tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44775626867143281142009-11-02T05:27:00.450-05:00A glimpse into the life and work of an inspired mother and aspiring artistMurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-63842583373290834602009-05-06T23:24:00.006-04:002009-05-06T23:38:13.968-04:00

8.29 lbs, 20 1/2 inches long, arrived today via C-section (seems she was rather comfy right where she was, and refused to budge no matter how hard my sister pushed and pleaded). Mother, father and baby are happy, healthy and resting comfortably. My cheeks ache from smiling, she is absolutely gorgeous, crab mustard and all.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-45045009723686252712009-02-03T09:55:00.009-05:002009-02-06T16:24:48.286-05:00

Good friends of ours were married this afternoon... secret married (my favorite kind of married just so you know!). As luck would have it, Fritz and Tim (the groom) have a client who's a judge and was more than happy to marry them in town. So sweet and simple and romantic.I wanted to give Mary Jo (the bride) a little something personal to commemorate her day, and decided to put together this

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-54471929906698888542009-02-03T09:29:00.003-05:002009-02-03T09:41:49.333-05:00

A special something for a special someone. Putting this together was so EXCITING! I can't wait until Friday when I can post a picture of what's inside! Just what i needed to get me back in the studio I might add. I've had quite a break, so I'm off to dabble and organize. Happy February! (isn't it the loveliest little month?)

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-39482708695680618712009-01-28T23:31:00.003-05:002009-01-28T23:52:48.394-05:00

http://jacksonpollock.org/Thanks Fritz and the uber duber hip Tim.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-67115223541317307792009-01-28T15:40:00.005-05:002009-01-28T22:32:12.479-05:00

to mention the CPSIA! I first read about this misguided proposition on Kate's blog, and could scarcely believe it. I won't go on and on about the specifics since there are a multitude of sites better able to explain what it is exactly and why it needs to be amended. Suffice to say, it could quite literally bring a screeching halt to the availability of beautiful, affordable, handmade crafts for

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-30293421623489245412009-01-28T11:26:00.012-05:002009-02-03T10:07:55.463-05:00

E and Noel have had nasty colds, the type that make you miss birthday parties and even school.Today they are on the mend, not quite 100%, and blissfully unaware that their mean mommy is not letting them play in the snow after lunch. It's not good snow anyway... we typically get the slushy variety buried under a quarter inch of ice. Pretty for a while, then dirty, then gone.Hopefully we'll watch

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-32287389117529110092009-01-20T12:48:00.000-05:002009-01-20T12:49:06.149-05:00

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-1489077784368487292009-01-09T07:54:00.003-05:002009-01-09T08:00:43.630-05:00

Maybe now 'll finally have the patience to learn how to knit.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-86722864484729934112009-01-07T23:18:00.005-05:002009-01-07T23:40:51.677-05:00

My darling E turned SIX today, and my heart skipped a beat. We celebrated with soft pretzels for her classmates, a trip in town to the ophthalmologist for Noel and pizza and cupcakes with Mom-Mom. It was a wonderfully exhausting day. We are ever so s-l-o-w-l-y returning to life as usual, another week or two and I think we'll be there.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-8201350054383536042009-01-05T07:31:00.006-05:002009-01-05T07:56:13.478-05:00

I don't make resolutions, because I CAN NOT keep them- the moment I feel obligated to do something, I refuse. Still, I do hope to start anew- to spend my time more deliberately, to be more prepared and less exacting- that's good enough for now (I think). I have joined a group on Flickr in an attempt to capture a piece of each day for posterity.And now I need to wake up E; school and work (and the

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-53647498175500565072008-11-10T14:29:00.009-05:002008-11-10T15:15:57.296-05:00

Looking forward...and looking back.Of course this is hours after I was horrified by the most repulsive bug I've seen in some time (and I've been to Costa Rica-- I've seen AWFUL bugs!). Fritz was less than thrilled when I awoke him at 6 am to come downstairs and get this "thing". He later investigated (at my insistence, otherwise how would we know if it were a danger to our children, biting them

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-79446882549600680612008-11-06T09:54:00.007-05:002008-11-06T10:50:21.653-05:00

... because it's rainy and I'm bored. And because I woke up yesterday and saw the world in a whole new light, my home included. I'm feeling grateful, fortunate, optimistic, empowered--I've finally stopped crying tears of joy, but can't seem to shake this silly grin. Yesterday I let Evie (who was just named student of the month at school!!) roast marshmallows over the stove, this morning I made

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-25516227964150291522008-11-04T07:22:00.003-05:002008-11-04T07:27:39.107-05:00

I hope you already voted!

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-4934227553496120602008-10-29T22:07:00.005-04:002008-10-29T22:19:59.350-04:00

Guess the curse was broken? Thanks to Comcast and this little guy perhaps?Maybe now that they've actually won the World Series, Evie will stop running around the house chanting "G.O P.H.I.L.L.I.E.S". Thanks Kindergarten, she can't tell the difference between 12 and 20 but she can spell Go Phillies in her sleep.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-36600795036583964402008-10-29T20:52:00.004-04:002008-10-29T21:30:39.314-04:00

We were greeted by this rather ominous fellow the other day after school. The picture doesn't quite do him justice, but this guy was HUGE, really. While my neighbors stood a bit dumbfounded, I calmly explained to them it was no big deal (albeit slightly out of the ordinary for the suburbs), just a Turkey Buzzard... no need to gather the children and pets and scoot inside. I told everyone they

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-73315207328853962072008-10-26T17:32:00.004-04:002008-10-26T18:16:55.750-04:00

Fritz got an email over the weekend from a close friend asking about baby Rose! Sorry for the confusion, I'm NOT pregnant, my SISTER is! Which is even MORE exciting than being pregnant myself. As much as I adore my children , I loathed being pregnant, and let's just say my birthing experiences were about as atypical as they could possibly be. That being said, my sister's pregnancy has stirred up

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-8661946290090673962008-10-24T13:29:00.011-04:002008-10-26T17:32:35.787-04:00

My 13 Most Beautiful... moments as of late:Nightly homework with E.Fooling with our "new" iMac. Talking with E about baby Rose (arriving in May).A pot of tea in the afternoon.An early morning jog (even if it is on the treadmill).Baking shortbread cookies with raspberry jam.Netflix.Playing the bass with Fritz (while the kids play percussion, poorly and loudly).Rearranging furniture.Collecting

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-69334712387029628572008-09-29T14:50:00.011-04:002008-09-29T16:16:26.629-04:00

I am a bit disgusted these days, what with headlines like this, or this everytime I turn on the computer. Frivolous things, in a most certainly un-frivolous time have a way of wearing on my soul and so, I've found myself with nothing of interest to write... Have a look at Noel's birthday invitation. Not what I had intended (sorry to disappoint, Jen) but as usual, time got away from me.I love this

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-74484399100242780632008-09-15T15:50:00.004-04:002008-09-17T16:43:13.535-04:00

Nearly forgot!I purchased an Etsy Co-Op ad in the next Home Companion magazine, my first actual "advertising". It's the holiday issue, and after much deliberation, I decided to go with something festive. I think it hits newsstands the end of October, so plenty of time to get my shop updated.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-27462741982353356482008-09-15T15:09:00.005-04:002008-09-15T16:32:02.870-04:00

My life has been a happy blur of activity this past week and I've loved every minute of it, or at least a minute here and there. E is loving school and Noel seems to be loving time alone with me although he frequently hollers, "E, where are you?" and wanders around searching for her. It would be sad if he weren't so stinking sweet.Despite not pausing once whilst passing through my studio this

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-75947611585178816672008-09-04T12:57:00.007-04:002008-09-04T21:34:18.454-04:00

Kissing Noel goodbye at the door.Well, we made it through kindergarten orientation. We met E's teacher, planted a "Hairy Harry", got her first homework assignment, and even met a few friends! No tears. E was nothing but smiles and giggles (so was I). Today I stayed, tomorrow I don't. I think she'll do fine, and I'm getting more and more excited for her to go. She's funny and sweet and clever and

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-52008593843219766202008-09-03T08:53:00.010-04:002008-09-04T13:40:49.983-04:00

Jaime Pitarch "Subject, Abject, Object" 2006Have I mentioned my love of assemblage, installation pieces, or deconstructed/reconstructed sculpture? Readymades and the like are endlessly fascinating to me. I'm currently fawning over the work of Jamie Pitarch (thanks to my sweet husband). I just wish I had more time to enjoy searching out inspiring artists. In college, I worked in the periodical

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-20986827372832861782008-09-03T08:13:00.008-04:002008-09-04T13:26:56.255-04:00

I adore this picture my sister Scotti took over the weekend, hope she doesn't mind me putting it up here. She takes the loveliest photographs (mainly nature shots) and has freelanced as my family photographer for the past five and a half years. We've been discussing light and composition (in the least pretentious way possible) lately, and I think she's really turned a corner. Trying to convince

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-77266043745074704162008-09-02T15:01:00.006-04:002008-09-02T15:23:26.354-04:00

Apparently while we were away, the rest of the world was busy buying shoes to go back to school. Sadly, it seems E will be wearing galoshes or grungy flip flops come Thursday. Oh well, we'll be spending the remainder of our afternoon dancing in the kitchen to one of Evie's favorites: "That's Not My Name" by the Ting Tings.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477562686714328114.post-20319948742518971062008-09-02T00:35:00.007-04:002008-09-02T15:24:16.121-04:00

I didn't know crabs could be so tiny,or that watermelon came in yellow,or that life could feel so perfect.Nothing like a six day weekend to freshen your perspective. Not-so-anxiously awaiting the arrival of kindergarten anymore, just relishing my last two days with Evie before the BIG day.

Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13943014606698268945murray.blanchette@gmail.com6