week forty-one 2025

Back to our regularly scheduled weekly recaps! I know. I was just in your in box but I'm back in the shop and getting back to my schedule.

Last week I headed to Boston to help my dear friend Sam. She was undergoing surgery and I wanted to be there to assist in recovery. I often show my love for friends and family by making food for them when they're ill or undergoing medical challenges. Since Sam is in Boston and I'm in Chicago, I wanted to travel to her. Sure, I could've shipped food and  I have before, but it's seriously almost as expensive to ship overnight as a plane ticket. Plus, you can't ship hugs or the peace of mind knowing your friend is ok. One of the most dishes I like to make loved ones is Cinnamon Chicken Stew. Check it out. It's warm and savory and oh so comforting. 

While there, I stayed in Sam's gorgeous apartment. Her neighborhood is amazingly beautiful. She's in Brighton and her place sits on a hill, surrounded by big beautiful single family homes and giant old trees. Part of her recovery includes walking, which gave us a chance to see all the gorgeousness first hand. Boston is also further along in the fall colors and season, the trees were stunning! 

Sam is an artist and her home is filled with her own art as well as her personal collection. I'm fortunate to own several pieces. Her creativity is endless. Her entire home was filled with beauty and magic that she created. One of my favorite projects in her home were these blinds created with player piano rolls. At first glance, you may not realize the medium but when you look close, you notice the typography and the pattern on the paper. She's brilliant, I tell you.

Another stunning piece was a headboard she created years ago. Relax in the center was created by nails and if you look at the finials, each is an hourglass, the left side - time just started, right side - time has run out. Check out website for more endless creativity! I'm happy to report Sam is healing well and I'm thankful I got to spend time with her.

I finally put out some of our Japan orders this week! I've been sitting on these since August. I'm thrilled to get them out on the floor. We also got in some new stickers, labels and notebooks. Stop by and see all the newbies!

Don't forget - Tuesday! Donovan will be hosting her annual Halloween Mail Art Party Tuesday, October 14th from 4 to 7pm. All materials will be supplied. See ya there.

Random Randomness...
•While flying and cooking I had plenty of time to listen to a book. I decided to give Karin Slaughter another try and listened to The Good Daughter. I'm just gonna say it, I'm not a fan. Not even a little. I kept hearing how she's the author of the Will Trent books and TV show. While I haven't read or listened to the Will Trent series, I've listened to two of her novels and don't feel the need to read any others. I find her books a little too detailed with the crimes and she focuses a lot on heinous acts on women specifically with too much detail. They're not for me. 

•I got home Thursday and decided to meet friends out for the Cubs playoff game. It was so fun! We met at Templestowe, our neighborhood bar, and the entire bar was riveted. We cheered, we booed, we sang and we celebrated! It was a lot of fun.

•Saturday Tom and I headed to Oktoberfestiversary hosted by Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery. The fest is always a good time with great bands. Tom and I both loved Dovetail's Festbier and the band Punk'd. Who has a familiar guitarist, Brett, a Begyle employee. If you get a chance to see them, check 'em out. They rock.