pink picket fence

hello there, pumpkin

I hosted bookclub monday night.  We had read The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani.  (Wonderful book that I probably would not have otherwise picked up.  It's engaging historical fiction set in Iran in the 1700s.  Reminded us all a bit of The Red Tent.)

Our bookclub is small enough that hosts serve a full meal.  I made Rachel's Pasta Carbonara (Rach, I use this all this time, thank you!), a green salad with  "olive garden" dressing, some toasted garlic bread, and pumpkin cake for dessert. 

I used this recipe, but decreased the sugar to 1/2 cup and used a whole can of pumpkin. I also threw in some more cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp cloves, baked it in a bundt pan baked for 45 minutes.  The frosting is a mix of cream cheese (about 2oz), 1/2 stick butter, milk and powdered sugar.  Oh my, this was good.

And, by golly, he seems to know it. 

(I didn't notice the face on this cake until after I took this photo.  And now I can't stop staring at it!  I can't decide whether to laugh or be creeped out.  ha.

The Olivia Baby Quilt

I tell you what, my friends sure are keeping me busy making baby gifts these days.  Not that I'm complaining; I'm getting my fair share of snuggles and baby breath.  Is there anything that compares to that?  Because I really don't think so.

This quilt was made for Olivia Christine, born on October 27.  She is delicate and coo-ey and has the most beautiful full lips -- just like her mama. 

In general, vintage sheets are so pretty that I don't like to cut them up very much.  Bands of color are just fine by me.  It also makes them easy to personalize with embroidery.

I usually mix a band of a new fabric in with all the older sheeting, mostly to stretch my vintage stash and also to break things up a bit.  But this front and back are made completely from the vintage goods and are ever so soft.   { I used a new cotton print for the binding, which I do prefer for its strength.  Sometimes those timeworn lovelies are prone to tearing. }

I hope sweet Miss Olivia enjoys her blanket and her mama lets her use it and spit up on it and everything else that goes along with babies.  This one was made with love and should stand the test of time. And if it does need repair, I'm pretty sure they'll know who to call.  ;)

Hopefully, before too long, I'll have nursery room pics to share.  I'm kind of loving how it's turning out. 

Fun with Plums

Don't you love those easy recipes that look and taste like you spent forever in the kitchen? 

Here's another one to keep handy.  Roasted plums ...

If you receive MS Everyday Foods, you probably already saw the plum recipes in the September issue.  The day after I received my issue, I happened to see a bag of 12 ripe plums for $1 at the grocery store, so I thought experimentation was in order. 

As you may know, my girlfriends and I do Friday Morning Coffee every week.  Lately we have been trying new breakfast dishes and using each other as guinea pigs.  That's what good friends are for, right?  Plus, I had just-add-water blueberry muffins as backup.

So.

They are now in heavy rotation.  Because you know what?  Oh my yum.

Yes, those are buttermilk biscuits.

And cream cheese with sugar.

And this is the deliciousness that you must try.  I made this dish three times before I even remembered to photograph it because I wanted to lick it off the plate right them.  Ahem. 

Here's the deal.

MSEF Roasted Plums (A la miss chris):

plums (one per serving)
butter
brown sugar
lemon or orange zest, if you have one
OJ

Canned Biscuits
Cream cheese
Sugar

Oven 400.
Half the plums, remove the pits.
Place the plums cut side down in a roasting dish or oven-safe skillet.
Put a pat of butter on top of each.
Sprinkle brown sugar over each.
If you have some, grate lemon or orange zest over the top.
Slam them in the over for 30 mins. 

But, set your timer for 18 or so...Because now you are going to throw some biscuits on a sheet and put them in with the plums for the last 12 minutes.  Genius!

Then grab some cream cheese and fold in some sugar to taste.  You might see if you have some whipped cream, too.  Just because everything tastes better with whipped cream.

When it's all done, drizzle some OJ over the plums and swirl it around a bit to create a little jus.  YUM.   Cut the biscuits in half, smear some cream cheese mixture on top, put a plum on each biscuit side.  Drizzle some of that yummy plum juice from the pan over each plate, for dipping and because it looks fancy.  Oh  my goodness.

Top with whipped cream if you feel like it.  I do.

stick 'em up

Well that was a longer-than-intended blog break. 

The pink nursery dresser is awesome and basking in its new-found russet-pink glory.  It's been done now for over a week.  However, it is still in the garage because the giant dresser that is currently in the room needs to come out and go somewhere.  Any of my local friends need a huge mission style dresser with 8 drawers?  I'm totally serious.  We don't have a vehicle that can haul it, so you might have to get creative.  But you all are good at that.  ;)

Remember in that photo last week, of the top of my kitchen cabinets with the white pumpkin and the witch silhouette?  I decided it needed More Fall, so I also replaced the contents of glass containers (from lemons and shells) and threw in some sticks from the yard.  Know what?  Five minutes later it totally looked festive.  Go.  Go get some sticks.  And say 'totally festive.'

Next up?  You all have got to try roasting plums.  Oh My Goodness.  Yes, the recipe is on its way. 

xoxo

hello fall

It's here.  Really, really, here.  After a mild summer that kept me wondering when the supreme midwestern humidity and heat would come back any minute, fall has arrived with its crisp mornings and glowy afternoons... the kicking on of the furnace in the morning for a few minutes to get the chill out of the air... It's got me thinking about pumpkin recipes and roasting acorn squash with brown sugar just because.

I'm off to Friday Morning Coffee in a little while.  This is a weekly morning coffee and playdate with a few friends of mine.  We rotate houses, but there is always a hot pot of coffee, something yummy to eat, kids running amok, and a full morning of laughter.  It's such an institution around here that our little ones depend on it and always want to know what day it is and where we are going.

So today I have a crisp fall morning with cobalt blue skies and the promise of a cozy coffee morning with some of my very best friends and their kiddos.  What could be better than that?  I count myself one lucky gal.

 

What is making you feel blessed these days? 

xoxo

She's a great vintage

So my sister's birthday party was this weekend.

Last year I made her some comfy pjs from vintage sheeting, and I know she likes unique handmade items, so I couldn't exactly let her down.

Don't worry, I didn't whip up anything too special.  But she did like it a lot, and it's one of those fast + easy gifts you can really have fun with. 

I bought a bottle of wine (and made sure I liked the bottle top cover -- it didn't have any writing on it to distract), soaked and scraped off the front label, and then replaced it with a personalized one.  I told you it was fast + easy. 

{ As for the 'Chexican' part... My gorgeous, olive-skinned, raven-haired sister has been mistaken for many a nationality over the years and she embraced it a long time ago.  Her friends threw her a Chinese Fiesta party, complete with egg rolls, layered nacho dip, taquitos and fortune cookies.  It's all in good fun. }

I also made her six napkins, just because.  Everyone should have lots of fun napkins at their disposal.

Happy Monday, blogworld!  xoxo

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PS: Sparkle Power is hosting a great giveaway.  ;)

dresser + thrift scores + a typepad grumble

I am taking a break from the sanding and cleaning of the dresser to say hello.  I got some patching that is drying before the final sand and then it is prime-time.

Which reminds me, some of you commented on my last post with suggestions for priming over previously finished pieces, and I so appreciate that!  I have always used a product called Zinsser 1-2-3 for glossy surfaces and have had luck painting over varnished wood trim and furniture with little to no sanding, and it is great.  But it is nice to know there are other products out there as well.  (Have you been putting off painting some furniture because of the sanding commitment?  Now you know you don't have to.  This primer is sold at local hardware stores and works like a charm.)

 

(vintage evening purse, $2)

That said, I am sanding because the previous owners had also painted the dresser, and I just want to go over the areas where their job had worn.  And patch the few gauges that are here and there.  I'm not using a machine palm sander or anything -- just those sponge sand blocks that last forever and I happen to have lying around. 

( wool dress coat with 3/4 sleeves and gorgeous oversized buttons and fur collar, $12)

Can you tell I've been getting back out to the thrift stores?  Other than the dresser and lots of pillowcases and sheets, I've been lucky enough to pick up a few other things.  That black purse might see an evening out or two this winter, if I'm lucky.  And that gorgeous blue wool coat?  I picked it up for Lori, who asked me to keep an eye out for her a year ago.  $12!  Score!

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The other thing I haven't addressed yet is how typepad is now handling comments.  I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to me.  Until la bebe, I was pretty good about getting back and replying, but I'm sure you know by now either personally or from all the griping on the interweb that typepad has made this pretty cumbersome.  I will reply directly to questions by email, but please be patient with this momma.  Sometimes it takes me days to just compose a post... but I do want you to know that I value each and every comment.  You make me feel special, so thanks.  xo

Babygirl gives you each a thumbs up.

the nursery dresser

One of the tricky things about not knowing the baby's gender before the big day is that the nursery is an afterthought. For me, anyway. I couldn't think about it until I met this baby first.  With the other two girls, I had very specific ideas and lots of time before they were born.  But this last little miracle was my big surprise. 

And after two girls I knew that if we had a boy, this would be a very fun boy room.  Daddy would finally get his little St Louis Cardinals nursery and have (what he considers) a valid reason for purchasing a life-size Albert Pujols stand-up cutout (which I am sure wouldn't have scared the crickets out of me in those middle of the night feedings at ALL).

Of course, my weakness is for little girls rooms, and I knew that if the last little member of our clan was of the pink persuasion, a gender neutral room just. would. not. do.

And, of course, we had another girl.

Whew.  What a long winded way to say, hey, I got a dresser for the nursery at a thrift store for 25 bucks and I'm going to paint it.  Either white or yellow or pink or red. 

Who am I kidding?  It's definitely going to be pink.

It is actually in very good condition.  The white markings are where the last paint job was worn, not gauges.  The dresser was made by Dixie and it is solid wood, even between the drawers.  It's crazy heavy and should last a long time.

Once I get it done.  Which means that if I have the time to write this post, I probably have the time to clean, sand, and prep this puppy.   If you need me, I'll be in the garage.  (At least until little miss sparklepants calls me back in. )

xoxo

the gift reveal

Running short on time today... babygirl sleeps really well at night, but it translates to very short naps during the day.

Anyhoo.

Here is an almost-full shot of the baby blanket I made for a friend of mine who is a couple weeks away from being a first time mama.  I used a combination of vintage sheeting (the pink stripes), and some stash fabric (from Heather Bailey's Pineapple Brocade to stock quilter's cotton; the blue has polka dots).  I trimmed it with a dotted pink minky left over from Figet's nursery bedding, made three years ago.

I loved the combination so much that I think I'm going to use that yellow for curtain's in the new nursery.  I'm not kidding.  I have about 10 yards of it that I bought for another project that will never happen and I think it would look smashing as full-length curtains.  Anyone think I'm nuts?

I also made a matching onesie for the babe.  This little newborn onesie was worn by by my own babygirl once or twice and I was getting ready to put it in the goodwill pile.  Ten minutes and a little heat-n-bond later, I had part deux of the baby gift.  Voila. 

I'm making more of these.

That's a promise.  And a warning.  I do have a bagillion baby gifts to make, after all.  :) 

xoxo

hello hello!

That dust-cloud you see just over the fence? 

It's me, spinning around like a whirling dervish, getting my creative-on and trying to keep up with the laundry and baby apparati.  I have a theory that the smaller children, the bigger the accessories.  Bouncer?  check.  Bumbo?  Check.  Swing?  Check.  Playmat?  Check.  Pack n play?  check.  Baby bucket carrier thing?  Check.  Exersaucer?  Check.  I always forget that part about having babies.  Suddenly your house feels like a clown car stuffed with baby equipment.   All my 13 year old needs is her ipod, cell phone and lip gloss and she is good to go.  I can tell you these are tiny because she is constantly losing them.  No way I'm losing that swing.  Might break a leg tripping over it, but I won't lose it, that's for sure.

But I digress. 

It happens.  A lot around here these days.  Mostly because I am busy making kissy faces and oohing and cooing at babygirl.  I swear this girl is a chatterbox already.  I know.  Crazy, huh?

Anyway, there is serious gift-making happening.  I have six -- yes, SIX -- friends who have either just had a baby or are getting ready to, and there is some crazy sewing happening down in the studio.  They are surprise-ish, so the reveals will be slow but steady here.  I promise.

(here's a peek at one that gets gifted tomorrow... I don't think she checks my blog. )

Also, I am in the process of the nursery design.  What ho!  Are we having fun around here!  I picked up a dresser for $25 at a thrift store and hubs has made me promise to fix it up this week so we can get it out of the garage.  So I have a deadline, which is always nice.  Now that I'm officially a full time stay at home mom I need a Real Challenge.  Thanks, honey.  I'd hate to sit around and eat bon-bons all day.