He's Scared of Puzzles. Can't Work 'Em.

I'm not the biggest puzzle fan. My mom always had one out, working on it. She would walk by and pick up one piece of her 3 million piece all white puzzle and it would always magically fit. Drove me crazy. I get way too frustrated to do them properly and usually walk away...though, maybe if they had one of Neil Finn or Glen Hansard I'd buy it totally right after I renewed my subscription to Alternative Tiger Beat. Isaac, however, is much like my mom. He loves puzzles, but rarely does them because I don't. (I know. Pathetic, right? I'm such a shrew...)

When I was younger and still lived at home, my bedroom was decorated in masquerade masks and posters. I've always loved the dramatic look of them and especially the faces. So beautiful. I've noticed now, as I decorate my grown up house, I still tend toward the dramatic prints. A grown up version of masquerade masks, if you will. Like this. And this:


(which I love so wholeheartedly, it was nearly my first purchase for the old house)

So imagine my surprise when I was walking through Borders the other day and saw this puzzle.


I immediately bought it and we expanded our table and started working on it. It's tough and I still don't totally love the process, especially as much as Isaac and Sammy do, but I'm excited to see it all done. It's gorgeous and I guess not surprising that I was drawn to it in the first place.


Post Script: This last picture was taken late last week. It's much more done, now. In fact, even as I write, Sammy came running up here to let me know her dress was now finished. And I'm starting to see the value of having a stack of puzzles by the dining room table during the winter. Even if I don't contribute past the edge pieces. Because, let's be honest, I still get frustrated that I can't find pieces that fit. But I do love hearing my boys work at one together...


(that's entertainment, the jam)