Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Warmer For Winter

After a long and unseasonably warm fall, the weather has turned colder in the last couple of weeks. On Black Friday it snowed, which I'm sure made the shopping quite festive!

Rather than pull out the Christmas decorations - I just didn't have the energy for it - we transitioned our bedroom for winter.

Out went the light, airy, cream-colored quilt and a single sheet...
Down came the curtains, into the wash, and then ironed before hanging them again (all 16 panels!)...
The windows got cleaned, the shelves dusted...
And then things got cozy - a down comforter, a green geometric duvet cover that I LOVE (and only $20 at IKEA), and a brown, quilted coverlet...


With cold temps and lots of cozy covers, it's a little harder to get out of bed these days!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Window Shopping & An Anniversary

Look what's in the window at On Paper, a local stationer store in the Short North...


My sister, Karla, and her husband, Zach, were married last October. Being the matron of honor and sister of the bride, and having a passion for beautiful papergoods, naturally I made their save-the-dates, invitations, shower invitations, programs, table numbers, and thank yous. I used many of the papers available at On Paper, including the eco-friendly papers from Green Paper Company. On Paper selected my work for display in their window!

Clockwise from the top: shower invitation, save-the-date, program, invitation, thank you notes


The invitation was five pages, held together with a tiny copper brad at one end. The cover page featured their names and wedding date.


The other four pages each had three layers of cardstock and paper - a solid color, a subtle coordinating pattern, and a shimmery ivory on which the text was printed.

The maps were custom designed with the key locations marked, and smaller inset maps provided greater detail.

The reply card offered a unique opportunity for the guests. Held on with removable tape and stamped on the other side, guests peeled off a postcard that revealed a note underneath. The bride and groom have an album of replies that include words of advice, recipes, funny stories, pictures, and poems to cherish forever.

The programs were a cover page of cardstock and three pages of shimmery ivory paper. The were attached with a tiny copper brad at the top, which was punched through the center of a three-layer flower and sunburst embellishment.

Photo: Wendy Martin Photography

Photo: Wendy Martin Photography

Happy Anniversary, Karla & Zach!


Sunday, November 1, 2009

And Then We Partied...!

Pelotonia "Please" & "Thank You" Happy Hour
"Thank You" to our generous friends and family...
"Please" consider donating...
Celebrate our 180-mile ride...

The Invitation:

The Guests:
Friends & Family

The Menu:
Chicken Lollipops With Pesto
Butternut Squash Risotto Cakes
Grilled Vegetable Paninis
Tomato & Mozzarella Skewers
Melon & Procusitto Skewers
Watermelon & Feta Skewers
Brownie Bites With Mocha Icing
White Cake With Vanilla Icing and Raspberries
Lemonade Mixers
Wine & Beer Selections

The Location:
Our Backyard

The Photos:
Our fabulous neighbor, Rita Finn

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Pelotonia Recap: 180 Miles & $4,610

"Pelotonia is a grassroots biking experience with one goal: to end cancer..."

Pelotonia's goal is to raise $40 million in the next 5 years to support the fight against cancer...

With a commitment to raise at least $2,000 each, Ben and I signed up and began raising money...

We knew riding 180 miles would be the easy part, but the fundraising had us worried...

Thanks to the VERY GENEROUS support of friends and family, we reached and surpassed our goal...

Here are our journals and photos from the road...

Ben:
Pelotonia Begins...
Almost time...

Erin:
Thank You!!!
Ben:
At Slate Run...
Erin is waiting for Lance to catch up.

Erin:
30 miles down, 70 miles to go!
Thank You!
Erin
Ben:
10am...
Time for donut holes. I ate a whole box. Lance ate 10...and a small child. By the way, how many of you are already sick of these?
Ben:
Near Logan...
Look at the traffic jam we caused! I had no idea all these people were coming out to see me.

Erin:
70 miles down, 30 miles to go! Lake Logan rest stop. Up one BIG hill a while back. Legs are fatigued!
Thank you!
Erin
Ben:
Nelsonville
Anyone up for a swim? I have an announcement to make: I'm tired. 88 miles down...12 to go.

Erin:
12 more flat miles to go! I'd know our average speed if my bike computer hadn't bounced out of the bracket and into Lake Logan! :-(

Ben:
Athens!
Not only did we make it, but the nice people at the Convocation Center fixed my room assignment so that I can share a room with Erin! Life is good!Thanks to all who donated!

Erin:
We've arrived in Athens - good ride! The party has already started, and we're looking forward to a restful evening before heading back to Columbus tomorrow! Thank you for your support of The James!
Erin

Ben:
Here we go again...
I'd feel better about this 80 mile follow up if the organizers hadn't forgotten to get coffee. How can you forget the coffee?!?
See you in Cbus.
Erin:
80 miles to home!
Ben:
Back in Logan...
For GORP and Gatorade. Last time we were here, Erin's bike computer fell off, hit the pavement, and bounced into Lake Logan. Today, I almost jumped in the lake and tried to swim for home. Erin stopped me. Still no sign of Lance (I think he only rode yesterday). But I did see Rick Nash, and in a fist fight, my money is on the Nasher.

Ben:
Somewhere in the Hocking Hills...
I've been told we have 36 miles left. Even better, the biggest hills are behind us. Best of all, they have PBJ at this rest stop. But, what I could really go for is a Makers on the rocks.

Erin:
Almost halfway home! They had no coffee this morning, but we've had plenty of energy to climb the hills nonetheless! Erin

Ben:
The Finish Line
Done! They forgot to tell us that the final 20 miles would be uphill and into the wind. Oh well, to steal a line from my buddy Matt, "It sounds like hell, but then again, so is cancer." Thanks to everyone who donated. For those of you in the area, we'll see you next weekend at the after party.

Erin:
FINISHED!!! Thanks for your support!
Erin