And speaking of things being "in print" I've been putting new cards and patterns up on Etsy. I'm really excited with how my profile of Oliver came out:

Super cute, right!?

It sits in my bedroom now, above my desk where I write, grade papers, and am currently trying to teach Oliver to fetch (it's a process -his goal is to teach me patience).

We (my family and I) said goodbye to our childhood home about 2 weeks ago. I found myself taking pictures of the windows - the views. I was really trying to avoid pictures of an empty house. I wanted to remember it full of us. In the end, everything went into the moving truck and as we walked down the driveway for the last time, I believe the walls were still vibrating from all the noise we made over the years. It never felt empty.

I did snap this one of the closet my sister and I shared:

(I'm not sure I'll ever find a dresser that will hold that much stuff ever again!)

My sister and I used to climb up to the top, and pretend that we were trapped on a speeding boat or a runaway train. I remember writing with my finger on the dirty window pane: "Save Us!" In my neatest 8 year old handwriting. Of course it was backwards to anyone looking in - which was pretty much impossible because we were at the top of a hill. And then the rain would regularly wash it away. It's funny the small things we remember.

Honestly, letting go of this home was rough but it was time to move on. This place will always be special but it's just a house and walls that kept us safe from the elements - what I will always carry with me is who I lived there with, all the noise we made, and the view from the windows.

Well, this is Oliver - as in Oliver Twist, the literary orphan. I adopted him 10 days ago. He's a 3 month old terrier mix. And we are learning all kinds of things about each other as we follow each other around and keep each other out of trouble. He's only slightly more distract-able than me: dandelions in the yard are an endless source of fascination for him.

How do you get them to stop eating grass? Any puppy tips? Send them my way.

He seems to like his crate and he knows his name but is super afraid of leaving the house on a leash. Maybe he thinks I'm taking him back to the pound.

It occurred to me the other night that if I had named him Mr. President, all my neighbors would hear me yelling, "Mr. President! Mr. President!" I've been watching too many West Wing episodes.

A little note for my readers. Hope your day was sweet!

I wanted to do this before my semester started which also translates into, before I will be needing to dress for work early every morning. 

Most women complain about the size of their closets. I'm no exception. But my closet is dark and small with only a tiny door. There is a lot of wasted space. This is the before picture:

It's not terrible. But I wanted to be able to store my boots and shoes a little better... and I like being able to grab certain things quickly. Like PJ's and sweatshirts. I can push the summer things towards the back finally. I mean it is January after all. 

Since I'm renting, I can't install lighting or sliding doors... So, I gave myself a challenge... clean out and organize the closet but do not spend any money on the project. I have more fun buying the organizational tubs and drawers and stuff than I do actual clothes. For example, about 2 years ago, I invested in a Ikea wood hangers. They come in an 8 pack for about $4. I'm wierd about hangers... no plastic... no wire ones either.

Here is the finished product:

No money spent. I used these rubbermaid "leftover" tubs to organize my top dresser drawer (these also work great in bathroom drawers: 

And I used an old set of shower curtain rings to rig a place to hold my scarves:

I ended up giving away a huge trash bag full of clothes too!

Big win!

I took myself on a little field trip today. I have this list of places in Los Angeles that I haven't explored yet. Today, I crossed The Getty Villa of my list. The views of the ocean took my breath away. I stood for a long time in the warm sun and breathed the ocean air and felt myself unwind. Even in January the grounds are gorgeous. And it seems we, humans, have been looking for ways to leave our mark since the dawn of time.

Really it should be theme of the year... There is no single word... I can only get it down to a phrase.

In 2013, I will be saying: Yes to the Good Things!

Yes to trying new things. Yes to speaking (writing) the truth. Yes to finding new ways to love people and bring people together. Yes to taking the time to celebrate all the good and beauty that is happening.

I hope that you'll join me!

We had a blast together and hopefully there will be regular game nights throughout 2013... but, for now, as requested, this is how you make the most amazing popcorn ever:

You will need, a large pot with a lid that fits. Vegetable oil and popping corn (white or yellow - it doesn't matter.) Oven mits - your pot will be very hot. I top with Olive oil, salt, and cracked pepper. A large bowl and wooden spoons for tossing in your topping. 

1st: With your pot on the stove - turned to med/high pour a thin layer of vegetable oil into the pan so that the bottom of the pot is coated, toss in 3 or 4 popcorn kernels and put the lid on. When you hear those kernels pop, the oil is hot enough. Now, carefully and using the lid as a shield gently pour in 3/4 cup of popcorn kernels. (This gives you a very large pot full of popcorn.)

2nd: Using your oven mits keep the pot moving over the burner so that the kernels don't have time to scorch on the bottom of your pot. Listen for the popping to slow down and/or the smell of well done popcorn... which ever comes first. 

3rd: Remove from heat immediately. Popcorn may still continue to pop. When it's finished remove the lid and use your wooden spoons to toss in olive oil, salt, and cracked pepper to taste. 

Serve in a big party bowl and let the games begin!