NieNie Day Auctions

I can't stop thinking about Stephanie + Christian Nielsen. I don't know them personally, but I started reading Stephanie's blog NieNie Dialogues a while back and became an instant fan. Her energy, craftiness, faith, and pure devotion to her Mr. Nielsen and their 4 lovely babes is what it's all about. She makes an art out of being Mom. Life is short. They live it. I love that. So when I heard the couple was in a horrific plane crash on August 16 I felt heartsick. Those kids! Thank God they were not on the plane. Christian's flight instructor Doug Kinnear died shortly after arriving at the hospital, but Stephanie + Christian survived and are currently in critical condition at Maricopa Burn Center in Arizona. Christian with burns over 30% of his body and Stephanie over 80%. That's 80%. Of her body. Burned. I cannot even imagine. They are in for many months of recovery and several expensive surgeries. You can visit her sister Jane's blog here for medical updates. Love this old post of Stephanie's about motherhood.


The always thinking Design Mom declared today, August 28, NieNie Day and proposed we each host our own silent auctions with 100% of the money raised going directly to the Nielsens' recovery fund. Wonderful idea. I'm doing it, you can do it, and you can click here to visit everyone else who is doing it. To quote Design Mom,

"I told Ben Blair that I'm hoping people are in a public radio mindset. Like when you hear the NPR commentators say: "pledge your membership of only $75.00 and we'll send you this canvas tote bag with our logo on it." You know the tote bag is worth maybe $5. But it's not about that. You're looking for a way to be generous and supportive. And the tote bag is just a bonus."

In 1994 my mom was the one in the burn unit. All of the painful skin scraping + grafting surgeries. The long road to recovery. She was the bravest woman I knew... and still I had no idea what she would endure that year. No clue. So please pray for the Nielsen family first and then participate in an auction or two. Or three or four. And host one yourself.


Here's how this silent auction works:
01. I have some amazing companies donating goods to my auction. PeaceLoveMom and Twisted Silver. Plus a Designers Guild bag and bright orange German photobooks Nie would love. The next 6 posts are the 6 items I'm auctioning off NOW.

02. Please place your bid by leaving a comment with your Bid Amount and how I can reach you {email or blog or some other way} in the comments section of the item you are bidding on. I will start the bid for each item at $10. Then it's your turn to leave me a comment with your Bid Amount {$11, for instance}. Check the comments for the most recent High Bid.

03. Please bid in whole dollar increments only, please.

04. I will keep the auctions open until midnight on Thursday, September 4. I'll close them sooner if response isn't there. Once I have closed the auctions I'll contact the winners of each. They will pay for their item directly via the Stephanie and Christian PayPal fund. The winners will then forward the PayPal receipt to me at bubysplace@yahoo.com. And I will put the winners in touch with the companies, who will ship out the products directly.

05. Thank you for participating! Have fun. Do some good today. Spread the word!

Sample Comment Format:

"$17. Sue, lovinglife{at}yahoo{dot}com"


The Nielsen Family




Orchard photos: Blue Lily Photography

Auction #1 ~ Chic Mom Tee

PeaceLoveMom soft jersey tee. It's fun, comfy, made in the USA, and so PRO mom. The understated sexiness comes from the capped sleeves, slightly tapered waist, and longer length. This is a sweet gift for yourself, a mom friend, or any lady in waiting you might know. You pick the size: S (2-4), M (6-8), L (10), 2XL (14). Click "Comments" below to bid.

Auction #2 ~ Ribbed Tank

Simply Mom tank in Kiwi. This one is sooo me. The cut looks flattering, and it's my most favorite shade of green. But it can be yours. Pick your size: S (2-4), M (6-8), L (10), XL (12). Click "Comments" below to bid.

Auction #3 ~ Drawstring Tote

PeaceLoveMom drawstring tote. It's made of cotton and perfect over the shoulder or as a backpack for baby/kid items on the go. Choose from orange, green, or pink. Click "Comments" below to bid.


Note: If you don't win, PeaceLoveMom is offering 10% off the total of all purchases over $20. The code is NIELSENFAMILY. The deadline is September 10.

Auction #4 ~ Patchwork Necklace

This Twisted Silver Patchwork convertible necklace with charm is new to the market and retails for $80. You can wear it alone as a choker, with or without the removable sunburst charm, or wrap it around your wrist as a bracelet. The unique brass piece is 18 inches long and totally stylish however you wear it. Bid on it as an early holiday gift for someone special.

Auction #5 ~ Designers Guild Clutch

This leather + suede, red + pink Designers Guild clutch is one of the most fabulous accessories I own. It was designed by the brilliant Tricia Guild and gifted to little ole me as the decorating editor at a big design magazine. I kept it in its protective felt bag and tucked it away for a special occasion. Then I had kids. And moved to the country. I haven't opened it, though I've thought about it often. I think it needs to be auctioned off for Stephanie + Christian. Click "Comments" below to bid.

Auction #6: German Paperie

If you like bright + happy, you'll love these two albums with stunning brocade covers in orange. The inside pages are plain + thick, a rich cream hue. The 10x10 Fotobook retails for $56. The smaller one is 8x8. Click "Comments" below to bid.

Wishing Debbie

image from here

a most fantabulous birthday! She is God Mother to both Buby + Bleu, as sweet as this chocolatey confection, and soooo loved. Look for your Buby Original in the mail. We'll see you soon :)

Mosaic of ME

1. Kureyon Sock - Jenny Wren, 2. Raan Jay Fai Drunken Noodles, 3. F a t h e r h o o d, 4. Kelly -- Green Park, 5. patrick dempsey - mcDreamy., 6. FruiT SmootHie, 7. out of africa, 8. NEW Ice Cream Sundae?, 9. Innocent Magazine - Letters to the Editor, 10. Day 119 : SOTTS : I Will Be Your Ambulance If You Will Be My Accident, 11. FLy°aWaY°My°LOvE, 12. Le parapluie bleu


I saw this mosaic idea here and thought I'd try it. In the middle of the night. I was awake. The result is kinda fun. It really is very ME.

If you'd like to make one of your own, here's how: Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search, using only the first page, choose your favorite image, copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows).

The questions:
01. What is your first name? (Jenny)
02. What is your favorite food? (Thai drunken noodle)
03. What high school did you attend? (R-H)
04. What is your favorite color? (Kelly green)
05. Who is your celebrity crush? (Patrick Dempsey... I know)
06. Favorite drink? (Fresh fruit smoothie)
07. Dream vacation? (Africa)
08. Favorite dessert? (Ice cream sundaes)
09. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Magazine editor)
10.What do you love most in life? (My kids & husband)
11. One word to describe you? (True)
12. Your Flickr name? (Typed in Bleu)

Eyes Oh My

Big. Beautiful. Blue. Brown.

Mug Shot{s}

No, those aren't freckles... Bleu has a tendency to scratch her face in her sleep. No doubt in an effort to suck her right thumb. It doesn't seem to matter how beautifully + dutifully manicured her nails are.





Buby + Bleu riding home from the fair on 8.23.08

Picnic in the Park

Most days we're free we pack a lunch and hit the park. We take the double stroller, an excellent workout in itself. Bleu always appreciates the fresh air, and Buby likes to make many stops along the way. He's fast becoming a fixture in this little village. First we swing by the library to drop off and pick up. We wave to Christine at the boutique across the street and nod to the usual elderly benchmen. We peruse the farmer's market if it's Wednesday. Followed by the bakery for bread + a single raspberry hamentashen cookie {courtesy of Kitty}. Next door the beanery has an iced decaf and organic no-sugar-added juice box with our names on them. At the playground, we lay out our old-fashioned Winnie the Pooh quilt {thanks to Cathy} and munch on turkey + cheese, raisins, grapes, almonds, a baguette, or yogurt. Then we play. Swing, slide, teeter totter, and tire spin. Usually we end our fantastic lil' outing with a stroll down a wooded path collecting rocks to throw in the river. Sometimes our gal pals join us. Sometimes it's just me + Buby and a snoozing Bleu. I really love these days and will remember them always.




8.26.08

Discovering Mazes

We're onto mazes. Buby is loving the maze book I picked up at the village pharmacy. He focuses with such intensity at "staying on the path" and laughs every time he hits a "dead end" and has to turn around. For the first time I can sort of picture my little guy doing his homework at the kitchen table. Right beside me. Oh boy. The first day of preschool is in 9. I'm crazy psyched FOR HIM to have these new adventures. As FOR ME, I'm a wee bit sad he's already old enough.

My Girl

We've officially entered The Attachment Phase. Standard procedure. I remember Buby's like it was yesterday. Bleu fusses when held by anyone but me. She doesn't like to be passed off or put down. Ever. Her happy place is my left hip. Same for Buby. Always the left. I see a hip replacement in my future.

Green House Effect

Harry the Painter did up our house in this lovely shade of Benjamin Moore Cushing Green. You like? The trim is Monterey White. The shutters + doors are basic black. We initially chose a vintage modern blue for all the entrances, but once applied we just weren't feeling it so we asked for a redo. I spent much of this past Thursday, Friday and Sunday repainting the deck in a creamy Briarwood solid {think latte} to compliment the espresso-hued picket fence around the pool. Grandma DJ entertained the little ones.

Mug Shot

Bleu, 8.10.08

Wishing

A Buby Original. Each side of this wooden box that he painted for Grandma DJ holds a photo of one of her grandchildren. And it spins! She is going to LOVE it.

Old Photo Friday

53 years ago tomorrow. Grandma DJ's third birthday.

i heart: capes

I recently happened upon this amazing new shop called PlumPearApple Designs. She makes the most splendid superhero capes for boys AND girls ages 2-7. We are big caped crusaders here in Buby Land. I believe you cannot have enough capelike configurations or hats in your dress-up trunk. And these ones are fantastically vibrant, totally customizable, and {i have a feeling} made with love. The $20 grand opening price is limited-time only. Go check them out.

At the Hip

Wherever baby goes, big brother goes. I am in total awe of Buby as a sibling these past three months. How gentle he is with Bleu. How sweet and adoring and comforting and protective. He likes to read to her, demonstrate a gamut of life tasks, introduce her to random acquaintances with great pride, cheer her on for the simplest feats, and cover her in kisses.

Country Fair

A few pics from our Sunday at the fair. It was just so countryish with antique cars, a 4-H pavilion, ponies named Apple, buzzing bees, a twangy band, homemade strawberry shortcake + patchwork quilts, three colors of watermelon, fried foods galore, and of course mini amusements for the wee ones.

And he's on. Thank you to Daddy and the nice 4-H girl in blue. Our careful Buby grinned all the while. We'll do it again this weekend at another fair.