Valentine Goodie Swap

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I thought I'd share what I put together for a Valentine Goodie Swap I signed up for last month. 

Allie over at Be Up & Doing organized the swap and so I got the name and address of my gal and put some happy treats together for her and packaged it up all pretty and festive.

She'll be getting a small tissue paper flower bouquet tied with bakers twine and a tiny note... 

...a handmade Valentine, magnet clothespins, a chocolate bar made here in Colorado, and a little Valentine-embellished candle... 

I hope she likes it! I had a lovely time putting it all together. I'm anticipating a goodie box of my own any day and will share the contents when it arrives. 

Hope your day is sweet. 

xo

Downton Rant (spoiler alert: don't read if you haven't watched episode 4)

If you haven't already watched the latest installment of Downton Abby, better stop reading. If you have, can you believe last night's episode?!? OMG. Nooooo! Even my husband was in shock over Sybil's death! We were still talking about it over breakfast this morning.  She was the sweetest and most down to earth of them all.... 

And the scene where she dies??? Somebody DO something! The docs just stood there while the husband and mother wept and pleaded. I know they said nothing could be done at that point, but come on! They could at least pretend to look busy or something. It was too much. Lady Crowley was right about the family doctor knowing Sybil better. She should have demanded they take her to the hospital. I told Isaac last night that it seemed much ado about nothing when all appeared to be well after the baby was born. 

And then the scene where she says good bye to her "beauty and baby." I'm normally not a big crier when it comes to shows, but good grief. Plus, there's the whole new born component. Having been in the hospital for a month last year waiting for my baby to safely arrive, this episode struck a particular cord. And how sweet was it for the staff to band to together to make sure the baby had a nurse and means to be fed?? Ah. Broke my heart. 

And Thomas weeping the hall? That was an especially tender moment. He's such a scoundrel, but gosh, I actually felt something other than disdain for him in that moment. Anna even comforted him. I never thought I'd see that happen. 

And the scene where Mary and Edith console each other? Loved it. It's about time. Too bad Sybil had to die for them to show a little affection.

 What did you think? Did you cry too? 

Oh and I've never been more glad to have had my kiddo in the 21st century. Modern medicine does have its upsides for sure. 

Hello and Vday Pretties

Well hello. It's been a long while since I've had the time or really the desire to get back in the saddle with this here blog. I find the days just slip by, one after the other, filled to the brim with laundry and keeping baby O on his nap schedule (as best I can), and cooking meals and cleaning up those meals. Just when I think I'm finally going to sit down and blog a little, I get really sleepy and just end up watching The Bachelor or reading other blogs - which is fine because I have a 9 month old and I feel a little tired these days. I can blog and craft and be inspirational another day or year or something. Yeah, I'm not doing much in the way of being creative these days. 

What I have managed to do, I post for you now. A few Valentine's Day goodies. 

How is it that Valentine's Day is even approaching? 

Zoom. Zoom. The year is already flying by... 

I made this garland up while the wee one was napping the other day. It was therapeutic for me. Just a few minutes of snipping and gluing and punching. Love me a little quiet crafty moment.  

Here's another sampling of these cute little clothes pin embellishments that I'm sort of addicted to making lately. I whipped out a few packs for the holidays and now I've put a few together for v-day. They're so sweet and simple to make - just bobbles and paper goodies glued over washi tape-layered clothes pins. I've been adding magnets to the back so they can go on the fridge. They're also adorable added to a package as a finishing touch... 

I snagged these pretty paper flowers in the $2 bin at Michael's. That $2 bin is a DANGEROUS place. It's amazing how fast 2+2+2+ = $25. Ooops. 

So that's what I've got for ya - at along last. All these doodads are up for grabs in my shop, so hop on by! 

In the mean time, I'll try my best not to be a blogging stranger - but of course, baby O does come first, and that's how it should be. 

Here and There and Everywhere

(photo)

I wish I could say that this was of my little one, but it's not. Just a photo I found today as we're laying low at home on a snowy day and recovering from a whirlwind trip to South Carolina for my sister's graduation. A good and celebratory time was had by all but we are TIRED. Phew. Long flights. Long waits. Long drives. Short sleeps - all with an 8 month old make for one weary clan.

And can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner?! We have but a few more days to gear up, wind down, sleep, do laundry, shop and then pack for our Christmas trip to Seattle. We're so happy to get to spend some quality time with my husband's family. They've promised lots of game playing, cozy fires and warm drinks. Works for me. 

How are you feeling these days about Christmas and the end of the year? Is your shopping done? Will you be traveling or staying in this season? 

Fresh Headbands

I've been experimenting with some new designs for headbands lately. For someone who doesn't want a big 'ol flower on their head, I think these simpler, more geometric pieces might be a pretty alternative. And wouldn't they also make a lovely holiday gift? As always, their available in my shop! 

New Goodies in the Shop!

I haven't been feeling the blog mojo lately, and just like anything  - working out, taking vitamins, praying and reading the Bible, the less I do it, the less I want to do it. (Not that blogging is as important as exercise or reading the Bible - it's not) Anyway, I have been feeling the crafting mojo lately, so I thought I would post a few pics of new goodies in my shop.

Every woman needs a chunky cocktail ring, no? 

And a bit of coral here and there is always a good idea. 

This piece isn't brand new, but was worthy to re-list in my shop. I love the glossy, vintage shoe buckles. 

I know it's not even Halloween but it's never too early to start your holiday shopping! 

Take a peek at all my goodies right here.

My Life Lately

The Eats: Fruit crisps of all kinds. 

I've made the Betty Crocker fruit crisp (with a few variations of my own) so many times, I don't need to think about it. Toss in the fruit (apples, peaches, pears, plums, berries, whatever!), add a bit of lemon juice and agave nectar - toss to coat. Mix the brown sugar, oats, butter, cinnamon and flour together and crumble on top. Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes and voila! The house smells like heaven as this bakes and Ike and I devour most of it in one sitting. A dollop of Greek yogurt on top adds the perfect bit of tang...

The craft:A little necklace for my sister's birthday. 

I had as much fun packaging it up with twine and a chevron print card as I did making it. 

The other craft: Tissue paper tassel garland. 

A dear friend of mine is about to have her first baby. She loved and supported me so well when I was expecting baby O, that I was more than happy to make a few decorations for her baby shower last month. Isn't this garland sweet? Kinda wanna make one of my babe's room. Tutorials are all over the web and super easy.

The trip: Home for my nephews birthday party. 

Just this past weekend, we flew home (baby O's first flight!) for my sweet nephews joint birthday party. They are two years and one month apart so my sister has taken to throwing one big party for both of them and it is a hoot! Loads of presents and food and aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great grandparents and cake make for a merry time. Aren't they the cutest little family? Gosh, I love them. 

The Babe: Growing like a weed!

Our little guy is six months old today. What the?! He is such a riot. He's babbling and chatting up a storm, rolling from side to side, grabbing everything he can get his hands on and sleeping better at night more and more. The green onesie he had on a few mornings ago matched the green smoothie I made myself. He doesn't look too excited on that last picture. "Blended up spinach eh? Looks delicious. Not really." Keep an open mind kiddo! We're going to your six month check-up tomorrow to talk about introducing solids! You'll be drinking down one of these bad boys before you know it. 

That sums up things in my corner of world. What have you been up to?