Baby Day 2010

Alert the media...there is a new holiday on the calendar. Baby Day. Our fabulous six year old has designated January 30, 2010 as Baby Day.

Last Sunday, as we lay in bed in the wee hours of the morning we heard the pitter patter of feet heading down the steps. Then...silence....then....feet running back up the steps and into our room. Dear sweet Marsh Potato had run downstairs to check the calendar. He informed us that he wanted to designate a holiday in honor of his baby brother. January 16 was out, it was passed. January 23 was out, that had passed as well. January 30 it was. Baby Day, in honor of Clancey Dylan.

We were also informed that on Baby Day Clancey was to be allowed to do anything he wanted.

And cake shall be served.

Every Mantel Needs a Scarf

After the Christmas tidal wave was safely put away my thoughts turned to "after Christmas" decorating. Frankly this is the first time in 7 years (pre-children) that I've even given "decorating" ANY thoughts. I was lucky to run the vacuum and dust once a millenia. But now that they would rather rock out to Band Hero with their dad in the evening I have a few minutes to give these inconsequential things a little thought. I mean, when you think about things in the world on a broader scope, what I put on my mantel means less than nothing. BUT, I walk past it everyday, my children notice what's on it and my husband gives me a little nod when he likes what he sees....so in OUR little world these little touches make a difference. I guess it's good to keep it all in perspective...and have a little fun too.

On to the mantel scarf. Rag garlands are everywhere. Seems simple enough...long rope, scraps tied in knots around said rope, hang. Easy. Well, that is, after tying knots for what seems like a BAJILLION years. My mantel is now very warm and toasty until spring comes. :-)

Tip #1 : Use THIN strips

Tip #2 : Wear gloves (rope has little poky pieces that stick out and stab your already dry-as-the-Sahara-Iowa-Winter-skin.) FYI

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since becoming a mom (and before that, despite a brief love affair with B-Bops in college) I've tried to put things on the menu that are healthy and full of veggies. Neither of my kids have ever consumed pop, and french fries were just introduced in the last year when my six year old made an independent decision when ordering at a restaurant! We usually shock waitresses when he orders broccoli instead of fries. Love my little veggie eaters! Now don't get me wrong, I'm no food saint...I LOVE CHOCOLATE. It's my downfall. But lately I've even avoided that....sugar does BAD things to me.

BUT, I have kids! Kids deserve cookies fresh from the oven when they get home from school...I love that part of being a stay at home mom. I found this recipe, modified it a bit and hold onto your hats. THEY. ARE. AWESOME.

Whole wheat....zucchini....tiny bit of sugar....are you still with me? Lucky you! Now the best part....soft, chewy cookies with semi sweet chocolate chunks! I'm no expert, but I think these cookies might actually be good for you! At least that's the one I'm going with. My boys gobbled these down and I didn't even feel bad about it! This is a great recipe, and has inspired me to put zucchinis on my "to grow" list for this summer! Even if you don't think you like zucchini give these a try...they're wonderful!!

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 medium zucchini, grated (appx. 1 cup)

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chunks

1) Preheat oven to 350, spray cookie sheet.

2) Cream margarine and sugar til light and fluffy. Add egg, flour, soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Add zucchini and chips. Mix well.

3) Drop by tablespoons onto cookie sheet. Bake 10-15 min.

Makes 48 cookies.

ENJOY!!

Ornate Framed Mirror Turned CHALKBOARD!!!

Did you know I invented framed chalkboards? I did. What? You don't believe me? Okay, you got me...every crafty blog on the internet has featured a framed chalkboard. They're just SO AWESOME. Chalkboards are the greatest invention ever...well, that is, after Cadbury Cream Eggs...and caulk. So now that that's all cleared up, I saw this project last fall over at Mustard Seed Creations. An epiphany hit me.....I have a framed mirror JUST LIKE THAT ONE!!!! I found it at a yard sale three or four years ago and couldn't for the life of me decide where to put it, other than leaning against the wall in the basement. It seemed a little over the top if you know what I mean...but it was a dollar, so I knew someday it would find a home in our home. I wish I had a photo of my husband's face when I drug it across the street and back to the truck (he's my yard sale chauffeur, isn't he awesome) Let's just say he was under impressed.

Frame, mirror removed for painting

But all that aside....back to the day I came upon Miss Mustard Seed's creation, my mirror had new life. I immediately ran down the basement stairs to retrieve it and give it a good look.

First the mirror frame needed a GOOD bath...years in the basement would do that to anyone.

Thankfully these two cans were in the basement too...instant gratification.



I removed the mirror from the frame, flipped the mirror over and sprayed with the chalkboard paint. The benefit of doing this is that if you were ever possessed to return this to its former life as a mirror you've done nothing to harm the reflective surface.





After the mirror had several coats of paint I turned my attention to the frame...several coats of creamy white and it was looking quite stunning! From Liberace gone bad to pretty shabby chic! This little guy decided he wanted to walk ALL OVER my perfect wet paint. Darn. I escorted him to new surroundings. I'll spare you the photo of the bird doo on my perfect wet chalkboard paint. It was that kind of day.

After letting everything dry thoroughly (and cleaning any wildlife deposits from my project) I reassembled the frame and found a new home for this lovely little chalkboard.

Free Pillow Makeovers

My pillows are kicking up their heels and trying on their pretty spring clothes. Valentine's Day in our house doesn't involve a lot of pink or romantic fluffy objects (remember I live with three men) so I try to keep things neutral...not too butch, not too girly. My decorating scheme after Christmas has gone in the direction of spring...but a little icy spring. Lots of icy blues and reds, naturals...definitely appealing to me at least.

My pillows are getting a springtime/Valentine's Day makeover...or at least a slipcover makeover. I love these pillows for fall/winter...the turkey is a favorite (from this post)...but spring is coming and they need a little slipcover pick me up until fall arrives again. The pillows all tried on their new clothes and swapped and traded until everything looked right. Don't you just love fabric remnants? Had these laying around. They're in the sewing room now, almost ready to walk down the runway....check back!

LOVE the velvety red rose fabric...and the icy blue "wood grain"....and the embroidered silk....

oh I love it all, who am I kidding.

And just so you know, this is the face men give you when your pillows are "trying on clothes". Boy, let me tell you, they're impressed. ;-)

Winter...and then some more winter

Dear Winter,

We love you. We love the anticipation of the holiday season. We love the first snowfall, the first snowstorm and "no school" days. We love the treats that your season allows us. Now, we're ready for you to go away....don't be angry, we still love you and will look forward to all your wonderous treasures next season.

Dear Spring,

S.O.S....send help please.

Maybe we can sweep it away with the BBQ baster? Good try stinker binker.

Lookin' Snazzy at the Farmers' Market

In my vein of thinking all gifts should have purpose. Is that wrong? I've never had a complaint...so I guess that means no...or maybe that I have really polite family and friends? Well whichever it is, I enjoyed making this practical (yet snazzy) gift for my dear brother and sister in law. Gardening, practicality and being super cool are their fortes....so what better to give them than a handmade bag to visit their own garden with or one of the trillion fabulous farmers' markets in Wisconsin? (Yeah, they're cheesehead transplants...is that what they're called? Cheeseheads? I don't know...they live in WI, we'll leave it at that)

For the bag I did a very simple square bottom, tall design with straps long enough to go over the shoulder, in a neutral, burlappy (that's a word, I swear), natural fabric. For the image I strolled on over to one of the coolest blogs ever Just Something I Made and snatched one up here. L.O.V.E. H.E.R. Cathe has the most amazing ideas EVER. So basically I did what she did....except I used iron on transfer paper for light colored fabrics. Make sure to REVERSE the image before printing...didn't do that the first time and cursed myself for wasting a sheet for days. I'm over it now...I think...well maybe not...but I'm trying.

Love how this project turned out...I was so happy to give it as a gift and hope they get lots of use out of it.