abby try again

christmas past

(looking out the windows at work before opening...)

By now, I'm sure you all know that I work at a kid's shop.
We're a little boutique that sells toys, clothes, and books-you know the type-pretty handmade dresses and stripey tights,  brightly colored wooden toys and vintage titles that will make you remember reading in the 1st grade....
Anyway, all of these shoppers-some under control some not-have made me start wondering (again) how my parents did it. They raised eight daughters and one son and while we weren't spoiled by any means we always had what we needed and some of what we wanted.
Christmas in our house-was a big deal. Compared to what kid's get now-it probably would seem like chump change, but I'll tell you what-when we put a few presents for each kid under the tree made it seem like we had enough presents for the whole city!
I was a curious little kid. I couldn't stand being surprised and always, ALWAYS tried to figure out what each and every present of mine was. I remember one year taking a present into my closet-unwrapping it and then re-wrapping it and putting it back under the tree, sad but true. I think I was seven years old...
Another time, my closest sisters and I knew that my Mother was hiding a giant box of gifts in her room. We got the box out, threw it on her bed and went through it all. When she was back from whatever errand she was on, she immediately knew what we had done. She could tell by the outline the box had left on her duvet...needless to say she wasn't happy....
But Christmas Eve was the night, the big night. We would each be allowed to open one present after we acted out "the Christmas story". Not this "Christmas Story" but this one. It was always funny, because there are a lot of men-three wise men, shepherds, Joseph and well-we are a big bunch of girls. There are many a photo of my sisters and I with bathrobes, paper crowns and eyeliner mustaches on Christmas eve. Okay, here is one for you:

Anyway...
guess I'm trying to pump myself up before I have go trudging through the snow and over to work.
Thank you Mom, thank you Dad-I don't know how you did it! I wish I could be home with all of my family-but I can't. I love you all and miss you!
And to all you readers-thank you so much for the comments and emails-you warm my heart!
I'll post again before Christmas-but hey -why not- Merry Christmas and happy almost Hanukkah!

goodbye to a hermit

(photo taken at her workspace, thanks chelsea!)

Just wanted to let all of your Portlanders know about a special sale this weekend.

Miss June over at Hermitage is moving her shop up to Seattle!

Shop there this weekend for your last chance at beautiful wares and some great discounts.

I am scheduled to work all weekend, but I'd like to leave a tad early so I can get a goodie before she packs up!

Best of luck to you, Hermitage!

(p.p.s. more about the above photo soon!!)

cute overload

Right now James and I are looking up obnoxious websites and laughing at them.

Like this one.

For as much time as I spend online, I never run into stuff like that.

I realize this has nothing to do with the photos posted above.

We're cold and tired, this is what we've turned into-boring people!

Oh well.

There are worse things.

Hope you are well.

snow part two

So, do you know how crazy it is to work in a toy store during Christmas time?
Let me tell you-it's nuts.
Not in a bad way, I'm just sayin'...I'm a little off lately.

Thanks for all the snow photo love!
You guys rule!

These are the cutest stockings I have ever seen.

I can't think anymore...must go take shower and relax-bye!

snow, through my eyes

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I am learning to deal with the cold.

After all, I am from the land of 115 degrees in the summer, orange trees and swimming pools.

I've learned that layers help. A hat, gloves, and a scarf can work wonders.

Snow is beautiful, the ice is, too.

More tomorrow!

a goodbye of sorts

Hm...how do I write this without sounding like an internet stalker or just a total dweeb?
As many of you know, the lovely mav is ending her blog this month.
Maria's blog was one of the first (I think the first) blogs I ever read and followed and she has inspired me in so many ways it would be impossible to try and list them all.
Of course, she will be around with other projects:

-lines+shapes

-3191

but I must admit, I will greatly miss her sweet little blog. Her little doses of beauty and wonder helped me get through more than one tough day and I'm sure there are so many of you out there who would say the same. Take a minute to browse through her archives and go leave her a little thank you note!

Here are some of her photos that have been my favorites over the years:

-color one, wedding

-the inside

-at the ace

-gingham (my favorite of all her cards)

-dreaming

-early ones

And there are just too many more. Thank you, mav! I will miss your blog but look forward to all of the other projects you will share :)

snow and ice

This is my favorite decoration this season, a lovely snow cone made by Stephanie.

My Christmas decoration plans are now tossed aside and James and I settled on the fact that our gifts will be piled on the lit "Christmas Stool" instead of under a tree. The stool is a vintage silver one and actually is much cleaner than your average pine tree. I like it.

This evening we are hibernating, there's an unusual blanket of snow and ice covering our normally mild city and it's made us slow down and simplify. It is continuing all through the week, we'll see how we hold up...

James would like to know some things I'd like for the holidays and here are some ideas in no particular order:

-lines+shapes volumes 5 and 6 (free shipping this week!)

-a coupon for a day out where we will ice skate and eat cookies

-this beautiful cookbook

-film, film, film

-a night out here

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Hope you are all staying warm!

one cold evening in Portland

One night spent eating a donut here.

I really enjoyed the snow today, but it made me have a slight tinge of cabin fever (I did get out in it though, I swear).

I want to rearrange the house and get rid of our t.v., now I just have to convince James.

Have a good night...

keep warm

Today it is snowing in Portland.

It's a bigger holiday than Christmas. All of the locals freak out, hardly anyone drives, and some hearty souls bust out their cross country skis.

I am happy.

I  have to work a bit (I can't imagine for long...) and then, I'm off to take some snow photos!

I imagine there will be soup and hot beverages today, lots of them.

Happy snow day!

a little present

Just got off work to find a little present from TOAST in my inbox.

A short film from their photo shoots.

So much inspiration, go watch!