Coffee

Lemongrass

We had time to stop into a magical little shop called "Lemongrass" this morning. Kate just couldn't stop saying, "Wow!" It's filled with lots of little gifts, candles, lotions, etc. We happened to find this little bottle of shampoo/body wash made from organic ingredients. We haven't used it yet, but it smells delightful.

Ingredient list: Organic rose hydrosol, extracts of organic strawberry, chamomile and cucumber, organic strawberry juice concentrate, organic strawberry flavor, vitamin E, coconut cleanser, extracts of organic vanilla, organic rosemary, organic oregano, organic thyme, organic goldenseal, organic lavender, and Japanese honey suckle.

Maryjanes

Little shoes are so much fun to shop for!

New Quilt

My Mom put this quilt together for me the other day. It's another one I'm going to hand quilt to add some "vintage" charm. I can't wait to get started, but I still have a bit left to do on the other quilt. I should wrap up one quilt before I start another:)

White paper packages tied up with string . . .

Dear Sheilah is one very talented and thoughtful friend!

Since we are living in tight quarters, most of our things are packed and this little box sets in my closet waiting to be unwrapped for the very last time. So instead of slipping the box off the shelf every few days, I decided to take some pictures for my blog so I can admire them here:) Both gifts are handpainted by Sheilah and the ornament is of Kate holding her precious"Gunga."

Artsy Shoes

In case you might be wondering . . . that tiny black camera I own has been found! It was covered with evidence leaning towards a suspect who is short in stature! I found it covered in tiny fingerprints and crusty stuff and it was stashed behind Ike's bed:)

Idea Book

My friend Celeste gave me this idea.

I enjoy looking through design magazines and getting ideas for my own home. However, this idea of cutting out the pictures that appeal to me, keeps me from collecting too many magazines. Here I can keep all the pictures that capture my favorite rooms and have a quick reference when I want to use an idea or two.

Thanks for the great idea, Lesteloo!

Cookbooks

After settling into the new apartment and unpacking the boxes, I realized every last cookbook I owned was packed up somewhere in our two storage units. Oops! It ended up being a rather wonderful goof since it gave me the excuse to run to Costco and search the cookbook section. As far as I'm concerned, a girl cannot have too many cookbooks and therefore needs no excuse to buy recipe books.

I found not one new cookbook but two! Seriously, Costco's prices are so great that you basically can get two for the price of one. And if you know me, you know that a bargain makes the deal all the more sweeter!

The first one I found was a Williams-Sonoma family cookbook and you just can't go wrong with anything Williams-Sonoma! The second was tucked down low, in a small stack. My sister pointed it out and I was sold just by the glorious cover:) It was a vintage styled book by the Farm Chicks AND it came with a free one year subscription to Country Living!

Anyway, I came home gleaming with my new purchases and ready to conquer the kitchen!

That very night, Bill crashed in bed next to me and I stayed up late studying how to make homemade bread and corn tortillas. And though I've only yet to cook one meal -- cheesy potato soup (from the Farm Chicks' book) and homemade bread (from Williams-Sonoma) -- it was a success. Now if only I could perfect my consistency on the outcome of my dinners . . . I have the passion for cooking, but the success rate is still rather low:)

Art Class (from the good old days)

My artwork never earned over a B at PCC (for the one year that I went). I could show you my community college artwork that earned mostly A's but it's far, far worse than these:) PCC had an excellent art program and the most talented artists I've ever seen. To this day Bill and I "ooooh and awe" over Elizabeth and Jon Seest's artwork (Bill's classmates). Their work is absolutely exceptional and I highly recommend you take a look (if you are into that kind of stuff) http://seest.studio.googlepages.com/. Amazing! Absolutely amazing!

Faces are by far my favorite thing to draw!

This guy earned me my first (and only) B. Blah.

Recognize these eyes? Blurry picture . . .

My average C.

This little guy was the cover of a LIFE magazine from the 1940's. I bought the magazine at an antique shop just so I could draw his feisty little face.

Shabby Shoes

Tea Towels and Curtains

With all the snow we've gotten, I don't go out unless Bill is willing to take me. However, I don't get bored or get cabin fever -- I decorate, embroider whatever I can get my hands on, and tidy up the cottage:)

Memory Making

With the very first paycheck I ever got, I bought myself a set of china. I was young (stubborn) and had "decided" that I wouldn't marry and therefore would need to start collecting things I would need when i moved out. Instead, I would live with my sister (who had also decided against marriage), have a dog, and drive a Dodge Ram. Okay, so it may sound crazy, but like I said, I was "young". Well, my life has taken a different direction (much to my delight) and I find myself happily married, two kids, no dog, and a Chevy truck.

Although I already had china, technically it's not wedding china. So a few weeks ago my Grandmother asked me if I would like to have her wedding china. Seriously!!! I am not sure if my jaw hit the floor or not, but I am sure it at least came close. I've always loved her china, and secretly enjoyed eating off of the plates more than actually eating what was on the plates. They are that lovely.

Well, these dishes have been on display for a few weeks in the china cabinet. So far I haven't used them, but I do walk by the cabinet and smile as I look at the delicate set. It isn't just china, there are a lot of memories with this set. I do so love enjoying things with memories and stories behind them. I am really looking forward to making many more memories with them.

Mom to Mom

When I was pregnant with our first, my very dear and best friend Jordi threw me a BEAUTIFUL baby shower. She made beautiful food, name tags, decorations, etc. I appreciated everything so much. She also made advice cards for me which I absolutely loved. Each mother at the party wrote down a few words of wisdom for me. I now wish I would have put them up on the wall so I could have seen them every day (their wisdom was very sweet and I cherish each and every card). Instead of putting them up in his room or in clear view, I put them in my box filled with precious little keepsakes (his silver spoon, his baby book, cards, hospital bracelets, shoes, etc.). Here is a picture of the cards and one of my favorite advice cards from Gayla. This one I should frame so I can often be reminded that I am not raising just a boy-- I am raising a boy to be a man.

Gifts from Grandma

So here I go again talking about my love of antiques, but this piece is a little extra special.

My Grandma moved back to California today. She's downsizing to a considerably smaller home and didn't have room for her china cabinet. I am the lucky recipient of the cabinet and am still in a bit of shock. Having the extra storage space is really nice. I put all my china in it along with displaying her delicate, pink wedding china. The linens tuck nicely away in the drawer below.

Bum Genius

Okay. I am only on my first week of using cloth diapers, but I am going to admit that it isn't hard at all! I bought the Bum Genius diapers which is an "all-in-one" diaper so there aren't any plastic covers at all. The diapers have held up REALLY well so far (not even a week yet though). We haven't had any leaks during the day or at night! And as for the "genius" part of the name, I think it has something to do with the fact that the diaper will fit from birth and expands to toddler size. Amazing! I'll still be using the disposables for when we are out and about though.

Thanks, Heidi, for doing all the cloth diaper research and for the recommendation!

Sweet Sunday

Treasured Table

So my Mom brought this table back from a yard sale a few years back. My Dad just shook his had and grinned in disbelief; he just couldn't believe that she paid twenty dollars for what he thought was a piece of junk. Now my Mom is a woman with a vision because this table had seen WAY better days. It was painted a dark green, the legs were warped with water damage and there was no shelf on the bottom nor a base to the drawer.

After I stripped the green paint off, my Dad put in the drawer base and shelf and cut off the legs to make it stand evenly. Of course with all the different woods that this table is composed of, it could not be stained properly (much to my delight). I was right there with my Mom: paint it and distress it! It might still be considered a piece of junk to some people, but to me it's a delightful little table filled with wonderful memories! It served as a coffee stand in our little appartment when Bill and I first got married and now it's a wonderful shelf to hold my recipe books and a few treasures.

Thinking Green

My Mom has this theory: if you are shopping and find something that you like but just aren't sure about, you should wait a week. If after a week you are still thinking about the item then you should get it. Well, that theory has served me well. This is one of my favorite pieces that I found at an antique store a few years ago. The light, retro green color caught my eye right away. I left the shop thinking about all the ways I could use such a piece. I thought maybe I could paint it red and stencil a number on the front to serve as a locker in Ike's room. Or maybe I could use it in the family room to hold cds and dvds. Or in a bathroom to store extra towels , soaps, and toilet paper. Or I could use it in my laundry room to hold random things like light bulbs, extention cords, batteries, and detergents. Or a perfect cabinet for my craft supplies. Or it would even make a cute little pantry in my kitchen area for canned food. Believe me, my house is cozy and does not provide an ample amount of storage so I could use this in any room in my house.

After about a week I knew that this piece was perfect for my house so I just had to go get it (and it being at an antique store, you never know if the piece will be there when you return). Obviously it was otherwise I wouldn't be posting (with pictures) about my lovely find! Anyway, my Mom went back to the store with me and we loaded it up. It has been in my family room and made a great dvd and cd cabinet. However, I really love it in Kate's room as storage for all of her blankets and shoes. If she isn't as fond of vintage stuff as much as I am, I'll move it when she's grown and opinionated:) There are plenty of ideas spinning around in my head.

A New Favorite

Today I found a new "favorite thing." Michelle (my sister) and I went out shopping with the kids. Just a few days before my sister Heidi told me that I needed to get a Hot Sling. She has a baby too so I listen to any helpful tips from her! I bought one and I LOVE it! Kate is snuggled in as I write this! I love it 'cause I can be on the computer with two hands to type (typing with one hand sure is difficult :) I can make dinner and she's happy just to be close to me! I can shop the stores with two free hands! And what's most important, Kate loves how comfy and cozy it is! Love this thing!

Vintage Treasures

Yesterday I went over to my Grandmother's house and she had this vintage pin setting out for me. I was more than thrilled as I LOVE pieces with a bit of history. She also set out the latest Country Living magazine where they had a page full of other beautiful pins from the same era. I just love the colors of the pin and can't wait to wear it on a black winter coat! What a great thing to collect and enjoy!