Go Pack Go!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas - I know I did and I can't believe it is already over.  The best part is that now I can post some of my finished pieces that were Christmas presents!!!  

It is no secret that my brother is an enormous Green Bay Packers fan.  He has traveled to the frozen tundra alone and with friends and family to support his team.  He's pretty passionate - to the point were he can be downright ridiculous, but we humor him all the same!  My mom, an avid Bears fan, wondered where she went wrong with my brother (the Packers fan) and me (the Colts fan).  Lets just say it would make for some interesting fun when our teams played one another!

In any event, a while ago Steve had asked me to do a Green Bay painting for him.  Years ago I did a 16 x 20 canvas with his name: Mr. Renzino, for outside of his classroom.  It had all of his favorite things on it, the White Sox, the Packers, Basketballs, his black cat, and much more.  I thought I would do his new canvas in the same size, in the event it was vetoed by my sister in law for home display and he could at least take it to school! So I painted the Green Bay and Packers names in their authentic green and gold, but instead of the typical "G" logo, I decided to switch it with a much more interesting icon.  The cheese wedge!

And yes my brother does own a cheese wedge hat - courtesy of me many birthdays ago.

Steve was surprised, which was nice, and I am pretty sure he liked it:

Once again, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday, there is more to come!  Take care, travel safe and thanks!!!!

A new appreciation...

I have a new appreciation for what my  Yia yia (grandma) and mom would go through in preparation for the holidays and the meals included in those holidays.  While I helped, I never was in charge. Meals at my Yia yia's involved enough food to feed most of the southern suburbs of Chicago.  It didn't matter how many people were invited, you just had lots of choices.  It was an impressive spread to say the least.  My mom would, from time to time host these holidays as a break to my Yia yia.  She too, paid no attention to the attendance, but rather the options and making sure that NO ONE would go home hungry.  After my Yia yia passed away, mom took over the responsibilities and like many families as the kids grow up the extended families start to make their own traditions and so on.  So even though our holidays were typically mom, dad, Steve, myself and Ryan, you would swear about 50 more people were going to show and rudely declined at the last minute.  We would laugh and tell mom that she works too hard, that she doesn't need to do so much or make so much.  She wouldn't hear of it.  You can always eat leftovers.

So today I have a new appreciation, since Mom lived with us last year during the holidays she was a big help in the preparations and cooking. It was something she could still do.  This year I am flying solo.  I am still making a "nice" ham.  I have a few different appetizers, a few different sides, bread, pie, cake (thanks to dad), cookies. I decided though to prepare all of my food today and then bake it tomorrow.   My plan is that I can spend tomorrow enjoying my family and not be confined to the kitchen.  As I am preparing and using every knife, cutting board, bowl and corning ware container in my kitchen I realized all the hard work that was put into the holiday meals of my youth. The part that I took for granted is now mine to have and as I look at my overstuffed fridge I realize I have WAY more food than my dad, steve, anna and my family can consume.  I couldn't help it you see, you can always eat left overs and I want to make sure everyone has something they enjoy. ;o)

The other side of this is that I realize how blessed I am to have the ability to feed my family so abundantly.  The fact that I won't need to worry about my family being hungry and knowing that we will all be warm and safe and together is a Christmas gift all unto itself.

So while this Christmas is a bittersweet one for with mom's absence, I am so very happy and blessed with what I DO have.  I pray that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and embrace all your blessings tomorrow, as I will.

  

Christmas 2007

Thanks!

Merry Squirrels.

Are you done with your Christmas gifts?

Sorry - I was screwing around on YouTube with my girlfriend Jen and we were watching those fainting goats -anyway, knowing that YouTube is a treasure trove of video delights, I stumbled on this fellow -I thought it was hilarious and had to share it - it never ceases to make me laugh. It also seemed appropriate since there are just a few shopping days left until Christmas!

One of the nice things about this Christmas and creating this new little company this year, I had instant presents for my nearest and dearest.  One those happens to be my photographer Leslie.  She has become a wonderful friend who I enjoy tremendously.  I truly believe that God sends people your way for a reason -  I have been blessed to gain some new friends in the last few years and oddly enough some of them embody different qualities that are so similar to my mom's it is almost like having her around.  Leslie is one of those individuals.  I felt instantly comfortable with her and we have similar parenting styles, not to mention politically we see eye to eye and she is one of those people who appreciates a random phone call just to brag about my latest bargain.  She also could handle discussions on random things, like Sicilian cooking, Abraham Lincoln and best of all Squirrels!!!!

It was obvious to me that I needed to do a Squirrel painting for Leslie for Christmas.  She is from a small town called Olney in Illinois.  I think I have mentioned it before, but it bares repeating.  Olney is known for their Albino Squirrels.  In honor of her heritage I painted this for her:

(I hope you don't mind I grabbed it!!)

I have a few more paintings to share this week - but for now, enjoy this one - I'll be back after this weekend away.  Thanks!

Humbled and moved...

While I don't want to push the images of my children and the joy involved with those images down on the blog roll - I was both humbled and moved today.  

I went to Linens and Things today - they are closing - another victim of this economy.  They didn't have much left - but I did manage to get a beautiful table clothe for 80% off.  It set me off on my way home that I really wanted to call my mom.  That this silly purchase was something she would do and would be excited.  As we know, I can't call mom.  So that made me sad.  The holidays are making me sad too.  Immediately after mom passed I felt her presence and heard her voice around me all the time.  I don't feel it as much anymore or hear her voice.  I came home and started picking things up and took a moment to catch up on todays headlines.  I stumbled upon this slideshow of images for the year at MSNBC.  It literally brought me to my knees and put tears in my eyes.  Here I am sad that I lost my mom, who I was blessed to have 31 years with, who I got to be with when she took her last breath.  Here I am making my nice bed in my warm and safe house and I am sad that I can't share with her an 8$ table clothe that I have purchased.  It is so easy to overlook what is happening in the world around us.  I suggest to anyone who reads this blog to take the three minutes or so to check out these images.  It will have a profound effect on how you look at your day, your life, your struggles.  I am humbled by this and moved beyond words.  I am grateful to God for all I have and will work harder to embrace that each day.  Take care and love to you - I hope that you too will be humbled and moved.

Thanks!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28192685

Christmas time is here......

It's almost Christmas!!!!

Okay so I have to say that my son makes one of the cutes elf's EVER!!!  Yes he wore the whole outfit to his Christmas show at school, yes he wore red tights with black converse (sporty elf, I called him!) and yes, he did manage to lose his pants that afternoon at the dress rehersal and had to wear said red tights and black converse home on the bus!

His program last week was adorable to say the least and his Music teacher, Mrs. Sadler is quite possibly up for sainthood!  She and the rest of the staff along with the students did a fantastic job.  So Cute!!!!

Now we are 10 days out from Christmas - are you ready?

More to come....

Oh and this is just a treat - a medley if you will of Drew's favorite songs - no editing has taken place by anyone, but the performer himself!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

Tis the season - so I have been working on a bunch of Christmas presents, for me, for others, and well some I can show and some I can't. Which is frustrating!!!  I am going to share this little one, even though it is yet to be sent out. I am fairly confident that with vague background information that this painting will not be "discovered" by the potential recipient.  That being said...

I'd like to introduce my newest theme - "Going on a bear hunt":

"b's" woods

THE BEAR

Rabbits, rabbits, lots o' rabbits

My father in law tells a mean version of "going on a bear hunt, " he really gets into it, leading the group of kids (and sometimes newly initiated family members...but I digress) in running, slooshing, sneaking through the woods to and away from the bear!  My own father began telling stories to Jon about a bear that liked to eat every one's pancakes.  Jon had a slight addiction to pancakes a few years back, but I am happy to say with intervention we have been able to get that under control and branch out his breakfast options to eggs, waffles and pop tarts.  In my dad's story the bear would sneak in your house and eat all your pancakes, or in another version he would knock on your door and demand all your pancakes.  So seeing that kids love things with bears, I thought I would do my own version of the woods and pay tribute to the bear.  It is a perfect theme for a room with no real theme.  If you know me, my children don't have "themed" rooms, they have simple colorful walls, bedding and such, so that as they get older I'm not replacing comforters and lamps and things with their current obsession.  It has worked so far, but we'll see.  Now please don't think I am against themed rooms, that isn't the case at all - but I like to try to create themes that will work in most any room at most any stage of a child's life.  I think this is one of those themes.  I mean who doesn't love a friendly bear, some adorable rabbits and a wise old owl?  I am looking forward to hearing what the recipient thinks of this little fella.  I am very happy with how it all turned out!

Only two weeks away until Christmas!  I can hardly believe it!  I hope you all have a great day and thanks!

She'd be 59

Me and Mom when I was 4

Today is my mom's birthday.  Happy Birthday Momma!  If she were here today, she'd be 59.  It is weird not buying her presents or celebrating with her.  I decided that this day was going to be a bit challenging so I invited my dad, Steve and Anna over yesterday for a birthday celebration, in mom's honor.   Dad brought little gifts for everyone, because it is something mom would have done.  She always had little presents when you would see her. She was a very giving person and I believe wholeheartedly that if she were here now she would singlehandedly be trying to stimulate the economy all by herself!  

I decided for our menu we would have all of mom's favorite things.  We had cheese and crackers and shrimp with Hoffman cocktail sauce (because it is the only cocktail sauce mom would eat).  We had a "nice" salad - which consists of iceberg lettuce, croutons and italian dressing.  Mom would always make us have a "nice" salad growing up at dinner.  Imagine my surprise when I started grocery shopping and learned that there were several types of lettuce and an actual nice salad can have lots of fixin's.  We then had a "nice" roast with veggies and bread followed by a banana cream pie, which was mom's favorite.  Ryan picked it up at My Sugar Pie in Zionsville and man is it a fabulous pie.  

Mom probably would have been a tad disappointed that it had a meringue top and not "real whipped cream", but it was seriously the best pie I have ever had.  My dad also brought a cherry chip cake with cherry frosting.  In the winter months of his retirement he has become quite the little baker.  It was nice to have our little family all around, but I couldn't help but feel the void.  We all do, it is obvious.  

Dad helped me decorate a bit after the kids went to bed and then got up this morning and left just a bit ago.  He is going to go to mom's grave and bring her 8 carnations, one from each of us, they were her favorite.  I am sorry I won't be able to go today - in two weeks I'll be up there and visit then.  I hate and love going to the cemetery, it is nice to have a place to visit, but I hate what it represents.  It just sucks all the way around the block.

So today I fill my day with nonsense like laundry and cleaning.  I am going to yoga tonight for some much needed exercise, meditation and reflection.  I want to thank my friends who have called, emailed, and posted with their thoughts and well wishes.  It means more than you know.  These next two months are the final last of the "firsts."  It is just so bittersweet, holding onto, "this time last year..." which is helpful and painful all in one.

And away from the dark side...in the world of Penny Pickles I have several paintings going on and I can't wait to finish them up and show them to you! I hope you all have a great week and once again thanks!

what i should be doing is...

What I should be doing and what I am doing are two different things.  I SHOULD be doing laundry, cleaning, painting, decorating, but instead I am sitting here at my kitchen table with a box of Jingles and a big glass of milk.  I love Jingles, they are an acquired taste because they are anisette cookies, but I love them.  Just like Good and Plenty's.  I never have to wonder if these two little gems will be sold out of a store.  Ahh...  

I thought that since I was gone over Thanksgiving that I would take the time now to say what I am thankful for:

My family.  I was talking with my friend Leslie this morning about this trip that Mom, Dad, Steve and I took to Springfield, Illinois in June of 2006.  It was a trip mom wanted to do with us, and we had a blast.  I am so thankful for that memory and the family that I have.

That wouldn't be complete without saying how grateful I am for my amazing, wonderful, loving, talented, silly, caring husband.  I couldn't have been through what I have been through without him.

I am so thankful for my three little chickens.  You can never fully understand your hearts capacity to love until you have children.  There are so many times where I my heart is just going to burst because I love these little miraculous beings so much.  

I am thankful for my creativity and abilities.  I sewed this dress for Penny for Thanksgiving.  My mom was an amazing seamstress.  She would whip up little outfits and dresses for me overnight - using old bridesmaid dresses, whatever she could get her hands on.  Now I couldn't put a patch on mom's ass when it comes to sewing (like that little phrase do ya?  It was one of my grandpa Tom's, I could write a book on his phrases), but I can hold my own. I saw this fabric and fell in love, and then used a shirt of Penny's as a model and made my own pattern and went to town.  It was a little snug at first, so I let up the back and now it has the same accent ribbon zigzagging up the back through matching grommets and yes, I made matching bows for her pigtails. I am so happy with how it turned out and since Thanksgiving was harder than I expected to not have mom around, it was a wonderful reminder of her legacy that she left behind.  She was my biggest cheerleader and I'd like to think she'd approve.

Now I would normally put another picture here, but honestly I don't have pictures of all my friends all together.  You know who you are.  I am so grateful for their friendship, companionship, love, support.  I love my girlfriends, old and new.  The ones on go on ridiculous adventures with, with our children and the ones that I can curl up with and chat until the wee hours of the morning.  I am thankful, so very thankful.

So I have packed up the Jingles, drank all the milk and now the laundry beckons, as does my floors.  I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season and from the bottom of my heart, thanks!