Simple Girl

Arielle started planning her 8th Birthday Party about three days after she turned seven.  She's my planner.  Inspired by our trip to The American Girl Place in Chicago this summer, she finally settled into the idea of creating an American Girl Tea Party - at home! We started out with photos of the guests (and dolls) on the red carpet. Fringed doll napkins made a simple and fun craft for the girls while we waited for everyone to arrive. To make these, simply cut 6" x 6" squares of gingham and stitch 1/4" from the edge all the way around.  The girls just "pull the strings" until they get to the stitching line.  Now the dolls have a cloth napkin for the tea! Decorating the party table was lots of fun.  We took inspiration from the pink and black banquet room at The American Girl Place in Chicago. Putting my Shaker sensibility aside, we went bright and bold with lots of layers.  The table was topped with a white table cloth and bright pink sheer sp...

It's hard to remember back just a few months ago when we were playing in this much snow!  This is my daughter, Ella, who, while insisting she wanted to come along to the big hill at the golf course, absolutely refused to get on a sled!  She had fun, nonetheless, with her favorite cousin, Anders.  After watching the other kids wipe out, it led me to wonder, "Who's really the smart one, here?" For more slice of life photos, visit iheartfaces !

My friend, Deanna, is completely gifted.   She can elevate the simplest arrangement into the most stunning centerpiece!   Look how beautiful this is!   I just love how simple slices of citrus become translucent as light passes through a clear, glass vase. Here's a  trick that I learned from Ina Garten. When arranging droopy flowers like these beautiful spring tulips, secure the stems in a bouquet with a rubber band. It will keep the flowers arranged perfectly. I hope you are inspired to create a spring citrus centerpiece, too! Join the fun!  I'm linking up with TidyMom !

I love the southern spring.  It's that brief inhale of freshness before the sultry summer oppresses our senses.  Of particular delight are the blossoming Bradford Pear Trees with their cottony white blossoms.  Against the deep blue sky, they almost give an infrared glow.  Their contrasting dark stems remind me of a Japanese painting and inspired this haiku: Pear blossoms glowing Like artists painting the sky Sweetness fills the air Happy Spring!

Without a doubt, this was my most challenging baking project to date - making 400 cupcakes!  It was also, without a doubt, my most fun - with the help of several of my amazing friends! These cupcakes were designed and baked for our school's major annual fundraiser - a silent auction and comedy night.  Small plates were served during the silent auction in our transformed gymnasium and this plated dessert was served in our multi-purpose cafeteria/auditorium during a much anticipated comedy performance. So how does a home baker begin to bake 400 cupcakes?  By using the school's kitchen, of course! The committee decided on two kinds of cupcakes:   half chocolate and half white.  I used Martha Stewart's One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcake recipe because A)  It's delicious, and B) It's relatively easy to make.  All the cupcake ingredients can be mixed together in a single bowl.  Also, it uses oil instead of butter which makes a moist and easily mixed batter...

Happy Birthday, Dear Husband! I don't know why I feel obligated to dig up some cute old photo of my husband each year on his birthday.  Perhaps it's because not many exist.  (That's what happens when you are the baby of a large family.)  Perhaps it's because he won't think I love him if I don't embarrass him just a little.  Perhaps it's just to check and see if he's actually reading my blog! I particularly like this toothless grin, since our daughter, Arielle, who looks just like him, has recently sported a similar smile.  Notice the detail in the dress.....turtleneck, vest, sports coat and pocket scarf.  I'm thinking beatnik/Early Beatles.  But cuter.  Much, much cuter!  I color adjusted this water stained photo for skin tones, and still came up with a magenta shirt.  What can I say?  He's always been man enough to wear pink!! Feel free to leave your birthday greetings in the comment section below!

The first year I packed my kids an all green lunch for St. Patrick's Day, I had the privilege of volunteering quietly in the school cafeteria.  I watched as they opened their lunch and saw their eyes grow big, contemplating what was set before them.  Maybe it's my slightly twisted sense of humor, but to this day, I think it's one of the funniest tricks I've ever played on my kids.  I know they secretly like the lunch room attention it brings them, and so this year, once again, I promise not to disappoint!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day this week, I thought I would serve the family corned beef and cabbage.  When I told this to my dad over the phone, he asked, "Who in your family likes corned beef and cabbage?"  I thought for a moment.  Nobody, really (except me, that is).  But then I realized something - this is the whole point in making it!  I mean, if I just assume that my kids won't like something because they are, well - kids , then I'm really not giving them the opportunity to like it.  What kind of mother would I be then?  If my kids aren't born vegetable eaters, than I feel it is my duty to develop them into vegetable eaters, through trial and error, and repetition. So here is my version of corned beef and cabbage.  It's adapted for a slow cooker because A) I love my shiny stainless steel slow cooker and B) I don't own a dutch oven. (Hint Hint - Birthday Idea Anyone?) Start by heating the corned beef and the liquid in a pan.  I did t...

I must admit that long before this month's cupcake was selected, I had gazed at it longingly in the book.  I mean, look at those candied hazelnut toppers.  What show stoppers!  Could I actually create something as beautiful as the photo?   I divided this month's project into three parts:  The cupcake, the frosting and the topper.  Each part had merit on its own.   THE CUPCAKE:   Almond-Hazelnut Cupcake The cupcake began with toasting almonds and hazelnuts.  To be honest, I'm not a big fan of nuts in baked goods.  I think it's a texture thing.  Kind of like celery in jello. These, however, were finely ground.  Of course, I've never owned a food processor and my blender made it's way into the trash a couple weeks ago.  I knew my patience was not up to finely ground chopping.   Fortunately, I had my handy dandy parmesan cheese grater.  It made a good plan B. Like last month's chocolate chip cupcakes, this o...