Saturday, November 29, 2008

Impressive!



Impressive, huh? Impress Rubber Stamps has a great archive of crafty holiday ideas, and mini tutorials. You actually might be surprised by what you can make out of things you already have at home...wrapping paper, ribbon, old cards, even buttons...no sense in spending a bazillion dollars buying everything when you can get crafty with what you already have! Aren't these Christmas Tree cupcakes below adorable in their drifts of snow?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Mac & Cheese, please!


Undoubtedly, Mac & Cheese has been one of my favorite foods as long as I can remember! You could call me a mac & cheese connoisseur...if only I'd be more discerning...it's all so good to me! Anyway, in an attempt to create my own signature recipe of mac & cheese...you know, the kind of recipe you pass down to one's grand kids...I have stumbled upon a great site. Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese has a whole range of recipes from picky eaters to the most sophisticated palette. I hope you enjoy!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Gobble, gobble!


I thought you'd love the latest cupcake pop from Bakerella. Yep, leave it to her to create this cute (and by cute, I mean tasty) turkey just in time for Turkey Day! I know making these intricate confections isn't realistic for those of you who are hosting a whole Thanksgiving spread, but for those of you who aren't, this might be a nice treat to take with you. To see the original posting with pictures and instructions, click here and enjoy!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008



If you haven't seen the YouTube video titled Advent Conspiracy, I highly recommend setting aside a moment to click, view, and be inspired. I won't go into details because I want to watch it yourself, and let it speak to you individually, but please do share how it has moved you. You can also get more info on how to get involved here.

We get so distracted this time of year, that we forget it all started with a baby in a manger who came to love and save the world. And while what we offer can never compare to the gift he has given us... I do believe pieces of him live and dwell within us, and pour out into the best we have to offer the world. Thank you, Jesus.

Monday, November 17, 2008

This will be a financially tight holiday season for many of us.  All this means is that we'll have to get more creative when it comes to decorating, event hosting, and gift giving.  I hope to dig up inspiration on all these things to share with you during this holiday season.  

The first discovery has been Amy Butler's downloadable patterns.  My favorite is her Snow Mum Pillow, pictured.  This has totally got my creative juices flowing!  She used a nice wool, but you can use just about anything you like.  I'd even challenge you to dig through fabric scraps, or even old clothes and sweaters to find a special material for this project.  Maybe there is an old tattered baby blankie that needs to go...why not convert it?  Old prom dresses, a favorite shirt with a stubborn stain, a child's outgrown dress,. old school uniforms...see where I'm goin'?  I have been considering using the wide ribbon saved from my wedding to create the flower.  Any other suggestions on things you'd like to convert?

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Birthday Weekend: Some DIY Inspiration, Part 2


Wow! Isn't this "Drift Wood Sculpture" (as I call it) a great fence for the beach?  Now, maybe I'm a bit crazy for considering this a DIY project, but I'm optimistic...and like with the previous post, without actual instructions.  Hopefully I haven't lost you already...   It looks like all you'd need to create this would be 1) driftwood, 2) concrete for setting, 3) a base to set your sculpture and pour the concrete in 4) any shells or stones you'd like to include (see picture below), and 5) about 20 people who would graciously hold the driftwood in place for 2 days until the concrete dries (or you could probably make some sort of grid).  


Well, this pretty much concludes our beach weekend...now it's time to start posting about the upcoming holiday season!

Birthday Weekend: Some DIY Inspiration, Part 1

I'm kicking myself for not taking a better picture, but what the heck.  I love the river rock floor on the shower, and thought it'd be a fun project for home! I have even read about the reflexology benefits of this somewhere before. After combing through a couple forums for tips and advice, I have concluded that this isn't a simple project. Sigh.  If you're still up to the challenge (yes, I think I am), there is a forum with good content here.  If I find a nice tutorial I'll certainly update this post with a nice link.  

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Birthday Weekend: The Finds

The cottage was stocked with all kinds of great finds! I made a point of using all the utensils in the kitchen, taking note of every detail, and looking closely at each feature so that I could relay all the goodness onto you. So, without further adu, here it is...



I loved the tea kettle from OXO! It was an unexpected splash of pastel in the kitchen, and the whistle was a nice hummm as opposed to the blood-curdling shriek mine currently makes (and how does one know before buying a tea kettle what sound it will make?). Honey, you can add this to my Christmas wish list (find it here)!



These are great looking plates! The rim was reminiscent enough of a shell that it worked so smartly for the beach, but I could see this in an urban kitchen also, can't you? Get your own here.



Now, I know stemless wine glasses are for, well, drinking wine, but I found myself pouring juice and water in these things all weekend! They were nice and over sized, and didn't feel like they were going to break in my hand. Get your own, here.



I am the pickiest person when it comes to my pillow! In fact, I have been known to bring my pillow with me to foreign countries to ward off any possibilities of a stiff neck. You'd think I would have brought my pillow with me this weekend, but I forgot it...and ended up not regretting that a bit! Yep, after an great night sleep, I was pulling off the pillowcase in hopes the pillow had a tag to offer me any leads on where to get my own. It came from Pacific Coast Feather Co (along with the great comforter), and you can also buy your own here. The pillow case, sheets, and duvet cover were also amazing. They had a crepe-y feel to them, and made from bamboo. You can also get your own from DreamSacks, Inc.

I hope you enjoyed some of these fun finds!  Come back soon...I have some DIY (do-it-yourself)  fun inspired by the weekend! 

Monday, November 10, 2008

Birthday Weekend: The Place

My parents generously host the weekend each year. This year we stayed at The Cottages at Cape Kiwanda, and sounds like we'll return next year. I have posted some pictures, and will let them do all the talking.







To book your own stay call 888-965-7001. Or, to purchase a fractional share, call 888-965-7779. Stay tuned...

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Annual November Birthday Beach Weekend


Quite a mouthful! Every year, my family gathers at the Oregon Coast to celebrate our November birthdays...3 birthdays to be exact, 4 including the dog. Jon's birthday (my brother) is on the 1st, mine is on the 11th, Ruthie's is on the 18th (doggie), and my dad's is on the 28th...our ages to remain undisclosed for Ruthie's sake. With all of us living in different places, it's just easier and more festive to come and celebrate together!

Stay tuned this week for the different inspirations that came out of the weekend...

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A Pumpkin Treat


Just a few weeks ago, I discovered an old magazine tear out for this recipe. Craving just about anything pumpkin, I decided to make them...and have ended up making them twice in a week! So yes, they're good...very good! From the picture, I thought they'd be more like a cookie, but really they're like little cookie shaped cakes. Anyway, you'll just have to try them and decide for yourself. Here is the recipe for Pumpkin Pies from Family Fun Magazine.

Instead of sandwiching the cookies between icing, I set each individual cookie on a bed of white chocolate. It gave a nice crunch against the cake. I tried also drizzling white chocolate over the tops, but ended up making a disaster out of the kitchen...sometimes we just have to be practical, people!

(Image from Family Fun)