With Christmas Came Happy Things

Happy things like a wine rack and cookie cutters from my parents and an assortment of beautiful vintage stemware from my aunt. I'm loved... and those who love me know me well. Like my fantastic husband, who gave me Julie & Julia... because he was supposed to take me to see it in theaters but forgot. And when it came out on DVD and we finally had a movie night, he rented Inglourious Basterds. Which was fine. Because now I can watch Julie & Julia whenever I want. Thank you, my love.

Toile Jumper

I made this dress last week for my niece and realized as I was starting it that the last time I made a jumper I did it the long way. Not just the long way, but the difficult, tedious, and ineffective way. The way, as my 3 year old Corbin would put it, that was "not better." Apparently the right way to make this little number requires only three seams, two hems, and some buttons. I'm amazed at how I realize better ways to do things nearly every time I sew. Silly as I feel to admit how painfully wrong and slow I was doing things before, learning the right ways makes me feel like a bigger, stronger, and faster sewer. :) And I realize that natural light becomes photographs of things like this, however, the window of daylight now is far too small for me to always remember to take my photos. Because I'm a distracted person. Come soon, summer.

Sometimes Things Fall Apart

Ever have what you thought was a great idea that you quickly turned into reality... just to watch it fall apart almost as quickly as it began when you realize the situation was entirely too fragile for its supposed purpose? Thus goes the story of the butterfly headbands.

Fancy

What makes fancy ketchup fancy? Nicer tomatoes? I don't know. Must be. What makes fancy skirts fancy? Nicer fabric... and that's about it. When I make them, anyway. :) This is a Christmas gift for my year and a half old niece. Simple and lovely and fun for a pretty little blond baby.

When I stock up on super inexpensive fabric at thrift stores, sometimes I come across fantastic finds. Like massive amounts of dupioni silk for nearly free. I think I'll be making myself a skirt out of that pink fabric next, I love it so much. I'm still not a great seamstress, but I do enjoy all this sewing. However, every time I sew lately I seem to only end up pining after a serger to make the clothes making simpler and faster and make seams less bulky. Oh, Lord, cleanse my covetous heart.

This is just a simple skirt made out of a few rectangles of fabric with an elastic waist and a wide hem. I lined it because the dupioni silk can be a little stiff and scratchy... especially on the soft baby legs. The flower is on a pin so it is removable, I found a tutorial for making them over here. I then proceeded to make a bunch for myself... because... well... they were just so happy.

I think I need to make more of these for the other babies in my life this Christmas. They're so easy to make as gifts. Now I just need some ideas for things for boys... yikes. They're so much more difficult to sew for than girls.

LMNOP and Kiwi

I love magazines. I especially love magazines that I can read without wasting gobs of paper and cluttering my house. I even more especially love reading magazines that are free. My favorite magazines have, in recent years, morphed from fashion magazines to those directed toward families and parents. Even better if they have a focus on living simply and being environmentally responsible (but really, what magazine doesn't lately?) LMNOP is a way cool free online magazine that is just... happy. You can subscribe and they'll send you an email notification when the next issue is published online. Latest issue is out today, by the way. Kiwi is a print magazine that is also way cool and always read immediately at my house. It's about, as they say, "Growing families the natural and organic way." This magazine isn't usually free, but it is if you sign up for Moms Meet! Woohoo for free magazines that are awesome! Also, you can find a free download of the magazine from Kiwi's main site here.

People Doing Extraordinary Things

Wild Things Paper Toys

With what kind of paper dolls does my 3 year old boy play? Wild ones. Wild Things, that is. He's adopted Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak as his new favorite book (thank you Auntie Lindsey), which makes me happy since it was also one of my favorite books as a kid. We have yet to see the movie made from the book, but I can't help but wonder HOW in the world is there a full length film based on this 10 sentence story? I'll find out soon enough, I'm sure. If your kid (or you!) are into this story, you should make these little paper guys. They do take a couple of minutes to cut out and fold together, (and tape, if you're me) but they're way cute. I made Max and the guy in the stripes for Corbin and we've already acted out the story with them. Great fun. And the site you find them at is... toy-a-day.blogspot.com

For more Wild Things fun, check out this place where I found the paper Things project.

Christmas and Excess

Ah, Christmas. It's lovely. Snow, lights, bright stores where one could buy anything and everything they don't need to put under the tree in colorful packages to be opened in haste on Christmas morning just to be stuffed in a closet or giveaway box as soon as the thrill of this new thing has worn off. If you can't tell by now, I'm less and less thrilled about the way Christmas has been turned into a commercial holiday in the USA. It disgusts me and I want no part of it. We need nothing. Don't believe me? Check out the rest of the world. I promise you are not in need. In want, yes. But not in need. Christmas shouldn't be an excuse for excess and the enabling of selfish, hedonistic tendencies. Not even if you're buying things for others. The concept of excess isn't one that only applies if you're buying things for yourself. No. It's the entire notion that you're putting something where there is no clear and actual need for it. It's wasteful and it's looking only at ourselves.

John's family does name drawing at Christmas for the older family members. I love that. You get one gift for one person, receive one gift, and that's it. Kids are separate from the drawing, but they'd be just as happy with another cookie as a massive, shiny, new toy. I'd love to carry that practice over to my family, where gift giving is maybe over practiced, although I realize that it's how some people show affections.

I know that gift giving can bring great joy to both parties involved, but we must not remain so focused on ourselves. There are people in the world who actually are in need. Not want, need. And it is one of our main priorities as followers of Christ to put other people before us and to show them His love through our actions. This year, instead of buying gifts for your family that they might not even like or use, why don't you buy a goat and some chickens for a family in a third world country that provides food, income, and security? Really? Why not? What do you want that is more important than giving another family hope for the future and food for their children? Think about it. And when you're done thinking about it, go to the World Vision site and buy a goat for that family.

One Truth in Our Home

Never let a day go by without doing at least some laundry lest it eat you alive.

DIY forever

I love this book by Raleigh Briggs. It's about making and doing things yourself around your home. From cleaning to composting (which I'm completely inspired to start doing... just a little unsure about with the whole freezing much of the year thing) to first aid and personal care products and an intro to gardening, it's so inspiring. I've had it for a month or so and it brings me such joy because of its beauty in content as well as form. It's completely hand written and illustrated. Very cool. I haven't tried any of the medicinal tinctures etc. yet, but I'm sure I will when I get my hands on some essential oils in the future. That is a little intimidating for me. But the book is full of practical things that you can do to make your home a simpler place by buying less and making more, and by working with fruits of the earth rather than abusing them.

In fact, Microcosm has a bunch of awesome things. Some crazy thing, but some awesome things. Check them out. I got some fantastic patches to put on some baby tees I'm going to make. I'm sure I'll show you when I finish. :)

Tutu Time

There aren't many things that embody happiness like a tutu. I found this idea over at Plumtickled. She's got a simple tutorial to make the tutu. Maybe every little girl should have one of these. This is for Corbin's friend who is having a birthday party today. She's going to be 4... I can't believe it! These kids around me are growing much too quickly.

It took me a matter of minutes to make, it was SO simple. My son absolutely refused to try it on for size, however, so here's hoping it fits well. "I'm NOT a princess, mom. I'm not going to put it on." He shook his head furiously at me. I pleaded with him, but he wasn't about to let me put that tutu on him. He then proceeded to go get one of his ties, put it on, and tell me how he was a man and NOT a princess. Good for him.

You should make one of these for the little girl in your life. It's so simple, and so much fun. No little girl? Maybe you should be a ballerina for Halloween. :)

Canning like MAD

A little while ago, a friend showed up at my door and asked if I was interested in taking on a large and time consuming project.... like NOW. Well, sure... what kind of a project might that be? This friend was in the midst of a move and had harvested her garden but had no kitchen in which to preserve and enjoy the fruits of her labor. So, in to my house were brought the many bags of tomatoes and peppers and onions. The tomatoes needed to be used immediately, they were super ripe and ready and could not wait to be used, so bright and early the next morning, there was canning in my kitchen. I've never canned anything in my life. I had no idea what I was getting into. I borrowed all of my mother in law's canning supplies and set out to work with the help of my lovely mother, without whom we would never have finished, and my friend whose vegetables we were canning. I didn't realize that canning was something that needed to be organized, thought out, and done in um... smaller batches. We made two dozen jars of stewed tomatoes and some cilantro-lime salsa that turned out to be more of a cooking sauce/marinade because of the accidental extreme amount of lime that I used. Whoops. But it's perfect for making some Cuban food with some black beans. Mmm.

This canning stuff is a massive amount of work and I now have an enlightened sense of admiration and appreciation for those who do it regularly. Also, my kitchen might be the worst kitchen for the canning process. Noted. Never again in my kitchen.

In the aftermath of the canning ordeal, I got a flat of organic strawberries and a mass of honey in my order from the lovely Azure Standard (my new favorite way to grocery shop... love it. Bulk organic foods that are extremely cost effective and delivered right to my town? Yes, please!) and made some jam. Some freezer jam. It turned out beautifully, so yummy. No more canning for me. :)

Newborn Gown from a Band Tee

My sister-in-law just had a baby girl. I made the baby a sleeping gown out of a shirt from the mama's favorite band, Showbread. It was super simple, and I found the pattern over at This Mama Makes Stuff. I added an extra band of about two inches to the bottom after I cut out the pattern because it just didn't seem long enough. The project was a success, and my sister-in-law loved it. I'm sure baby will, too. :)

Gardening for Those with a Short Attention Span (a.k.a. Sprouting)

In my pantry, there is always an excess of dried beans, lentils, and peas. Maybe because they're basically free and I always intend to make things with them, but then forget that in order to use them they generally need to either soak overnight or simmer for a LONG time and remember this only when I'm trying to make supper. So much for planning ahead. Well, I decided to be proactive with my stash of dried lentils. I sprouted some. This is bound to be a new regular occurance in the Kelley home. And since I don't really have the brainspace for gardening that extends further than herbs and sprouts, this is perfect. In order to sprout lentils (or basically any other kind of seed, legume, or grain) you'll need just a few simple things:

1) lentils, etc.
2) a mason jar with ring
3) cheesecloth, a lid for the mason jar with little holes all over, or like me, a (new) knee-high nylon from the box that I keep by the dryer to catch lint coming from the hose. ( I know, it should pipe outside. It doesn't.)

Start with just a tablespoon or two of lentils (I used about 1Tb, for reference), pick out any cracked or deformed lentils and put them into your jar, cover with lukewarm water, place lid on jar, and soak overnight 8-12 hours. Rinse and drain through the cloth 2 times a day for the next 3 or so days until your sprouts are about an inch long (for lentils). Rinse again, and eat. Raw or cooked (preferably raw) these are great for you. Cheap. Simple. As nutrient rich as you can get. Fantastic. In the time it took me to write this, all of my sprouts have been eaten. By me, of course, because Corbin wasn't interested and John wasn't here. They taste like garden fresh peas, and they're very tender and crunchy. Mmmm.

Mr. Owl

I have a friend whose boy is turning a whole year old, so I thought I'd try my hand at making something a boy might like. I've never made a stuffed animal before, let alone stitched anything by hand (the face), but I was pretty excited about this. It's a simple rendering of a great horned owl, and it's made from old tweed jackets and wool coats, plus some scraps of fabric I had laying around. Only time will tell how sturdy it turns out to be... the ears were already starting to wrinkle by the time I took these photos because my children got a hold of it and were playing. But, let's face it, what they're going to be used for are handles for bopping siblings with the owl. One of the fabrics I chose for the eyes (the brown base) is going to fray, I thought kind of like feathers. Maybe it'll be cute, maybe it'll fall apart. Like I said, we'll just have to wait and see. It's a pillow... it's a stuffed animal... it's a friend. A very wise friend.

First Day of Preschool

9.9.09. It came and went without incident. But it was a big day. A big day for Corbo. He went off to preschool, all dressed in green. He loved it. Loves his teacher, loves the kids. He's the only boy, but that's OK. Since his best friend for most of his life is a girl, he really enjoys playing with quiet, nice girls. (Although, he does enjoy a good water fight every now and then... I wish I had a picture of the water fight from this past weekend. He and a friend got so drenched at the park spigot that I just had to take off his clothes before we went home. He wouldn't keep the towel on himself, so I was forced to maintain his decency by giving him something to wear. That something was one of Petra's pink diaper covers. Yep. He looked like he was wearing pink panties. Nice. Pink underwear and Chuck Taylors on my little boy. A not so great, but very funny combo.) Corbin will have school in the mornings three days a week. I'm so happy he's going (many thanks to his sponsor, the fabulous Auntie Lindsey) to preschool, because I LOVED preschool. I remember it vividly. Making squid prints (yes, squid dipped in paint), eating "hard tack" learning about pilgrims, making friends, being engaged to Matthew, the sweet little boy with dark curly hair, learning about voting, "selling" popcorn at the carnival from my little box/tray I had strapped on me like a vendor. And I remember reading with my mom at home... the Max the Cat books. I remember liking the one with gum that went all over the house best. I might have to get those for Corbin. Or, seeing that they only come in sets, Corbin and a dozen other kids. I'm really looking forward to this year of learning that Corbin is beginning. It will be so good for him, he's completely ready for a more structured school experience. And he loves being around people. It's perfect. And, as a bonus, it gives me more time to do MY homework.

My First Infant Car Seat Cover

We were recently given an infant car seat for our daughter, but it was made out of that homely standard beige and blue check material. It simply wouldn't do. So I made a new cover for my sweet Pete's car seat. I decided to try this because of the great covers I saw over at MADE. And in my humble opinion, I think it turned out pretty fantastically for my first try. I'm starting to realize that I really need to test out designs on my own children and things before I give them away, but I've got some pretty great friends who are loyal and honest testers as well. This cover is made of some green, pink, brown, and tan cotton paisley that I cut from a fitted king-size sheet that I bought years ago to use for fabric because it was only a couple of dollars. I'm a sucker for great deals on any sort of fabric, if you haven't caught on yet. The shade and binding are brown canvas. It took me about four hours total, and I'm so happy with it. Paisley, by the way, is John's favorite pattern. Makes it easy to find awesome vintage ties for him. During this little project, I learned plenty about how to make the next one, and I only encountered minor problems that were eventually remedied. Now I know I need a binding maker. And that I can make car seat covers. Success!

I Love Pandora

Pandora is the perfect solution for people like me. People who have a love of music, but don't have the time to explore what new things the world of song and sound has to offer. Also, you can follow Chris' blog; he's got fantastic media focused updates that allow me to feel like I'm aware of what's going on around me in a musical sense.

I've been on a bit of a Glen Hansard binge... can't get enough of him. Ever since I saw Once sometime last year I've been quite in love. Immediately bought the soundtrack, which I think is one of the best film soundtracks I've ever heard, and have listened to it manymanymany times since then. So lately I've been listening to The Frames radio on Pandora... and having a great happy spirit because of it. Not because the music is necessarily happy... it's not. It's just good. The Frames, Louis, Band of Horses... etcetera. Do you use Pandora? If you don't, you probably should be.

Can't Have Too Many... Polka Dots, That Is

That belated baby shower gift I spoke of during the flower hat post has become more and more belated. I get more and more forgetful... meaning to deliver it, and then forgetting over and again. So, out of my guilty forgetfulness, I made this as an addition to the package for the little girl for whom the shower was held. This is the same pattern I used to make this dress for Petra... not coincidentally also in polka dots, which, if I may say again, I LOVE. It's a pattern that I made myself... and I think I really should somehow get it on to the computer to share with... well... anyone who would like it, I suppose. This is the same material from which I made a kimono for Petra, also. I think it's way cute. And I did it from start to (almost) finish in the time Petra took a nap this afternoon. It's a pretty basic pattern, and the more times I do it, the faster I'm getting, and the better it turns out. I just hope the sizing is right. Fingers tightly crossed. I still need to make labels for my baby clothes. Just one more thing to put on the remember-to-do list.

Parking

Parks really are great. There are quite a few in this small town in which we live... and they're mostly really nice. There are some new exciting ones, but I think the parks I like best are the old parks. You know, the ones with the paint chipping off of the equipment, the metal slides that burn your skin as you go down them, and the swings with chains without plastic coating so they constantly grab your hair. Yes, I like those parks. They have so much character. They're simple and joyful. I can hardly imagine the vast amount of fun that has been had in them by children over the years. Corbin's favorite part of this trip was the bunch of daisies that he found. He picked some for me. He then proceeded to pick every last one and toss it into the water. It brought him great joy. I didn't feel bad about him destroying them for that very fact. Flowers are meant to bring joy. No one ever specified exactly how. Petra just enjoys hanging out in the wrap. It's one of her favorite spots to be.

I will miss summer when it is gone, and lately it seems as if though it is leaving quickly. The air is brisk and the foliage isn't as green as it used to be. The thought of winter here in this tundra... this frozen desert, as someone called it recently, makes my heart sink sometimes. It's just too cold... it seems to suck the life out of the living. We must simply enjoy the chances we have to be outside, to absorb our vitamin D. So we will go parking while we can... to all the parks... over and over again.

Also, I took photos of myself with my children because I have nearly none. I generally have the camera taking photos of them... and all of a sudden, there is a three year period of me missing from all photos. However, that DSLR is nearly impossible to take photos of oneself with by simply holding. Heavy. And yes, that's Petra chewing on the camera strap as I try to get a photo of her sweet self.

Ruffles are a Girl's Best Friend

Thanks to the lovely J. Crew, I've been on a bit of a ruffles kick. Especially when it comes to ruffles on plain stretchy tees... and things made from plain stretchy tees, like this skirt. I made it thinking that it would fit my little girl, but again, I vastly misjudged sizing. Way too big. But perfect for another little girl I know.

I learned a few things while making this skirt... like where to place the ruffles, and to use more pins than I think necessary. The first one always has more problems than I want. This material was very slippery and extremely stretchy, which makes it fantastic to wear, but a little difficult with which to work. However, it was extremely simple. I simply cut off the bottom of a stretchy XL woman's tee that I found on excessive clearance at Stuffmart (seriously, cheaper than buying fabric) and cut strips from the leftover material that I ruffled end on end, then sewed it to the skirt. Not exactly in the right place, mind you... but now I know how to make the next ones. :)

Purple Polka Dots

So... has this officially turned into my sewing blog yet? I'm pretty compulsive about sewing things lately. I really love it. I especially love making sweet little girl things, and even more especially love polka dots. Like... really alot. If I had to pick a favorite pattern, polka dots would be it. I made this for my Petra, who is almost five months old. She's a pretty stylish girl, if I may say so myself. :) Really, why would I not sew? It's fun... inexpensive (that is, if you let it be) and I love having little original clothing pieces running around on the children in my life.

This dress is made of cotton, fully lined, has some pleats of some kind in the front... that was a little problem, I'll be Googling that next time. And the final touch? Vintage buttons from Susie's stash at Susie's Sewing Corner - now the only place to buy (new) fabric and thread by the full spool in town. Seriously? Yes. The only place. I must say, I'm very disappointed with Walmart for taking away their fabric section. But, we do not live by Walmart alone. Actually, I find I rarely go there anymore, which I think is fantastic because it's just one giant time and money sucking building of stuff. Stuffmart. That's what it is. However, that's not what this is about.

I enjoy sewing more and more... now all I need is a room fully dedicated to the art, so my dining room can have peace again. But, that will happen exactly whenever it is that we buy a different house.

Flower Child

Well, my sewing machine broke last week. Yes, I know, it was horrible. But, alas! My wonderful mother-in-law had one that she had been saving for me. :) So, I was only without a sewing machine for a matter of days. Even though one of those sewing machine-less days kept me from getting baby shower gifts made. Dang it. Oh, well. Better late than never when gifts are concerned. So, the first thing I made with my new sewing machine (which is like a tank, by the way, heavy and metal... it gives me confidence) was a flower hat for my love. I had a black rib-knit tee that didn't fit very well, so it is slowly becoming baby hats. Baby hats with funky flowers, that is. I think one of these will make its way into the belated baby shower gift. Yes. Definitely.

Fuzzy Skirt

I made a haul on fabric samples the other day at a local thrift store. The best thing about these fabric samples? Other than being three for a dollar, even if they're just tiny, I can always get a little skirt or two out of them. This one I gave to Mia. It's perfect for her. Her dad is basically a rock star and her mom is one of the coolest girls ever. So, for their offspring, a cool rocker-chick skirt is just the ticket.

4 Months is my Favorite

I am so enjoying my little girl. Especially this month... 4 months is my very favorite age. She's so smiley and interactive. She giggles at me, which I must say is quite more like a squeak. She's got constantly sweaty feet and hands that get so sticky I'm fairly certain that if she had the coordination she could climb walls. Corbin still loves his baby sister. He gives her kisses on the head... NOT on the mouth. Apparently her kisses are much too slimy for him. :) He gives her hugs and talks to her. She watches everything he does. She likes to hang out in the Bumbo from Ben and Tasha (fantastic thing!) She's a sweetie. And yes, that's red hair. Weird. I hope it stays red!

I could be a minimalist... If I had less stuff.

Well, I'm not quite sure I can handle all the toys in this house anymore. How many toys do children need, anyway? In comparison to what they actually have, especially American children, I'm more than certain they don't need nearly as many. Our son, Corbin, has lots of toys. He's got a ton of generous aunts and uncles, two sets of grandparents, and a bunch of friends who love him very much and love to give him things. But how many things does a child really need? To what extent is a child able to appreciate things if said child never knows what it is like to not have something? If there never was a void in Corbin's life for toys, yet it has been filled anyway, then what what does that look like? I'll tell you: it looks like a huge pile of toys. Certainly, these toys are used. He plays with them. His friends play with them. But, I can't help but think that if there were fewer of them, they would play just as contentedly with those.

The reason I don't really believe that there should be so many toys in our home isn't specifically pointed toward the fact that I don't want there to be toys strewn about incessantly. However, if there are toys that are all around the house that the child doesn't pick up (by the way, I totally believe that if a child is old enough to get a toy out, that child is old enough to put it back) they only cause a headache for me, the mom, tripping over them, giving me constant visual clutter that in turn clutters my mental focus. The main reason is that I don't want to teach our children either to be materialistic or that it is an acceptable behavior. Things should simply not envelop our lives, be we adults or children.

As a kid, I remember the best things with which to play... very large cardboard boxes. Refrigerator boxes, stove boxes, wheelchair boxes... I'm pretty sure the reason for that last one is that we had an uncle who sold wheelchairs. My memory is foggy. But I do remember the joy that came from turning that big box into a house, or a fort, or a store, and pretending in it all afternoon long... or generally until it rained. Why must toys now need batteries... or be made of cheap plastic that breaks. Why must these be given to children at every turn? Want some lunch? Well, here's a cheeseburger and a toy! Sure, McDonald's, I know that sugar and salt aren't addictive enough on their own, toys were necessary to completely reel in the kiddos.

I'm not trying to say that I hate toys. I like toys. Just not hundreds at once. I like toys that encourage imagination. I think every home should have a dress up box filled with hats, scarves, capes, and some excessively puffy prom dresses from the 80's. I love blocks and Lincoln Logs. Play-Doh is great - I make it myself. Puppets are cool. I'm fine with cars (in limited quantities) and dinosaurs and animals (also in limited quantities). But I say no, thank you, to some toys. Loud toys. Toys with batteries. Extremely specific toys that you can only use in one way or must simply push a button and that one function is all they have, like action figures. Toys with small parts. Very cheap toys that are just going to break if they haven't already. And, in our case, toys that overflow from the toy box.

Back to my original pondering... how many toys should a child have? I've come to an arbitrarily decided number of 25. Some may say that is excessively small, some may say it is excessively large, but I think it may be just right. Quality over quantity has many virtues. So, starting this evening after Corbin wakes up from his nap, we'll be sifting through his stash of toys to decide which special 25 will be staying with us. It might be painful, but sometimes that's necessary, because I care about our family's well being more.

I also realize that this isn't something that applies only to Corbin and toys. It's a lifestyle that we're trying to adopt. Let's call it... de-accumulating. I have far too many things. I might even say I have vastly far too many things. How many belts does a girl need? Not nearly as many as I have. We'll be going through my things next. But, first, to the toys!

Birthday Gifts

For months my husband looked in stores to find a stoneware travel mug that wouldn't adulterate the flavor of his coffee the way a stainless steel mug does. So, being the good wife I am, I simply found him one online for his birthday. (Does anyone else find the ease of finding exactly what you're looking for through the miraculous path of the Internet simply blissful?) But instead of just getting him one, I got him a set. Which is a nice way of saying I took the opportunity and got one for myself, too. And now it rarely leaves my side. It doesn't have a proper name as of yet, but since it's not a piece of electronics, it may not need one. I'll stick with it's given name now, the Element, from Highwave. (Also, check out their beer rings... those were a part of the husband's birthday gift too, and I got major points for that one.) I'm a sipper when it comes to hot beverages, so I love just using a travel mug all the time because they have lids and keeps things hot longer. This would also be good if you have a proclivity toward spilling your beverages. :) Now I'm just craving some fantastic coffee to put in it. I've been ruined by this from Reality Roasters.

Blue Ruffles

I made this yesterday intending for it to be a dress for my Petra. However, since I'm ridiculously bad at making things the correct size, I think it might instead turn out to be a shirt for Mia. The arm and neck holes were just a little too big for the 4 month old.

I made this out of a t-shirt that I got at the local thrift shop for a quarter. It was even brand new... creases still intact! I used another dress as a pattern and simply took a few strips of the leftover fabric to make some ruffles for the front... which turned out a little crooked in the end because I didn't pin them before I sewed them. Whoops. Forgot. I'll do that next time. But they don't look bad like this. I mean, they're ruffles, really. I think I'll make another one today that will actually fit sweet Pete. It was pretty fast to make... I went from start to finish with time to spare while John was practicing his sermon. Pretty sweet turnout for a 25¢ t-shirt, no? Well, I think so.

The Snowman

Books don't always need words. This story is told in 175 beautifully thought out frames... it's such a calming change of pace and a different way than usual for the brain to see a story. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs is another one of my favorites.

The Rainbow Fish

My favorite kid's book since I was small and now one of Corbin's favorite, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. It's a sweet and simple story about learning generosity and humility.

The Gruffalo

A new category today... Favorite children's books. Starting off with The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. "A Gruffalo? What's a Gruffalo?" "A Gruffalo? Why didn't you know?..."

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Heaven

This is the best peanut butter chocolate chip recipe... ever. It turns out perfectly every time. Mmmmm. We go through a lot of milk when these are in the house. So... they're almost good for us, right? I say, if you're going to eat a cookie (or a half a dozen, we don't judge) it may as well be AMAZING.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C)
2) Cream together butter and brown sugar. Beat in eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla.
3) Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl, and add to wet mixture gradually. Stir in chocolate chips.
4) Roll into balls about 1 Tablespoon or use your trusty cookie scoop and place on to ungreased cookie sheets or parchment lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Flatten them slightly with a fork because they don't flatten much during baking.
5) Bake for 7-10 minutes, depending on how soft you like your cookies. :) Enjoy!

Upcycled Dress for Naomi

Naomi was at our house this weekend, and I decided she needed a new Lauren Kelley original... ha. Seriously, I should get some tags to put into these things... anyway. So, I went on a sewing binge and ripped apart a vintage blouse and made a dress all in less than 45 minutes. I'm not sure why I always forget to take before pictures of my upcycle projects, maybe it's because I'm not altogether confidant that the whole thing will turn out well or if I'm simply overcome with reckless ambition and am to blinded by my sporadic motivation to remember to take the photo, but here are some afters of the dress on the sweet girl. She's such a doll. The flutter sleeves used to be the collar of the blouse. And I love the pin tucks on the front. I love to sew more and more. Nothing is perfect still, but maybe it won't ever be. But it sure is fun.

Summertime Means Sprinklers

In the middle of the day when it's hot outside, we turn on the sprinkler. Corbin loves it. Petra doesn't at all.

Finally, a Photo of them Together

I love my sweet children. And they love each other, too. Most of the time. :) Corbin, 3 years and Petra, 3 months.

50 things, 3 days

It is time again for a purge of material things. So soon? Yes. There is a constant influx of stuff that I can't stop, so I must constantly be at battle continually redirecting other things out. It would be much easier if so many things didn't come into our home to begin with, but since that's not always under my control, this is the way it has to be. Within three days there will be fifty less things in my home. I can almost breathe more easily already.

Top Teas (in no particular order)

Oh, MarketSpice, how I love you. The Original MarketSpice Tea with its recognizable orange-spice taste has stood the test of time and remains to this day one of my top teas. I especially love visiting the MarketSpice store at the market whenever I'm in Seattle. If you can make it through the crowd surrounding the fish-throwing boys and Rachael the pig, you're in for a fragrant treat of tea and spice perusal. I like the loose leaf tea, and I drink it all winter long.Also from MarketSpice, the Seattle Surprise Tea is a great afternoon tea pick. Mango and orange flavors mingle with the huge chunks of pineapple in this black tea. It's great iced, you'll love it. I know you will.OK. One last one from beloved MarketSpice. Their Six Herb Tea is fantastic. A great nighttime tea. A lovely blend with just the right amount of peppermint.
Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Himalayan Green Tea with Lemon My best friend, Emily, gave this tea to me as a bridesmaid's gift on her wedding day. I love it. It's a perfect, simple green tea with just the right amount of lemon grass. With or without a little sugar, I love to make a pot of this for friends. A great compliment to any meal. Also, it came with this fantastic carrying case, which will make the coolest passport bag ever. The strap is even the perfect length. Thanks, Em!


Good Earth Organic - Mango, Peach & Pineapple What is in my mug currently and most often lately - with plenty of honey. Sweet and fresh, it's perfect for summer. I bet this would make a great iced tea, but have yet to try it that way.