She looked me over, I bought a crystal (print).

Look what came in the mail today!

I love, love, love it!

Michelle even wrote a little note. So nice!

I don't have a frame picked out yet. So for the moment,
this little crystal print will occupy a place of honor on my bookshelf. 

Charmed by this print? I mean, how could you not be?
 Please visit Michelle of unitedthread on etsy or on her blog.
You'll be charmed all over again. 

Brief Musical Interlude: John Maus

OK. I'm officially mini-obsessed with John Maus' "Believer". I ran across this little gem of a song while perusing All Songs Considered (one of NPR's music blogs), which I do from time to time...even though I'm not a huge NPR fan. (Why? I'm just not that into listening to people talk when I can't see their faces.) Anyway, their post may be found here. 

And I'll tell you this for free: If you buy music featured on NPR Music using one of NPR's links to Amazon or iTunes, a portion of your purchase goes to benefit NPR. Coolio, right? And I know you're blown away by my use of Coolio. It's all right. You can admit it.

If, like me, you're now utterly smitten with John Maus (you're welcome!), you can download "Believer" by heading over to Ribbon Music. You should really do that. Like now.

Someone's at the door...

If you've spent any length of time around me, you're probably well aware that I enter panic mode when there's unexpected action at the door. Call first, people, always. Unless you want to put me into a tizzy, and keep in mind that Matilda also goes into a tizzy when there's an unannounced visitor. Don't do this to us. It makes our hearts beat really fast.


But today, the someone at the door was the postman, Jimmy, dropping off an unexpected package. It was a poetry broadside from Dorianne Laux! I actually said, Eeeeekkk! when I picked it up. Do you know Dorianne Laux? If you don't, you should step up and get to know her. She's on facebook, which is how I came by the broadside. She offered to send one if you supplied an address. I did and she did...thus

A swell broadside!

And a sweet blue signature!





A few of Dorianne's other books.

Totally worth opening the door. Dorianne has a new poetry collection out, The Book of Men, which I will be purchasing in a shortly. "Cher" is taken from this collection. You can preview the book here.

There's a lot going on inside those underpants.

Hey, does "Someone's at the door" sound familiar in a way that creeps you out, yet also makes you think about Harriet from Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? Hmmm...interesting. Maybe, like me, you've seen American Gothic. Maybe in 1995 you had a total crush on both Gary Cole and Jake Weber. (The Gary Cole crush has since waned. The Jake Weber crush has only grown stronger.) And oh yes, there really is that much screaming. Complete series, available on hulu.

Man, how did American Gothic and Dorianne Laux end up in the same post? Strange days indeed.

brown paper packages

Mother dear sent me a package! It wasn't exactly wrapped up with string, but it did have a festive winter sticker, so that's pretty close. Coming home to find a package on your doorstep must be one of the best things in the world, and it's even better when the package is a surprise. Of course, I had a nosey little kitty right in the middle of everything, but that's what I get for opening my mail on the floor.

And just what did she send?

An autumn candleholder, which she made!

You can find instructions for this project on Martha Stewart's website.

She also sent me some dark chocolate with hazelnuts. Awesome. It's the perfect gift for the first real chilly snow day of the season. And because unexpected packages put me in such a great mood, here's a little sneak peek of the project I've been working on...

What is it?!