Christians without Borders

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and it marked the beginning of Lent. Micah took to the boys to St. Agatha’s last night to get ashed (I was at yoga), the boys were really excited and it only took 2 suckers to keep them quiet through the service. I was reading on Fred’s blog this morning about the Blood Water Mission and I think it’s a pretty amazing idea. You can go to his blog to read the whole schpiel but what struck me most were two things, 1st that for $1 you can provide clean water for 1 person for a year, 2nd people are having to make the choice between contaminated water and dehydration.

So here’s a warning to our Passover People: This idea may get incorporated into our dinner somehow. I know some people (B & L, that’s right I called you out) think it’s weird that we celebrate both Catholic and Jewish holidays b/c we are Christian. Just think of us as Christians without borders

Visions of pink…again

Disclaimer: I am NOT pregnant (just thinking ahead)

I’ve been thinking about what we would need to prepare for another baby. If things go according to the “master plan” this will be our last go round so I want to make sure I’m really prepared. We had so much fun not knowing what the sex was that I don’t think we’ll find out for the last either. So how do you prepare? I’m going to and buy all the stuff to make the bedding for both sexes. I already know how to decorate for a little boy and I’ve got enough leftovers from Grey and Gentry that I really won’t need much.  So I’ve been looking at little girl fabric and have totally fallen in LOVE with Tina Givens designs. So here’s the stuff.

This panel would be the front of her duvet

this would be the back of the duvet

 I figure I’ll paint the walls a creamy yellow (that way it can go for a boy too) with a white crib and furniture. This picture captures what I want it to be.

Here’s the other fabrics that I like of her’s that I would use to make the crib skirt, bumper, curtains, pillows, etc.

Afternoon Play in pink

Fairy Tiptoes Chandelier medalion

Annabella Lovebirds

Fairy Tiptoes Medalion in Green

Chloe's Imagination

 I think I’ll paint one of the little  chandeliers above her crib and maybe a ladybug or two around the room.

African Zazu

Here’s the crib I think is cute from IKEA (it’s only $139!).

IKEA Hensvik Crib

Hemnes bedside table

 I like the Gracewood chair from Best Chairs. If you live in the Lex, KY area, this is where Nursery Time gets their chairs. I think the tufting makes it look feminine. The chair I bought for the boys a couple weeks ago is from Best Chairs and I really like the quality, plus they are half the price of Pottery Barn. I also think it’s neat that they will let you put a swivel/rocker base on any of their chairs and have a ton of fabric choices.

Whisk

I stumbled across this blog today while doing a recipe search. This chick is really amazing! She a foodie (like so many of us), but she decided to really get serious about it and cook her way the the Le Cordon Bleu curriculum. Not only that but she keeps a running dollar count (which I’m sure is way less than tuition) and a butter tally (hilarious). Her site Whisk: a food blog  is extremely well organized and worth a visit.

I started this blog in January 2008 by focusing on my lifelong dream of attending culinary school and working through a cooking school curriculum using the Le Cordon Bleu at Homecookbook. The “classes” are based on the Le Cordon Bleu curriculum found online and used as a guideline. I now have fellow bloggers who have joined me in this culinary journey, and we’re learning a lot about techniques in the kitchen from knife skills to deep frying. (Find out more here.) I’ve also joined some baking groups like Tuesdays with Dorie and Daring Bakers where I can bake and test my creativity. I hope you’ll visit often and share your passion for food with me.

I Won!!!

I don’t usually win anything, I mean anything at all. But, I entered my proposals and rings post for Seleta’s Fabulous Friday challenge. I won a super cute clipboard from MacBeth Collection. Ya me!

 Eventhough my winning was completely random it still feels really good!

Isn’t her stuff cute!!!

Endless fashion love

Thanks to Emily’s “fashiony” blog I’ve been turned onto a new shoe site…..mmmmm.

So here are some of my favorite finds from this Endless assortment of goodies.

Sugars Hyde Park Garden Wedge

Marc Jacobs Ballerina Flat

 Chooka Little Apples Rain Boot

Luichiny Duchess Satin Sandal

 Stuart Weitzman Gayle Tote

 Stuart Weitzman Cluster Tote

MAXX New York Majestic Hobo

Kathy Van Zeeland East/West Shopper

Nothing like a good book

Wicked by Gregory Maguire,  since the book always seems to be better than the movie  musical I’ve decided that I should probably read it since I thought the play was pretty incredible.                        

Diamond: The history of a cold-blooded love affair by Matthew Hart. I thought everyone loved diamonds as much as I do, but after talking to Micah he assured me that most women just love “pretty things” not the real history behind the industry. It’s been as awesome as any history/science/business/adventure novel I’ve ever read. It starts in 1999 with the discovery of a 76ct. true pink diamond in Brazil, then leads into  the geology of the Kimber Pipe where diamonds are born and John Gurney’s postdoctoral work that cracked the mystery behind them ( and the fact that DeBeers tried to keep it from being published!). I’m only on the third chapter!!!!

The Duet by Robert Elmer. I’m only a chapter in but it looks like it will be a sweet love story from a widowers point of view.

Emma by Jane Austen. Just plain good.

Marked by P.C. Cast. Everyone knows I loved Twilight and I like just about anything with vampires and werewolves so I figured whynot give this a chance. I DEVOURED this book in a couple of hours. It has a twist that I’ve yet to see any vampyre book use. Apparently becoming a vampyre is something locked in our DNA that isn’t revealed until teenage years. It is societally accepted (but looked down upon). Once the “mark” has shown itself you only have a day or so to move into the boarding school or you will die. You are there for 4 years where by the end you are either completely acclimated and able to control your bloodlust, or your body rejects the change and you die.

I like to read a lot, and I like to have a lot to read. So depending on my mood and how much brain capacity I have I’ll pick I a book and escape for a few hours. There’s honestly nothing like a good book.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air

Tomorrow is definately going to be a “lovely” day (pun intended), and women all across the world will be getting engaged or married. Micah proposed to me on Valentines Day back in 2002…meeeemories (music fades in). In the spirit of that statement I want to make a list, I think what makes an engagement story so special is the the personal detail, so I’m going to take the 3 women I know best, my mom and sisters, and guess what their perfect proposal/ring would be. (Let me know if I’m right guys).

Mom: (Disclaimer: Since I have no idea how my dad proposed this is meant in a sense of fun with no disrespect intended). It would start with a private cabana on a beach around sunset. Sounds; waves crashing, seagulls cawing, deep sigh. Smells; briny ocean air, coconut oil lotion, perfect Italian food (sprinkled with fresh basil). Actions; (Insert perfect speech) down on one knee, presentation of ring. Mom has very strong hands and doesn’t really like “dainty” jewelry, she also wears a lot of color. So I chose something, bright and beautiful.

5 ct. emerald cut yellow sapphire

 Tami: Start with a picnic in a beautiful park (no one else around). Lots of pillows and soft quilt to lay on, dogs perched lazily under a nearby tree. Good “drinkable” (as my sister would say) wine, cheese nut fruit platter, soft music. He would hand over a wrapped package that would turn out to be a much wanted book, she would immediately open it, the inside pages would be cut out to hold a ring box. Down on one knee (insert speech), open ring box. My sister claims to not be a traditionalist, but she is, she’s just got a lot of flair. So I chose an Art Deco ring “with a little flair” (Afterwards he would give her an “uncut” copy of previously mentioned book)

2.5 ct cushion diamond with French Rubies

 Mandi: I think she would enjoy a surprise trip to New York, to be met at the airport by a limo, then taken to the Ritz where a new (very tiny) dress would be waiting in a box on the bed. She would then be whisked away to the Rainbow room overlooking the city. After dinner and two bottles of champagne her beau would ask her to dance, after the dance was over he would commandeer the band mic, getting the attention of the entire room (insert speech), present ring. *roaring applause*. Knowing that she has never shied away from attention, likes really big jewelry, and prefers to be unique…

13.5 ct asher cut ring

 So there you have it. I might be way off the mark, since people do change, but non the less I think I’m close. By the way all the rings are from Fay Cullen, who’s sight I visit frequently. Here’s my favorite ring from their sight.

2 ct. old mine cut diamond surronded by French sapphires

Take a min to brag on your husband and tel me how he proposed (or how you would like your future husband to).

 

Because I think marriage in general is Faboulous and what better way to start your married life that a fabulous proposal, so I’m using this post as my Fabulous Friday entry at Simply Seleta.

Valentine’s Windup

vase full of goodies

I started making V-day goodies for Grey’s party. Last year I make cute cupcake lollies but that was a TON of work so I went with something a bit cheaper and easier this year.

Cupcake lollipops

 I made a double batch of ricecripy treats, but I added a tsp. of cinnamon and pink food coloring. Then I cut them with a heart cookie cutter and stuck them on a lollipop stick. I dipped the front in chocolate and put sprinkles on them. It was really easy and little kids could do everything but the stick part. The sprinkles would probably look cuter if you used white chocolate (but I don’t like it).  Then I added one of my fav. quick goody bag treats. Marshmallows dipped in chocolate. Our store had pink strawberry flavored ones which were PERFECT.

rice crispy hearts and marshmallow truffles

the bottomless pit

The boys seem to be constantly hungry and it’s really tiresome to always be foraging and preparing food for them. So while perusing a new and wonderful blog, The Art of Homemaking, I found a great suggestion. I’m going to have to work on finding goodies to put in it, nuts are out of the question because of Grey, and no ranch dip because of Gentry, but either way snacktime was a little more fun this morning.

sweet hearts

 Now to figure out the “I’m thirsty” problem, I’m thinking in investing in one of those automatic dog waterbowls or just screwing hamster water bottles alond the countertops…