A is for Art du Auto.

Recently while cleaning the van I came across this scene.

It is breathtaking in its completeness, elegance, range of textures and random silliness. Silly is a power word.

This image tells a story of the van, the children who ride in it, the grit of childhood -- o.k. perhaps that is going a little over the top...

M (5) loves to undress her dolls--now she is just starting to dress them. I'm not sure if Barbie's negligee is intentional or not.

The composition struck me. Not one item was unnecessary.

H is for Honey Hill Bunch's Clubhouse.

One advantage of coming from a small family is many of my childhood toys were saved. This is one of my favorites. The tree's canopy crumbled to dust. No matter, M loves it. She plays quietly for long spells while I pound away on this keyboard.

Maybe I should use it as a spring board for some paintings...

G is for GARAGE SALE!

Hey WOW. I'm cleaning stuff out and have filled up our Garage! Also stuff from our office... come check it out. Saturday 26 April 2008 7:00-1:00

That is Hailey O'harrah~the Dummy. Ugh. My mum bought her for me about 25 years ago and she has been haunting me ever since. I might just keep her just to keep her haunting my kids. She freaks S out.
Charming.

I hired Marie Ricks to help me organize my home/family. (see earlier posts for more details about that.) Perhaps we really need counseling but this is a start. She is really fantastic and pointed out a lot of interesting things. One of the many things she suggested I do is get rid of half my stuff. Go to DI twice a week. Less stuff means less to clean. AMEN to that.

I was going once a week and was about to give away some nice things. I didn't grow up having garage sales. I've never had one before. Then it occurred to me that this is a great exercise for the kids. Now we are all into it. Suddenly I could throw our that 25 year old creap-o-rific doll that happens to share my first name! (I have no clue why else my mom bought me that thing. I have no NO interest in ventriloquism. When I moved out it didn't move with me. EVER.)

With new eyes I saw all the extra winter hats, lunch boxes, clothes etc. that we have stashed away. Antique things, old doors. Baby blankets that need to be (crochet) edged, that I'm not going to do. Expensive gifts that I've never wanted yet had to keep. A lot is new and I could get some money for it. In the past I medicated myself with toys, and too many toys for my children Ugh... hopefully I am growing out of that a bit.

W is for Willow Tree Toys. Wow.

Some lovely children are getting lovely toys this holiday season from Willow Tree Toys. Insomnia has its up side to be sure ... interruption free internet shopping.

The barn pictured above is not something we are getting. FUD has generously given us a few awesome open-able play architectural structures. This one is just so beautiful. I would want it as a focal point in my family room. The "blue sky" [a dreamy eventuality] plans for a studio/pavilion in our backyard looks slightly similar to this.

J is getting an archery set for Christmas from Willow Tree Toys.

This season is not about getting stuff, although I've done tons of that while decorating the house for the home tour on the 15th... more about that next post. Each of the children is getting a gorgeous snuggly blanket and about one thoughtful toy/item. Many of the items are from Germany. Long before the China + Lead in the toy scare I decided that we have enough. And, as FUD puts it, I decreed 2007 as the year of the "Toy Reduction Act". NO toys for Christmas is cruel and unusual. A few toys are fine. I love toys, it is in my blood. In keeping with the TRA and my heritage I thought I'd steer my shopping towards Willow Tree Toys, HearthSong and my favorite, Magic Cabin Dolls. On Tuesday night S and I went to a sale of German toys, and exquisite blankets that fit the bill.

S & K aren't so much into toys these days. Brilliant, yet bonkers, K is working hard to avoid a lump of coal...

V is for B-Movie Victim

Life doesn't get better than this: On Wednesday I was in North Beach in San Francisco (where else?)...trotted past a candy store and saw some really funny little people in the window. When I went in I found they were for sale! Bought them. Then brought them home to delightful squeals from feigning horrified youngsters. Another great SF souvenir from a great and eye opening trip to visit two great auditory/oral schools for deaf children. (I'll write a lot more about that, but not now.)

Have to post this now! Mustn't wait! Gasp! A two headed beast accompanied by a diminutive Godzilla is attacking Liechtyville in our entry way. Horrified citizens are running for their lives!

http://www.accoutrements.com