It's funny because aprons are one of the first things I wanted to make with my new sewing machine. I've vowed to learn how to sew in 2009. These aprons are some great inspiration!
*photos courtesy of Epicurean Style
*photos courtesy of Epicurean Style
Clever invitations
The cupcakes are even better. Are you seeing the fangs on The Count? Too funny!
*pictures courtesy of Lovely Sprinkles
The book is non-fiction but truly reads like a novel and is even funny. Her turkey mating debacle is hilarious. I know I've shared some saddening statistics but most of the book is fun and truly inspiring. I think she has inspired every reader to make their own mozzarella, bake their own bread, grow a vegetable garden and support local farmers. It's not just the eat organic mantra so many health food experts repeat like puppets. The book and website are is also filled with many great recipes.
She has definitely inspired my goals:
If you want to become a locavore or check out this movement, make sure to visit AnimalVegetableMiracle.com or Cook Local is another great site. Also go to Local Harvest to find local farmers and CSA programs.
I highly recommend the read, like I said it is life changing.
*pictures courtesy of AnimalVegetableMiracle.com
This one didn't turn out too well so I tried again. I don't really know why because I was never going to get a 9 month old to cooperate. Oh what did he choke on you ask, the cap to my water bottle. He's obsessed with my water bottle and yes I let him play with the cap right before he choked. Oh and yes he loves to growl, not sure where he picked that up but he won't stop.
Here's take two. I got him to "talk" a little here.
And here's take three. Yup he's still eating the bottle cap. At least he smiled in this one and kind of waved goodbye. He does that on his terms.
I'm not sure why it's so grainy, obviously user error. Have I mentioned before that I'm technologically illiterate. Thank goodness I married my husband!
Happy Birthday Mom, we miss you!
Back to the hubby's birthday. Sorry when I get talking about Aruba I can't stop. Such a great vacation! We had a pretty low key birthday this year. I made him these oatmeal cookies, which he devoured. It was a glorious sunny day in Seattle, so we went to the nursery to pick out some plants for our backyard and had a quiet dinner with the family. A perfect day for us!
Here is the birthday card Ozzie made for him this year.
Just check out this party from armelle. I mean the invitations alone make me all a flutter. And why is it every time I find a cool new birthday party post, I find a cool new mom's blog that I want to start following? I guess us mommy bloggers rock!
The clown nose photo booth is too funny. I've heard of photo booths at weddings but at a kid's birthday party? That's a serious commitment to grand ole time.
Another great birthday party idea for a boy! Thanks for the inspiration!
*photos courtesy of armelle
But I digress, so Easter snuck up on me and I didn't get to make Thread Wrapped Easter Eggs and Paper Flowers but I did get to do this....
Bird Nest Cup Cakes- I knew my nephew, Andy, who is 7 was coming over so I wanted to make a fun cup cake that I thought he'd enjoy. I basically followed this recipe from MS except I added Hershey chocolate eggs instead of creating birds out of icing. I know my limits!
On that note, I went to Target on Good Friday to pick up Easter candy and they were sold out of Cadbury Mini Eggs, the original eggs I wanted to put on the cup cakes. Can you believe it? How do you sell out of Cadbury Mini Eggs before Easter? Mini Eggs are Easter!
The chocolate buttercream frosting was deelicious! I've never made homemade frosting before and honestly I don't think I let the sugar melt completely but it was still yum yummy.
Last but not least, I made the now infamous garland by Pamela Garrison seen on many blogs around these parts. I went the muffin cup route vs. the coffee filter. But I want to try the coffee filters too, I'd stain them with tea to make warmer colors though, I'm not a fan of whitey white.
Of course I made them with the pale pink cupcake cups I had at home along with some pretty pink papers so I ran out quick and my garland is small but I sure do love it. It's so pretty it belongs in a little girls room.
The morning started off with Ozzie playing in his new tunnel. As I mentioned in a previous post, Ozzie loved the tunnel at Gymboree so we decided to buy him his own for Easter. He jumped right in it as you can see he's still in his pajamas.
Once Andy and my Dad arrived, we gave the boys their Easter baskets. No frills here, these baskets are all boy!
After that hoopla we started decorating eggs. Here is a picture of Andy decorating his eggs. I can't believe Andy is 7 years old!
As you can see Ozzie is beside himself "helping" Andy decorate eggs.
Andy's masterpiece!
Overall it was a great day. Andy was wonderful with Ozzie and kept him occupied all day. He is such a good kid. I love any holiday that we can celebrate with Andy and I love hanging out with family so I was very content. The only thing missing was Jon who had to work and Nanay in the Philippines. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day.
Pepa and his grandsons
So handsome even without his two front teeth.
Playing with his basket, plastic eggs and my 15 year old bunny!
I wish I could say he was super excited about the contents of his basket but he was mid-yawn when Oscar snapped this shot. It was obviously time for a nap.
Happy Easter!
And traced his hand- adorable!
I'll spare you the mushy love note inside Oscar's card : )
My Dad and my nephew, Andrew, came over for dinner and an early Easter celebration. My Mom is visiting family in the Philippines so we took pictures for her. Miss you Mom!
Pepa and his grandsons
I love my Andy!
This is such a great picture I had to share it even if it's blury. I'm really upset that it's blury.
Here is a picture of my mantel with my birthday cards from family. Grandma always remembers us on our birthdays, she's so sweet!
To top off a great day, my sweet husband bought me this awesome gift! I know, is it 1955 and we're buying the little wife a sewing machine? Nope, believe it or not I asked for this.
I really think sewing is a great skill to have especially with a little guy who will inevitably need something hemmed or patched. Also my Dad tells me I come from a good stock of sewers. Apparently my Grandma is master seamstress. I'll have to ask her for lessons.
I can't wait to make my first creation. Perhaps an apron or maybe a quilt for Ozzie. So many new possibilites! Thanks Honey!!!
Another year, another wonderful birthday!