You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch!

Snow-thing, originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

It has been said, this holiday season, that I’m a bit of a scrooge and an even bigger bit of a Grinch! And I suppose I can’t deny I’ve emitted a grumbly vibe. I’m just not that into it. There are lots of reasons (not the least of which is the freezing temperatures and heaps of frozen water piled outside my window) that I won’t go into, so as not to bring down the rest of you happy little Christmas elves– I’ll just leave it that I’ll feel better come January 2nd.

Anyone that knows me at all knows that I do not think fondly of snow–no thank you. I don’t think it’s pretty, or festive, or fun or any of those things. I do however think it’s cold, cold, freezing and cold. But in order to combat my inner Grinch I went outside to play yesterday.

Living in a condo means no private yard for us. I thought for sure as soon as we got out there we would have been swarmed by the pesky neighborhood kids trying to come in and jack up our snowman! (Are you beginning to see why I’ve been dubbed Grinchy?) But lucky us we were only visited by a busy squirrel. The snow was pretty fluffy and not so good for packing, so our “snowthing” (gender neutral) was a little on the squat side–we couldn’t just really roll the snow into a big ball the way you normally do with a snowthing. She/he/it, sports a dashing mop of dried leaf hair which was styled by yours truly. We had lots of much more clever ideas for the face and buttons but knew if we attempted anything other than spray paint we would have been visited by condo association (aka the Grinch Authorities) asking us to remove our litter.

So here it is–our grinchy, grumbly, goofy snowthing! Sun’s shining today…wonder how long it’ll last out there!

Cup o’ tea

teacup girl digital, originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Cream and sugar? One lump or two?

I feel like when I walk I leave a trail of empty teacups behind me. My studio always has two, or three…and on some shameful occasions even FOUR empties. I brew a cup in the morning, and usually one in the afternoon at 3 pm, precisely. I don’t love tea for the taste. I think it’s more of a social experience for me. Odd, considering that there is nothing social about my daily life, toiling alone in the studio. But still, there is just some sort of tradition or history or something in it for me–turning on the kettle, brewing the bag, sipping it from a special bowl or cup…I take mine with milk and no sugar please.

As I sipped away, this little lady was born. First she was a pencil sketch. Then she became an ink outline. Then she became a watercolored doodle. And now, she is a boldly colored, whimsical, fun digital illustration. I love her, and have many plans for her–on notecards of course, and perhaps in other incarnations? Where would you like to see her?

Oh, I don’t think I mentioned…

Auntie w/RJ, originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I have a new baby niece! I’ve been so off of blogging lately–again! Both reading your blogs and writing here on my own have taken a way-back seat with the holiday rush. But this is fun exciting news worth sharing!

Riley Jay was born on November 21st–a little early of her expected arrival date of December 6th. Her big brother Mikey snuck out early too so no one was too surprised when she made her debut before Thanksgiving. Perhaps she just really wanted some turkey? She was perfectly perfect weighing 6 lbs and 8 oz.–those 8 oz. are probably in her hair alone! She’s got a shiny, thick head of dark brown hair!

So yeah, there she is. Riley Roooooo! Yay for nieces!

Old news…with an embarassing new detail!

Engagement Ring, originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Why do I bring up my engagement ring today, over a year after receiving it? Because I have a funny and true story to share with you! And here it is…

Today I had to stop by the jeweler who made our wedding rings to drop off our entry forms to their holiday giveaway contest. They’re offering up diamond necklaces to five winners, or a grand prize of a yellow diamond ring, earrings and matching necklace. D had been gently reminding me all week to drop off the entries–he must have been feeling lucky!

Now, this is a fancy place. It’s all stone and marble and clean and sparkling. High-class, we’re talking. They give all the women roses when you walk in the door.

And in walks me.

When I walk over to the lovely group of perfectly groomed and coiffed salespeople to hand in my entry form they all stopped to admire my jewelry–that they had made. So with everyone’s eyes on me and my rings, I reach into my purse to retrieve the tickets and place them on the gleaming glass display counter…

…attached to the sticker on the ticket…an extra-large, super-heavy days, gigantic TAMPON!!! Sweet Jeebus, why is this happening to me??? Though they all made awkward attempts to avert their eyes, I still caught them all stifling an embarassed snicker. I’m pretty sure my cheeks were actually on fire at that moment. This couldn’t have just happened in, say, Wal-Mart or even the post office…nope, had to be the fancy fine jewelry boutique during the holiday rush! Awesome!