I heart WINTER & Dante Terzigni

I am a PINTEREST addict. I admit it. But I thank GOD for that site because it's where I keep track of random things I come across online that I want to save for later. Anyway, I came across this winter scene on someone's site a few months ago and I had tagged it to one of my Pinterest boards. It caught my eye again today so I decided to look up the artist, etc. Well, now I know all about Dante Terzigni....an illustrator and designer who is based in Cleveland, Ohio. So I peeked through his gallery and shop and found that I like a lot of his work. Some of it I've shared below....

The winter illustration that originally caught my eye. Would make a great holiday card!

This one is called "Vacation Blues". It speaks to me because, when I was young, I always cried when one of our family vacations ended and we had to go home again.

"Home Sweet Home". I like this one.

I don't eat sushi but I love the graphics of this illustration. It would look great framed in a kitchen...

Yes, I'm still here. Wanting to blog but not really having anything to say. I don't like that feeling although I know a lot of bloggers feel that way from time to time. I haven't had a good month. It's been one of the hardest months on record (EVER!) for me. And to be honest, I am really, really down. I know that time will make me feel better so I'm doing my best to soak up the life that I have even though it's not very pretty at the moment. I think that's one of those things that you learn by getting older (and surviving really awful post-partum depression). You know the difference between true depression and just a natural, healthy FUNK. Well, this is a natural healthy funk. On life's roller coaster ride, I'm on a very long uphill climb. I'm holding on tight, trying to enjoy the view as I climb and doing my best to get through each day. I know that, given time, the exhilarating downhill slide will come. Hopefully, in the meantime, I'm gaining more character and building strength. Not every day in life can be great, beautiful, fun, light, happy, warm, enveloping. I notice as I age, these down moments (which, thankfully, are quite rare) make me appreciate the good ones all the more. Even in the midst of my sadness, knowing that brings relief to my heart.

One of the things that makes me feel better is this photo. My two girls. The very human one who just happens to own my heart and the furry one who captivates my soul. I am so thankful for this photo.....

So, as I travel through this deep valley, I'll continue to latch on to those very small things (like this photo) that get me through. And I'll continue to dream about and look forward to reaching the next mountain top.

You could say that I am obsessed...

....with New York City hotels. I have this undying fascination. So I was particularly intrigued when I heard that The James New York was under construction in SOHO. It opened in September. I finally had a chance (and remembered!) to look up the website and check out the gallery. Swoon! This is definitely on my NYC Wishlist (which is quite long, thank you!)....

Below is a guest room. It's so very sexy....

A corner guest room....

This is a shot of the urban garden up on the roof! A little zen for the city folk.

The rooftop pool. Ahem.

And I've saved the best for last. The exterior shot of the building.

I (heart) the architecture!!!

So the next time you see me and I'm looking a little *dreamy* and spaced out, I may very well be visiting here in my mind....

Great Quote

I came across this quote recently and have to share. Appropriate for me lately...

"We are like tea bags - we don't know our own strength until we're in hot water."

~ Sister Buche

(I miss this silly little blog and hope to return on a more regular basis once the party is over!)

Breathe in, Breathe out.....

Look what I just found on Etsy. Oh my! They're ALL sold out.....maybe you can make some more, Sweet Little Etsy Seller.....pretty please.....wrapped in beautiful paper and topped with bows and ribbons.....

I personally LOVE the lemon yellow one because that's the one I grew up with but look at these colors....

Some even have little custom license plates.....oh my.

Images courtesy of "Strictly For The Birds" shop on Etsy.

School Application

Hmmm.....so today I am completing a school application. We would like for Sophie to attend a lovely school close to our home and we're currently going through the steps of the application process. We attended the parent interview yesterday ~ check. Next step....actual paper application. Easy enough. Except for this question:

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO DISCIPLINE?

Um, come again.

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO DISCIPLINE?

Okay, so I've been mulling this one over for quite some time and I've come up with the below responses. Which do you think is best? Or maybe most appropriate?

*** Could you define discipline?

*** Discipline? What's that?

*** Would welcome your suggestions.

*** Don't you handle that at school?

*** SCREAM AS LOUD AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.

*** Dad leaves it to Mom. Mom leaves it to Dad.

*** I don't understand English.

*** FEAR

*** Red Wine

*** I break a toy each time she misbehaves.

*** I am pretending like I don't see this question.

I guess I've never spent much time dwelling on my approach to discipline, or rather how to describe to someone else my approach to discipline. You see, my secret confession is that I don't really buy into all that "Time Out" silliness or "talking down to their level" business. I'm sure it works for other people (and maybe well) but it's just not my gig. I do what I do and I guess I have no idea what it's called or how to put it into words. Some days I do a good job of disciplining my daughter. Other days I am sure I fail miserably. SO, at the end of the day, all I do know is this......

I do what I have to do in order to survive each day without completely ruining my daughter. I try not to call her names. I don't tell her she's a brat or that she's acting like a baby. I try to focus on how she should be acting rather than concentrating on what she did wrong. I try to provide structure but also fun, joy, independence and creativity. I talk to her like a person. I AM NEVER CONDESCENDING. I don't use baby voices. Do I threaten? Well yes, sometimes, but any parent would be lying if they say they don't. I'm trying my best to teach her about consequences.....you know, "if you can't act properly in a restaurant, we won't be able to go out for breakfast", etc. I could go on and on.....is there an actual name or term for this approach to discipline?

So I'll have to keep thinking this one over and come up with a reasonable "answer" to this question. There's a lot hinging on my response after all.....

Farm Inspiration