[yes I packed washi tape and used it to jazz up my badge]

My oh my what a whirlwind tour. I would have loved to post a recap of my wonderful trip to Alt Design Summit earlier, but after the conference I headed down to St. George, UT to visit my childhood bestie Kaitlyn and her family. Tonight I’m popping online to say, “I’m home!” despite some serious travel delays and I’m worn out. There were long travel days on both ends of this trip, and I’m sad to say that my family suffered a profound loss while I was away (more on that later). I need some time to recoup before I share the rest of the details.

I will say this: Alt was wonderful. There are so many adjectives being used by attendees, but the thing that floored me was the beauty that was all around. And I don’t just mean physical beauty, although there was that too (500 bloggers in a room is some serious business!), but also emotional beauty, creative beauty, and most of all Beautiful Energy. The energy of these men and women was INCREDIBLE. I didn’t stop moving for a second, and I certainly was never bored.

Also I met some amazing people, and made many new friends. I also played famous for a few moments each day by getting some QT with my some of my design idols.

Until I can get more put together, I’ll share with you these links if you’re itching for a recap of the action:

If you’re really interested, here is the Alt Summit 2012 flickr stream. Beware there are over 2500 pictures (and only like 4 of me, 2 of which are totally unflattering)

Jasmine Star’s reflection. She was the star of the show, IMO

BlogStar’s 38 things I learned at alt summit (I am so excited to use our pinterest pencils!)

Alt Summit (hair) buns (The hair inserted by me for clarity).  I will be learning how to top knot ASAP.

Amy’s 8 steps to getting over post alt summit depression.

I’ll be back over the next few days with much much more to share, I promise. There was a lot of learnin’, meetin’, and partyin’ goin’ on!

[nighttime view of the courtyard at the Grand America]

I have been making batches of soup in especially large quantities.  Some are old favorites that make my tastebuds sing with joy in the memory.  Some, like this one, are merely a result of food we have on hand.  I routinely begin a soup day in strong consulation with my favorite soup book:

I bought this as a gift for B… a really long time ago.  Even she said the other week, geez, I think that might be the most use we have ever gotten out of a cookbook.  So true, this thing was worth every penny!  (and note to self, who can I buy this for??)

Chicken + Potato x 2

(adapted from the Big Book fo Soups and Stews)

serves 6

6 cups chicken/turkey stock

4 medium sweet potatoes peeeled and chopped

3 carrots, chopped

2 medium potatoes (I used russet, but I bet red would be great too!)

1 onion chopped

2 cloves garlic, minces

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken

salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot over high heat, combine all ingredients except the chicken.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer while covered until veggies are crisp, approx 15-20 min.  Add chicken and simmer, uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.

Ladle into bowls with salt and pepper to taste.

I have been working a bunch, but in my pjs.  The fire crackles all day long, and i move from working on the couch to the dining room and looking out into the snowy yard.  I may have listened to everyone of my favorite playlists on my ipod.

But the last few evenings, I have loved getting inspired to create.  A little photo editing here and there… beginning this new knitting project…pinning stuff I want to create…going through a few patterns and craft books…

One of the books I want to use a bit more this year is :

Scandinavian Needlecraft

I have been very into embroidering lately and felt, so I’m not surprised.

I have completed one project out of this book already.  I never posted about it because… I made three of the same Deer!  (Rudy, RJr, Rudette…hehehe!)   I kept one, and used it on my Christmas Dessert table.  The other two found new homes, wrapped in paper and opened under the tree.  I sit here tonight, gazing at the first deer, and smile, knowing two others are out there, hopefully being loved.

But maybe it is so we can work from home, in front of the fire, with snow steadily coming down outside the window all day long.  And, instead of a lunch break, you are able to  take a snow walk around your neighborhood.  In lieu of cars driving,  you see children sledding down your road, couples skiing where sidewalks once were, and neighbors venturing to the local hot spot……

Well, the truth is – yes!  I still am in Christmas.  It has been busy since I have gotten back from NJ Christmas.  And now, the Pac NW is about to get a giant snowstorm… or so they say – i will believe it when I see a flurry!

There is a bit of snow still on the ground, and I am inside with Christmas decorations all around.

That combined with looking through and organizing photos….. means that I realized I never put up pictures of our 2011 Christmas Dessert tables.  We decorate tables every year for this event, and I don’t want ’11 neglected!

2010 table

2009 table

Too bad from what I can tell they are like $20 a pop AND you have to buy connector cords. Hmm. Maybe next year the price will come down and we can put that awesomeness all over our house!

How scrumptious does this blanket look on a winter morning? {via}

Love these exposed brackets (we originally contemplated something similar for our mantle redesign) {via}

Wonderful natural textures in this kitchen by bates + masi architects. {via}

On my 2012 craft-room reorganization wishlist is this desk lamp {via}

I’m obsessed with all things celestial, so this star map wall hanging from Thomas O’brien’s apartment (photographed by william waldron for elle decor) is right up my alley! {via}

Last but not least, love this subtle infusion of nautical from Canadian house and Home {via}

psst. D is now pinning. Follow her here and me here.

I was editting some photos yesterday and realized that I was months behind on my photo organizational crazyness that I normally complete on my computer.  This caused me to go back and look through all my pictures from 2011.  In general, I bet I took way less pictures this year then I did in 2010.  I categorize by months and then subfolders… and some months only had a few shots, even.   I admit, I had folders of photos that I don’t think have ever been seen.  So… I am going to attempt to be better about this in 2012.  Upload and categorizing photos on my computer and letting you see more of them.

So, in an effort this day to notice  how great 2011 was… here are a few of the things that where my favorites last year.  Some months have several, others have pictures even!

january

besides the usual Christmas recovery,  saying goodbye to Oliver (ps, i now look back at this image and say…wow, oliver sure was um, sparse-r then Viola!)…

I went to the Oregon coast on a youth leader retreat, and generally relaxed.  Must do that again!

february

crafted a bunch for valentine’s day! message in a cookies and the super fun love monsters!

march

b and i redesigned the blog with major computer techie help from our friend Dave.   .. but the updated blog that you see here went live!

and….two special kiddos got dedicated at church!  I don’t think I ever shared this picture of me and Kaylee, which pretty much is the cutest ever! {bias, yes, but it is really cute!}  I think this might also win for my favorite photo of 2011…

april

easter and my bunny making obsession!

Building another raised bed for the yard, and massive amounts of planting.  The gardening had started!

may

the caption such just be… jetlag.

I went to the east coast twice, and by my calculations I spent half the month either on airplanes or being jetlagged.  It was for some pretty special occasions though… First, my dad turned 50 over Mother’s Day weekend.  {talk about most milage out of one plane ticket EVER!}

Then, my little sister graduated from college at the end of the month.  This allowed me to fly into Boston and see a friend from college before driving out to Clark for her ceremony!

{super cute family photo!}

 {celebration at graduation dinner… it was a gelato sampler, yum!}

june

Extreme week aka summer camp for youth group.  This means I get to go to camp too!  Whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming for a week, sans cell reception.  I’d do it once a month if they let us!

july

Lazy fourth of July at our house, a ton of gardening, and busy busy busy!

august

B’s birthday party at our house, which featured outdoor movie night.  We pretty much should do that more often.  It included a popcorn bar, which I have to say might have been the best summer party idea of 2011.

The twins also turned one… which meant party Dr. Seuss style.  B made them amazing clothes, I made them hats and rainbow cakes. 

Cakes that quickly turned from this:

Into this:

september

dahlias in full bloom around here and…

i went back to NJ… for my cousin’s wedding and to spend a few days with my family.  I visited the beach at Ocean Grove and New York for a day.  I was most excited to finally get to see the High Line.  Bloggers and designers had been raving about it all summer, and I was dying to take a walk there!

my dad came with me, and we both found these lounges that moved along the old train tracks very clever.

october

pumpkin picking!

{girls only pic}

and, as i go through these photos… i see a runner up for kaylee and i’s favorite photo of the year…

and, man this is is an awesome group of photos in this folder.  and I am in a ton of these pictures, which never happens to me.  who took all these funny photos?  Like this one, which might win fav of B and ethan, both laughing like crazy!

november

I retreated up to snowy Mt Baker!

And then Lemon House hosted it’s first Thanksgiving guests, my parents!

december

Christmas Christmas Christmas!

Need I say more?   I wore festive socks, hair accessories, jewelry, and christmas lights accessories… every day that month.  I say it was a raging success!

We hosted the girls over for present opening {doesn’t Viola look excited to have all these gifts underneath her!}

and then I went to NJ for Christmas week!  (more to come on that, do you think I am that organized??????)

Mostly it was a work day with a looong to-do list. I did manage to catch some great morning skies, a quick trip to the gym over lunch, and a snap of the Seattle Blogger meet up that Lyndsay organized. A fun day!

Head over to Rebekah’s wonderful blog to see all the other sets. New to ten on ten? Read more about it here. Its such a wonderful community to have become a part of in 2011, we’re really excited for the year ahead!

{1}{west elm elton chair}  {2}{georgie table lamp}  {3}{xhilaration by target polyurethane watch}  {4}{cb2 yield coffee table}  {5}{cb2 hitch marigold stool}  {6}{marimekko puutarha napkins}  {7} {delonghi toaster}

Fun fact: D and I don’t own a toaster or toaster oven, we just put things on to broil when we want them toasted. Is there a kitchen accessory you do without?