Long Overdue September 30, 2009
An Update! Thanks to Facebook I hardly ever do these anymore. 
Outside: I’m stilling harvesting tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, jalapenos, herbs, and peppers from the garden. I don’t know how much time I have left, but I’ll enjoy it while I can. On Saturday my Grandma and I took the kids to the Red Barn Farm up in Weston. We took a horse drawn hayride out to the huge pumpkin patch and picked a pumpkin to bring home. I also picked out a pretty white one from the ones they had sitting out. Fun times. I have some Martha Stewart plans for them, so maybe I’ll be sharing a pic soon.
In My Kitchen: Still working my way through the Sticky Gooey cookbook. Last Saturday was my nephew’s and little foster “brother’s” birthday party. So, I made the banana bread pudding. Didn’t get a picture of course, but I’ll just tell you– delicious! I also tried a cookie recipe from the latest “Everyday Food” magazine. I used their caramel recipe (which was awesome and fairly easy) to make the icing that was sandwiched between two chocolate cookies. I’m sticking with that caramel recipe from now on. Not bothering with the lesser one in Sticky Gooey. Amazing– I have a criticism of my favorite cookbook. Sometimes Martha just knows better. OH YEAH. I’m very excited about the new book: Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey Treats for Kids!!!!
I am wearing: I went for a jog/walk with the kids in the double stroller, and now need to get in the shower. So, I’m wearing my jogging shoes, navy pants, and aqua tank top.
Can’t Wait For: Tomorrow nights date night with C– he has free tickets to see Zombieland. I’m a sucker for Zombie movies, and this one looks really funny.
Current Read: Kristin Lavransdatter is the only one I should admit to. But I already talked about zombies so why not Mr. Darcy, Vampyre too. lol.
I am hoping: To start feeling good enough to keep up with my house. Today. I think it’s been like a month since I felt good. bleh.
Around the house: See above.
Simple Pleasures: Cinnamon rolls. Sunny days. Wee kisses.
Plans for the Weekend: Maybe a school carnival and a neighbor’s birthday party.
Family Update: C and I just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. (see pic above) I would put an after pic too, but I wouldn’t like it so close to the before pic. lol.
Lillian: getting lots of teeth and new words suddenly.
Brendan: has improved tremendously on handwriting and coloring (staying in the lines) just in the last month.
House: C is chugging away at the kitchen and bathroom remodel. Slow work. We have had some helpers lately though. I have hope it may someday be done. ::)
Laptop Bag September 28, 2009
I finally have pics of a laptop bag! My friend Lori bought me a cool pattern off of Etsy (for you sewers out there– definitely check out the other patterns on there too– I am tempted to buy a couple more right now!), so I made her a bag from a vintage dress she had. I didn’t get any pics before sending it on. Good thing I see her a lot.
THEN I made this cute bag for the shop out of Amy Butler decor weight fabric. I think it would benefit from a laptop inside, but here are some pics (thanks to Ginny for taking them!)
It’s funny– I just realized I used the exact same fabric as pictured in the Etsy shop’s pictures linked above. Well, I do have good taste I guess. At least that gives you an idea of what my bag would look like with a laptop in it!
Etsy Sale September 22, 2009
They’re having a sale at the Etsy shop where I bought little Alice! Go check out all the super cute stuff!
Etsy Love– Fabrics September 14, 2009
I’ve been selling a few bibs, and consequently have run out of fabric for boy’s! So, I’ve been browsing around on etsy and purchased these fabrics from Cotton Threads Fabrics. Cotton Threads has a really great variety of beautiful designer fabrics! Check it out! Maybe you’ll find something that you would just LOVE to have made up into a bib, or a bag for that matter!
While you’re out there browsing: here’s a couple bonus shops for you. Another group of really cool fabrics from MountainoftheDragon and HollandFabricHouse. As I go through my girly fabrics I’ll be placing an order from one of those… hopefully soon.
100 Things #45 and #10 September 13, 2009
See Brendan’s face when he gets his train set for his birthday. I was really excited about B’s upcoming birthday when I first wrote this list. I planned a big Thomas birthday with everything, including gifts centered around the theme. That was his 3rd birthday, so only a year and a few months ago. The year of the train cake of course.
Memories:
What a cutie!
As a bonus: #10. I don’t remember when I finally did it (it took a while), but I did indeed finish Anna Karenina. One off the list of thousands of books I want to read. Next up: Kristin Lavransdatter:1 The Bridal Wreath. Chad is on the second book in the trilogy, and is dying for me to read it too. 
A Homemade Life September 10, 2009
Just started reading A Homemade Life– I’m about three chapters in. It’s really good so far– really well written and interesting. Haven’t tried any of the recipes so far (each chapter has one), but I wanted to share a quote from the introduction that I really liked. I’m just having a hard time narrowing it down!
“You know, we eat better than most people do in restaurants!” her father would loudly say (much like the Dad in The Castle!).
“It’s not that we knew how to cook especially well, or that we always ate food that was particularly good… What was so satisfying, I think, was something else. It was the steady rhythm of meeting in the kitchen every night, sitting down at the table, and sharing a meal. Dinner didn’t come through a swinging door, balanced on the arm of an anonymous waiter: it was something we made together. We built our family that way– in the kitchen, seven nights a week. We built a life for ourselves, together around that table. And although I couldn’t admit it then, my father was showing me, in his pleasure and in his pride, how to live it: wholly, hungrily, loudly.”
I could quote practically the whole introduction. So much of it hits home for me (“I learned to cook because it was a given… I hardly even thought about it. By a sort of osmosis, I picked up a sense of comfort in the kitchen, and a hunger that lasted long past breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”), and it makes me want the same for my children.
“In the simple acts of cooking and eating, we are creating and continuing the stories that are our lives.”
Now I’m headed over to check out Molly’s blog!
100 Things Updated September 9, 2009
A little more than a year ago I made half of my “100 Things to Do Before I Die” list inspired by Mighty Girl. A lot of exciting things have been happening to her lately because of her list (and she’s actually trying to DO the things on her list!). I dropped the ball on my list right after I wrote it. I didn’t even get past writing number 50. Maybe my list is something I’ll have to make as I realize things that I even want to accomplish.
For now I’ll content myself with doing small updates here and there on the things I have managed to get done despite myself.
#28 Cook a meal with the veggies from my own garden.
Maybe I should be nice to myself and give credit for #11. Have a successful veggie garden as well, but I’m not quite ready yet. I expect more.
Here is B right after h
elping me pick some carrots from our garden. He got enthusiastic about them, and actually tried eating them even though I can rarely get him too. I was a little excited myself. Too bad I could only get him to give me a fake smile. 
I threw in yellow crookneck squash, zucchini, green pepper, basil, and onion (not from the garden) in with the carrots. Eventually came up with:
A vegetable penne alfredo dish. With homemade baguette on the side of course. Delicious.
Etsy Love– Magdalinen September 8, 2009
I’ve been noticing just how many people are totally unfamiliar with Etsy since G and I started our shop. It takes up so much of my time, so I obviously talk a lot about it. Half the people respond: “Etsy?” I can hardly believe it, since I am totally obsessed with it these days!
So, I figure I should do my part to enlighten people with the wonders of Etsy shopping. One of a kind gift (decor for my house/something for my kid)? Yes please!
Today I am starting my new series: Etsy Love!
Starting with the shop Magdalinen. Run by two sisters (like us!) from Latvia. If you are like me you have no clue where that is. Check out their profile and find out! They make lovely necklaces from linen (which I’d never even heard of before!) with beautiful flowers on them. So feminine and unique! I want them all. How about you?
Preschool August 26, 2009
I’ve been slacking on the blog again. Last week B started on his first official week of preschool. Besides being easily distracted, he’s been doing pretty well! We’re doing Sonlight again (this year is more structured that the first– lots of getting ready for kindergarten).
He’s working on his hand writing. For the last two weeks I’ve been constantly saying ” hold your crayon correctly”. I wonder how long until the new habit is formed?
L insists the entire time on coloring until I give in, and then what she really wants is to play with the box of crayons. You guessed it! Dumping them on the floor!
