Easter Confections

I have three new listings, all perfect for Easter!
Click the titles to go to the listings.

First, the two long-awaited sets I've teased you with in previous posts, for the Boutique Traditions Easter launch:


"Princess Rose"

One for the boys...

"Pleasing Pinstripes"

And finally, a four piece ensemble, for my guest spot with BayberryLn for their Leap Into Spring launch:

"Eggshell"

Self Portrait Challenge - Celebrate

I have many reasons to celebrate...

many favorite things that make my life more fun...

Today, I celebrate {Green}

Thanks, Mom, for the sweater... I am so blessed that you'd spend your time making something just for me...

To see more Self Portrait Challenge Celebrations, CLICK HERE

Sunday Morning

I enjoy making a special breakfast on Sunday mornings - partly because I love making breakfast food, and partly because I don't have time to do so on the other six days of the week.

This morning, we had a crumb coffee cake dusted with powdered sugar and peppermint tea.

This is a great recipe to make with kids, because you can give one child the job of mixing the cake, and the other can mix the crumbs... then they can both get their hands messy sprinkling the crumbs!

Crumb Cake

Cake:
3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 egg
2 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
Mix together in a large bowl until just blended. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish (or I like to use a round deep baker) spritzed with non-stick spray.

Crumbs:
3/4 c. margarine or butter (melted)
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
Mix with a fork until well-blended & crumbly. Sprinkle on top of cake. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted in center come out clean.

For a healthier cake batter that is still moist & fluffy, I substitute 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour & 1/2 c. dry quick cooking oats for the 2 c. flour, and 1/2 c. applesauce for the oil.

Another sneak peek...

"Quality is not necessarily about dollar value.

It is being confident that, no matter from

which angle you view your creation,

it looks good.

Quality is about pride and knowing

you've done something properly.

If you're going to bother doing something,

do it well from beginning to end."

~ Rachel Ashwell

This is another sneak peek of the upcoming Easter launch...

watch for it on Tuesday!

It's Coming Along

The smocking & beading is done... now to assemble!

What is this for, you may ask? An upcoming Easter launch you won't want to miss!

my 2007 favorite

I've been going through all my business pictures from last year & burning to cd's tonight... ugh!

However, I did decide to pick one favorite of 2007... here it is:

Let There Be Light

All that a man does outwardly is but the expression and completion of his inward thought...

- William E. Channing

I get such a sense of satisfaction from completing a project that I have pictured in my mind for a long time, knowing it would bring new beauty in my surroundings. Such it has been with this chandelier, which I found at a flea market (click for before picture!) It has replaced a boring brass piece that I will not miss one little bit.

Rewiring, lots of paint, a "sleeve" for the hanging chain, and helpful wiring/hanging job by my helpful husband finally culminated in this moment yesterday evening:

Jackpot!

Last night while Nicole was in ballet class, I stopped in at Half-Price Books, and look what I found!

For just a dollar each, I scored loads of patterns and smocking plates, tons of inspiration for new pretties to sew this spring. I felt like I'd found a treasure!

Further Endeavors in Smocking

Here's a sample picture of a pleated smocking insert as I had just finished blocking it. This insert is for a new Spring design I am working on. I've already started smocking it, and am very excited about the dress it is meant to be!

Charlotte, not Emily

I was checking PBS on Sunday night, because they are getting ready to start airing 6 all-new Jane Austen films, one every Sunday for six weeks, but found it doesn't start until next Sunday. I was dismayed only a short while, for instead I found I had stumbled upon the newest adaptation of Jane Eyre ... oh my!

I must admit I had never read Jane Eyre, although now I certainly want to (note to self: check it out on the next library trip with the kids!). I went through a period as a teenager where I read quite a few classic literary works, and this included Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte... I did not like it much, it was somewhat darker and sadder than I had tolerance for at the time. I never picked up Jane Eyre - I suppose it didn't occur to me that two different people had written these two books, sisters, yes, but two different people?

In any case, I am now a converted Charlotte Bronte fan after seeing this movie on Sunday. It was tragic, joyful, powerful, and ends so beautifully! I was moved by Jane's kind heart - she did not sit around mourning pathetically regarding her circumstances or make foolish decisions based on the wrongs done to her, but instead she was determined to better her small corner of the world because her experiences had made her strong.

Another interesting point: Chad wandered in unknowingly, and sat down just because he was tired & wanted to put his feet up. To my amazement, he stayed. For the whole movie. Granted, he fiddled on his laptop a bit, but I caught him watching it with interest, as well as interjecting with "Wait, is he blind??" and other such comments. He'd probably never admit that he watched it to someone, though.

And oh the joy when I found they have the DVD in the PBS store! And after watching the preview for the upcoming Jane Austen films, I am already hoping they will have all six in one DVD set as well...

Robin

I have a lot of memories from my childhood of the Muppets... this one is so sweet, I wanted to share it... thanks to A.A. Milne for the words and Rolf the Dog for the piano playing, heehee...

Heart Hoodies

Two hoodies, ready to ship for Valentine's Day-

size 2/3




size 4/5

Tool Bliss

Cooking is fun for me, and I especially I love tools that make it easier. I just bought this Mix n'Chop from a Pampered Chef party before Christmas, and used it for the first time tonight. I could not believe how much easier it was to brown the ground meat! I mean, really really easy! The pieces were nice and tiny, and browned up in less time than when I used a regular wooden spoon.

And of course, I can't leave you without a recipe to try it with:

Mexican "Lasagne"

12 corn tortillas
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (12 oz.) can black beans
1 (12 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz.) tomato sauce
1 (4 oz.) can green chiles
1 Tbsp. chile powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Spray non-stick spray on a 9x13 baking pan.
Tear up the tortillas into 1-2" pieces, spread 1/3 of the pieces to cover the bottom of the baking pan. I gave my 7 year old this job, she had fun!

Brown the ground beef & onion. In a large mixing bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chiles & spices. Add the browned meat mixture. Stir until mixed.

Spread 1/2 the meat mixture over the tortillas in the baking pan. Top with 1 c. of the cheese. Continue layering: 1/3 tortillas, 1/2 meat, 1c. cheese, 1/3 tortillas, 1 c. cheese.

Loosely cover with foil, bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.