knitting, creating, and loving life in the Midwest
It’s been a long time since I picked up a crochet or a pair of knitting needles, but with my mom visiting and her constant crocheting, I could not resist the temptation.
I ended up purchasing this yarn
And ended up making this scarf
I found the pattern online and it is super easy, which was what I wanted for my first project after so many years.
And now I can’t stop crocheting things. I have a ton of beanies, so I’m thinking I might try my hand at a beret. Wish me luck!
A few days ago I was thrilled to go to the Young House Love book signing in Palo Alto, California. My sweet friend J went with me and was not only lovely company but also at times, was my “stuff holder” and “photo taker”.
Having worked at a bookstore long ago and being a voracious reader, I have seen my share of book signings and I have to say, this one was very well put together. First, and most importantly, people in line were fed. It was 90 minutes or so we waited in line so let me say that this was super important:
J holding some cookies for her psycho friend to photograph.
These were so YUMMY, although J was more taken by the adorable little cups. I snuck around while J held my place in line to take some pics of John & Sherry – can I say she has the most perfect skin?
I also caught sight of these STACKABLE little bottles. Aren’t they perfect?
Ninety minutes later, it was my turn. I’ve tweeted John & Sherry before to say I think that I think Sherry looks just like Emilia Clarke, the actress who plays Daenerys on Game of Thrones – yay or nay?
Sherry agreed and John mentioned she’s playing Holly Golightly on Broadway, which I didn’t know.
I also brought a little something for Miss Clara:
Got my book signed and then hit up a Chinese restaurant for lunch with J. Then we wrapped up the afternoon by going to IKEA ;D A fabulous day with a wonderful friend and lots of yummy goodness!
Congratulations to Pauline and Taryn for entering the giveaway, you should both be receiving your e-books soon!!!
Apologies for not posting yesterday, my oldest has the plague that is going around, he’s sleeping on the sofa right now, hope his fever breaks soon!
GO NINERS!!!
Source
I’ve been following Edie at Life in Grace for a while, I learned of the devastating fire that destroyed her family’s home and have been in awe of the way she has handled rebuilding her life since then. She recently wrote an e-book on hospitality that is full of heartfelt ideas for truly opening up your home (and heart) to others. As someone who loves to have people over, I know that I can always make the experience a better and happier one for both parties.
This week I am giving away TWO copies of Edie’s wonderful e-book, 31 Days to a Heart of Hospitality – believe me, it is so worth purchasing it for only $5 if you can’t wait for the giveaway ;D
The rules are easy peasy:
1 – Subscribe to my blog or Like my blog on Facebook
2 – Leave a comment on this post
That is it!!!
Thank you Edie for the giveaway!
I will announce the winners on Friday, before I start my Super Bowl weekend freakout – Go Niners! #questforsix
I foresee so many double-workouts as soon as my mom leaves.
We had some family over on Wednesday night and mom had made her super easy, super yummy, rice pudding. The good news is that everyone loved it. The bad news is that she taught me how to make it.
I am so screwed.
To make it, all you need is:
1 1/2 cups rice
2 cups water
1 can evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 can condensed milk
That’s it! Start cooking the rice in the two cups of water. When most of the water has been absorbed, add the evaporated milk and vanilla extract. Once the rice is fully cooked, add the condensed milk and stir until combined.
At that point, divvy it up in some ramekins or whatever small bowls you have. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and add raisins. Now, I’m a purist and don’t like raisins so I eat it warm off the stove, but you could add something like pecans or walnuts, or even candied orange peel.
This makes about 6 – 8 servings.
Enjoy!
My mama loves to crochet. She makes hats and scarves for everyone she meets. Seriously. She’s met people and an hour later she’s giving them a scarf, or hat, or both. I am enjoying a lot of new accessories lately 😀
But I’m not the only one sporting new head gear:
Alex loved his new little hat and insisted on wearing it while watching Minecraft videos. Anyone else’s cache taken over by youtube Minecraft videos?
I’m already sad that mom leaves in one week, but for now I’m enjoying her company!!
Valentine’s Day is less than a month away and although we don’t have huge plans for it, I still like to decorate our little mantel. Most of the items I found by going through our various decor bins and my only expense was 2 sheets of red cardstock that I used on the garland.
I found the little container on the left and it was the perfect size for my fake IKEA plant, but I didn’t love the designs on the front so I made a little “14” sign with glittery cardstock. Our house doesn’t get a lot of direct natural light but greenery brings such a sweet touch that I don’t mind that it is not real.
I used the two sheets of cardstock I purchased (2 for 1 at Michaels) and a leftover piece of polka dot paper to make a little garland.
On the right side of the mantel is yet another fake IKEA plant 😀 in a planter I covered with lovely sheet music paper, one of my favorite pictures of me and my oldest, and a great printable from A Geek in Glasses. I love the vintage look!!
I just love this photo, and here I was pregnant with my youngest so I love that it was our little secret at this point.
I love the whimsy of the polka dot paper!
I hope you have enjoyed taking a look at our Valentine’s Day mantel, I enjoyed putting it together – have a wonderful Monday!
I am thrilled to have my mama staying with me for a few days. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen her, so I am taking a few days off from blogging – hope your week is a fabulous one!!!
Yep, that’s me. The cool mama. I am sure it will last 2.3 days but I will enjoy it while I can.
My oldest has asked me to help him put outfits together. What what???? Seriously, my husband told him that I was really good at fashion (it’s news to me, believe me) and that I could help him with school clothes. So today I showed him how a crew-neck under a v-neck sweater looked nice and he went with it. He used to love button-down shirts and now hates them so that will be my Everest, seeing if I can get him back in a button down. Because he looks damn cute in one.
This is from mother’s day 2011, my boys wearing guayaberas, so sweet!!!
Now they were polo shirts every day for school
They each chose the same color shirt, I buy them the same things sometimes but I don’t make them wear them at the same time, this was just coincidence 😀
But now my oldest is wanting some oomph so mama is off looking for ideas to show the boy.
One of my favorite style blogs is Style Your Life. I find that Jennifer puts together cute, wearable outfits from stores I actually shop at (Target, Old Navy, etc.) and she’s done a few for boys, like this one:
Source: embed.polyvoreimg.com via Claudia on Pinterest
So cute!!!
I’ve started a Boys’ Style board on Pinterest, feel free to stop by and also feel free to share any cool dude outfit ideas 😀
Maybe my Crafty Porn, since I lusted after these kind of goods long before I was a mommy. I got the Paper Source catalog yesterday. Really, people? I’m trying to be good here. I have been working on my husband’s desk area — and wouldn’t you know it, the kids are already asking if they can be on here, WTF? — and not spending any money, using things I already had and suddenly The Catalog appears.
Wouldn’t these macaron dish towels be perfect in my little kitchen?
They also have wrap, magnets, cards, and other goods with this print. The only one I wasn’t too hip on was the macaron stamp, which, honestly, looks like a hotdog to me.
Right?
And they have tons of super cute Valentine’s Day craft kits and ideas. My favorite new paper has to be the red, gold, and fuchsia chevron wrap:
SOOOO many possibilities! The gold on cream version of this paper is beautiful as well.
And just in case anyone wonders, no, Paper Source does not sponsor my posts or in any way, shape or form compensate me for writing oodles of lovely things about them (except for the hotdog thing, I guess). I would LOVE for that to be the case but the truth is, I just happen to love their stuff.
Happy Hump Day!!
Casa de Berry 
