Saturday, August 25, 2007

Hero Arts Ribber Stamps

My good friend Laura's husband is the CEO and owner of Hero Arts Rubber Stamps. Yesterday, Aaron gave us a tour of where everything happens. (I wanted to upload a picture of the outside sign and forgot to do it... so annoying!)

First off, let me tell that Laura and Aaron are just really good people. And from talking with Aaron I knew that he only makes deeply etched rubber stamps and uses the best quality products. So that means real wood for the blocks (maple I think). I also know that he believes in sustainability so this is a green company and everything is made in the United States. What I didn't know before the tour is that all of the rubber stamps are basically made by hand. They make a rather small sheet of printed rubber that is then cut down and mounted, by hand, onto the blocks. Its really impressive! So Hero Arts believes in handmade... they do it so we can do it too!

They have also just come out with a new line of very cool clear stamps that are used on a clear block. You can mount the stamp onto the block and then remove it when you're finished... easy peasy. Not only do I love this concept, BUT Hero Arts is making one of the few that don't have carcinogens in it! A lot of the other companies use lesser ingredients and are made outside of the country where the standards and regulations are different. I mean who knew or even guessed at what all goes into rubber or clear stamps???

I also came away with some goodies too! Thanks so much Laura and Aaron for a very fun afternoon!

I foRGoT OnE!


SHOOT! My sweet nephew says this word frequently and appropriately! It makes me laugh every time he uses it. Ok, here's an example: Colton has a little music box attached to his crib. One morning the strap had come off and he was trying unsuccessfully to re-connect it. When he couldn't do it he said, "shoot"! Oh my goodness, this is one smart boy with lots of personality! Were not sure where he picked up that word, but he sure knows how to use it!

Colton doesn't look very happy in this picture with his Aunt Sissy, but he is a very happy boy!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

FaVorITe WorDs


I wanted to remember and share some of my nephew's favorite words and phrases. Here are my top two:

In recent years my brothers started calling me "sissy". When my nephew was born my brother and sister in law decided I would be called Aunt Sissy. Colton has learned to say sissy but it sounds like "she-she". Both my mom and I frequently call him and sing him songs over the phone and ask him questions. Every time the phone rings he would say, "she-she". When we arrived last Wednesday we pointed to me and asked him who I was, and he said "she-she". Then we pointed at my mom and asked him who she was, and he said, "mo' she-she!" (Mo' is more, of course).

Colton has a snuggle bear that he absolutely loves and carries everywhere with him in the house. He calls it his "be-be". And, he frequently says, "oh my be-be, my be-be" in a loving voice. He will also put his hand on your arm and look at you and say, "oh my she-she, my she-she" in a loving tone. It just melts your heart! So cute or toot as Colton would say!

This is a picture of him in the wagon we bought him for Christmas. Its a great wagon for small kiddos with two little seats facing each other, cup holders, seat belts and its really easy to maneuver. We took him out in it everyday which was really fun.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Boulder

I love Boulder this time of year. You wake up every morning to warm, clear, blue, sunny skies. Then in the afternoon BIG clouds come rolling in bringing LOUD thunder, lightening, and pounding rain. The air is still warm enough to wear shorts. There's a cooling breeze and the air smells so sweet of rain and earth. Usually after awhile it stops and you can go back outside and the wet rain has all dried up.
There was a storm last night so I just layed in bed looking and listening and feeling the wind on face. I found it was deeply satisfying.

Nanny Chronicles

Me and my mom flew out to Boulder, CO on Wednesday to be the weekend nannies of my 18 month old nephew. Today was the last of our three full "nanny" days. We had a great time with that sweet boy! We've gone on lots of walks, wagon rides, to a swimming lesson, the Farmers Market, played in the park across the street and changed lots of diapers. We've laughed, teased, read books, thrown balls and basically, just enjoyed each others company. Its been such a treat to be here with him.

He has changed so much since I was here in April. His language is amazing. He says lots of words... and lots of words in his own language. This is such a great age. There are times when I think he could easily learn chinese, russian or speak the language of the Kalahari Bushmen.
I haven't taken many pictures this time because I have been too busy running after him or cleaning up or cooking!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

RAK'd!

I recently received these fabulous fiber ATC's in the mail. They couldn't have come at a better time! There's nothing better than getting a happy surprise in the mail. Thank you Gail and Bev.


















Monday, August 13, 2007

Beautiful Nevada City

As promised, here are my pictures from our trip to Nevada City. My favorite are the mornings. Its warm and quiet and I can sit outside on their beautiful deck drinking tea and reading a book. These are the views from their deck:



Here are their adorable dogs. They are queensland heelers or cattle dogs. The "blue" is a sweet old guy. And the red is our sassy girl. Her nickname is spicy jalapeƱo. Can you guess who runs the place? They are only looking at me with adoring eyes cause my brother is holding treats over my head!

They're growing plumeria they brought back from Maui. It smells fabulous!


Sunday, August 12, 2007

The Fair Didn't Disappoint!

Homemade corn dogs, fresh lemonade, hot out of the oven cinnamon rolls, great music, animals: cows, pigs, goats, sheep and baby animals of all kinds including camels and bison. We walked, ate, stood in lines, ran into family friends and all in all enjoyed ourselves. Today we are just relaxing, reading, and making homemade bing cherry ice cream. Do you think were a family that goes through life on its stomach?

Saturday, August 11, 2007

I MADE IT!!!

I am finally on VACATION! Two whole weeks! There were moments when I didnt know if I would make it... work has been extremely stressful for quite awhile now. BUT, here I am... on vacation AND in Nevada City.

Ovid and I left right after work yesterday and slowly (lots of Friday night traffic) made our way up to see my brother Michael and his partner Richard. I love coming up here! Its peaceful, quiet, and smells fresh and clean like only the country can. And of course, I love my being with my brother. They have a beautiful house in the foothills so there are lots of pine trees. We mainly come up here to do nothing... hang out, read, relax, eat... but the county fair is here this weekend so we'll go to that later today. That means CORN DOGS!! Whooohooo. I did remember my camera this time so I will upload pictures when we get back tomorrow.