Work Christmas Party

So, I know I don't work outside of the home anymore, but I still refer to my old place of employment as "work". Today they had their annual Christmas party, and Finn and I crashed it (not really, we were invited). Of course Finn cannot stand still, so I was chasing him all over while trying to eat. I tried to keep him from discovering the stairs because all he wants to do is climb stairs if he can find him. I was successful in that endeavor thank goodness. However, he did get into the big ice cooler. I found him playing in it - picking the ice out of the cooler, placing it on the floor, and then putting it back in the cooler again. I'm sure they just cleaned the carpet, right? Although I can't vouch for the cleanliness of Finn's hands... He was also putting his hands all in the cup they had put in the ice to use as a scoop to keep everyone from putting their dirty hands or cups into the ice. One of my work friends saw this and said, "Oh it's ok. It's just baby hands". I'm glad at least she felt that way because I didn't stop Finn from playing in the ice - it was keeping him busy while I hit the dessert table. I figured he was cute enough to get away with it.

Weekend

Finn bundled up and ready to head to the Christmas parade downtown. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the parade. When we got close to downtown and saw all the traffic, we were grateful we had a kid who couldn't talk and beg to go. We turned around and decided we would go next year and arrive earlier.

Here's Finn drinking some milk at the free cupcake tasting at Magpies. My favorite cupcake was the chocolate peppermint, while Daniel liked the gingerbread. Finn didn't get a cupcake but he liked the milk. They also had delicious coffee cake and cheesecake for tasting.

Here we are at the Holiday Homemade Craft Show. We got some presents for ourselves. We both got a mug from the pottery place in the picture. Daniel also bought me a Christmas present, but he couldn't wait to give it to me so I got it when we got home. It was a handmade zippered pouch. I love zippered pouches. They help me keep organized. I also bought some Christmas cards for my friends and some blank notecards from the BirdDog Press. I really like their designs and the fact that the cards are letterpressed. The craft show is going on this weekend and next. So check it out if you haven't already and support our local artists.

Jill Bliss

I discovered Jill Bliss a few years ago and really enjoy her whimsical designs. She sells paper goods, posters, and fabric goods along with some magnets and pins. If you're looking for unique gifts for people on your Christmas list, check out her website.

Weekend Happenings

Sorry this is kinda last minute, but I just found out about these events myself. First, tomorrow night, Friday, Dec. 6, there are free cupcakes, a homemade craft show, a free concert, and a parade. The free cupcakes can be found at Magpies from 4 - 8pm. From there, you can mosey up the street to the Holiday Homemade Craft Show, which takes place from 4-9pm. Then, you could head downtown to hear a free concert at the WDVX studios in the Knoxville Visitor's Center on Gay St. starting at 6pm. At 7pm, you could step outside and watch the Christmas Parade. After which you could go back to the visitor's center and hear more music. If you follow my plan, you will have a fun evening without spending a penny. Well, unless you buy something at the craft show, but you would probably only be buying a gift for someone else who you were going to spend money on anyway, right?

Nubbins

If you need a laugh today, listen to this. It's a story that was told on the NPR show This American Life awhile back, and I still think it is one of the funniest stories I've heard, although it is a sad commentary on our society. It was actually the last story told on the show that day, so you can skip over the beginning stories if you want. It starts at about the 41:00 minute mark.

Hope you like to color...

Daniel showed me this color you own wallpaper last night, and I just had to share this. It's a cool concept, but I think my eyes would hurt after awhile. It's a little busy for me. I actually like it better uncolored. If you want to find out more about it, go here.

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Memphis at my parent's house this year. I ate way too much, but the food was so good! We also exchanged Christmas presents with my family and we got a new digital camera (finally!) with which these pictures were taken. Finn got to eat his first Thanksgiving turkey and he really liked it.

This is Finn on the Memphis to Nashville leg of our return home. I wish I had that set up!

I took this picture outside the Quizno's near Crossville to document the snow, but you can't see any in this picture! I promise that if you were there in person you would have seen snow on these trees. It was actually quite a beautiful site. Hello December!


Finn has amazing bed hair. The top one was taken on Sunday in Nashville at my friend Whitney's apartment after he awoke from a nap. The bottom one was taken on Monday after waking up from his first nap after arriving home.

Lotta Jansdotter

I had to put up at least one post on my blog about my favorite designer - Lotta Jansdotter. I was fortunate enough in June to go to a launch party at her Brooklyn studio for her new book, and I got to talk to her and her family and the members of her very small staff. They are all very kind (and very creative) people. I absolutely love her stuff and would buy everything she put out if I could afford it. However, she has published two fabulous books, Simple Sewing and Lotta Prints, that teach you how to make beautiful things all on your own. If you are looking for a gift for someone or yourself, checkout her website. Happy browsing!