alexandradevellis

what I see here...

I was clicking around in iphoto and this little photo caught my attention. At first it just looks like a shot of the sideboard between my sitting room and dining room but then I realized something... pictured here are so many things that I love. Granted, it doesn't include my family or friends but it includes so, so many things that I love.

What jumps out at me...

my camera: I couldn't live without a camera. I know that's a big, bold, overly dramatic statement but it's pretty much true for me. I love photos and I am trying to become a better photographer. I like to keep my 'big' camera here, in this central location, so that it is always easily within reach. I think the ability to capture a moment is a blessing - truly amazing. 

my design books and magazines: I am, quite honestly, obsessed with interior design. It's my default. I constantly think of how I want to change things in my own home and very often I do the same at other peoples homes. It permeates most of my thoughts and at times it's a little overwhelming. I need to find a way to turn my design brain off once in a while. Maybe that's why I loved yoga so much - made me clear my mind.

my corks: I collect corks. I adore them. I love their colour and texture and to me they represent good things... a celebration, a date, a great dinner, a quiet evening on the couch or a little respite at the end of a long day. corks. yes. corks. love them.

flowers: flowers always, always, always make me feel good. and not the fancy kind. Don't get me wrong - I love most flowers and pretty much any floral arrangement is welcome here but I like simple. I like tulips and gerberas, I like hydrangeas and peonies. I like groups of one kind, one colour. I like them en masse or a few in a tiny tea cup. I. Love. Flowers.

candles: I think candles are outstanding. what could be more beautiful than a room solely lit by candles?? It just doesn't get any better than that. I like them white and unscented. I love their light and the mood that they set. so good.

the eiffel tower: set on one of the floating shelves in the front room is my eiffel tower. I have never been to Paris but for some reason I am drawn to the eiffel tower. I dream of going to Paris, to see it, to touch it. I honestly don't know why. I just love it. Hannah has inherited my love for it - she asked for her own eiffel tower for Christmas and, thankfully, Santa obliged. even her bedding has little eiffel towers all over it. someday we will go. someday.

my buddha: you can't see him that well here but he is peeking out from behind the lamp and he is so worthy of a mention. technically he is a 'young buddha' and I was drawn to him the minute I saw him. he is our only buddha and frankly, the only buddha I really need. I was determined to have him in the front room - setting the tone as soon as you enter our home - protecting us, not necessarily from physical harm but from negative thoughts and energies. he brings me a kind of peace that is hard to put into words. he is treasured.

It's amazing to me how a simple photo of a table top and surrounding room can say so much about who you are. I hope you'll take the time to look around your home and really see what is there and take a moment to appreciate the things that make you happy.

Smoothie Love

 

We make a lot of smoothies in this house - a lot!! We have been making them for as long as I can remember - it's a great way to get nutrients into little people. We've gotten to the point where the kids help and even come up with their own recipes. One of our current favourites we call the 'Super Smoothie'. It consists of frozen mangoes, raspberries, peaches and strawberries, a banana (or two), rice milk and a touch of water. It is always a hit - tasty and refreshing.

The ingredients of our smoothies varies according to what we have on hand and what we are in the mood for - sometimes we add yogurt, fish oil, ground flax seed, honey or agave nectar and even spinach.

With a good blender and great ingredients we are always just a couple minutes away from a fabulous smoothie.  

Now, right now...

I have held onto this blog for quite some time now, not willing to let it go, hoping that one day I would get back at it. After an epic 'break' it's hard to know what to write about. I have gone over so many different ideas... perhaps I could write about the many things that kept me from blogging?? Maybe I should start with a giant photo mosaic that captures our life over the last two years in photos?? How about something incredibly inspiring... like a magnificent project or life changing revelation??

Instead I have decided to simply talk about now. Right now.

It's just time to start, so here we go...

 

Now, right now...

• I am forty (yes - gasp!), Paul is forty-one and the twins are 9 (another gasp!)
• I am looking forward to spring - things budding and blooming, warmer weather and outdoor fun
• I am in the midst of bringing order to our home - cleaning, sorting, purging. Looking to simplify
• We are nursing our beautiful, 11 year old Shepherd, Asha back to health after knee surgery
• little mr w. is enjoying playing on his first, travel, basketball team
• little miss h. is loving hip-hop dance classes
• Paul is busy with work - lots of work from home to get marking and reports done
• we are about to purchase a new furnace - we have been managing to heat the house with our gas fireplace for the past week and a half (not a big fan of being cold - thankful the outside temps have been kind to us)
• I am hoping to get back into my studio to document our lives in photos and words
• The interior designer in me is anxious to splash some fun (and function!) around our house - looking to paint some cool found pieces and incorporate them into our home
• I am mainly eating a gluten-free, dairy-free diet after an alarming bout of something arthritis-inducing that I experienced back in August. Still having lots of joint issues but I'm making good progress 
• I am interested in getting back into yoga and putting more emphasis on honouring my body with movement and nutrition
• I see baking, cooking and meal planning in my future - want to put more care and attention into what we fuel ourselves with
• I am excited to learn more about photography and make the most of my new camera
• I am so thankful for my family and friends - and realizing that giving love and attention 'now' is the very best thing you can do with your time

 

So there you have it - that's our life right now.

hugs and love to all.

A.

xoxo

 

 

change... and my Non

Change... trying to embrace change around here lately. In many ways I feel like I have changed, my life has changed. Back in June I lost my Non - my maternal grandmother - but that term sounds so cold and she was so warm and loving and so much more than that to me.  I haven't blogged in ages, haven't quite known what to write about. But perhaps I will start with this and work my way back to getting to a place where I can create and blog and do and be.

 

This is what I wrote and read for my Non's funeral...

 

I always look back on my childhood with the fondest of memories. In many ways it was idyllic and that was largely because I was blessed with two fabulous women in my life - my mom and my grandmother.

Today we are here to celebrate the life of my grandmother and I would like to tell you a little bit about her and what she meant to me.

She called me 'Al Babe' and I called her 'Non'. We were so much more than grandmother and granddaughter - we were kindred spirits - we were friends.

I spent countless sleep-overs with Non at her house on Second Avenue where I felt completely at home with Non and Gramps. Non always made my stays so enjoyable. My favourite memories are of the everyday things we did together. She knew how much I loved bath time at her house - I was so little that she would have to hold my hand and help me into the big, white, clawfoot tub. Non would wash my back and then sit and chat with me while I spashed in the suds 'til my fingers and toes were pruney. Then she'd help me out, wrap me in a fluffy towel and squeeze me tight. 

After my bath there were snacks and card games and then there would be reading and snuggling in her big, cozy spool bed. We'd giggle and laugh and chat about our day until I drifted off to sleep - I can still remember the sound of the blind rapping against the window frame as the breeze blew outside and the little birds chirped. How I loved our time together up in her room.

I could go on forever about all the things we did together - like the baking, the singing and piano playing - and all the art - so much art. But what I really want everyone to remember is that Non was a kind and beautiful person from the outside in. She taught my mom and me that a woman could be all things... she was elelgant, smart, fit, sassy and fun. She was equally at ease in an evening gown and high heels or jeans and moccasins. She was good and kind and effortlessly gave of herself.

I have a quote that I would like to share with you now...

The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most-likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honour. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents.  Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt. Leo Buscaglia

Non took every opportunity to make her love felt. She was love - she was amazing. It is difficult to say good-bye for now but I find comfort in knowing that Non is at peace, with a clear and beautiful mind. She is with Gramps and her family and I'd imagine that she is dazzling them in heaven!

I am so thankful for all the time I had with Non - so blessed to have had her in my life.

I will miss you, Nonny. And to borrow a line from the song that you and Gramps held so dear... "I'll be loving you always".

 

Sweet peace to you, dear Nonny. 

 

made: a tote bag and a tutu!

I have been enjoying a little creative time lately. And the thing about creating is that it makes you want to keep creating!! Lots of ideas in my head and it's becoming evident that I need to make the time to let them come to fruition. Here are a couple things that have come out of the studio recently...

 

This tote bag was a gift for our dear, little friend Gracie. It's sized to fit our favourite books so it can be used as a book bag, a tap shoe bag or a general tote for all the little bits and baubles that little girls love to keep in tow. The initial monogram was inspired by this post at lovelydesign. Sharilyn is a wonder - her creativity is endless and always so inspiring.

And here is a photo of the little ditty I made for Hannah...

I have wanted to make Hannah a tutu for quite some time. When several of the girls at tap class showed up in tutus my fabulous friend Karen (Gracie's Mom!) and I decided it was time to give it a try. There are lots of tutorials out there - we took a bit of info from lots of them to create our own kind of tutus. They're easy and fast and fun. The tulle is just strips cut from 6" spools, the strips are tied onto 1" elastic waist bands and we added ribbon for a little extra something. Hannah loves hers but instead of sporting it at tap class she prefers to wear it at home or dress her stuffed animals in it - Wyatt even had it on his head at one point - who knew a tutu could be so versatile??!!

And today... we are running errands, going to the library and hopefully baking banana bread.

And.. a wonderful UPS person just dropped off the cashmere cardigan I ordered from J.Crew. I have never owned a cashmere cardi before - it was so on sale I just couldn't resist. The colour is called 'bright papaya' - the perfect way to brighten up a rainy Monday! 

sunshine and soul

Lately I find myself looking for sunlight - searching, yearning for it. I love the sun. The other day when the sun shone in on the dishes as I rinsed them and set them on the tea towel I couldn't help but smile - and grab my camera! I have to admit that saying good-bye to February and hello to March was big for me - to me March represents all good things... spring, sun, renewal and fun. So looking forward to spring and warmer weather.

Another little bit of sunshine in our home - love the light and the shadows.

On another note... I was the very lucky winner of a recent giveaway. The lovely and inspiring Emily hosted a giveaway on behalf of  Erika Martin and her fabulous Soulology Project. It was kind of funny... as I started to read through the winner's comment I thought 'this sounds a lot like what I wrote' and then as I continued reading I realized that that was because it was my comment - I guess you could say I wasn't expecting to win. But, oh, I'm so glad that I did - this will be a wonderful, creative journey that I am in need of. Looking to fill up my soul and open up my heart to the creative process. I'll let you know how I do! Thank you Emily, thank you Erika!!

And for today... a little tidying, a little baking (chocolate, almond, toffee bars!) and perhaps a little sewing project. And speaking of sewing... later this month I will post photos of my studio and my sewing nook - just a little tweaking (and a trip to Ikea!) and then I'll be ready to show you one of my favourite little hideaways.

Happy Friday - have a great weekend!

Hannah's favourite spot

Lately this is where our girl loves to hang out and create... 

This easel has been set up in the kitchen for quite some time - it has often been a busy spot but since we angled it a bit to get more sunlight and set the little Ikea stool in front of it Hannah has been working there steadily. She will wake in the morning and ask for a fresh piece of paper and then she if off in her creative world. Some days are particularly prolific - we now have a box that holds roll after roll of her lovely, thoughtful renderings. She has taken to setting up her favourite books for inspiration - some days it's The Aristocats, recently Hotel for Dogs and today it was all about Scooby-Doo. I have visions of always having an easel in the kitchen for her - no matter where we move or how old she is I think art will always be part of her and I will always, happily make room for her easel!!

a day of celebration

Today was a wonderfully busy day. It was a good day - a day of gifts and cake and hugs and kisses - a day of being thankful for our two 'little ones'!

My favourite thing about the day was when Paul found Hannah and Wyatt snuggling in Hannah's bed in the wee small hours of the morning - they were smiling and giggling in anticipation of the big day that lay out in front of them. I so love the way they love each other.

And now... I will get some rest and get ready for some fun, productive and creative days! So looking forward to some time in my studio!

a little post and a photo...

We have been enjoying some serious winter weather here... Hannah and Wyatt had a snow-day on Friday and this gave us the opportunity to have some snowy-day family fun from that day on. There has been lots of outdoor fun in the snow and indoor snuggling, reading and baking - Paul made banana bread and I made chocolate, almond, toffee bars - yum!

Here is a shot of our Christmas book basket...

Not sure where I saw this idea first... likely from Ali, Soule Mama or Molly (for some reason I can't link anyone right now - will work on that!). I love having everything gathered together like this. We have another little basket full of Christmas and snowy day movies.  'Rudolph' has been big this year - we've watched it twice so far and I'm sure it will be on again soon. Hannah has an intense love for Rudolph - this was heightened last year when 'he' left lovely, flannel pj's for H&W. Hmmm... I wonder if he'll bring anything this year??!! You never know!

And for this afternoon... there will be a tiny bit of shopping, some gingerbread house construction and maybe a little bit of wrapping. 

Hope you are all well and having some winter-time fun!

Sometimes I miss this...

Going through iphoto tonight I came across lots and lots of photos that I love. I get lost in iphoto whenever I get into it - I should really be in bed right now, sleeping off the beginnings of a cold,  but this is more fun.  Our camera was a dinosaur of a digital so the photos are often blurry but I treasure them.

Here's one that made me smile...

and made me miss their 'littleness'. Some days were c-r-a-z-y but for the most part we shared a lot of smiles and laughs and wonderful little moments.  My fabulous babies - so, so blessed to have them!