Happy Halloween!

image by country living

Sprucing and Networking

I've been doing some much needed sprucing up around the shop.
Firstly, I am trying to figure out how to use the Hello Grey Day page I made on facebook ages ago...sigh, when did using facebook get so durned complicated? With any luck, it will be a fun place to put shop updates, chat, and squeeze in a little networking.
...networking. I'm the worst at that.  I can't even ask my friends to "like" my shop, because it feels too much like the uncomfortable feeling one gets when asking a boy out in High School...which of course I never did and shudder at the very thought. 
Mostly my tactic then was the same as now. Wait around in the background until someone stumbles in to me (whilst I feign indifference) and all of a sudden showers approval upon my shy and awkward head. I can't say that that worked very well for catching boys* and here to now it's been the same way with this dusty old facebook page.**
But, I'm giving it the old college try anyhow (you may note the new facebook presence on the bottom right of my blog. I added that for the especial purpose of previously mentioned networking and making me uncomfortable. There's also a 'like' button if you know...)
Secondly,
I have several new projects in store this week. Two new products! And I just added some new colors to the shop. All the colors of the rainbow in fact!

*although, I did snag one that way, and the cream of the crop I might add.

**Except, for you 8 friends/family who stumbled upon my page somehow, Thanks!

Sick Thing and Bad Timing.

Sweet Thing is sick today.
A fever and the throw ups means we have settled in on the couch with goldfish, liquids, books, and a bucket (rats). And canceled our plans for tonight and tomorrow (A 40's cocktail attire Murder Mystery Dinner party, and a Costume Party...double and triple rats!)
It's all feeling a little too familiar to two Halloweens ago. Spending all kinds of time and energy on costumes only to stay home in the end for an ill timed illness.
Such is life. (Can you hear that giant sigh?)
At any rate, we are medicating our disapointment with our favorite shows and books and although Greta isn't up to foods just yet, I am doing my best to console her by eating delicious buttered toast exclusively.
But us aside, I hope you all have fun plans and parties to look forward to this weekend.
I hope you get to eat sweets until your teeth get fuzzy!

But wait...now there's 4!

The cat's out of the bag!
Also, this could explain why I have been mostly MIA these last few months. Taking care of Greta through morning sickness was about all that I could do the last while...and even that was a little shoddy at times. "Yes, sweetie let's watch a 33rd episode of Shaun the Sheep...keep 'em coming." If I found a break in the day mostly I spent it sleeping it off.
But enough excuses, I'm back! I'm just starting my second trimester (about 3 months along) and feeling much more bushy tailed (if not really bright eyed...but let's be honest, I don't expect that for maybe another year and a half...at the earliest.)
And we are absolutely THRILLED about our growing family!
Family of 4...wow, now that is the real deal. Those Disneyland giveaways and boxes of drumsticks that come by the 4s are now marketed directly toward us. (And we gladly accept all that come our way.)
So mark May 5th on your calendar. There's another Walter on the way!
More details to come....

Watercolors

Here's another one for the Greta Gallery.
This week Greta got to dabble in watercolors for the first time. I have been wracking my brain lately to try and come up with news ways to entertain on rainy days. And this was a sure hit!
I love how she approached her page. It was 100% Greta with no mommy interferences besides a few verbal reminders to add water to the brush.
And it was so neat to see what she came up with. She paints the way Kent writes his letters and prefers his food to be plated. Everything not quite touching, and nicely spaced.
I was so surprised!  (I think I was expecting one big colorful smudge puddle in the middle of the page, like I was dying to make myself.)
Also, the cloud like thing at the top is the sun, the blue squiggly ball at the bottom is the moon, and the top green smudge on the right is a crocodile.

Can't seem to get enough.

It's no secret we are nuts about the Beatles at our house. 
And while I have listened to Beatles music almost all my life, it's not really been until the last 10 years that I have jumped on board what seems to be an ever climbing escalator to Beatle Mania.
They just keep getting better the longer I have listened to them. How is no other music like that?
We've been collecting their records for years, but the last month or so there seems to be a concentrated effort between us to acquire everything the Beatles have had to offer the world. Who knows why, but
one by one the newly remastered albums are finding their way to us.
Walter 1: "I need to go to Target for...ummm... socks."
Walter 2: Yeees, socks, that's a good idea. I thought your old socks were looking a little thin.
Walter 1 comes back to the car with "Revolver" and "With The Beatles"...oh yes, and socks.
We are watching through the Beatles Anthology on youtube  (I smell an anniversary present.)
And relentlessly quizzing dear girl over her progress with Beatles face recognition. (Knowing their names is child's play, and besides knowing them already, she proudly told us at the dinner table today that "Ringo plays the drums." So clearly it's on to lesson two.)
But it was when I caught myself shopping this evening for Beatle Boots at Anello and Davide that I thought I had better take pause and evaluate the situation.
For one, I would look ridiculous in those boots.
And secondly, why was I upstairs researching historical footwear I could never afford (you know you are in trouble when they don't list prices but throw out vague details like "enquire by appointment".)
when I could be downstairs watching the second part of the Anthology.
I think it may be a sickness.

The Pumpkin Patch

We had a pumpkin hunt over the weekend!
I actually can't remember the last time I've been to a pumpkin patch.  I think I have a few hazy memories of visiting pumpkin patches on school field trips as a wee sma', but at any rate it was time to make more! Here are a few pictures of some of the fun.
(Ps- Pumpkin patches are way more fun than going to the store. What have I been doing the last few years? We got two biggies  and two smallers for 10-ish dollars, (so killer deal). Plus we got to tromp in boots, cut their stems with clippers, and push a wheel barrow! Which may be the reason people buy them at Safeway come to think of it, but I think it's all part of the fun.)