Happy Spring

Happy first day of spring! It was in the high 40's today and sunny. There is still quite a bit of snow on the ground but it's melting fast. 

 I'm scheduled to pick up The Looney on April 4th. If the snow in my driveway isn't gone I'm not sure where I'm going to park her. Unfortunately it won't be nice enough to take her out any time soon.

I've been crocheting up a storm. I'm working on an afghan and only have three rows left before I can start the border. I'm so excited to get it finished up. It's been a fun little project!

 I also have this beauty that I started over a year ago and never finished. I promised myself that I would finish this one before moving on to something new. 

Additionally, I'm working on finishing up the pillows for The Looney. My daughter and I are still working on the dollhouses. I have a few other projects in the works too, all have been blogged about. I probably have as many unfinished projects as I have finished ones. Sometimes I just get inspired to start on something new and the current project gets tossed aside.... I'm sure a lot of you can relate!

I hope everybody enjoyed their first day of Spring. I'm looking forward to the warmer days ahead. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

Happy Hearts Day

My fireplace mantel

I hope you all had a great Valentines Day. I got to share the day with four people that I love very much; my daughter, of course. My sister came over with the boys and we had pizza and chocolate fondue. My nephew Lucas was in heaven! Nobody loves chocolate as much as that kid!

Eleanor and Lucas enjoying chocolate fondue

I was the lucky recipient of these goodies; the pink bowl and towel from my mom, the candy box from my sister, and the flower from my nephew Lucas.

Whoops, some of the candy is missing from the flower.

Inside the candy box was a chocolate truffle heart, vintage valentine and little birdie pic

It's been cold here in Minneapolis, really cold, and snowy. It's also been busy for me; school activities, work travel, car problems and an overflowing dishwasher. Despite it all, I am working on some projects! Stay tuned for updates on some of my unfinished projects an a few new ones.

Have a good weekend! Stay safe and warm. 

Jennifer

Doll Houses

Last month Eleanor and I stumbled upon a little store in Edina, MN called Little Enchantments. A wonderful shop full of miniatures and doll houses. Needless to say we spent quite a bit of time in there. Eleanor fell in love with a Princess Anne style doll house which ended up being her Christmas gift.

The lady at Little Enchantments said they only sell kits from Real Good Toys because of the quality craftsmanship. As I was thumbing through the catalog and browsing their web site, I fell in love with the Beachside Bungalow which ended up being my Christmas gift! My mom saw that I pinned the doll house on Pinterest and (sneaky lady) bought it for me for Christmas.

Last weekend we got started on all the painting. Eleanor choose a light yellow for her Victorian style home. I choose a pretty beachy aqua color for mine. We need to get one coat of paint on the entire house, windows, railings and interior before we can glue it together. There is a lot to paint so that's what we'll be working on for the next couple weeks. Stay tuned for our progress. 

Eleanor's Princess Anne

Eleanor painting the exterior

Painted exterior

My Beachside Bungalow

This is going to be a really fun project for us to work on together. We've already spent a few hours together painting. We've also spent a few hours on Etsy and other sites looking for unique furniture and accessories. 

Since we are stuck inside in the Minnesota ice box I'm glad we have a fun project to work on!!

Have a great day!

Jennifer

Happy New Year

Wow did December go  by fast!! I was busy shopping, making gifts, baking cookies, meeting up with friends (old and new), went to the theater, attended holiday parties.... just to name a few things I had going on.

Hard to believe 2013 is already over. My 40th year was a great one!! I worked hard and as a result was able to play hard. The year was not without its challenges, but I've left those behind with 2013. All my good times and wonderful memories have come with me into the new year. Below are some highlights from 2013.

In January I turned 40! My sister threw me a fab party, complete with a PINK party bus. 

Eleanor turned 10.

Jayne, me, Harriette & Nikol

Me and the party bus

February was my first visit to Disney Land in CA. I was there for work but still got to enjoy the park and the warm weather.

Me and my 'friends' at Disney Land

March was my annual trip to Key West with some wonderful friends.

Part of the Key West crew

In April we added a new member to the family, our little pug, Joy! 

I had a wonderful weekend away with some of my favorite ladies; Nikol and Jayne, and we let my mom tag along with us too. The highlight of this girls trip is my wonderful pink tulle dress I picked up at a yard sale for $10.

Eleanor and Joy

In May Eleanor and I hit Clearwater Beach. Eleanor's first trip to the ocean. We spent half a day at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter the dolphin. The rest of the trip was spent on the beach and jumping into waves in the ocean. 

I was also lucky enough to hop a plane with some friends to Milwaukee, WI to see my fave Ed Sheeran in concert. 

Eleanor on Clearwater Beach

'Selfie' of me and Eleanor on Clearwater Beach

Jayne, me and Stacey in WI

June was our last days of elementary school. Those five years went by in a flash!

I was able to get away for an extended weekend with my sister, mom and friend Nikol. We went up to Duluth, MN for the annual MN Quilters Guild show. We stayed at my favorite little cabin right on the shores of Lake Superior. 

Eleanor and I also got out for a camping trip down to Northfield, MN. 

 

view from the deck of our cabin

Eleanor stoking the fire

In July Eleanor and I hit the road and traveled 1,600 miles around Lake Superior. Just me, Eleanor and two of the dogs. I'm proud of that accomplishment, and we had a blast!

Eleanor walking the Michigan shoreline of Lake Superior

In August my family went to Walker, MN for our annual week long stay at Huddles Resort on Leech Lake. 

Eleanor started middle school! Oh my, that was harder than I thought it would be. 

I also got my sister and two nephews to go camping with us down at Taylors Falls. 

Me and Eleanor at Huddles

Me and Eleanor on the first day of school

October was the annual girls weekend up in Blackduck, MN at my dearest friends cabin. The cabin that has no running water and only a wood burning stove to keep us warm!

Three Jen's on girls weekend

November was a sad one as we said goodbye to our beloved, Gunnar, our 13 year old Norwegian Elkhound. Eleanor doesn't know life without that dog. We miss him terribly!

Gunnar - 9 months old

 
I'm looking forward to an amazing 2014. I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

Jennifer

My Sister Day

Last Saturday my sister and I got together for a fun 'sister day'. Other than a few hours here and there, it had been way to long since we spent almost an entire day together (without kids). We had so much fun! We did a little shopping, lunch, and CRAFTING while watching one of our favorite movies from when we were kids. 

I had been so depressed after loosing Gunnar, and the grey dismal November weather didn't help. A sister day was just what I needed to get out of my funk and recharge the creativity!

After finding this cute vintage reindeer on Thrift Store Crafter  we decided to do some felt crafting. You should check out her five days of felt and sequin ornaments, super cute stuff!

My finished reindeer

We also got creative and made our own pattern for these adorable Santa's. Message me if you would like the pattern. 

My finished Santa's

A successful, very fun, sister day! Can't wait to do it again. If you want to see how my sister's crafts turned out check them out at Look at the Birdie.

Now it's time to get busy making my Christmas gifts. Stay tuned for photos!Probably after Christmas... I don't want to ruin any surprises.

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, holiday season.

Jennifer

Giving Thanks

Seven months ago I started The Looney. I started my blog more for me than anything. I wanted a journal to track my creative endeavors and vacations and any other memorable moments. I never expected anybody outside my family to read it. Then I had a couple people start following me which I thought was pretty cool. Then last week something happened that I never expected! I received an email from Heather. 

Heather is an 8-year survivor of mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. At the time of Heather's diagnosis she had just given birth to a baby girl. The Dr's told Heather she only had 15 months to live. Heather beat the odds and is one of few long-term mesothelioma survivors.

Heather received her diagnosis in November and every year she gets what she calls the "November Blues". In an effort to stay focused on the value of life and the value of gratitude she created "30 Days of Thankfulness" where she acknowledges something in her life that she is thankful for every day throughout the month. 

This year Heather decided to take her idea to the blogosphere. This November, she is asking bloggers to post about something that they are thankful for, along with sharing a little bit of her story.  When I got Heather's email asking if I would help spread the word of mesothelioma I read her story and read her blog.  I was so inspired by her strength and the support and love from her family. I was honored that she would ask me to help her. I'm not sure exactly how she found me, but I believe things happen for a reason and her request came at the perfect time.

I'm thankful for so many things, thousands of things!! But I'm going to focus on one...this year I turned 40. Turning 40 was something I was looking forward to. I know most people meet 40 with dread and thoughts of mortality. I felt like turning 40 was a new start. I'm thankful that I got to turn 40, I've lost many friends that never got the opportunity. I'm thankful that my birthday is in January so I got to start the new year with a celebration of me. I'm thankful for the awesome 40th birthday party my wonderful sister organized. I'm thankful to all my amazing friends that attended and contributed to my 40th birthday party. I'm thankful for the many vacations I was able to take this year. I'm thankful for my independence which allowed me to pack up my 10 year old and two dogs and take a road trip around Lake Superior. I'm thankful to have had my dear dog Gunnar for 13 (almost 14) wonderful years. I'm thankful that Heather found me at the time she did. 

I hope you will take some time to reflect on your year and the things you are thankful for. I also hope you will read Heather's story and help spread her word.

To read more about Heather please go to http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather

I hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. 

Peace,

Jennifer

Gunnar

I lost one of my best friends yesterday. He was by my side through thick and thin for almost 14 years. What a blessing it was to have him in my life. I will miss him every day!

Gunnar

2/1/2000 - 11/5/2013

Rest in peace, my dear sweet friend