SO...What have you been up to lately?

I hate that question. I think it's because every time someone asks me that, my mind goes blank and I have to mentally go over the last few days and weeks and try to remember anything I did that was worth mentioning.
I read a lot of books with Marianne. Drew a lot of lions and cats so she could color them in. Made lots of food. Cleaned so much, I can't look at my house anymore because it accumulates clutter and dirt faster than I can eradicate it. Ran a little bit every few days, mostly to counteract the aforementioned food. Ate, slept, played, yelled, got yelled at, fed, ate, rinse, repeat. Blech. Some days I am drowning in routine. Some days my routine gets hijacked and then I want it back, badly.
Anyway...
Here's proof of a few gems that lie outside the regular cycle: (spanning the last two months)
I did this drawing of a couple for their 50th wedding anniversary, complete with their favorite things and places and quirks and hobbies.

I had a happy find of an adorable hedgehog print fabric (the orange that lines this pillow sham). I bought it instantly, not knowing what I would do with it, only that I had to make something for my sister in law Emily, who actually OWNS a hedgehog. Awesome, right? Her name is Gypsy. I lucked upon a few other hedgehog prints, and then my sister found a book with different pillow designs and thus the hedgehog pillow was born. I even made Gypsy her own tiny pillow. Completely random, but completely gratifying work.

Since I was abuzz with my hedgehog victory, I went to work doing paper piecing. This little heart table-topper was fun and quick, and I made it with my sisters on a spontaneous trip to Flagstaff. I have wonderful sisters. They "carry my heart," as a poem reads...They also make fun of random things I do like this table topper. When I emailed Amy that I had finished it, she said, "It's cute! How does it fly?" To which I'll reply that the employee at the quilt shop was admiring my "tight" piping job, so there.

It must be mentioned that I have spent time enjoying other people's children. A lot of my time, it seems, is spent doing this, and I enjoy it because I like serving other people. Unless I'm in a bad mood, and then, honestly, I'd rather be alone with my one monster or shopping with my one monster. Marianne and cousin Rachel are splendid little dancers.

 If you'll remember, Jacob turned eight in December. Which means we've been inducted into the very elite (and admittedly overwhelming) society of Cub Scouts. Jacob was thrilled to take part in his first Pinewood derby, though I can't really say who was more anxious for victory - Jacob or his dad. LUCKILY, Jacob placed third in his division and now proudly displays his trophy as evidence of his greatness. (P.S. When did Pinewood derbies become so technologically advanced? The number of "degrees" that ran the spreadsheets and tracked the results was staggering...I think their work was resume-worthy for sure.)

 February really wouldn't be complete without an entire weekend devoted to science projects. This year we melted aluminum, made a calorimeter, and tested the dyes in m&ms versus skittles. I think the accumulation and presentation of all of that data on three different science boards is definitely resume-worthy on my part.

 Jacob was devastated when the bottom of his steel can blew out and the molten aluminum it had contained was lost in the coals below. But then he and Rus helped everything cool down and unearthed some really neat pieces of now hardened aluminum. He said he'll make one into a necklace for me. Such a sweetie.

 Marianne is the theme song to my day, everyday. She definitely directs the crescendos, decrescendos, and all the tumultuous and lovely in-betweens. Here she is showing off her "elephant ears," as she calls them. "Pig-tails" are so 1980.

There you go. Now you know what I've been up to. Same ol', same ol'