busy

Things have been busy around here lately. On Thursday a friend of mine (check out her blog) is hosting a clear pink house party. I have been working like crazy to get everything done for the party on top of all the everyday things that I have to get done. I'll let you know how the party goes.

charlie and sarah

I recently found a great shop on etsy, charlie and sarah. I needed a gift for a friend, so I got my friend one of their tees (it's not shown, I don't want to ruin the surprise). However, I figured since I was shipping it to my house, I might as well get the tee I really wanted. I am so excited for my wellies tee to come. I just hope the weather stays warm so I can wear it.

anthropologie

Yesterday I stopped in Anthropologie. I had a small collection of gift cards that were buring a hole in my pocket. One of the things that I got were these cute bobby pins by Jane Tran. I used them today and they are great. They are the first ones I have ever had that actually stay in my hair. I might have to go and pick up some of the other colors.

toppings

I am always trying to come up with dirrerent ways to top the breakfast foods for the kids. In the fall I made an apple topping that I now put on top of pancakes, waffles, french toast, and oatmeal. They all love it.

apple topping
4-5 medium apples (i use granny smith or empire)
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

peel and cut aplples into 1/2 cubes.

in a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon

over medium heat melt butter in a non-stick pan. add apples and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. cook until apples until soft, but still hold their shape.

spring is here!

Finally a beautiful spring day. it is so nice i get to line dry the laundry. i love to line dry the laundry!

i heart gocco

I love gocco.

I just added a set of note cards with this fish print to my etsy shop.

shopping

I need to shop for clothes. Everyone says that, but really I need clothes. I am in desperate need of jeans, but shopping for jeans is about as much fun as sticking a needle in your eye. I needed winter clothes, but about six weeks ago I just gave up. Now with spring and summer on the way...

I am not a good online shopper, I have issues with returning stuff, and I usually have to return everything since sizing is so difficult. I am no longer a good store shopper, I usually have all four kids with me, and that says it all.

I do not even know where to shop anymore. I have about five hundred dollars worth of gift cards from anthropologie, but I am not loving anything right now.

I think the island eyelet short dress by J Crew is cute. I'll have to shop in soon.

picture from j crew

happy birthday

With six people in a house, it seems like there is always a birthday. Today is mine. I turn old.

I love to bake. When I am bored I bake. On Friday night I made three berry muffins for the kids to have with breakfast on Saturday. Anyway, back to the point. For my birthday my friend gave me a food theme present. Part of the present was the Sprinkles cupcake mix from Williams Sonoma. I am going to make them for the kids tonight. I think they will love them. I just hope my turn out like the picture.

picture from williams-sonama

35!

It is hard to believe that I will be 35 tomorrow. Time goes by so fast. I thought that I might treat myself to this painting, three trees, by Julie B Creative. I have had it marked in my favorites for awhile. I still need to find some room on the walls.

However, what I really need are some new clothes. I think a shopping trip is in order!

poppy two

I did a reprint of my first poppy print today. I made 4 sets of note cards. I am planning to add a set to my etsy shop tonight. I am saving the rest for the clear pink house party.

the doll people

Right now I am reading The Doll People by Ann M. Martin to the kids. It is a great story about Annabelle Doll who lives in a dollhouse with the rest of her family (they've lived there for over 100 years). Nothing very exciting happens, and just when Annabelle thinks she will die of boredom, the Funcrafts move in. The Funcrafts are a family of plastic dolls who do not follow The Doll Code of Honor.

Everyone is loving it. They are dying to finish it so we can get the sequel, The Meanest Doll in the World.

une femme

I recently won a print from une femme on a blog that I found in the etsy forums. I was so excited to win it, I had it marked in my etsy favorites. It finally arrived early last week. Now I need to find the perfect frame for it, and then the perfect spot.

starting out right

My kids love breakfast (really they just love food). I try to give them a good healthful breakfast every morning. Waffles with fresh strawberries is a favorite. I modified a waffle recipe that I found in Christmas from the Heart of the Home by Susan Branch. It is a great recipe since the ingredients are items we always have in the house. This makes about 12 medium size waffles. If by chance we have any left, I freeze them for when we need a quick breakfast.

Waffles
2 eggs
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons vegatable oil
1-1/2 cups flour (i often do a half white flour and half wheat flour mix)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder

Preheat waffle iron

In a bowl wisk eggs. Mix in milk and oil. Add brown sugar and mix. Stir in flour and baking powder asnd wisk to make a smooth batter.

Make waffles according to your waffle iron.

I serve with fresh strawberries on top.

poppies

I just printed a new poppy series of note cards.

everyday continued

So far so good with listing a new item everyday. I listed the skull and cross bone set today.

liberty of london

I have already talked about my paper problem, so I thought I would mention that I also have a fabric problem. I love fabric. I really love liberty of london fabric. I have been dying to get the pink small susanna print. But, at thirty five dollars a yard, I'm not sure I would ever be able to cut it. I need to find the perfect project for it.

Purl soho has a great collection of liberty of london prints and other amazing fabrics, patterns and notions. I had a trip to their store planned for last weekend, but I had to cancel it, darn! I guess I should just think about all the money I saved.

getting ready

It has yet to feel like spring around here. Today was a cold, gray, damp day. However, despite what it is like outside, I know it will soon be time to plant. Today I was able to spend a little bit of time in the garden. I started to turn the dirt in my vegetable bed. Now I need to plan what I want to grow this year. On the top of my list are sungolds. I have been growing these for years, they are one of my favorites. They rarely make it into the house, we usually eat them right off the vine.

The rest is yet to come, but I need to hurry, I want to get the early crops in this weekend.

if i only wore it

I am not a jewelry wearer. I wear my good rings and my one necklace that my husband gave me for our first anniversary. However, when I see pieces like the choker made by kjoo, it makes me wish that I wore more jewelry.

everyday

Starting this evening, I am planning on adding a new item to my etsy shop everyday during April. I have a lot of new prints as well as some new items that I will list. Also, every once in awhile I will list an item with no shipping charges. Check back often!