while you were sleeping.

i spent a lovely afternoon driving around downtown 

a week or two ago with all the kids asleep in the car. 

it was a moment of peace and quiet, out of the heat, 

gazing at all those buildings i love. 

since our downtown is still pretty traffic free 

i was able to snap some pics.

as for the first one; we are moving in and turning

 the warehouse into a live/work space, 

including a pub downstairs. 

ha ha. one can dream.

hand made riot.

some really cool and incredibly talented friends of ours

 started their own little online shop where they are selling their 

own handmade items. 

you should totally go check it out here!

girls days out.

every once and a while ruby and i have a little time off together

'just girls' (and mikey of course). we had a pretty awesome 

time playing with nail polish colors in sephora after coffee and 

snacks while out finding a birthday present. 

she keeps me young and silly that is for sure. 

i could not ask for a more wonderful girl. 

just dreading the day when she starts growing up on me. 

love love our special outings. 

chubby baby.

this little ball of joy is coming up on 2 months. 

he went from newborn to big chubby guy way too fast. 

what is happening? 

slow it down little guy.

mikey guy we love you so. oh, and by they way, he finally 

started smiling!! big news over here. just havent caught much on camera.

mason jar lids.

in need of a simple little painting project to pass the time? 

we painted mason jar lids recently for fun, 

and i thought hot gluing a fun object on top 

and filling them with pretty colored m and m's might be fun. 

a quick easy little happy/gift! 

toodles.

thumbprints.

per my kids request we made jelly thumbprints yesterday.  

darn. i keep snacking on them. 

time to visit the neighbors or something.

fun to make with your kids, as it involves them pushing their
cute little thumbs into the cookies before baking.
here goes kids:

thumbprint cookies.

1 c. butter

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 t. salt

1/2 c. slivered almonds, chopped

1/2 t. vanilla extract

1/2 t. almond extract

2 c. flour

about 1/2 c. or less of blackberry jam (or whatever you desire)

Preheat oven to 350.

In mixer cream butter, powdered sugar and chopped almonds. Add salt. Add extracts, mix to combine. Add flour, mix to combine. Scoop out 1 T. size cookies into round balls and push down in middle with your thumb. Chill in freezer for 5 minutes if you live in phoenix, and its blazing hot. Cook in oven until firm to touch but not too colored, just lightly browned. Let chill, dust with powdered sugar and fill with desired jam. Enjoy with an afternoon iced coffee and a game of checkers.

summer days.

things have been rather busy around here. 

neglecting this spot for sure. 

be back soon i hope.