My sister-in-law Heather is one of the most thoughtful gift givers I know. I was completely surprised when I received this tasty package in the mail on Saturday. The card she collaged and the note pad as well…I even love the envelope.
I LOVE this paper- I’m not sure I want to use it!
Thanks Heather.
…sleep! Most of Sunday we spent the day going to two seperate parties for 2 different celebrations. Poor Penelope was a trooper.
At least with all of the partying she had plenty of party food to consume!
Click on the movie frame to get it started.
Check out another birthday surprise that Nathan and the kids planned for me…
If the movie doesn’t play from the spot above try this link
This past Sunday was my 33rd birthday. I know I am getting older when I actually have to think in my head I was born in 1973 and then do the math. I fairly confident I will remember this year because “33″ is a nice visual. Reflecting on the weekend I am ever grateful for my sweet family. Nathan and the kids went out of their way to make it special. I feel a bit in a funk and it is after thinking about their kind gestures that the lows I feel are far outweighed by them.
Nathan started off the weekend with 4 bunches of gorgeous tulips, cheeses, a baguette, champagne, and these amazing cupcakes. I LOVE the chocolate and peanut butter combination.
Simon and his cocoa teeth made all of us laugh!
This photo below I had to shoot…where did the apple come from?
This is what happens when a 7 year old girl consumes sugar in 5 minutes. She becomes a crazy giggler! She looks so old to me in this shot, I can imagine what she will look like in 10 years. Stop the clock!
Penny and her portion of heaven…a treat, her Piggy, and a pacifier.
What a fun event and thanks guys for making me feel special!
Earlier today, we were experiencing a lot of rain. But within seconds huge, puffy snowflakes started falling from the sky. It was absolutley magical and Simon had to be a part of it.
Coming in from the outside, it felt as if I was in a snowball fight. We were all soaked from head to toe!
Of course Simon couldn’t get enough so he extended his play to the backyard. I am really not much of a snow person, but today was so much fun. I get to thank my kids for that highlight.
Poor Penny is still a baby to me, so if I am inside she had to be with me for Si’s extended play! I know next year will be another story and I will be out there making snow forts and snow angels.
The sun showed is beautiful face to us today…and unseasonably warm weather. I ran around the house and tried to capture the brilliance of what we have been lacking for a bit.
I think we must pay the park a visit since the temperature tomorrow will be 36!
What am I doing making sweets since I have given up sugar? Uhhh…cheating? And I must confess, I am cheating this weekend for my birthday too. I am much more aware, however, of my addiction…so I am doing better.
Besides, the kids cookie jar was empty (limited for lunch only). If anyone wants to make this really crunchy, sweet smelling, and easy recipe, here it is:
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 t. salt (I doubled)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 cup choc. chips
Preheat oven to 350. Line a 10×15 inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in salt and vanilla. Reduce speed to low; mix in flour (dough WILL be crumbly). Stir in choc. chips.
Press mixture evenly onto prepared pan. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. To serve, break into pieces with your hand.
It’s a lot like shortbread, but thinner and REALLY crunchy! Nice to make when you don’t want to bother with rotating pans and eating dough…
I found this recipe in Martha Stewart’s “Everyday Food” magazine, which I love. I spent my weekend going through all my issues and created an index. Recipes that we can all eat…for diabetics, vegetarian, and of course sweets!
I might as well continue the doll theme and show some other bits of inspiration around our house.
It is my goddaughter’s 1st birthday this week and I wanted to create something special to commemorate her first year. I envisioned something that she will grow into and enjoy when she is maybe closer to being 2. Although my 7 year old has requested some for her very own- so I think Esme will have these little dolls for awhile.
I figured a bag for her friends was needed. So I bought any already sewn bag and just handstitched the square and letter. I feel like I cheated a bit by purchasing the bag, but honestly my time for sewing is very limited. I wanted the project to be creative…but not consume all of my time. I have recently noticed that I just need to schedule actual times to create. My kids need me and I need to just be available. Balance, right?
Last month, when I was gathering supplies for Ellie and I’s ornament project, I rediscovered the unpainted wood aisle at the craft store. I snatched up a few of these figures. They remind so much of the “peoples” Fisher Price used to make when I was a kid. Before they were afraid of them becoming choking hazards! I remember taking baths with them and taking my stash to the woods in our backyard in Pittsburgh. I would bury them, hide them in trees…such good memories. I recently found them at a flea market and was alarmed to find out that they are SUPER expensive. So the above dolls are my version of the “peoples”. Did anyone else play with them? I wonder where mine are!
The above trio were made by my daughter Ellie. I thought she was going to paint them for her baby sister, but she went over the top! She gave her creations to Penny for Christmas and they will be treasured for years to come.
And lastly, these books are my kids current favorites. Thanks to their aunt and uncle, we love to scour the pages and just “ooo” and “ahh”. One of the books (Sunny) came with a super cool CD. It’s sort of kiddish, but definitely something adults would listen to without their kids. It is a lot like the “They Might Be Giants” CDs, but a tad bit more serious (if that is the right word…).
The books are by Robin Mitchell and Judith Steedman…they have 3 more books(Chinook, Gail, and Snowy)
in the series that we need to get soon!
I haven’t visited my favorite thrift store for awhile, but alas, it never disappoints me! This pair of dolls are so fun- the older lady we affectionately call “Lola”. Although the kids real life Lola is much more pretty and younger, Penny has taken to the name. Sorry Luanne! But she calls many women Nana and many are a tad older than me!
And this sweet Japanese woman is just lovely. She is a bit fragile, so we admire her from afar.
I love this little girl. Penelope brings me such joy. She sort of crept on us as far as “family planning” is concerned, but I can not think of a better “surprise gift”!
Anyway, just wanted to share this photo from the weekend. I can’t believe my Penelope Tess will be 2 years old in 3 months…