Thursday, November 18, 2010

finished a project :)

I'm not a crafty person, but my family has this home made Christmas stocking tradition. I didn't get Emily's done last year because there were no supplies in Germany and we moved right at Christmas. We use the stockings on St. Nicholas day so I hurried up and got this done before Thanksgiving.


 These are our other 3 hanging at our home in Germany 2 years ago.


Eric's seemed to be missing something so I added a little to it this year.


Saturday, October 30, 2010

gifts

I don't know about you all, but I am starting to think about Christmas. I would love to go outside the box a bit this year, but am not at all crafty. I am hoping to support some WAHMs by buying handmade items. I'm looking for beautiful, yet useful. Toys that require imagination. 

I love these playsilks for little ones. They are so light and pretty you can't help playing with them. My girls have one and use it for a baby sling, peek a boo, a cape, a doll blanket, and more. There are so many gorgeous ones to choose from. This is from BeneathTheRowanTree


 I just recently won a couple pairs of dryer balls. Even though I don't need to use my dryer yet there was one evening when I wanted something dry quickly and I really wanted to give these a try. I couldn't believe how fast the clothes dried! Cutting down on dry time is great for the electric bill and these balls work as a natural fabric softener too. Mine are scented with Rooibos Tea, but they come in unscented and look relatively easy to make at home too. The pair I am using now are from Rhineland Farms


Maybe the little girl in your life would like a tutu? This is another of those things that is supposed to be easy to make, but I haven't had the need yet as we have plenty of tutus given to us. My girls wear theirs all the time and are so adorable :) This pretty tutu is from piper's closet


Maybe Mom would love a new necklace


 Do you know someone who could use some pampering? Hand made soaps would be a great gift for anyone (hint, hint)


This one makes me laugh :) Does the man in your life wish he had a beard? Or just want to keep his face warm? Try this bearded beanie.


Or maybe your guy is a gamer and could use a new case for his iPhone


There are so many gorgeous paintings out there too. So much more meaningful than the generic prints from your local home store. I love this one!


Obviously I could go on and on. The hard part is sticking with a budget and not buying it all :)

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Halloween fun

We don't celebrate Halloween in a big way, but the girls do love to dress up and our normal activities this week like story time and playgroup will be in costume. Today was story time.





Last week they made fun spider hats. Such an easy and adorable craft and they love them!





Thursday, October 21, 2010

why my house is a mess

This is what happens when I try to wash the diapers


And this is while I mop the floors


while I wash dishes


while I get little sis down for her nap


and I couldn't even tell you where I was when Emily drew chalk circles on the floor and the table and the wall


As I wrote this they "helped" me by taking my damp laundry off the clothesline and putting it on the wet grass.

Monday, October 18, 2010

It's that time of year again!

I haven't made this cake yet this year, but I plan to soon. I only make it once every fall because it's a little more money than I like to spend on dessert and it is so rich! It's great for parties so you can share.  

Pumpkin Pecan Layer Cake

2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 50)
1 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup butter or margarine

Cake:
 1 box spice cake mix
 1 can (16 ounces) solid pack pumpkin
 1/4 cup butter or margarine softened
 4 eggs

Filling and Topping:
 2/3 cup butter or margarine softened
 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese softened
 3 cups confectioners' sugar
 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
    
In a mixing bowl on medium speed, beat the wafers, pecans and butter until crumbly
about 1 minute. Press into three greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans. In another mixing
bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, butter and eggs for 3 minutes. Spread over crust in each pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove to wire racks and cool completely.

For filling: Combine butter and cream cheese in a small mixer bowl. Add sugar and vanilla,
beat on medium until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Thinly spread between layers
(crumb side down) and on the sides of cake. Spread caramel topping over top of cake, allowing
some to drip down the sides. Store in refrigerator. 

Friday, October 15, 2010

progression of a birthday cake

Here is what I was going for



They have a template, but it was just a little too big so I decided to try it freehand. First the grass and sky and then I put it in the freezer before adding the other colors.



 This is what I find an hour later


Anika told me she did it while I was getting Emily to sleep. Thankfully there was extra frosting. Don't tell the party guests!

After re frosting and re freezing it was time to try to draw. I have never drawn with frosting before.



The kids knew right away what it was and that is good enough for me :)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Christmas dresses

I want to find something a little different than the traditional puffy skirt and scratchy tulle this year. Anika always hates wearing her dress because it's "itchy" or "pokey". Here are a few adorable dresses I have come across today.




Reindeer dress @GooseberryLane 


White Trees and Aqua Snowflakes @ButterflyBabyPlace 


Snowflakes with sash @AJoyfulVision


Black and Bright @Hanna Andersson



Eyelet lace @gap

This one is very Christmasy, but not uncomfortable looking.
 It's @Carter's

This is also @Carter's