seven quick takes, #3

1. Once upon a time Hubs brought a nifty handmade mug home for me from a business trip.
I told my mom I loved it and wanted a whole set of mismatched, giant, artsy-fartsy coffee mugs.
She got me a new one for Christmas.
I love that mug.
I need more.

2. Since the New Year I have been awesome at meal planning (it's only been three weeks...)
I think this week I'm going to start meal planning for lunches and breakfasts, too.
And I've been saving the used menus...so in a few weeks I can start replaying some of the meals.
And then the next step is meal planning for the whole month.

It's good to have goals.

3. Child #1 has been coughing for a week.
I kept him home from preschool on Mon, and sent him in on Tues and Wed.
On Wed he came home with a note saying that he coughed non-stop.
So I made a Dr. appt for Thurs.

Naturally, there was no coughing yesterday.
I swear he saved his coughs for after the appointment.

4. I have been hit by the post-baby super-sads.

Can I recommend something to you?
Skip finding a pediatrician, just go with a family practice.
That way, when you feel like you are losing your mind and cannot stop crying, and your 4 year old has a nasty cough at the same time...it's super easy to just sneak an appointment for yourself in at the same time.

Bonus points because your Dr. will see the three ring circus that is your life (and that circus will be putting on an extra good show due to space constraints) and will not hesitate in the least to send you out with a prescription for some mild drugs.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my little circus people.
I'm just having hard time dealing with the circus and the tidal wave of hormones my body is currently producing.
Plus, it's really hard to get outside.
I need the sun.

5. #3 can sleep through anything.

baby loves playmobil

6. The Christmas decorations are almost all put away.
This upsets child #2.
He keeps asking if Christmas is over, and when we tell him it is, he cries big alligator tears.
He's just so sad.

Then he remembers that he really really needs a piece of candy.
Then it's time to beg for candy candy candy candy.

7. I've been thinking more about my living room.
I tried a chair from my office in the room thinking it might work in front of the window.

No dice.
That space for sure needs two chairs, and I'm thinking they need to be relatively modern.
I need to scour Craigslist.
I have zero desire to spend anymore money at Ikea.

What have you been up to this week?

Visit Jen for more Quick Takes.

seven quick takes #2

Back with 7 Quick Takes...thanks Jen for hosting!

1. A direct quote from #1: "Larry King...had a beautiful neck."
Obviously we have been watching too much Gravity Falls lately.
#2 keeps requesting it - "I need Gravity Falls Wax!"

sick day from school

2. Wed. was sunny and warm (40 is warm for Jan.)!
I let #2 skip his nap and the boys played in their new snow shoes.
Thanks Grammy and Papa, for such a fun present!
(Thanks Mom and Dad, the snowshoes slowed my boys down just enough that #2 only ended up in the street once!)

the carrot nose was a non-negotiable

3. Hot cocoa, our favorite after playing in the snow.

so yummy!

4. SMILES!!!!!

ready for bed...too happy to sleep

5.Too big for the Bumbo.

take my picture!

6. Nearly 7 weeks old.
Size 6 month outfit.
The outfit did run small - good choice Auntie Rachel!

please don't grow up

Also...notice the blur above Bebe?
That's #2.
This sweet baby is pretty great about sleeping through the chaos (for now).

7. Good bye old, hole-y Spiderman slippers.
Hello new Spideys!

spidey sense x4

And #2 has a pair as well :)

seven quick takes #1

I've been pretty silent on the blog for a few months...of course life is going on, I just haven't felt like sharing.
The problem is that when I'm not sharing I also feel like I am not remembering.
And I need to remember.
These little people are too important to forget.
Currently, my brain only remembers things if they have been written down.
So...

I'm thinking if I link up to 7 Quick Takes over at Jen's blog I might just be able to remember, oh I don't know, maybe seven more things each week ;) Hey, this week Hallie is hosting because Jen is hospitalized with pulmonary emboli - please pray for her and her growing baby boy.

1. I bought a gingerbread cookie kit before Christmas...so naturally on Jan 2 Child #1 and I decorated a few cookies for dessert.

It worked out the best that way, he had a little special time with me on his first day back at school, and he was inspired to create his own "Capt. Cookie" from his new favorite book The Gingerbread Pirates.

note the toothpick peg leg (it was very important)

2. I *bought* a gingerbread kit instead of making cut out cookies because I had to back off from many of the Christmas activities I usually enjoy (like baking) - having a baby between Thanksgiving and Christmas forces you to cut back, or have a metal breakdown.
I chose to cut back.
It was pretty great.

Anyway, this was the extent of my holiday baking:

cookies for santa

Haystacks
Nutter Butters dressed up as Baby Jesus (my brothers thought this was hilarious) - a great idea from Catholic Icing

Ritz Crackers dipped in melted Andes Mints and "dusted" with fancy sugar by #1

3. Child #2 loves stickers.
Well, honestly, he loves anything sticky.
Very hesitant to let me wipe his hands after a meal.
Loves how sticky his fingers are after eating a candy cane (another favorite).
Must have a sticker for naptime/bedtime.
Often gives me a sticker and tells me "For your sticky finger!" But the word finger comes out "pinger" and is just all kinds of adorable.

sticky googlie eyes, what could be better!

4. I hate cleaning the bathrooms.

5.

6 weeks old.
Outgrowing his clothes at an alarming rate!

6. I am packing away my maternity clothes, but I only have one pair of comfortable jeans.
Well, they might not be comfortable, but I can button them and they look decent.
The treadmill is calling my name...

7. The Christmas decorations are all still up...I don't want to take them down!
Some years I am eager to clean up Christmas, but this year I just keep picturing how empty the house will feel once everything is stored.

I need a decorating project to motivate me.
What room should I tackle next - dining room, living room, family room, kitchen?

Movei Monday, 31 Days to Cleaner Closets!

Here's the deal: 3 out of 4 people in my home are currently on antibiotics.
Fun! All hail the amazing Z-Pack!

Keep that in mind while you watch today's movie...it will explain everything ;)

For the past few years The Nester has done a 31 days series in October and everyone loves it, and all of the bloggers that participate seem to have so much fun.
Last year my friend Rebecca did a 31 Days to Wrap your Crap series, and it was pretty fab. This year she just did one follow-up post...perhaps I should take that as a cue to not do a 31 day series?
Nope. Still all kinds of crazy and totally up for 31 days of posting.

 

So basically, Bebe #3 will be here in roughly 8 weeks; my closets and storage spaces are very very bad.
I fear that if I don't do something now, I just might lose a child in my home.
So I've got 31 Days to Cleaner Closets.
I'm linking up, and everyday for the month of October you will get an exciting post about my closets, probably some randomness as well, and with any luck a few hints for tackling your own clutter magnets.

Happy Monday!!!

Are you joining the 31 Days series? 

Share your URL in the comments, I'd love to follow your journey!

i made you some jam

If you watched me ramble on Monday, then you know, that over the weekend, I went to the farmer's market with my parents.

I did.
And we found a new cafe.
And I had lemonade while my dad had a bloody Mary.
He's mean like that ;)

I came home with my usual, large haul of loveliness...and a nice container of wild raspberries.
They reminded me of the berries we'd pick at Camp Narrin growing up (tear).
Imagine my surprise when they were not as sweet as the berries of my youth.
Adding sugar seems to fix everything, so I decided a small batch of jam was in order.

Using the power of the google, I found this recipe.

So easy. So delicious. Nom nom nom.

Ingredients:
equal parts raspberries and sugar (I used 2 cups of berries and 2 cups of sugar)
squeeze of fresh lemon juice (optional, but I highly suggest this)

What you do:
1. Place freshly washed berries in a sauce pot. (as the jam cooks it will double in size, so plan accordingly)
2. Mash the berries while you bring them to a rolling boil over med-highish heat.
3. Boil for 2 min.
4. Add sugar and lemon juice and stir well.
5. While stirring constantly, bring to a rolling boil.
6. Boil for 2 min.
7. DONE! Place in sterilized jam jars and seal (I just stuck mine in the fridge, we'll go through this jam super fast)

jamminess...noms

Joining the fun at Ashley's Ta-Da Tuesday Party!

the entry has been painted

An alternative title for this post:
"Entry 2.0, Now with Less Anger!"

You see, when we moved in the entry was red.
Late 90's, early 2000's reeeeeeed.
I've done that color before, I am over it.
I needed it gone.

move in day

Also, the light fixture was this horrible alien pod.
It scared me.

dusty

I have a new happy place :)

calm blue ocean aka MS Magnetite

I am so much calmer now.
Really. I am. (see, no exclamation points = calm)

But I was not calm while painting the very-tall-wall-on-the-stairs (vtwots).
Because the ladder was at a really steep angle, and pretty much 8000 17 ft. high.
I climbed up to cut-in the ceiling (that's my job).
I bravely thrust my paintbrush into the air.
and then i started crying
I really did. Hubs talked me down and did the cutting in and rolling.

rolling...he was higher for the cutting-in

He totally owned the vtwots.
He is my hero. (no exclamation point, because I am so calm)

Have a calm day :)

Joining the party at Mommy by day Crafter by night

laundry room/mud room

Earlier this year (I know, it's already March. What?!), I teased you with some amazing pictures of my laundry room.

Well, at least I thought I posted some shots of my laundry room...I guess I just put up pics of my washer and dryer sitting in my kitchen.
How very helpful of me ;)

Anyway...the project is almost done!

Here it is the day we moved in:

not my washer and dryer...also, awesome mirror doors

And when we had the floor replaced:

goodbye worn out vinyl!

And the (almost) after:

it's starting to come together :)

I was looking for a more useful room.
If you park in the garage, you enter our home through the laundry room.
And we are park-in-the-garage people.With two super active boys I needed this area to function well.

My list of wants/needs:
* retractable laundry line
* mop/broom storage
* space for my laundry tubs
* storage for coats/hats/shoes
* place for little ones to sit while shoes are put on/off
* place for my purse to land
* hook for keys
* hook for backpacks

So far we have:
* retractable laundry line - perfect for drying hats and mittens! (we found it on amazon)
* mop/broom station (not pictured) (also from amazon)
* space for laundry tubs
* hooks for coats
* bin for hats, etc.
* bench (from overstock.com)
* key hook (re-purposed from my closet in our last home)

looking in from the kitchen

Things to come:
* shelves over laundry tubs
* baskets for the overhead shelf
* cover overhead shelf in fabric?
* paint old closet rod
* basket to hold clothes pins
* mirror on back door


That's all I've got :)

Joining The Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick.

tradition

I'm not much for resolutions.
Some years I make lists of goals, usually they are abandoned by Feb 3.

I saw a few people choose a word for the year.
I like this idea, so I'm doing it too.

tra·di·tion [truh-dish-uhn] noun

1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition.

2. something that is handed down: the traditions of the Eskimos.

3. a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting: The rebellious students wanted to break with tradition.

4. a continuing pattern of culture beliefs or practices.

5. a customary or characteristic method or manner: The winner took a victory lap in the usual track tradition.

(thank you http://dictionary.reference.com/ )  

And, because I cannot hear the word 'tradition' without hearing Topol; I'll leave you with a Fiddler on the Roof clip.

Linking up at The Lettered Cottage Word of the Year Party.

my winter mantle

I made my mantle purdy for the winter.

i see a blue duplo

Gold, sparkle, white...so peaceful, so different from the sea of duplos, legos, dinosaurs and star wars toys on the floor below the mantle.

The little elephant came from an antique store run with my MIL.

elephant noise. really, how would you write that?

A happy place for me.

do we like the watermark?

Linking up to the Winter Crafts and Decor Party at the CSI Project.

Hop on over for some inspiration.

my new favorite chocolate frosting

Because I am *positive* you need more chocolate in your life, I am joining Amanda's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party at Serenity Now. 

On Sun. I whipped up a batch of chocolate cupcakes. And I was planning on making cream cheese frosting, but I keep whole sticks of butter in the freezer.
Do you do that?
It seems like a great idea, but then whenever I need butter for baking I have to either think about the butter ahead of time (what?!) or wait forever for it to thaw on the counter.
Don't try to microwave your frozen butter.
It never ends well.
Ever.

nom nom nom

So I pulled out the butter and let it thaw while the cupcakes baked.
But that's not enough time...not even close.
So I was becoming more and more impatient, and I totally did eat a naked cupcake and it was just NO GOOD.
And then I looked at the box of cocoa powder.

The clouds parted and angels sang...the simple recipe on the box calls for melted butter.

cuppie cakes

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting

*taken directly from the cheap-o box of Hershey's Cocoa*

1/2 c. butter (ok, it says "or margarine" but promise me you will never make this with anything but real butter)

2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa

3 c. powdered sugar

1/3 c. milk

1 t. vanilla extract

*Melt butter. Stir in cocoa.

*Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on med. speed to spreading consistency. Add more milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.

Makes about 2 c.

blurry baby - he doesn't like to hold still, and I think someone touched the lens

My notes:
I made this in a large sauce pot, and I skipped using the mixer (didn't want to destroy the inside of my pot, and didn't want to dirty another bowl). It came together really easily and has an almost fudge-like consistency (which is pretty awesome). I added the vanilla when I added the last bit of milk (I thought it would be sort of hard to evenly mix in the vanilla otherwise). If you did use an electric mixer the frosting would probably be a bit fluffier, but the fudgieness is so yummm...I'm not sure I'll ever make this with a mixer. I also had more than I needed to frost 24 cupcakes - but I didn't pile on the frosting...it's really rich, you probably wouldn't want to anyway.

he prefers to clean his own face. thankyouverymuch.

Where do you keep your butter?

What's you favorite frosting?

fall color tour, getting settled, day 7

On Tues. I finally unloaded the tubs of fall decor (there are only two tubs, so nothing too exciting).

Happy owl!

Decorating a new home is tough.
I moved things all over...tried them out in every room, on every table.

3 year old decorating skills

I'm pleased with how it all came together.
Walking downstairs Wed. morning and being greeted by my fall decor made me happy.

The wreath above the fireplace was a quick little project.

I think it needs bunting up top...opinions?

I had the bare grapevine wreath.
I also had a hand-me-down Pottery Barn fall swag (thanks mom!).

Gnomes are never optional

I attached the swag with zip ties.
It wasn't quite long enough...so I filled in the space with a few fake leaves (randomly in my fall decor boxes) attached with clothespins. The clothespins are new, and really clean looking, so I colored on them with crayons to make them feel a bit weathered.

I'm really happy with the wreath.

I didn't spend a penny!

And in the entryway...I accepted the fact that we will not be painting before Thanksgiving, and I hung some art to make it more inviting.

Notice the 3 year old in the upper left...he won't stop playing with the decorative sticks!

The decorations make this house feel more like it's ours.

In the dining room

Although some fresh paint and new light fixtures will still help ;)

I'll add the Halloween items next week (I always wait until October!).

I don't think I've decorated with this thrifted crate before. I like it.

Have you decorated for fall?

Linking up to Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now!

 

what i wore

This post was supposed to go up yesterday. A little bit of loving encouragement for my sweet bloggy friend Laura. And heeeyyy...I've really been meaning to do a What I Wore Wednesday post to link up at the Pleated Poppy, so this works!

I got up and did my hair, dressed cute (cuter than the other moms at Target!) and snapped some pics.

lipstick and mascara!

WIWW had a challenge theme of stripes and florals...sorry no stripes! But I have flowery pink shoes...these are the bebes favorite shoes to walk around the house in (don't tell his Daddy!).

cute shoes!

Full length pics are tough y'all...I'll try to find a better mirror for next time.

white pin tuck tunic from Lands End, black capris, pink shoes from Report, jewelry from Stella and Dot

I was totally set to post this on time...
Then the boys refused to coordinate their naps.

So glad I had stuck a pork shoulder in the crockpot! Otherwise I would have been a frazzled mess.

I still feel like nothing was accomplished yesterday, but the boys were read to, and we played choo choos and batman, acted like bumble bees and sang some silly songs...

I can write "nourish souls" on my to do list.
Maybe we should all do that.

hair in pony...post non-napping fiasco

I guess I did accomplish a lot yesterday!

And I looked cute doing it :)