New (temporary) additions to our family

One of the great things about having your own business is that you can juggle tasks as necessary. We foster kittens for Seattle Animal Shelter, and I dashed off this morning, minutes after receiving an email alert, to pick up these 4 munchkins.

They are 3 girls and one boy (the black one is the boy). The two little lynx points have the most brilliant blue eyes. We're working on names for them and will try to get more photos when they have finished sleeping off the excitement of the last 24 hours of their wee lives. Oh, there is nothing like a new little kitten to make for a happy day...

Early Spring in Seattle's Japanese Garden

Two days ago, Emma, Eric and I visited Seattle's Japanese Garden. It is one of my favorite places in Seattle. I always come away feeling rested, relaxed, rejuvenated. Beauty, calm, serenity, quiet, enough. Those are my synonyms for this garden.

It was a little early for the full flower show, so we will have to return in a few weeks. But here is some of what we saw a couple of days ago.

This camelia below.....

Inspired the creation of these earrings...

Vintage Button Love

Look at these!

And these!

And these!

All were a surprise present from my friend Cathy. I'm in heaven. They are perched on my desk like little works of art, providing me with inspiration and delight through the day. Friends and vintage buttons... does it get any better!?!

Cupcake Giveaway

Help us celebrate 150 years of cupcakes in Seattle (see this post). Win this Sweet Seattle cupcake necklace!

Bumbershoot Designs is sponsoring a giveaway of this necklace over at Glamorous WAHM. Head on over, see the giveaway, play if you want!

Al's Plum Blossoms

I really miss Al. He was our neighbor across the street and he passed on just over 2 years ago. Al was a presence in our lives in a number of subtle ways. When we first began homeschooling, Emma and I did a unit on the American homefront in WWII. As part of the unit, we went over to have a talk with Al, who was a WWII vet and who kept a diary of his missions, right after D-Day. We got to read his diary and see his flight jacket, with “Thelma” (his wife's name) stenciled over the heart. Frequently when we were working in our yard, we’d get a visit from Al, and often received great bags of Italian plums from the other plum tree in his back yard. They made up into great jam, which we returned to him, along with other treats, every Christmas Eve. Al had several strokes over the years, and had back issues, but rarely complained and remained vigorous. We even saw him up on the roof of his house not too many years back. He is our role model for growing older.


I think of Al a lot this time of year because his plum trees are in full bloom and they are spectacular. He planted 3 thundercloud plum trees in front of his house many years ago “because Thelma wanted them”. The picture above was taken 2 days ago. We now have the blossom snow and wafting fragrance that these trees bless us with each year. Thanks to Al.

Al’s Plum Blossoms. Vintage Flowerdrop Earrings (below)

Etsy Bumbershoot Designs shop Sale Friday Apr 3

Tomorrow, Friday Apr 3, you can find some of my featured items, including this ever-so-popular cupcake necklace, in Etsy's Spring Showcase. You can link to the Spring Showcase from the top right of the main Etsy page. For fun, there will be free shipping, not just on the featured items, but on all items in the shop. And purchases are sent in the loveliest spring-y packaging imaginable. Complete with raindrops!

I will remove shipping fees tonight around 8 or 9 pm Pacific time and they will stay off for 24 hours. Enjoy!