Snapshot 01.23.12

- It’s Anthony’s birthday this weekend! He’s pretty much the best.

- Yesterday was the first day in a month I’ve been able to drop Isobel off at my Mom’s house and I got so much done it may have been the best day of my life. Isobel is more fun than ever and I love spending all day with her, but Mama needs a break to get stuff done without a toddler making a fresh mess in the next room or Mama gets a little cray-cray. I’ve been about two weeks past that point.

- This is me.

- I got the most lovely gift in the mail from Nathan, who sent me a cache of old Star Trek: TNG Christmas ornaments he wanted to part with. I can’t wait to put them up next year! My story about Isobel meeting Santa and dropping into her knees in a bomb-defense position reminded him about the time he was told there was no Santa. After going to bed he heard a knock on his window and saw a man all dressed in red calling his name. It was actually his older brother who felt bad for him but it made poor Nathan terrified of strangers coming to his window for years. In the end it was all okay and he ended up writing a song about it.

- Last weekend we celebrated my friend Valerie’s birthday by having a ladies’ day out a a tea house in the foothills. If you have a tea house near you I highly recommending gathering your lady friends, your fancy pearls and feathered hats and having lunch there. We had a great time.

- My friend Kelly sent us some adorable heart pins and Isobel has hardly taken hers off since they arrived. Mine makes the perfect accessory for a DIY cowl. Luckily for you she sent us an extra heart so next month I’m hosting an epic V-day giveaway featuring an adorable heart pin plus some vintage goodies.

- Isobel has been on a Strawberry Shortcake kick lately, to my utter dismay. That show is terrible. Some friends came over last weekend and they were subjected to its awful singing, writing and animation. We ended up spending the night riffing the hell out of it, which is the most enjoyment you can get out of it.

- I organized m pantry yesterday and I discovered I have way more pickle relish than any sane person ought to have.

- Our local Friends of the Library is having their annual book sale this Friday and Saturday. My groaning bookshelves and I can’t wait!

 - After realizing Isobel’s twitter photo was from before she could actually talked I decided to spruce up her account a bit. She now has a black and white photo of her wearing bear ears, just like her mama, and her Pink Purse hoard in the background for effect. I try to update her twitter feed regularly because if I don’t I get a phone call from my mom asking me why Isobel hasn’t tweeted lately.

- Isobel’s latest exclamation is “shiver me timbers!” As in “Shiver me timbers! It’s cold!” or “Shiver me timbers, I want crackers!” but my favorite was when we walking along the sidewalk and she shouted “Shiver me timbers! I see chickens!”

Reader Question: What’s in Isobel’s Pink Purse? Basically it’s like a clown car.

Little Big Photography. You need art, I need a new heater.

Scrapbook: Home Life. Ivy’s vintage skates are amazing.

Productivity Creepin’: January Life List Update. Fondue party is probably first on the list.

Recipe: Pink Lemonade. Lemons are in season so they are cheap and abundant.

How to Dress Like a 30-Something Urban Librarian. I love Magpie Librarian and her fun, wacky, thrifted outfits.

Eight Dangerous Things We Teach Each Other. I think #3 is my favorite.

Death Valley Dreamlapse. I’m overcome with wonder for the natural world.

Rise, Set and Transit Tables. “This data service provides the times of rise, set, and transit for the major solar system bodies and selected bright stars.” Via @heliumcell

Make good art. I’ve added this to my Smile Book to read when I’m feeling frustrated. Via @brainpicker

I answer a reader question once a month. Do you have a question for me? I’d love to answer it! If it’s a short one I’ll answer it here. If it’s more complicated, I’ll give it its own post. You can leave your question in the comments, @-reply me on twitter, email it to me at alittlebigblog@gmail.com or send me a messenger pigeon. Don’t actually do the last one, though. My cat will eat it.