What a year.

2008 | A Year In Review from cecily on Vimeo.

A look back at a whirlwind wonderful year. Thanks for the memories!

Wishing you all a spectacular 2009!

Love,
Cecily + Kellen

Special thanks to the marvelously talented Emily Hatch, Joseph Webb, and a bundle of other friends for capturing many of these moments for us. Your photographic contribution is overwhelmingly appreciated. And, of course, the wonderful and amazing Wilco for the rockin' soundtrack.

If I had a million dollars...

...and lived a wee bit closer to Connecticut, I just might (absolutely would!) indulge myself with an overnight stay here.

Holy, Hannah! 18 over-the-top cottages designed by 15 different architects. This place totally speaks to the oh-so-sophisticated 10-year-old in me. Why? Well, did I mention they're THEMED cottages? And not the super-cheesy type. Really. These people did it right. Coast Guard helicopter suites, dreamy treehouses, and--my personal fave--a cottage designed to look like you're in a beaver den. A classy one.

The kid in me has always been smitten with the idea of living in a well-appointed (read: fake, 'cause what beaver or fox do you know who has a lamp and down comforter in their home!?) animal den...remember the beaver den in the Narnia flick? Loved it. Muffy's mouse house in Today's Special? I wanted to move in! Totally weird, I know. But I have a hunch I'm not alone. Who wants to join me on a trip to Winvian!? (I'll put you on the waiting list for when I win the lottery.)

Cheers to too much mid-day Travel Channel!

Post-post Note | Thanks to my bro, who pointed out that I should check the spelling on my links before posting. They should all work now.

Since the Christmas cards have yet to be sent...

...thanks to my poor planning and an epic snowstorm, please pretend you found this message in your mailbox. Wishing you all a most magical holiday -- one full of family, friends, love, peace and most of all, JOY!






We wrap our hearts around you from afar,

Greetings from the snow cave.

Wow. It's been a white wonderland up here in Portland for a week now. Five snow days and counting. Kell and I, having grown up in a far away land where snow days are a once-in-a-lifetime luxury are soaking in every moment. And feeling very blessed for a warm, cozy apartment from which we can watch the flakes fall. Here's a peek:




We hope you're all well, safe and warm. Wishing you (yes, you!) a most wonderful holiday week.

Oh, and very special solstice birthday wish to my lovely cousin Lou! (A day late, but no less heartfelt...I miss you, cuz!)

do you see what i see?

right down there...

and up there...

and here too...

and it's sticking!

now it really feels like Christmas!


P.S. We even got a tree! He's a bit naked right now, but as soon as he's properly dressed I'll be sure to introduce you. Happy, happy holidays to all!

'tis the season...

for making!

Making MESSES, that is.

For the next few weeks, my dining table is bound to look something like this. No spruce-trimmed centerpiece, no advent wreath, just a whole lot of crafty goodness. Gosh, I really absolutely adore the holidays. Totally justifies my "make stuff" habit.

Had a wonderful weekend. Spent Saturday sewing with the girls and, though the hope was to cross off some "to-make-for-others" items on my Christmas list, I ended up making something for myself -- a first in a very long while. I now introduce the first sewing project I've just had to keep since my prolific 8th Grade scrunchie making fest (let's pretend that never happened, shall we?) Ahem. Drum roll please...

Oh yes, my friends, and the zipper even works! As you can tell, I'm wildly proud that my meager skills as a seamstress could yield such stellar results. I think the secret to my success was the litany of swear words muttered while I stumbled through the pattern. That typically guarantees good luck, don't you think? Thank the stars that I had a professional to guide me through the rough spots (and some evil top-stitching.) Who knows, with my new-found sewing confidence, perhaps I'll include a few more ambitious fabric projects into the holiday mix. No promises though.

Speaking of how awesome the holidays are, two things...{One} it snowed in Salt Lake. A fact made all the more dreamy and romantic by the fact that I am not there to shovel it. (Sorry Mom!) And {two} I just found the most lovely song to share with you. Click here to watch the video on YouTube (since they won't allow me to embed it. Ba humbug!) Sure to be loved long after the year turns '09. Enjoy!

Hydrate. Expectorate.

Ok. An admission. For the past three days I've been pouring salt water up my nose. Yup. Up my nose. And wow! WOW! I've never felt so good.

Here's the scoop: while sniffling up in Seattle over the holiday break, Kell's kind (and convincing) uncle persuaded me that the neti pot might be just the solution to my serious ever-present sinus congestion. And what'd'ya know!? I tried it and, get this, actually breathed through my nose ALL NIGHT. We're talkin' BOTH NOSTRILS! I wouldn't kid about this, folks. It's a miracle.

Now, I won't lie friends, 'tis mildly embarrassing to discuss such personal matters in such a public forum. But this water-up-the-nose bit has changed my world and I'd feel horrible not sharing this information with you because I know some of you need to embrace the neti pot just as desperately as I did.

I know, you're thinking "Yeah...I've heard of that whole deal...but I'm just not so sure." Well, friends, I'm here to assure you that you'll be sure. I'd heard from two ear/nose/throat docs, as well as my long-time pulmonologist that this practice might be my ticket to sinus salvation but I just couldn't bring myself to do it until this weekend. And boy am I grateful that I finally got the guts. I promise, it's not nearly as gross as it seems in your imagination. In fact, it's kind of relaxing. Crazy? Perhaps. Awesome? Absolutely. So to continue the theme of "thankfulness"... a huge thanks to our Seattle family for strong-arming me into open airways.

Now you try it! (P.S. The key is to buffer the solution with a bit of baking soda. Or, you can just purchase the pot with the nifty pre-mixed packets.)

Now enough of that serious stuff. Below is a most-hilarious clip of me "mastering" my little bro's trumpet on my recent trip to Salt Lake (where I proudly watched him rock the orchestra pit in the school play.) You'll hear Matthew in the background whistling the notes that he wants me to hit. Try as I might, I'd have sooner burst a lung than been able to play his key. Lots of fun, just the same though. Enjoy!

Giving Thanks.

Let me begin this season of thanks by praising the genius of Apple. Thank you, awesome Apple folks, for constructing your sweet little laptops in such a way that they can bounce back from a water bath. A half a Sigg bottle in my backpack on the way home from work kind of water bath. Yikes! That was a close one.

My apologies for the long silence and short post, but this morning's priority is backing up important files and getting us packed for this evening's trip (by train!) to Seattle.

Wishing one and all a most blessed Thanksgiving. I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you.

When I woke up this morning...

A rainbow filled the sky. Of course, now I have this song stuck in my head. But that ain't a bad way to start the day!

Just do it.

It'll make you feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy.

Playing hostess.

I just love this pic of my (not so) little bro. Taken a couple of weeks ago at a fabulous thrift store in Portland. He and my mama flew up for four days o' fun and the only thing that was missing was our favorite middle kid. But not to worry, we tried our best to make Chris feel included by calling and/or text messaging him every five minutes or so. Which he LOVED. (You loved it, Chris.) Enjoy a taste of our trouble-making below.

Again, testing out the goods at the thrift store. For once, I'm the redhead.

Matt and I gear up for a bike exploration. One of our favorite pastimes. I miss this most about living in Utah. Definitely a highlight of the visit.

Mom demonstrating her stellar sleeping bag packing skills. Me making her sleep in a yurt on the coast. Because I love (LOVE) yurts. And someday (someday!) I'm going to convince her that we should all buy one and make our own compound where we shall garden and sew and watch the sun set from our big wrap-around porches. Anyone else in?

Watching the sunrise over Tillamook on the epic early-morning quest for breakfast/donuts.
(Who the heck forgot to pack breakfast!?)

Kellen. Before he smelled the sugar rush that we brought back for him.

The finale. A super Skip-bo showdown. A Shepard family tradition that I fully intend to perpetuate at every opportunity. My love for this game borders on the ridiculous, but I like to think there are worse obsessions.

Boo.

Happy Halloween! I recently found this photo while cleaning out a closet and it made me giggle. Yep, that's me. Circa 1986 maybe? My mom will know. Especially since the photo is hers and there is likely an album in her living room with yellowed pages and a big white lonesome rectangle in the place this pic used to occupy. Evidence of my bad habit of swiping photos from my mom's collection for various creative endeavors and not returning them. Oops! Sorry, mama.

But this way the world gets to see your mad sewing skills on display. World, let me brag a bit...my mom is the coolest all year, but boy did she really bust out all the stops on Halloween when I was a kid. And here's what makes her a superstar: she made every one of my costumes when I was growing up. From the tiger costume above to elaborate Rainbow Bright and belly dancer get-ups, she poured her love into exquisitely-crafted yellow yarn wigs and gold bolero jackets.

Now that I'm "grown up" I don't know how she did it. I can barely find time to run to the discount store for a last-minute, "it'll do" costume for myself. How she squeezed in the time to stitch amazing annual disguises for us kids is beyond me. But oh how we appreciated it. Even more now. And how I hope that I can be that kind of mama someday...Creating for my little ones with every ounce of midnight oil I can muster.

Thanks mom. Wishing you pumpkin cookies and some sweet tea while you're in Texas!

Now playing on my iPod.

Ah, the thrill of finding new music to fall in love with. Just discovered the woman above, Kris Delmhorst. Do you know about her? Sakes alive, she's fabulous! 'Tis no surprise that I'm smitten, as she definitely fits my indie/folk singer-songwriter m.o. Perhaps some of you will fall for her sweet, sultry-smooth awesomeness as I have. Too bad she's not touring anywhere near my hood.

Start with Hummingbird and thank the stars above for good, honest music. Enjoy!

Refocus.

Feeling overwhelmed and melancholy regarding the general demands of modern life, I think it's high time to remind myself of a few "gratefuls" and "excitings" that have been floating through my head without proper attention paid. 'Tis the little things.

1. Fabulous friends. The lot of 'em. One of whom gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl just yesterday. Congratulations, Bethany! That wee one is so darn blessed to have you as her mama.

2. The new Keane album. For it hath brought my husband such joy.

3. Pandora. For it hath brought me such joy. Thanks for the intro, Joyce via Lusha.

4. Pizza and Jeapordy nights with said husband. Playing hooky from the gym never felt so good.

5. A new, much anticipated, book to read on the bus.

6. Webcams. For satisfying my longing when aforementioned book makes me homesick.

7. The warmth and safety of my home. For what it may lack in character it makes up for in comfort. I am grateful for this roof. And, especially as the nights get colder, for this heater.

8. The Onion.

9. Sweet potato burritos and pumpkin custard (from the best cookbook ever) with sweet friends tomorrow night.

10. The most wonderful family a gal could wish to have. There aren't enough words. My love to each of you. You are my sunshine.

Ahhhh...much better.

Too bad it was only a dream.

I had the most lovely dream last night. My sweet mama and I were off on an adventure to North Carolina. We had worked on our accents and had once-again perfected the drawl of the South, our bags were packed with lovely things (we had successfully persuaded the airline attendant -- who also happened to be my best friend -- to let us take more than one carry-on) and we boarded our flight (which actually was more like a road trip...because dreams are like that, you know, and we had antique shops to visit on the way!) Our final destination? The John C. Campbell Folk School.

Now, this is place is definitely dream-worthy. To me, it looks akin to a magical fairy land ... a place I might never leave if I'm ever so lucky to actually visit. I've been dying to discover it in person for about four years now and it's funny that I should begin thinking of it in sleep. Perhaps it's because my mom is actually coming to visit this week. Perhaps my subconscious is telling me it's time to start saving. Perhaps I just really need a hand-made broom. In any case, it made it really hard to wake up this morning.

[pics lovingly snagged from www.folkschool.org]
__________


In other news, a few of you have asked what, exactly, is Mr. Esqueleto. Well, he's a blast from my childhood past...one of those crazy little plastic creatures that expands when dropped into water. The package claims he grows to 600 times his original size, but I beg to differ. Disappointing. Kell rescued him from the bargain Halloween bin at Michael's on a recent crafty shopping trip that I recently dragged him through.

Insta-friend.

Meet Mr. Esqueleto, our new housemate. He lives on our kitchen counter in a waterbottle that I nearly take a swig out of every time I absent-mindedly glance at it. Esqueleto has the amazing power to make us feel young. We're talking third grader kind of young (otherwise known as downright silly.) So I'd like to believe he's somewhat of a fountain of youth. And thus, when I finally take that fated swig I fully expect a youthful glow to inhabit my aura and perpetual protection against crows feet.

More proof...

...that the best season of all is upon us.
Also, thanks to all for your feedback on the steamer. Sounds like it's worth ago. I think I shall mail order my new shower maid this weekend!

Anyone have any experience...

...with one of these bad boys?

It's a multi-purpose steam cleaner and I'm thinking it might just be the perfect chemical-free tool with which to wage war on my shower that I can't ever manage to get "squeaky clean." Have any of you used one? With good results? Your input is much appreciated.

snippets of september.

Oh internet. I'm such a fair-weather friend to you. My apologies for the neglect. It seems I blog the way I ski...all conditions must be right. Blue sky above. Time to burn. Hot chocolate in close proximity at all times.

Here's the update. Things I'm doing and loving.

Chalkin' it up.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of being a "featured artist" at the annual Forest Grove Sidewalk Chalk Festival. Did I mention I've not considered chalk my medium since 1986!? Needless to say, I was a bit nervous. No pressure, right!?

I decided to attempt a reproduction of a beautiful painting that my dear Grandma Rhea gifted me a few years ago. It's a lovely, soft depiction of Bowman Bay in Washington -- a summer vacation spot that's near-and-dear to my childhood heart. I noted the way the colors all swirled and washed together and thought chalk might lend itself to the same patterns.

Ha!!! Chalk is tough, folks! I had no idea. Turns out it doesn't give up the fight easily. You really must grind it into the pavement to get the pigment to stick in earnest. Halfway through my three-hour experiment I adopted a painting technique (hence the brush in my hand above) that proved slightly more promising, if also more time-intensive. In the end (knees and ankles aching) I think I got somewhat close to a resemblance. If nothing else, it made me appreciate the wonderfully talented painters in my family even more. Lou, Shel, Chris...you know who you are! And, of course, cheers to you, Gram! You're an inspiration.

And though I think I'll have to keep my day job, it was a blast. An honor I'd love to try my hand at again.

The sweetest season.
In other news, I'm savoring the onset of fall. We've been having the most spectacular weather the past few days. Bike riding weather. Pumpkin Chai-sipping with girlfriends weather. Weather than beckoned us out to a fabulous time at the family farm at the invitation of friends (thank you, sweet friends!) for some apple pie and "crawdadin" at the river. It's been crisp in the mornings (no more riding to work in my favorite flip flops) and downright hot during the day. And, perhaps best of all, the leaves are starting to look like this:
Wishing you the same loveliness.

thinking much on the wonder of words these days.

on how they can be assembled in such an order that when they're kissed to life by a reader they become art.

“Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, while all the time we long to move the stars to pity." | Gustave Flaubert

To witness magic.

Took my breath away.

thuggish and ruggish.

AND he makes chocolate chip cookies for breakfast!
What's not to love about this man!?




If you spend any amount of time talking with my brothers, you will likely learn that I'm a terrible cook. They may tell you about the time that I mis-measured the potato soup and ended up with enough to feed our entire street. Or perhaps they'll mention my propensity to forget things after I tuck them away in the oven. (oops!)

Quite frankly, I agree. I'm a far better "assembler" than I am a cook. I can concoct a great salad or layer a sandwich to perfection but once a heat source is involved, all bets are off. Which points to one of the many reasons I'm so grateful for Kellen's presence in my life.

Turns out, the kitchen has proved to be a perfect creative outlet for his scientific mind. Over the past year, his culinary experiments have yielded some fantastic creations. I love watching his process as he thoroughly reads a recipe, considers the execution, measures exactly, and logs his results as he makes notes for the "next time."

And so this morning we ate cookies. Meticulously measured, watched over in the oven, artfully arranged on the plate and eagerly eaten and enjoyed...every crumb of their oh-so-unhealthiness. Breakfast of champions!

two summer days. a retrospective.

I'm short on words, but have plenty of photos to offer after uploading the pics we snapped last weekend. Two days full of fabulous friends, Flugtag (oh wow!) and (knock on wood) no flat tires. A darn good time was had by all.

80,000 people and some truly awesome hair in attendance.

People's Choice Award.

Cecily's Choice Award.

Taking in the view.

Kellen and his new baby.

Cecily and her trusty steed, Amos.

Someone else's trusty steed.
How great is this!? I heart mounted parking lot attendants.

Scenic Washington County. I adore this view. Heading into Yamhill.

Quilts lining the entrance to the Carlton community festival.

Making us grateful for the option of two-wheeled transport.