Chill out

This is what the sky looked like this morning when Dr G and I took our morning walk. We saved 2 worms today. We have been reading Winnie Finn, earthworm farmer by Carol Bendler. It's about a girl who loves earth worms. It is a great book for preschoolers to 2nd grade. Dr G won't touch a worm but he is learning that they are small creatures with an important job.

Is it Friday yet? Can't wait for the weekend to get here so we can all relax for a long weekend. Everyone in my home has been busy this week with work, laundry, school reports. We all need to just chill out!

Quite possibly the best gift ever!

Some people may think of laundry as a chore but I think its like shopping out of your hamper. I love the thought of never having to go to the laundry mat again! So that's what I've been doing this week loads and loads of laundry!

It is a lovely cloudy day in my patch of the world and I am stumped on what to make for dinner. I want a comfort food but I don't want to make chili or meatloaf. I looked to Martha Stewart for inspiration...nothin. Then I looked at some other blogs but nothing popped out at me. I think I might just end up making stew but I really wanted to WOW the family. I want to make something for dinner that will make the whole house smell inviting!

Book Thief

1 reason I haven't been blogging or sewing lately is I was reading The Help. I finally got my hands on this hot piece of literature and was consumed by it. It ignited my passion of great storytelling. After I finished The Help I was ready to start a new book. I had a few books in mind that I wanted to read but I have been on a long waiting list for them at the library. My friend read The Book Thief and couldn't stop raving about it. I decided to take my friend's advice. I picked up that book from the library I also got a book off my waiting list, The Cookbook Collector by Allera Goodman. My reading dry spell is over! Doesn't look like I'll be sewing any time soon.

Hello

Long time no blog:( I took an unintended break from the computer and sewing machine. Here is a coffee cozy I did with some left over fabric. Can you tell it is Elvis? I kept it basic with a simple black button. Sadly this is the only thing I've sewn all year. My top sewing goal for 2011 is to start and finish a quilt. I'd like to take a class.

If you are ever in San Diego and would like to do something inexpensive other than the beach...I would suggest Old Town. It can get very busy on the weekends so parking stink. It is a state park so most of the museums are free. San Diego's oldest school house is here. The kids always have a good time running around. The boys also like the candy shop where you can see taffy being made.

My Mom found this apron with my Grandma's things. I love the fabric. The hem needs to be retouched and the ties in the back of the apron were never finished. My Grandma and I were about the same height so it fits me just right.

New Year part 2

Finished product

Almost everyone makes new years resolutions. I can't even remember last years resolution so that just shows you what it means to me. This year I want to sew more and on a personal level really live in the moment. I think to often I think about what's to come or where I was last year.

Happy New Year!

This picture doesn't do these cupcakes justice!

So to celebrate the last day of 2010 we made cupcakes. It was my sister in laws brilliant idea. She sent me heart shaped silicon cupcake holders for Christmas. I'm pretty old school and used to using cupcake papers. I was pleasantly surprised with the silicon holders. They clean up easy. The only flaw in making cupcakes is who will eat all of them?! (me)

So my favorite cupcakes are from the Magnolia bakery in NYC. I have the Magnolia Bakery cookbook by Allysa Torey. Last night I was living on the edge and substituted the milk for almond milk. The boys didn't like the batter as much but the cupcake, once cooled, turned out very yummy.

Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes

1 1/2 cup self rising flour

1 1/4 all purpose flour

1 cup (2 sticks) butter @ room temp

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs @ room temp

1 cup milk ( I used 1 cup original almond milk!)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven 350

In small bowl sift flours together and set aside

In a large bowl cream butter until smooth. Add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. add dry ingredients alternating with milk and vanilla. don't over beat. fill up cupcake liners and bake 20-25 minutes

You can make your own frosting but I used store bought because I didn't want to wait a minute longer to eat these yummy treats!