the Sukkah is up

The Sukkah is up!  We put the walls up on Friday afternoon in about 45 minutes.  This is our Sukkah's fourth anniversary and we're old pros now.  It rained all day Saturday and threatened rain for Sunday morning so our annual Sukkah party didn't happen, but we managed to put the roof on and the walls on Sunday and then all the decorations. 

I really think Martha Stewart Living should do a Sukkah.  I can see this spread of photos of an amazing Sukkah decked out in impeccable Martha fashion with harvest golds and oranges, full of pumpkins and gourds.  Can't you see it?  Maybe with a menu and recipes for a Sukkah party, too.

I'm sewing a swimming bird today for the book. And writing introductions for each bird project.

Here is a little project we like to do with scraps, trims, buttons and all the other stuff that ends up on the sewing room floor.  Embelished paper dolls.  These are great to do with a playdate, too.  Put out a big tray full of scraps  – maybe some wrapping paper, gems, yarn – and get started. 

Fold a piece of 8.5×11 paper in  half and in half again, like an accordian.  Draw a simple doll shape making sure that the arms extend all the way to the edge of the paper on each side.  Cut it out, unfold and viola. Four paper dolls.  Draw some faces and then decorate.  

I'm sad to hear that two of my favorite magazines, Gourmet and Cookie, are both folding.  I really like Gourmet. I've cooked dozens of Gourment Everyday dishes, some of which have become weekly staples around here. Cookie was always fun to read. I liked the reviews of new kid's music and books, and the nice style photos of kid's rooms.  I love magazines and it makes me so sad to see the good ones go.