Good Day good readers, I am not have a very good week. Overwhelmed, hoping I am not getting sick and a lot on my plate. So I am behind in my posts. But I will get my act together soon, I promise. I hope this is blissful week for you though xoxox
Hello everyone, I hope you had a lovely week. Mine was a bit crazy but very yummy. On my birthday the girls and I went to my mother's and had lunch with her and my sister. My mother made fresh figs stuffed with brie, wrapped in prosciutto and grilled, heaven. My sister made the most interesting dessert (she says it is sooo hard to make me something I have not already made ;-) She made a Thia black rice pudding that she flavored with black licorice and lavender. I know it sounds weird but you know it worked. It was subtle, not in your face, well done Laurie xoxox
We watched Confessions of a Shopaholic (which felt a bit like my youth flashing before my eyes, although I could not afford such high end stuff) I LOVED this movie. If you have not seen it you must. It is wonderful, fantastic fashion and so funny.
The rest of the week kind of got taken over by hauling free firewood. Which I am not complaining about, I mean what an answer to prayer !!! But not what I had been planning. David and I will make up for it in a couple of weeks. But the girls blessed and spoiled me, thank you girls. Auberne` made me the sweetest video on her new blog, I Talk in Movie Quotes. They made me breakfast in bed. Chocolate fill croissants, apple-wood smoked bacon, lavender/rosemary tea and homemade greek yogurt with fresh raspberries and lavender honey. As you can see it was a yummy week, the best thing by far was the cheesecake milkshake (recipe below)
I took a picture of some of my birthday goodies. There was also vintage pink pyrex, a pink tea cozy with rose tea spoons, pink tea and a Amazon gift card (thank you, both of you, you know who you are xoxox), books, crystal magnet, vintage hunting fabric for my library, a whole box of Sees candy, my hubby let me custom pick what I wanted, lavender caramel's wrapped in dark chocolate and more.
Mostly though there was you wonderful readers, thank you for all the birthday wishes, gifts and love you showered me. Oh and I will wear the hat. You made me feel very special and that was the best gift of all. Thank you xoxo
Cheesecake Milkshake
makes 4 large glasses
4 slice of cheesecake or one small whole cheesecake, you want a vanilla cheesecake with a graham-cracker crust
Vanilla Ice cream
Milk
In a blender put the cheesecake, 5 large scoops of ice cream and some milk. Blend and add enough milk to get it all going. Taste and add more ice cream/milk as needed. Enjoy, it is veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy rich, as it should be ;-)
Good day everyone, today is my 47th birthday. I am going to take a week off and play. But I had to share my new vintage hat I got at the Christmas House. It was a steal I could not say no too. I am thinking of wearing it to a evening wedding I was invited to. With a simple linen dress, do you think it is too much (or I am toooo old) ???
I hope you have a lovely week with magical days filled with yummy things. I will be back to share all my birthday goodies and an amazing mango rum slush recipe (you will swear you are on some tropical island, feeling the cool waves ;-) xoxoxox
My girls playing around, doing homeschool idol, even Simon was there !!!!
Rocken Raw Pesto
1 cup of almonds, soaked overnight in cold water. Throw away water and store in fridge till ready to use * see note at bottom
zest of one lemon
juice half a lemon
1 bunch of flat leaf parsley
1 garlic clove or more if needed, peeled
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 of a cup olive oil, plus more as needed
In a food processor add parsley (washed, steams and all) and then the rest of ingredients. Process till smooth. You will have to keep stopping and push the parsley down. Taste and adjust salt, pepper and garlic to your liking. If the pesto seems to dry add more oil a bit at a time till you get a constancy you like. Serve with lots of raw veggie and bread.
*Note,
There are two reasons why you soak the almonds, one is it makes the almonds healthier and easier to digest and second soaking them makes them moister and sweeter, so the dip will have a creamier texture.
This pesto has no cheese, because it is raw (nothing cooked) enjoy xoxox
I have a new banner and was wondering what you think about it ??? Is it as good as the last one ??? I really like the last one, but thought it was time for a change. I am still thinking about this one and need feedback. Thank you. I hope you are having a lovely day, I am making bread and strawberry freezer jam xoxoxo
I want to wish everyone a Happy 4th and for those who do not celebrate, then just a happy day. I also wanted to thank those who serve and sacrifice for our country and the freedoms, I hold so dear. As a homeschool mom, I never take for granted how blessed I am to be able to have that choice. I also want ot thank those families who sacrifice for us too, it does not go unappreciated xoxoxox
ps. I took this photo at the Christmas House
Happy Mothers Day to all you amazing mothers. I thought I would post an article I wrote 3 years ago, just before I started my blog. I hope it encourages you, especially any young mothers who might be reading this xoxox
"I am having a lovely chat with a dear friend who has been my mentor for years, when Chloe (she was 9 at the time) comes in with tears in her eyes. I ask her what is wrong and all I get is a shaking head and more tears. Needless to say, I say goodbye to my friend and Chloe has a good cry. After all we all need a good cry now and then!
When I figure out there is nothing seriously wrong with Chloe, I try to cheer her up with games and fun ideas, but to no avail. Finally the suggestion of baking cookies makes her smile. We make hazelnut espresso cookies, our fav. (One day I will share my secret recipe)
Chloe cheerfully puts on an pinny, some Mozart music and seems happy as a lark. While we are baking, she tells me she love to bake and want to learn more. Which thrills me to no end and I am happy to see the smile on her face. After the cookies are cooling she suggests we both clean the sinks (she can not be my daughter ;-). She informs me she will clean the bathroom sink and I can clean the kitchen sink. With baking soda in hand and our fragrance of choice. Lavender oil for Chloe and lemon oil for me, we set off scrubbing. Chloe takes her time. I can hear her humming, I am humming, all is happy."
It does sound like a bit of a fairytale and I am such a romantic. But it is all true, I promise!
I was thinking of why Chloe asked for us to clean the sinks (I know why she asked to bake cookies). I remember when she and her sister were very little, they would follow me everywhere. They were my shadows and still can be. They wanted to do everything I was doing. I did not push them. I let them choose what and when they wanted to do something. I tried to be leisurely and light about it all. I did not worry if something was done wrong. I could come along and rewipe down a counter. I could live with wrinkled laundry. I could be patient enough to do something in a half an hour, when on my own it would only take 15 minutes. The reason why was I was making a garden. A garden in my girls that I would one day harvest for me and them.
I can not encourage you enough to gladly bring your little ones along side you. This is where the heart of a home begins. Really it is a win/win situation. They are busily, happily, "playing" house next to you. They know you love them and are willing to set aside your time to be with them. They will associate all these happy memories down the road with the work of life. They will be use to working with you and slowly, be able to do more and more.
But more then that, they will be use to being with you. Trusting you, look to you in their time of need. This is why I think Chloe wanted to clean sinks that day. She felt a security working along side with me. A place of safety.
Now I want this to be a truthful fairytale and when my girls were young I was an awful homemaker (and I still struggle, you all know how I HATE cleaning). I did not know what I was doing, I was so in over my head. If the house was still standing at the end of the day, I considered it a miracle. The idea of having my girls along side me, adding to my workload, did NOT appeal to me at all. But after looking to women who were where I wanted to be (something my mother taught me, thank you mom xox) I could see I was focusing on the wrong thing. I was focusing only on the moment, so I started in small steps. Little, by little!
I learned right alongside my daughters. I did not let fears of "how can I teach my daughters, when I do not know myself" hold me back. I just started small and slow and in time I realized one day that the kitchen, bathroom and living room were pretty clean. From that point on I knew I had grown a bit and did not worry anymore.
I want to say if your children are older, do not feel it is too late. It is never too late if something is done in love. I believe if I have faith in the Lord, love my children with His unconditional love and allow God to work in my heart, my children's hearts will be soften and changed. When my girls are misbehaving, I tend to look at me and what am I doing because I have found usually it starts with me. Am I the one in a bad mood, am having unrealistic expectation and no patients? I find it is amazing what love, time and dieing to ones expectations can do.
Being a mother for me, has been about stretching me, dieing to my self-centerness (although I will always have a little diva in me ;-) and becoming a better person. I never want to go back to who I was before. I think all this has made my girls better to. So I encourage you to play, bring your children along side you, look at the big picture and not get mired in the day to day stuff. Yes, today you may not get your bed made and dinner might be scary but I promise down the road you will have a garden that will bless you soo much more (and you will have a yummy meal and your bed made) xox
We celebrated Easter a couple of days early and went to Seabeck. It was a lovely morning that started off dizzily, but the sun finally broke out. We spent time walking the beach looking at shells. The tide was out and there were dozens and dozens of large star fish. It was dead quite, like our own world. We sat on the porch and dreamed that we lived there. My hubby even found me a gold ring in the sand. A wonderful day of wishes and dreams.
Sold: Rosabella, is a 20" chain with five ruby red glass beads. I made a 3" rosette pin with a vintage button. It can be pined to the chain or worn on it's own. Rosabella is $14.00 with $2.00 shipping, see note *
Sold: Sandra is a 18 1/2" long necklace. It has a silver branch with two different chains. I made a rosette from antique tatted lace and added a snail shell. Since the shell is fragile I am also going to include an antique mother of pearl button, in-case the shell breaks. Sandra is $14.00 and $3.00 shipping. I am charging a bit more for shipping because I will have to package this more carefully because of the shell, see note *
Sold : Junie is a 16 1/2" long necklace. Two chains, one with fabric rosettes. I added antique glass beads to center of each rosette. Junie is $10.00 with $2.00 shipping, see note *
Sophia is a 19" length chain, with a 2 3/4" cameo pendent. The pendent is wool felt with a reddish purple polka dot fabric and a black and white cameo. Sophia is $12.00 with $2.00 shipping, see note *
Bella is a 10" long cuff made from denim. A fabric rosette with robin-egg blue rick rack and a vintage cherry red button. I made the cuff long, so you could move the button to fit your wrist. Bella is $7.00 with $2.00 shipping, see note *
Mora is a 21" necklace. There is a branch with birds and a nest, two pink vintage glass beads, a rosette with an antique mother of pearl button. The necklace clap is on the side, under the rosette. Mora is $14.00 with $2.00 shipping, see note *
*Note: I will ship out if the US, I will just have to fiqure out shipping. If you see a piece you want, e-mail me at
tell me the name of the piece you want and your address. You can pay pay-pal or check. Just let me know what you would like. Thank you xoxox
Well you guys were so kind about my cheap chain trick, you got my creative brain going (and that can be a scary thing ;-) I have been dreaming, sketching and playing with making jewelry for a couple of weeks. I have 6 pieces for sale. Come back tomorrow, 12.00 noon (Pacific time), Tuesday 14th. if you see anything you like. There will be more detailed pictures and information. It will be a first come, first serve basis. I am not sure if I will do more. I still have plenty of ideas floating around in my head, but we will see how these do. I will say just about each piece is a combination of jewelry findings, fabric and something vintage. That was my goal. Thank you dear readers for inspiring and encouraging me xoxoxo
PS. a reminder, you can get my posts e-mailed to you. Just click on the chair on the left side of my blog.
Have a blessed Easter xoxoxo
Come back on Monday and I will share what I have been up to.
Card from Graphics Fairy
I will be back but I am lost in the fridge ;-p
No, I have a surprise I am working on, I will be back soon to share more. Have a good laugh till then xoxoxoxox
PS. It is better if you watch it on high quality, the HQ button. Also do not forget you can not get my posts e-mailed to you. Just click on the chair, down on the left side of my blog.
I set up my blogfeeder so you can be updated through your e-mail. Just go to this image down on the left side of my blog, click on the image and then you can sign up to get my posts e-mailed to you. I hope this works for all of you xoxox
Thank you for all the well wishes, I had a lovely time. I have to say I am quite blessed because I have the kindest MIL. She is always encouraging to me, calls me her friend as well as a daughter. She also adores her granddaughters and is always encouraging in all their endeavors. I never hear one word of criticism from her (which as a homeschooler, it is so nice to do not have to deal with them being unsuportive). Auberne` was showing her all she had been doing and I thought I would share with all of you.
Auberne` finds hand sewing softie very interesting. She is always looking for real things she can turn into a softies. One of her favorite books is Pride and Prejudice. She copied the front and side of the book on fabric and made a softie. You can even open the flap and read the first page. She discover writing on fabric is not as easy as she thought. But I told her to remember all she has learned, it will make her a better "craft-er" in the future.
For Valentine's day she made her father a Hobbit pipe from clay. She also constructed a holder from bark and a branch.
For me for Valentines day she made this pin cushion, that you tie onto the machine.
Another softie she made for her bed is a crown, she collects crowns.
For her sis she made a Jawa with chocolate chip cookie. You should have seen the sand-crawler box she made to wrap the gift. She even had Star Wars music playing in the background.
Also banner for her Star War pins. Keep up the creative work sweetie, I love to see your out of the box creativity xoxoxox
Well, my baby, my first born, is 18 today. I have tried all year to gear up for this and not freak out, did not happen. It is like the end of an ere or something. It is silly really because it is not like Auberne` is any different today then yesterday, nor is our relationship. She is still the most kind, generous, creative, loving sweetie she was before. I suppose my freaking out is more about me then my sweet girl (for she will always be my sweet girl)
I try to be positive and only talk about happy things on my blog. You do not want to read my grips, but I really want to take a minute and recognize what a miracle it is we are celebrating Auberne`s birthday. Auberne` was born with a heart defect. She had open-heart surgery at five months. I will spare you the details of her seizures, how I had to breast-feed her every 45 minutes around the clock, how it is hand your baby over to a surgery nurse, to have a doctor look you in the eye and tell you your daughter's heart can just up and give out.
I have been thinking of this and all the challenges that Auberne` will be facing the rest of her life (she will need more surgeries and so forth). There is one memory that for some reason really stands out. It was a month before Auberne`s surgery. I do not know why, but in my weird little brain, I could not handle the idea of my baby dying and never tasting chocolate. Being the true foodie I am, it seemed like the biggest tragedy and I could not handle her going to heaven and missing out. I felt like I was some bad mother if I let this happen. Now, I did not think about how a four month old could have a reaction to chocolate and that could kill her ;-o
No, I was on a mission, to be a good and loving mother. Of course my daughter would have to have the best chocolate I could get. In Los Gatos, was Cocolat. You can not get much better then Alice Medrich.
So stroller in hand, I took Auberne' for her chocolate experience. I decide on a three chocolate mouse cake (one dark layer, one milk layer, one white layer). It was soft and she could taste all three chocolates. I will ALWAY remember picking out the right dessert, her sitting in her stroller, me spooning her little amounts of mousse. Which by the way, she loved. I was smart enough to just give her a small amount. Enough for her to have had a taste and then safely go to heaven.
I did noticed how the two women who worked there we giving me very disproving looks. So I decided to just be honest and I told them the whole thing. Of course they were kind, gave me hugs and would pray for Auberne`.
There have been numerous times in my daughters life, when I did not know if she would see 18. If I would be able to cook her a yummy meal, give her hug and tell her how much I love her. I am happy to say, I am able to do that today. Today is monumental day, full of thankfulness, hope, dreams and love.
So happy 18th Auberne`. This is just the beginning of amazing, wonderful things for you. Love mom
My favorite post for each month
Happy New Year everyone. I look forward to what this year brings xoxox
January: Akkk, A Wall Quilt
February: Coral Love
March: This Book Will Save Your Life
April: A Hobbit Birthday Party
May: A Baking Pantry
June: Candy Colors
July: Roseyest
August: Tasha Tudor Day
September: My Baking Issue
October: The Apple Does Not Fall Far From The Tree
November: Leaf day
December: Where Else Can I Put A Pom-pom ?
These pictures were taken 24 hours ago, we have even more snow now. Plus this is our Chrismas eve, just perfect xoxoxox
Okay, what more could happen. No, my lap top is still not working and now I dropped my camera. I can not blog without my camera. I so much to share and no camera. Plus today is our Thanksgiving and no camera. The only good thing about all this, is I am getting a new and better camera. But who knows when it will come in the mail. So as I have been saying, be patient with me. I will be back soon. I am off to eat lots of stuffing and butter tarts (I hate turkey, I am soooo wierd) xoxoxox
Happy Thanksgiving wishes, full of love and yummy things. For anyone who does not celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope today is a day for you to remember what you are thankful for.
Speaking of thankful Tracey McBride has tagged me for 7 things I am grateful for.
1. My Lord, who is my best friend and has given me grace when I so desperately needed it.
2. My husband, who quietly stands in the background and lets me do my thing. As long as I keep him well feed, he is happy ;-)
3. My girls, Auberne' and Chloe, The kindest, most giving and creative girls I know. They bless me everyday.
4. My storybook home. I never in a million years thought I would be able to live in such a rocking home. I never take it for granted.
5. My dishwasher, I did not have a dishwasher for 6 years (my choice). Well I do not know what I was thinking. I am thankful every time I throw in dirty dishes, push a button and walk away.
6, Chocolate, dark, my other dear friend. Which I am really leaning on since my computer died again yesterday. So if you do not hear from me, you know why !!!!
7. My blog, not only have made so many wonderful, dear friends (some who I have meet and talk on the phone with all the time !!) but have found such a amazing outlet for my creativity. Thank you readers, because being able to share with all of you, just makes me want to create all that much more xoxox
I also want to thank Nissa Gadbois for my Simple Gifts award. It was very sweet of you Nissa and that is quite group of ladies to be honored with. Thank you
ps. Well hubby is still sick so the whole Thanksgiving thing is shelved till next week (I have a freezer full of yummy food waiting) I am instead decorating for Christmas, which is my favorite thing to do. I have sooo much to share. Have a very thankful, Thanksgiving. Eat something yummy for me and I will be back as soon as I can to share lots xoxox
The weather as of late is cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon. We are trying to get out and enjoy the sun, while we still have it. We went on a beautiful nature walk in Poulsbo, at fish creek.
PS. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. I am just overwhelmed to the response of Tasha Tudor day. It was wonderful to read about how Tasha, her art, her lifestyle has inspired so many of you. I am glad I am not the only one. I really hope this becomes a yearly tradition for all of us. So thank you to all who helped remember Tasha xoxoxox
I wanted to let you know for a little bit I will be posting less. It is not that I do not know what to post, quit the contrary. I have lots of fun ideas floating around in my head and that is the problem. All I think about is the blog, post to write, all you sweet readers. As I am sure you can already see, I am an all or nothing, black or white, love it or hate it girl. I really put my heart into this blog. Which hopefully make for interesting read (I will keep my fingers crossed ). But sometimes one just need to back off a bit. I need to focus on things like cleaning my house, hanging out with my lovely girls, reading a book, etc. Although all this family time will probably provide lots of fodder for the blog and I will be obsessing about all the posts I want to write. But I digress ;-) I try to be really consistent in my posting because I think it make it more enjoyable for you readers. So that is why I wanted to let you know I will be posting once or twice a week (if I do not go crazy not posting, that is) for at lest a month or so. I will still be around but just not as much.
Also I have been meaning to mention, I will not be in the Artful Blogger magazine. But instead I will be featured in Somerset Life magazine. At this point (unless something changes) I will be in the fall issue. I am quite excited. I think Somerset Life is a good fit for my blog. Thank you for letting me share xoxoxo
A Happy 4th wishes, full of watermelon, sparklers, pride and ice cream kisses. For those of you who do not live in the USA, well I just wish the same thing for you xoxox
PS. My flag is inspired by brilliant Amy's flag. By the way if you have not checked out Inspiredideas, you must run over there right NOW. So much eye candy, inspiring ideas and plenty to keep that creative mind going. Thank you Amy, you are cream de la cream !!!!
I am off fishing. Actually not, my father is coming to visit and anyone who knows my father knows he has never fished a day in his life. My father is a true city boy who has never camped, does not know what to do with a hammer and who's idea of roughing it, is no room service ;-) I will be gone all week feeding him. I have German chocolate cake all ready and goulash on the stove. I will see you in a week or so. Remember to stop and smell the roses. And if you have something yummy think of me xoxoxo
Wow, this is my 500th post. Who knew I could say so much ;-) Actually I remembered when I first started my blog (and wondered if anyone one would even want to read what I posted) I worried that I would run out of things to post about. I always worried my blog would be lame. But by now I do not worry, well maybe I worry a little. I still have some things up my sleeve I have not shared, I am hold them back for those days when I have nothing to share. As I have said before, this blog has been life changing for me. I have meet so many kinder spirits, been encouraged in my quest to make a home, will be in a magazine and soo much more. It is all thanks to you dear readers. You are all so kind to me. You encourage me and support me. I get the sweetest notes from you, that quite honestly bring tears to my eyes. As a thank you I am having a give away. I made an altered note-book for the giveaway. Sighh, every now and then, no matter how many pictures I take, I can not get a good one. This notebook is sooo much more charming then the picture shows. The image on the front is from a vintage book (that was a gift from one of you dear readers). You will also receive a chocolate bar, of course. I will wait a week, so everyone has a chance and then I will post a winner. So just say hello and I will enter your name. Thank you again dear readers. As I always say, I so wish I could have you all over for tea and lavender chocolate mousse. What a party we would have xoxoxox
Give-away has ended.
Happy Mother's day everyone. I made this card for you to save and print up as an encouragement. I am so blessed to have become a mother because my girls have helped me to become not such a selfish person. Before my girls, I was very self centered (actually I am still working on this but getting better). But there is nothing like motherhood to put you in your place and make you take your eyes off yourself. And as good, as all of this is for me, I still need to make sure I do not totally put myself on the back burner. In order to give in a full way, I need to make sure I have not run myself down. The fuller I am, the more love, patients and attention I can give my girls.
Mostly I made this card as a reminder, that what we do says much more to our children, then what we say. So be good to yourself, so you can be good to your children xoxoxo
I am reposting my Mother's Day Plea post from last year. This is a subject I feel passionate about and will probably repost it every year. I will be having my Mother's day next Thursday becuase this week is turning out to be a bad week. It is better to wait and enjoy it. I hope you have a plan xoxox
I try not to give sermons on this blog (even though I do it all the time in real life) but I want to write a Mother's day plea. I am hoping this does not apply to any of you ladies but I know too many who do not get the pampering they need on Mother's day. It is usually because they do not ask for it; they do not plan for it. You know if you have a dream, it does not happen without some work. Since most hubbies cannot read our minds (well I know mine can't) we have to ask for what we want. We have to know what we want; we have to make it a priority!
I will probably not be having my Mother’s day this weekend. It will be pushed off until next weekend (I take a whole weekend by the way, not just Sunday !!) We do not have the money. Not that I need a lot but we do not have any money till pay-day. I could just suck it up and say "oh ... it is no problem" but that really would not be true. I would rather wait and do it right. If I have to wait a month I will.
I do it not just to be pampered (although I really like that part) but I do for my girls. When they grow up and (hopefully) are mothers, I do NOT want them to suck it up. I want them to feel honored, I want them to feel loved, I want them to get a break. How I live says much more to my girls, then what I say.
So I have a dream, I have a plan. Before Mother's day I will make sure the fridge has something yummy in it for me, I will have a stack of mags for me to read in bed, I will have let hubby know what I would like (Which will probably be a picnic somewhere and go look at a few antique stores).
So why am I telling you all this? If you always put yourself on the back burner on Mother's day, please not do it this year. For your sake, for you hubbies sake, for your children's sake. Have a dream, make a plan, and ask for what you need. If you need to wait a couple of weeks, please do. Do not let things get in the way of your Mother's day, work around them!!
I though I would share a few more pictures of my favorite tree. You have asked what kind of tree it is but sadly I do not have a clue. It does not bare any fruit, just these lovely pinks frills. It is almost the first thing to bloom in my yard.
This above is the view from my bedroom window.
After this trees bloom, I have another tree that blooms. It is just starting and the flowers are a deeper pink. But it is just as big and beautiful as my favorite tree.
I have been busy putting my baking pantry together. I was so blessed to walking into a wonderful deal. I will share soon xoxoxo
Chloe's says this was the best birthday party she ever had. Here she is with her new sword hand-made by Angie's husband. I was not thinking, most of the pictures I took had all the children in it. I do not want to share pictures of my friends children. So I do not have as many to share, but really it was a simple party. They played a game of pin the limb on the Ent. I think they should had done hot rocks, but I was outvoted by the birthday girl ;-) In true hobbit fashion there was a great feast, with plenty of root"beer". They even had hobbit music playing in the background as the danced under the trees. Next post I will share the wonderful gifts Aubern'e made for each kid. Aubern'e also did all the baking. She made this amazing ring cake, even with the elvish writing.
I have to say, I really did not do much for this party. The girls came up with all the ideas and made everything themselves. My favorite thing they made was the furry patches that go on their feet. Now they are true hobbits. You girls are so clever, I do not know were you get it xoxoxoxo
Menu
Lembas (cinnamon biscuits) with honey butter
Baked soy/ginger chicken drumsticks
Dragon eyes (stuffed eggs with olives for eye slits)
Raw baby carrots with homemade maple ranch dressing
Chocolate mushrooms
Chocolate cake with buttercream
Root"beer"
Hello, I have had several e-mail from people saying they wanted to comment on my 2 year blogversary but since they were not a lurker they did not. I am so sorry if I did not explain myself well. Please feel free anyone to say hi, including lurkers ;-) Actually I love hearing from everyone. Your comments have made me all teary-eyed and red-nosed. I am sorry about the miscommunication.
Okay enough of that, tomorrow I will have something much more interesting for you readers. Clarice-who is in a coma after the hobbit birthday party today !!!!
PS. you comments are really helping me with the Artful Blogging article xoxoxoxox
It is my two year blogversary. Wow, when did that happen. It still is amazing to me, since I am not a writer, that I have a blog. It is also amazing to me that anyone would want to come to my blog. But I am soo thankful that you do. I can not tell you what this blog has done for me. I am more creative then I have ever been. I have more kindred spirits around the world then I have had. I have gotten to meet some people who I so admire and would have never would have meet before. As I have said before, even Susan Branch came to my blog and now I can die an go to heaven !!!! Storybook Woods have been nothing but a gift to me and I hope it is for you. My goal with the blog from the beginning was to create a place that would inspire you to make the most of the everyday moments of your life. To feel supported as a home-maker and to fill you up, so that you would have something to give to others.
Well my exciting news is I will be featured in Artful Blogging Magazine. I was to be in the Fall issue, but now it looks like it will be the Winter issue. I am still somewhat in disbelief and pinching myself. But what a way to be entering my third year of blogging. I am working on my article (which is freaking me out, remember I am not a writer and do not tell me I am :-) my editor (Hi Staci, isn't it fun I get to say "my" editor) would like me to write about how you, dear readers have responded to my ideas and posts. So I thought I would ask you. How has Storybook Woods inspired you ? Did you try something you never would have otherwise ? Does my blog encourge you as a homemaker? What would you like to see me talk about in my article? I would love to hear your feedback.
Lastly I have a little request, since it is my 2 year anniversary. I would love to hear from all you lurkers. Just a hi will do. I see all these numbers in my stats and wonder who you are. If you do not want to leave a comment on my blog, you can e-mail me. My e-mail link is off the the left. Just write Storybook Woods in the subject line. It is nice to know who comes by. I strive to make Storybook Woods a place that will meet your needs and knowing who comes to the blog and what you like and do not like really helps me xoxoxox
PS. (Gosh I am gone for 4 days and now I have so much to say) My other project is I am turning the little room off my kitchen into a pantry. I am busy scrubbing, painting, ripping up floors. So if my posting over the next two weeks is a bit scattered that is why. Did I mention I HATE painting.
Well I have very exciting new to share, very soon. (and no I am not pregnant and it is not my petite-magazine). I am taking a blog break to work on it and I will be back on the 14th to share. Till then remember to be good to yourself, so you can be good to all of those who love you xoxoxoxx
Happy 12th birthday my sweet-pea. Here is Chloe, with her dragons, waiting for her breakfast-in-bed. She had a yummy omelet with smoked salmon and cream cheese made by her sister. She loved all her gifts which had a theme of rock and roll guitar and Victorian doll-house. Her Hobbit birthday party is next week. Chloe, we all love and adore you. You are the sweetest, giving, kindest girl we know. I am so proud you xoxoxxo
We celebrated Easter Thursday (my hubby works weekends) and it was a bit interesting. I know my friends imagine Easter at my house is like Martha's. Beautiful tablescape, interesting, yummy meal, picture perfect event. Well this year, not !!!!!!! I have been battling some health issue (nothing serious) but I am stressed and tired. I was just not up to an elaborate day. We had a simple breakfast and the Easter bunny came. I have to say the Easter bunny gets teenage girls the most interesting things, like skull patches, buttons and fabric, Lord of the Rings and medieval jewelry, Star wars figures, princess crowns. glittery roving and of course yummy chocolates. I think the Easter bunny had fun shopping for the teen girls :-) Then David took us to dinner at a wonderful restaurant that is in an old Victorian on the water. The restaurant is covered in hats. We had so much fun trying on different hats, as you can see. It was not the Easter I usually do, not the Easter in my Martha dream but still lovely. I have to say the grilled salmon on pumpkin raviolis with garlic kale and roasted tomatoes was pretty worth it xoxoxoxo
I know it is still winter, but Easter is only a month away. So I thought I should post a new spring banner. I am slowly bringing out spring items. I set out our Easter decorations. I have been sewing new cushions for the couch, I will share them soon. I have chosen pink, red and robin's egg blue for my colors. I am trying to enjoy the process and not rush it. Also a thank you to Sandra Evertson, for her wonderful Weddings book. I used some of her images in my new banner, which I LOVE.
Well, congratulations to La-Te-Dah you are winner of The Book Of Colors. I will e-mail you xoxox
This weeks book is Easter, A Spring Celebration by Tessa Evelegh. I picked this book because like I said Easter is coming soon and thought you readers might enjoy the inspiration. This book is full of beautiful photos, fun crafts and yummy recipes. Good luck !!!
I hope you dear readers are enjoying the last days of Febuary and are not to down with the lingering winter weather. I know we are all dreaming of sun, flower, walking barefoot in the grass. I think we should all go make some homemade lemonaid xoxoxox
Warning: this is a braggy mom post !!
When I was working on Miss. Poppy, Chloe was busy needle felting Opille"us" (O-pill-e-us). He is a dragon from the series of books Chloe is writing called 'The New World'. I think Opille"us" is pretty amazing. Especially since he is needle-felted. Needle-felting makes me bonkers (not to mention all the sore fingers I have). I am amazed what Chloe can do with a bit of roving and felting needle.
Also soon we are going to have a wedding here. Gleim (Chloe's dragon) is marring his fair Saphira (Elizabeth, Chloe's best friend) dragon. It is quite a wedding planed. They have been busy making a wedding veil and suit for the groom. Refreshments, topper for the chocolate cake and decorations. I hear they will be honeymooning in a quite corner of our forest. We are hoping for sunny day so they can have an outdoor wedding !!!!
What a whirlwind week I have had. First there was my mothers birthday. I have been helping her redecorate her craft room (I will show pictures soon). Then my husbands birthday. He always want the same thing, a relaxing day not doing much and a yummy dinner. He grilled elk steaks. I made creamed spinach (add fresh grated nutmeg to it !!!) , baked potatoes with saute mushroom and the most yummy stout ice-cream float. I made espresso chocolate sauce and covered vanilla ice cream with it and then poured stout over the whole thing. It was veryyyyyyyyy good. We spend the eveing peeing our pants with laughter watching Tim Hawkins youtubes. Our favorite is Cleates Take The Reel !!!!
The next day was Valentines days. David took us to breakfast in Port Townsend. I had an amazing omelet with prime-rib, roasted garlic, roasted peppers, mushrooms and fontana cheese. I got some fun goodies new salad spoons, amazing vintage red velvet trim (at Edge-to-Edge, I adore that shop), lots of chocolate and this oh-so charming Black Apple print. I love Emily's work and have been wanting a print for quite some time. When I saw this one, I knew this was the one I wanted. Now I am looking for the perfect frame. Thank you Emily. Chloe gave me a homemade card and Aubern'e made me a pillow. It is not quite done, when it is, I will share it.
Speaking of chocolate I had quite the chocolate experience. I treated myself to a Vosegs chocolate bacon bar. Wow, I tell you this is sooo interesting. It is bacony, it is salty and chocolatey all at the same time. It sounds bizarre but baby it works. If you ever get a chance to try it please do. Very unique. Thank you for sharing what you favorite chocolate is, it was so fun to read xoxoxo
Happy Valentine my dear readers. I have a lot of loves in my life, but you readers one of them. Anyone of you who has a blog understands what I mean. But if you do not have a blog, I do not think you understand just how much your support, your comments, you cheering on means. I feel so blessed to be able to have a blog, to be able to share what is in my heart and for you to take the time from your busy day, to stop by neck of the woods. Thank you !!!!!!
Oh I had such big plans. The prettiest Valentine's I was going to make. I have all the supplies, it all laid out in my head. I was going to surprise so many of you with such yummy mail. But sadly this month has been against me. Between travel, three birthdays, Valentines for my girls and not feeling well. Well, nothing happened. I feel soooooo bad. I really did have the best intentions. So in-lieu of Valentine's I am going to have a book giveaway. For the next four weeks (or maybe more weeks), once a week I will have a book giveaway. This week's book is Linens and Lace by Trica Foley. A week from now I will announce a winner and a new book. Remember to tell me what your favorite chocolate is too, or if you hate chocolate, we will come up with something else. There is nothing on a cold winter day like a yummy book and a piece for chocolate.
PS. Thank you to those who sent me the most wonderful Valentines. I have them up around my house and think of you when I see them. You were much to kind to me xoxoxoxo
Hello, I have a request from my dear friend Angie. Her sister (who is also a dear friend of mine. She is one of the first friends I made when I moved to WA 17 years ago) has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Angie is looking for ways to support her sister through this time. She is looking for cool ideas for head coverings. She thought some of you reader might have gone through this and have some fun, interesting head covering ideas. Also if you think of it please say a prayer for Cynthia. Thank you xoxoxoxo
I am heading off to OR to visit my in-laws, I will be back next week. With all my posts about saving grocery money, I thought I would leave you with my version of oatmeal.
It may seem silly to add all these ingredients to the oatmeal, when you could just add it when you eat it. But it seems to me it would be better to infuse the oats with flavors, instead of covering them. I find also by adding some sugar, my girls use less syrup.
Clarice's Oatmeal
2 cups rolled oats, not instant, I use thick
1 ½ cup milk
2 ½ cups water
1/8 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ground fresh nutmeg
1/2 tsp. grounded ginger
1 tsp. vanilla extract or half of vanilla bean
Put all ingredients in large stock pot and bring to boil, add oats and turn down to med-low. Slowly simmer till oats are soft. Probably 15-20 minutes. If oats get too dry add bit more water.
While oats are cooking toast chopped pecans in oven, at 350 for 5-8 minutes.
Serve oatmeal with toasted pecans, chopped dried figs and dried pears, a dash of fresh maple syrup and oh what the heck, some heavy cream !!!!
Congratulations Karla you are the winner of a skirt and Jody you are the winner of a pair of pants. I will have Christy e-mail you to get your info. Thank you to all who participated in the give a-way, both Christy and I are so thankful. Ladies I know you will be thrilled with your Remember Your Childhood skirt/pants !!!
I wanted to share the wonderful gifts my girls made me for Christmas. Aubern'e made me this gorgeous gold crown. I know it was a lot of work but the love the cut edging and the Elizabeth Gordan illustration. Chloe made me this beautiful silhouette ornament. She cut out the silhouette and glued it to the plaque. Thank you girls, you know your mama so well. I am always impressed with your creativity and out-of-the-box thinking xoxoxoxo
Well today my sweet-cakes turns 17 (akkk when did that happen. I am totally freaking out that in one year she will be 18, but I digress) I know I say this all the time but I am sooo proud of the woman Aubern'e is becoming. A woman of grace, beauty and integrity. Also can I be a braggy mom, her writing is getting better and better. Here is some wonderful poetry she wrote.
She has asked for her birthday breakfast-in-bed, croissant sandwich with eggs and rosemary ham, juice and greek yogurt with berries. For dinner, lasagna made with pancetta bolognese sauce, fresh pasta and fresh mozzarella, salad and asiago cheese bread. She is a girl after my heart, for dessert we went to the island and got ice cream at Mora. They have the most AMAZING ice cream. She got marscapone and pistachio. We love you sweetie and Happy Birthday. Remember you are the queen today xoxoxoxox
PS. A funny story about this picture. Aubern'e is about 2 1/2 and she was terrified of men till she was 6 or so. I think it was all the doctors and surgery (she has heart problems and had open-heart surgery when she was 5 months old) Well anytime she was around men she would hide and cry. For Michael to try to get a picture of Aubern'e was a challenge to say the lest. He had to take them from the other side of the yard. Here is Aubern'e stalking around our yard, trying to get as far from Micheal as possible. See the end of her nose is red from crying. Ahhhhhh what a day. Poor Michele, I hope I made you a really yummy meal to make up for it.
Happy New Year !!!!!!
I hope this is year full of blessings and exciting new things. I am very excited to see what the new year brings. Kelli did a wonderful post of the past year of her blog and I thought I would steal her idea (Thank you Kelli xoxo). You post the first line, of the first post of each month last year. I will be back in few more days. We are day late on everything this year, so we will be celebrating the New Year tomorrow. I am making some yummy things and will share. Make sure you kiss everyone, on this first day of 2008 xoxoxoxo
January :
Thank you ladies for all the understanding words and encouragement.
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February :
Thank you ladies for all the constructive feedback it is very helpful.
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March :
It is the first mild day of March:
Each minute sweeter than before
The redbreast sings from the tall larch
That stands beside our door.
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April :
We are starting to have glimpses of spring, in between the raindrops.
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May :
We were so inspired by all the May baskets we saw on-line today, Chloe and I decide to make our own.
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June :
Hello ladies, you are all so kind and left such encouraging words.
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July:
At the risk of sounding like a lush, I am posting another cocktail recipe (at the request of a friend) :-)
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August:
We have moved on from strawberry heaven (I have 70 pounds in my freezer) to raspberry heaven.
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September :
Well I had the pleasure of meeting La-Tea-Dah of Gracious Hospitality.
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October:
"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person;
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November :
This is going to be a very lean Christmas for us and I am trying to think of creative gift ideas for the girls.
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December :
I have been busy playing and decorating my house.
Hello ladies, well we made it through last night, thank you Lord. I have heard we had up to 12 inches in 24 hours. Our basement does have a mess to clean up but compared to a lot of people we are just fine. This morning the sun is shining and the winds have calmed down. I am not sure if we will go anywhere today. All around us are flooded roads. Thank you for the kind words and prayers.I will try to post something much more interesting to you soon. xoxoxox
Yes, it is me again. Just a quick post. My town/county has called a state of emergency due to flooding from rain. So if for some reason I am not around that is why. So far we are fine. My basement is flooding a little. I will have a mess to clean and have to throw out some stuff but I do not think it will be bad. It is odd we have had much heavier rains before and it is lightly raining all the time but never had to call a state of emergency before. Well not that I can remember. I just wanted to let you know, if I am not here. I am so glad you like my storybook cottage and think my blog has the perfect name. I will always remember the first time I drove up my curvy little drive and saw the house. My jaw dropped and it was love. xoxoxox
Yesterday was the most perfect day.You know when someone ask you to describe your prefect day, well that was yesterday for me. First off we had snow, not much but some. Snow around here only happens a couple of times a year so it is always a treat and magical. Second even though it is the second of December, for us it is the first. We will have to celebrate Christmas the day after because my husband works on Christmas, so everything is move a day ahead for us. The girls and I spend the day making fimo gingerbread ornaments (which I will share soon, they turned out so great). We had tea at our girly tea table and ate my favorite espresso hazelnut nut cookies (which I will share one day). And to add frosting on the cake I won Donna O'Brien at Ribbon Crown, crown. I actually screamed and jumped up and down when Aubern'e told me (which my girls are teasing me about). I am sooo in-love with Donna's crowns and am very thrilled to win.
As I was sitting in my pink/sliver chair knitting away, drink tea, listing to my girls chat and paint and watching the snowflakes dance around like fairies wearing one of Donna's crowns I could not think of a more perfect day. The perfect start of December. I always say December is full of magic. Thank you Donna for making my day even more perfect xoxoxox
PS. yes this is my house and across the street from it. Please try not to noticed that the trim on my house is peach (the old color) and dark green (the new color). My poor husband is soo busy who knows when he will be able to finish the trim. And since he will not let me get on a ladder (since I will break my neck) he has to finish it himself.
Glimpses of my house at Thanksgiving : The dessert table
Family and pumpkin Triamsu
(if it is yummy, I will post the recipe)
Vintage paper turkeys
Wine marinated turkey
Chocolate pecan pie made by Aubern'e
I wish each of you a blessed, happy Thanksgiving. I pray you have much to be thankful for, I know I do. I will see you next week. I will be busy this weekend taking everything down, so I can start my pink decorating. xoxoxoxo
We have had a bit of pre-teen attitude around my house of late. Instead of a lecturing (which I really do not like to do anyways, although my girls may disagree ;-) I was praying for a way to deal with this and felt lead to have a blessing week. What we did was each person drew a name and that person was theirs for the week to bless. You were suppose to be aware of that person each day and look for opportunities to bless and encourage them. Each night we would light a candle, stand in a circle and pray for our person. I have to say it was quite wonderful. Although my hubby, well, being a man was not quite as intuitive at sensing a need. But that is okay, he is our man and we love him still. Beds were made, candy bars left on pillows, poems or encouraging words left. Extra hugs and lots of thanks yous and do you need anything.
I plan on having more blessing weeks. Sometimes it is funner and more glamorous to bless the world, instead of those in our home. I have raised my girls with the thought that they were a gift to each other. I do believe in kind acts in the world. but also feel kind acts should start at home. Were sometimes it is the hardest place to be real and kind all at the same time.
Well I am sitting here typing this with one finger, because I whacked my middle finger in the door. It is my right hand (of course), I do everything with my right hand. So I will be back when I can type again or will have some short posts for a couple of days. If you have written me and you do not hear back from me right away, it is because of my hand. I am off to find some chocolate !!!!!
"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keeping what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away."
George Elliot
I just wanted to say thank you. This past week has been a very hard week and all your kind words and encouragement held me up. Whenever I am having a bad day or feeling I am not good enough, I come to my blog and read all your notes. They mean so much to me and help me to solder on. Dear Gill left this wonderful poem (thank you Gill) and I wanted to share it with all of you xoxoxox
