a perfect porch

probably one of my most treasured spaces or features

of this old home is the dear front porch.

i would live on it if only it were not for two things:

nice weather and a baby boy who

will surely go tumbling down the steps.

other than that, i really simply love it.
most especially when it rains and we can eat dinner outside

and be under the down pour

enjoying pizza, cervesas and that general happiness in the

feeling of a weekend.

the rain unfortuately doesnt pour long here

so we ran in it for a bit while it lasted.

yes i was running barefoot up and down the street splashing

in puddles.

it was grand.

i guess ruby and i's song

'rain rain come today....'

sung often with newly added rhyming lyrics

here and there might have finally worked.

and p.s.

did you know this is how princesses walk?

holding their dresses so?

yes it is true.

paris family style

how great does this book look?
check that on the never ending list of books i'd like
to order online.
found on the little circus

a few changes

ive been wanting to make this change

for a while now,

and although it is not exactly as i had hoped...

it is super cozy for now.

the kids room is rather a play room now

and the closet is ruby's bedroom.

it needs some work

but im pretty happy with the quick fix for now.

and i added this
little chalkboard
over the toilet.
it was sporadic but a cute little touch.
and i can change what it says whenever.

qu'est que tu pensee?

chop salad

had this for dinner over the weekend.

i guess you could also call it...'whats in the fridge salad'

because in my opinion when things are chopped up

small and mixed with creamy dressing you are good to go.

my mom has been making it all summer

and i can not get enough of it.

i just used what i had on hand so it was

chopped spinach

tomatoes

red onion

feta cheese

pepitas

dried cranberries

white corn

and shredded chicken

with a buttermilk dressing

and some pita chips

since i couldnt find any bread in our hood.

i didnt happen to take any lovely pics

of the two burnt trays that preceded this batch.

yes, i burn things.

and set some things on fire.

thats what happens when you sit down.

you get too relaxed.

refreshing and awe inspiring

an abundance of ever so lovely photos

on this blog

go feast your eyes on many more.

i am so inspired.

and luckily i can pick up on some of the french...its lovely.

i'll be coming over soon to play and have coffee.

oh, and to make some of those

polka dot bloomies.

{blog found via poppytalk}

home ec

what to do stuck indoors so much...what to do....

just keep making new little spaces with stuff you already have

so you feel happy with the new and different space

right?

i made a cozy little corner and arranged it oh so nicely

to add on to the little kitchen set up we already had going.

ruby was super excited when i showed her

and now continually throughout the day

tells me she is going off to cook

in 'my restaurant'

which usually involves her pretending to make something

and then throwing that pretend 'cake' or 'soup'

across the room at me.

what service.

im pretty sure i dont throw the toast across the room

for breakfast so im not sure where this

lacidasical attitude on manners and service came from.

you should see the number little dec can do on this

set up in no time.

you want what with that?
no substitutions.
period.
and cash only please.

and then you can make your way into our real kitchen
where the new 'shuguh' bowl
recently became a water vessel.
i decided why fight it
and so i gave her a straw.
classy....but at leasy no boogies.

summer berries

what to do with those summer berries

before they leave us?

perhaps make these triple chocolate cookie

and strawberry ice cream sandwiches

or perhaps give this delicious

treat a try for a light crowd pleaser.

just invite me over when you do so.
because i dream of having it more than i should.

or maybe there is a special occasion

and you need to wow, so go for this

cake that makes me happy just thinking about its

decadence dancing away.

cheers to a little bit more

of summer left before its back to school!

can you believe it is here already?

playdough

over the weekend i made some playdough

from a recipie the childrens museum had

on ruby's bday.

so its taken me that long to make it...i know.

i luckily had some peppermint extract on hand

so that made playing with it a little better than

the usual playdough go.

{oh, and noted...i forgot the cream of tartar,

and it worked out fine. after a couple days

it started getting pretty sticky though.}

have fun and enjoy....if you have little hands in the house.

homemade playdough

4c. flour

2c. salt

4 c. water

8 t. cream of tartar

6 T. oil

food coloring

peppermint extract (optional)

mix together in a large saucepan. cook until it holds together and pulls away from pan. cool and knead. (note: you need mom muscles to stir this up. its kinda weird. and i only made a half batch and it was plenty).

enjoy!!

hissyfits

looking for a good place to find some sweet goods

for the stylin kids in your life?

or for that matter mothers?

this place rocks.

its consignment, so you hand over your old goods

in exchange for something else.

not all used either.
some new and some hand crafted.

beyond clothes, there are great shoes,

accessories,

maternity,

furniture, and you name it.

best idea ever.

and, i have heard they have a sweet craft fair.

its always a good time shopping

when you dont have to spend any money...technically.

it used to be buffalo exchange for me...back in the day.

now that im a mom, this hits the spot.

hope your have a lovely week!

wanna make one

i really want to sew up one of these lovelies.

and then fill it up with travel goodies

for when i travel from my bathroom to my kids bathroom.

that would be about the extent of travel

in my life.

i guess it would make a nice makeup bag right?

you know what i love about you blog is how i

can pretend for a minute there are no dishes in the sink,

no laundry to be done

(ruby may be out of undies)

no messes to be picked up

no early morning to be woken up to.

just crafts to do...pictures to take...and dreams to be had.

its fun pretending.

just like being 2 again.

and then i wake up.

justing playin

she is 'justing' doin a lot of things lately.

some sweet.

some not.

if only she knew i was polishing off the ice cream

right now, she'd attack me.

i just heard..."dada...me awake"

oh really?

didnt you just go to bed about five minutes ago?

let it also be known that 'bobby' was prayed for tonight.

that is 'jack n lucy bobby'. oh, ok. of course.

just wait until both of them are talking.

then i am really in trouble.

i have a feeling those two are going to do a number on me,

or will i have renewed stamina and energy as they get older?

eh, probably not.

oh no. who dat cryin?