Leaping Lizards February

 It's leap day...one photo that made my heart leap this month.

Presenting her royal highness...Queen Bee Olivia! Isn't she perfectly bee-utiful in her little hat Papa found last summer at our Farmers Market.

Thirty days hath September

April, June and November;

February has twenty eight alone

Except in Leap Year, that's the time

When February's Days are twenty-nine.

It's currently "blizzarding" at our house on leap day...yippee! I hope your leap day is fabulous too.

Ewey Gooey Chewey Part Deux-ey

Brace-Face, Tin Grin, Metal Mouth, Tinsel Teeth...just some of the nicknames used to describe that awesome time in your life when you have braces.

Or how about "Jaws"? The name of the metal mouth evil villain in the James Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me". The worst thing about having braces according to Chet, is having your mom cut off the kernels on a cob of corn just so you can eat it.

I can scarcely believe it's been a year and a half since we celebrated Ewwey Gooey Chewy Day with The Teenager. But lucky for Chet, the day to remove his braces finally arrived. Dr. Hlavaty insisted/didn't give him a choice on Chet's last color of braces-BRIGHT PINK...implying it would make him more manly. Plus it was Valentines day, and it seemed like the perfect color at the time.

Tada!!!!

It's time for Ewwey Gooey Chewy Part Deux...the sticky treat party following a year and a half of braces.

 He was not excited...not one little bit!

Yes, he did share...well sort of. He knows how much I love Tootsie Rolls and let me have a couple.

Congratulations handsome Teenage boy...what a beautiful smile you have. That's four out of four kids' braces finished. The Garlick Press is ecstatic to have them all completed and especially paid for.

According to Chet...the best thing about getting your braces off is having smooth teeth again, plus food tastes just a little bit better.

Also...Dr Hlavaty claimed he would not be held responsible for all of the chick magnification that was going to happen once the braces were off and the girls saw his charming smile.

On The Tip of My Hip Nose

Being quite hip...at least I like to think I am, I frequent fabulous stores like Anthropologie, J Crew, and the designer department (code for pricey) at Nordstrom. Definitely not the old lady section as the daughters commonly refer to it. Lately I have taken a liking to a brand called Free People...very bohemian...that's what I am!

I know that Tangerine Tango is the color of the year, purchasing a couple of items in this delightful hue. Truthfully...I bought them because my closet is filled with pink and I am trying to branch out. But hey...at least I know that Tangerine Tango is cooler than just plain old Orange

Almost daily I receive a battering of catalogues from Williams-Sonoma, Victoria's Secret, Under Armour, Pottery Barn and Sephora...making sure I stay on top of all the latest trends.

Summer and Winter months alike, you will find me hiking and skiing in our mountains. Working hard to stay in shape and feeling good about myself. Last week I skied a chute at Snow-basin and even hucked a cornice. Ask your kids what that means!

Tech gadgets are plentiful at The Garlick Press, including an iPhone, pink laptop (did you even have to wonder), and a Kindle. Admittedly though, no iPad here...that belongs to the business travelling husband. I'm convinced I wouldn't have time for it anyway. My tech savvy offspring keep me informed of new must-have apps to download...my favorite is Shazam. I pursue photography passionately and post regularly on this blog...although sometimes I wonder why, but that's another post.

I carry a black patent leather Kate Spade bag to hold all of my awesome stuff, including jiggysticks, frequent buyer cards from all my hip shopping places, and sunglasses...cool sunglasses.

Music is a huge part of my hip, youthful lifestyle and I love it all...Maroon 5, The Black Keys, Train (slight addiction), A Fine Frenzy, Ingrid Michaelson, Elton John, and Queen. I'll even admit to loving a little Lady Gaga just for kicks and giggles.

When it was time to transition into grandparent-dom...I hoped to go there tastefully and gracefully. Olivia and Henry make sure that I have my hip name Nana. Summarily, you must agree I'm definitely not your stereotypical grandmotherly type.

BUT...you knew there was a BUT coming...despite all efforts to remain cool and hip and youthful, reality has landed . And I mean landed right in front of my face at the tip of my nose!

Early one ordinary Monday morning a few months ago, I sat down at my computer and had the rudest of all awakenings. Despite all my best squinting efforts I COULDN'T READ A BLASTED THING! Blinking vigorously, I willed my eyes to focus on the words in front of me. Quickly reassuring myself I just needed a new pair of contacts, my favorite eye doctor gave me the news I had been dreading for years...nothing wrong out of the ordinary.

Just cold, hard reality...welcome to the wonderful world of reader glasses.

Ugh!


Officially it's called presbyopia, but I call it annoying! Getting older...I think there is a word for it...but I can't say it here. Free People, Kate Spade, or even Lady Gaga can't do a single thing for my aging eyes.

After wallowing in the pity pig pen for a few days, I did the only thing this hip Nana could possibly do...I went shopping! I now own 6 pair of  hip reading glasses...stashing them in various rooms all over my house and even one in my Kate Spade bag. My fabulous hip friend Jill commissioned daughter Andi to make me an adorable beaded eyeglass holder.

And if you haven't heard, apparently it is hip to wear reader glasses now...for even Anthropologie carries them! Oh, and I plan on owning this growing old thing...bring it on!

Fourteen in February

February...the month of love...and how does he love me, let me count it in days.

February 1st... Technologically speaking Valentine you totally have me wired!

2nd   And Valentine...Honey Badger DOES love good news from your office, thanks for sharing!

3rd   Valentine I'm so happy to be stuck with you on the couch watching chick flicks.

4th   You shine Valentine, thanks for washing my car.

5th   Valentine you tickle my funny bone when you ask "Is pie fattening"?
6th   U R 2 good 2 B true with your text on the way to Mexico saying "Adios Chica"
7th   Bee mine Valentine...with your sweet honey drizzled over breakfast toast.
8th   Telephone calls whenever your plane lands Valentine...always make my heart soar.
9th   Valentine there's nothing fishy about sharing sushi with you on a Friday night.

10th  Hip hip hooray...you're my best cheerleader Valentine when I need to start and finish Miss Mary's quilt today.

11th  Valentine you're a champion for taking The Teenager to The Dew Tour.

12th  You crack me up Valentine...and I'm egg-static you fed the chickens on your way out the door.

13th  Dawg Gone it Valentine...you are bad to the bone!

14th  Valentine...of all the love stories in the world, ours is my favorite!

xoxo

Happy Valentines Day one and all!

What Will Be

I am the proud owner of a bright pink ipod shuffle. While there is no surprise about the color, for everyone knows I adore pink...it is the contents that might tweak your curiosity.

Just a couple of weeks before we lost her, Jocie completely re-loaded my pink shuffle in time to go skiing together. I remember cracking up laughing as song after song shuffled through the speakers in my ski helmet. Seriously...who can listen to Johnny Cash singing "Ring Of Fire" while ripping through fresh powder. She included artists from her generation like Colbie Cailet, Modest Mouse and The Black Eyed Peas. Classic hits also made the shuffle list including Michael Jackson's "Thriller", Earth Wind & Fire's "September", and "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc.

Perhaps the most ridiculous song...the album version of "Rappers Delight" by Sugarhill Gang. Do you remember that one? Some people refer to it as the first rap music, as it is nearly 15 minutes long. I can ride the lift all the way up...

"Have you ever went over a friend's house to eat
And the food just ain't no good
I mean the macaroni's soggy the peas are mushed
And the chicken tastes like wood."

and ski all the way down before the song even ends.

I haven't touched the list of songs on my pink shuffle since she loaded it almost four years ago...I can't bear to change a thing.

These days, I don't listen to it every day...instead saving it for moments of intense longing for her that cannot be satiated. In some crazy unique way, she speaks to me through the music. Inspiration for "99 Red Balloons" on the day of the monument dedication came from my little pink shuffle. Often, the lyrics are the perfect solution to my aching heart. Last week I hooked it up to my helmet again for a perfect day of skiing with Jocie.

This time it was Jennifer Terran's version of "Que Sera Sera" that sang to me.

"When I was just a little girl...I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich...And here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I grew up, and fell in love, I asked my lover do you love me
Will you still want me day after day, And what will make me feel free?

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

On Saturday afternoon I bought a brand new shinier and tinier iPod shuffle...it's silver. I instantly came home and loaded new favorite ski songs like "Moves Like Jagger" and "Howlin' for You".

And that's how I put that issue to rest...que sera sera!

Perfectly Purr-fect Day

For over ten years now I have been a member of a little group of quilting friends called...The Purple Cats.

We share sisterhood, motherhood and most recently grand motherhood! We revel in one another's joy and weep together in times of sorrow. Some of us are painters, gardeners, knitters and chefs. All of us enjoy eating! One of us runs marathons (pwahaha...not me)! Each one of us are actively pursuing the daily journey of a creative life.


Last week we could hardly wait to gather at Leisa's studio...the home of Black Sheep Woolens!


Creativity oozes from every nook and cranny of Leisa's art studio.


Little acorn people sit on the window sill just waiting for someone to come and play.

But Leisa's specialty is this gorgeous hand-dyed wool. Working with wool is so addictive, as there is nothing quite like the creamy softness of an all-natural fiber.

Everywhere you look there are stacks and stacks of vibrant colorful wool.

                                  

Some tied into delicious bundles of goodness.

Leisa is not only a creative visionary...but completely generous with her time, design space, and beautiful wool.

Similarly, all the Cats are generous...each of us bringing a little touch of something to share.

Oh how the Cats LOVE to start new projects. Believe it or not...we actually start more projects than we finish! It's a problem...most quilters share the same problem!

Consulting and planning a new table runner...from a custom drawn design


to the rainbow of colors picked for the palette.

This is what our work table typically looks like during a day of stitching. We were so busy playing with wool, chatting and stitching that we very nearly forgot to eat lunch.

And here is our fearless host Leisa...climbing the bunk beds to get a birds eye shot of the Purple Cats at play. What a purr-fectly fabulous day among feline friends.

I hope you have friends who like to share in your creative adventures too!

Leap Year

2012...a new year...a leap year...with a new monthly theme.

One simple photo of something that made my soul "leap" during the month of January!

Just your basic iphone pic

Honestly, there might be nothing sweeter than getting off Harry's Dream lift at Beaver Mountain to discover these gorgeous red roses. Left on Jocie's monument by someone incredibly thoughtful...we'll never know who!

Seriously...gigantic leap of the soul from such a gesture. There are so many good and genuine people in my little world and I am so appreciative of your kindness...

Mountain Play Time

There is nothing more fun than playing in the mountains during winter...

unless it's playing with friends in the mountains during winter.

unless it's playing with friends who ski in the mountains during winter.

unless it's playing with friends who ski and giggle in the mountains during winter...

unless it's playing with friends who ski and giggle and enjoy yummy food in the mountains during winter!

Here...watch for yourself!


Playing in the Mountains from Lisa Garlick on Vimeo.

See what I mean!