HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

My baby turns 31 today! I gave him the choice between a home-cooked meal here at the house or dining out, and he chose Salt Lick Barbecue in Driftwood. Should I be insulted? Nah. I'd choose Salt Lick too!

In case you're not a Dr. Who aficionado,  Salt Lick now has a replica of the Tardis, Dr. Who's preferred method of travel when hopping about the universe. The sign on the door says "Here For The Ribs" -- so very apropos in son Austin's case!

Grandson Calvin came dressed for the occasion, sporting the latest infant fashions from Barcelona! (We found out the sex of our first grandchild while there, and had to rush right out and buy something to honor the occasion.)

His daddy, who favors black infant attire with skulls, thinks it's "the goofiest outfit ever!"

His life is so bright, he's gotta wear shades!

While there, we got the news that Birthday Boy and his co-worker have been invited to do a presentation for Black Hat Euro about a computer security "app" they designed, which means a free trip to London and a chance to hang out with his brother-in-law Amin.

All in all, it was quite the celebration!

  
Thirty-one years old, and he still wants video games and board games for his birthday! Then again, that's probably what got him this career he was born to have...

THIS FACE

I don't know how it happened, but it seems that within days of seeing it for the very first time with its eyes open and focused, there was nothing in the world that could make me giddier...

not even boxes of new art supplies on my doorstep or sharing creme brulee macarons and tea with my BFF at our favorite cafe...

than seeing this face break into a into a smile.

 I'm pretty sure Papa John feels the same way too.

MAKING A RAINBOW

It was a hard, hard thing to do, but yesterday I finally cleared the dining room table off and put all of my paper-painting supplies back where they belong. Remember how neat and organized those supplies were when I first set them out? Well, within a day or two it was looking more like this.

So, I'm sure you can just imagine what it looked like after two weeks. But, oh my, the fun that was had! Cuz the thing about paper painting is, the more you do, the better you get. And, the better you get, the more fun you have. And, the more fun you have, the more you want to do! Alas, at some point you finally have to stop making more paper, and actually start using what you've made -- else you just might end up on an episode of Hoarders. Then again, how many people, when asked what they did this week, can honestly say...

"I made a rainbow!"

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

Remember my post about taking over the dining room table for artful purposes? Well, guess what my daughter's dining room table looks like?

Midway through her pregnancy she happened across a notice in her neighborhood newsletter, posted by a woman who has an Etsy shop where she makes and sells all sorts of veils and headpieces. The business had grown to the point where she really needed to take on some help, so Lex went to talk to her. When the woman handed Lex her business card, Lex was like "You've got to be kidding!" Remember the amazing hair ornament Lex wore in her speakeasy-themed wedding?

Yep, this is the woman she ordered it from! Only, at the time, I think she was based in California. Now, she lives a few streets over from Lex. Unfortunately, the woman's husband just got transferred again, to Arizona maybe? Luckily, she likes Lexi's work so much she's going to have the supplies shipped directly to Lex so they can continue working together.

What's really funny is that, when I was a brand new mom who had just quit a full-time job to stay home with my baby, but really, really needed a creative outlet, I too was approached by a neighbor who had a home based business that was getting out of hand. So whenever baby Lex was napping, or after I'd put her to bed at night, you could always find me at my sewing machine, making things like machine appliqued sweat shirts and nap pads and bandanna bibs.

That's Lexi's quilted nap pad, complete with a built in pillow with her name appliqued on it, folded up under my head.

A Lanford Christmas celebration, where Chase got one of my bandanna bibs with a sheriff's star on it.

So, as I said, like mother, like daughter!

  

HANGIN' WITH THE COOL KIDS

There's nothing we like better than having one of the kiddos call and say "We've found a new place you've got to try! Wanna meet for dinner?" Which is how we ended up at Sawyer & Co. this holiday weekend.

They had me the minute I stepped through the door and found this!

But, it was the side courtyard that clinched the deal.

Oh, and there was this, in the ladies' bathroom.

Their specialties are seafood and Cajun...

Shrimp 'n Grits

Fried Shrimp, Red Beans & Rice, and a Seared Tuna Poorboy

but there are other things on the menu as well, including the best fried pickle chips I've had since being introduced to my very first ones at Big Bee Burger in Odessa, Texas, some forty-odd years ago.

She thinks he's sooooo cute. Newlyweds!

Speaking of cute, check out this cutie pitootie.

Many thanks to Lex and Nate for introducing us to another super-fun hangout.

He's learned to be suspicious whenever my camera comes out.

Next time you're in E. Austin, you might want to check it out. You'll have a good time, I guar-on-tee!
 

A NOT-SO-HOSTILE TAKEOVER

I do love my wee little bedroodio -- the artsy space I created in the corner of my bedroom. It's the perfect spot for working in my little art journals, with everything I need within arm's reach. It does, however, have its limits. For instance, it would not be a great place to set up a paper-painting assembly line. And, if I ever wanted to put into practice all the things I learned in my last art workshop, I knew I'd have to take drastic measures. So, this past Saturday I grabbed my old shower curtain liner, commandeered the dining room table, and did this:

I was so proud of myself for managing to fit everything I needed on the table, and still leave a little space at one end where Hubby can eat his breakfast. A short while later it hit me. Just where was I planning to lay out all those freshly painted papers while they dry? Doh! Sorry Hubs.

The crumpled pieces above are the baby wipes I use to clean my gelli plate and brayers - too pretty to toss!

Apart from that, it's working out quite nicely, and I plan to leave it up at least a week or two -- until it's time to clean up for the cleaning lady!

MY DRUG OF CHOICE

This...

This is what gets me high.

Color-madness, in all its many forms. I'm about to spend a week or two just wallowing in it. More on that tomorrow.

So, what sends shivers up your spine?