Merry Christmas.
This year, due to work schedules and travel distances, Lindsay and I are spending Christmas together in Portland instead of with our respective families. We’re both sad we won’t see our parents and siblings this week, but are both happy that we can hang out together and have a modest little celebration.
Lindsay has been crafting up a storm and has made three little stockings (one is for for Gladys) which are hanging up in my small studio apartment. We bought a tiny tree at the flower shop around the corner, and it is decked out with a strand of lights, a paper chain, candy canes, and two ornaments that Lindsay’s Mom sent us. There’s not many packages under the tree, but Lindsay and I stuffed each other’s stockings with gifts.
I have a small batch of cioppino simmering on the stove right now (it’s an Arth family tradition) and there’s some eggnog, brandy, and sweets waiting to be enjoyed later—most likely with the DVD I received from Netflix.
All in all, this year is one of the simplest and quietist Christmas’ I’ve ever had, but I already know it’ll be one of the most memorable.
This week we sold my car, a 1984 BMW 325e. Bright blue, with silver racing stripes, and a custom matching blue/black interior. I loved that car, and I will remember all the fun memories I have of driving it around with friends, working on it at my Dad’s shop, and having it be instantly recognized as “the chrisarth car.” Goodbye, little bimmer.
Ode to Gladys by Kelly Arth
Glady catty you make me smile,
first arrived all shy and quiet,
you’re filled with spirit.Glady catty you stayed for a while.
Glady catty you cuddled with me,
you ran and jumped and played with me.You waited at home for my return,
you stayed with me till my departure.Bratty catty you bit and scratched me.
You ran away to hunt,
but still came back to me.Bratty catty you ate my mom’s plant,
Bratty catty you made her rant.Glady catty how I miss you.
You made my family smile in everything you did,
even when you were playing and ran away and hid.
When you went outside for the first time to explore
we saved you from the outside world, but you wanted to see more.Glady catty I will miss you.
Glady catty you make me smile.
Completely normal.
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
I bought Lindsay a kitten for her birthday. We went to the Oregon Humane Society and picked her up yesterday after visiting a couple stores to buy pet supplies. She’s about three months old, entirely grey, and very tiny. She’s also extremely friendly and talkative. All-in-all I’d say she’s a pretty awesome cat. The only hitch? She’s still figuring out the whole bathroom thing, apparently. So far she has peed on my bed twice, pooped once on the hardwood floor, and once in her litter. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she’ll figure this whole thing out in the next day or so.
Emigre released two new font families today, designed to accompany Mrs Eaves: Mr Eaves Sans and Mr Eaves Modern.
Late Thursday night I got hit hard by a sore throat, and less than 24 hours later it turned into a full fledged head cold. I think things are finally starting to get better, and if it wasn’t for Zicam I think I’d be out for the count.
Need Supply
If I could go on an endless shopping spree for clothing, this would be my first stop.
I like watching this video by David Stillman when I start to miss ol’ Chico, CA.
Svpply
Swiss Miss describes Svpply as “basically ffffound but for retail items.” I think that’s a great description.
LAC, Inc.
Laura Ashbrook Compton (or, LAC) is a designer living and working in Seattle. She was very kind and gave this blog a little shout out on Twitter today, resulting in a number of new people subscribing to my updates. Thanks, Laura. Hopefully I can return the favor. (That means everyone should go check out her blog right now.)
Checkout 3 is so awesome looking it makes me want to open a retail store just so I could put it to use.
Renourish project calculator
This is a great tool for figuring out how to use the least amount of paper on a project you’re getting ready to send to press. I know Molly will love this. [Via]
