Because I'm a geek

Sundays evenings = must see TV for me. Why? Because I love Public Television! I especially look forward to Masterpiece Theatre. For the last few weeks I have been completely engrossed in Little Dorrit. Last night was the final episode and it was so good. If you missed it or any of the episodes, you can watch it here. Check it out....you won't be sorry.


After Masterpiece, Monarch of the Glen has been coming on. I got completely hooked on this series about 5 years ago when it was on BBC America 1:00 each weekday afternoon - just when I was putting down my then toddler for her afternoon nap. It's still one of my all time favorite TV series. The story is about a modern day Scottish Laird and the happenings of the estate. It is full of quirky characters and plot-lines.


However last night Monarch of the Glen did not come on. I wasn't disappointed for too long because in it's place was a newer series, Lost In Austen (review here). It's about a modern day girl who ends up swapping places with Elizabeth Bennet & finds herself in the thick of the Pride & Prejudice storyline. I was more than entertained. Next Sunday at 10:00 p.m. is episode #2. If you missed the first one, you can watch it online.

And just for you Jane Austen fans out there, Marvel has made a comic version of Pride & Prejudice. The cover page alone is awesome!


Anyway, these are the geeky things I have on my brain today. One of these days I'll snap out of the creative funk I am in and post about something crafty again.

Pretty in Pink

Isn't she lovely...



Today was a day of wet and grey perfection. Rain. Wonderful spring rain. The kind of rain that harbors the magical powers of awakening. While at my in-laws today, I ventured out back for a brief moment during a break in the clouds only to be greeted by the beauty of my favorite flowering fruit tree, the nectarine, in full glory. It was just so pretty I ran to get my simple little camera (the fancy model is still on my wish list). The top picture with grey clouds in the background is my favorite.
And although we only live about 10 minutes from my in-laws (my parents as well), our nectarine tree (below, also taken today) is sadly behind the times. Why is it that the trees and bushes in older parts of town bloom sooner than their more juvenile counterparts? Is a matter of age or geography? Any horticulturists out there want to venture a guess?

Anyway... It's spring, and I'm loving it! Can't wait for the crab-apples to bloom.

Groovy Goods

If you have been reading my blog, you probably know that I have had vintage linen on my brain. I know, kind of a hokie thing to be collecting. I am sure that just one year ago, I would have been the one getting rid of all the wacky old sheets rather than be in acquisition mode. But for now, I kind of think they're cool, and my stash of old sheets has been steadily growing. Yesterday I received a lovely package in the mail from my blogging friend Des. We swapped 10 fat quarters from her sheet stash for 10 of mine. So much fun! Now I really need to figure out what kind of quilt I want to make. Google "Vintage Sheet Quilt" and check out some of the search results. There are some mega-talented quilters out there who really know how to repurpose linen. Fabulous quilts!

And the bright and beautiful crocheted flowers above are hair clips my mother-in-law made for my youngest to find in the big annual Easter egg hunt. Aren't they SO cute!?! I really need to learn how to crochet. Truthfully there are many, many things I really need to learn how to do. The list of skills I am in need of would be fearsomely long, if I ever was brave enough to make it.

Also in the package with the sheets came a sweet little vintage dress. Such a nice surprise! Reminded me so much of the dress this little one wore for her blessing last spring. Same hand made detail and fragility. Now, trying to get a picture of the squirmy little munchkin in said dress, was not so sweet. I LOVE it.

And now for a completely random & STRANGE little bit:

I took my daughter and one of her friends to see the new Hannah Montana movie on Friday night & ..... (drumroll please)...... I didn't exactly hate it. Much of the movie takes place in a small town in the country. It was full of pretty scenery, and a beautiful house with a big front porch (one of my favorite things you know). Although it wasn't without a few silly & predictable moments, I was kind of diggin' it. And here's the real shocker - I actually liked a few of the songs. Towards the end of the movie my daughter kept saying she had to go to the bathroom, but I made her wait because I didn't want to miss any of it. How WEIRD is that?

Shouting with JOY

I generally try to refrain from posting about anything too personal on this blog, but today is an exception. I feel like sharing a story. 8 years ago, I desperately wanted another baby. We already had been blessed with an amazing little boy and I knew I was supposed to have more, but things weren’t exactly working out. I had just suffered 3 consecutive miscarriages, including, based on an early ultrasound, what was thought to be a set of twins. 4 miscarriages total (my first pregnancy had been a miscarriage as well). My pregnancy track record was rotten, and my spirit broken. It was a dark time in my life. We had an appointment with a renowned recurrent miscarriage specialist at the local university hospital that was still months away. Then I found myself unexpectedly pregnant again, and completely terrified. Right away I started to have problems with bleeding and I thought for sure another miscarriage was imminent. Because I was pregnant, we were able to get into the specialist that week – an appointment that included an ultrasound. When we went to drop off our son at my mother-in-law's house before our appointment, she said, “Call me as soon as you know.” And then I said to her, “We probably won’t feel like talking about it.” To this she said, “I think you will want to shout with joy in the streets.” I was completely consumed with doubt, and she was overflowing with faith. During the ultrasound, a tiny little pulsation – the beating of a microscopic heart was seen immediately. The pregnancy was viable, and my heart full of hope. My mother-in-law was right, I did feel like shouting with joy. I spotted on and off the entire first trimester of the pregnancy, but that next spring, April 8th in fact, we were blessed with a beautiful daughter. Today, that little miracle baby of ours is 7 years old. I still feel like shouting with joy in the streets, just because I am lucky enough to be her mom.

Before school this morning

LOVE her so much!