The Space Between

Today I’m looking at a space between sections of a building looking up! When I saw this entrance at the science complex at UMSL, I thought it looked really cool. The complex is actually five connected buildings, including Benton Hall, and I think the difference between the building on either side of the entrance, plus the bank of windows going up, was something really different to see.

M*A*S*H Quote of the Day–2/2/2026

“Trying to raise money around here is like trying to raise the Titanic with tweezers.” Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, “Give and Take,” season 11, episode 14

M*A*S*H Quote of the Day–2/1/2026

“Well, I do believe people are essentially good, but sometimes you have to put ’em in a half nelson to get them to cough up.” Father Francis Mulcahy, “Give and Take,” season 11, episode 14

Sartorial Saturday–Ethereal Evenstar

Today I’m taking a look at something pretty different for me…a velvet bell-sleeved dress in the most beautiful bluish-purple shade from Her Universe inspired by my favorite costume worn by Arwen in The Lord of the Rings!

I have had my eye on this dress FOREVER, but even when it went on sale, I wasn’t going to buy it Ladybug was ordering a different bell-sleeved dress inspired by Arwen however, and encouraged me to get this so we could each have a dress inspired by our current favorite movie series. It’s such a beautiful dress, I didn’t take much convincing!

For my first wearing of the dress, Bunny chose my accessories, including a floral crown and necklace (which is actually hers) from Rare Dirndl, and also a pair of twisted metal hoop earrings that came from her collection. She said they were the perfect accessories for an Elf!

She also added my ankle boots from Lane Bryant:

I love the drama of a bell sleeve!

The attention to detail is outstanding…I love the Evenstar embroidery on the sleeve, and the silver embroidery around the layered neckline.

Honestly, the only thing I would change about this dress is the skirt…I wish it was a few inches longer, and just a bit fuller, but I like the look so much I don’t really even mind that it’s lacking those details!

I hope Her Universe makes more pieces inspired by Arwen, because she has some of the most amazing costuming in Hollywood, even after all these years!

2025-26 School Year–Week Eighteen

This week started with snow, which was definitely a good beginning! And we needed it to put us in a good mood before we worked on algebra, which was all about quadratic equations including completing the square and the quadratic formula. Chickadee finally began her first Shakespearian literature study with As You Like It. In history we continued making our way toward WWII, learning about Chiang Kai-shek in China and Hirohito in Japan. In science we began a chapter on energy, learning about gravitation potential energy and elastic potential energy. We discussed the difference being being treated equally and being treated fairly by the government and how the US Constitution guarantees our right to both. We also discussed the amendments that deal with voting rights for various groups of people. For our recipe of the week from the American Girl Sweet and Savory Treats Cookbook we made “Peanut Butter-Chocolate Buckeyes” inspired by Kit, a native of Ohio.

And today we braved the cold for a trip to the Missouri Botanical Garden, because we really wanted to see it while it was still covered in snow! It did not disappoint!

Somewhat unrelated, but Ladybug finally had her first official snow day this week, because the weather cancelled college for a day!