Hot Fun in the Summertime

baby C was at my house

for the Fourth

he and Maeve enjoyed

swimming in a baby pool

in the backyard

it was a hot day

thiskidlovestheswings

and jumping off

and scaring the daylights

out of me!

every time she jumps

i pray,

"no broken bones, please!"

whew!

wouldn't be summer

w/o mommy's cocktail

what is your hot fun in the summertime?

Eleanor's Sweet Pincushion

This momma is proud.

Look at what she hand sewed at camp this week!

Her very own pincushion.

I was just telling another blogger friend, shouldn't I be able to work on this with her?

Do I really have to send her to camp to do this?

 But I haven't the slightest clue how to teach her to craft and sew, how to break down these projects to a 5 year old level.  And besides, if I didn't send her, then I wouldn't get the fabulous 20 minute ride home from camp where I get the excited low down on her day.  That is the BEST.  Don't you think?

Watermelon Creamsicles!

Alright Wayward Girls, here's my project:
(visit Flann's post for a recap of the Wayward Girls' craft challenge.)

Watermelon Creamsicles

Watermelon = Summer

Summer in D.C. = hot, humid & sticky

So, what do we need?!

Something cool, crisp & refreshing...

like Watermelon Creamsicles!

Everyone should try this...even those who are craft and cooking-challenged.  
It is so easy AND it took me no more than 5 minutes!

What you need:

3 different colors/flavors of ice cream or yogurt (I chose strawberry, vanilla & mint chocolate chip)

Popsicle molds (I got mine at Target!)

Instructions:

First, leave the ice cream/yogurt out for several minutes.  This makes it easier to mold the ice cream.  Start with your red/pink color and put that in first.  I used a baby spoon and a teaspoon to do this since the mold was pretty thin.  And FYI, you need to work quickly because once the ice cream melts into a liquid, it is hard to keep the colors separated. :)

Try to smush the ice cream in so that there aren't any gaps or air pockets.  
Then, follow with the vanilla layer and then the green layer.  

Once you are done, use a small spatula to smooth out the green layer and then (gently!) put the handles in!  Freeze until you are ready to enjoy...

Enjoy!

Next up?  Tomorrow Court will surprise us with her watermelon-inspired project.

Thank you Wayward Girls for the fun challenge!

The things that brighten my day.

It's been a long few months for me.  I won't lie.  I try not to complain and always have a sunny attitude, but I'll tell you.  Today, I woke up on the not-so-sunny side.  Because of our move and my husband's job, it's been me and the three girls (NO SCHOOL) for the last four months.  At first, it was great.  We slept together every night (don't judge), we had movie night every night; we had a blast.  But now, I am spent, totally tapped out.  I think I may have hit rock bottom this morning while I was sewing the quilt on which I'm working and realized that I wound my bobbin incorrectly.  

But now, I'm feeling okay.  I got an email from my husband telling me to be at the spa at 9:30 on Sunday morning and to expect a long morning (yippee!) AND.........................

the girls and I 

saw

THESE.

And I swear to you, all was right in my world.

It didn't matter that all three girls got up at 5:30 this morning.

Peonies can totally solve my world's problems.

They even distract me from last night's dinner, this morning's breakfast and this afternoons dishes.

All.piled.up.

But who cares?  Cuz look at these peonies.

And for the record, they are my favorite flower.

EVER.

HANDS DOWN.

Purple Cow

We recently got a Breville Juicer after a friend mentioned to me that she "juiced." We are hooked! It is a great way to get the girls, who don't normally like eating fruit, to get their fruits & veggies. One of our favorite recipes is for "Purple Cow" from The Everything Juicing Book:

LOVE the color...

Happy (and healthy!) girl!

Red, White, Blue Star Applique

I saw this fabric in my stash and HAD to try it.  Cute, non? 

But here's my dilemma.  Photographing this girl.  I had grand dreams of her smelling my neighbor's lilacs, but alas it was the best I could do just getting a head on shot of the shirt and applique.

I did a zig zag around the one and a straight stitch around the star.  I thought the star would be cute with some fraying after washing.  

Not enough sun on her face?  Maybe.  Still, like I said, it's head on.

Cuz this is what was happening the bulk of our lil photo shoot.

And while she gave me photography heartburn, the girls and their friend Jane enjoyed popsicles.  Ahhh...summer.

Super cute applique, right?!  If you are lucky, maybe we'll share the pattern.  ;)

OH and by the way, stay tuned.  I'm taking a digital photography class for the month of June.  I may let you in on all my new tricks of the trade!

Memorial Day 2011

Remember this time last year? Well, we made our annual trek down the shore and this year Molly and family joined us there. Want to take a peek? Some images are similar to last year, but a few are different....

like this guy. He wasn't around this time last year.

Notice the sunshine reflecting in the water? Yes, we had great weather.

Hot baby!

Of course I appliqued shirts! These will come in handy for

the Fourth of July!

Decorated bikes

The girls waiting for the parade to start.

Dad and Molly

waiting for the parade

in front of Murphy's.

Old fashioned truck

The high school kids marching.

Oh, say can you see....

Thanks to all the veterans and those who are currently serving

in the military.

And to their families who sacrifice so much.