"I'm having a bad, bad day..."

Truly cannot wait to see this. It already makes me giggle uncontrollably.   tIO x

PS: I'm not really having a bad, bad day; I used some gorgeous new MixologyMakeup today and got my hair cut. (Hi, Nancy. xx)
The post title references the lyrics to the title song, 'Despicable Me'.

A Starter, Main, and Dessert

If you don't at least crack a smile at these two I will be seriously disappointed. Seriously.
And a word of warning: there is some naughtiness and off-color language.




(Thanks to Omniscient and Malinky2Stoatir; via youtube)

May your day be full of laughter and amusement.   tIO x

A Verse

Oh where, oh where has the Optimist gone?
Oh where, oh where can she be?
- With her bangs cut short and her skirt so long -
Oh where, oh where can she be?

(I found her over at Betsy's house
Trading books on Nancy Lancaster.
Then she sat back down to read "Papers and Paints"
And ponder the cracks in her plaster.)


I haven't done the three things I'd hoped to do in January: 1. paint the insides of the bookcases this color 2. unclutter the boys' clothes closets and bins, and 3. organize my fabrics (ostensibly to make room for more). I have done these three things however: 1. read seven books, including this one 2. made this (several times), and 3. watched the boys learn this. I am also thoroughly enjoying this and our new post-supper ritual of this.

January was a toasty and fun month. Here's to a hale-and-hearty February, which is also known as 'Solmonath', 'Kale-monath', 'Hornung', and, my personal favorite, 'Helmikuu'.



Today's conundrum: Who better to portray 'Dory' than Ellen Degeneres?
Future conundrum: In July, is Boston hotter than New York?

Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again soon!   tIO x

Good Gravy!

With Thanksgiving upon us, I feel the need to share: I am enamored with gravy boats, also known as saucieres. In fact, any vessel with a spout, really, will capture my attention. Here are some beauties:

Match Pewter gravy boat, available at Manor Home & Gifts 

Emma Bridgewater "Polka Dot" gravy boat, available at Joanne Hudson Basics

19thC Tiffany Repousse Sterling Silver gravy boat, available through GoAntiques.com

Spode 'Stafford White' sauce boat and plate, available online at The Kitchen Clique

The 'Royal White Gravy Boat', available at Target stores and online

I hope these were inspiring; I can't wait to fill our 'boats' tomorrow!
That's all for now, lovelies. Enjoy your Thanksgiving! And know that I am thankful for you.

Today's conundrum: My mother, with the broken shoulder, is bringing seven pies to the meal tomorrow. Seven. Is she seriously baking from scratch today? And if so, how does one roll crust with the use of only one arm?

Future conundrum: Will this be the year that we get through Squanto and the football game without anyone falling asleep?

PS  A 'spouted vessel' bonus for your (or perhaps just my) enjoyment:
   "Tuscan pitcher" from Southern Living at Home
Red melamine mixing bowls from Nigella

Happy Thanksgiving! *tIO x

The Courtship of Eddie's Etsy Shop

I am no longer a 'virtual lab' virgin.

Although I didn't quite master the 'throwing hearts' or 'sending bumblebees' portion of the lab, no points were taken off. Further, I found out that a course in mastering these lab-works is offered, so I 'enrolled' for next time. (I think it has something to do with setting your icon to 'heart' or 'star' or 'bee', positioning your pointer hand over your avatar, and dragging the cursor to the object of your affection/amusement.)

Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar, partners and co-founders of Eddie Ross, Inc, were our gracious hosts for the virtual lab last night. Funny, engaging, and offering terrific Etsy finds, they enlightened us and responded to our comments and queries for nearly an hour.

The topic: entertaining. We were treated to a parade of brass bamboo trays, silver-plate shakers, glass stirrers, and linens and glass in all colors, shapes, sizes, and uses. Mostly with monograms. (My weakness!) Eddie's best find was, of course, presented early in the lab. It was the one I wanted to buy immediately - and the one that he had already snapped-up for himself, the rogue! The rooster-embroidered linen cocktail napkins were lovely. Pale blue with white scalloped edges. And the roosters were intricate, with layers of brown, gold, and red feathers and coal-black eyes. That they came with matching embroidered wine coasters was the buttercream and caramel drizzle on the cake.

Is your appetite whetted? Visit etsy - that's 'Betsy-without-the-B' - for more information on virtual labs and to shop EddieRoss. (Hi, Betsy!)

Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again soon!