Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Even More Rain...

Here are pictures of the urban river that is running through our street. The forecasters in San Diego always talk a big game when there is even a chance of clouds. So when the news started forecasting this storm I didn't really think it would be as wet as they said. This storm seems to be living up to expectations. It is pretty exciting and a nice change. Stay Classy San Diego

More rain

I love this weather! However I wish it was sunny for my sister since today is her birthday!! She is a sunny person who likes the warm weather. She really should have been a summer baby. Tonight the whole family is going to dinner and then to the Hotel Del in Coronado to see the beautiful tree.

Happy birthday to the greatest little sister!!xoxo

Rain

This what we have been up to, playing in the rain.

Cookies

Today's goal is to find the best sugar cookie recipe out there. I've been looking through my cookbooks and checking different websites to find the best. It is cold and rainy today so I need an activity to keep the boys busy! Only a week till Christmas and the anticipation is mounting!

Last night we went to a White Elephant party. It was so much fun. I wish I'd brought my camera the gifts were Hilarious and the tree looked lovely.

Spring revival

Something wonderful that happened to me this spring that I never mentioned is I went to New York City. The reason I went to the big apple with my best friend Kristina was to participate in the Revlon run/walk for women's cancer. This was our 6th year but only our 2nd time doing New York. Let me explain the picture above...the race starts very early and we had just woken up. It was a great day.

Today I got an email letting me know the dates for the 2011 Revlon Run/Walk. The Los Angles will be held May 7 and New York will be on April 30. I am not sure which city Kristina and I are doing yet but I can't wait. If you would like to get more infromation go to www.revlonrunwalk.org

Workshop

This is my new work space (aka dining room table) and I couldn't be happier! It is pretty simple but for me it's just the right amount of room. I love that the sliding glass door gives me so much natural light to work in!

I have been looking online for some good peppermint recipes to try out this year. I found a couple of good ideas. One that I think the boys will like involves smashing candy canes.

Stella & Dot

Trudy Love - Stella & Dot Stylist <-----it looks even better in person!

This past weekend I hosted a trunk show at our new house. I really love the Petra braided bracelet. This bracelet is on the pricier side but they do have 50 things under $50. Its a newer line of jewelry. I hadn't heard about it until I came across a catalog. So here is a link if you want to check it out. Its fun but not cheesy.

I had a busy week right into the weekend. I felt so productive...made cookies, made 10 coffee cozies, had a little house warming party, started Christmas shopping. The tree looks great and the stockings are hung by the chimney with care. Yet today I have little motivation. I need to sew some more but I am putting it off till tomorrow. I think there are 2 reasons I don't feel crafty today...1 FW is on a field trip to Legoland and I wish I was there with him. 2 It is 85 degrees in December!! I just don't feel like 1 of Santa's elves today when its this hot! Because of the weather I am treating this day as a lazy summer day. Get me a book and a hammock STAT!

Maple Sugar Cookies

These cookies are a BIG hit in my house. They get eaten up before I can take a picture of them! Sugar cookies are expected but adding the maple turns the classic sugar cookie into a taste sensation.

1 stick unsalted butter at room temp
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
half of an egg yolk
1 1/2 cup flour
pinch of salt

Set oven @ 335 makes about 18 medium size cookies

Sift flour and salt set aside. Cream butter and sugars together till they are creamy. Add half an egg yolk and the maple syrup cream for a minute. Now mix in flour & salt. blend it all together. flatten out the dough on saran wrap (so its easier to roll out) put it in the fridge for 20 minutes or the freezer for 10 minutes. roll the dough out and use your favorite cookie cutters. You can decorate these cookies but I think they taste best plain. bake @ 335 for 8-9 minutes take them out of the oven right when the corners get golden. Now try not to eat them all yourself!

Mad about hats...

I had to show off the new hat I got at the Queen Bee Market. I love the mustard color. I wish I could knit!

Here is my Mom modeling an Emily Sparks Scarf

Just got home from the Queen Bee Market! So much fun. It was wonderful to be able to see hand crafted talents in San Diego. I was able to get a few Christmas gifts and something for myself. I had to use a lot of restraint and not spend to much. I got some pretty red rose earrings from funkyvintagekitchen.etsy.com. I also got a lovely beret from emilymaysparks.etsy.com. All other purchases will have to remain a secret till Christmas.

Fall apron

So excited! I finished my fall apron. It fits just right and the ties in the back aren't to long. The pattern called for 2 pockets but I opted for just one. The pocket is the perfect size to tuck my blackberry away while I'm cooking. The pattern I used is Simplicity 3670. Its a great pattern for beginners and it comes with 2 apron patterns!

I started my Fall apron! Here is the pocket. I found a very simple pattern at Walmart. I got the fabric from Rosie's quilt shop in La Mesa.

Love it!

This is one of my favorite things! Whenever I catch F.W reading it makes my heart swell with joy and pride. I am so happy he loves to read. The boys have always enjoyed a good book but giving up TV really got them reading even more. F.W. loves Percy Jackson

Coffee Cozy

I've been a crumby blogger and I am playing catch up today. The month of October I have been working on these coffee cozies for a baby shower. I finished 35 fantastic coffee cozies. I used flannel receiving blankets to make them. The flannel is really thick so that was a bit of a challenge.

Halloween

Laura's party table

So many goodies

Macgurber!

Halloween being on a Sunday was fun. It was like a 3 day Halloween celebration. My sister had a great Halloeeen party for all her nephews. I didn't do home made costumes for the kids this year. However they did reuse the trick or treat bags I made for them last year. I'll find any reason to wear a wig.

X-Mas already??

"Get a head start on Christmas" That's what I saw when I clicked on marthastewart.com for my moment of zen. Seems like Christmas comes earlier and earlier every year! Day before Halloween and Target already had fake trees adorn with ornaments sheesh!

I have never been but I love their blog and I am looking forward to going!

HOT!

Who wants to make 35 cozies when it is 100 degrees out? Not me! Yesterday was so hot. I think the heat hit me hard because we had such a mild summer. Anyway I didn't feel like doing much of anything in the heat. Today should be a little cooler so I need to get some work done.
I am making 35 coffee cozies out of receiving blankets for a baby shower in November.

Books

I liked Bloodroot but the subject just seemed so bleak. characters with rotten teeth living out in the middle of no where. I could tell if I kept reading that book I was going to get in a depressed funk. So I stopped...Its not like me to start and not finish a book 2 in a row has never happened. I need a novel to distract me from my everyday life! So I am reading Everyone worth Knowing By Lauren Weisberger. I want to read her new book Last Night at the Chateu Marmont but its not at the library yet.

Hooray for Fall. Unfortunately we are having a heat wave this weekend. It's really going to feel like summer tonight at Petco Park when we go see the Padres play.

Books

I haven't been doing a ton of sewing lately...However I have been doing a lot of reading. A book I finished not to long ago is One Day by David Nicolls. I kept hearing really good reviews about this book that perked my interest. Its already on paperback so you don't have to lug around a heavy hardcover which is a plus. I thought it was a wonderful book and a great idea. The story revolves around college grads Emma & Dexter and what happens for the next 20 years on July 15. Brilliant! I didn't want this book to end!
The book I'm currently reading is I See You Everywhere By Julia Glass. I got this book from the library because I have read her other novel Four Junes and I liked that one. This book is about 2 not very likable sisters that don't really like each other. So what is there to like about this book? Not much...I know sister relationships can be complicated. This book isn't a page turner. I'm trying to hurry through it so I can start Bloodroot By Amy Greene. This book has gotten a lot of praise. This is a debut novel that takes place in Appalachian mountains.

Just came across this picture...I can't believe Dr. G was ever that small! The kids are still mulling over what they want to be for Halloween.

On a more serious note today in 9/11. It is crazy it has been 9 years. It still seems very fresh in my mind. Not to long ago I watched the movie Return to Me. I had no idea the plot revolved around 9/11. After that movie I was in a bit of a funk for a few days. However today I plan on being a wonderful person and trying to do small acts of kindness in honor of Americans who left their homes in the morning and never returned.

Realized today that I don't have a Halloween/Fall apron! I'm looking for a pattern now!

Home sweet Home

I wish!

Don't get me wrong living in San Diego is great...but sometimes I just wished I lived someplace where there are seasons. Some days I long for moody clouds and light drizzle instead of blue skies. I have to get my snow fix by looking at other people's blogs. This weekend we might make the drive up to the snow. I really hope so because I need a change in scenery.

This is the "Coldplay" bag I made for my friend. I call it the Coldplay bag because of the fabric. The butterflies remind me of their concert when paper butterflies fluttered down on the crowd.

Sassy Apron

I love this apron I made! It is very comfy and great to use in the kitchen.

Happy New Year!
I finished my 1st project of 2010! I made a bag for my friend. Pictures soon to follow.