Urban Gypsy

Day Tripper::

There's nothing like hopping on a plane & day tripping at a theme park :)

Ride after ride, mile after mile, ice cream, Monte Cristo's, garlic fries, silhouette photo's & tours. A day filled with nothing but beautiful weather & great company. It's a different experience to return to these fun places when your kids are adults. I noticed most of the adults were dressed like their children: Mickey/Minnie hats, Mickey outterwear, pixie wings, face painting and the list goes on.

14 straight hours at Disneyland: we loved every single minute.

Routine lies ahead begining tomorrow, but that's ok. Another excursion is just around the corner...

Cheers,

Tajie

Tribute::

...For death is not your master, nor mine.

Michael Bruce Himes ~ Son, Brother, Uncle, Friend.

To Every Service Man & Woman, past & present, we offer our deepest gratitude.

Today and everyday.

Taj Marie

 

A Year in the Life::

If I had to describe this year in one word, it would have to be "full."

• Full of love
• Full of opportunities
• Full of change

I'm looking forward to 2011. For within it holds innumerable opportunities to do things a bit differently; this makes me happy.

I'm starting early.

1. The tree is coming down before New Years: I know, I know... this is coming from the gal who's tree has still been up in April in years past
2. Spring cleaning: to bring the New Year in without clutter
3. The List (resolutions & goals) will be made prior to Dec. 31st

 
To Live with Intention like never before, that is what 2011 means for me. And, for those times when things get a little strange and a little weird, this is my plan-B...

 

What are your plans for your new year?

♥Tajie

Holiday Gifting::

I wish there was enough time to gift something for everyone, instead, I actually did it. I finally wrote a holiday letter, painted-stamped-&-designed, filled out-addressed-stamped-&-mailed no less than 100 Christmas cards.

 
(I know what you're thinking ~ I can't believe it either)

Here are some of the gifts we made this year...

A Mrs. Weasley-esque bell scarf for a dear friend... 
A scrappy scarf for my sister: practical with a hint of shabby-chic.A keetee beanie for my auntie who's favorite keekee is orange...
A cowl for my neice; hank of silk direct from SoHo.Last but not least, a blankie for my children ~ with their favorite initials :o)

Dare I say I'm already planning for next year?

I hope your holiday was made of wishes come true,

Tajie

T'was the night before Christmas::

...tick ~ tock ~ tick ~ tock 
As I feverently begin searching through my art studio for the 1 small significant detail to finish a last minute gift for under our tree - I find this. This is Austyn; no longer 3, but 16.

For those of you Mom's out there, this photograph needs no further explanation.

Ugh ~ well, on with the show, clock is ticking.

Tajie

Fa-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-LAH!

Before you jump to any conclusions, let me explain.

Martha published a lovely All-Hallows-Eve witch a few years ago. Luckily for me I have a pretty handy hubby with quite a few tools. As you can see, I put them to good use :o)

Then it happened. Our HOA sent a letter Dec.1st stating the obvious.

I'm thinking:

1. It was so much fun to make my witch "Greta" 
2. All Hallow's Eve is one of my favorite holidays
3. Now, she is only allowed to see daylight for 1 week a year?

How does that line go... Fa la la la la, la la la LAH!  

Mission accomplished ;o)

Tajie

Stay a while::

I love these very words for they are so comforting. What makes them so inviting is what surrounds you at the time they are spoken:

• Dear friends
• Delicious coffee
• Homemade apple pie
• Burning cedar in the fireplace
• Long talks about everything & nothing (including the occasional punch-line you can never get to because you're laughing so hard... for those that know me, I am getting better about this.)

With Christmas just a few short days away, it reminds me to slow down a bit.

And so I shall.

Tajie

 

 

 



My most favorite time of year::

This season brings such excitement for us: Trips to the mailbox to find it chalk-full of holiday greetings, welcomed visitors that can stay a while and delicious treats. Yet the hustle-&-bustle is constant. In the back of my mind I'm realizing...

•  5 more days... but who's counting?
• Gifts are done ~ except those last minute oh-ya items for gals like me :o)
• Baking, more baking and ~ did I mention baking?
• Christmas music, simmering oranges & cloves filling the air ~
• Tree decorated, standing tall & shining *bright*

What more could you ask for?

Maybe just a wink or two...

For those of you that simply love to hear these magickal words:

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Time fly's

Has it really been over a month? 
 
I can assure you this was a working-vacay. Everyday there was something new on my needles, being painted or designed. In our family, we enjoy making our gifts for loved ones. What began years ago out of sheer necessity, turned into a wonderful tradition we look forward to every year.

So where is the proof you say? I will be sure to post after Christmas as to not ruin the surprise :o) .

Whats on your needles, paintbrush or to-do list today? 

Rituals

 
I love surprises.

• a welcomed visit from my brother & sister in law
• two dear friends with time to spare
• the weekend ahead of us...

The 4 of us took comfort in rituals.

• Knitting
• Baking
• Holiday movies
• Fresh coffee, chocolate chip cookies & almond macaroons
• Visits to the local yarn shop
• Our favorite restaurant (twice)

Casual plans quickly turned into early mornings and late nights for us gals. While all  the guys worked in the garage, time was flying by inside as we knitted gifts for loved ones and made holiday plans. The weather here in Arizona finally gave way to a brisk Fall this past week, so bundling up has never more pleasurable. "Should I put on another pot of coffee?" We lost count after 3 :o)

 
It was a lovely weekend.  

What sweet surprises did your weekend have in store for you?