Winners

This year, we geared up for a serious Oscar-viewing gathering at Donna's, which included a lot of bling and games, of course. It was the 85th Oscars night! The gals put on sparkly eye makeup, bling bling jews and high heels with our jeans. Mike even put on an evening jacket (oh, well over his hippy flannel shirt) and Will put on a tux shirt and bow tie!!

We played TWO oscar games and stayed up until the very end. It was fun. I did not see serveral of the nominated movies but manged to see a few of them. I was really happy for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lawernce, my two fav movies this year.

And I loved it when Michelle Obama joined in on the sparkly oscar excitement!!

Bad lighting but you can see the sparkles

My Oscar Bingo card

Lots of sewing

Despite all of the writing lately, I have managed to put my sewing machine to work a bit here and there.  There are quite a few cute babies in my life right now so I made some baby gifts and used some new sewing materials at the same time. First up, a terry velour hoody towel for my tiny niece and it even had a little colorful wren on the outside fabric!

Then I used a fuzzy blanket fabric for a baby blanket for a friend's new baby girl. I used the tying technique to 'quilt' the 2 layers with pink ties!

Oh, there have been some zippers in my life lately as well.  My cousin Laura, who just learned how to sew just a few months ago, is already onto zippers! We made some valentine zipper pouches.  We also found a sewing notion store 2 blocks from her house that has a whole room just for zippers!! All colors, all sized. So we have some more zipper plans...

Finally, some snow, a lot of it.

Well, the Blizzard of 2013 occurred here in north jersey.  We got about 15 or so inches, it was beautiful and quiet and still.  And the sun came out after all of the snow fell. A perk of being a renter: you get to stay inside view the pretty white snow with warm coffee in hand, while the hired (by landlord) people take care of the driveway. My back thanks you guys.

Mike, happy that our landlord had the driveway cleared!

warm and sunny inside

our backyard

It has been a crazy few months: writing writing writing my dissertation draft.  Finally, just yesterday, my Dissertation Chair sent out my full draft to the whole committee for my first Full-Committee Review. If all goes well, I will get feedback, work for a few weeks to make changes and defend it!! Cross your fingers...then walk in May...

A lot of path models in my life lately. 

After a long week of late nights writing, my valentine treated me to gorgeous flowers, the best Indian take out around (which is my fav), and yummy dessert.

And now for the Saturday paper and a yummy hot beverage (we might have gotten a really fun new kitchen appliance that involved steamed milk). Because this Saturday and Sunday, I will not be writing or reading or editing my dissertation.  Not for a minute.