It's probably a bad week to do this

Approaching 19 pounds and 27 inches in length (at 4 1/2 months), our big boy has exceeded the capacity of several items we were hoping to get a little more mileage out of (his swing, clothes, etc.)

Our Moses basket was purchased off Craigslist. It was the only bassinet option I could find that would work in our tiny room. It makes me a little weepy to give it up (back on Craigslist, of course - no room to store it), and it is bad timing with DC day tomorrow. But really more of his sleep time has been spent in our bed, so I can let it go. I think I can let it go...

Then

and now

(It's funny that his legs are in the same position in both shots)

I should do something meaningful with these pictures, shouldn't I?

**********

Favorite of the day: SuziK (shoot - can't remember the source)

Working on: Having a good day with Hank

All Favorites

Monday, March 30, is officially inspiration day! Don't know what is in the air (maybe Spring?) leading folks to create all of this loveliness, but I am favoriting things left and right

* Apple cupcakes (via Edible Crafts)
* Men's shirtdress transformed into child's sundress (via CRAFT)
* One two lovely reusable produce bags (via Apartment Therapy Re-nest)
* Every single little thing here
* One two fun little DIY favors (via Style Me Pretty. Yeah - I subscribe to a wedding blog. What's it to ya?)
* Story Dice (via The Crafty Crow)
* Vintage iron steps as shelves (via Apartment Therapy - Los Angeles)
* Refashioned cardigan sweater (via CRAFT)
* Sprouting basil kits from Ikea (via Apartment Therapy - Los Angeles)

What have you favorited lately?

A tisket, a tasket

A silent auction Easter "basket"




Made for an auction at church. The theme of my basket is "B.Y.O," and contains

* Insulated lunch tote (serving here as the basket)
* Create your own coffee tumbler
* Stainless steel water bottle
* 2 reusable shopping bags
* Spork (like mine)
* Take-out box (also like mine)
* cloth napkin

You can see genius forgot to take a pic at home and ended up snapping a pic in the church parking lot. If somebody finds my brain, tell it I miss it.

*********

Favorite of the day: Spool people (via The Crafty Crow)

Working on: Justifying to my husband why he and I should spend at least a little bit of his bonus on new clothes. I think I have more items with holes and/or stains than without and his clothes are even worse. Debt, schmet. Let's go shopping!

Bechamel me, bechamel me mucho

I forgot how much I loooove bechamel


(Scallopini with ham and cheese. And bechamel. I know - you wouldn't think you would need a sauce when you already have the cheese, but you do. Yes, you do)

Thanks to Apples for Jam for the reminder. Yeah - I'm a little late to the party in checking this book out. And by *checking out* I mean having the book delivered to my house. I'm still Bookswimming it (every craft book you wanted to check out before you commit to buy is on there!) BUT - I have been supporting our local libraries by checking books out for Hank from the library weekly. Transitions are important in my life right now.

Not sure what happened with the broccolini here...let's ignore it.

**********

Favorite of the day: Ok - we totally threw this party but did not take a single picture! Here is a written description of our party. It's a winner! (via Kirtsy)

Working on: Misc. tags, labels, and gift wrapping. Finishing touches, if you will.

Amber is the color of his energy

As Amanda recently posted a picture of Harper wearing his amber teething necklace, thought I would show a pic of Hank wearing his beads

I purchased his necklace from this etsy seller. The beads are meant to be worn by babies during teething periods. They are not supposed to chew on the beads, but rather the soothing analgesic properties of the amber absorbs through their skin.

And though Hank's chakras may be cleansed and healed, you will note from this picture he does not have the benefit of another eastern discipline, good feng shui in the nursery, as the space under his crib is currently being used for storage...

**********

Favorite of the day: Jenn's pastry tour of SF (no - we are not planning another trip anytime soon, but I definitely have San Francisco on the brain lately for some reason)

Working on: Maintaining sanity

Comfort

DC (Day Care) day is next Wednesday.

Sewing some comfort items, like a simple sleep sack and some blankets, that will hopefully get Hank through his three days per week at the school.

To date Hank has not been away from both of his parents at the same time. He still nurses frequently, and has not adopted any self-soothing measures (pacifiers, teethers, thumb sucking) to date. He loves to play, but has a hard time entertaining himself for long. On a positive note, he loves other kids. At the play group we go to, he is the youngest by a few months, but he lays over my arm and reaches out excitedly at the kids that walk or crawl by.

How will he make it on his own?

How will I...?

**********

On hand: Flannel - yards and yards purchased by my mom for Christmas, ribbon, lots of love

Upcycled: N/A

Cost: $0

**********

Favorite of the day: Mission Street Food (def hitting this if we ever make it to SF again. Also favorited - sites about SF with kids) via Kirtsy in a roundabout way

Working on: Easter basket for Silent Auction at church

Sometimes, very rarely, it's good to live near an airport

(Air Force One)

(Marine One)

**********

Favorite of the day: You should have seen this

Working on: Guess?

They're still eating Irish food in Ireland

So what - I'm a day late

I had a very time intensive project to complete yesterday for work (I am still working from home), and as a result of doing something other than entertaining him nonstop, Hank was very grumpy and difficult in the evening.

So the corned beef and cabbage and soda bread had to wait until tonight. It was worth the wait.

*********

Favorite of the day: Art gallery templates via Ohdeedoh

Working on: Still the sleep sack. Time is a luxury I covet.

Baby, I've been waiting

I think I waited half my life away (hehe) to see Leonard Cohen in concert


(publicity shots via Amoeba)

Sorry to get all White Oleander on you, but Mr. Cohen is who I turn to on days when the spark of my soul is a little dim. Somehow making myself more depressed helps heal the pain. I'm an enigma.

So, yeah - Easter weekend, Leonard? Really? Guess I'll miss seeing you after all this time...{sniff}. Oh well. Nothing left to do when you've got to go on waiting - waiting - for the miracle to come...

**********

Favorite of the day: High Fructose Corn Syrup in Unexpected Places (via Strollerderby)

Working on: Sleep sack for Hank

An Awesome Author

You've seen his work, right?

Today we got to meet the man behind An Awesome Book. It was - awesome!

Thanks, Leslie!

**********

Favorite of the day: Big Shott's Edible Shooters (via Edible Crafts)

Working on: the bulletin board (still). Let's just say "craft room decor" from now on...

BTW

The barf cover is already in use. Repeat. The barf cover is already in use.

Is there is an online support group for people whose pets drive them bonkers?

**********

Favorite of the day: The shower Rebecca helped throw for her friend (LOVE the peach tree wish tree idea!)

Working on: (changed mind) Bulletin board for craft room

Measure twice. Cut once.

Good advice.

You shouldn't skip the measuring step and decide to "wing it" just because you have a baby who doesn't nap very well, are working full time from home, and have a myriad of other chores and obligations to attend to...

'Cause, you know, two simple pillows will take twice as long to complete that way. You may also end up having to include buttons on your envelope backed pillows because they won't stay closed

Though, every challenge is an opportunity. More sage advice.

On hand: Down pillow forms salvaged from our old apartment, barkcloth from Barb, Japanese print purchased in Hawaii, buttons from rummage sale

Upcycled: Reuse of pillow forms (though I can't imagine who would get rid of these just because they didn't like the cover they came with any more)

Cost: ~$4 for backing fabric

**********

Favorite of the day: Geninne's stamp drawer

Working on: "Granny Chic" curtains for my craft closet

Really, if you don't subscrbe to these two blogs

you don't know what you're missing

It's lovely! I'll take it!

You suck at Craigslist

Barf cover

or wrinkle cover, lap blanket - whatever you want to call it

This is a *sneak peek* of the guest room/craft room. It is the only room in the house that will be painted with color (Freshaire ~ Midwest Spring). The room is teeny tiny - only 7 1/2 feet wide. Necessitating the funky not quite a sofa or a bed from Ikea. It's white, which is generally a no-no in our house with two bulimic cats. Hence the barf cover.

I purchased the pre-quilted fabric some time ago at the thrift store for 3 bucks. All I had to do was add bias trim. Not having time or inclination to sew it on properly, I took the lazy daisy route and sewed it from the top, trying to catch both sides. That never works, right? So I went around a couple more times. I kind of like the effect.

On hand: Pre-quilted fabric

Upcycled: N/A

Cost: $5 for bias tape

**********

Favorite of the day: Bugaboo day trips (via Cool Mom Picks. Can't afford the stroller, but I love the Paul Frank maps!)

Working on: "Matching" pillows for this blanket

Is it just me

or are people more friendly lately? Interpretation according to

The Worrywart ~ Let's hurry up and get the lady with the baby who could start crying at any moment out of here.

The Cynic ~ People are trying to protect their jobs, so they will bend over backwards to serve you.

The Optimist ~ Maybe in these uncertain times, all we can find solace in is each other - humanity. A smile or a simple courtesy extended are free, and make us feel good to give or receive.

You ~ ?

**********

Favorite of the day: Nursing bag (Love this!! So implementing this idea for friends!)

Working on: Blanket for the guest room

Hank @ (almost) 4 months

* Sits in his high chair (no food yet - just plays with his utensils)

* Went from hating to loving being on his belly

* Can "sit" hunched over for a few minutes

* Loves to have you bring him from a sitting to a standing position

* Has rolled over twice from his belly but wasn't quite sure how he got there

* Laughs a hearty laugh

* Has a never-ending supply of drool

* Does not sleep through the night. Not by a long shot...

**********

Favorite of the day: Tankless water heater review on Re-Nest

Working on: House re-fi

Not much to show

as a result of my blog break. I made some cupcakes (Frost-ed/Nixon for the Oscars get it?), and a terrarium for a 2-year-old's b-day (didn't get a pic, but no worries as this is my new go-to gift for the toddler set for a while)



We finally had a burst of inspiration for decorating the living room (aka, for those of you who know us in person, the storage room). We bought an Expedit bookcase, and filed our books by subject (art, cars, geekery).

The shelves above were placed to fill out the space, and now house our finer tiki wares. So - the living room theme became - drum roll please - Uber Tiki Modern. Lots of white and small, subtle touches of tiki reminiscent of a bygone era. Starting with this lamp. I'll keep ya posted!

***********

Favorite of the day: http://think-king.com/ (buggy hook - so need these!) via Cool Mom picks

Working on: Sleep