my crafty mess

weekend snack

2012-01-29T08:36:00.003-05:00

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

cutest hat in the history of the world!
I really do need to learn to knit, we need these for our weekend hikes. and by we I mean I

And how brilliant are these best of my days books? I think they're positively adorable and they're free to download right now. I think they'd be a great gift, who cares if January is almost done, add it to the back of the pile, haha! Nevermind, how pretty is her banner? too pretty.

What are you drooling over today on the webs?

.....la la la la laaaa.....

2012-01-19T12:29:00.004-05:00

we're having a sick day here at the messy house.
here's a few mixes we're enjoying, maybe you'll enjoy them too.

my heart sounds like a ukulele. from madaface on 8tracks.

Pure Lyrical Brilliance. from everythingislost on 8tracks.

Lift Up Your Mood from katarina_abc on 8tracks.

do you do 8tracks? do make mixes or just enjoy everyone else's like me?
if you mix, comment with your link, please? so I can come hear your stuff. ; )

this affects YOU.

2012-01-18T10:11:00.002-05:00

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

This affects everyone who uses the internet.

Click here to voice against this censorship.
It's easy and takes less than a minute, even if you type slow like me.

hey there! hello?

2012-01-14T08:42:00.003-05:00

I just read over at (in)courage that...

today is National Delurking Day!

which means if you read here and have never commented,
or maybe don't comment often, today is your day!
want to say hi for the first time? or just the first time in awhile?

I'd love to meet you!

I'm off to leave some comment love out there in the blogosphere.

weekend snack, if you will.

2012-01-13T20:56:00.004-05:00

Source: littlebitfunky.com via Katie on Pinterest

umm, yes please.

Source: notjustahousewife.net via Jenna on Pinterest

I SO wish I had a South-facing wall for this!

Source: trekearth.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Oh my goodness.....

Source: Uploaded by user via Eme on Pinterest

BAhhahahaaa!

Source: imagingermonkey.blogspot.com via Liesl on Pinterest

Want!

Source: tardissonance.tumblr.com via Jacelyn on Pinterest

dreamy.....

Happy weekend, loves.

January 11 is International Thank You Day

2012-01-11T06:10:00.003-05:00

So THANK YOU

to everyone who has ever taken a moment
to leave a comment here.
It really means a ton to me, truly.

and THANK YOU for having your own awesome blog that I love.

and THANK YOU for inspiring my creativity and
making me take on new ideas.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Monday, Monday OR a tiny bit of boring reality, maybe just keep scrolling past this one....

2012-01-09T17:30:00.008-05:00

Source: tumblr.com via Katy on Pinterest

My day went something like this:

grilling ( griddling?) up chocolate chip pancakes on a whim since the boys woke up and got dressed so easily...

Logging and pocketing and stamping books for the school library for as long as I could until Will decided he had had enough of that ten by twenty little space. ( he made it two hours, I commend him. Yes, I said commend.)

Packing and sweeping and sorting and otherwise cleaning up all the Christmas mess, ahem, decorations. It's so much work putting it all away. It's work putting it up but at least you're excited to do that...

Planning a tea party-ish mini- menu for Old Ladies' Club* tomorrow with only what I have in the house. ( * Me and Mum and Nana and Neighbor and Sis-in-Law, playing with yarn in a very old lady-ish manner, aka, baby hats and doilies, haha!)

Library Trip! The highlight of the day, which included Will"s quote of the week, while clinging to his book choice: "This is going to be the bestest thing of my LIFE!"

The singular Joy of getting all the way to the self checkout, scanning all my items and then realizing I did not, in fact, have a card on me with which to pay for those things. Ahh, the humility....

Continuing the battle against The Laundry and The Dishes... ugh..... Sometimes I wish I had no (eco) conscience so I could just use paper plates. everyday.

And now, a bloggy break. Phew. Before dinner, jammies, bedtime stories and the nightly request for eighteen glasses of water....

I thought it was going to be a Library trip, a walk, light housework, some lazy reading, and some girlfriend time after that. Boy was I ever wrong? Do you have those days too, or is it just me? it's so hard to tell in this world of picture perfect blogs!
You know you can think of one blogger you would just love, just once, to blog that they set dinner on fire, or had to send the kids to timeout seven times today? You know you can, haha! Of course, all those perfect crafty mamas do help me set my bar SO much higher....

Well, that was a thrilling post, wasn't it? Haha! Sorry. If you made it this far, I also commend you!

oh my goodness, it's sixty degrees!

2012-01-07T15:05:00.003-05:00

in January.
in Massachusetts.

This weirdo weather is making me think spring. Which I don't really want to do because I do love winter. If winter would ever get here......

Source: valeaston.com via Chiquita on Pinterest

Um, I MUST do this.

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Mina on Pinterest

looking cozy AND cute.

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Mk on Pinterest

sigh.

Come on winter, where are you? I'm thinking of changing sides and joining all the spring peepers who are wishing you never come back.

January 5 is National Bird Day

2012-01-05T08:00:00.007-05:00

National Bird Day, who knew?

Source: piccsy.com via Carla on Pinterest

Here's a few little links from my Google reader in honor of our feathered friends.

Feed the little dears:

Bagel feeder from 4 crazy kings!

The prettiest bird seed wreath is at The Mother Huddle.

Or string up any leftover cookies you have hanging around the house from the holidays. You don't have any? It's only me? oh, okay....

Source: teneues.com via Jill on Pinterest

Make a few beauties of your own:

Torie Jayne has a super cute pattern.

And of course these cuties from purl bee.

Source: prudentbaby.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Or be one!

How awesome are these dress up wings from Prudent baby via Craft: ?

Happy Bird Day, loves!

Help! I need more ideas!

2012-01-04T08:34:00.020-05:00

Okay, here's my 31 list* so far:

1. Take one photo a day. ( at least)
2. Finish two afghans.
3. See three concerts.
4.
5. Run five 5k's!
6. Visit six wineries.
7. Have seven blog giveaways!
8.
9. Have nine date nights.
10. Drop ten pounds!
11. Hike eleven State or National Parks or Nature Reserves.
12. Send twelve letters to my sponsored child, Karthik. One a month.
13.
14. Visit fourteen Museums.
15.
16.
17. Try seventeen new restaurants. ( Coffee shops count!)
18.
19.
20. Crochet twenty hats for Nest Maine.
21.
22.
23.
24. Bake twenty-four cupcakes for the office.
25.
26. De-Clutter! Get rid of twenty-six bags of stuff I don't need anymore.
27.
28.
29. Try twenty-nine new foods!
30. Oh, thirty is a secret. ;)
31. Read thiry-one books!

Any suggestions to fill in those empty spaces? Please help?

* my 31 list is a bunch of things I want to do this year, at age 30 ( and 31 for a while too!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! ( for real now since it's Monday...)

2012-01-02T10:07:00.006-05:00

Did anyone else put of starting all those resolutions until today too?

We had one last holiday party yesterday and kind of let ourselves go all out between that and football, our bodies are begging us to buckle down today.

How did you do on last year's resolutions?

I looked back on my 30 before 30 list and boy.... that was a joke. I hadn't looked at it in so long, that I didn't realize my list had only reached 21. How's that for slacking?

Things I did manage to do:

Crochet a sweater ( for Harry but that counts.)
Camp more ( we went four trips this year instead of our usual one.)
Visit D.C. ( and Auntie A of course!)
Learn to knit (kind of. forget purl. or reading patterns. ha!)
Run my first 5k! (seriously my proudest achievement ever.)
Read 30 books. ( the list is on my sidebar if you're interested in seeing what they were.)

As for the other 16? I mustn't have been thinking clearly when I added those! haha!

So! I was thinking of making a 30 for 30 list this year in a slightly different style.

(I cannot for the life of me find the original post I read and I'm very sorry that I can't credit the original young lady, so I'll just say here, this is not my original idea.)

It goes something like this:

1. Take one photo a day ( at least )
2. 3. 4.
5. Run 5 5k's!
6. Visit 6 wineries!
7. 8. 9.
10: Drop 10 pounds.
11.
12. Send 12 letters to my sponsored child, one a month.
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.
24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
31.

Get it? What I need are some suggestions. I have a few more things in mind, but if I couldn't come up with 30 last year, will I be able to do 31 this year? hahaha! I obviously need your help. How many books should I read?

What do you think? Give a girl a hand?

more pins

2011-12-29T10:50:00.002-05:00

my plans for today are:

Source: honestlywtf.com via Semi on Pinterest

Source: nicolehill.blogspot.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Source: leblogdebetty.com via Jenna on Pinterest

Source: catesworldkitchen.com via Debo on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jennifer on Pinterest

just a few pins

2011-12-28T10:55:00.002-05:00

wish this were my day....

Source: google.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com via Marilyn on Pinterest

Source: graceormonde.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: parisapartment.wordpress.com via Julie on Pinterest

2011-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

* * * * * * * * *

"For today in the city of David
a savior has been born
for you
who is Messiah and Lord."

Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas, loves.

* * * * * * * * *

twenty-eight!

2011-12-20T16:22:00.002-05:00

I've read twenty-eight books this year.
I have eleven days to read two more to reach my goal of thirty for my thirtieth year.

So far, my favourites have been The Glass Castle, ( oh my goodness.) and The Forgotten Garden, ( I've been drawing out gardens since I read it in the summer.)

And I got sucked into the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. yeah, big time. I'm usually not a crime novel person but these just did it for me I guess. It helped that the series is fourteen years-old so I could grab one after another with no wait at my library.

Now in my library bag I have: Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden which was suggested by book movement, and The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon that I've been wanting to read forever. And of course the next Brennan novel. I just finished Half Broke Horses, so I think Dead End needs to be next for a little humor. Have you read either? opinions?

And where in the next two weeks am I going to find time to read? That I don't know. I'll have to be sneaky. Maybe at long stoplights? Maybe on the walk to and from Harry's school. Do you ever walk and read? I used to do it all the time when I was younger.

Are you reading anything good right now?
When ( How?) do you sneak in time to snuggle a book?

and... stuff....

2011-12-16T20:31:00.003-05:00

I am in love with Meg.

I wish she lived next door to me.
but she doesn't. sigh.

but she does have this killer giveaway going on for clean water. Which I love, of course. Soooooo.... you should go see.
really.
go.

Also, Lisa has not gotten back to me, so the new winner is....
ta daaaaaaaaa:

AMY is the new winner! yaaaay! Congrats. Just send me your address and I'll send it right off!

2011-12-12T07:24:00.001-05:00

Lisa Griffin? Where are you?

You won the calendar giveaway.

If I don't here from here by Wednesday, I'll pick another name, okay?

2011-12-08T09:40:00.005-05:00

I sat down to try to write a blog post this morning and couldn't think of a single interesting thing to say.
So I walked away and started the first load of laundry for the day.
And tackled an enormous pile of dishes.

And then I knew what I needed to write about.

Water.

Gallons and gallons of it. Running down the drain as I'm rinsing my glasses, spinning out of boys' dirty socks.

Clean, safe water has to be the number one thing we Americans, and most developed countries I suppose, take for granted. More than enough to drink. to cook. wash my too many dishes, my family's too much clothes. To fill the tub all the way up whenever we want a nice long soak.

Lack of basic sanitation is the cause of 80% of sickness and disease for the
1 BILLION people without access to clean, safe drinking water.*

Source: fairshareproject.wordpress.com via amy. on Pinterest

So in this special season, please consider these organizations for your giving. And since chances are you're doing some shopping anyway, go see all the wonderful things in their shops.

* Water 4 Christmas.
the most adorable Africa tees for kids are in their etsy shop!

* charity: water.
their shop has some awesome tees even the hippest teen or most discriminating husband would wear.

Please, click on over and see how easy it is to help.

Clean water changes lives.

(* source: Water 4 Christmas. )

It's Countdown time!

2011-12-02T05:32:00.000-05:00

The Calendar is hung, the pockets are full and this mama has some work to do! There's a whole lot of merry making to get on this month!

Last year I listed our activities, so I thought I would again just in case anyone is looking for suggestions. And of course I'm always looking for more bright ideas!

1. Bake a Pie! I mistakenly read somewhere that it was National Pie Day. Oh well, it's always a good day for pie.
2. Make Paper Ornaments. these look good. and these. and these. which are actually super easy.
3. Holiday Ham and Bean supper at a local Catholic School. Supporting the school and getting to see their favourite (only boy) cousin.

4. Christmas Parade!
5. Get a Christmas Tree.
6. Write to our Sponsor Child, Karthik.
7. Make Cards for all our family and friends.
8. AHA Night downtown.
9. Bake a snowman cake. I'm thinking more like a banana or pumpkin bread this year. loaded with dried fruit and nuts. Almost fruitcake?
10. Birthday Party.

11. Buy food to donate to the local shelter. Add some of those handmade cards to the bag too.
12. Take a ride to go see all the lights.
13. National Cocoa Day! Make coca from scratch and watch polar Express. Yay for this scene!
14. Build a gingerbread house with Uncle Regis.
15. Make salt dough ornaments.
16. LaSalette!
17. Breakfast with Santa at Harry's school.

18. Buy pet food to donate to the Animal Rescue League. And more of those cards in the bag here too.
19. Umm, wait I don't seem to have a 19....really....? suggestions?
20. Make s'mores!
21. National Flashlight Day! I didn't know there was such a day, but the boys have loved this day every year, getting to run around the backyard in the cold dark is just the bee's knees to them.
22. Color and cut out a Nativity scene and read the Christmas Story.
23. Bake cookies for Santa
24. Party with all the family!!
25. Jesus' Birthdaaaaaaay!

So that's our plan. Do you have a special night or activity in your future?

Happy Birthdaaaaaaay!

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

Today is my lovely friend Jill Marie's birthday.

She is a master jam maker,
triathlete,
geo-caching,
dog loving,
super Auntie,
photographer extraordinaire.

And I just love her to death.

Happy Fortieth Birthday Jill!

thankful week :: five

2011-11-26T08:18:00.003-05:00

today I'm thankful for:

bacon. and brunch in general.
the best in-laws.
how excited my boys were to take out Christmas decorations.
NOT going out for black Friday.
a job.
the warm-ish air.
my 30+ year old boots from mum.
getting close enough to the bridge for the boys to see it open and close.

and these yummies are in the oven as I type. cannot. wait.

Source: stamps4fun.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

And the real reason you're reading: the giveaway winners are:

for the calendar: Lisa Griffin!

for the book: Julie!

Congratulations Ladies!! e-mail me your mailing addresses and I'll get them right out to you!

EDIT: the buns are super easy!

the recipe is right here.

next time I want to put paper thin slices of apple and some bacon in between them.
OR!
whisk some pumpkin into the butter mixture. mmmmm!
I can see these hitting the table rather often this winter!

thankful week :: four

2011-11-24T18:14:00.002-05:00

today I'm thankful for:

learning I love to run.
courage.
tradition.
motivated ladies of the community.
growing up in a *small* town.
home.
leftovers. yes, again.
a whole weekend together.
our troops.

don't forget to go enter the big giveaway.
I'll pick the winners tomorrow night.
it could be you!

thankful week:: three

2011-11-23T18:32:00.003-05:00

today I am thankful for:

old songs on new ears.
dancing.
how perfect grilled cheese and soup can be. especially Wisconsin sharp cheddar and Muir Glen organic soup. yum.
moments of generosity.
an amazing kindergarten teacher and aide whom my son adores.
ahem, wine.
real, true girlfriends.
change, that makes us grow.
how much my brothers love my sons.
being able to be a little help.
anyone reading. really and truly.

Don't forget to go enter the giveaway for the awesome book AND advent calendar! go, go go.....

thankful week :: two

2011-11-22T13:11:00.001-05:00

today I am thankful for:

butter. seriously.
good timing.
my brother and his wife being so close by for now.
KLOVE radio.
a husband who rules the grill.
4 year-old and 5 year-old conversations.
courage. and the good friends who inspire it.
my mother teaching me to crochet.

(pssst: don't forget to go enter the giveaway!)

the giveaway

2011-11-22T12:12:00.006-05:00

I almost forgot! Okay I obviously did forget.

I promised a giveaway to start on Monday!

You forgot too, didn't you? That's okay, here it is now...

Tadaaa! I'm giving away one copy of this awesome book:

It's got all the most adorable calendars. All kinds of inspiration.

Did you know I'm in there too? I am. It's just one little page, but it's my page. Mine all mine, haha!

AND! drumroll...

I'm also giving away the calendar that was featured in the book!

this one!

( goodies not included... but certainly some other treats thrown in for you :) )

So there it is! TWO giveaways in one. Two winners! One person will win the book and the other will win the calendar. I'll pick names at random on Friday night, November 25th.

All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment telling what your favourite holiday activity is. What really makes it the holidays for you? spend all day baking cookies? Special trip to the Christmas Tree farm? movie night with hot toddies? Wait, that sounds pretty good!

For an extra entry, you can blog, tweet or facebook this giveaway and I'll add your name again for each effort. easy beans.

So I'm dying to know, what's your must-do holiday event?

thankful week :: one

2011-11-21T19:04:00.003-05:00

I want to spend this week giving thanks for all the little things, and bigger ones too that make my day, week, life.

today I am thankful for:

my favourite pediatrician,
the grocery check-out girl who remembers that I bring my own bags,
the wonderful school secretary, and nurse,
a new winter jacket,
crepes,
laughing it off,
leftovers,
and forgiveness.

I'm pinning....

2011-11-16T07:28:00.004-05:00

Pinterest ate my Monday.

need to bake this this weekend:

Source: edibleperspective.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I'd prefer to serve it right here if at all possible:

Source: kalathma.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I'm running to the store for more glitter polish. now.

Source: thesenseandsensibility.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

perfect teacher gift, I think. with a pretty thrifted mug.

Source: adventuresinsavings.com via Chandra on Pinterest

NEED to make one of these for Harry's lunchbox,
his sammich keeps getting squished!

Source: lifehacker.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

between my google reader, flickr, and pinterest, I may never get anything done ever again.....

you can find me here.

excuse the crappy cell phone photos.....

2011-11-15T08:59:00.005-05:00

what I've been up to:

1. Put together an angry birds' pig costume that Will requested then refused to wear. sigh.

2. Made some ghostie cake balls for halloween. so good. And orange on the inside ;)

3. Spent an entire afternoon with Will adding coat after coat of paint ( and then glitter!) to this beanbag toss game for Halloween night festivities. inspiration here. I guess I didn't get a shot of the bean bags, but they were three orange prints from my stash. The board is cut from a cardboard box. Yay for free!

4. Stitched up a softie for Mirabel. Really, it took less than an hour, less than an hour for a good cause. including running up and down the stairs to use my SIL's sewing machine since mine is still not fixed. still. And it was all from scrap. a little embroidery, a little cutting and pinning and tada! kitty for Mirabel.

5. Stretching left over squash into killer pancakes! I put some cream cheese and walnuts into mine and folded it over into a taco-type thing. mmmmmm!

To Do:

Stay tuned for a giveaway coming up for this book! Just in time to plan your holiday countdowns! And a surprise to go with it! Come see on Monday!

trick or treat!!

2011-10-31T09:06:00.003-04:00

happy halloween all!

* * * * have a spooky day and magical night! * * * *

we're planning on apple-sausage handpies, pumpkin carving, games, trick or treating and then maybe a scary movie marathon after all since Harry's school is closed tomorrow for a Teachers' conference. woohoo! Hope your day and night are a blast too!

boosters

2011-10-25T07:19:00.007-04:00

With cold season on the horizon, I've been trying to brush up my herbs to avoid all the sniffles and such that are bound to come from Harry now being in public school. I'm just not all that confident in over the counter medicines that are going to just treat symptoms when I can go the natural route and prevent the colds altogether.

Did you know that sage and thyme are great herbs for cold fighting? Neither did I until I read it yesterday over on Keeper of the Home. Which was perfect because I had just received a terrific cough in the face from a little boy at kindergarten drop off. thanks, kid.

With all four of us waking up and going to bed coughing lately, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I grabbed a bag of frozen homemade veggie stock from the freezer and a handful of sage and thyme from the yard. Toss in the last squash I found while I was out there and a little onion and you cannot believe how good my house smelled! I bet would be wonderful whirled in the blender too.

Now there's a jar in the fridge waiting for me to heat and sip all day. mmm.( I may have put in too much crushed red pepper in this batch for the little ones) And since sage is pretty hardy, I should be able to pick it fresh for awhile before it has to come in to dry. The plant in the picture is almost a decade old, it just keeps hanging on. I love it.

Do you have a special cold concoction you'd maybe want to share?

just a little brain-loving goodness.

2011-10-20T09:22:00.003-04:00

( photo by chaosfish1 )

eep! look! Brain in a jar!

Show off your tasty brains like so.

My favourite zombie flicks:
Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead: Classic zombies
28 Days later: Fast zombies.
Shaun of the Dead., Zombieland : Funny zombies.

I will so be running for my life when this course when it comes to Boston!

Three words: Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse. Wow. Certainly beats the local haunted house. just, wow.

five and five (and five more)

2011-10-18T08:27:00.008-04:00

(*)

five things giving me heartburn lately...

1. bedtime routine. No matter how many stories we read, baths, stretching and everything else that usually zens them right out, they're still calling mommy! for half an hour after.

2. The price of everything going up and up and then more up.

3. I don't care how many days are left until Christmas. I want to enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving first.

4. I think I'm becoming the mom who hates video games.

5. If you do what I tell you to, the first time I tell you to, there will be no yelling/crying/time outs. ( I need a vacation, y'all. alone. )

five things making me happier...

1. Harry coming home from kindergarten with new songs and teaching them to Will.

2. Lower temperatures. finally!!

3. Running more again.

4. Planning Halloween costumes. The boys are going to be Captain Hook and Peter Pan. My tiny little niece will be Tinkerbell! Oh the cuteness! But what are Paul and I going to be for our party!?

5. All that dye and highlights and mess is growing out of my hair and my roots are so healthy now. Stop me if I mention highlights ever again, okay?

five things I need to make soon...

1. This scrumptious looking apple bread pudding from (of course) smitten kitchen.

2. These adorable candy corn cupcakes! how fun would it be to find one of these in your lunchbox?

3. Umm, everything in the latest Sweet Paul.

4. I bought a pretty angora sweater for three bucks ( three bucks!!) to try out this look with.

5. Some of these super cute, wicked easy seeming little ghosties. And these smiling bats. And who doesn't love prize balls?

What's been getting the star in your Google reader lately? On your must-make bookmark list?

Or something been driving you crazy? Tell me, I'm a good listener.

(* scary clown from a recent birthday party. scary clown is like saying round circle. all clowns are creepy, do you think so too?)

it's scream queen season.....

2011-10-15T16:41:00.007-04:00

Do you have a favourite scary movie?
Do you watch scary movies at all?
I really like scary movies. I used to say I loved them but hey, parenthood changes things.

I really liked The Orphanage. It's very tense. like, you realize you're clenching you jaw tense, not action thriller tense.

Consensus in my family is that IT is where it's at. We've all watched it a million and a half times. And the scene where Henry Bowers hair goes white kind of still gets me.

And I do love zombies. The old Romero films are so full of cheese they should come with a box of macaroni. LOVE them.

So! I'm hoping to have an all night movie marathon on Halloween night. Popcorn, the boys' bucket of trick-or-treat candy and maybe breakfast at midnight. I think it would make for a good party, with creepy snacks, and of course wine, but Halloween is a Monday this year. sigh. Maybe in 2015 when it's a Saturday...

What are your favourites? Is there a movie that just says Halloween to you?

and still, no camera......

2011-09-28T08:52:00.005-04:00

I swear I'm alive.

And crafting. but my camera is still dead and my cell phone photos leave something to be desired.

So here's some clicky goodness instead:

I've been making these pumpkin muffins like crazy. Like three times plus once as a birthday cake for my mama. in like, two weeks. ( I used 1 1/4 cup flour and only 1 cup sugar.)

We got to go to the Shelburne Farm Harvest Fair and forget Disney, this is the happiest place on Earth. Great music and dancing, amazing food, a horse drawn wagon ride, the best storytellers I have ever heard. And cheese. Oh the cheese!

the cake in the last photo here is so simple and perfect, I might have to bake today just have some of that beauty waiting on my table.

I had my first knitting lesson on Sunday and I haven't decided if I like it yet. I want to like it. And I want a plain slate blue sweater for the winter. I think I can learn to like it soon.

I'm already dreaming about Christmas crafting. ( it's only 87 days away! ) everyone is getting candy. like these Gumdrops. How about some lollies? and of course Randi's caramels. I've thrifted some really great tins already. Big ones for family, smaller ones for hostess gifts. I'm way excited.

And my big boy is off to kindergarten. ( and my baby! turned four! four!) Is it bad if I'm dying for him to blow out a knee on his new school pants so I can make him these monster patches?

And oh yeah, I turned 30. ;)

how are you doing it?

2011-08-29T20:54:00.003-04:00

Are you Running? Walking? Biking?

Are you working toward 100 miles with us?

* The amazing Jill Marie of a sky full of stars is at 110 miles!
* Laura was at 92.3 over a week ago, so I bet she's closing in now!
* And Missy the History Teacher Extraordinaire is at 136! can you believe it!?

I am so proud of these ladies! They are out and moving their bodies. Stretching to a challenge! And kicking. our. butts! haha!

Well, I have to say that lately has been way harder than that first killer week we had. Since then, we've had Tee's gall bladder out, then she injured her calf. then the other calf, then my wisdom teeth had to come out and I found out the hard way that I'm apparently allergic to penicillin.(ugh....itchy!!) That's a lot of days to lose. But we're back on track now, 24 miles to squeeze in by Monday morning. And with careful planning I think we can pull it off. We really want to make it to 100 for our food pantry. Add us to your prayers if you think of it, will you?

And if you're moving your body, if you're counting miles, if you've even just thought of our little challenge during your summer walks, let me know! I totally want to hear what you think!

The donation button is still over there in the sidebar if the spirit moves you to click and drop in a dollar or two. Every bit counts. We appreciate it more than you know.

In the meantime ... wish us luck, folks. We need it!

dream yard sale!

2011-08-16T09:27:00.002-04:00

eeps! what a selection! And all so cheap! I just snagged the little red haired angel there,hiding behind the candle, Paul wasn't letting me bring them all home. so sad.
She got plugged in right away. So pretty! Can't wait for her to really shine (oops, pun.) at Christmas!

new happy place

2011-08-15T09:30:00.006-04:00

I rearranged my yard. Now my table is in the green cave of my maple tree. It's my new happy place. perfect for quiet breakfast when we're waking up slow. Perfect for laughing over tea with my girlfriends. Perfect for a drink after the boys go to bed.

And perfect for colouring.

Have you seen the ICAD project over at daisy yellow? I wish I was committed enough to say I have a handsome stack of cards to show but I don't! Haha! Just a few. It started with picking the most perfect green zebra tomato from the garden. Yes, I am inspired by tomatoes!

( okay, I tried to take a picture of it but I am still camera-less and the light is no good today...sigh..)

I dragged out the crayons, makers, pens and colored pencils and we really had so much fun bouncing ideas around and doodling. Making some meaningful things and some just plain old silly too.

And I felt like I was making something. This summer has been so busy, crafting has taken a back seat, but this felt like doing something.

So click on over and just try not to be inspired. I bet you can get a pack of index cards cheapcheap with these back to school sales......

beaching

2011-08-10T13:15:00.002-04:00

A favourite place. My mother in law's beach, that we got to share with our lovely Jill.

She shared beef on weck.

Perfect beach for perfect sammich.

fair trade.

this is the big one to me.

2011-08-08T09:58:00.011-04:00

In five weeks, my little baby boy, is headed off to kindergarten.

And our lives are going to change. Schedules, routines, traditions a little I think. I'm trying to not think about it a ton, really.

So to me, this has been the big summer. The last one before change. The big one.

And we are living it up. Staying up late, sleeping late. Going places, doing things, seeing people.

We made a summer list, a la Meg ( How do I love you Meg, let me count the ways....) and we've been ticking them off one by one. ( in no order really...)

Camping

of course the afghan has to come!

Fresh-water Fishing

You would not believe how exciting sunfish can be, haha! And determined to live! We had one jump right out of the bucket!

Fireworks

from the best vantage point, Uncle Regis' apartment! No bugs, AC and dinner to boot.

Barnstable County Fair

Honestly, I have no idea how families can afford to let their kids ride the midway. Holy expensive! But worth every penny (sixteen bucks!?) for the one ride we took together on this ferris wheel. I wanted them to see all the lights from the top.

Free Concerts.

At the town wharf. Right by the ice cream shop where I worked as a teenager. Perfect.

Plus lots of visiting, campfires with s'mores, beach time, a trip or two to the movies. It's been a loaded few weeks.

( All photos by my phone or Harry's camera....insert grumble here.... Must. get. mine. fixed. soon. )

And I'm still awaiting the arrival of Countdown Calendars! I found a photo of my tiny contribution. Want to see? It's here. I'm on page 39. Just a page, but I'm thrilled. Keep an eye out, I'll be giving one away to a lucky reader when they arrive.

Do you make a summer list? Do you have must-do's for the season?

a book! weren't we just talking about books?

2011-07-12T08:16:00.004-04:00

so have you heard about this new book? Maybe from another crafty blogger you follow? It's super cute and I think the best part is this:

I'm in it! Yes!

Remember this little advent calendar? Well it was spotted on flickr and added to the book. Woohoo! I've been dying for it to come out. I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, but I am SO proud to be in the company of big names like Elizabeth Hartman from oh, fransson and Monica Solorio-Snow of happy zombie. I swoon.

There's some sneak peeks of the book here: clicky clicky. go see!

And maybe come back and tell me what you think?

30 before 30:: books!

2011-07-11T14:00:00.005-04:00

random dog photo from my phone...

( I am going insane without my camera, just saying...)

Oh my goodness, halfway through July and I'm only at 9 books! really?!

I did lose a lot of time trying to read Pride and Prejudice. I tried. Oh how I tried! really tried. I just couldn't do it. I got more than three quarters through and had to put to down when I realized I had given up reading and was mostly just scanning. I tried. My sister in law is thrilled that I'll watch the movie with her now. All 12 million hours of it, haha! Wish me luck!

I just finished up The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates. And it was a bit dark, as most of her things are dark-ish in a real kind of way. The dirty side of real. I do recommend it, though. It was similar to The Falls. Have you read that one?

Anyhow, now I'm looking onto the next one.

Maybe you have a great beach read?
Something hilarious you have poolside?
Just had a great literary quickie?

tell me! tell me!

What are you staying up late reading?

we're back!

2011-07-02T09:17:00.003-04:00

Yessah!

After three weeks, Me and Tee are back on track with five miles these past two days! Okay, five isn't a ton but after three weeks off, we were taking it kind of easy, playing it safe. We're so old! But we are now up to 19.1 miles!

We would've been adding a couple more today but someone (okay, me) had an alarm clock issue and slept late. oops.
So Monday we're back on full schedule, busting butt! LOL

64 days to go and we're so excited! Remember there's a little donate button over there on the sidebar if you'd like to join our cause for The Shepherd's Pantry.

And our participants are doing awesome as well!

Jill is up to 32.2 miles at last count! And Laura is at 20! Plus They've both had Triathlons in between, aren't they something? You should click over and give them a virtual pat on the back if you have a minute, they deserve it!

How about you? Are you keeping up with us, working for a goal? How are you and the family getting out and about this July?

a whole lot of nothing...

2011-06-13T13:06:00.003-04:00

sitting: at the dining room table.

eating: kettle brand cheddar chips, mmmmm...

listening: to some of my favourite playlists on 8tracks.

making: friendship bracelets. yes, really.

smelling: one rose that's filling the room. it's almost citrus-y

wanting: about a million more rose bushes. okay, a half dozen would do...

wondering: why camera chose now to quit. with vacation a few days away....

loving: the cool of today.

...washing laundry, fixing lunches, making plans. catching up....

And somehow it all seems like a lot of nothing.... hmm...?

What are you up to today? Is it cooler where you are?

speedbump!

2011-06-08T07:07:00.003-04:00

So remember when I said we were running 100 miles in 99 days and you all just shrugged and thought, that's not so far, that's no challenge, and all the like? (Well maybe you didn't but some people I know did...)

And I said, there would be obstacles to make this a challenge, not just a goal? Well, here is the first big one: Tee's gall bladder.
The challenge is big, not her gall bladder.
Her gall bladder is gone.

And the Almighty Doctors say she can't run for ..... three to four weeks!? So basically, until July, y'all.

So, that's 100 miles in 71 - 78 days.

That's 67 more days to to 86 miles, well that doesn't sound too bad. 9 1/2 miles per week is doable, right?

This doesn't get you off the hook, however. It just gives you the upper hand, time to be racking up the miles while we're walking laps around the park.

We are so glad we were overzealous last week and got 14 miles in! phew!

I just have to keep reminding myself of the goal for Shepherd's Pantry, that this is not for us, and be prayerful about it.

Wish us luck.

99/100 Week One Done!

2011-06-05T10:07:00.007-04:00

We survived the first week!

And our total miles? 14!

I wanted to share today's run, but map my run doesn't want to be my friend today. Hmm.... Oh look, Tee has it!

We're way ahead of schedule. And it's a good thing too because Miss Tee is having her gallbladder out on Tuesday. Yikes! That's going to slow her down for a few days.

How about you? Have you joined in? Gotten up early for a bike ride? Dragged the family out after dinner for a walk?

Tell me how you're going to reach 100!

news and such....

2011-06-03T10:53:00.006-04:00

It's not too late to join!

It's a great goal for you or your whole family!

I'm really embracing exclamation points today!

Clicky clicky for more info on the challenge, and how we're using it help our community. As always, your prayers for our goal are always appreciated!

In other news...

(photo credit for killer photo.)

It's National Donut Day...

I figure 99/100 + Donut Day probably cancel each other out.

Maybe.

right.....?

99/100 for a cause bigger than me

2011-05-31T10:07:00.013-04:00

(all about the project here.)

So when we starting thinking about this project, we immediately decided that we'd end with a friend and family 5K with donations from the runners to benefit our local food pantry. But then as I was making breakfast, it hit me: What if we could donate more than just a tiny "entrance fee"?

What if we got sponsors?

We could do so much more good!

So now,

Tee and I are accepting sponsors for our 100 miles!!!

Be warned, this will probably motivate us to go more than 100 miles!!

Maybe you'd like to give a little bit? Maybe you could sponsor for five or ten cents a mile? twenty cents? Fifty cents? big spender! Or maybe you'd like to just spare some change, we love that too. And so will the pantry! I've added a PayPal Donation button over in the sidebar if you're interested!

Maybe funds are tight? I know they are all over. But will you please add us to your prayers? We appreciate those more than you know! and please, spread the word, maybe post a link on your own awesome blog?

So maybe think about it? And if you're participating in our 99/100, ( it's never too late to join, you know!!) you might get a friend or two as sponsors for a cause local to you.

Getting outside, getting fit, and helping out a good cause? Can this project get any better!?

rainbow-y

2011-05-31T06:10:00.000-04:00

I couldn't help notice the resemblance of my bracelet and William's donut....

pardon the crummy phone camera photos... ;)

2011-05-30T08:15:00.002-04:00

99/100 Run #1 05/30/2011

Find more Runs in New Bedford, MA

Tada!! Our first run! There it is 2.9 miles.

Really? two point NINE? We couldn't make three even...whatever.

We joyfully (mostly) ran our kickoff course and finished gracefully with a little under an eleven and a half minute mile average. But people, it was hot. even at 7 am. it was hot already. Come July, we'll be running at 8pm when it finally cools down!

But we were really so happy to be out today at the beginning of this journey. Even if you could maybe quote me saying " I didn't mean a hundred miles today!!" Yes, first day. I'm pathetic, I know.

And we're excited to get back out there tomorrow. And all the summer runs to follow. This is going to be a great challenge.

Are you joining us? Come on, my MOM is doing it, you know you can. She's walking it, keeping track on her giant office calender. Don't let my mom shame you, I'll never let you live it down, Hahahaaa! I'll put your name on the ***super-awesome-list-of-glory*** to the right there, and I may have something snazzy in mind for all of you all come September.

So I'll close with a photo of me and Tee after our first run, my batteries died before we left of course, couldn't possibly get a shot of us before we were all sweaty....

(Isn't Tee too cute? Is that what my gut really looks like....?)

ps: That's The husband's high school track team t-shirt that he downright refuses to throw out.

pps: It looks better on me ;)

97.1 miles to go.

the 99/100 project!

2011-05-29T13:27:00.003-04:00

Tada! Introducing another one of my lame-brain ideas!

Just kidding, this one is actually good!

There are 99 days from Memorial Day (tomorrow) and Labor Day.

In that time, me and the amazing Tee are going to run 100 miles together. (Get it? 99/100!)

It works out to a tiny bit more than a mile a day, 7.14 miles a week, that should be easy beans, right? Well, add in full time jobs, two husbands, four kids, two dogs and now it's starting to sound like more of a challenge, huh?

We'll post our runs, our progress, and probably whine a little bit too, and wrap it all up Labor Day weekend with a 5K for family and friends to benefit a local food pantry. ( but more on that another time)

But I'm not here to brag about all the super-amazing running we'll be doing or how *smokin' hot* we're going to look by September. No, I'm here to drag you along with me!

Whaaaat?

Yes! I'm putting this out there to anyone who needs a goal, to anyone who thinks that 100 miles is no sweat, anyone interested in having a really awesome accomplishment to brag about at their Labor Day barbecue. Maybe you've been thinking about starting to run anyway? (Consider it, okay?)

If you click on the logo, you can get over to flickr and grab it for your own blog. Then lay out your running shoes for tomorrow morning. If you do join in, LET US KNOW! We'd love to hear all about it.

I'm going to start a participant list on the sidebar over there, so we can all check in and watch each other's journeys. Projects are so much more fun in a group anyway.

So think about it! And check back in here and with Tee to see if we can make it.

Only 99 days to go.

UPDATE: Okay, a friend brought this up, Cycling totally counts! If you hate to run but deeply love your bike, go for that instead! 100 miles is the goal, get there how you can. Run, walk, cycle, (rollerblade, anyone?) hey if you can swim it, that's AMAZING! Just get out there and get your 100!

That's going to be me...

2011-05-26T06:11:00.003-04:00

My lawn is way too tall.

My yard is being taken over by buttercups and I love it.

Someday I'm going to be that person in the neighborhood who everyone hates for their messy lawn. Because as far as I'm concerned, dandelions are flowers. Herbs, even! Free food at that.

and they're flowers.

And my sweet husband mows around the flowers.

2011-05-25T19:50:00.003-04:00

Did you know May 25th is National Tap Dance Day?

Me either.

So here's some tappy goodness for the occassion:

I love James Cagney. Just like my Mum does.

And I think Gene Kelly is positively dreamy....

so far, anyway...

2011-05-18T10:30:00.001-04:00

so far today, I've had to say:

"Do NOT put that bacon in your ears!!!"

and heard, (from the bathroom of course):

"Mooom! William's playing with the plumber thingie!!!!"

and it wasn't even ten a.m.

ahh, life with boys...

I wouldn't trade it.

big dreams

2011-04-12T07:45:00.003-04:00

big is beautiful <3

click on over and help if you can.
bring another beautiful child in need to his *forever home*.

More about Reece's Rainbow here.

r.e.a.d...

2011-04-07T06:31:00.000-04:00

This is a recent haul from a buck-a-bag sale at a local church shop.
God bless 'em.

So, folks, this year I'm turning the big three-oh. thirty. And I have this little thirty before thirty list. (I'll tell you more about it soon.) But one thing on there is read thirty books. Which really shouldn't be too hard for me.

I inhale books.

I ell-oh-vee-ee, love, to read.

I just don't always have the time. I don't always make the time... So one end of this challenge is to: make. time.

The other end is: I want people to tell me what to read.

I'm not picking. I want people to tell me what book I just have to read. That book they've read ten times. The one they think everyone should read? twice? That one.

The other people are you. ( wait, does anyone even read this blog anymore?)

If you do, still read here, I'd love to hear your suggestion. I'd really appreciate it. truly. I'm going to keep a running list on the sidebar there on the right.

I really can't wait to hear which books you love!

tiny buds

2011-04-06T06:29:00.001-04:00

...radish and garlic, reaching out for spring...

( ignore my dirty windowsill please....)

loving:

2011-04-04T08:49:00.005-04:00

a few things I'm loving on lately:

8 tracks! Click for the mix that goes with that photo. Four year-old dancing around singing "disko disko partizani!" is entertaining for sure!

30 days of lists. I love lists.

SoulPancake. Chew on life's big questions. Who doesn't love Raiin Wilson?

And the library. I wish I could have some nice enough weather to ride my bike down. Seriously, it's my happy place lately. I sneak out when Paul gets home and grab a magazine or cookbook and just zen out for fifteen minutes on one of their yard-sale chic sofas. I come back a new woman.

And Pixie Campbell in all her beautiful, earth mama glory. Her blog is like a deep breath.

And my little tiny sprouts coming up in their TP tube pots. The snowpeas are peeking up.

And jogging. yes, really. I started jogging. And I don't hate it. who knew?

2011-02-25T06:56:00.001-05:00

....I thought they were being too quiet over there......

Oh this February light!

2011-02-24T06:51:00.000-05:00

I have a new sunbeam.

I've claimed it.

It comes through my kitchen window about the time I'm ready to put breakfast on the table.

Really, it makes me all too happy. I have to lean into the counter to suck up all the warmth but I can deal with that.

How can I complain about a sunbeam that makes even my plain old eggs look glorious?

God bless...

2011-02-23T06:42:00.001-05:00

...these beautiful, unseasonably warm days that happen.

That we can pull on an extra layer and be by the ocean.

oh paper bag of treasure.....

You wouldn't believe how much fun you can have just dropping ( or throwing...) rocks into the water.

Or how incredibly happy it makes this mama to watch her boys explore this little beach.

It almost makes me wish for spring.
Almost. Let's not quite rush winter out yet...

Happy V-Day!

2011-02-14T10:37:00.008-05:00

What I learned this Valentine season:

1. I'm completely addicted to making candy. Mom's chocolate covered cherries,( hiding in the bottom layer) peanut butter balls with crushed pretzels on top, oh my! and of course Randi's Caramels. Chocolate dipped this time. And I'd still like to make some of these little mints. Little pastels for Easter. bunny shaped perhaps?

And how pretty is this tin? I grabbed it up thrifting for a quarter or something. It was for me at first but then there was no way Paul's chocolates were going to fit into the dinky little tin I had gotten at Michael's...

2. Cake pops are deceivingly hard to make, I had to freeze mine and still some fell apart, but they are so worth it! yummers! Red velvet inside and hot pink vanilla....

3. Wear gloves when trying to dye fondant red. Really.

4. Nothing snazzes up a cake like forty tiny roses. ( And snazzes is the verb form of snazzy. yes, really. )

(Cake idea from i am baker)

5. Pink and brown together make me stupid happy.

6. Holiday clearance never fails me. I picked up these silicone cupcake-ers last year cheapcheap at Joann's and they certainly came in handy this year. Just looking at them makes me smile.

7. These are a great big boy project. ( some directions here.) I let H cut the candy canes out of their wrappers with scissors. He stirred the melting chocolate and got to do the sprinkles. What more could a four year old ask for? He's all kinds of excited to hand them out to "people we love".

Hope your day is full of: ell, oh, vee, eee: LOVE!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday morning love

2011-01-24T07:32:00.001-05:00

Things I just happen to be loving right now:

*All the chopping and prep and planning dinner all day for winter meals.

*Tasty special winter teas.( Winter Warm up from Farmacy Herbs in RI)

*People reaching out through crochet. Click to get more info On Sarah London's Crochet a Rainbow project, helping victims of the recent floods in Australia. This will be my project for Old Ladies' Club this week for sure. ( more on Old Ladies' Club another time...)

*My little boy is FINALLY potty training!!!! (I know, you really don't need to know that, but I'm immeasurably happy, I was ready to teach him to change himself!)

* A Prairie Home Companion's Annual Joke episode. Did you listen in? I did. And yes, I sat with a notebook in hand, scribbling madly, haha!

* And all the beauty, photos and words, at The Girl Who Married a Bear. Seriously,I want to live on that beautiful island, you will too.

ps - Not loving: my poor, sad, raw nose, resulting from blowing it a thousand times today. ( frowny face here....haha!)

sometimes...

2011-01-20T07:47:00.000-05:00

sometimes, you just need a sheet fort. And popcorn.
with every pillow in the house.
and maybe, just maybe, the crib mattress as well.

I'm not going to lie,I was wishing the kids would sleep together in Harry's bed so I could have it all to myself after bedtime.

killer caramels.

2011-01-19T07:15:00.000-05:00

People,do you read Randi?

You should. She has some great recipes. And she's funny.

And she made me incredibly popular at Christmas.

Make this recipe and you'll understand.

They're perfect in every way: easy to make, no odd ingredients, easy to cut even! And wrapped in parchment, tossed in a paper bag with, say, a pretty paper tag, they make you the most popular girl on the block.

::love::

I'm baa-aaack...

2011-01-18T11:30:00.004-05:00

Hey all!

I hope your holidays were stellar and that this new year is looking bright to you.

we had a fabulous, family-filled, comfycozy, snowy holiday celebration that went on for days.And you know what?

I took like no. pictures.

Shame on me. But I have a small issue. Either I'm shooting or I'm enjoying the moment, I have a hard time doing half and half. Oh well, add it to the new Year's resolutions.

I do however have a shot of the cutest ever bacon and eggs for my sweet niece.

See?

I hate to pat myself on the back (truly) but I think these are the cutest things. in the world.

2011-01-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
( photo credit. )

And yes, we did have Christmas here and I will have photos to show soon. But we've been celebrating non-stop around here. We're hosting a last little bit here tomorrow then I should be back in full force.

I hope your holidays were fabulous, And I can't wait to share this new year with all of you.

advent activities.

2010-12-12T08:46:00.007-05:00

day eight: decorate foam trees scored on last year's clearance.

They loved this. ( kindly ignore the messy house behind the children. pretty please...) I got a pack of regular little star stickers and a bunch of jewels from the Michael's clearance aisle.

day nine: Bake a snowman cake.

(How do you feel about the low winter light? good different or no-good? I can't decide...)

No icing in the house? That's okay, powdered sugar looks better this time of year. to me. Hazelnut buttons and raisin face. That's what we had in the house... He's cute AND good for you!

And I'm working on this blanket. Anyone remember it? From like...last November?

Yeah, that one that I put down and forgot about. Now it's traveling with me, getting picked up here and there. Like when the bridge is closed. Could I just be putting off the Christmas crochet I should be finishing (read: starting)...?

How are your advent activities going?

flashlight time! !

2010-12-08T09:20:00.002-05:00

it's a favourite around here. after dinner, in the cold.

seeing the backyard with new eyes.

searching out anything that's still surviving the weather change.

And a little night work of course.

And coming back in to these still warm.

Espresso shortbread found at sweet tidings.

Mmmmm. make these. they're easy and awesome.

shopshop!

2010-12-06T08:37:00.002-05:00

The Water 4 Christmas Shop is now open.

please go take a peek and do a little shopping for a cause.

giveaways!

2010-12-03T09:39:00.001-05:00

Go see all the beautiful giveaways at Crafty Crow!

oh well...

2010-12-01T08:58:00.009-05:00

I was so proud of myself.

I had all my Advent activities laid out. I checked dates, I bought stickers.

And I couldn't find my calendar anywhere. Anywhere. I scoured the cellar. I checked the hall stash. I tore apart my terrible sewing room. Nowhere to be found.

I had a tiny meltdown.

I love that thing too much. I didn't want to not have one. I really didn't like the thought of buying one. And my sewing machine is still broken.

So last night I cut and hot glued another one together.

I don't hate it. I do think it needs something though. Maybe a border? A big "2010" up top? I don't know. I'm open to suggestions.

The idea came from this one at Craftastica ( via crafty crow )

My pockets aren't as fancy as hers because we're potty training and mama's patience was thin by this point in the day. And, yeah, this was yesterday. Not a whole lot of time to fool around, haha!

Activities this year area lot of crafts, since the boys are currently obsessed with glue. I'm going to go ahead and give you our whole list. Maybe you might like on of them?

1. Build an Advent Wreath( we save our candles year to year )
2. Bake Snowball Cookies.
3. Decorate Uncle Regis' tree.
4. Go Pick a Christmas Tree.
5. Make a wreath to hang.

6. Write letters to Santa
7. Flashlight time outside after dinner.
8. Decorate Foam trees( bought on clearance last year) with stickers.
9. Bake a snowman cake.
10. Write to our Sponsored Child and send a Xmas tree photo.

11. Make s'mores! Did you see Bakerella's yummo looking ones?
12. Gnome Bowling!( I can't even tell you how silly that phrase makes me! )
13. Make Cards for friends.
14. Make salt dough ornaments.
15. Buy food for the local food pantry.

16. Build a gingerbread house with Uncle Regis!
17. LaSalette!
18. Pastry Buffet at a friend's house.
19. Take a ride to see all the Christmas lights.
20. Build a popsicle-stick stable.

21. Paper Angel. Read the story of the Angel first visiting Mary.
22. Paper Joseph Mary and Donkey for our stable. Read the story of the trip to Bethlehem.
23. Bake cookies for Santa.( probably these. I LOVE them.)
24. Visit Family and PARTY!
25. ( there's no # 25 pocket, we'll just fake it. ) Paper Baby Jesus in the manger. Read the Christmas Story.

Do you have an Advent or Countdown Calendar? What kinds of activities are the best received in your house?

Cupcakes for Africa

2010-11-26T11:52:00.004-05:00

So I saw this post and I know it's last minute ( items have to be there by the first of December) but I thought I'd let you all know about this great cause.

These wonderful women are raising money to build ( another!) well in Africa. Clicky clicky for details.

So these little cuppies are headed to their etsy shop to try and help. And I thought maybe you might have an hour today to make something to send along as well? Or maybe you're one of those super crafty gals that has a shop of her own, or a pile of pre-made things lying about? If so, would you think about sending one or two to this cause?

I promise the warm feeling you get from giving will make your day.

gratitude day three, four, five......seventeen.

2010-11-17T17:37:00.008-05:00

( I truly do not like to post without photos. I feel like people are just going to skip on by in their google reader. )

Anyhow, this gratitude has been on my mind everyday. And some days are hard. I feel like thinking "I'm grateful for the roof over my head" is empty and vague sometimes. Even though I am, of course.

day three: I'm grateful for my boys' easy going nature. I hear too many stories of stubborn, patience-stretching kids. too many. I am so thankful my guys don't scream at bed time, kick and fight at doctor visits and eat (almost) anything I put on their plates.

day four: I'm grateful for my husband's ridiculous work ethic and determination. He shows me everyday just how dedicated he is to taking care of us.

day five: I'm grateful for great yarn sales. Yes, yarn. because times are tightening all over and crocheting calms me. Making a gift for someone with my hands makes me infinitely happy.

day six, seven, eight: I'm grateful for the very different ways my three beautiful sisters-in-law make me look at things, the news things they open me up to. Should I try snowboarding? I need to laugh more. PBS is truly the best station on the TV. There's so much more I need to learn. And it's so good sometimes to walk around the mall with a pretzel and giggle at the odd poses of the mannequins.

day nine: I'm incredibly grateful for Christian radio.

day ten: I'm grateful I can still afford to buy a new book. Lord knows I have the best of intentions with the library.....

day eleven: I'm grateful for Pandora. it helps my husband to not kill me for playing the same iTunes play list over and over.( and over.)

day twelve: I'm grateful for my thrifty nature. a piece with a story, a memory, is worlds better to me than a brand new -thing- from the trendy store. I like to give it a little more love. I can have more fun spending a day out with ten dollars than you'd believe.

day thirteen: I'm grateful for stories, passed down from the last generation to the next

day fourteen: I'm grateful for the variety of my friends. Always another opinion. Another recipe. Another story. Always another shoulder.

day fifteen: I'm grateful for the few minutes of peace here and there that added up to me finishing The Book Thief today. Read it, it was really something else.

day sixteen: I'm grateful for tradition.

day seventeen: I'm grateful for impromptu tea parties.

gratitude: day two

2010-11-02T21:37:00.001-04:00

On a day like today, when it's hard to find something to be happy about,
I can be thankful just for the beauty of the autumn light.
( .....and how photogenic cows are..... )

gratitude

2010-11-01T10:17:00.004-04:00

Polka Dot Cottage is having a month of Gratitude.

I'm joining them.

Maybe you would like to too? clicky clicky. (And the flickr group.)

My gratitude photo for this November one:

a dusty cellar shelf lined with homemade goodies for the cold months to come.

apple -y goodness

2010-10-01T07:08:00.001-04:00

My two purchases from the Mower's Flea Market. Tiny delish gala apples. And this sweet little sampler. Someone put a lot of work into this piece, It makes me want to bake a pie and pick up my needle all at once. Maybe stitch while the pie is baking...?

warmth vs. warmth I guess....

2010-09-30T07:55:00.000-04:00

It was eighty-two degrees yesterday.

September twenty-ninth for crying out loud!

But with any luck this weather won't hold for long. Isn't that such an odd thing to say: I don't want to warmth anymore?

It's true though. I want my warmth elsewhere. I want to wrap up in this...

It's almost done.

It's from the Lion Brand free pattern called Elspeth. ( You know, I even love the name!) I love all the baubles and the scallop trim and it worked up rather quick with all those openwork bits. I am adding a few extra rows though for extra snuggliness. ( blogger tells me that isn't a word! blogger apparently doesn't crochet...)

I'm making it up in Vanna's Choice in Linen for washability. My boys are notorious blanket thieves so I know this is bound to end up under the sofa and covered in crumbs sooner or later.( but if you saw their sweet faces, you wouldn't be able to refuse them either...)

Of course the best part is I can remember where I started it every time I slip it on....

Yum! look at that will you? The gorgeous Woodstock Inn on the Millstream. Such a zen little spot, loaded with hammocks and gliders and shady spots and don't even get me started on how sweet and crazy helpful our girl Bonnie was!

oh sunny breakfasts, I miss you so....

Jill ( the super-talented shutterbug ) tells the story better than I do, and she has three (!) posts full of beautiful shots of our weekend on her blog. Clicky clicky to go see...

Have you been to Woodstock, NY before? You should go. There's so much easy beauty there. And while you put your feet up and listen to the river...

Gomez will sit on your lap.

Who could want more than that?

Annnnd, the forecast is telling more warmth to come. Looks like there's no rush... I can sit with my hook and dream about the millstream a few days more.....

early autumn link a doo

2010-09-29T07:55:00.001-04:00

Okay I'm loving these fall leaves kirigami.

And this hand print tree is going to great to do even with my little guy. ( ps - He's THREE now! Three! can you believe it because I can't.)

And how about this Public Fruit project? Our own jam making this year has been....slow. But I did hear on vaca about a great hike that includes an enormous blueberry patch where you just take as much as you can carry. sigh... why can't it be closer? or why couldn't we have heard about it in, well, blueberry season...?

And Holy Goodness, have you seen this!? Leaf carving.

it turned out more like a rant....

2010-09-28T09:22:00.006-04:00

This isn't a where-did-the-summer-go?-why-I-haven't-posted?-apology post.

Just saying...

I really didn't intend to take a well, summer long break, it's just I have this thing going on right now. That kind of sucks and it's been going on for almost a year and there's no end in sight and it's really ruining everything about my daily life I had come to love...

It's......a job.

Yep, I said it. work. I got a job out of necessity and damn I hate it.

It messes with my baking. It leaves me no time to crochet. I hardly have energy to pick up the camera. Honestly, I upload ALL my photos to Shutterfly, at the end of each month, and I hadn't ordered prints since April and do you know how many shots I actually wanted? a hundred. One hundred shots in five months. I usually keep a hundred shots in one beach trip day, AND! That includes two family vacays and a beautiful mountaintop wedding.

Oh, look I did make something recently...

So I guess I just have to say posting will be spotty for as long as this crappy situation continues ( read: the economy...) But I'll try to be around. I do have some fall projects in mind. And you all KNOW how I love Halloween. And know that I'm still reading all your blogs, even if I don't comment a ton.

beautiful seedling favors...

Wow, this is a dead-end post.... I guess I will apologize after all, Haha!

2010-08-12T10:25:00.003-04:00

we picked a rainbow in the yard.

and that guy? he's just hard at work...

end of july...

2010-08-02T09:04:00.002-04:00

I wish I could just climb under the shade of a squash leaf today,
stretch out and catch up on my zzzz's....

2010-07-28T22:24:00.000-04:00

delish

2010-07-26T22:22:00.002-04:00

pardon my saying, but screw Christmas shopping, This is the most wonderful time of the year.....

Country Fair...

2010-07-26T22:20:00.002-04:00

ps - that guy trained the pigs for Green Acres...really.

seaside

2010-06-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

I would head straight to the beach every morning if I could. Grab me a big green tea, and donuts for the kids because I love how happy they get when they see those sprinkles. A little transistor radio would be nice. and my yarn. Listen to the water, pick my seaglass and whatnot, take some photos of course. Just be in the quiet. Makes my heart feel all warm, you know.

And just sit and watch them splash until the bellies start rumbling for lunch.

Yeah, I could so start every day like that... Of course, this weekend seaside with no kids at all will be plenty of wonderful also...

Hope your weekend has lots of quiet joy.

dinos and drinks.

2010-06-10T06:51:00.001-04:00

Moved the dining room table into the triple window in the parlor. The light is really great at dinner. We eat late, so we snag any last light we can.

beach roses

2010-06-09T08:50:00.000-04:00

(at the beach playground.)

neglected space...

2010-05-18T09:05:00.006-04:00

people, I really am alive.

And this little space is looking pretty sad.

I just have too many things in my head. Summer plans, sewing that needs to get done for a wedding, the dress I really need to go order for that wedding. ( In "juniper", I need opinions, people. or this one?)

Planting our garden, the seeds that I forgot to order, ( who forgets beans for crying out loud...) what in the yard needs more attention, our Wisteria finally blooming. ( that needs a post of it's own )

Finances, my silly job, Paul's job, his hobby, ever owning a house?

Will William ever potty train? Can I get Harry into preschool? Is he ready at all? Maybe I should forget the house and use the money for Montessori school?

Yeah. Folks, my head is full. So posting has been crappy. But I'm putting that higher on the priorities from now on. Because I like this space, dammit.

april, where did you go?

2010-04-29T06:57:00.000-04:00

we spent time in the sun,

noticing new things growing,

exploring,

beaching,

(oh, the prettiest of all pollution, my seaglass, how I love you...)

and doing a little bit of creating too.

I can't wait to see what May holds.

hand rolled jasmine I've been rationing

2010-04-28T06:35:00.000-04:00

hand rolled jasmine I've been rationing. I just love how they open up in the bottom of your cup.

This is what I imagine gillyweed to look like ;)

tiny pies

2010-04-27T06:31:00.000-04:00

Mmm.....

The last of the frozen strawberries we picked last summer were calling to me. How could I resist!

I just cooked down the berries with a little cornstarch, (I don't like runny pies) then cut some refrigerated pie crust into little circles with a jam jar. Spoon a bit in, flop it over and seal it with a fork. egg wash it up and bake at 425 or so until all golden-y. I wish I had had some coarse sugar to dust them with!

Did I mention yum?

Quick, easy, tasty. all my requirements for mid-afternoon snack!

the season of the snail has begun.

2010-04-26T06:29:00.000-04:00

eww. slimy.

mama and boy time

2010-04-23T06:30:00.001-04:00

we got to do a little frog spotting, just me and the first-born.

This was the bravest of the amphibians.

colour

2010-04-22T06:35:00.001-04:00

an entryway I had the pleasure of passing through.

and thanks everyone for all the nice Easter comments! You're all invited to dinner next year!

my easter table

2010-04-21T06:24:00.000-04:00

I got to host Easter this year ( finally )

I got to set my table in my husband's grandmother's china and all kinds of other thrifted goodness. I used old silver from four generations ago and countless thrifted pieces in between.

I baked, sauteed, steamed and flipped for my family. And they came with their arms loaded up too. Oh so much food...

I dyes eggs with onion skins like my Nana always did.

It was so beautiful here, we got to have dessert outside.

Some of us even got a tiny sunburn. It was a marvelous day. Even the dog hunted for plastic eggs. He learned how to open them real quick!

This is my place at the table. My favourite fork, knife and of course, my crowned "E" spoon.

I was so busy that I didn't even get to craft place markers. But I have about a hundred ideas for next year....can't wait.

Happy Birthday

2010-03-31T08:47:00.000-04:00

Uncle Joey!!

My little brother is twenty-five. Holy crap.

colours

2010-03-30T08:40:00.002-04:00

(Ignore that my sink needs a serious cleaning, poor thing's all pitted.) These sprinkles looked kind of cool when they hit the water droplets.

And you should've seen the lovely colours all of our hands were after that egg dyeing...lovely.
;)

around here...

2010-03-29T08:37:00.001-04:00

I love having three boys. ( four if you count the dog...)

grateful friday

2010-03-19T07:54:00.000-04:00

of course I'm grateful for all the sun we've had.
for the rain before it feeding all the bulbs that are now flowers!
And for my wonderful friends who don't think me too strange for turning every opportunity into a tea party...

muddy baby toes.

2010-03-18T16:43:00.002-04:00

For crying out loud, he's two and a half!
Do I have to start calling them little boy toes?
I don't think I'm ready for all that....