love is the answer

Lots of Baking

I think I have baked more this last month than I have in the last year.  Lately I've discovered some bread recipes that are really easy to make...and there's nothing like the smell and taste of your own fresh baked bread!

Who Bread.  I found this recipe here.  So yummy.  I baked it ten degrees higher and about ten minutes longer.  So so good.

Another easy bread recipe is rosemary peasant bread.  I found this one here.  

I also made some v-day cookies with the kiddos.  We had a lot of fun making these together. 

Anyone have some yummy bread recipes to share?

A Valentine's Box

Another snowy day, another day trying to keep the kids entertained.  Tyler had to make a covered Valentine's day box for school.  He was very excited about this so we stamped, cut, and glued.  He can't wait take it to school.

 
 
 

Big Sister and Little Sister

I never shared the most touching, sweetest gift that I got for Christmas.  You see, my sister and I have a favorite picture of us from childhood.  My mother has the picture framed in her house.  Well my sister borrowed it and made a copy.  She sent it to me in a frame with a beautiful children's book called "Big Sister and Little Sister".  The amazing thing is, that the cover of the book, emulates our favorite picture... and the story, our relationship.  Thank you so much sister!!!

Another thing I am excited about is some new fabric I bought.  I usually try to buy my fabric at thrift stores and such, but I really wanted some Amy Butler prints.  So, I splurged. I can't wait to cut into these.

In regards to thrifting, I found two of the cutest milkshake glasses for like a dollar each.  After buying them, I was obviously inspired to make some chocolate shakes!

 

Folding Hearts Valentines

Tyler and I did an on line search together to find a project for making his Valentine cards.  He decided he wanted to do folding hearts from Martha Stewart's site.  After we finished them, we decided that they needed a little treat.  Tyler did not like the idea of popping the card in a cellophane bag with treats, so after thinking a bit I realized that it would be easy and flat, to attach a stick of gum.  I used double stick tape. I wanted a red wrapper but all the red gum out there is hot and spicy gum , which I did not feel would appeal to first graders, so pink it is.  Madison came up with the idea for him to write his classmates names on the gum.  They came out pretty cute.

 

 

Handmade Goodies

Oh the joys of making stuff for people I love!!  My sisters birthday was this past month, so I went to work creating.  I made her a composition book cover (which I created a pattern for, all on my own), the pleated beauty handbag from bend the rules sewing (i could not believe i was able to make it), and a pretty little necklace that I beaded.

 
 
 I also made a quick tote and composition book cover for a friends birthday. 

 

Sledding again

It has been a pretty snowy winter here.  After the first few hot chocolates and homemade soup, it can get old.  Well this past weekend, Willy and I decided to make the best of it.  We built a fire out back and took the kids sledding.  Madison had a friend sleep over, so they decided to stay in the car and chit chat....tweenhood, its a whole new thing for me.

Another thing I've worked on during these times has been a pillow for Tyler.  He drew a picture that I traced and embroidered.  It came out pretty cute and he really loves it.

 

Anyone want....

a Tyler sandwich?