Thursday, February 23, 2012

Invaded

This is the story of what happens when boys invade girl world.






They shoot things.  End of story.  RIP Hello Kitty.


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Recalibrating

Sometimes my brain is mush.  I can't hold my end of a conversation, put together a recipe, or go out shopping and return with anything I set out to get.  These days are kind of a wash.  Please tell me I'm not the only one?  So on these days, I sew things together.  Cut and sew, cut and sew, recalibrating my head all the while.  Sewing a straight line may be my only accomplishment for the day.  Oh, I did also have a White House donut today, accomplishment number two.  It's the small things, I know:)


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Babies Day Out






I'm loving this stage, can you tell?

Monday, February 6, 2012

Fresh Air




Taryn dressed the twins, packed their baby bag and went for a stroll around the block today.  The preparation took 30 minutes, the walk...about 5.


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Perfect Student



A quilted pillow for her baby brother.  A job very well done.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Rollin 'Em Out


   This one has been talking about being a French chef for years now.  She has her own rolling pin and she knows how to use it.  She remembers every French word I teach her and I overheard the two chickies trying to put together a conversation in French the other day.  That tells me that they are completely ready to delve into foreign language.  I'm really looking forward to it because I am really rusty.  I'm just lucky at this point that they think my French is better than daddy's Spanish, and that is not saying much believe me. 

 
 I finished this bench today and moved it downstairs while it waited on its owner to pick it up.  It's always a great feeling to send something out the door.  I did have to watch it like a hawk though lest someone think it would make a great baby bed or heaven forbid a dog bed, oh my, not good.  It made it through the day, only one close call.  Working is very different these days with a house full of people.  I don't get near the time to work on upholstery projects anymore, homeschooling is my new job, and cooking.  Life ebbs and flows though, I can always pull it out of my back pocket whenever the need arises, trades are good that way.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

A Quiet Sunday


 A little playing,


a little decorating,


some coloring,


and yes, a little working,



and a whole lot of marveling at this strange 'instant' snowstorm.

In other words, a two-donut Sunday.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Enchilada Casserole

    This was lunch today.  Enchilada Casserole from the Jan/Feb Cooking Light.  It was really good.  Both chickies helped with the prep, so it actually only took about 30 minutes total.  This would be a great company dish as it also has great plate presence.  The layers held up really well.  I didn't make this as healthy as the recipe suggests though.  I have found that reduced sodium anything is not well accepted in my family.  I did however top it with plain Greek yogurt and used ground venison instead of beef, both low in fat.  Next time I will add black beans I think and serve it with a salad. Both would make the plate a little more pretty.  



    I've thrown myself into cooking lately to avoid the furniture moving craziness.  So far it has worked.  Tomorrow we will have company for dinner, so I've selected another recipe from Cooking Light, I'll let you know how it comes out.  I've also discovered that Myah has mad chopping and dicing skills.  She executes every cutting task with extreme precision, she's like a little food engineer.  She likes a very organized work station as well, which has been good for me because I'm a very unorganized, messy cook.  She's helped me to slow down and enjoy the process more.  It also helps to have time, nothing to rush off to, then there is time to enjoy the meal and everyone can help pitch in on the clean-up.


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Crazytown? Anyone?



It's inevitable, the first week of January ushers in a string of events that make me crazy.  I have no one to blame.  I bring it all on myself and it's the same EVERY year.  Here's how it goes.  

1.  Take down the Christmas decorations.
2.  Make huge mess as I am a firm believer in 'real pine'.
3.  Go through bins, organize, consolidate and edit.
4.  Ask myself why, why, why is everything I own so extremely fragile.
5.  Berate myself for not liking plastic, you snob!
6.  Deposit bins safely in attic, whew.
7.  Go back into living room, look at mess and cry.
8.  Vacuum

This is where it all goes south.

 9.  Stand back and ponder.
10.  Rearrange entire house.

Step ten can take days, weeks even.  Every year I do it.  I thought I wouldn't this year.  Of course I think that every year.   I wish I could leave well enough alone.   Apparently its my tradition, my own little annual trip to crazytown.  I bet you wish you could come.  I think I'll document it for you this year, in hopes that I won't do it again next year.  Maybe this sad little post will be all that's left of crazy, obsessive furniture mover me.  I do hope so.





Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Best Christmas Present Ever!


This painting was done by my dear friend Pamela Querin.  I unwrapped it Christmas morning and quite literally couldn't breath.  It is painted from a picture I took of my girls when they were much smaller.  She captured their spirits in the most beautiful way.  I will cherish it always.