Saturday, December 27, 2008

Badger provided the Christmas HAM


Badgeriffic
Originally uploaded by { cary }

...in more ways than one.

Me and my Momma


Mother Daughter
Originally uploaded by { cary }

Another Christmas shot, here's me and mom.

By the way, for those who don't know, Julie let us use the cafe for our gathering.

Thanks Julie!

Snapshots from Christmas


Nadja, Gwen and Me
Originally uploaded by { cary }

Cary brought his camera and let me share. Here's Nadja, Gwen and Cary vogue-ing on Christmas day...we had a great time!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

We'll Miss You, Eartha


Everyone raise a glass to one of the most incredible women of all time.

Eartha Kitt passed away today from colon cancer.

Yogi,chanteuse, a woman of integrity, talent and pure sexuality....one of my true idols.

We'll miss you Eartha!

Ho-ho-ho!


Ho-HoHo!
Originally uploaded by CoopGirlKiz

Well, I've been up making stuffing, chilling the Sparkling cider and a'm about to start a Christmas mix on the ipod. Santa came last night and left me a stuffed Wookie and the box set of Deadwood!

Brian is nestled all all snug in his bed and my mom and brother should be arriving in a few hours for a little family time before the other 20 odd (and I do mean odd - nyuck!) people show up at Julie's for the festivities.

I've been extremely happy the last few days and I'm so excited about the new year a'commin'!

Much love to you all and we'll see you soooooon!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The Husband


My Brutha'
Originally uploaded by { cary }

Brian in Mexico, after the Cary treatment...love!

Brother & Sister loooove!


A Fine Shot Up My Nose
Originally uploaded by { cary }

Well, just a couple more days 'till the whole gang will be over to celebrate Christmas/solstice/change/friendship/killer eggnog/ etc.

I've been working with my friend John on getting my Ruby "Baby" Bennett Website done and Steph and I did our grocery shopping yesterday.

House cleaning is in order as usual but I'm feeling generally ready for Christmas day.

We'll be hosting friends and family at Julie's so there will be plenty of room for all 22 plus 2 babies of us!

Cary posted this picture of he and I today on flickr.

He's so fun to travel with!

I like the snapshot treatment he added to it too.

Happy Holidays y'all!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

What I did on my Fall Vacation



Originally uploaded by larry&flo

My dad posted this great picture on flickr today. I tried this mask on after we left the arena in Oaxaca. I had to have it! Brian picked up a few masks and Cary and Dad got great t-shirts. Viva La Lucha!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Coveting...


Oh, just found these on Zappos ....pretty!

Our new car, next stop...license!


Houston, we have tiny car.
Originally uploaded by Umpqua

Well, nothing says it's time to get your driver's license like your husband bringing home an adorable new Smart car!

This is a picture Brian took with his cell phone of our car getting a little buff n' polish before he drove it home from San Francisco to Alameda!

We drove over to Trader Joes for some groceries then later took it to Berkeley to see My Name is Bruce at the California Theater and got to see Bruce up close (SEXY) and personal for a great Q&A session after the fantastic movie!

The parking spot we scored on a very busy night (people love their Bruce Campbell) was tiny! We never would have gotten the Tacoma in there....yeeeeeeeeey Smart car!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

My Life is a Musical



Last year I proclaimed 2008 as the Year of Doing. I vowed to stop talking about stuff and just go ahead and do it! I wrote out a list in my Live Journal of goals to reach and upon reflection, I did rather well! But what I'm even more proud of was the chain reaction my claim seemed to have on others.

I'm in no way taking credit for others accomplishments here. But making the statement that I was going to DO and ACT did seem to get many people motivated and it was exciting to see the power of intention work to kick us all in the butt a bit.

I plan on writing out another list of goals and look forward to jumping into them.

My proclamation for this year is "My Life is a Musical" which to me means I'll be singing & dancing not only on stage but whenever I'm inspired to do so. In many cultures music plays a bigger role in day - to- day lives and I vow to bring this to the very front of my world.

I've already hit the ground singing and dancing by booking myself to sing with my friend Rick in January at Julie's, and with my brother Cary in April at Julie's.

I've signed Brian and I up for Beginning Ballroom dance classes in January and myself up for Intro to Samba / Burlesque, also in January....what will 2009 be for you? Name it and claim it!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

My friend Jennifer's beautiful pillows!


Awesome pillows
Originally uploaded by nadja.robot

One of the crafty vendors at our open house was Jennifer Serr.

She makes these adorable pillows with recycled sweaters... hooty-ho!

Here's her etsy store: Bonjour Teaspoon

Tasty Cakes!


Delicious cupcakes
Originally uploaded by nadja.robot

I forgot to bring my camera to our Open House at Julie's. Luckily Nadja brought hers.

I had a great time. Tons of friends showed up, the music was pumpin', and as you can see we didn't go hungry.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Congratulations Amy!


My best buddie since high-school, Amy, just bought her first house...she got the keys, it's official!

Good job girlie-girl!

If I had limitless cash I'd buy these for everyone...



These limited edition Alexander Girard design Elektra Amsterdams sure are beautiful!!

I saw them on Apartment Therapy and I guess you can only order them through your local dealer...couldn't find them on the Elektra website.

I don't need a new bike, I love my Elektra Swing but it's fun to fantasize!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Setting up my new life - here I come 2009!

Most of you already know this but for the sake of getting it written down, here's what's going on with me right now.

Approximately 4 1/2 years ago I moved to Alameda and in with my boyfriend (now husband) Brian.

About six months later I was thrilled to be hired on as manager of the soon to be opened, Julie's coffee & tea garden here on the island.

I have never enjoyed working for someone more than I have working for Julie these 4 years.

It has warmed me to watch the cafe grow in to the community gathering place for local artists, musicians and those who love organic, handcrafted, coffee, tea, soup, salad & pastries not to mention local art, crafts, music and of course the sweet garden patio.

Julie means so much to me that I even asked her to act as the officiant in our wedding last year.

A few months ago I realized that after getting my feet wet in the local music scene, taking yoga, dance and personal training classes and reading several books on being your own boss that I was ready to move on and away from being the manager at Julie's.

I called Julie right away and as usual she was very supportive of me.

I had no set up plan to make my move I just knew in my heart and soul I was ready for something else.

I gave my 3 month notice and so starting January 2009 I will not be working for Julie. I will continue to book the Tuesday night music program and will surely be seen on the other side of the counter sipping Oolong and planning my next big thing.

This is one reason I decided to start my blog up again. To document the scary and exciting and very unknown future I'm stepping in to.

I want to thank my family and close friends for all your continued support and inspiration....more to come....let's see what happens!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Cheap and Easy Holiday Decor!

Just saw this on one of my favorite blogs, Apartment Therapy.....cheap and festive!

Thanksgiving memoires

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this was an especially warm and wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.

I got to spend a lot of time with my family and several relaxing evenings at Cary's place.

On Friday Carren came by to spread out a sewing project on the dining room table and then Lance and his son Aydan came by to play.

The night was complete when we all shared some Zelda's pizza!

I love this shot of Lance's handsome mug :)

Thanks for a great time everyone!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

My life begins ahnu....

Well, Anyone who knows me very well knows my obsessive love of Keens shoes. An Alameda based company, I own three pairs of their sandals.

But I really needed some closed toe shoes and wanted to try something different.

Well, I didn't stray too far since I ended up with some sweet shoes by another Alameda based company... Ahnu!

One of the originators of Keen started Ahnu and these shoes feel light, with great arch support and are easy to pull on.....yay for new shoes! They're even called: Alameda

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

If you're in the bay area, come by this Friday

I'll be hosting an open house at Julie's. Here's the scoop...

Hand Made for the Holidays

An Open House Craft Fair at Julie's coffee & tea garden

Join us for drinks, eats & handmade treats!

Friday, December 5th, 8pm – 11pm


Sample our latest cold weather concoctions (cider, organic eggnog & more.)

Shop our hand picked & handmade gifts including: local honey, local jams, stunning altars,

organic bath & body products, adorable aprons, one of a kind art, sculptural sconces, greeting cards, garden art & tea accessories.

Monday, December 1, 2008

"Uncle Cary" and Lily Anne Colvin

This year for Thanksgiving Brian stayed in Alameda and spent Turkey Day at Romi and Damon's place amongst many friends and what I heard was some unusually sexy gravy!

I caught a ride to Sacramento with Pam & Pete aka P&P Music Factory on Wednesday and then Cary, Mom and I headed for the hills on Thursday.

First stop: a short but sweet visit in Nevada City with our long time friend Ray and his absolutely charming daughter Lily Anne.

This sweet natured beh-beh was so fun to get to know...I look forward to watching her grow!

Ray is a natural born pa-pa. He was attentive and so loving to his little one, not that I expected any less.

Then it was off to Joyce and Dan's for good company, a little singing, some inspired story telling, Ukulele playing,serious gravy stirring and a most delicious meal.

The traditional post-dinner walk followed by pie and ice cream for dessert capped off the evening perfectly!

In the spirit of the New Year, here...


I started this blog several years ago and let it sliiiiide after a while.

At one point I tried & failed to access it so I just gave up.

Magically, today it showed up in my bloglines & gave me instructions to re-activate it!

So, here we go y'all, i'm back to blogging again!

What's been happening since my last post in 2006?

Well, I got married, lost a loved one, became a DJ, sang a lot of songs, went on a honeymoon trip across the U.S.A., flew down to San Diego for Tiki Oasis 8, flew to Bisbee Arizona to visit Penny and her family several times, flew to Mexico with Cary, Flo, Pops and Brian...what else?

Well, maybe we can catch up over a nice hot Oolong at Julie's or a cool Missionary's Downfall at Forbidden Island. In the mean time you can keep up with the latest here.

PS: This is a photo my husband took of me while we were on our honeymoon last year! See you soon!