Raindrops on roses...

Last night Ozzie and I watched The Sound of Music which is one of my favorite movies, especially at Christmas. Of course, Ozzie loved the song, My Favorite Things, who wouldn't?

Any way, it got me thinking. Just in case my husband, my parents, my grandparents or a really generous friend wants to complete my favorite things wishlist this Christmas.

De Buyer Mandoline Slicer
Breville Panini Press
Le Creuset Deep Saute Pan (or the large oval french oven, really any Le Creuset cooking pan will do!)
Breville Countertop Convection Oven

When did my wishlist go from clothes, boys and make up to kitchen items?

Make It Wish List

In my current state of  nesting and organizing everything around me, I have decided to use my blog as a reminder of all of the wonderful things I want to make as seen on the internet.

So you will notice the new list on the right column of my blog titled, Make It Wish List. I know it is already quite a long list and I am expecting baby number two any day now but you can't blame me for wishing!

My goal is to make something, post it on my blog, delete it from my wish list and, of course, replace it with something new! Call me crazy but this is what I call fun (said the crazy housewife). I may just throw caution to the wind and make a recipe wish list too. Woot!

P-Touch

Have you seen the new Brothers label maker, the P-Touch PT1090? For those of us who use the New Year as a reason to get more organized, the P-Touch is a must have. You can add a date and time stamp to all your labels; which is great for smoke detectors batteries and other dated items. But my favorite feature is the decorative pattern option. Pretty and organized- every girls dream!

Circular Scarf

My friends and I just had our annual gift exchange dinner and as usual it was so much fun. Every year we play the white elephant game with a gift in the $20 range. This year the theme was a "favorite" thing.

If you have never played the white elephant game, here is a brief explanation.

Each player brings a gift that meets the party criteria. Again this year ours was $20 and a favorite item.
The participants pick a number.
The first person chooses a gift to unwrap.
The second person can either steal their gift or choose to unwrap another present.
Each gift can only be stolen three times before it is laid to rest in the hands of the lucky owner!
Since the first person did not get a chance to steal, she can choose anyones gift at the end of the game and that person is forced to take her gift.

I bet you can imagine how a little (okay a lot of wine) and 14 girl friends can get out of hand when a particularly lovely gift is opened.

This year it was the circular scarf. Two friends actually bought the scarf for the game and both were stolen to the limit of three times. Every one of us wanted those lovelies! The fangs were out and the taunting was endless. It was great great fun!

The scarves were such a hit I thought I'd share the idea as a possible Christmas gift for the lady in your life.
HERE is a link to American Eagles version but you can find the scarf in just about every department store. It is so versatile and can be worn three different ways, making it a must have for every women's winter wardrobe.

Bitten

I know it is an absolutely ridiculous title, Bitten, but it is only fitting since this is an absolutely ridiculous post. It does, however, explain my absence. Once again I've found myself deeply involved in the world of vampires.

Back in October I told you that I was reading the Sookie Stackhouse novels and how my new found love for the southern vampire series was taking up all of my time, forcing me to ignore my blog. Well in a short lull between books, I picked up the Twilight series. I had only heard good things about it from friends so I figured it would pass my time while I waited for the next Sookie book. Boy did I open a can of worms.

Like millions of other fans, I was immediately hooked. Even more hooked than I was with Sookie. Although at the time I hardly thought that possible. After all, isn't Twilight a teenaged romance novel for crying out loud? But isn't that one of the essential elements in every great love story? Young, tormented lovers a la Romeo and Juliet or Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy? Yes Twilight has all of the makings of a classic love story full of drama, tragedy and tormented teenaged love. Sigh.

And that is only the beginning. My timing was spot on. Just as I finished the books, I ordered up the first movie, Twilight, via Netflix and promptly watched it twice. Then I forced Oscar to take me to the theater for the second movie, New Moon, that was just released; reminding him that both would make perfect stocking stuffers for his ever so crazy wife.

Sadly I still haven't had my fix. Because I was so engrossed by the story I found myself madly reading and flipping pages like a crazy person. I finished all four books {plus the fifth book online that will never be completed due to a leak} all 2800+ pages in less than a week! Since I am not ready to say goodbye to Bella, Edward {especially Edward}, Jacob and the rest of the Cullens I am starting over. This time I will read slowly and methodically taking it all in now that I know the happy ending.

So please understand if my December posts are few and far between. Like I said- bitten. Laugh if you want but I'll tell you what I told my husband after seeing New Moon. If loving a teenaged vampire is wrong then I don't want to be right.

Steel Magnolias 20th Anniversary

November 15th marked the 20th anniversary of Steel Magnolias. Okay so most people were not aware of this and none of the major networks or even the trashy entertainment shows paid notice but I sure did!

Steel Magnolias is a movie about the bond among a group of Southern women in Louisiana. The film is based off the play by Robert Harling and his experience with his sister's death from diabetes.

Steel Magnolias is one of my top five absolute favorite movies. Coincidentally all of them start with the letter S. This is of no significance to anyone but I find it interesting.

Anyway, I was 14 years old when it hit theaters and I loved it immediately. My parents bought me the video when it was released {I am really dating myself here} and I remember watching it over and over and over again with my dear friend Carmen. We would sit for hours in our family room, veg out {another dated term} and watch this movie. I can still recite all of the famous one liners.

There was something about those Southern woman that stole my heart. I've mentioned before that I love people from the South. Their quirkiness, the southern drawl, strongly rooted traditions, southern decorating, the over the top brides and super controling mothers- this is right up my alley.

In all seriousness, it is a movie about love, loss, friendship and strong women. What's not to love? Not to mention the cast. How many movies include six amazingly talented actresses? Four of them oscar winners. These women feel like friends, mothers, family to me.

In fact I love this movie so much I begged my wedding cake baker to make me Jackson's bleeding armadillo grooms cake for my bridal shower a few years ago. She was spot on! I also dream of buying a toy dog and naming her Ouisa Boudreaux.

So no one else noticed the 20th anniversary of Steel Magnolias but me and because this is my blog I find it fully acceptable to celebrate with a post. Maybe I'll make a southern meal for Oscar and throw out a one liner or two? "He'll be so confused he won't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt!"

I will leave you with one of my favorite scenes. M'Lynn breaks down after Shelby's funeral and Clairee suggest she takes out her frustration by hitting Ouisa. "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."



Happy Anniversary to a great movie about the strength of women!

Demy

Have you seen the recipe reader from Demy? It's like an ipod meets a kindel for your recipes! I'm swooning...

The Demy stores up to 2,500 recipes. First you create an account at keyingredient.com where you can load recipes from all over the web or type in your own recipes if you only have paper copies. Then you plug your Demy into your PC and synch your account, much like your ipod. Can you imagine? All of your recipes, right there on your kitchen counter, organized perfectly in this lovely electronic device!

Right now I have my recipes organized in a binder {so 20th century I know) and/or random recipe sites on the web. I can only dream of having all of my recipes on my very own Demy. Thank goodness Christmas is just around the corner. This baby is definitely going on my Christmas list. Perfection!

Velvet Pumpkins

Remember these lovelies from Ink & Peat that I blogged about wayyy back in July? Oscar and I actually stopped by Ink & Peat on our way home from Cannon Beach and I got to admire these pretty pumpkins in person. I didn't buy one though. I had to hold myself back but I knew I could figure out how to make them myself and I knew I'd have fun doing it.

Well my favorite, Ms. Martha, must have heard me. I'm sure she reads my blog, right? Or maybe it's just that great minds think alike. Either way, in the November issue of Martha Stewart Living, she shares her version and a project "how to" for fabric pumpkins.

Sadly I searched high and low on her website in order to link it up to my blog but no dice! Guess you'll just have to run out and buy the current issue of MS Living.

If I get my act together, I will attempt Martha's version and post pictures of the project with instructions. Just in time for Halloween!

photo courtesy of Housemartin

Full Circle

I recently came across the eco-friendly dish brushes, sponges and towels sold by Full Circle and I couldn't be more excited about it.

I know what you are saying, "She's excited about sponges?". Listen, if you are stuck in the kitchen washing dishes and loading or unloading the dishwasher as often as I am, you would be excited too. Washing dishes is not a chore I would miss if I never did it again; but it must be done so I am happy to find a company that has done it right.

Not only are their products made from sustainable and renewable resources like scrub brushes with bamboo handles and sponges made from cellulose. They have a brush line that stands up to to keep the bristles off your counter or sink. This makes for a faster dry time to help avoid bacteria growth. Plus they look pretty.

It's like music to my ears. Right now I use a glass to house all of my brushes because the thought of a brush sitting at the bottom of my kitchen sink makes me slightly nauseous but the petri dish effect at the bottom of that glass is also unsettling. These brushes solve all that! Now do you see why I am so excited? Germaphobes unite!

Full Circle makes several other great products like reusable cellulose cloths and 100% biodegradable sponges. Although I don't use sponges at all {more nausea} if I did I like the idea of using a biodegradable sponge since common household "sponges can take 1000 years to breakdown", as quoted from their website. Another good reason to shop from this eco-friendly company.

Make sure to check out their website to find retailers near you.

Ready. Set. Fall!

Pumpkin Brown by allabouto featuring Anthropologie

September is here, Fall is just around the corner and I couldn't be happier about it. I love the fall. There is something about the leaves changing colors, crisp but sunny days and pumpkins galore that makes me swoon. Not to mention Halloween and Thanksgiving, two of my very favorite Holidays with family.

So while Oscar is out on a boys night and Ozzie is in dreamland, I am happily passing time creating a fall inspiration board on Polyvore.com. I call it pumpkin brown, you dig? I dig. Now if I could just find a way to afford all of these lovelies from Anthropologie.

Items in this set:
Sunlit Grove Coat - Anthropologie.com, $528
Toddler Girls bling graphic t - Juicy Tangerine, Weathered Grey, $7
Rugged Boots - Fall Essentials - Anthropologie.com, $248
Hot Colors - Clothes - Anthropologie.com, $228
3-D Nursery - Jewelry - Anthropologie.com, $38

Goop

I'm usually a day late and a dollar short on these things so if you have already heard of Goop by Gweneth Paltrow move along nothing left to read here. But if you haven't heard of it {don't feel bad I just found it literally 5 minutes ago} Goop is a website with articles and newsletters written by Gweneth. Her subjects span from travel to motherhood, fashion to cooking and everything else in between that most moms find interesting.

Normally I wouldn't be interested in a celebrity website. I gave up following celebrity gossip years ago and life has been much more peaceful since. In fact, I still remember the night at our local dive bar where my friends told me that Brad and Jen were breaking up. Admittedly I did buy the magazine where Jen spilled her beans but that's the last time I got sucked back in. Sadly I don't have to watch those crazy Hollywood shows to know what's happening, these days celebs make the national news shows.

But I digress. Like I said normally I wouldn't be interested but after looking through her site I am intrigued. Naturally her posts on food, books and child friendly restaurants had me hooked since I, as most moms do, love these topics. But I also really liked the simplicity of the her website. In the days of pop ups, unnecessary background music and blinking/scrolling text, it's nice to visit a clean and simple site.

Goop also offers newsletters via email if you don't have an extra 10 minutes in your day to check out the website. Let's face it, some days I don't have an extra 10 minutes to brush my teeth so I appreciate the email option. I may already be hooked.

Chew On This

As I've mentioned before I decided to grow my own herbs and vegetables this summer after reading Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I have really enjoyed it and am already planning what will be in my garden next summer.

When I saw this chart from www.chewonthis.org ,which helps unseasoned {pun intended} cooks like me learn the best parts of the herb and how each herb can add life to food, I knew I had to have it. The reverse side also offers preservation and storage tips as well as a few recipes. I am going to pick one up to help me decide on new herbs to add to next year's garden. I think it's a must have for every household.

*photo courtesy www.chewonthis.com

Beautiful Boxes

I saw these lovely storage boxes in the September issue of Martha Stewart Living and thought they would make perfect storage boxes for Ozzie's photos and soon to come art work.

I love that the boxes are not your basic black. The aqua and red would add a nice bit of color to my drab home office. In fact, aqua and red are one of my favorite color combinations this year. Remember the bloody Father's Day card that I made Oscar? Obviously I was going for a this look when I paired the aqua and red versus the bloody hand print I ended up with. Hey, I've always said that I am an amateur crafter at best.

Martha offers labels to personalize the boxes on her website. Click here to download them for free! The boxes are available at Bellocchio.com.

These boxes would make an excellent gift for me or you!

A New Take on PB&J

Earlier today I was interrogating a good friend of mine on her milk/sippy cup and feeding routines for her twins. Now that Ozzie is one we have weaned him from nursing, except bedtime, which I'm postponing for fear of how it will go over. I really didn't want to think of my own milk/sippy cup routine. I just wanted to copy another Mom who I trust. Post gull bladder surgery it's easier not to have to think stuff out sometimes.

After she gave me the skinny on her nourishment rituals she mentioned that her girls love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This reminded me of a MS on Demand video that I recently watched. Yes I watch MS on Demand. It's a feature on Comcast Cable and I love it. Always have and always will love Martha.

Back to the sandwiches, Martha prepared four new twists on an old favorite that sounded good enough for me to eat let alone a little one. So I thought I'd share them with you and my friend Tams.

In order of my favorite:

1. Peanut butter with strawberry jam, granola and a banana. Top peanut butter side with granola and layer banana slices on jam. I bet when the two collide it's pure genius!

2. Peanut butter with marshmallow fluff and blueberries. Who doesn't love marshmallow fluff? Also a great sandwich right now with blueberries in season.

3. Peanut butter with apple slices and raisins drizzled with maple syrup. Make sure to use a madoline slicer to achieve very thin apple slices. Can't wait to try this in the Fall with a fresh Washington apple.

4. Peanut butter with thawed frozen cherries and drizzled with honey. Martha suggests frozen cherries here because no one wants to spend their time pitting cherries. My only concern is the texture of the frozen cherries after they have thawed. You know how little ones are about food texture.

I also found these sandwiches here on Martha's website.

Sadly Ozzie's pediatrician said no peanut butter until he is two so Mommy will just have to sample these delicious sandwiches for him until then. I am adding "purchase a madoline slicer" to the to do list now. I never thought about it before but a madoline slicer will probably make a lot of foods just the right thickness while Ozzie is still teething.

Tamara, I'm hoping these sandwiches taste as good as they looked. Thanks again for your advice!

Feathered Friends

Today I participated in The Shabby Chic Cottage's Feathered Friends Party by adding this link to my blog.

SCC is a fun new blog that I just started following. She, as do I, has a love for birds and decided to throw a virtual party today asking her followers to share their bird love.

Although I have a few bird cages, some little birdie tchotchkes, a bird print and one birds nest I didn't have time to take pictures of everything and link it up to her blog. Ozzie's afternoon nap was cut short by some very loud neighbors {grrrr} so all I had time to do was link my post about the lovely birds nests that are available at LittleRetreats, my favorite Etsy shop. I'm hoping I sent some new customers Brooke's way.

Attending a party through linking a blog post, that's social networking at it's best!

Updated Tiki Torch

photo courtesy of Design*Sponge

I just saw this recycled wine bottle torch on Design*Sponge and had to post about it. What a clever way to reuse a particularly pretty wine bottle while keeping mosquitoes away when entertaining in your backyard. I also love that it is an updated version of the bamboo tiki torch that screams backyard luau.

This is going on Oscar's to do list for next summer if we can't get it accomplished by this summer which I fear is quickly coming to an end.

Click here for the complete instructions on Design*Sponge.

Family Tree

photo courtesy of Hope Studios

Ever since Ozzie was born I've wanted to make or buy a family tree of some sorts to hang in his room. I think family trees are a lovely keepsake and can make a beautiful addition to any nursery or child's bedroom. Something about showing your child who his family is and who will always love him appeals to me.

Originally I saw this family tree from Good Stock via Over Cocktails and thought about getting it framed. But today I ran into Hope Studios on Etsy and am leaning towards this beautifully crafted family tree out of pine. I absolutely love the hand painted leaves for each family member's name.

I think both of these would make a lovely gift for an expecting friend or family member. Which do you prefer?

Cake Stands

So I'm prepping for Ozzie's 1st birthday party at the end of the month and I've decided that I need at least 5 white pedestal cake stands. You can use them for anything, not just cakes {or cupcakes}. Also not just for food. They make lovely decor pieces or centerpieces AND since they are white they will match any theme or color palette.

This one above from Rosanna is so feminine and pretty I love it. But a good basic like these from The Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's are also great.

I've always been a sucker for anything footed. Footed glassware, footed vases and footed cake stands {or pedestals call it what you want}. Like I said, I need 5. Oscar are you reading this?

Pretty Pumpkins

I love decorating my house for Autumn. Probably because Autumn is my favorite season of the year with all of the leaves turning colors, crisp and warm days simultaneously and Thanksgiving, my favorite American holiday. To me there is nothing better than warm orange, red, amber, purple, green and {my personal favorite} brown colors in a fall house. So when I saw these adorable velvet pumpkins over at Housemartin I had to share.

The pumpkin decoration is almost overdone but these lovelies put a new twist on an old favorite. Now I just have to wait until Autumn to purchase them from Ink & Peat. Do you think they take pre-sales?

Photo courtesy of Housemartin. Thanks for the inspiration as always!

My Favorite Etsy Shop

If you follow my blog, you know how much I love birds nest, bird cages, bird eggs, bird, bird, bird, bird is the word. Interestingly enough I don't love birds as family pets, I prefer my pets soft with fur and paws not claws. But pretty little bird and nature inspired decorations are my all time favorites.

But I digress, back to my gal Brooke and her cute cute cute Etsy shop, Little Retreats. So I've blogged about her fabulous paper bird cages before and when I saw these lovely bird nests I had to send her another shout out!

This comes at an especially great time because as I mentioned earlier my little Ozzie is on the mend from a horrible virus and scary high fever so these pretty treats made me smile.

Cradled in a handmade nest of aspen wood and adorned with vintage inspired tags, these delicate little eggs are so sweet.

Make sure to check out Brooke's shop filled with paper goodies and other fun chotchkies, you won't be disappointed!

*photos courtesy Little Retreats