Crafty Goodness

Oh dear little bloggy spot. It has been too long. I have been negligent and distant.

Let's get reacquainted!

Over the past week I have had the immense pleasure to spend five of the last seven days in the exclusive presence of my Pookie. Oh, how I LOVE the days I get to spend with that boy. We are friends. We get each other. We click.

And while at home I have done some crafting, and some cooking. And well, I've just been in heaven!

It's April. Did you know that?

I can't believe it. It was just October, I swear. What happened to Christmas? What happened to winter?

Oh, wait. We're still having winter...

BUT, Easter is upon us, whether the forecast tells us so or not.

And my front door was still sporting my FALL wreath.

Negligent. Ridiculous. Lazy. Cheap.

I was negligent, it was ridiculous and I was too lazy to make something and too cheap to buy something.

But, an awakening has occured.

There is new wreath goodness hanging on my front door!

Want to see??



Ignore the fact that you can see the police training center across the street.

It's not exactly how I thought it was going to look when I stared out, but I like it!

Here's an up close look at the detail.



I'm in love with it. It's shabby, and chic, and a little bit country. It's perfection.

And now I just need a new door. Or maybe just a new color on the existing door.

I feel a new project coming on...

Random, but Informative

It's going to be 70 degrees in Minneapolis today.

A feat as of yet accomplished in the last six months (at least) and I am stuck inside. Blech. Boo. Tear.

BUT, I can rejoice in this little victory - I have been productive.

Dinners have been dined, crafts crafted, and books read.

Let's take a look.

I whipped up this
SO delicious! And easy. And relatively low in calories. Those are TINY toasts people. My tummy thanks me...and so do my hips!

I bought this
Pookie is going to be warm and fashionable. Score!

And this
It's taken me 30 years, but I think I've finally figured out my style. I get it. It's neat.

I'm reading this
Because my beloved is, and statistics say my Pookie will be.

I printed this
Easter brunch is going to be amazing!

I'm listening to this
Don't judge. And don't pretend like you've never...

And tonight...well, tonight is craft night...and I'm making this.
Because living in the 'hood does not mean it's ok to still have your Fall wreath up in April!

And just to be spiteful to my diet I'm eating a snack size 3 Musketeers. Snack size because I want to be spiteful, not pudgy.

Amen.

I Am Loving...

54 degrees

Green grass

Raisinets

Thrift stores

DIY

Bliss by Amy Butler

Pedicures

I'm not going to lie. Today started off a bit rough.

And by a bit rough, I mean, I got up - thought better of it - and got back in bed.

Oh yeah, it was one of those mornings!

But, ladies with jobs and babes can't stay in bed, so I rallied, showered and even managed some lipgloss and a quick blow dry.

And then, Jesus and I had a little meeting about attitude and gratitude, I took off my "Poor Me" hat (it didn't go with my outfit anyway) and I embarked on my day with coffee in hand.

Don't worry - the coffee was from my kitchen - I'm still on the "I Can Live Without" challenge.

And then something magical happened.

The day turned around. And it all started with a sweet note from Mr. that girl. Just four simple words - This is for you - and a picture that I had been searching for upwards of 20 minutes last night, in desperate need of inspiration.

It may not seem like much to the outside eye, but it was enough to make me cry this morning.

Oh geesh, I MUST be tired! Please, Pookie, cut those teeth and go to sleep!!

And you know what?

Here in MN where it's been winter since 1909, the sun is shining!

There is green grass visible - and not just in one place - all over!

Buds are blooming, spring is springing and I have seen more than a few hearty mid-westerners running in shorts today.

Silly fools!

Today was a day to go to the Thrift Store and score a pair of fabulous Gap khaki's for $5.22 and two spools of yarn (for my next craft project) for $1.46!

It was a day to snack on Raisinetes - the perfect blend of chewy and chocolatey. Yum!

The kind of day where you call up your mom and ask if she wants to get her pedicure on.

And she does. And we are.

Good day...good day.

Weekend Re-cap

Happy Monday!

What a wonderful weekend we had here in the 'hood!

There were trips (plural) to Target, cookies, a drive to a farm, church, $5 pizza, crafts and lots of play time with Pookie.

Speaking of Pookie, that little guy is learning, doing and creating something new everyday and I can't keep up!

A few firsts this weekend:

1. First push-up. :) He has decided that hands and FEET are much more interesting of a maneuver than hands and knees. I don't think that's going to help the crawling, but it's entertaining to watch.

2. Donation. Pookie generously donated his right sneaker to the Target parking lot on Sunday. I'm glad he's generous at such a young age. I just wish he would have cleared it with mom and dad first. I would have suggested a more appropriate donation...or at least a COMPLETE donation of the pair of shoes. Ah, well, I'm sure this won't be the last rogue shoe incident.

3. First taste of prunes. And he LOVES them! Weirdo.

4. First time riding in a cart without his car seat. He's still a bit too small - but it was hilarious to see him tucked in there, gripping the handle with his tiny fists. And no, I don't have one of those nifty shopping cart covers - I used his blanket...and hand sanitizer. It's my belief that a few germs are good for kids. Go eat some dirt!

I think that's it on the Pookie front.

Other happenings this weekend?

I started a new craft for April - using the words and images from our wedding cards to decoupage an "L" which will hang in our living room. It looks a little wonky right now. That's right, wonky. I'll let you know how it turns out (fingers crossed).

On Sunday night I managed to leave the house with TWO Little Caesar's coupons in my pocket and by the time I entered the store to purchase my pizza, bread and wings, I only had one. I shake my fist at the black hole of nothingness that steals, kills and destroys! Oh no, wait, that's Satan. Well, the hole of nothingness is annoying at best. Seriously, how did I LOSE a coupon in 5 miles?!? Let's be honest. I'm lucky I haven't lost anything important yet...like Pookie...or one of the fur babies. Ugh.

Well, the laundry needs to be changed over and the living room floor isn't going to sweep itself. I asked, it gave me the middle finger. So, off I go to my "day off." It may not be relaxing, but it's my favorite!

Let the cleaning begin!

Pinterest - Interest

I have a new love.

A new obsession.

Obsessionnnn (whispered, like in the perfume commercials!)

Don't judge, you were thinking that too.

It's called Pinterest and I cannot get enough.

Do you have a random list of "Favorites" on your computer? Do you email yourself links and webpage addresses desperately trying to remember where to find your favorite clothing, housewares, photography inspiration and yummy treats?

Ok, maybe you don't.

But I do.

And for the memory-challenged, like myself, Pinterest is the greatest thing since Outlook task reminders!

It's a community of folks just like you and me...only maybe some of them are wicked talented and stylish...who are saving their "favorites" in one place. You create boards on which to "Pin" your favorite things - and then - GENIUS - they're all in one location - just waiting to inspire and delight you!

Whether you want to post raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens or bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens - you'll never misplace them again.

Oh yeah, the minute I typed favorite things, the soundtrack to Sound of Music started playing in my head....and it just had to come out through my fingertips.

Sorry for the distraction.

Now you see why I NEED this space!

Anyway, here is a sneak peak at my fashion board,

Clearly I have some work to do.

Clearly I have an unhealthy love affair with yellow right now.

But there are SO MANY beautiful dresses, shoes, handbags and blouses, and only one of me.

And that one me also has to do laundry and make dinner and play with my baby boy and spend time with my beloved and entertain the fur-babies.

There are only so many minutes in the day reserved for internet play. But ALL those minutes are reserved for Pinterest right now.

Facebook, stalked blogs, yahoo mail and allrecipes - you have been put on alert - you are officially being neglected until my boards are sufficiently brimming with beautiful inspiration.

Join me, won't you?

Go, request an invitation.

And then come find me. We'll follow each other.

Let the obsession begin. Obsessionnnnn!