Bears and boys. And yarn.

In this week's edition of When I Have Lots of Money and a House to Decorate: That's right kids, it's polar bear wallpaper.



Shut the front door. I know, right? It's so perfect for me. I die.



Fall is hitting a nice, easy pace for me. Finally. I love this season and the progression of holidays. The football on the tele. The flash of a red tree against a gray sky. The smell of my house after I've been baking or cooking. The planning of your Christmas list. Sure there's a lot to get stressed about, but that would take all the fun out of it. So why do it?

I've been trying to find more time in my schedule to look at other people's blogs (perhaps should be spending more time updating my own, but oh well). And cataloging things I like on my pinterest (you're on there, right? it's such fun). And yes, still crocheting and knitting. Thank goodness for that.



This was my first commission project (thanks E)! Made for E's brother-in-law. E's husband liked the scarf so much (it was made for his brother), that I've been asked to make another one for his brother's partner. Awesome! I really hope they like them. It's hard to make scarves for people in Houston - too toasty down there. But I used this Rowan yarn called Summer Tweed, made with silk and cotton. I think it's the perfect weight and so yummy.

Oooh, this Auburn and Georgia game is quite the entertainment. And um, does anyone else have a crush on the Allstate Mayhem guy? aka Dennis from 30 Rock? aka Dean Winters? Anyone?



Okay, less hot there. But how can you not love Liz and Dennis?



That's better, right? I know, he's been in other shows too. I should investigate.

Football Saturday

I could do without this view out my kitchen window today. What the eff!?



About to head downstairs and make some sausage balls for E & M's Halloween party. The Rachel Berry wig is making one more appearance this year before I stash its hairy, itchy, shedding self in a closet. I look so much better as a light brown/blonde. This experience has made that extremely clear to me.

Then tomorrow to the Arboretum to watch the parade of adorb kiddie costumes. Then starts the countdown to Thanksgiving at mom's new place just outside Austin. Hooray! By then, the renovations should be all done and the furniture delivered. And we'll get to enjoy our first Thanksgiving together in a loooong time.



Her patio looks out over a putting green. Which means it's nice and quiet and beautiful, but also means you get the occasional surprises. Let's hope we don't end up with a golf ball in our cranberry sauce.

Just because you're 30 doesn't mean you have to grow up

I did it! I'm 30! I gathered with friends at a bar on Friday night to drink a toast to the decade that lies ahead. I decided I wanted a Fluffernutter birthday cake.



That's mom lighting the candles. Peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff (which Super Target didn't have, so Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme subbed instead) on Mrs. Baird's bread. Cut into triangles and stacked. Topped with pink icing. It was my homage to Amy Sedaris. I feel like she would have approved.



Have you ever had a Fluffernutter? They're amazingly delicious. I had my first one at Peanut Butter and Co. in Greenwich Village in New York City and have had them lurking in a corner of my brain ever since. But when do you have an excuse to make something so indulgent and obviously lacking in nutritional value? They're right up there with cookies and ice cream. And cake. How appropriate.

So far 30 feels exactly the same as 29. Hopefully 31 will feel that way too. Also, did you know that Julie Andrews turned 75 on Friday? She looks fabulous.

Final Great Achievement of my 20s

I made socks!



I took a sock class in May at the Shabby Sheep with my friend Katie, because I'd always wanted to learn how to make socks, and we both thought this would be a great way to learn more knitting skills and gain a bit of confidence with trying more complicated projects.

I'm happy to report I didn't get "second sock syndrome," as they call it. I actually completed my pair. They're a little different because you're supposed to start them in exactly the same spot in the 'pattern' of the yarn so they'll stripe the same, but I was too lazy for that. And I think they look awesome anyway.

Gotta take a sock break but I think my goal for next year is to make another pair. One pair per year, I say. Of note, Katie has finished her class pair, a second pair, and is starting a third. Way to show me up.

Otherwise am busy getting the apartment in order for my visitors next weekend. It's nice to have friends who will travel for your birthday. XO, gals.

Missing you

Hey there, bloggy town. I've been missing you. You been missing me?


From Geninne's Art Blog, which might be the prettiest blog ever. Illustration by the super amazing Geninne. Hopefully it'll make it onto her Etsy.

I just ate two big cookies with my lunch. I should not have done that.

In season

August in Texas can be a beat down. A major b.e.a.t. d.o.w.n. Like ohmygosh can it get any hotter? Will it ever cool off again? Remember those beautiful snowy days? How can one place have such extreme seasons? (And hardly anything in between, mind you.)


(Granted, this was taken on the blacktop in the parking lot at my workplace at the hottest point of the day. The official high today was only 107. So.. yeah.)

So it seems, it's understandable that every year at about this time I start going crazy for the farmers market. Because if you can't beat the heat, you may as well enjoy the fruits of its labor.

And just like last year, I've taken to stalking the Canton peach stand at the Dallas Farmers Market. Also into my bag over the last few weeks has gone some tomatoes (okay, a lot of tomatoes), okra, blueberries, fresh corn, and cream peas - also known as lady peas (gonna cook those tomorrow). But most of all, lots and lots of peaches. I go crazy for them. Much the same way I used to go crazy for nectarines when I was younger. But you really can't find locally grown nectarines around here, and grocery store produce tastes like crap once you taste these peaches. So here we are. At the peach stand on Saturday morning. Like clockwork.

Posted my recipe for the cobbler last year. And this past weekend I made peach ice cream. I think the next batch of peaches I bring home will go into the freezer so I can relive the peach joy on a colder day.



I'll look at these pictures and remember days like these, and I'm telling you, I'll probably long for them. Days when I could hear the cicadas humming outside. When little dresses and flip flops and tank tops were the uniform of choice. You think? Hrm.. Maybe.

P.S. That's my view while I'm washing the dishes at the new place. Nice huh?

Enjoy some Sam Cooke, y'all.

Hey baby

I've been meaning to do this one for a while. Just how many small tots are running around in my life these days? A LOT. Most of which, I have had a chance to visit with this summer. One even came to visit me. Aren't I lucky!

I don't have any kids, not sure if I ever will, but with all these smiling faces in my life, I get my fixes on a regular basis. And then get to come home to a nice, quiet house. Yeah, it's the best of both worlds.



Jillian. Big sister. Happy-go-lucky gal pal. Niece.



Grant. Little brother. Strong arm. Sweet giggle. Nephew.



Suzy. World traveler. Great wit and loads of charm. Niece.



James. Bearer of the name. Defier of the odds. Cousin.



Anna. Life of the party. Girly girl. Sparkly. Friend.



William. Little brother. Funny boy. Easy to please. Friend.



Allie. Big sister. Knows what she wants. And how to get it. Friend.



Dominic. First born. Loves ceiling fans. Aggie. Friend.

So, you get my drift. Many thanks to my friends and relations for taking it upon themselves to grow the population of the world. These are some very good melons.

And before I go, you are listening to the new Arcade Fire album, aren't you? Cos if not, you better get on that.