core family.



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Flying home- the great salt lake to snowcapped mountains to tight city blocks.



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Horizon line.



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Driving through the tunnel.



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And reaching the bridge. 

Danny ended up leaving on tuesday morning, and staying for a week. He drove to the airport, so that I could drive home, and so that we wouldn't get a parking ticket for not moving the car. I missed him so much during this trip- we have gotten so spoiled being each others only close friends out here, spending so much time together. I am so grateful for this time, with just us. It won't last forever- so I try to treasure each day. 

I got so much fantastic fabric- I tried to only buy what the people have been asking for so that no waste will happen, and I will have many happy customers. Oftentimes I just buy the stuff that I love, even if it doesn't fit the project in mind, and them I end up with beautiful fabric sitting and not getting made into anything. So this time I just bought fabric for dolls (dresses and leggings), and sleepover pals. 

Last week, after unpacking and doing an insane amount of laundry (which still hasn't been put away) I made 22 doll dresses and leggings. 22. They sit in a gigantic pile on top of my desk, waiting for me to take photos so I can get selling!