Back on Timm St.!!

       Yes yes, I know it has been a bit longer between posts this stretch, and I apologize to all my “fans” eagerly following my exhilaratingly eventful life ;) However I have been sooooo busy!!! It’s been quite the whirlwind around here.  The most exciting (and most taxing on my time) is that I have recently moved! Well moved back that is.  When I was in high school we lived part time in a house on Timm St. here in McCall.  When Mom got remarried and bought the new house on the hill, the Timm St. house was not sold due to the bad economy and has been sitting vacant for nearly four years! So two weeks ago I barged in, cleaned out all the cobwebs and made myself a little Madi-nest.  Since the house is three stories and WAY more space than I need I hauled a bed down and made the main floor into a lovely little studio.  Just the right size for Charlie and me!  Here are some photos of the new digs:

   
It's perfect and I love it! Decorating tips anyone?

       Also, as you know I have a small sewing venture here in town and  few weeks ago I was asked if I would sell my crafts at a local shop called Studio 616!  It is a vintage/handmade/very cute/way too cool for a tiny town like this shop that opened a bout a year ago.  OF COURSE I said yes!! They now carry three styles of my handmade hair barrettes and journals.   Here is my display in the shop and here are close up pics of my work: 

It is quite thrilling if I do say so myself.  I even bought myself a little rubber stamp with my business name on it just to feel official, and I do!  I am proud to be part of such a fun hip place even if my articles are just goofy and girly!

        Well….what else do I have for you…..Oh!  Because my Grams (Mom’s Mom) is going through chemotherapy she is sadly loosing all of her beautiful red hair.  For those of you who know her, I'm you can vouch that she is a very stylish woman and naturally felt the "balding" look simply wouldn’t do.  So as a surprise her best buds at the local bar (her fav hangout) had a head shaving party right there on the dance floor.  It was pretty funny to watch and Grams seemed extreamly pleased.  She said now she could wear fancy hats and headscarves without feeling silly!  I love my Grams.  She is very brave.(Sorry I know the pic is a bit blurry...)

       Also in the exciting category, I have been accepted into the Culinary Institue of America in New York for their Winter 2013 session.  Will I attend? We shall see….I am looking into other vocational schools as well and if anyone has any suggestions (things you think I'd be good at or whatever) I would L-O-V-E, love to hear them!

OMG AND LOOK! Someone here in town drives the same car as me!!! I like to think it’s Stella’s BFF.  When I saw it parked at my favorite coffee shop I couldn’t help but pull up along side and snap a qick pic! So cute!!!!  

       As always I HAVE to end with an adorable shot of Mr. Charlie Pants. I put a chair in front of the fireplace to dry my wet running shoes and he thought it was for him.  Warmest seat in the house!  That’s all for now! I love and miss you all and hope you can fill me in on your lives as well because I’d love to hear! XOXOXO 

Welcome Home Stella!

         Well I think I will start with the most exciting recent news without introduction: I BOUGHT A CAR!!!!! Yes people, that's right dear old Fran has been replaced.  Sadly Fran meet the end of her long long life last week; but as we all know, without front bearing and shock failure there can be no new life....  Everyone meet Stella! She is a 2001 Volkswagon New Beetle and is just about the cutest thing I ever saw!  I got her at Lithia Ford of Boise after much badgering the poor salesman and making him pinky-promise there was nothing wrong with her (everyone knows a pinky-promise is a legally binding agreement right?!).  I had a trade in, paid some up front and financed the rest just like a real grown up! Haha It's funny because I have never really cared all that much about the cars I drove and it drove Dad crazy because I rarely washed or vacuumed my old red car.  BUT now that I have my own I find I am suddenly very irritated by the slushy streets of McCall  when they splash all over my newly detailed vehicle!

       She is a manual (my first) and I drove all over Boise running errands in traffic and on the freeway with minor dilemmas thanks to a trusted friend who was kind enough to give a quick lesson right after I bought her.  Thanks Blaze and Stef, you're the best!!! I have good faith that Stella will be a fabulous roadtriping car and plus, Charlie looks so handsome riding in the passenger seat! ;)

       Moving on to other life events.....The past two weeks have been Winter Carnival here in my tiny little town.  For those of you who don't know what that is, it's when all the business in town get overrun by thousands of out-of-towners who don't know how to drive in the snow and think McCall is the perfect vacation spot to get out of control drunk and throw litter everywhere :D Yey for that!  Just kidding....kinda, not really....OK but seriously, traditionally all the local business make snow/ice sculptures, a contest ensues followed by a parade and lots of food, fun, and music.  I can see how if your not from here, it would be quite enjoyable.  So here is the Stacey Cakes crew out in front of our lovely sculpture  We named the polar bear Randy and the fisherman Stue (no laughing and no, we did not win).  The dark haired one second from the left is Stacey and on her left is Erica (my other coworker) and me!  Also, we are all very excited because for the first time our product is available in Boise!  A gormet grocery just opened in Boise called a Tavola (I scoped  it out when I was there to buy Stella) and they now carry Stacey Cakes gingersnaps! Yey for being small and local and delicious! 

       In other earth shattering news I was in a play!  Every year over Winter Carnival a play is put on by us locals that runs for eight nights, and for the first time I joined in on the fun, and what fun it was!  Here is pic of our program....Ovbiously it is a romantic comedy and makes fun of relationship problems.  It was a 90min play that consisted of about ten short acts depicting couples of all ages.  We generally had a great turn out and everything went smoothly.  

I got to play three parts:       

                     

First I was a annoyed maid of honor, then I was a pain in the ass bride, and then a woman on her five year annaversery dinner (I got to sing in that one lol...badly). Even though it was A LOT of work it was truely a bundle of fun and I had such a fab time with the everyone in the cast (they were all so great!).  And here we all are after the final night.... Oh! and of coarse Charlie was always back stage for moral support and entertainment...  It was suggested at one point he be sued as a prop, but he politely declined by hiding under the couch :P  

   All in all I'd say it's been quite an exciting past couple of weeks!  We have lots of snow and it is been very chilly around  here.  Other than that all is well and life is good and I miss you all!

....And naturally I will end with a cute pic of Charlie....We have been cross country skiing at Ponderosa Park and I think he really has a ball chasing after me and I know I have a great time trying to ski away from him!  'Till nest time! XOXOXO

BC Adventure 2012!!!

       Well, things wound down quite a bit at work after the Christmas/ New Years madness and I was able to catch my breath and have some free time.  It turned out to be perfect because I had planned to take a little vacation with a good friend of mine while it was slow in town!  About a month and a half ago we decided a break from McCall was needed to remind ourselves how the rest of the world looks and operates (gets a little stuffy in these small towns sometimes if you know what I'm saying).  Also I was far overdue for a trip out of the country and my passport was begging for a  new stamp, so we settled on a visit to our northern neighbors with the maple leaves.  We packed out bags and headed to Canada for five whole days!!!  Charlie was definitely sad he didn't get to tag along and showed it by leaving my suitcase and the clothes in it covered in dog hair....

       We each bought a  two day ski pass to Whistler Mountain where we enjoyed beautiful sunny weather both days even though the snow was a bit rough near the bottom.  After watching the big dogs tear up the professional terrain park and half pipe we spent a few runs trying out our own moves at the kiddie park (I have a large bruise on my bum and shoulder and am sore where I wasn't aware I had muscles).  We ate a fabulous lunch at the hill both days and the rode the Whistler/Blackcomb Peak to Peak Gondola, and holy moly what a trip!!! The Peak to Peak is the highest longest gondola ride in the world and carries you eleven minutes between the top of each mountain in a glass cube dangling from three wires as big around as my torso.  It is a bit spooky being suspended a few thousand feet off the ground but the view is truly breathtaking from all sides.  

       Upon limping off the slopes we relaxed in our lovely little French style bed and breakfast (the owners were the most wonderful helpful people and there were always fresh blueberry muffins in the dining area) before heading in the Whistler Village for some shopping we could in no way afford (but looking is the most fun part anyway :D). Of coarse signs of the Village's Olympic past are everywhere and I was amazed to think that where I stood is where the best athletes in the world received their medals just two short years ago.  What an awe-inspiring feeling!!!

       After two days of snow fun we hopped on a bus and headed to Vancouver, and just in the knick of time as my body was faaaaaar to sore to handle another day of action on the hill.  We walked along the seashore and though Stanley Park (the Central Park of Vancouver but on the waterfront) and made a quick visit to the Vancouver Aquarium!  It was sooooo cool!!! We saw a million kinds of fish big and small, jellyfish, a  sloth, a crocodile, an octopus, sea lions, arctic dolphins, and my personal favorite, beluga whales!!! They are so white and graceful and beautiful; I could have sat and watched them for hours.  Alas after only one full day of walking the city streets we drug our exhausted legs back to our hostel and packed our bags to leave early the next day.

       I always get a little sad to come home at the end of a trip because I'm a big believer that you leave a piece of you where ever go.  New knowledge is gained and accents learned, tattered overused street maps become souvenirs and astounding things absorbed with every step, so naturally upon departure there is a lingering feeling of angst.  However just as we part with a sliver of ourselves, every new location also leaves a bit of travel dust on our psyche reminding us that there is so much more to life than we could ever possibly grasp and that in itself deserves our utmost exploration and respect.  

       Anywho, two connecting flights, a drug out customs check, and a two hour drive later we arrived home safe and sound.  Mr. Charlie Pants was very happy to see me although I could tell he was mad for leaving because he wouldn't share his toys with me.....BRAT!!   So now its back to real life and reality......and planning my next adventure ;)

'Tis the Season.....

       Deck the halls! Trim the tree! Break out the mistletoe! It's Christmas time again! Christmas is obviously a very special time for most families in the USA as it represents a time of love, togetherness and warmth. 'Tis the season for a lot of things: 'Tis the season for joy and giving and supporting those in need.  'Tis the season to decorate your home and place of work with so many bright lights and santa nik-naks that red and green seem to be the only shades in the color wheel.  'Tis the season for family and forgetting why your irritated with your mother because you know she loves you more than anything else in the world.  AND OF CORSE....'Tis the season to EAT! aka 'tis the season to bake, stuff my face, and locate my big girl jeans.  'Tis also the season to use my favorite coffee mug and wear my fleece Christmas onesie (yes those are monkey feet)! 

I do believe I have satisfactorily covered all the above areas this year, and went over-board in the eating category!  Our tree... and table-scape...

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.... 

And the tiny village lit..... 

And because no one wants to be fat alone of Christmas, I made these treat baskets...... and delivered to various members of the community.  To really top off the weight gain Mom and I also hosted a Holiday Cookie Exchange!!! We had a great turn out and all the girls had fun! There were sooooo many cookies.... and yummy snacks...

        As expected the holiday season has turned the little bakery where I work into a sugar dispensery packed with excited customers drawn in off the street by the smell of baking gingersnaps and us employees racing around in the back dipping macaroons, rolling mexican wedding cookies, and slicing lemon cake to keep up with demand......it's quite fun if I do say so myself!  

       Charlie seems to be enjoying the holiday because I am constantly in the kitchen and am very messy so he gets to play vacuum cleaner.....I think he's put on a few holiday pounds as well ;).  Also poor poor Fran went to the car doctor and was diagnosed as fatal.  The mechanic actually seemed quite shocked that I was still able to drive her and suggested I get a replacement vehicle immediately.  Replace Fran??!!! HA!! Yeah right!!! Like that's possible! I did do some looking although I haven't found anything yet....I know I am just putting off the inevitable but hey, I rather like my old-ass ghetto convertible...she has character.  Also in the exciting category, Neil has gone off to Paris for over a week with friends to visit and site see!! I, of corse,COULD NOT be more proud as I believe that travel makes life full and bursting with light and knowledge even its most primitive form.  I actually almost teared up as he left....my little Spud is all grown up!!!! He gets back the Christmas night and I just can't wait to hear him tell me ALL about his adventures.  Although we have the occasional sibling spat I truly adore him.  Also I have a secret goal!!!  Here's a clue....confused? Well last week I ran in a little local holiday fun-run (only 3.7 miles) in my well loved santa hat!! It was a blast and at the finish we all got to enjoy some cookies and hot coco and received our participation trophies in the form of sparkly tree ornaments.  Stay tuned for more clues ;) 

       Although we have next to no snow and the weather has been sunny and stunningly beautiful for weeks, I am praying that we will wake up Christmas morning to white everywhere.....it's a long shot but the most miraculous events are often based on long shots.  And naturally (you know me to well), I have to end with a cute photo of Mr. Charlie......It's his first Christmas so I took him to see Santa Paws at the local animal shelter.  He behaved to well! Mama was soooooo proud!! :D  Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.....

Thanksgiving and Art Fair!

    Well, winter has officially set in and quite a bit a of snow is flying around here.  It's getting colder and colder but I am okay with that as it means skate ski season is bearing down upon us rapidly! Although Fran is having a heck of a time getting around with all the ruts on the roads and apparently 30*F is too cold to start, she seems to be enjoying the winter so far.  My form of a pray for snow dance this year was to take my skis in to have them waxed and tuned and I made a test run with Charlie... I took his lack of squirming as a sign of approval for the sport and thought he rather enjoyed keeping his paws warm.  I got some funny looks and a few giggles but yes to all you big dog lovers out there, my dog DOES fit in a fanny-pack, and YES he is STILL a dog NOT a rodent! ;) 
        So by the time Thanksgiving rolled around on Thursday I was ready for some stuffing and pie! It's interesting because I have never been truely crazy about traditional Thanksgiving food. Turkey is whatever, I don't care a bit for mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce gives me a tummy ache, so I usually just end up with a huge plate of veggies and stuffing followed closely by a large slice of pie.  This year proved to be no different and of corse I had snacked so much throughout the day that by the time the feast was ready I wasn't even hungry! My Thanksgiving plate wasn't nearly as impressive as Neil's or John's but most of it was quite good....7.5 minutes later....  I had gone to a Turkey Blaster Areobics class Thursday morning so I didn't feel the least bit guilty eating a second slice of apple cranberry pie while admiring Moms clever table  decorations....so cute!
       The day was only dampened by the realization that I had a arts and crafts fair the two following days and I still had 20 pillows to had sew closed.  I ended up staying up way past my bedtime watching war movies with Charlie to keep me motivated by constantly trying to steal my spools of thread......little rascal!  Friday morning we loaded everything up and headed to the Shore Lodge to set up.
       For those of you who don't know, about three months ago I joined a group of local artists called the McCall Artist Connection.  As a whole we do everything from sewing (me!) to photography to oil painting to sculpting (here's the group website if you wanna check it out  http://www.mccallartistconnection.org/ ).  We put on two shows a year here in McCall and this was my very first and I enjoyed it to my very core!
       Anywho, the fair went wonderfully and we had a fabulous turn out.  Besides having a ton of fun chatting with shoppers and other vendors, I made some extra Christmas money and did some advantageous bartering with some of the other artists! I wasn't sure what were the best item to sell so I used things I had handy and this is what I came up with:
 pillows (pendleton wool and leather)
wallets (check book size and half size)
journals that I bound by hand with recycled paper and potholders from old jeans and scrap material...and aprons
 my cozy little booth!!!!
        I think I also need to give a shout out to Mom for helping me build my lattice backdrop and to Rhonda for helping me design my business cards! THANKS GUYS!!!!  The show environment was extremely positive and encouraging and I was actually sad Saturday night when I was time to clean up and go home.  I go a few local sewing orders and am looking forward to see where (if anywhere) this skill takes me!  The Christmas season in here and I cant wait to start decorating so be on the lookout for the pics!
And of corse to end.... a darling picture of Charlie Brow in his winter coat snuggling with big brother Nikko.