molly irwin

Tony Bennett in the mail

The size and shape of the corrugated package gave it away. Had I accidentally clicked buy it now?  Did Paul see my wishlist?   Unlike other deliveries that have sat around for days, I ripped it open.  The note read:

Molly ... It was great spending some "just sister" time.  I hope this book inspires you.  Love, Sheila

A few tears squeezed out of what I'm sure was an unattractive squishy face.  So thoughtful! 

Before last weeks visit from my sister, I can't remember the last time that we have had that ... "just sister" time.  Holiday get togethers are raucous events, with attention going to whatever kids are running through the room, and singular time is not a priority.  So when Sheila came into town for business, we were both happy to go eat, and share stories, and aspirations -- just we two.  We headed to Barnes & Noble afterwords for a little exploring and some gifts for her girls (my nieces).

That's when I discovered this book.

I knew Tony Bennett was an artist, I just hadn't seen his paintings before.  What I found is that his artwork is like a visual representation of what his voice does to a song.   The time spent flipping through in the bookstore convinced me that I wanted to own it, I just didn't feel like buying anything for myself at the time. 

So ... what a joy to receive.  Completely unexpected.

Scanning is all I've done so far, but it's a visual delight.

   

"I'm on a journey.  It's a search for truth and beauty that I'm trying to share ... I'm on a journey to try and communicate how beautiful life is." -- Tony Bennett

The man is a class act.  The book is an inspirational gem.  Oh, and it comes with a CD in the back - nice to listen as you read.

Tony Bennett :: In the Studio.

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Also, I haven't forgotten the topic of participating in Challenges to be addressed. Very soon.

organizing + update

[kids shelves, Oct. 07 :: featured today here.]

Mid-week already?  A couple of quick little things to mention on this Wednesday:

Though my family may believe (or know) otherwise, often my photos of our home capture a pretty organized scene.  One such is included today at complete organizing solutions, as part of a week-long feature on organizational photo groups at flickr.  Thank you so much, Tanna, for the mention.

Also along the lines of organizing, I've been doing a little computer de-cluttering.  Does anyone else bookmark a bunch of stuff, only to find later that you have so many bookmarks it takes too long to scroll through them all to find what you're looking for?  Annoying.  No more of that for me.

A free suscribscription to de.li.cious, an organizing site that manages and categorizes your bookmarks has simplified that.   I'm going to try out a linkroll of these items in the right sidebar, but I don't know  ... it looks a little wonky to me.  I'll give it a go for a while.  You may find something new there.

Finally today, once a McCarthy ... always a McCarthy! This is the time of year when I always break out some good, fun Celtic (and Irish band) music.  There's a new play list on the right.  Slainte! 

challenges, part I

"fooot ponts" says he, jumping up and down, arms flapping wildly.

"fruit pants?"  I ask him back.

"No, Mama. see! come see."  Away he runs, not looking back to see if I'm with him; feet pumping so high up behind him each stride is a literal kick in the pants.

He leads me to a foam mat in the middle of the floor, a tray holding a collection of tiny toy foods, one a cardboard carton of fruit punch.  Waving it proudly in my face he declares "fooot ponts.  fooot ponts."  then plops himself on my legs -- owning the spot as always -- to pour me a tiny plastic cupful.

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I was going to write something tonight about participating in challenges, how I used to feel about that and how my perspective is changing. But that will have to wait until tomorrow.  Right now, there's a big typhoon of life literally encircling me that won't be ignored.

Meanwhile, here's a peak at the beginning of something -- my interpretation of Ali's weekend creative challenge on layering + paint.  I've wanted to do something in this blue for a while now.

Time to put the kiddos to bed here and give myself over to the business of Sunday night routine.

edited later to add:  only in the last couple of weeks have I started singing to Marty at bedtime.  With the girls being just enough older to have outgrown it, I had forgotten the sweet relaxation that comes over them. He doesn't know the rewards are purely my own.  This is our song: close your eyes by TFIA.

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"Howp me, Mama ... howp me, feeeze."  That's just about all I can think about right now.

... to be continued

lunar eclipse

[artwork by Helen, age 8]

Look to the skies tonight to view the only total lunar eclipse to take place for the next two years.  Just think what can change in two years!  That's a long time in the life of a child.  This coincides with a moon journal project we've been working on, so we are having a late night with popcorn and hot chocolate.  Hoping the sky is clear here and at your home as well. 

You can visit the official NASA lunar eclipse site for the schedule in your time zone and more.

Philadelphia [weekend] story

Just returned last night from a spontaneous long weekend in Philadelphia.  I lived in the area before getting married, and have a soft spot for that city; the old buildings, the narrow streets, the restaurants, the Irish taverns.  It's funny how different our choices as parents when traveling.  For example, looking for a nice dinner spot?

Hmmm, this looks interesting, but we see couples enjoying small plates and martini's and, being respectful of their lovely date, we opt to take our rowdy crowd across the street instead:

It's okay, we compromised for brunch the next day, finding just the right tavern -- not too busy and we could get a bloody Mary and a Guiness.  I wondered what conversation might ensue with my young readers about the quote on the coasters, but they didn't mention it.

 

Traveling with kids ... lots to navigate, but so very well worth it.  Like most, I think they enjoyed the hotel pool the best.  More of my pics of our weekend adventure are here.

We had a really good time, but there's much to do today getting back to life.  It's late in the day and I really must get into work mode now. 

forground / background

What is the subject of this picture?  Lately, I've been playing a little game with myself as I take everyday photos, asking myself this very question. 

When my kids are engaged in an activity there are many ways to look at and see the situation.    I'll usually get the requisite image of their full facial expression and a view of what it is that they're doing.  Then I go for more.

Having sweetened cereals (especially in these tiny boxes) is not an everyday thing for us, in fact, this is a first/very occasional treat that was enjoyed with great enthusiasm. To represent that idea, I put the packaging in focus and happy little Marty there in the background.  [Ha, like in advertising ... "come on, show the packaging, show the packaging."]  I'm playing with, and learning, the different features of my camera to bring forgrounds and backgrounds into focus.   

It's worth noting that I'm working with a point and shoot camera.  (I have the Samsung NV10). Sometime this year I plan to purchase a digital SLR, but I've told myself until then I'm going to work on getting the best I can with what I've got.  And I've been happy with many results lately.

Here's an example of how focusing on the forground or the background effects the subject of the image.

See how focusing on different aspects of the scene lends a new slant to the story of the picture? Both show that Helen is fully engrossed in her project, but lately I've really liked shots like that first one the best.  It shows those stamps - some of the tools that she is working with -- rather than just her, and that can say a lot.

This has been a pretty fun little game for me over the last week or so.  Ah ... the economy of digital imagery; we don't need to worry about having too many exposures.

The lighting is better in this example:

Again, I'm not a photographer, but in as much as we are the documentarians of our own life and the lives of our families, it's worth trying some different things here and there to enhance our stories.

Those settings are there on your camera for a reason.  Go ahead ... play.

Oh happy day

Aside from the green and blue cotton floral wrap dress that I made in 9th grade home Ec. class, my hands have produced nothing with a sewing machine.  So you'll forgive the little pucker in the heart above, won't you? 

I made three of these cushions, and with each I felt improvement. The second heart had no pucker and the third was even better (after untangling a big glob of threads under the throat plate, caused (i think) by a dwindling bobbin.) 

These are modeled after the lavender filled hearts, by Sycamore Moon, that I've been staring at since last February in Home Companion.   So simple and such a great project to get me back on a sewing path.  And there was no shopping; all of the materials are things I had on hand: some ticking stripe, scrabble letters, electrical wire, and some bits of ribbon.  They came together quickly even for a newbie like me.

   

I couldn't be happier and cannot wait to surprise the kids after school today, and see them find their notes and chocolates in the pocket.   Even more exciting to me though ... I can't wait to make something else.   I didn't have that same sense of satisfaction with my sundress in the ninth grade.

hearts in mind

It's valentine's central here tonight, where I'm engaged in a (typical) last minute rush to have heart-shaped this and that for the little ones to enjoy on Wednesday night and Thursday. 

When will I ever learn that planning in advance means more than just visualizing the end result?  Sure, I can picture it in my mind all day long, but unless I take those steps to make stuff, have the ingredients on hand, etc. I am bound to have a big rush to a finish line.  Hmmm ... maybe I like it this way.

Tonight there's a soft (and surprisingly quiet) whirl of my new [to me] sewing machine running on a small, valentine's-related test project, and a shopping list with various baking chocolates being prepared.  We usually make handmade cards for school friends, but this year it will be something really simple that the kids can do some quick stamping on tomorrow night. 

Like every other holiday, this one too becomes about the kids when you have them.  It becomes less about the wine and romance and more about the candy hearts and cards.  Still, we do have a couple of bottles on hand.  One never knows ...

kids in the 'hood

Neighborhood friendships.  Do you remember yours as a child? 

There's just something about them that's different; they're less structured than friends from school.  You come; you go.  You're in and out of each other's houses more times than you can count.  You play for just a few minutes before taking off with your family, or stretching late into the afternoon when shadows cover the yard.

Our neighbors are moving.  Not far -- it's just across town.  It's not far, unless your legs are short, and you need permission, and a ride, and pre-arranged play dates. 

We loved our impromptu backyard adventures building "cabins" and cardboard doll houses, riding scooters and bikes, kicking balls, and jumping off the big rock.  We loved every minute of playing after school even though we were so tired, and cranky, and just trying to make it 'til dinner time without a meltdown.

   

We love you guys.  You. Will. Be. Missed.

Oh, and did I mention we need to pre-screen the new owners?

diced, sliced and julienne

This was just one of those days spent doing little things around the kitchen.  Washing all the herbs and veggies.  Dicing, slicing and generally getting them ready for the three recipes I have selected.  It took a while and Paul doesn't really get this: he thinks it's a chore; something to just quickly get done.  But I enjoy the colors, textures, pace, and sensations of it all so much.

Now I know tomorrow afternoon, I can just whip up sweet potato chowder in a snap.  And the next day throw together my chicken with herbed polenta triangles.

Just look at all this fresh goodness! If only the rest of the house was so organized.