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I've been emptying out old conference bags lately. I usually end up with one for each conference. With two-three per year, stuff accumulates. To wit, this is what I pulled out of one bag today:

Photos of Little Brewer #1 hugging other kids in preschool = 2. Hugging is big in our house. Start 'em young.

Backup harddrive CDs from 2007-2008 = 4.

Copies of packing list from office move TWO YEARS AGO= 2.

Small bottles of Tabasco = 1. For spicy emergencies.

Rocks = 1. From Ireland.

Printout of Amtrak reservation from BWI-Newark Airport (EWR) with notes from last Ireland trip on back= 1. Some fun stuff in there, including a Haiku that starts, "So full of tea, me." Must scan for posterity.

Spare change = .03. So I can give more than my .02 cents worth.

Spoons = 1.

Pens = 5. Two of which promote branded prescription drugs.

Research study questionnaires = 1.

Printouts of slides = 1. Not my slides.

Handsfree headsets = 1. So that's where it went! I must have hidden it after it developed the tendency to call people on its own.

USB cables = 1. Possibly belonged to PDA#1.

Crochet hooks = 1. Of course. No bag is complete without at least one.

Tiny purple plastic play jewels = 1. Because I am a Mom.

Fibery goodness

Believe it or not, crafting is still taking place at Chez Casa de Brewgal. Observe!

A baby surprise jacket for Kendra.

One for El Jefe Jr. I'm going to be an aunt in about a week! So exciting.

Closeup of the buttons. Little Scottie dogs. The cuteness!

I've attended four baby showers (three at work, one for El Jefe Jr.) in the last two months.


I am really enjoying the crochet block pattern. It's a great way to use up stray skeins. In addition to the one seen here, I've got another almost finished. In advance. I know! Crazy! Acela. Awesome for crocheting.

I'm also starting a scarf for a dear friend who has somehow managed to live in New York without a handknit scarf. The knitting will find you. Oh yes, it will.

At the rate I knit, it should be ready by next winter. Hopefully he'll still want it by then.

Action shot of Brewgal in the Sunset scarf.

The 5AM Haiku

I love sleeping. It’s the only place I can really let my mind go and while sleeping it comes up with some cool wacky shit in dreams. Which makes my occasional bouts of insomnia all the more frustrating. I hate going to bed at 10 only to wake up a few hours later at 2 or 3. Then my mind starts going round and round.

Life’s problems always seems more serious in the middle of the night.

Anyway, I had sleeping problems while I was in NYC, no doubt due to the fact that my hotel room was situated right next to housekeeping and geez, are they LOUD and no, I don’t want to hear what you overheard in room whatever.

So this time when I woke up in the middle of the night after a grand total of 2 hours sleep, I started thinking Haiku.

Long lost friends come back
But when the heart sees them, they
Never went away

Yeah, yeah, sappy. More impressively, I could read my handwriting in the morning.

Quickly now,

I'm off to New York City for my yearly February conference. I realized how far I've come anxiety-wise when my thoughts are all about where I'm going to eat and not at all about how nervous I am to give the presentation. I'm also taking the opportunity to catch up with some old friends from high school/college. I hope they like Belgian beer, 'cause the chance to have Karmeleit on tap is not negotiable.

Last week I promised more kitchen photos. Here they are!


The wall 'o glass cabinetry properly furnished. Is that Roseville? Why, yes it is! This cabinet better not fall off the wall, dammit.


The backsplash is in. These are polychrome and field tiles from Motawi Tiles in Michigan.

Here you can see it over the range. I created the design myself, much to the consternation of the tile specialist. I'll post the saga of the backsplash later.


I just had to throw this in. This was the weather map before storm #2. Apparently the folks over at NBC4 were SO excited about another 10-12" of snow that they forgot how to spell. See how helpfully they circled the error?

Kitchen update

I will not mention the snow. I will not mention the snow. I will not mention the snow.

Blizzard conditions? In Maryland? I'm having PA/OH flashbacks.

And not the good ones.

Let's talk renovation!

The flooring finally arrived and was installed. This is reclaimed oak barn wood from Elmwood Reclaimed Timber. They have a great product. Their communication is a bit laissez-faire, but if you're laid back it shouldn't be a problem. Just look at the gorgeousness that is my living room! The Little Brewers have been scanning the floor, looking for their favorite planks. We've discovered one that has some initials carved in it.

My Craftsman style columns have been installed. I looooove the columns.

Here's a view looking down the entryway toward the front door. Will I be replacing the front door in the future? Yes I will. Note the lack of ceiling light. I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect light to complement the columns.

Actually, I had found the perfect light a year ago but couldn't convince Mr. Brewguy to spend the money.

Did you see the hint of cabinets? Patience, patience.

Perhaps some good karma came home to roost because the light I had been lusting over for a year was available at reduced cost.
Is this not the most beautiful light ever? This is work by James Mattson Coppercraft.

Here is the light making my entryway all fancy-like.

More photos later!

Snowdiculus

Named for the Roman Emporer Snowdiculum (23BC-23BC), the Snowdiculus is a weather event so outrageous it calls for extreme hilarity.

Before the recent snow event. Notice the snow still around from the last snowstorm.

We are approaching Snowdiculous.

We got 27" of snow Friday-Saturday and lost power for 14 hours. Let me tell you, cold and tired makes me cranky. We are expecting another 10"-20" tomorrow-Wednesday. Perhaps not such a big deal in Buffalo, but not so good for Maryland (number of plows=3).

During the event, about 5:30pm.

Saturday morning.

I have shoveled our driveway and that of three neighbors. Ow. The good part is that all the neighbors are now friendly and the shoveling goes much faster with five people.

The blue tape is 28".

My parents called today from Fort Lauderdale to see how things were going. I told them to stay in Florida and not attempt to approach the Mid Atlantic.

They did not argue.