object love…PlayShapes

I spotted these in the fall/winter issue New York Times Style magazine. These wood blocks are wonderful and a refreshing departure from unit blocks. Don't get me wrong, unit blocks are still the toy of choice in our house, but PlayShapes are, as the name says, playful. 

Some of my favorite configurations by the creators and designers of PlayShapes, MillerGoodman.

Make sure to visit their  Flickr group for more amazing ensembles.

I cannot wait to get these under the tree for D!

Happy Building,

F&N

family…toothy smile

So, we've had another milestone in the family; D lost his first tooth. What made this event magical, if somewhat traumatic, was where we were and who was with us.

See the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, we were out for a walk at Lands End on a beautiful, warm and windless day. Accompanying us were D's best buddy and his mama, my good friend. I'm so glad they were there as they diffused a potentially disastrous parent and child moment. 

The Tooth Fairy did make a visit that night leaving a silver dollar as old as me. Alas, the wonder faded less than twenty-four hours later when some of his classmates told an outrageous story that there was no such thing as a Tooth Fairy! Damn them!

F&N

back again…really!

Geez, I'm a bit embarrassed about my previous declaration of re-entering the blog world only to be absent for another month! It's safe to say, I've made it over the hump with all the goings on in our life.  

First off, we closed on our house and we are moved in! We've been in our new residence now for two weeks, and it's beginning to feel like home. Surprisingly! We were unsure how we would adjust to living in an old Victorian after loft living for 12 years, but the transition has been smooth and enjoyable. 

Instead of plywood floors, an open floor plan, no closets, no doors, and an industrial neighborhood, we have discreet rooms, plenty of closets [usable closets too! not odd left over spaces that can't even accommodate a hanger], doors for some much needed privacy, a garage and a composting bin! I've come to realize residential living is so civilized. 

I'm excited by our new neighborhood and all that it has to offer. It finally feels like we're living IN San Francisco as opposed to the outskirts of San Francisco. 

The one thing I do miss is this view of downtown.

 F&N

guess who's back…

back again! It was a tough decision to re-enter the blogshpere, but here I am, guns blazing. Thanks to everyone who still checked in regularly, and thanks to my friends who encouraged me to continue the F&N blog. 

A few of "life's moments" converged during the month of August, that quite frankly, overwhelmed me. The two major events were my grandmother's death and the purchase of our first house [what a mix of emotions!]. These combined with D's summer break, visiting relatives and work account for my absence.  

But the time off was good. It gave me some time to think about the blog world and how I would like to participate in it. 

It's good to be back! 

F&N

about the picture…I snapped this photo years ago at the Albany Bulb. It's painted on rock, and I believe the artist's pseudonym is Sniff.

family…a meltdown of sorts

This picture speaks volumes to the general state of our household affairs, and, I admit, a bit to my mental state. Emotions are all over the place: happy, excited, anxious, relieved and sad. I won't go into specifics now, but we'll be up and running soon with lots to share.

 As for the picture…I melted the stove clock while I was frying bacon. I'm such a jackass!

Onward & Upward,

F&N