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I love how kids can take the simplest things and play for hours on end with it. I wish I were more easily satisfied like this.
This morning we whipped up some homemade bubbles and the fun began. (oops - that reminds me we left the mess outside - I need to go clean it up!).
1. bubbles, 2. catch it, 3. bubbles, 4. I got it
1. soap, 2. soap everywhere, 3. bubble-making, 4. wipe my hands
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My mom just got back yesterday from her world tour. Not really but she did go to Israel, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. She went with a tour to Israel and then she and a friend traveled to the other places. They knew people in Austria and Switzerland so only had to pay for places to stay in Italy. She had lots of fun and brought us back some goodies.
Parasols for the girls
A beautiful Italian leather purse for me
Limoncello and Italian coffee
Complete change of subject...Here's some pictures we took from the wedding we went to a couple weeks ago. This gal was the wedding photographer- I've said it before but she's amazing! Pretty cool wedding to photograph eh?!
Here's me and the hostess of Sunday's Easter party (and my good friend and WW buddy).
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I can hear the kids in the kitchen sorting through their candy stash. The three older ones know they are not allowed to just eat candy without permission but Baby Girl keeps stuffing candy in her mouth.
The Ebay auctions went great..except I didn't realize I had them all ending on Easter. Oh well, everything sold so that's the best part. And now I have a big chunk of change to buy this fabric. My day will be spent packing up boxes and envelopes. Oh and cleaning the disaster that is my house.
I wish I had taken pictures at church. Our Sunrise service is here every year. It was beautiful, with whales breeching out in the ocean. No joke! The water was so clear and calm.
Sunday afternoon we went to a friend's house that is the ultimate kid fun house. There are lots of playhouses, an above-ground pool, swings, a trampoline and just tons of room to run around and play.
And a lot of kids!!
They had fun searching for Easter eggs, swimming and playing.
We just had a potluck and I made arroz con pollo and tres leches (a Costa Rican cake). The cake got rave reviews so I thought I'd post the recipe here. Beware: high sugar/fat content!!
Tres Leches (translation: 3 milks)
1 box yellow cake mix
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 egg yolks
Heavy whipping cream and 2 tbs. sugar for frosting
First you prepare the box of yellow cake mix according to the package instructions. I use a 9x13 glass pan.
While the cake is baking, heat up the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cup of cream and egg yolks in a saucepan. I usually heat it up until I am convinced the eggs have been cooked sufficiently (around 10 minutes or so on medium heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk).
After the cake is done, poke holes all over the top with a knife or fork. When the milk mixture is done, pour all of it on top of the cake. You may need to pour a little and then wait until it soaks in and then pour the rest. Let cool.
After the cake has cooled, beat whipping cream and sugar together until it is thick. I usually use way too much cream and end up with too much thickened cream (have some in the fridge right now!) so just use however much you think is sufficient. Spread cream on top of cake just like frosting (a thick layer). Then you can serve immediately or put it in the fridge for later. Enjoy!!
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I made this pincushion yesterday after searching for this magazine for a while (I found it at a grocery store).
Somehow in Hawaii we always get magazines later than the rest of the country! I don't know what it is. Probably that huge body of water separating us from everyone :-)
Anyway, this is my second attempt. #1 is not really photo-worthy but is on my sewing table since it did take some effort. This one came out much better...but be warned, they are rather large pincushions! But really pretty. And the color combos you can try with these are endless!
I'm listening to this cd - found here this morning. I love her voice and I already love this cd and I just bought it this morning.
I finally made it to the black apple's shop update. Man do those things go fast. I really wanted an original - this one is gorgeous. But just don't have the money for it right now. I managed to snag a couple cameos though. I had a doll in my cart but didn't check out quick enough. It's crazy!
My ebay items are going well...have bidders/watchers on almost every item! Next week I'll be hitting the post office a lot I think. Ebay sales and these swaps - books and scraps. My first two swaps! Maybe they'll give me the confidence to join more. It always makes me nervous that I won't send enough or something.
Ok have a great day...we are off to Walmart (can't wait to say we're off to Target but :sigh: that won't be for a while!).
Lots of love spread around the house this morning!
** I edited the magazine link to one that actually works now - sorry!
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Ughh - stupid computer just deleted my whole post! Oh well, ok back to better things. I had planned to post this earlier especially considering all of you are hours ahead of me but I had to get my taxes squared away and sent.
So onto the giveaway...
I had two little helpers today so that means - 2 winners!
Julie
and
Dana (who is having a Fabulous giveaway on her blog - go enter now!!)
Congratulations ladies! I have a couple things I want to finish up to send in your packages so I'll get them out to you soon!
And the mail brought fun gifts for me too...I am wanting to make the girls new Easter dresses so I may try out one of these patterns. The little bubble dress is too cute.
and I recently subscribed to this magazine and I got two issues in the mail today. I think I'll get some sewing in and then settle in for some reading.
I must flip over the recipes though since I've lost 5.6 lbs on Weight Watchers in my first two weeks and am determined to lose more.
You know how you think you are looking ok and then get a glimpse of yourself and realize how wrong you were. That happened to me last Friday night. I went to Nordstrom and had a couple cute little dresses in the dressing room to try on. Which of course ended up being much too small. But the topper was the three mirrors they have positioned so you can see your body at all angles - not a fun sight let me tell you! Thank goodness the meeting was the next morning!
Ok hope you all have a good day!
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So chores are done and breakfast eaten. Early, even. So what to do now? Practicing our jumping skills over all the pillows we can find. And we seem to have a lot.
We have some big floor pillows for the living room that are being employed as I type this (I'm still working on my coffee - it is not even 8:00 am).
These pictures are of the couch pillows...the little ones are too intimidated by the size of the floor pillows.
Oh, and now we (well, not me) are attempting one-legged jumps and high jumps. The eldest is actually surprising me by how many pillows he can clear.
I'm off later to a homeschool conference which I am planning to ditch early for some shopping mommy-alone-time (which I think will include browsing through this new store....we have a wedding to go to tomorrow so maybe I can find a new dress?). Oh and this fabulous photographer is taking the wedding pictures - she's amazing!
** Don't forget to sign-up for the give-away!!
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I just wrote that post mostly because it rhymed...and that's what I have been doing. All. Morning. Listing fabric and craft books on Ebay. Man, I'm tired. But it feels good to clear out some space. I really need to the way I've been buying fabric lately...I think I need to go to Fabrics Anonymous!
So I had planned to show you my gorgeous curtains but somehow I've screwed them up royally! So they've been set aside and will be recycled into something else. What a mess I made of such gorgeous material. I think it just wasn't the right fit for the girls room. I think I'll make them clothes out of it instead.
So my giveaway....Well, let's let some of it be a surprise and I'll show you a peek of ONE of the goodies. I tend to go overboard on the presents so whoever wins could get lucky!
Hmm...what should we leave in our comments? Since there's so many depressing things that are going on in the world today, how about something wonderful that's happened to you lately. Could be something small or something big. Ok I'll pick a winner on Tuesday, March 18th!
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Well, the day started off great with an email from here saying Amy Butler's new fabric line was in stock...it's gorgeous. Here I am waiting for this line and I totally overlooked this one. So of course I ordered some. I'm getting quite a fabric pile-up going on. I should really make some things with all this fabric!
I know I mentioned earlier about a give-away and I still mean it. Just can't seem to think about it when I have the camera out. Next post for sure!
The day got even better when the mail arrived.
Fun etsy purchases!!
Oh, and Big sister and I dvr'ed Martha today since Emily was on....she was too cute and we had to download the doll pattern after so Big Sister can make one. We didn't start on it yet.
I did however get some progress on the girls' curtains....
I love this fabric..so cheery and fun.
I ran out of the multi vintage dot and it seems to be a hot item and therefore sold out at most places I looked so I'm going to go for two colors in the ruffle. I think it will look fine.
OK off to figure out something for dinner?!
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My knee is was feeling better so I went to a scrimmage on Saturday. During the game I got hit in the ankle with the ball and rolled my ankle. It was sore but I figured I was ok for Sunday's game, seeing as it was the last one before the real season starts this week.
So I played Sunday too and was feeling good. So good in fact that when the team after us was short players, I said sure I'll play another game. What was I thinking? I am so sore today, not to mention the swollen ankle and stiff knee. Yep - not as young as I used to be!!
I hobbled around today but managed to get this wall looking ok. A finished project - yeah! The blue wall was a going-overboard-with-the-chalkboard-paint that needed to be fixed and so....why not re-paint the wall? I like the color and it contrasts nicely with the black paint.
I had to try this with embroidery hoops and fabric. I've seen it so many places and it is just charming and lovely!
The kids had a blast drawing on it today too. Baby Girl gets very serious while she's drawing...I think she's going to be my artist.
I really need to tackle a few more to-do things on my list.....
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Oh Etsy...how do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...
Goodies from each of these stores will soon find a way to my house - Yippee!
Betz posted a great tip on her blog this morning about the pounce button on Etsy.
That's where I found the first two sites although I had seen this one before. I even convo-ed her for a custom order - my first one!
Ok have a great Friday! I'm planning a give-away one of these days...I just need to photograph the prize :-)
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