New Blog

It's time to say goodbye to World Within World--
Come join the fun at my new blog, Coffee and a Cardigan!

Daily Breadwear

Hat: Forever 21, $7
Necklace: Forever21, $6
Tank: Old Navy, $4
Skirt: Gap, $3
Booties: Seychelles Spectacle, $16 used

Rowena's handmade dress: $4 from Goodwill

Rowena's shoes (made in France!): $4 from Goodwill

Moving!

Greeting minions!

My new blog address is coffeeandacardigan.blogspot.com! Click here.

It's a work in progress. I have been having some wonderful adventures in my new village of a city, Mount Angel. Come follow me!

Spring has not Sprung

It's that time of year again...

At the first hint of spring I pack away all my warm clothing so that I am freezing until June. Seriously. Right now I am wearing a knee-length brown jersey skirt, a purply-red tank, a hoodie, and my favorite orange mary janes. I am suffering, lemme tell you.

It is also that time of year when I break out my favorite book, The Blue Castle. This book just makes me happy. I laugh and cry and laugh and cry every time I read it. It is written by the much-loved Canadian author L.M. Montgomery who is most famous for her "Anne" stories, which are also very good. I read it every year without fail and I need a new copy. For one, the paperback cover is falling off. Secondly, this mass-market publication is riddled with minor typos. Thirdly and Most-Importantly, the cover. The godawful cover:


It looks like a trashy romance novel! First of all, the main characters are not fashion models. That is a vital point of the story. It takes place waaaay before the 80s, so that fella needs to cut his hair and actually wear the sweater. The cover is painfully deceiving. Full-o-Angst. And it looks like it is the stupidest book ever written. Which it is not. And that is why it is my favorite book.

Alas, The Blue Castle is now out of print! I really want a hardbound version, but the cheapest that I have found is forty bones. I gave one of my two copies to my mother-in-law because she enjoyed it so much. I am glad I did, because she takes care of things extremely well.

I am moderately cold. I am going to swallow my pride and pull my garishly-plaid flannel pj's out of the depths of the wintry boxes. Sigh.

Let It Snow, Baby

Portland hasn't gotten any good, sticky, staying snow yet this year. Boo! Last year in early December, we had the most splendid snowstorm that the news referred to as "The Arctic Blast". Portland has no way of dealing with snow--- no salt, gravel, sand, or effective snowplows-- so the entire city completely shuts down. Darin, Rowena, and I had a wonderful week of baking, starlit walks in the empty roads, no work obligations, hot chocolate and cider, and togetherness. Oh, how I wish the snow-angels would pay us a visit this year!

To tide me over, I browsed through some of last year's snowy photos:

Our beautiful 1978 Civic, Doris:

Rowena in awe of the patio

I love my long puffy coat- it's like wearing a cute sleeping bag.

I have some jalapeño chicken sausages

and hot cider waiting to be devoured.

Cold-weather delicious food is always on the menu for me,

no matter what the temperature.

I Learn the Hard Way

The last day of Christmas came and went, and our dead Christmas tree needed to be disposed of.

"I'm going to burn it!" I said. Darin mildly protested, and I got my way. I put it on the patio and tentatively put a match to a middle branch. "I really shouldn't do this," I thought, but my hand didn't obey. As a result, the tree burst into flames. I panic.

In true Louise-luck-fashion, the doorbell rang when the fire reached its peak. Why, hello! Enter Karen and her husband, two clients of Darin's here to drop off their virus-ridden computer. So utterly embarrassing.

Fifteen minutes later, a fireman knocked at our back door. I ran past Darin so I could take the blame for the fire. After apologizing profusely, "Mr. Fireman" (which I so stupidly called him) kindly told me that backyard fires are illegal but he would not fine me. He even waved goodbye enthusiastically to the very interested Rowena before he and his two friends took their leave.

The best part? For your viewing pleasure, we got the burning on tape. You can hear poor Rowena's protests, my panicky I-shouldn't-have-done-thats, Darin's stern you-shouldn't-have-done-thats, Karen's hilarious reaction, and there's even a ball of fire headed towards the house combined with a bleeped-out curse word from Darin! Enjoy.

Disclaimer form Darin: He wanted to delete the sound from the video because of his harsh demeanor, but rest-assured that he was very supportive after the firemen left, comforting me each time I frantically ran to the window in fear of more authorities (which was every ten minutes or so).

Straighten Up

We recently had a Pizza & Game night with our Portland pals Patty and Keenan. It was great to catch up after the crazy holiday season. And what better way to celebrate than with experimenting with my hair straightener?

Patty's beautiful curls before:

And the after. Rowena (who was too excited to sleep just yet)

was very content to cuddle with "Pappy".

Isn't this a gorgeous picture? Sheesh.

To no one's surprise, Keenan wanted to get into the action, too.

Just look at those shiny tendrils!

The unfortunate result:

Keenan is such a good sport! He even wore one of Roey's little pink clips to keep his bangs back during Whoonu.

Good Intentions

So, I almost wrote a great blog for today. I had a fancy article planned regarding how to turn a spring nightgown into a winter dress. Unfortunately, none of the pictures turned out and Rowena kept running in front of the camera. (How does one take pictures of oneself in the mirror, anyway?) I'll have to have Darin take some pictures later. After a month of crunches.

Random food note-- We had meatloaf last night. I make it with steel-cut oats as the binder, and it works out so much better than the regular stuff! I discovered it accidentally a while back when we didn't have any quick oats on hand.

'Til next time!

Disturbing Behavior

My brother David (who gets home from Iraq today for a 2-week visit- YAY) gave me a candle tin a few years ago. Inside this tin was not a candle, nor anything scented or soothing. Nestled inside was a dirty doll head with matted hair and freakish blue eyes. I have always kept this trinket for sentimental reasons and it's just so funny to see people's perplexed reactions when they open it.

Darin took some interesting pictures of Doll Head today with Rowena's assistance. I just had to share them.

"Can I have a hug?"

This last one is very dark and blurry,

which makes it all the more creepy.

Well, have a weirdly wonderful day!

We are having some friends over for dinner and an "Inglourious Basterds" viewing.

See you soon!

Brownie Sunday

I had all these nuts and cocoa powder in the pantry that I had to use up, so I whipped up a batch of my favorite brownies. This recipe is so easy and non-chaotic that you'll never resort to boxed brownies again.*

I actually ground up the hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, and cashews in my not-so-Magic Bullet and it made this crumbly sort of butter. I simply sprinkled the concoction on top of the batter after I pried it from Darin's grasp. The brownies aren't done yet, but the house smells so good right now-- chocolate and nuts swirled with the omnipresent spice candle.

* Disclaimer-- My sisters Lili and Faith do not like this recipe. For unknown reasons, it did not turn out well for them. I think that they must have been distracted when baking, because I am a lesser cook and have made these brownies successfully several times.

Happy New Year

Hullo, copious amounts of devoted readers! Much love to you and your families on this first day of the year and (for you Cathaholics) happy Feast Day of Mary, Mother of God!

Here are some resolutions of mine to help get you started:

1) Schedule a time to exercise each day instead of my usual randomness.

2) Eat less sugar. I am not currently pregnant and have not been for almost 2 years-- so quit it, you!

3) Learn to not buy things just because they are on sale. 'Basically free' is not free.

4) Burn more incense.

5) Sew, sew, sew! Force mom to sew something with me.

6) Write a letter a week. (A real live paper letter! That one puts in the mailbox! With a stamp and everything! Gee whiz!)

7) Be more loving.

8) Have a baby.

9) Keep the house clean and beautiful.

10) Buy red boots. (I need them. I really do.)

11) Store up treasures in heaven! Pray more.

12) Read good books and watch good movies. (This is slight cheating, because I do this anyway. I am currently reading Chesterton's Father Brown mysteries and am going to start watching Rope in a moment.)

Good luck with your resolutions! May you keep them and avoid breaking their little nagging hearts.

Christmas Tibidgins

My sister Faith's spiced cocoa and homemade marshmallows was delicious.

Darin made Rowena this wonderful little kitchen-- she's a lucky little girl!

It's a big hit.

In My Own Little Corner

I really love this corner above our bedroom fireplace. It's the first thing you see when you come in. I think it's the combination of stuffed childhood friends, stacked hats, Fred Astaire, cherished books, and robin's egg blue that gets me.

I purchased the middle print during my most recent Michigan trip. My dear chum Natalie and I found it at a wonderful curio ship in downtown Plymouth. I also have an attachment to those seafoamy curtains. My mother bought them at a garage sale when I was a teenager, and I've had them in every bedroom I've lived in ever since. The dainty pale blue and yellow embroidery along the sides is just the best.

Long live pretty bedroom corners!

Thanks

I am thankful for so much this holiday: family, friends, husband, daughter, cat, acquaintances, mild windy weather, Jesus, the ever-changing trees, warm and pretty clothing, French press coffee, good books, and my duvet... the list goes on and on.

:: Rowena's handholds

:: Mom hugs

:: Browsing through Etsy

:: Waking up at 3 a.m. on Black Friday to work with my friends.

:: Anticipating my Christmas stocking (I will always be six on Christmas morning)

:: Dad's repetitive lessons and observations

:: Sturdy boots to clomp around in

:: Darin's bedhead

:: Amazon DVD sales

:: My black shift dress and camel cowlneck sweater

:: Rowena, Rowena, Rowena. My heartbeat.

:: Any blog readers that I may have

:: Turkey, cranberries, garlicy mashed potatoes, ham with mustard, too much pie, and the like.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Love at $20 a Pair

I am always searching for a good pair of shoes. Lately, the criteria includes a versatile classic boot not made in China-land. Of course, the only boots really worth investing in are Fryes. I mean, Confederate soldiers wore the Frye Harness boot! Not taking sides here, but their military garb sure was cool-lookin'. Unfortunately, at circa 200 bones a pair, Frye boots are out of the question.

A shoe-mazing thing happened today... the story begins yesterday. On Craiglist of all places! I found 2 brand-spanking new pairs of Frye Harness boots for $20 dollars a pair. You should probably read the last sentence again, because it's amazing. What's even more fantastic is that I was the one who claimed them yesterday, paid and received for them today, and am currently wearing them! (Black on left, brown on right.) The nice, saintly lady who sold them was really surprised how popular they are: "I just can't wait to delete all those emails about those darn shoes!" The boots were just gathering dust and cobwebs in the back of her closet!

Darin is currently purchasing mink oil from Freddy's so I can give my new babies a bath. Sigh... I am just so materialistically happy about them.

For Shame

I have the best blog in cyberspace. In my head.

So sorry I haven't kept up. It's not that I don't have anything to say. In fact, it's just the opposite. Where the bloody hell do I begin?

Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

The profession of Mothering has been on my mind a lot lately. This is probably because I have been a mother for almost 2 years. I thought I would hate it, but I love it extremely. Rowena is a wonderful little person and I adore her. I work barely ten hours a week outside the home just so I can laugh with her and play with her and cook with her and be with her. You really ought to meet this little nymphlet.

I often meet new people in Portland. One of their first questions is, "What do you do?" I automatically panic every time.

Will they judge me? Will they think I am wasting my young 26-year-old life? Will they feel sorry for me? Oh my gosh... am I wasting my life?

Last night at Ikea, Rowena joyfully puttered from one display to the next, unintelligibly chattering about the experience. It was really darling. As she toddled past a fellow customer, he said to his friend,

"That reminds me- I need to buy some condoms."

He did not say this in a cruel manner, but his statement truly hurt me. Doesn't he see what a wonderful person Rowena is? Doesn't he see that her existence makes the world a better place? Doesn't he understand that Rowena is the future and hope of the world he lives in?

I didn't react to what the man said, and perhaps I should have. I could proceed to explain what a noble profession I have, but I won't. It's been said much better by others. I really am proud of what I do, and I hope to gain the courage to show it more. The best thing I can do to get a little respect as a mother is to raise Rowena as a loving, happy, responsible person- and often read her "Miss Rumphius".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVELY

Dearest Rowena,

Thank you for giving me such an incredible year. You are the sweetest, gentlest, funniest girl. EVER. You have made me a stronger, better person. You make this world more beautiful just by your existence. You are my reason. Thanks, kiddo. Happy birthday.

Love,
Mom

After noon Mass, (which Ro spent happily yelping in the back of the church) Darin and I went to Rocco's for a couple slices of pepperoni/garlic/artichoke pizza. We then met Patty and Keenan at Stumptown. Always delicious. (This was directly after a homeless man bellowed "Happy Birthday" to Little Ro.) I usually go to ST at night when all their pastries are snagged, but today we got lucky and enjoyed their chocolate chip cookie and flourless brownie cookie. Amazingly delicious and different. Darin enjoyed a raspberry Italian soda while I had a trusty ol' vanilla latte:


Rowena loves her Aunt Patty, who is simply phenomenal with children (and dons awesome t-shirts):

It was a lovely 75 degrees in P-Town today... thus all the bikes were out, including these beauties:
When we got home, Mom was waiting for us with a brand new, homemade sock monkey for the birthday girl!
Seriously, could she be any more like her mother? Just look at that mischievous face.

Please send happy thoughts out way, as we are FLYING tomorrow! I am off to clean up the bedroom while watching American Idol, that God-forsaken train-wreck I just can't stop watching. Then off to bed and up at 5. Ugh.

Happy Birthday, Rowena! Thank you for making our lives that much fuller!

Everything Old is New Again

So, what do you think? I think that my freshly painting craft station is just what the sewing fairies ordered. I really love it. I especially love the flower on the middle drawer:

I considered replacing the hardware, but I decided not to for two reasons.
1) I would have bought them from Anthropologie, thus spending fifty more dollars, thus forsaking my twenty dollar budget.
2) I actually love the contrast between the ultra-femme robin's egg blue and the gothic hardware.

Here is a peek inside one of the drawers, bursting with rick-rack, bias tape, buttons (gimme more), and old doilies:
I also lined the drawers with olive green floral contact paper, procured from our local Fred Meyer. I have enough left over to line my dresser and vanity. Thoughts? Criticisms? Hugs? Hanky-panky?

The Before Picture

The minute I saw this desk on Craigslist, I knew I had to have it. I think it was the daisy in the center that did me in. And the Ten Dollar price tag. I knew it was the future home of all Louise Things Crafty. Darin was a darling and woke up early to pick it up, and found an ingenious way to strap the thing on top of Spence (our trusty Honda).



I cleaned, sanded, and painted it myself! (Well, Darin painted the second coat without my knowledge... he's quite a speedy helper mouse.) I haven't taken pictures yet, but it is sitting in my bedroom cheery and Charlie Brown sticker-free! I will post the 'after' picture asap. Have a super day!

And if you think about it, please say a little prayer for my beloved brother David, who left for military duty today. He insists that that worst thing that could happen to him is a paper cut, (he's a lawyer JAG guy) but I will still miss him terribly.

One Man's Junk

This past weekend, I attended the Antique and Collectible Show in Portland with meine Mutti. We had a wonderful time, perusing the random booths and bargaining with the sellers. I even met the actress who played Zuzu in "It's a Wonderful Life!" She was a lovely woman, but it made me a little sad... she sold IAWL cookbooks and posters and other memorabilia. I am glad that she wasn't a typical child star (crack by 9, dead by 15), but you could tell that Zuzu was all she had. Know what I mean? Sigh. I felt so guilty that I bought an overpriced cookbook.

Anyhow, here are some of my favorite purchases...

How sweet are these little fabric bundles? And I love love love that sunflowery concoction!


I heart the top clock pattern! Definitely my current favorite. The best thing about the fabric? The Fabric Lady threw in a pair of mint-condition hardbound 1930s Complete Sherlock Holmes! I was so grateful! Wherever you are, Fabric Lady, I thank thee.

Rowena wanted to put her little sticky fingers all over it, but restrained herself.

The darkness of the photo doesn't do my new doll justice, but I just love her. She was made in Hungary; any good name suggestions?

I also scored some new/old embroidered pillowcases for our bed:




They do this show every 3 1/2 months! I cannot wait until July!
I want to get my hands on more treasure.