Lisa's Under Her Charm Blog

Sunshine

2012-01-26T22:50:00.000-08:00

Here is something a little different! It's not my usual style, but I couldn't resist a little color with all of these foggy dreary Berkeley days.

Ok, this one is my usual style.

I'm addicted to beading and crocheting! Good thing I have nothing else to do (that's kind of a joke). And how about this new photo style - don't the pictures look professional!

1921-2012

2012-01-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

Last week we lost a truly inspirational woman. Maryon Ruchelman, my Mom's mom, passed away in Houston TX.

Grandma Maryon was born in Kingsville TX. She went off to New York where she worked in theater and met Grandpa Harry. She moved back to Texas and had four children while her husband went to medical school and did a residency. Speaking from experience, I can say that having 4 children while your husband learns to be a doctor is no easy task, and that was before baby swings, bumbos and boppies.

She then went back to school to get her PhD in physical organic chemistry. She has numerous published papers, not only in organic chemistry, but also endocrinology, breast cancer and epidemiology.

After a successful science career, she went back to school to learn computer programming, working in artificial intelligence.

On top of her career, she enjoyed literature, music and the arts. She was an avid traveler, a volunteer, a jewelry maker, and most impressive... a belly dancer.

She lived all over the US during her life, and, at various points, owned a bright red Mercedes convertible and a haunted castle. Growing up, I was always in awe of her long fiery red hair, independence, and ability to tumble rocks into gems. Whenever I saw her, she tried to make me THINK. I would always get annoyed, but now I totally appreciate that she did that. My brother and I still make fun of how she stumped us.

As with my other grandparents, I never appreciated her accomplishments until she was no longer able to remember her struggles, challenges, or success. It was obvious when she came to my wedding in 2000 that she had had a stroke, and while she was still cognitive of her surroundings, she was no longer able to pass on her wisdom of how a woman from Kingsville, TX, could become a scientist and computer specialist, as well as a mother of 4, all while mastering the "shimmy" and knitting sweaters and scarves. She enjoyed seeing Ronnie and Ben, but could not appreciate that they were her descendants. Lila and Noe never met her.

So, for the past 6+ years, my mom has taken care of her mom with the roles reversed. When I visit Houston, I always pass the house where she raised her children and planted tiny seeds that are now huge trees. She was truly an inspiration, and , to quote Ronnie about her own Grandma, she made the best mom a grandma could make. Between them, I have two amazing women to aspire to!

The fastest way to Grandma and Grandpa's

2012-01-13T09:49:00.000-08:00

Ben doesn't need a key.

Seriously, Ronnie?

Lila, too.

Bohemian Chic

2012-01-05T10:14:00.000-08:00

These wrap bracelets are so fun and will be your favorite every day bracelet.

Find them soon in my little bracelet shop!

Romantic Rose

2012-01-02T11:18:00.000-08:00

And thanks to Ronnie for letting me borrow her geode to take pictures!

Heading south for winter

2011-12-31T23:11:00.001-08:00

Just like us, the grackles have headed south for winter, and thousands of them decided that the intersection of West Belfort and Post Oak is a great place to settle for winter. My mom was kind enough to pull into the Krogers so I could snap a few Instagrams.

Bugs and gems

2011-12-29T21:05:00.001-08:00

We are making the most of our time in Houston (not just eating ribs), and went to the butterfly center at the Museum of Natural Science

and let the kids run through the gem vault.

The highlight for Ronnie was picking out a geode and cracking it open to find her own gems.

Blast Off

2011-12-28T21:30:00.000-08:00

Ben got to go to NASA during this visit in Houston.

I got to skip that one...

Berkeley girl

2011-12-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

Her name may be from San Francisco, but Noe is all Berkeley.

Yeah, Hanukah!

2011-12-22T10:08:00.000-08:00

Yeah, paper!

Weekend Project

2011-12-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

Find them in my little bracelet shop.

Hidden Hummingbirds

2011-12-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

I would suggest that there is no possible way to get a decent picture of a hummingbird with an iPhone 3GS, but that didn't stop me from trying. See if you can find the hummingbirds in these pictures from Tomales Bay.

InstaFriday

2011-12-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

We will continue this week of hats with Noe. Can you stand this mug?

My second link up with LifeRearranged!

Where'd you get that shirt?

2011-12-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

"Oh, my mom took me to JoAnn, and I picked out the fabric, and then she cut and sewed it into a shirt for me."

Go, me!

That's my boy!

2011-11-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

Discs and bangles

2011-11-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

InstaFriday

2011-11-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

Ronnie and Grandma

Ben

Lila at the mall with Mommy

Noe the Thinker

And a little Occupy Berkeley

My first link up with LifeRearranged!

Earlier and earlier

2011-11-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

She may not be able to walk, but Noe can send a great text message.

Low tide

2011-10-31T10:50:00.001-07:00

We explored a tide pool in Half Moon Bay this weekend. A little rocky and slippery, but very cool finds at low tide. Lila searched for anemones in a backpack on Edwin's back, Ben splashed around in his rain boots, Ronnie picked out a million awesome rocks she couldn't take home,

I watched hermit crabs and took pictures (of course),

and little Noe stayed close to shore with Grandma and Grandpa who were visiting for Halloween weekend.

Sick day = new pieces

2011-10-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

It's never fun to be sick,

but it is fun to cuddle with a sweet baby all day and make a few new designs. This bracelet set features beautiful pyrite roses and metallic bronze braided leather.

and this one has a lovely large rose quartz with a bronze buddha and lotus.

The rose quartz is one of a kind, so get this one in my etsy shop before it's gone!

Boo

2011-10-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here is the gang before Ben's Pumpkin Patch Dress Up Jumpy House Birthday Bash.

I know, I know, where is Lila's Medusa costume. She is 3 and fickle. And a ham.

A whole new shopping avenue

2011-10-14T11:03:00.001-07:00

Did you know that if you wear a women's size 8 shoe or smaller, you can wear GIRL'S shoes! It's true! SO, if I happen to be shopping for the kids at Nordstrom (Rack), and find some awesome shoes, I can get them for me.

And what's better, you can wear matching shoes with your 7-year old.

Metallic Berry

2011-10-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

So rich. So supple.

Find it in my little bracelet shop!

Who needs princesses?

2011-10-12T14:58:00.001-07:00

What three year old little girl wants to be a princess when she can be Medusa!

Now, if I can just keep her away from the princess costumes at Target, we might have a winner for Halloween.

Fleet week

2011-10-10T10:19:00.001-07:00

This makes the Ostrin boys very happy.

Beach fun

2011-10-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

Stinson beach in Marin.

Isn't this bracelet so beachy and earthy!

It's in the details

2011-10-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

These beautiful fasteners make the bracelet!

I call this one...Twilight (ie the Vampire movie)

and the Gold Rush.

Find them in my little bracelet shop.

New for every day

2011-09-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

You'll never want to take these off. These great mixed metal nugget necklaces will be in my shop soon.

Silver and gold, or gold and silver?

Smokey gray and fiery purple

2011-09-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

Brass and rose

2011-09-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Black and bronze wrap

2011-09-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

This is my newest bracelet style - a leather beaded wrap bracelet. It is made from a beautiful metallic bronze leather with black beads. It wraps twice on the wrist and fastens with a sterling silver button.

It dresses up a t-shirt and jeans perfectly!

Redwood wildlife

2011-09-20T12:30:00.001-07:00

Besides a chipmunk and this little guy making waves,

this caterpillar was the only wildlife we saw in Muir Woods.

He was in a hurry to get somewhere.

I know, I know. You don't go to a redwood forest to see wildlife.

How lucky are we that this is just about in our backyard!

Fool's gold

2011-09-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

Sideways Buddha

2011-09-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

You know how when you are trying to write a grant, sustain life, image 8 eyes, make jewelry, and do 3 ERGs, it can be a little stressful?

Well, I can tell, this is TOTALLY going to help.

Blood red silk, sideways Buddha, cute little bow on the back, and it matches my watch perfectly. I can feel the zen already.

Deep breath.

Put a bird on it

2011-09-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

As they say in Portlandia, just about anything is improved once you put a bird on it. Just try searching for bird in etsy!

I tried it out, and it worked. I took one of the many sticks that Ronnie and Ben collect, and put a bird on it!

Voila! Art?

This isn't the first time I put a bird on it. I have necklaces with birds, shirts, notebooks, underwear...

Metallic leather

2011-09-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

This says it all

2011-09-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

These are pretty cool, too.

You can find them in my etsy shop when I reopen in a few weeks.

This face

2011-09-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

Can you stand it?

$

2011-09-07T10:44:00.001-07:00

I think if you don't have kids, you cannot fully appreciate the absolute joy of going to the dollar store by yourself. It happens maybe once a year, and I never know when the moment might be that the opportunity arises.

I was absolutely in awe of what you can buy at the dollar store. . . for a dollar! An origami dinosaur kit! CUTE striped baby legwarmers! Martinelli apple juice jars, that, once emptied, made the perfect jar for emptying out the liquid in the glow sticks and making lanterns.

I got a whole watermelon. For a dollar! And a pint of locally grown strawberries, and about 20 other things.

Sonoma Coast Beach

2011-09-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, maybe not the best beach for swimming.

Ronnie was happy to do some rock collecting.

And the view up the Pacific coast is breathtaking!

A little clean up

2011-09-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ronnie, Ben and Lila share a pretty small room. They don't seem to mind, but someday I want a big house where they can each have their own space. Once you throw in a few friends and everyone playing with something different, you get the picture on the left.

After a trip to Ikea and JoAnn, and a little time to clean, everyone got their own personal space. On the right, Lila is reading in her canopy, Ronnie under her tent, and Ben is hiding somewhere behind his curtain.

What I was REALLY eyeing at Ikea was the queen size loft bed. I totally want one!

Little letters

2011-08-31T21:29:00.001-07:00

I can't get enough of these little red string bracelets. Here they are with sterling silver rustic letters.

Who knew?

2011-08-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Who knew this little girl was so strong! One minute Ronnie was at the bottom of the rope, then all the way to the top in the blink of an eye.

I also caught a glimpse of Ben doing a head stand and Lila on a balance beam. Gymnastics was fun, but now we have a break from that and on to other things.

Hmmm, swimming? piano? martial arts?

That time of year

2011-08-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

Back to school! Starting to feel like fall. Well, it always feels like fall in Berkeley. If you step outside around 8:00 am, you'll see a mass exodus down the street to school.

Just a four block walk to our school, and by the time we get to block two, there are about ten kids walking with us (and four moms, one dad and two babies).

Second grade and kindergarten. . .

Friendship (bracelets)

2011-08-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ronnie has been asking all summer to make friendship bracelets at home, since she has been learning at camp. Finally, we stopped by JoAnn, and everyone picked out a few colors (even me), and an instruction book (it has been 20 years since I made one).

Ronnie taught her friend how to make them. Not sure how good this was for the couch (the string is pinned to the cushions).

I made one for Ben and one for Lila. And five for me.

Here are Ronnie's works in progress.

Boing!

2011-08-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

If you ask nicely, Lila will let you boing a curl.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

2011-08-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

We live in a relatively urban area. I say this based on the fact that we can walk to 2 grocery stores, 23 coffee shops, and 48 restaurants from our house.

So WHY are there CHICKENS in our yard every day??

It's actually pretty funny. Supposedly, they are pets of one of the homes across the street. They get out everyday, and come to peck around are garden. Somehow, they know to just peck at the weeds.

What's even funnier is that if these chickens had any idea what I did for a living, they would NOT be coming into my vicinity. . . and I don't mean chicken earrings.

The kids get a big kick out of our visitors, and I just hope the chickens know to look both ways before crossing, or we will come home to an ugly surprise some day!

Yesteryear

2011-08-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

Something old and new for the wedding couple, all in one. So shabby chic!

These vintage Wilton 1776 bicentennial pewter porringers are a rare find, and I only have a few available.

Stamp them with names, dates or affirmations.

How cool! I'm hoping to offer baby sized ones too!

Get yours in my etsy shop before they are all gone.

And the answer to the Four of a Kind challenge is
A. Lila
B. Noe
C. Ronnie
D. Ben
...I think :)
Thanks for playing!

Four of a Kind Friday!

2011-08-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, this time it's a little game. And no cheating! Guess who is who. Answers will be given on Monday. And just a reminder, there is one picture of each little Ostrin: Ronnie (2003), Ben (2005), Lila (2008) and Noe (2011).

Red string collection

2011-08-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

The red string bracelet is known in Kabbalah to ward off misfortune. Here, I am introducing Under Her Charm's modern red string collection, featuring beautifully detailed gold amulets strung on deep red waxed irish linen.

Choose your favorite in my etsy shop!

Blue Eyed Beauty

2011-08-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

With our strong recessive blue eye genes, Edwin and I made 7.8 beautiful blue eyes. The 0.2 is that wedge of hazel in Ben's right eye, but just as beautiful! Here are the littlest two blue eyes.

People watching in Berkeley

2011-08-08T11:09:00.001-07:00

It's always fun to people watch in Berkeley. There is no shortage of unique and interesting sorts on the streets. Here was my view as I enjoyed my falafel at lunch.

Something for the kids

2011-08-02T22:51:00.000-07:00

Ben and Lila humored me this evening and did a little modeling.

This is the first piece I've ever gotten on Ben...

It's a great gift for the boys of all ages - a stainless steel dog tag with rubber silencer, on a ball chain.

And for princesses of all ages...

a stamped aluminum crown on sterling ball chain.

Find them in my etsy shop!

Lucky Winner!

2011-08-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway! It made for very pleasant reading to hear about all of the luck in your lives.

The lucky winner of the lucky mom necklace is SARAH, who said:

"i'm lucky to have a great mom who wares really about me i wanna won this to give it to her cuz i wanna thank her for everything"

Discoveries

2011-07-31T21:39:00.001-07:00

We discovered a state park with a swimming hole, dressed up like a beach, just 30 minutes from our house. Everyone had so much fun playing in the water, even I had to roll up my jeans and get my feet wet.
***credit to AuraJoon for sharing her inspiring photos and animated pictures on her blog, and the secret of how to make them***

Noe discovered the joys of the sitting in the cool sand (because there is no warm sand in northern CA). She also discovered her feet! Once she realized those toes belonged to her, she didn't want to let go.

Even seasoned beach goers were full of discovery.

Free

2011-07-27T20:26:00.001-07:00

Feeding my obsession

2011-07-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Or as my mom corrected, "FEETING my obsession." Ha! I LOVE my new maroon sequence TOMs!!

And thanks to Grandma for getting Ronnie and Lila silver sparkle ones. I guess we will spare Ben and Noe for now.

Summer treats

2011-07-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Yogurtland is my favorite treat, conveniently located between my office and the parking lot. But I suppose I should take the kids with me every now and then.

And of course it really has nothing to do with summer. It's a year-round indulgence!

Extreme Toddlers

2011-07-24T11:41:00.001-07:00

This is what you get when you go to a three year old's birthday party whose father did high altitude rescue in the Himalayas.

Fun with Feathers

2011-07-22T19:53:00.001-07:00

Ever since Ronnie got her feathers, I have been noticing them everywhere! I couldn't help buying a big bag of feathers to play with, all different colors and sizes.

Here was my first creation - sterling silver and chicken earrings.

Yes, it seems all of the feathers people are wearing these days are chicken feathers. Doesn't sound as exotic as peacock. But I love the way the feathers are so light (as in they don't weigh much), and blend in with your own hair, or feathers, if you are a chicken wearing feather earrings.

And don't forget to enter the Under Her Charm give away!

Give away!

2011-07-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Look down two posts! You can win the Lucky Mom necklace HERE

Seriously?

2011-07-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not a huge complainer (well, don't ask Edwin or my mom). But really, I don't complain a lot, but this is ridiculous. Ronnie and Ben's camp is in a school in the Berkeley Hills. When I get there in the morning, I am faced with this.

Sixty-two steps, of which I need to get Ronnie, Ben, Lila and Noe to the top of, without any casualties. It only gets worse at the end of the day, when I rush to the top with Noe and Lila to get there in time. With everyone exhausted and holding handfuls of projects, lanyards and pipe cleaners, I can't believe we have made it 3 weeks without anyone toppling down.

It is a great camp and Ronnie and Ben are having fun doing science and art. Today was crazy hair day and Ronnie was crazy cute... not sure if that falls into the science or art category.

Ben was too self-conscious of his spiky hair and laid it totally flat before we reached stair 14. Then put on a hat to be sure.

Don't forget to enter the Under Her Charm give away! Just look down one post.

Under Her Charm Give Away!

2011-07-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Most moms I know would consider themselves pretty lucky, so I'm going to give away this "LUCKY MOM" necklace. This necklace features a 15mm gold rimmed sterling disc stamped with LUCKY MOM. It is accompanied by a swarovski crystal and gold vermeil lotus.

HOW TO WIN: Become a follower of this blog, if you are not already. Leave a comment on THIS post about why you are lucky (lucky in love? work? vegas?). Giveaway ends July 31st, and I will use a random number generator to pick the winner on August 1st. I will announce the winner on August 1st, and let you know how to contact me to get your necklace!

Shaken out of bed

2011-07-17T23:38:00.000-07:00

This poor little guy was shaken right out of his nest Friday night. There was an earthquake in Berkeley, and I guess mama bird couldn't hold on quite tight enough.

The nest is right above the stairs that lead up to our front door. We've seen mama bird for a few weeks.

Edwin was shaken out of bed, too, but I slept right through it, and so did our little chicks.

Whew, that picture on the right reminds me of something Tim Robbins would have seen in Jacob's Ladder. Now that was a spooky movie. Anyone? Jacob's Ladder? So good!! I saw it twenty years ago and it still gives me nightmares...

Four of a Kind Friday!

2011-07-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Faithful Josh.

He has been a part of the family for fifteen years (he was a package deal with Grandpa Terry), living in Houston with Grandpa Terry and Grandma. The kids love him, and I think the feeling is mutual. Whenever we visit, Josh is right by them, especially when we go for walks.

Here is Josh walking along side Ronnie, Ben, Lila and Noe over a span of about seven years, during each of their first walks with Grandma in her blue stroller.

I think the kids help keep Josh (and Grandpa Terry) young!

Fun new necklaces, mixed metal

2011-07-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

This morning I went back to an early morning pilates class (after a year!). The logistics of getting everyone to camp/day care an hour earlier is a nightmare. It means an hour less sleep for me, waking up very sleepy children, and, with Edwin's help, rushing like madmen. It was SO worth it! I love that I always seem to park in the same parking space, where someone has written this nice little message on the wall.

I don't know why, but for some reason it helps.

These new necklaces are now in my etsy shop. They are all mixed metal, with sterling silver and gold vermeil.

Gold vermeil is a heavy gold plating, 24K, over sterling silver. It is a gem quality plating that is 40 micro inches thick with a fine layer of nickel over the silver. The plate is very reliable, with a soft satin finish.

Newest little model

2011-07-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Noe made the perfect little model for this new sterling silver baby cuff.

The cuteness is out of control.

We'll be back

2011-07-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

We left Texas yesterday, and we are back home in California. In honor of our trip. . .

Find it in my etsy shop, of course!

Sunrise, sunset

2011-07-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

How in the world did THIS happen?

This was Ronnie (right) and her friend yesterday (if yesterday was 7 years ago).

Here they are today (if today was 10 hours ago).

In case you didn't see, they got feathers today. Ronnie picked pink and turquoise.

Maybe Ronnie's mom also got a feather. A well hidden pink one :).

See ya.

Mmmm...

2011-07-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

Seriously.

My favorite Texas bbq - Pappas.

Childhood memories

2011-07-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

I grew up going to Miller Outdoor Theater, sitting on the big hill to watch free performances and having picnics. Yesterday we took the kids to see the Houston Symphony and watch fireworks. They were playing the 1812 overture, complete with real cannon blasts at the end. Edwin had been watching it with them for weeks on the computer, telling them the story of the French and Russians.

Everyone loved it, especially the fireworks.

The previous two fourth of Julys, we sat huddled under layers of blankets with whipping winds watching fireworks through the fog at the Berkeley Marina. Although, after standing through the Bellaire parade in 100 degree heat yesterday, I'm torn which has harsher fourth of July weather, Berkeley or Houston.

One special little girl got to ride with her grandmother in the Tradition Bank car at the parade!

Land of Abundance, part deux

2011-07-03T21:39:00.001-07:00

Still in Houston.

Still enjoying an abundance of:

space
family
bbq
H-O-T (yes, I meant to say an abundance of H-O-T)
free babysitting
shopping
love and kisses

Noe bonded with her Great Grandma Omi at the "meet and greet" that Granny had for Noe and cousin Zachary today. Noe is meeting Omi for the first time on this trip, and she was SO comfortable in her arms all afternoon. Hopefully Omi's arms weren't too UNcomfortable!

And thanks, Granny, for the beautiful afternoon.

Land of Abundance

2011-07-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

Perfect title, being that we are in Houston this week.

I just got these tiny pomegranate charms from Israel. I stamped this one with AHAVA (love in Hebrew). The pomegranate fruit (rimon in Hebrew), with its abundance of juicy seeds, has been regarded as a symbol of fertility for thousands of years.

It reminds me of when I was in Tzfat and I got fresh pressed pomegranate juice. That was some fibrous-y juice.

Speaking of abundance, here is my newest cluster necklace, that I have been wearing for weeks now. I've got a letter or disc for everyone in my family, each with its own style and personality.

I was very proud of my seasoned travelers on the flight to Houston yesterday. Ronnie handled herself so well when she set off the airport scanner 5 times and had all sorts of airport security surrounding her, all for a thin bangle she's been wearing for a year! She's been wearing it for a year because it won't fit over her hand any more. Edwin was not aware of that little fact, and quickly MADE it fit over her hand so we could clear security. She was a trouper, such a mature seven year old.

Rainy Day Pictures

2011-06-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

I took some Rainy Day Pictures on my walk to lunch today.

My poor shoes didn't stand a chance. My toes were cold the rest of the day.

This poor guy was probably pretty wet and cold all day, too.

I must have known it was going to rain today, because I made this last night.

Sick day

2011-06-23T21:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, another sick day, but today it was Noe. Can't say I'm not enjoying extra time with my girls, but I'm sure my boss would appreciate ONE full day of work this week!

Stomach bugs. We'll try again tomorrow!

Sick day

2011-06-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were dropping like flies. I was at work when the first call came from Ben's camp at 11:00. Then Lila's teacher called at 2:30, and Ronnie's camp at 4:00. By then, Noe and I joined in the misery.

This morning, everyone was great (and hungry), but Lila wasn't allowed back at school for 24 hours, so we took a sick day. Besides trying to get a little work done, we went on a lunch date with Daddy and did a little shopping in SF. Lila sang and danced the whole time.

Can you tell what she is dancing? The macarena!

Daddy (superscript 4)

2011-06-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Dr. Ed has earned himself a new keychain. The last one I made him (which was one of the first things I EVER made), only had Ronnie and Ben on it.

It's not all dads that spend the day blowing up a giant inflatable ball, walking with all the neighborhood kids to the park, and pushing everyone around inside of it for hours, in between saving lives and all.

Four of a Kind Friday!

2011-06-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

These babies are pooped.

We are so spoiled that we have four good sleepers, even as newborns!

(four of a kind friday: after Ben was born, I noticed I had a lot of pictures of Ronnie and Ben that looked similar, so I started matching them up. Then I added Lila, and now Noe. It's fun to see how similar they all looked as babies!)

More eye candy

2011-06-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

My new ring.

It's all sterling silver, with a faceted garnet gemstone.

I soldered and hammered the ring from sterling wire. Then soldered on the bezel and set the stone. The ring is oxidized and brushed. Pretty, huh?

Go west

2011-06-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

I guess we are just about as west as you can be, here in CA, unless we go to Hawaii! Let this new sterling silver compass ring lead you west.

Or choose your own letters or a heart in my etsy shop.

Here are some of my people looking west over the Bay from the Berkeley Hills last weekend. Not a bad view, a few minutes and 70% incline from our house!

Born with a silver. . . rattle

2011-06-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

I bought some sterling silver rattles, because I thought I could stamp on them. Turns out the piece at the bottom is probably hollow and will implode if I hammer on it, so they will be going back to the store. But I saved one for Noe. It has such a soothing chime and fits in her little hand perfectly. Plus, silver is an investment in this wintery economic climate!

But don't worry, you can still buy your little one her own sterling silver spoon!

One out of Four

2011-06-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Today's drop off was a little humorous.

I had Edwin take Ben to school at 8:10, but he only needed to be there at 8:30.
We took Ronnie at 8:45, but she was supposed to be there at 8:30.
I got to Noe's school and realized I left her bottles at home.
I dropped off Lila. . . and absolutely nothing went wrong!

As Edwin said when I texted him:

Oof! (damn you, autocorrect!)

On that note, I have a few fun gift items for the boys in my shop.

Ok, it's for the girls, too. Don't judge.

Fun with the SEM

2011-06-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing I like work, or else getting out of the house in the mornings would not be worth it. By the time I (maybe) shower, dress and feed everyone, make lunches and pack bags, drop two kids at school, one doctor at the BART station, one baby at day care, and one toddler at toddler school, I feel like I've had a day of work already!

Anyway, I really do like my job, especially when things work. Today I played at the scanning electron microscope, and besides that picture of Noe a few posts back, these are some of the best pictures I've ever taken.

Don't those rods look like vermicelli?

Oh, mommy

2011-06-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

New tattoo inspired sterling silver banner necklace.

Wine onesie and a wrap bracelet

2011-06-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

This wine colored silk bracelet matches Noe's onesie wonderfully.

Find it in my etsy shop!

Our Adventure

2011-06-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

A little road trip down Highway 1 to San Simeon to see Hearst Castle. It would have been nice if someone told us Highway 1 was closed due to a landslide 20 miles before our destination! A 2 hour detour through a windy pass up and down a mountain to bypass the landslide and 6 carsick Ostrins later, we made it to San Simeon and had a fun time.

The Castle was well worth the trip. We were going through record breaking rain (for this time of year) and shrouded in heavy fog the whole time, which didn't make for great pictures, but made for a fun experience.

The gardens were well tended.

The architecture was lavish.

The rooms well appointed.

Ponds, fountains and statues abounded.

And it was hard to resist taking a dip in this pool (or should I say bath).

Littlest school girl

2011-06-03T10:00:00.001-07:00

As of Wednesday, Noe is officially a school girl, which means I'm a working girl again.

I'm really happy with Noe's school and teachers, and it was comforting to walk in Wendesday morning to see all of her cubbies labeled and the teachers expecting her. She's gotten great reports this week, and hasn't complained at all about being there.

Wish I could say the same for me! I'm happy to be back at work and I have a lot of exciting projects going on. But I think it might take a while to get into a new routine with getting us all out the door in a timely and sane manner in the mornings. Plus, I miss getting to play with Noe all day! Back to the grind. . .

Feets

2011-06-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

One of the funnest parts about having people is getting to shop for them. I have the sole responsibility of making sure 6 people have clothes in their closet that fit and don't have (too many) holes. In preparation for summer and camps, I ordered new shoes. I think we could do a commercial for Keen.

Noe's feet are a little easier to dress for now.

Wine and the Hora

2011-05-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

I love Jewish weddings, especially when the band fires up Hava Negila and the bride and groom sit in their chairs for the Hora (one of the scariest moments of my wedding!). We went to a gorgeous wedding at a Napa winery yesterday. Noe and I were Edwin's dates, and Ronnie, Ben and Lila stayed with a babysitter.

I stepped away from the ceremony to walk with Noe for a few minutes, and saw the musician's cello case alone amongst the vineyards.

Noe got to spin around with the blushing bride.

The reception was really fun. Plenty of wine (lower left in the next picture), and Noe slept in her stroller like a baby during the dj's rendition of Earth, Wind and Fire (upper right).

When the rabbi said, "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," I decided to make this for the bride.

Photo days

2011-05-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last few days photographing some new pieces that you can find in my etsy shop.

Maker Faire

2011-05-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

Today we headed out to the Maker Faire. This is the festival to hit if you like to MAKE things. It was a total madhouse, but Noe was a trooper and the kids loved it. ETSY had it's own exhibit (not to mention Lego, Klutz, and hundreds of others)!

Ben loved meeting R2D2s, who were wandering around the festival grounds, along with a huge electric giraffe, roaming cupcakes and steampunk cars.

There were freakish pieced together robots.

an electric forest,

And my favorite, ArcAttack!, playing the guitar with huge tesla coils.

And by the way, yesterday as I finished my post, there was in fact an earthquake! It was my first one to feel since we moved to the Bay Area. It was a 3.6 centered about 10 miles from us, and happened at 7:04, which makes me wonder how I posted that at 7:03...

The fourth trimester

2011-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Noe is three months old! It's amazing how much a little person changes and learns in three months.

And in just three months, you can't imagine ever not having her in the family.

Was that an earthquake?

What IS this?

2011-05-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

I am totally obsessed with this crazy curl behind Lila's left ear. I love the way it bounces when she trots around.

When you stretch it out, it just about goes half way down her back!

I wonder if Noe will have curly hair like her big sister?

Rock City

2011-05-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

Rock City on Mount Diablo has become one of our favorite picnic and climbing spots.

Noe didn't do much climbing, but she did enjoy the fresh air.

Little Lila

2011-05-15T09:43:00.001-07:00

Hidden treasure

2011-05-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

I was admiring this picture of our newly organized garage, and noticed a little treasure left behind by the previous owner.

How in almost 2 years did I not notice that gem! So down it came and I got a bottle of spray paint.

Edwin's not too happy with our new decor.

And once you have a can of spray paint open, it's hard to resist painting everything!

Father's Day is coming

2011-05-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

I got my hands on a few of these beautifully crafted picture frames with silver plaque. The silver plaque can be hand stamped with your names, dates and phrases!

Look which handsome Dad and sweetest little baby went in the first frame.

Get yours for dad in my etsy shop before they are all gone!

1919-2011

2011-05-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Harry

My mom's father, lived in New York, retired doctor who sent homemade chocolate chip cookies and classic books every birthday for 25+ years. Maybe even more impressive, a published scientist, although I only knew this once it was too late to talk science with him. Here is an excerpt from a manuscript from New England Journal of Medicine.

Ronnie and Ben got to meet him when we drove from Baltimore to NY in 2008. Lila was in utero. He leaves behind my sweet step grandmother, Grandma Carmen.

Eye candy

2011-05-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

These are fun!

Find them in my etsy shop in red, purple, clear or black.

Devilishly cute

2011-05-07T10:00:00.001-07:00

I don't know who decided that skeleton heads are cute, but aren't they?

You can find these little guys in my etsy shop.