Chevron Stairwell Learning Experiment

I have really wanted to try some chevron stripes somewhere in our home.

At four am I gave up on trying to fall back asleep and chalked in some guidelines...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I should have eyeballed/adjusted for the corners where back wall meets side-walls--I know better than this, rather than relying on the ruler and angles. Adjust for corners tutorial in the works for future. Fool the eye work necessary so it looks "right" from angle approaching mural. Straight on from sides are fine, but viewing whole piece=little wonky looking. Disturbing.

But it is energetic looking. Dynamic for Suzu's party today. Instead of event-shopping, I event-paint! Haha.

"The purpose of experiments is to gain data, not to prove theories," says John. "So even if your experiment doesn't give you what you want, you learn something."

I may be re-painting this sooner than I thought.

Nativity Play & Craft Idea

Long family tradition: dress up in costume & act out story from Luke. This year we did it on Sunday. We delegated out assignments to the children. They turned it back and asked John & I to be Mary & Joseph!

This Nativity is for Luanna to see--we all thought of her and her craft exchange each December. Black & white photos against white background and floor, individuals decopauged on wooden blocks. Cow costume, sheep, etc. I want to do this! Make one with family members, maybe even extended family members...How fun would it be to have cousins acting out parts? Siblings, what do you think? We have a year!

John is doing another NIH vaccine study, this time with malaria. Suzu made this sweet glow-in-dark mosquito "Malaria Man" t-shirt!

Suzanna played "O, Holy Night" for birthday celebration dinner.

More Pictures from Adventure

There is a moment of sensory overload. Too much to look at. So much information. Library of Congress was beautful, ornate, amazing. Favorite thing was Thomas Jefferson's library collection. Or the vivid purple orchids in the Arboretum.

The Native American museum "Spirit of the Horse" 3rd floor.

Quick Trip

Today we went here:

Fun to see cousins, some local DC color, and then the lights at the temple. Happy Birthday JOHN!

Day After Celebrating Continues: Candy Castle

When we were growing up, my creative, genius mother of 9 children dispensed with the wobbly gingerbread and we started using cardboard boxes as the base for royal frosting castles.

One individual box castle, strengthened with duct tape, 4 batches of royal icing: 2 lbs powdered sugar, 3 tbsp. meringue powder, 1/2 tsp peppermint for aroma, 3/4 cup warm water beat for 5 minutes in mixer and use immediately.

Still the Same

Merry Christmas to my long distance family!

Emma's room/sewing studio/crafting space is still crazy, piled high, unorganzied. I have failed in my effort to get rid of 2011 things this year. Made a dent. I gave away lots of things we weren't using, but I still have a long way to go in orangizing my life and home.

We parents are still madly in love, happily married, actively dating, best friends.

Roxie reading on the couch, immersed in a new pile of books from the library...

Extended family dinners. WE ALL LOVE YOU & MISS YOU!

Christmas tree decorated by children still at home. This year it is up on the blue suitcase footstool (so it is easier to walk around, so little friend Hazel wasn't pulling things off, for greater window viewing from outside looking-in...).

May this day find you in health & joy & the spirit of Christmas warm you all through the next year. XOX God be with you 'till we meet again.

Since You've Been Gone

Small changes:

Uncle David painting hallway. Orange hamper in bathroom.

Max learning how to cut hair. He also cut Sam's!

Zombie Fish was free, from an auction I was at with the Love Family. It was in a lot of linens & old trunk, and they didn't want it. I love this guy, makes me think of the awe we should feel when looking at this beautiful earth and the great creations (see this Nesting Place post on the subject! She inspired me!) I want to paint him. I researched, $800 for a mounted sailfish like this, but in blues, turquoises...it has potential! But we are used to the big clock being over the fireplace, so we ask each other what time it is, "Fish O'Clock."

Roxie & Suzanna think he is very creepy looking, mostly because of the eyes, and a certain Dr. Who episode. I love him. $8.00 at thrift store. Needs some restoration paint work. Sitting on the air conditioner near our kitchen door entrance.