Ugh -- I have lo-mo today. Low motivation. The hubby, on the other hand, is highly motivated. Up at the crack of dawn, coffee racing through his veins, he had folded one four loads (I stand corrected) of laundry by the time I stumbled downstairs at seven, where he greeted me joyfully at about 4-5 times his natural volume (which is high). The man is noisy. Everywhere he goes, noise. And chatter. Along with whistling. And joyful screaming for the dog to follow. As well as exclamations over her cuteness. And invitations for me to agree about how cute she is. And wonderings about whether I've looked at her in the last ten minutes? I haven't, no, but I can safely guess that she is still very, very cute. I try not to speak, generally, until after 9 a.m. It's just . . . better for everyone that way. I really missed him. It's so good to have him home.
We saw Nanny McPhee yesterday afternoon -- so fun! Cool movie. Amazingly cool set design and costumes, and all the color in this sort of super-saturated story-bookish way. I loved it. Evangeline, the scullery maid, wears the cutest, cutest, cutest pinafore/apron. I got this one at the doll and teddy bear show here in Portland over the weekend. Dolls actually scare the bejeezus out of me, generally speaking, and doll shows are . . . pretty scary too, I must say. It was my first one. I got this little pinafore there, though, in honor of my bags, as well as these little velvet strawberries. Oh, and this itty-bitty birdcage. I guess it must be a dollhouse birdcage? Now, dollhouses I like.
I've been thinking about what to make for Plush You II, and I'm thinking, after seeing the movie yesterday and sort of having this idea kicking around my head for a while, about stuffed houses. Kelly (who is a fantastic writer) at Her Able Hands wrote something really beautiful yesterday about the connection between house . . . and life . . . and things . . . and thoughts. I think about houses a lot. I have a disability and can't do a lot of what I want to do, so my house is, in many ways, my world. When you are disabled, the world, the outside world, sort of controls you. At least, it does me. It tires and challenges me to the point of tears some days, just doing normal things. Streets and neighborhoods and states that were easy adventures to navigate becomes wildnernesses, blackberry brambles, cities of endless limping steps. But my little house relieves me. It lets me be the real me, the one I want to be, not the one who stumbles around in pain. It's not perfect by any means; it's just a work in progress, like anything, everything else. But I try to treasure it, since I wanted it so badly. I try not to take it for granted. When you see pictures of my house, you should probably know that it is my substitute planet. Also, I grew up in the hometown of Frank Lloyd Wright, so maybe house-obsession is in the drinking water there.
Look, flowers on the plum tree in front! Spring is coming!
My home is my most of "my world" too. I love it inside these four walls. I'm so sorry you cannot enjoy the outside as you would like. Is it from the car accident that injured your foot? :( xox.
I loved reading the description of Andy in the morning...it gave me a huge smile!
Loved hearing about your Jolly Hubby!All I want in the morning is coffee, and to be left alone!
:)
You write so well! I would like you to know that visiting your blog is a treat every day for me. What a wonderful thing!
I love reading your blogs. They are so interesting.
I "am" my house, too. It's my fortress.
Are you by chance originally from Oak Park? I think that is where Frank Lloyd Wright designed many houses. I know the area very well. Also, arent you also the person who spoke longingly of Marshall Fields? I have the same memories of shopping there as a kid.
Blossoms. Those aren't eye candies...they are a FEAST for my tired eyes! And your description of Andy in the morning just cracks me up.....he really shouldn't drink alone. I think he sips his coffee when he's not by himself. But, I can just picture him gulping, so happy to be home, wanting you to wake up but knowing that to wake a woman before she's ready is really looking for trouble!! He may have learned THAT from me!
Thanks for the review of the movie. I really enjoy your blog so I'm pretty sure if you liked the movie visuals I will enjoy it too.
Okay, and since hubby is not looking, the fact that Colin Firth is in it would make it easy to choose to go see the movie.
I like how you describe your house as being your planet. I feel the same way about my house and others have commented how it's full of positive energy. So if it makes you happy, enjoy your little planet to your heart's content.
Thanks for the daily dose of cuteness :-)
I so enjoy reading your blog. And what a beautiful world you live in! The pictures you post of your home are always so lovely. I too can relate to your home being your world. I also have a disability that keeps me in my own world much of the time but through this community of bloggers I feel like my world has expanded greatly. Thank you for sharing!
You are from Oak Park? I was born there! But we moved when I was three, so I have only hazy memories of interior spaces. Were you there when they spiffed up Frank Lloyd Wright's house? A good friend of mine was the architect for that project. She told me that Wright's motto was "Truth Against the World" and it's carved into the mantle. Not sure what that means...
Did you see the adorable little stuffed houses that Cassi did at Bella Dia? I've been toying with that idea, too, but I KNOW yours would be completely and utterly amazing... like everything you do! Thanks so much for sharing yourself through your blog.
I have to say that, for someone with a disability you sure seem to accomplish a lot. I'm always amazed when I visit your blog and see all the marvelous, wonderful, amazing things you do. I think after all the energy that went into designing and creating those darling "pinafore" bags you are entitled to a slo-mo day. At least you haven't lost your sense of humor...that post about hubby and the dog really had me laughing today.
Sounds so much like our house.My husband is exactly the same as yours in the morning and I just don't start functioning before 8:30 am. I CANNOT talk for at least 40 minutes after waking up. My poor darling tells me he gets lonely in the a.m.'s. (cos I'm still a'bed)
When I get 'lo-mo,' the thing that gets me out of it is doing laundry. Sounds strange, but the trip down (three flights of) stairs and the ritual of getting it all ready and the little gaps of time that I can fill with work make me feel fresh & ready to make things.
Thank you for your blog. I have really enjoyed reading it. I hope to visit your shop soon. I was going to go to the doll and teddy bear show this weekend, but things got hectic. I hope I didn't miss too much. . .
Have you seen the plush houses that Heidi of My Paper Crane (http://www.mypapercrane.com/ ) has made? They're really cute, with smiling faces, and I thought you might like to take a look:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mypapercrane/tags/house/
Hi, by the way. ;) I've been reading your blog for a bit now and I really enjoy it. Thanks for sharing your crafty world with all of us! :D
You are wonderful, amazing and beautiful beyond words, inside and out. I am so happy to know you. Thank you for the enchanting world you create and share with us Alicia. You always make me happy!
I love plum and cherry blossoms! Judging from the pics of your house that you've posted here, your planet is beautiful and rich in color and meaning.
lovely post! i understnad about your planet-home. My home is my world. I tend to hermit during the winter months and the summer just allows me in the yard. My home is my inspiration.
loves!
Lovely post about home, its' meaning and destiny. Home is not only where our hearts are, but it's our safe haven and comfort zone. I'm a total homebody, so I can totally relate! xo, C
P.S. did you see the darling tomato pincushions in the new MSL? Your strawberries reminded me of them!
::sniff:: That's two days in a row you made me cry. Quit that.
Wow, another amazing piece of writing, slice of soul. You really inspire me on so many levels. To be more honest with myself, to show more to the world, and to make my world more of an expression of me.
what's with all the oak parkers!
I'm such a homebody too. I always have a great time when I'm out in the world, on vacation or just out for a field trip, but the rush of happy and calm I get when I get home is proof positive that I'm not a wandering sort. that's why the stay at home part of stay at home mom'ing is such a breeze for me!
I'm glad I'm not the only one freaked out by dolls. I'm a total homebody. I can't wait until we own our own home so that I can design rooms the way I want, rather than having them dictated by the current owners' color whims, etc.