Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad: Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, LA, USA, is located on the harbor front and very close to the French Quarter. Both times I've visited NOLA, I've stayed on Frenchman Street because it's centrally located and easy to walk to many attractions. Both times I visited the Aquarium. (You can read about my last visit here). There's a trolley that goes along the waterfront starting at Frenchman Street and easily drops you off right behind the aquarium. 

This aquarium isn't huge, but it has some really great exhibits. I particularly like the Carribbean tunnel where the tank is on all sides and above of the viewer and the Mississippi River section that has bayou birds, gators, and fishes. 

All the usual creatures are there, including penguins, eels, frogs and otters. There's a imax theater and cafeteria, although I've never visited those. 

My absolute favorite part is a little hard to find as it's not on the main path and one has to walk through the cafeteria to get to it. Parakeet Pointe is a little arboretum and bird cage that extends out of the main building into the open air and over the entrance of the aquarium. It's really fun to be around hundreds of flying, speaking, budgies of all bright colors. On our last trip we even saw a small hawk spying on them from outside the cage. He was trying hard to figure out how to make one of these parakeets, that were outside but still behind bars, his lunch. 

The Audubon Aquarium of Americas also has the hallmark of all good aquariums... Jellies!! 

I highly recommend this aquarium but also suggest you also visit the Audubon Insectarium which is just a few blocks away. If you like bugs, it will blow your mind!
Next time we visit I also hope to visit the Audubon Zoo!

New Block: Candy, a Shoofly Variation

I might have made a shoofly block before, I cant recall. But when I saw Luna Lovequilts version of this Candy shoofly variation I decided I needed to try it.  

I checked out Blossom Heart Quilts for the Modern HST QAL that this block came from and it looks interesting. I don't think I'm going to join, but I will definitely keep my eye on the QAL for block inspiration!
I used all fabric from my stash for this block. This was all new geometric patterned fabric that I got for xmas. I'm counting this as a post for Year of the Stash.
Here's some stats for my buying and usage so far:
Fabric Added in January So Far: 5 1/2 yards (I bought 4 yards for a backing and borders of a quilt I'm working on, and then some bits and bobs I thought were nice!)
Fabric Added Year to Date: 5 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Month So Far: approximately 3 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: Approx. 3 yards

I'm also linking this hand sewn block up with Kathy's Quilts and Slow Sunday Stitching. 

Deeply Nourished

One of my goals for 2016 is to read more. It was a goal in 2015, as well. 

The last book I read in 2015 was a little different than the others I've recorded. It's a cookbook! I came across it an event at The New School of Monmouth County. Deeply Nourished is by Rebeckah Allocco and Judith Alfano. 

Deeply Nourished is a cookbook with 21 simple and healthy recipes many of which are vegetarian or vegan. It also contains short essays from each author on how food and health relate to their religious and spiritual beliefs. The subtitle of this cookbook is "Stories of Food, Faith, and Life at the Table". These essays discuss subjects ranging from the connection between food and faith, sustainability and localness, seasonal eating and beliefs, favorite meals or techniques, and more. Each essay somehow relates to the authors spiritual journey and connection to cooking and food. Each essay has a quote at the beginning from the bible, the Buddha, religions, cooks, or philosophers. The recipes that follow are either directly connected to the writings, or are connected more loosely though season, memory, or emotion.  

Now, I'm not religious at all and although I am interested in all religion, I wouldn't necessarily pick up a non-reference book that had religious overtones. I do hold a belief system rooted in community, family, sustainability, simplicity, nourishment, pleasure and kindness. Since the profits went to The New School of Monmouth County and the recipes and essays looks interesting, I was intrigued to read this book even though it was not in my usual wheelhouse.
I thoroughly enjoyed Deeply Nourished! 
The essays were not overwhelmingly religious, but more spiritual in nature. The themes discussed could fall under many religions or belief systems including my own, having to do with family, community, nourishment of the body and soul, as well as Faith. What I enjoyed most were the glimpses of the daily life that the authors provided. It was interesting to read the connections to food these women have and how they felt that connection to be deeply spiritual.  
I really liked that authors chose recipes that are dear to their hearts, simple to execute, and largely vegetarian. Having a mostly land-meat-free diet (I eat fish and so would not call myself a vegetarian), I have found it surprisingly difficult to find recipes that I am inspired by. There are many recipes in this book that I'm eager to try! The one recipe that I have tried, Oven Roasted Salmon with Tomatoes and Capers, I've already made multiple times. Since these meals are seasonal some will have to wait until the ingredients are available. While others, like a kale and Brussels sprouts salad, I can't wait to test out. 

I would recommend this book to people looking for some new meals to try, especially if they eat vegetarian, or for those who enjoy reading about the spiritual journey. Anyone who regularly reads cook books will enjoy this one, i'm sure!     

The New School of Monmouth County is an alternative-education school that I attended for about 5 years growing up. It's also where one of the authors, Rebeckah Allocco went to school and now teaches. Judith Alfano is a writer and food educator. Visit their website, nourishingpaths.com and buy the book on Amazon or itunes. 

Basting Party

Time for another basting party. 

Now that that's finished time to get Slow Sunday Stitching. I'm linking up with Kathy's Quilts and plan to spend as much time as I can today under one of these. 

On My Mind on Friday Morning

It's really Winter and I've been binge watching a bunch of new shows... while I wait for some current shows to start up after the mid season break (1, 2, 3). 
Still kicking myself for not getting my hand poked tattoo from @nobrasnoparents before leaving Brooklyn. Hopefully she'll have room for me one day when I visit. 
I keep reading and re reading this decluttering article from Reading My Tea Leaves. Maybe something will sink in...
Speaking of wasting time and watching tv I thought this article and lists of hidden netflix categories was cool. 
Our poor shclafflera tree was almost killed in the move, we were worried it wouldn't make it. But we are seeing some amazing new shoots!!

Recently Researching:
Two xmases ago I got not one, but two dutch ovens. The other day, I used one for the first time. Terrible, I know. I made a pretty tasty veggie chili. I looked at a bunch of recipes but basically made it up as I went along. 
I chopped an onion, some garlic, a red pepper, a green pepper, a few carrots and celery stalks and sauteed them all together with some olive oil until the onions were starting to get translucent. I put in about a teaspoon of cayenne, chili powder, and turmeric as well as salt and pepper. I let these spices cook in the oil for a few seconds. Then I added 1 can of drained black beans and one can of drained kidney beans. I added one large can of crushed tomatoes. I would have put chopped or whole peeled tomatoes, but I only had crushed. I put all this is the oven or about 40 minutes, checking on it and stirring occasionally. I think it turned out pretty well. I might have added fresh hot peppers and more spices but my household doesn't like things too spicy.  
I served the chili over spiced rice, with cheddar cheese and a side salad. But I might have also serve this over egg noodles with steamed veggies, or as taco salad. I would make loaded nachos out of the left overs and freeze any left overs for another day.  

Now I'm asking you:
Do you have any good veggie recipes for the dutch oven? I see tons of good looking meat recipes, but not many vegetarian ones. I'd love to know if any of my readers know any!!

What's in a Name? - Pantone Colors of the Year 2016

I never knew there was a Pantone Color of the Year until I started quilting again. And I never paid much attention to it until last years furor over Marsala (see here, here, and here). 
This year seems as it will be just as controversial because Pantone picked Rose Quartz and Serenity for 2016. The first time that they have pick two colors, Pantone has this to say about them: 
"As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.
               The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association.In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer's increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage."

Already, some people hate it and some people love it (or at least tolerate it). 

I totally disagree on the message that Pantone says that the colors carry. I get that this is a cheerful, optimistic view for how they hope these colors might make the world feel, perhaps heal, and that's what they think consumers will be wanting. My thought is that's a bunch of BS, personally. A nice thought, certainly, but all wrong for 2016. If we are basing the color of the year on the political/social feelings and environment for the year ahead I would have gone with Mean Red (a color I would describe as blacker than blood, the color behind your eyes when you brace yourself after hitting your thumb with a hammer, or the color thumping through you head when you have a case of the "mean reds" [Maybe I should be more hopeful and this year's color should have been Tiffany's Blue]). Consumers are scared, sad and angry. I would have liked to see the Color of the Year reflect that.
Then you have all that stuff about gender exploration, expression and diversity. Pantone is saying that the blurring of gender in fashion and society, and the acceptance of that blur, should be represented by the outdated, singleminded, restrictive, old fashioned, specifically gender binary, "baby" blue and pink? Huh?
This is a tougher issue for me to pick a color to represent. Purple doesn't work, bc that's still buying into the gender binary, which hopefully we have all realized doesn't apply. Rainbow is more traditional but not right for the year ahead (re my thoughts above). I think I might pick Everything Brown, the color you get when you mix all the paint on the palate, the color of earth, where everything and everyone sprouts from. For me, this year, Everything Brown would represent a joining, coming together of all genders, no matter what they are, all peoples, no matter who they are, unity.       

Anyway, enough politics.

As for the colors, I'm right in the middle. I really enjoy Rose Quartz, but I'm not sold on Serenity. To further investigate, I did a little fabric pull. 

I find that for me, it comes down to what they named the colors. I quite like the blue but I bristle at the name "Serenity" for this shade. It is not serene for me. It's too design-y, too paint chip, and not enough ethereal, peaceful, sky and sea, to be Serenity. Something about calling it that makes me not want to see or use it, makes me what to shy away. 
Rose Quartz on the other hand sheds a whole new light on Pink. Being a gem enthusiast, this makes me think of magical beauty, nature, peacefulness, vibrancy and light. This name makes me want to use this color in everything, and find all the other gem named fabrics, too.

Ultimately, I don't see myself using these colors any more or less in the coming year. They will certainly make their way into something, but only bc they are pretty common colors. Anyone out there planning to use these colors (or not use them) now that they have been announced?

Artifacts Uprising Review

Disclaimer: My product reviews are completely unsponsored and unsolicited. The opinions are my own from my own experiences. 

Just the week before xmas, I decided I really wanted to send out new address cards for the xmas/new year season. I've always wanted to try Artifacts Uprising so I thought this would be the perfect time. 

I decided to use two photos I had taken of the wreath on our door. I logged on easily and chose the cards I wanted. I opted for the simple Everyday Photo Cards in size 3.5 x 4.9. It was a little confusing bc although I opted for 20 cards in the quantity section, the editor section only let's you edit 10 at a time. You also have to edit one card at a time, but you can choose 10 different designs, one for each card. I did my first batch of 10 cards all the same photo, the next batch I did 5 and 5. Since I ordered them so close to the holiday, they let me know there was no guarantee I'd get them in time to send for xmas. 

Artifacts Uprising was very quick and the cards arrived with in a week or so! I imagine the wait would be longer if the order were larger. The cards themselves are really lovely, printed on heavy, soft, textured, card stock. The images are crisp and the colors are bright. I love the minimal use of the company logo on the back of each card.  Overall, the quality is very high.
Artifacts Uprising is a little more pricy than some of the other makers out there (each card came to about $1.83) but I will definitely be using them again. I would highly recommend them!

Has anyone else used Artifacts Uprising?   

WIP 1/10/16

I'm trying to get this WIP from top to finish by the end of January.
All my quilts are completely hand pieced, quilted and bound. I never show my piecing stitches, but I'm working hard on improving so here's a peek behind the scenes (seams?).  

I'm working towards my stitches being more like the diagonal line as opposed to the horizontal one. 

One of my quilty goals this year is to get at least one finish done each month. I have specific deadlines for some quilts, and I want to get my production up. Heidi at Red Letter Quilts is hosting a great link up: OMG (One Monthly Goal). 

One thing I really like about OMG is that you can set any quilting goal, not just a finish, to link up with. This link up is all about encouragement to achieve your goal!! This brings me up to 4 link ups for the month, which serves another goal of community involvement!
I'm linking up with OMG today and with Kathy at Kathy Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching. 

The Year Of the Stash

Over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge, The Year of the Stash is happening and I'm joining up!

This is a great link up, as there are really no rules, but it's a neat way to be mindful of what you're quilting with, as well as a way to use more and buy less. 
I decided to participate because "shopping" my extensive stash makes me feel good about what I'm quilting, helps fulfill two goals of my 2016 goals (quilt more, use up/don't buy), means the chances of using reclaimed or recycled fabrics is increased, and helps me declutter so I can actually see what fabrics I have. 
Usually, I can always find something in my stash the fits any bill I might be looking for in any project. So why buy? I guess the answer to that is bc it's fun! And there are so many gorgeous fabrics! I have to admit I went on a bit of a buying frenzy at the end of last year. Ostensibly, I had to buy some things for projects I'm working on, but really, I had enough in my current stash and didn't need to by anything. I'm happy to have all the fabrics I bought, but ultimately I feel worse for buying them, disappointed in myself for collecting more things that I don't need, and a little sad that my current collection of beautiful fabric went unused.

To help me be mindful in The Year of the Stash here is my manifesto:

1) Buy as little new fabric as possible. I won't say buy none. I want to be free to get a great new piece here or there, patron indy quilt shops, or buy backing when needed. I'll buy used, reclaimed, and/or vintage fabric when possible. I pride myself on using these fabrics in my quilts, and need to scoop them up when they preset themselves. But I want to be mindful not to add too much to my stash!
2) Use some used, vintage and/or reclaimed fabrics in all quilts. Last year was the first time I used all new fabric for some quilts and it just didn't feel right. As I said above, I pride myself to use these vintage items, and I need to get back to that. I have such a wonderful collection in my stash, it needs to get out into the world!  
3) Organize as I go. When we moved, I started folding and color coordinating my stash and discovered that I have far too much fabric!! I barely made a dent before I filled up the entire space I'd set aside. I'd like to utilize this space better this year. I want to use up, organize, and consolidate during The Year of the Stash!
4) Sew, sew, sew! One of my goals is to have at least one finish per month, I'd also like to make one new block per month. Sourcing from my stash will help me as I have so many wonderful fabrics at my fingertips! 

And that's it! Simple, right? I'll be posting blogs about my Year of the Stash and linking up regularly at Quarter Inch from the Edge. I hope some of my readers will join in as well! And be sure to check out other quilter's manifestos here. 

2015 Finish Along Q4 Recap + 2016 Finish Along Q1 List

I really enjoyed participating in my first Finish Along in 2015 (Check out all the details for last year here). I didn't get a as much done as I would have liked last year, but it was a nice way to track my progress. I'll be happy to look back at my blog posts in years future. I can't wait to start 2016!

Although technically I missed the cut off to link up my 2015Q4 List, I still made one and completed a finish on my list! I haven't been able to post the quilt I finished bc it's still hasn't been gifted. Since I wasn't able to add to the link up, it didn't really matter. But keep your eye out for that post: coming soon!

Here's the 2015Q4 list:
1) Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.
I thought about this project a lot, but I suppose that doesn't really count. 
2) Finish quilting and making, stuff and use, Pillow #1 for a New Secret Project.
Moving put a hold on this one....
3) Start, piece, baste, quilt, bind and label OC/GC Baby Quilt.
Some work got done on this and it'll make the new list. 
4) Piece back, baste, quilt, bind, label Baby Quilt Commission #1.
Finished!
5) Finish piecing front and back, baste, quilt, bind, label, Baby Quilt Commission #2.
Work got done on this and it'll be in the new list, too!
6) Finish piecing front, piece back, baste, quilt, bind Xmas Medallion Quilt. 
I'm not even sure where this quilt is...

On to 2016Q1!

In my goals for this year, I want to get a quilting finish done each month. This won't stop me from making my 2016Q1 list longer than 3 items!

1) Finish piecing, baste, quilt, bind and label OC/GC Baby Quilt. 

I'm gonna try and list these in order in which they need to get done, and this is the first.  

2) Finish piecing the back, baste, quilt, bind, label, Baby Quilt Commission #2

I have some ideas about how I want to quilt this one, so I can't wait to get started. 

3) Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.

This quilt was on all 4 of my 2015 Finish Along lists. It's time it was really put to bed.  I'd love to have this finished in time for Mother's Day, but I've said that before...

4) Quilt, bind, and label Geometric Gift Quilt. 

This might be my biggest quilt to date and I'm eager to finish it. 

5) Finish quilting, bind, and label Original Mini. 

This one goes way back!

Setting deadlines is another one of my goals this year, so I feel that this is a great list to help me achieve that.
I'm so pleased to be linking up with Debbie at A Quilter's Table this year for the 2016 Finish Along.  This year's FAL is spread over several blogs, but here's where you can find all the details to join. I hope some of my readers will join up and share their progress with Mad Cat Quilts!

PS Here are some stats and links to my 2015 Finish Along:
Out of 15 unique quilts that made it to my 2015 lists I finished 5. One third of my year's goal is a pretty good start, I think!! 
2015 Finish Along
Stormy Friendship
Label Maker
AGAT
Q2
Scrappy Hearts
Q3
Q4
Commissioned Baby Quilt #1 - Post to follow. 

December in Review

2015 is over, can you believe it? What a year it's been!! 

December held holidays and festivities, new experiences, family and friends, and of course, the beach. Which is all one can hope for for any good month, or year!

1) Our yard is rich with friends. 2) The neighboring block is as well! 3) The Stephen Crane house has some permanent residents. 4) A beach friend takes a meal. 

December was unseasonably warm (although, since it was last year too, we might have to call it normally warm), so we were able to continue explore our new home. We were able to meet a lot of our furry or feathered neighbors.

On one occasion we were able to witness one neighbor eat another. Our new backyard provides endless natural entertainment! 

1) A visit to school. 2) A visit to mail. 3) A visit to Deal Lake. 4) A visitor in our backyard. 

We visited friends and family, some well, some ailing. But we saved lots of time for walking around and enjoying the town. The warm weather meant plenty of beach time. We found some unexpected treasure, such as bird wings and bottle stoppers. 

1) Backyard fog. 2) Boardwalk snow. 3) City bus. 4) Front door brush. 

We got down to work, both with with our day jobs and with quilting and sewing. For me, sewing was a priority. I'd love to keep that up in the new year! We did neat new work, as well. In December, we were able to visit The New School of Monmouth County and helped the students learn ancient games like Mancala and Ahmet. 

Mad Cat Quilts had our first giveaway which was fun and educational. I can't wait to have another... I was also able to update the shop, something I hope to do more of this year. 

1) A giveaway. 2) Front. 3) Back. 4) A winner. 

Having some time and space now and in the new year is so exciting, we are already taking advantage of it by making home made wreaths, trying out science experiments and working on lesson plans and pattern making.

The house is still under construction as far as unpacking but in December we made headway on displaying our many collections.  

1) Pink sky at night... 2) Homemade crystals! 3) A mysterious drive. 3) Lost at sea. 

December went at the perfect pace, new adventures were had, but life outside the city isn't nearly as hectic and grueling. Calm, but productive. January 2016, I hope you're just as calm, but I also have big plans for you. Get ready.  

2016 Goals

 I'm so excited for the year ahead and the possibilities it offers! My list of goals for 2016 keeps growing. I don't like to make New Years Resolutions. I don't want to resolve to doing things, I want to aspire to doing them! 

Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work 
For 2015, I wrote "I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me". And this past year has taught me that this is a very difficult task. Nearly Impossible. I am excited to carry this goal over and continue to work towards it.  

Quilting
As a way to work towards goal number 1, I need to work more on my craft. Some things I want to work on in this area are to improve my skills, be involved in at least one market, and one show, have a finish every month, and generally make more! 

Blog/Shop/Sales
In 2015, I made great strives in my blogging. I want to keep that up with regular blog posts. Like, really regular! I learned last year that I need take 1 month off from blogging. My slowest time for posts is over the summer. I failed to update shop regularly in 2015. This is something I hope to do. Hopefully that will result in more sales, as I would like to gain practice at selling, packaging, and gathering customers and followers to widen my community. 

Draw More (some).  
To inspire this goal, I've started a secret project. Something that might help this would be to do a drawing a day for a year. 365 drawings might be a weighty goal, but I'm going to try!

Deadlines
I want to learn to set and complete more deadlines for myself.  

House and Home
I want to continue to get better at taking care of my family and our home.  

Exercise/Diet/Cooking
I want to get better at taking care of myself and my health. I'd like to exercise at least 4 times a week. I want to stretch every day. I want to continue to make and eat wonderful and healthy foods. 

Wardrobe/Use Up, Don't Buy
I plan to continue my wardrobe project which I worked on last year. And I want to strive to reduce, reuse, and recycle more in my everyday life. I'd love to be able to not buy anything (besides food, necessities, etc...) for at least 6 months out of the year 2016.  

Community
Now that I've moved, I need to get involved! Step one - get a job I love! I also want to make sure that I stay in touch with my old community, so friends will be a priority this year. 

Read More 
Nuff said. 

I'd love to hear some readers goals for the coming year. Leave them in the comments or show us a link!

2015 Goals Review

In the beginning of 2015, like many years, I set a list of goals for myself. I find that it's a good way to be mindful of some things that I want to work towards accomplishing. Some of these goals were realized, at least in part, some were thought about, mulled over, but none were completely abandoned. The list isn't made to be a worry or a task, it's really just a way for me to keep in mind things that I would like to do, ways that I would like to improve myself. Here is the original post from 2015.  

Below is the list of my 2015 goals and related blog posts:
 

Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work - I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me.
Although this goal doesn't have any distinct posts, I did try to work on it. I hope to carry this over to 2016.

Sewing/Blogging - More sewing and more blogging about it! I want to work on my online shop. I must do one market, or fair. 
One could say this entire blog should make it on this list.
Quilting
Holiday Sale

Take Better Care of My Health and the Health of My Family/Take Better Care of the House - In all the hustle and bustle of work and life this is something I often forget to pay close attention to. I want to always be striving to make a better house for my family and plants and keep us in good health.
I think I made good strives in this direction, especially when the time came to move and adjust to a new environment. There are some areas that are lacking (exercise!!), but hopefully there can be addressed in 2016.
House Plant Goals

Stay in Touch with My Friends - I'm fairly antisocial by nature, but I love my friends and care to make them feel appreciated. 
This goal also doesn't have specific posts, but I felt I made good headway on this, even to the point of sending out holiday cards!

Use Up, Don't Buy -  I need to reduce all things in my life and and make better use of the things I keep. 
This goal was a great way to keep in mind a lifestyle I aim for. 

Wardrobe Makeover - One thing I have far too many of are clothes. I must make my wardrobe more manageable and stop buying clothes!
Wardrobe
Some Little Things
Who Needs This Many...  

Travel when Possible - Always more exploring to be done.
Sea, Sand, and Snow
3 Days in Cape May
2 Days in Alabama
2 Days in New Orleans

Read More - I can only remember reading three books last year (2014). Pitiful. 
A Walk in the Woods
Saturn's Return to New York
Famous Potatoes
Ash in My Mouth...
Woman in the Dark

Move Out of the City - It's time.
I totally did this! 

And the year isn't quite over yet, there's still room to add more posts here...
Some of these goals will carry over to 2016, some may not. I feel confident that I at least touched on every goal in 2015. I hope to achieve the same mindfulness in 2016. 
Please, please share your 2015 goal recaps, or 2016 goal lists in the comments!! I am always grateful to be inspired by your posts!

WIP 12/20/15

This week I'm working on finishing something that should have been done at the beginning of the month. Ah, well, it'll be ready for the new year.

I'm also making a bunch of over stuffed pincushions to restock the shop with. 

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts and her Slow Sunday Stitching. 

On My Mind on Friday Morning

We need some more light in the house for sewing and projects. I like the one above, but I've lost the link... I also like this and this. 
These National Parks look gorgeous, but I wish more of them were closer to me, or at least on the east coast. 
These simple and lovely, natural ornaments are great. We don't have a real tree this year (but we do have a real tree....), but I might decorate our makeshift one with these. Erin has lots of great holiday ideas, so check out all the links in her post. 
Loving this trailer. Better than the actual one... Maybe. But I wish they had dubbed in Jean's old voice and gotten rid of the new one. 
We're all fighting winter sickness here, but Tom is starting to feel better:

Photo by @anlight.

Recently Researching: We've been making Borax crystals! This is a super fun and easy science project with some really lovely results. I plan on doing a how-to post soon. I want to try some other home grown crystals soon!  

Now you: Have you ever made any crystals at home?

MCQ Seconds Giveaway

Mad Cat Quilts and Library Card are having a give away over at the Mad Cat Quilts Instagram. 
The giveaway ends tonight, 12/13/14 at 10pm EST. 

To enter all one needs to do is follow @madcat1 on Instagram, look for the image above, tag a friend and tell me which wallet you would like, and which you'd give to a friend. 

Simple, right? The winner will receive the wallet they choose and the other will go to a friend. 
These wallets are made with love by Library Card, and are once of a kind. They are seconds carrying small imperfections but we want to see them put to good use!  

Please join us for our first giveaway! 

2 Days in New Orleans

Back in September, we headed out to Alabama for my brother-in-law's wedding. We also took a few days to go to New Orleans, LA. 

I'd been to NOLA once before and stayed in the Frenchman Hotel. I enjoyed it so much, we stayed there again. It's centrally located on Frenchman Street and it's got a lot of New Orleans charm (including wonky doors, buggy bathrooms, music in the air, and the sweetest little court yard pool!).  
We mostly walked and took trolleys around the city and visited as many areas as we could in the short time we had. We went to Bourbon Street, of course, walked around the Merigny, the French Quarter, and East Carrolltown (where we had an amazing meal at Ba Chi Canteen). NOLA is a pretty great walking city, as long as you're accustomed to walking. The trolleys are easy to get the hang of. But remember, you buy your ticket on the trolley, there are no outside ticket machines. Being from NYC, this confused us at first. 

We spent a large portion of one day at City Park. The museum was closed that day, but we were able to explore the NOMA Sculpture Garden. More on that in this post.
The Park is a little far out from our hotel for walking, but the bumpy trolley ride is perfect for seeing the city. The locals also take the trolleys so you'll see kids and commuters, as well as tourists. 
The park is vast and we only scratched the surface. But we had a great time following ducks and taking in a bit of Southern nature.

I've never seen such a variety of moss! 

We found a great spot in City Park for a snack. Morning Call had great beignets, a staple of any New Orleans visit.
Of course we also made a few stops at Cafe Du Monde!! Three trips for beignets in two days seem totally normal to me. 
Finding vegetarian options in popular/traditional restaurants was a bit of a challenge at times. But there are so many great food options in NOLA, all sorts of varieties and ethnicities. There's something for everyone, you just need to search it out.   

My first visit to the city was completely magical, and I wondered how this trip would compare. Walking around NOLA was a lot like I remembered. So bright and colorful, quiet and still in the hazy heat, but vibrant and living. I could easily just walk around for hours. 

There seemed to be more people around this time, but that might be time of year. I have to say that I was surprised to see quite a few more people who seemed to be living on the streets, or in need. I think NOLA has a reputation as a hedonistic paradise, full of debauchery, but that the influx of down and out types might be a dark consequence. 

Even we visited a casino, but just for a walk though. We went to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Look for a post all about that soon. 

On our drive from Alabama, we drove over the Lake Pontchartain Causeway. We were excited to see it since it's the longest bridge over water in the world!! Unfortunately it was pitch black. Only one of the reasons we will definitely be going back to visit New Orleans again. 

Not being one for a debaucherous lifestyle, I do absolutely believe one should indulge in life. For me, New Orleans has so much possibility for wonderful indulging, without the need to go totally crazy. Its strangely satisfying to drink on the street, but I rarely do it. I love to eat the town's powdered sugar staple, but find a great healthy option for dinner or lunch. For me, the eerie calmness that prevails in the residential areas is more enticing than the party town atmosphere on Bourbon St. New Orleans holds a mysterious balance for me, and I'm always eager to return. 

Women in the Dark

One of my goals for 2015 is to read more.  Check out the other books I've read this year here, here, here, & here. 

The fifth book I've read so far is Woman in the Dark by Dashielll Hammett. I borrowed this one from the BPL, one more for the road, as they say!

I'm a fan of mysteries and noir stories, and Hammett is one of the greatest of the genres. 

Luise Fischer is on the run in the cold dark night. When she stumbles in to the home of a taciturn and handsome stranger, her luck might be changing. 

This is a quick and to the point, classic feeling, noir novella. Perfect in its sparsity.  This is a great introduction to this genre if you've never read it. Woman in the Dark is also a perfect read for current fans or fans of short books. 

Do any readers enjoy noir novels? Do you prefer short quick paced books, or long involved stories?

Mad Cat Quilts Holiday Sale

Welcome to Mad Cat Quilts First Annual Holiday Sale! Many Mad Cat Quilts and Library Card items will be on sale over at the Shop; Check it out!  This sale Starts at 2pm Sunday December 6th and will last until December 13th or supples run out. 
Items will be shipped as soon as orders are filled, and should arrive in time for xmas. If you need expedited shipping or want to guarantee pre xmas delivery, please contact me via this website or over at the shop.

Please contact me with any and all questions. 

Below are some examples of items for sale: 

LIBRARY CARD 2 OR 3 POCKET WALLETS

Library Card Wallets use thoughtfully curated vintage, reclaimed, and new fabric, mostly cottons. These soft and versatile wallets are stitched one at a time by machine. Library Card wallets are perfect for day to day use, fit neatly in your back or front pants pockets, purses, bags, etc... and are designed to hold a variety of cash and cards. Library Card Wallets feature 2 or 3 pockets.

QUILTS

Mad Cat Quilts are completely hand pieced, basted, quilted and bound using new, vintage and reclaimed fabrics. Many of the items on sale today were lovingly made in Brooklyn NY and are suitable for baby and adult alike. All have been pre washed to be soft and cuddly.

OTHER ITEMS:

PLUS MORE! 

Happy Shopping! 

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I'm looking for just the right decorative L bracket to secure a shelf in the bathroom. I like this, this and this!
This was a man after my own heart.
And if we are talking cool retro photos of NYC, these are pretty good also. 
I love this instagram. I think I need a personal practice in my life. 
This is the vintage French wallpaper (pictured below) I found to put up in our hallway. Now, I just have to learn how to hang it!

Recently Researching: See above!
This is a pretty comprehensive seeming tutorial for wallpaper hanging. 
This site is a little more annoying bc of layout and ads but has a really step by step process. 
Good old Martha Stewart. 

Now I'm asking you: Have you ever wallpapered a room or wall? Any tips or tricks?