Audrey and Yorkies

Izzy watching for birds.



Since this blog is partly named after Audrey Hepburn I thought I should tell you that Audrey had a yorkie. His name was Mr. Famous.

I didn't know that when I got Izzy, but I like the happy coincidence and I LOVE my yorkie. Owning a yorkie is a lot like owning an overly happy cat that loves to snuggle and doesn't shed. Plus, my yorkie thinks she's really a big dog so she likes to protect our yard from deer and wrestle with our labrador and elkhound.

Some other things Izzy does that make me love her even more every day:

1.  Curls up in a TEENY ball when she sleeps and tuck her head like a duck

2.  Acts SUPER excited to see us when we come in the door, even if we were only gone a minute to get the mail

3.  When she's sleepy her eyes start getting squinty and she will nod off like a person does when they are in a boring college lecture

4.  Follows me all around the house the entire day

5. When you're petting her tummy and then you stop she reaches up and pats you to urge you to keep going

6. When you laugh really hard or sniff she comes running and licks your face to make sure you're okay

7. When she's sleepy and you pick her up she makes tiny BABY noises

8. She is CrAzY about dog toys in a way I've never witnessed with another dog. She has her own toy basket and she pulls them out and plays with them or brings them to us so we'll play with her. At night I go around and pick up all her toys, just like I used to do when the kids were toddlers.

9. Her right back leg kicks out the side when she runs really fast

10. She loves to go on car rides and is a very good traveler

11. She lays in sunny spots on the floor and loves to sit on the porch swing with me

12.  She will wear little clothes without complaint, although we don't make her do that very often

*sigh* So glad I have Izzy.

Audrey and 
Mr. Famous

From Audrey

Thanks Audrey. I needed this.

Heads Up

See my new hats. I bought them because I'm trying to be adventurous.

I've never been a hat person. Growing up I did everything I could to avoid wearing them. Of course it was the 80's and hats could really mess up those big hairdos. By the time I was in my 20's I'd never worn hats so I just didn't feel like I would know how to rock one.

But now I've decided: "I'd like to be a hat person." People in hats seem like cool people, they seem brave and they always look so happy and fun. I'd like to be all those things.

I like the woven one with the orange-ish band because it's so Audrey Hepburnish, don't you think? And the conductor hat is very Scout Finchy - spunky, tomboyish, ready for anything.

My goal is to force myself the wear them until I get over my weird hesitations and begin to feel naturally "hatty."

Sometimes when I ramble on about such trivial stuff like his I feel like an idiot. For pity's sake, there are people starving and countries on the brink of civil war and here I am fussing over hats. Oh dear.

Welcome to Audrey Finch!

Welcome to my blog. My name is Jenny and I am a happily-married, mother of two girls, living in beautiful Missoula, Montana. I’m a self-employed graphic designer and love working in my cozy home office with my little dog Izzy lying at my feet.

So I can already hear you asking, “If your name is Jenny, why is this blog called ‘Audrey Finch?’” Well, let me tell you . . .

I’ve decided to name this blog after two people who inspire me to be better in little ways. "Audrey" is for Audrey Hepburn, who was not only a super classy gal but a humanitarian. She lived life with grace and poise. When I see photos of her or watch Roman Holiday for the millionth time I feel inspired to be a little more like her in any small way I can. So, that’s where the Audrey comes from.

The “Finch” is after Scout Finch, the wonderfully precocious and brave little girl in my favorite book “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I first read that book at the age of 11 and have reread it many times since and I never tire of it. Oh, to be so bold and adventuresome. To roam a small town with Dill and Jem. To have Atticus Finch for a father (especially if he was just like the Gregory Peck movie version!).

Anyway, so that is how I came up with the title for this blog. Mind you, I am almost always just my flawed and flustered self – but I will see this blog title and it will remind me of this lovely, ficticious person – Audrey Finch. I imagine her to be refined and classy, but with lots of spunk, a sparkle in her eye, and dirty knees — and with a father who fights for social justice.

Of course, there are many other people who inspire me and I would love to try to be just like all of them – from the great writers to the selfless humanitarians to the folks who create all of those amazing things on Pinterest (yes, I’m addicted) – there are so many gifted, lovely people in the world, aren’t there!? I wish I could be just like them all.

Some days I’m dying to live on a small farm in the country and some days I dream of life in a brownstone in Boston’s North End, schlepping groceries home from the corner market. *Sigh*  I just wish there was enough time in life to do it ALL!

As a favorite poet of mine once said “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with this one wild and precious life?” and to that I say “I want to do it all!”

So join me as I journey through life. Expect to hear about my many creative pursuits, my parenting ups & downs, novice gardening fiascoes, books, music, adventures, and life in Montana.

I promise to try to always add a dose of humor and keep it whine-free.

xoxo

Jenny