Dave the Potter

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave won a Caldecott Award yesterday. I took this book out of the library, being a little familiar with Dave the Slave pottery. I read it first to S, who really enjoyed it, then J read it on his own. He was really excited when it was discussed at school this week, and he was the only one who had read it. Written by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier, this is wonderful book to have a discussion about slavery with young children. The kids are looking forward to seeing some of the pottery when we are in South Carolina next.

We Got Ice Cream!!!

UW Badgers Men's Hockey won 5-1 against the Massachusetts's Minutemen.

And because they scored 5 goals in one game, we got frozen custard cones from Culver's!
The Kohl Center... with Chihuly Glass Art. Dale Chihuly was a former student at UW-Madison.

Go Bucky!!!

J decked out in Badger finery!

S wants to be the Bucky Mascot when he is in college.

30 Minutes 1 Aisle = Patience is a Virtue

Grandma gave them $10 each to spend how ever they wanted, this meant for me 30 minutes waiting in the Lego/Nerf aisle at Target, waiting for a decision to be made. I could have used a cocktail by the end of this process.

I think S is really rocking the newsboy cap. J didn't get one, so he has been wearing my beret (which I haven't worn since the whole Clinton/Lewinsky mess). J is using his loom for the first time. He really wanted one for Christmas, and he got it from the other Grandma. I really think he will be an artist of some kind when he grows up.

What I Bought Myself For Christmas...

Stealing Magnolias by Debra Shriver

About her love affair with New Orleans
A Passion For Interiors by Carolyne Roehm
I have all her books, I like to live vicariously through her pages.
Maybe someday when I have the funds and staff...


The Great Lady Decorators by Adam Lewis
A look at the lives and careers of the pioneers of Interior Design.

Christmas Returns

photo courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society


One of my favorite stories about my Maternal Grandfather was about him returning a Christmas gift. My mother gave him a Pendleton wool shirt, and he didn't like the plaid pattern. So Mom, Grandma and Grandpa went back to The Hub (a store in Madison, long gone) to choose a different one. Grandpa explained to the salesman that he wanted to choose a different shirt, and the salesman said that was no problem, took the first shirt, folded it and put it back on the shelf. Grandpa took quite some time choosing the perfect shirt, one he raved about. The colors were great, he loved the plaid pattern... this was the perfect shirt. The salesman said he made an excellent choice, and sent the threesome on their way. You see where this story is going, don't you? Yes, my Grandpa choose the same shirt he had just returned. Mom and Grandma didn't say a word, just winked at each other and smiled.

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

Santa was good to the boys.

J and S, along with S's new friend Stella.
(I think the penguin was named after a cute little girl in his class)

Future Quarterback for the Badgers, class of 2026.

They have been wearing these hats all over.

The Nutcracker Ballet

We took the boys to see The Nutcracker at the Overture Center in Madison on Saturday. The dancing was amazing, and the set was absolutely beautiful. They loved the ballet, especially the sword fighting part. When it started to snow on stage, S turned to me and said, "It's magical." It truly was. I think this is the beginning of a wonderful tradition.