Everyday Beauty

Only 6 Days Left!

 
According to the boys' Advent calendar, there are only 6 days 'til Christmas. It doesn't seem possible! This past week was crazy and busy, packed full of doctors appointments, visits from friends and baking. 

On Monday, I woke up in so much pain I thought my head would pop off....double ear infections. Pretty bad according to the doctor. I'm feeling much better now thank goodness.

On Tuesday, Hope came to visit and spent the night. This is a little present I had for her.

 
We got SO much done! I taught her some basic jewelry techiniques, and she made this pretty necklace.

 
We sat at the computer and we {mostly she} designed these Christmas cards. I had been dreading doing Christmas cards for some reason this year. I didn't like the ones I had bought and just kept procrastinating. I l-o-v-e these cards.

 
On Wednesday, Sam's cold started to get worse...took him the doctor...found out he had a respiratory virus. Poor little guy. So, I cancelled my antiquing and lunch plans with some local friends on Thursday, but I ended up having them come to my house on Friday, and we had a delicious lunch and handmade gift exchange.

On Thursday, while Sam slept {quite a lot}, I baked.

And then baked some more. I still have to do the colorful ones {cut-outs and some Italian ones I love the most}.

 
And today, we woke up to this:

 
I went out and {slowly & carefully} shovelled a skinny little path for the mail lady to get to my door. She comes in everyday to use the bathroom. I figure it's the least I can do for all the boxes she has picked up for the past 2 and a half years.

George has been out of town for a month now, and returns in just a couple days. Thank goodness because I am NOT into shovelling snow...or dragging the garbage to the street......and I am exhausted! I can't wait 'til Christmas though! 6 days.....are you ready?

Simple Basil Pesto

 

Hello there! I told you I'd give you my Basil Pesto recipe, so here it is. It's so simple yet so delicious tossed with pasta or spread on sandwiches, chicken, wraps, etc. If you don't grow your own basil, I would suggest a trip to a local farmer's market. You need a good bit of basil to make pesto, and will spend a fortune on those little packages at the grocery store.

Basil Pesto

2 c fresh basil leaves (packed)
2-3 garlic cloves
1/3 c pine nuts
1/2 c olive oil
1/2 c Parmesean cheese

In a food processor, blend basil, garlic and pine nuts. Drizzle in the olive oil while you're blending. Add the cheese and mix a little more. You can add salt and pepper if you like.

Spoon the pesto into ice cube trays and freeze. Then you can transfer them into a freezer bag and thaw as needed in a double boiler.

Enjoy!

All is Well

Yes, I'm here. Alive and kicking. Well, not really kicking, but sitting at the moment. In my nice comfy chair. I know it's time to check in when people start emailing asking if everything is ok. Thank you for thinking of me. All is well. I've just been taking it easy and being a mama. My favorite thing to do.

So, let's catch up here.....

My computer got another doozie of a virus which required it to go to the computer hospital for a long time. I gotta tell ya, I am OVER having computer viruses. Who are these people who have nothing better to do but sit around and create viruses? Seriously.

It was strange not having a computer. But kinda nice, I must admit. Needless to say, I haven't read a blog in weeks. No clue what's going on in the Blogosphere. I need to catch up!

Mario started pre-school {2nd year of it, as he's not 5 yet and his birthday falls right after the cutoff for Kindergarten.} This is ok with me, since I'm not ready to let him go all day anyway.  At home, I've been teaching him to read and, so far so good.

Been making jewelry during Sam's naps. I had set a goal this past Spring that I would make a lot of jewelry this year, and it's been slow going. I enjoy jewelry making, and it feels very natural to me. It's exciting to play around with different configurations and see a piece begin to come together. So, little by little, piece by piece, I'm adding to the collection. Hope to have it for sale sometime in October.

George has been making the most delicious meals, and I think I may never cook again. Did I tell you he's an excellent cook? I tell him everyday how lucky I am. He loves to cook and I don't stand in his way. This was a quick simple meal tonight {'cause I needed to go out and find a dress for Hope's wedding} but still so yummy. Caprese Paninis. {fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil pesto on good crusty bread}

I recently made enough pesto to freeze and hopefully get us through the winter. I'll blog the recipe soon. Easy and delicious. Can you smell that basil?

Been organizing the craft room.  An endless task.

Got all of the boys' summer clothes put away and labeled, and I rotated out Mario's old 2T clothes into Sammy's drawers and closet. What do you think, does he have enough plaid button-down shirts?

Planning the boys' October birthday party. A circus theme. Keeping it simple with a few fun details. I found these invitations on etsy and thought they were adorable. Ordered them tonight. {picture is from the seller's etsy shop.}

Hold on, I have to go change the song that's playing on my ipod.

Ok, I'm back. It was "Almost Paradise" {the 80's song}, and I have no clue how it got on my ipod. But it's not good, and all I can think of are mullets. LOL... I think it must have been on a soundtrack that I downloaded. Anyway...

Lots more going on too. I can't tell you just now, but soon enough.....

Enjoy your week, my friends!
xo

A Jar Full of Love

So, I just had to share this with you.

Did you know that Whoppers are now available in this gorgeous shade of pink? I saw them a while back and figured they would probably be a brighter, bubble gum pink color, so I decided not to buy them.

Then, last week at the grocery store, I saw them again and threw a box in my cart. I was curious to find out exactly what shade of pink they were. You see, I don't eat them, I just fill jars with sweets for kitchen decor.

  

How delighted I was to open the carton and find this most perfect shade of pink! It's got a tint of peach and is ever-so-pale. Perfection. Needless, to say, I went back and a bought a few more cartons of them.  

The apothecary jar came from Michael's, and I love the graceful lines of the pedestal.

Can you tell how happy these candies are making me? It's actually a bit ridiculous. Frivolous nonsense at it's best. But sometimes it's the little things in life......

Cupcake Thoughts

 

I just added a couple of new cupcake cuffs to the shop and decided it was time to re-photograph all of the cupcakes with pink icing this time. I thought I would add cupcake toppers too. Here are the ones I scrounged around and found. It got me thinkin'....you could use just about any small object as a topper. Never really thought about that before. Deep thoughts.....LOL

So, anyway, it gave me an excuse to bake cupcakes this morning {not that I needed one}. And then I wrapped a cuff around each one and added a topper. I had way too much free time today, apparently.

 

This birdie cuff is one of the new ones.

I actually got a stomach ache from eating too much frosting. Is that normal?

 

Sunday Kitchen

I was in the kitchen this morning photographing some new products, and I just got a little carried away. I knelt down on the floor next to kitchen table and took a picture of my morning cofffee and journal. And the hyacinths I cut from the garden. A simple centerpiece that perfumes the whole house.

A pile of our napkins.

A stack of teacups on a shelf. Along with an egg I kept for myself. {since I didn't keep any last year, my basket was looking pretty sad!}

Looks a bit fuller this year.

These are the ruffles on some prize ribbons I have to put away with inventory. Still sitting on the kitchen table. I WILL put these away today. The goal is to clear off the counters today. It's a tall order!

Aprons hanging on the wall.

Let us not forget the beautiful refrigerator art. W is the letter of the week, didn't you know?

I made some more bookmarks and I think I'll sell a bunch. They, too, are on the kitchen table. It's a wonder we can eat there.

I'll package them in One Hundred Wishes cotton pouches.

I'll spare you the other kitchen photos... {dirty dishes, bananas smashed in Sam's high chair, etc.} You're welcome!

I hope your week is off to a lovely start!

Would You Like Some Cupcake With That Frosting?

 

Butter, Confectioner's sugar, milk and vanilla extract.....lunch never looked so good!

Things I Accomplish When the Shop is Closed

 

This mini shop break I'm taking has been quite productive! Boy, did I ever need this time to regroup and recharge. I've been puttering around creating little vignettes in my home and studio. {something I could easily get carried away doing all day long if certain sweet little boys didn't keep me on track.}

It's been fun gathering trinkets to use in my Silver Bella workshops.

And I even baked Natalea's Chocolate Sheet Cake. {and unwisely ate 50% of the pan myself. It's so delicious, although not so good for the waistline...oh well! Yum is an understatement, girls.}

Been photographing lots of new items for One Hundred Wishes. Like this sneak peek below {which is my new favorite thing and I can't wait to show you!}:

And this:

And this:

And I've even been making jewelry. I know! It's been a while, huh?

And I crafted a couple little paper projects too.

 

There is still so much more to do this week, so I guess I'd better get busy!

The Way to a Man's Heart

 

Step 1: Mix flour & salt. Cut in shortening, then slowly sprinkle water to achieve desired consistency.

 

Step 2: Prepare filling. Pour it in the pie shell and bake {after you cut out little leaves}

 

Step 3: Roll out extra dough and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll it up and cut into 1/2" pieces and bake.

 

Step 4: Have a very happy husband!

It Was Only a Matter of Time

Mario has had only 4 days of pre-school, and he's already gotten a cold. And, subsequently, so did everyone else in the house.

I called George at work on Wednesday and asked, "What would you like for dinner?" I was expecting, "Ravioli" or "Chicken Parmigiana". Nope. He replied with, "Chicken soup". WOW! He must really not feel well. So, I put on a big old pot of soup and let it's aroma fill the house. We've had soup for lunch and dinner for the past 3 days. I'm still not tired of it.

Here's Mario's version. Heaven forbid I should add the celery or even parsley flakes to his broth! "Oh, no, no, no, Mama. Just alphabets."

So, anyway, I should be back in the swing of things by Monday or Tuesday. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!