Snowy Weekend Project

It snowed here in Southeastern Virginia!  I know that seems like no big deal to those of you who have had snow for several months now but let me tell you, this snow is a big deal!  Look at how much accumulation we got:

That is a major amount of snow that came overnight (the first 3-4 inches) and through the next day (the rest of the probably 8 inches in total!)  So, needless to say, in a city that doesn't do snow, we were shut it.  And, maybe just to ruin all of my fun, I had a sinus infection all weekend.  Ugh!  So, inside, low engery level activities were needed after the first three hours of staring at each other.  I took half a day doing some light house-cleaning (to which my darling husband said "You don't have to do that if you are sick." Um, the house isn't going to clean itself, dear) and then layed around watching movies for the rest of Saturday.  Sunday started with the man of the house clearing off my car and the walk in the front and a path in the back for the puppies (how cold their feet were!)

After some warm oatmeal and hot tea, I needed some me time and my sewing machine was calling.  I have been pondering the idea of quilting and wondering what my first project would be.  And so I found myself digging through my starred items on Google Reader and was inspired by a post from Coyote Craft for tiny little pieced and quilted coasters.  With the right amount of inspiration, quiet alone time, and scraps in my bin, I set off to make some coasters all my own!

What do you think?  Pretty cute if you ask me.  And soooo functional!  I always struggle with the wooden coasters we have at home- the drinks slip around and one little spill makes it all the more slippery.  These coasters soak up any spills, provide a little cushioning for the mug or cup, and are washable- how great!  I was pretty pleased with myself and went on the spend the rest of the day kicking butt in Wii Resort Disc Golf.  Disc Golf with 8 inches of snow on the ground?  Alright day, if I say so myself!

Family History

My grandmother Carmela knows every date that anything happened in her life and the lives of her family.  Seriously, she is like a walking almanac for us.  "Grandma, what year did you parents get married?"  "1921"  "How old were you in this picture, Grandma?"  "I was 8 years old."  "Grandma, what happened on September 28th, 1937?"  Okay, well maybe not that one but pretty close.  Her mind is a steel trap.  Somehow, I can't remember where I put my lunch that I made 10 minutes ago when I am trying to get out the door to work but my grandma can remember everything. 

Grandma was going through some of these memories when she decided that I, as the oldest grandchild, should become the next generation of family historian and she sent me a package of wonderful family photos.  Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love old notstalgic things so I was beyond thrilled when I got this package out of nowhere. 

Here is what it contained:

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  a note from Grandma explaining the package
  
  
  
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  a set of my Papa's (Great Grandpa) keys
  
  
  
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  old receipts from 1921 from my Papa's store
  
  
  
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  My Great-Great Grandfather Nunzio's Visa to return to Italy from the US in 1921
  
  
  
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  a dozen or so photos of my great ancestors- Nunzio, Papa (John was his name), Anne, Grace, the whole gang dating from 1900 to 1950's when my father was young
  
  
  

To me, these are incredible bits of family history that I am honored to have in my life.  I called my grandparents and thanked them for the gift.  These are irreplaceable and priceless.

I plan on scanning these photos and treasures into my computer for safe keeping.  But I am also an old fashioned girl myself and I just can't pass up the opportunity to preserve these memories in a tactile way.  So, I am off to the craft store to get supplies to put these in a archival photo book so that, one day, I can pass on the treasures and stories to my grandchildren and they to theirs. 

Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa.  You are the greatest gift a granddaughter can ask for.

a bit of home

It's easy to be true to yourself when you are at home.

Home truly is where the heart is.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Fall is here. This truly is my favorite season. While the leaves here in Virginia have barely started to turn colors, the crisp breeze and warm sunshine signals fall just as well as any color show. It's been made official in our house with open windows, jackets out of storage, reading the paper on the deck (oh wait, that's Macallan in my chair!), and fires in the firepit at night.

This time of year always makes me pause, reflect, and hone in on what is important to me. Maybe it's the extra blankets thrown on the bed or those cozy evenings snuggled by the fire but I just feel like making my home and my Self a priority in the fall.
I find it fitting, then, that this inagural post consist of a little bit of me. For you.
Things to Do in This Lifetime (in no particular order and certainly not definitive)

• learn to scuba
  
  
• go to Italy, Greece, and France
  
  
• drive a stickshift car
  
  
• learn to play the guitar
  
  
• attend an ashram for at least a week
  
  
• take a trip with my mom, just the two of us
  
  
• (finally) learn to knit
  
  
• ride a horse in Yellowstone National Park
  
  
• live on a farm
  
  
• do something kind for someone every single day
  
  
• lovelovelovelovelove

Cheers to this glorious fall!