Upcycled Pillow Covers

I have loved seeing accent pillows made with sweater-like fabrics lately...so cozy and winter-like. Papa hates accent pillows. He thinks they are a waste of time and money, and unfortunately does not see them as a way to enhance his interior design...Sigh.

We had these old pillows laying around, all gross and stained.

And I had this shawl thing that I bought from Ann Taylor years ago.

I've always loved it, but I think I've only worn it a handful of times. So one morning this week I spent a few minutes with my rotary cutter and my new-to-me sewing machine (Thanks Grandma!) and I made a few new "outfits" (as Hank called them) for the dingy old pillows.

Whataya think? Here's a little closer veiw...the cable knit is a little hard to see in these (iPhone) photos...sorry.

They were easy and quick. I probably spent more time figuring out how to thread the new machine than I did actually sewing them. And I love that I didn't have to fiddle with figuring out how to add a zipper....I just used the edges and overlapped them in the back so that the covers can be taken off easily to be cleaned or switched out.

We're in purge mode around here lately, clearing out and simplifying. I took 4 boxes to Goodwill this afternoon. I love that I was able to rescue one item from the pile and use it in a new way, and no longer having to feel guilty about it taking up space in my closet.

Linking up with:

House Rules

Not surprisingly, there has been much discussion lately about behavior...

The older boy also apparently likes lists. A few weeks ago I got tired of asking him to do certain things to get ready for school so I made a checklist and hung it in the laundry room. Knock on wood...It seems to have worked! Each morning he diligently checks the list to see what else he needs to do before we can leave.

So, this past weekend we sat them down at the island in the kitchen and they came up with some "House Rules" while I took notes.

Why am I also not surprised that both boys flow seamlessly between the roles of "The Enforcer" and "The Perpetrator" depending on the circumstances?

$118 worth of Groceries, and a Very Full Heart

I just got home from the store. Safeway. I never thought that grocery shopping would be a tearful experience. It was. It was a physical and emotional experience that I will not soon forget. The air was thick with emotion. Equal parts of grief and love. All senses heightened. I've never noticed how lovely the floral department smells, but it swirled around me as I walked through the doors. I never thought a walk through the bakery could smell so delicious, like home. I almost bought a pastry. And although I did not exchange more than a few words with the employees, the knowing glances and cautious smiles from strangers made me feel much less alone. I also never thought that I could walk out of a grocery store with such a full heart. But I did, and you will too.

We took a walk today...

A friend sent me a message today, she'd just come home from the Safeway shopping center with her very own Ben's Bell and asked if I'd gotten one... I haven't felt ready to go any closer than I already am and I didn't think I could do it. I assumed the bells must have already all been taken, and figured I'd just be walking around the parking lot without any purpose at all. But the possibility of finding a bell of my own kept me thinking so I put Hank in the stroller and grabbed a candle and lighter. We walked first to the shrine that has emerged on the corner and spent some time there. We lit our candle and placed it with the others. He asked questions and I tried to answer them in a way that's appropriate for a 3.5 year old. We looked at the notes and talked about the people in the photos. Hank was concerned about leaving our candle there, I assured him that it would be OK for us to leave it with the others...

Then we ventured to the other side of Beyond Bread, closer to where the shooting took place. With the exception of Safeway, all of the stores are open again, but there is still a large portion of the parking lot sectioned off with yellow tape. Lots of people wandering around, taking photos, chatting, hugging. Tears. I was overcome with emotion. My heart pounded and my eyes filled with tears. It was hard to take a deep, smooth breath. I glanced around the parking lot and noticed a bell hanging from the cart return but it was inside the police tape. I wasn't going to ask to go there. As we turned to go I noticed a group of gals standing under a tree and as I looked up I saw 6-8 bells hanging high up in the tree--too high to reach. One girl got her pick up truck and pulled up underneath and the other girls were able to reach several bells. They each kept one and they gave me one. I've always wanted a Ben's Bell...I never thought this would be the way I'd bring my own home.

Each bell comes with a note that explains what it is. My note reads:
You have found a Ben's Bell.
Take it home, hang it, and remember to spread kindness.
"Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind." ~Henry James
Ben's Bells are created by the hands of many and symbolize our connection as a community and our need for mutual support through kindness. We hang this bell in memory of those who died, in honor of those who were injured, and for all of us who live in and love this community.

As I put the boys to bed tonight, Hank asked, "Mama, is our candle still burning for the little girl who died?" I assured him that yes, the candle is still burning and that the shrine is probably a beautiful, warm sight on a cool evening. And then he said, "Mama, thank you for taking me to find a Ben's Bell today."

Maybe some day he will know that I could never have taken that walk alone...

THIS is my Tucson

Just last week, I mentioned a little organization here in Tucson, Ben's Bells. The story behind this organization is sad and beautiful and inspiring to me and their message is so simple, yet so profound: Be Kind. Then yesterday I read this article and learned that just last Friday, Ben's Bells was contacted by NBC and asked to be profiled on their "Making a Difference" segment on the Nightly News with Brian Williams. On Saturday, NBC called and said they'd like to produce the segment sooner--a film crew will be here tomorrow and the segment will likely air on Friday. So tomorrow morning a host of volunteers will "bell" our community with 1,000 bells--the largest distribution yet!

THIS what makes me proud to call Tucson my hometown... First of all, that this organization not only exists, but is thriving and growing and extending to cities all over the country. It tells me that not only is Ben's family amazingly graceful and wise beyond their grief, but so is our community. And then to read this article and to hear that so many people jumped on board that they do not need more volunteer help for tomorrow's distribution. That confirms for me that this is a warm and caring community, full of people who want to help each other heal and further spread this simple message of kindness. I am seriously disappointed that I missed this call for volunteers--I would have loved to be part of this effort! Thank You Ben's Bells, for calling Tucson home.

So in this time of such great sorrow, this story makes me happy and proud and a little more full of hope. It restores my faith in people and reminds me that we don't need to do anything enormously profound. It starts with us, and it starts with something that we all can do: Be Kind.

Photo courtesy of Ben's Bells on Facebook.

Look what we're up to now...

Remember my Girl's Weekend last fall? One of the BFFs showed up wearing this fabulous necklace that she had just picked up on sale at Anthropologie.

The next day, the rest of us headed to Anthro to pick up our own. We figured our purchase was justified because we were 5 girls living in 3 different cities--the chances of us showing up in the same place wearing matching necklaces was slim! It has quickly become my go-to item to jazz up the predictable mama wardrobe, and every time I wear it I am flooded with compliments. Seriously. It's the best $30 I've spent on myself in a very long time!

So then a few weeks later we spent some time in New Mexico at our family's home, where my mom happens to have a gigantic stash of vintage jewelry that she uses for various projects. As I sat looking through it one day, it occurred to me: We can make these necklaces! Yesterday we finally got it all spread out on her dining room table (sorry Dad) and got to work. We have a few things to learn about soldering (any tips?) but I think what I came up with yesterday is super fun:

What do you think, are we on to something?
Linking:

Dark days in Tucson...

We are numb. Trying to digest the tragedy that occurred just meters from our house yesterday. Wishing it was all just a bad dream. It's just too close to home. Literally. Papa was outside with the boys and heard the shots. In a matter of minutes my phone was buzzing with texts, calls, emails and voicemails from family and friends checking on us. It's our corner. And while I don't generally shop at that Safeway on my weekly shopping trips, it's usually weekend mornings that we find ourselves there to pick up snacks before a soccer game, or a gallon of milk. It's absolutely conceivable that one of us could have been there. We often joke that there is not much reason to leave our little corner since we have everything we need here. And suddenly, we don't want to even leave our house. Many of the victims are recovering at University Medical Center, across the street from where I went to elementary school and as names of the victims are released I'm reminded that Tucson is really just a big small town. We're hugging our kids tighter. We're lighting candles and praying. Please do the same.

On the Agenda for 2011

Finally getting around to sitting down and putting some thoughts, goals and hopes into words for our New Year... 2010 was not my favorite year. It was stressful and exhausting and painful. It was also full of a lot of joy, growth, and happiness. It was complicated. I'm happy to start fresh and I have high hopes for 2011. In no particular order, here are a few things I plan to tackle for myself, my family, and my home in the new year...

• I resolve to be more proactive about my mental and physical health. I eat well, take my vitamins, drink a lot of water and not too much wine. But a brisk walk without my kids on a sunny day is good for my mind and my body, I need to make it happen more. A long, sweaty yoga class is good for my soul, I have not practiced yoga regularly since we moved here 2 years ago. I need to visit the Dentist, the Doctor and the Naturopath. Would you like to go for a walk with me? Or meet me for a Yoga class? Or maybe a hike on a Sunday afternoon?
• I resolve to figure out how to compost in the desert. I'm thinking I need one of these.
• I resolve to figure out how to make yogurt. Do I need this?
• I resolve to get my family out of our current food rut. I really don't mind cooking, I actually enjoy it. I just can't stand coming up with new ideas, making lists and doing the shopping. Do you have a favorite recipe to share? Would you like to come over one morning and assemble a bunch of dinners with me?
• Speaking of food: more local, less Trader Joe's.
• Before I had children, I spent a good portion of each week doing volunteer work in my community. That work has taken a back seat since my babies came around, but now that I have a few mornings a week with 2 boys in school, I'm committing to giving back. This week I plan to head down to Ben's Bells to paint some bells. Would you like to join me? I can think of no better way to spend my time than chatting with a friend while painting bells for one of my favorite non-profits, can you? If there are bunches of you who are interested, maybe we should even set up a party?
• I resolve to shave my legs more often, put my clothes away, and stop wearing shoes in the house. I resolve to clean out my car more regularly and try to manage the paper that comes into our house more efficiently.
• Now that we've sold some real estate, we can finally move forward with some plans for our current home. This week I have a meeting with a Landscape Designer, if all goes well we will break ground soon on a wall and landscape plans. There will be a re-org of our guest/craft/storage room. And some work on our bathrooms too. It's going to be fun, I can't wait!
• If all else fails, the only thing that matters is quality time with my boys. Date nights with Papa. More traveling and hiking and playing with the family.

I think that's about what I can honestly commit to...What about you, anything fun on your agenda for 2011?

The Barefoot Winter Sale is Here!