Mobile Madness

Help me decide what sort of mobile to go with (bearing in mind the decor mentioned in the last post.)

1.
This cute felt and fabric tree mobile actually plays music. Plus, polka dots!

2.

Again, polka dots! And I love that they're not uniform in the way they fall.

3.

Subtle whimsy with clouds. I like the idea of pulling in more aspects of nature to go with the trees and tulips.

4.

Also in blue!

5.

This one is a DIY mobile, and I love the organic feel of it.

6.

And some sweet rain clouds gently dripping flourescent rain drops.

So, tell me what you like, or if you know of something even better. I'll let you know what we get when we eventually make up our minds :)

Once Upon a Time...

...I was a blogger. Now, I'm a slacker. But, now that we're just over three months away from adding a little girl to our family, I thought it might be a good time to re-enter to world we call the blogosphere.

So, like I said, we're closing in on 7 months of pregnancy, and pretty pleased about the situation. Want a sneak peak at our (hopefully) contemporary, whimsical, and slightly pink nursery decor? I thought so.

We've only purchased a few items so far (bedding, glider/ottoman/wall decal) but we pretty much know what we're planning, so I'll just show you what we've got up our sleeves.

So, the bedding was our inspiration, I love the simplicity of the tulips, as well as the use of hot pink rather than all pastels. Then, running with my love of jellybeans style trees, I found this wall decal on Etsy. Once we add some jellybeans artwork, I think it will look smashing. Also, we're looking for a wall color similar to the one in the decal picture.

We found early on, that a rocker glider can't be modern looking and comfortable simeltaneously. So, we compromised and got this one in a chocolate brown microfiber. Pricey, and not as pretty as we'd hoped, but oh-my-goodness-comfy.

And, lastly (so far), is the furniture. Because we are wanting to use bold colors (blues, hot pinks, dark browns and grays), we thought white furniture would pop. And, because Ikea is inexpensive, but strong in safety features, we opted for these items:

We'll use the dresser as a changing table (and the changing pad matches the bedding, yay!) instead of having two different bulky pieces we'll just have the one.

This crib got amazing safety ratings, with a tiny price tag. That's all.

And, what better way to house toys and books than a contemporary bookcase? I don't know of one.

And, that's where we are. I'm still searching for the perfect mobile, but it's coming together. Hopefully we'll actually start getting this stuff all into a freshly painted/decalled room shortly.

I Saw a Leaf Fall to the Ground Today...

Last year on this day I quoted a poem by a beloved professor of mine. I think it's worth reposting today.

I saw a leaf fall to the ground today.

For an entire season it had clung proudly to its place, gleaming brightly in the summer sun. It had felt its usefulness and beauty. But when embraced to Autumn's cold breast, its beauty faded; it became shriveled and sere. Still, it clung tenaciously to its accustomed spot on the branch. After much urging by a gentle wind, it wavered between its desire to remain with the known, and the desire to experience teh unknown. Finally, it embarked on its new adventure, and sailed happily with the breeze and gently fluttered to join many of its cold companions, and to meet many of a brighter hue. When it came to rest, I think I heard it release a sigh of contentment.

I am now in the summer of my life - enjoying my place, feeling of some use and service. When the late Autumn of my life comes, I think I shall be like that leaf I saw fall today. Certainly, I shall hesitate to leave the accustomed. But I know that once the great adventure is begun, I shall sail into eternal contentment.

You who see the leaf of my life fade and fall; Do not mistake that final breath as a groan. It will be a joyful sigh of release into the hands of my Great God, Creator and Savior.

CW Smith - November 14, 1972

Today marks three years since my mom went home. I'm so excited for the day we're reuinited.

Cucumber Martini's

When we were cruising Alaska, we had the pleasure of trying one of their cocktails - the cucumber martini. It is delicious. So delicious that soon after coming home I made it my mission to recreate it. The winning recipe (makes two):

4 ounces of gin

2 ounces of apple pucker schnapps

1 ounce of sweet and sour mix

1/2 ounce of simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar, boil water and add sugar until dissolved.)

About 12 slices of english cucumber

Cut up your cucumber, set aside 6 slices for garnish. Chop the remaining slices into little cubes and tip it into a shaker.

Add simple syrup to the shaker and muddle with the cucumber.

Add gin, schnapps and sweet and sour.

Fill with ice.

Shake shake shake.

Pour into glasses, put a cucumber on the rim of the glass and two slices floating in it.

Enjoy!

Three Years Ago Today...

...was the last time I spoke with my mom. Today is my parents anniversary - I believe it would be their 33rd. At this point we knew that she was dying, although the doctors had given us hope that she would be with us for a few more months. Tim and I headed down to Kent after work that day to drop off an anniversary gift - tulips, See The Morning CD by Chris Tomlin, and Lady in the Water by M Night Shymalan. Tim (the other Tim) and Chie had cooked dinner for my parents and when we came in they were eating in the dining room. Mom seemed to be doing really well that day. She was walking, talking, even eating a small amount - something that had been getting more and more difficult. We stayed only briefly, wanting them to have time together, and headed out. Three days later she went Home. By the time I got to her she was unresponsive. The whole family was there, which could have only been by the hand of God, and we held her hands and tried to comfort her until she was with Him.


I really miss her. The silliest things set me off, like not being able to remember a recipe at the grocery store and knowing that she'd be able to tell me what to get if I could just call her. I know that she's finally well, and happier than I can imagine, and that we will one day be reunited, but it's hard. I still cry myself to sleep every so often, but the pain is becoming less sharp, and I know it will continue to lessen as the days go on.


I apologize that my first post is ages is so unhappy, but that's just what I'm feeling right now, and this seemed like as good a place as any to get my thoughts out. Signing out.

Christmas Catchup

So...I've been taking some time off of blogging lately, but I figured it was about time to get back into the habit, so here we are! I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year, we certainly did. It was busy and crazy and exausting, just the way I like it.

We got to decorate cookies with friends, enjoy a Christmas Eve Eve date, have multiple family celebrations, and managed to get in some time for just the two of us on both Christmas Eve (breakfast and mimosas and one present each) as well as (early) Christmas morning (stockings and presents.) And let me tell you, we made out like bandits. Between buying presents for months in advance, and Tim's discount at M+O, there was a lot of loot under that little tree.

Below is most of the stuff we got, although I couldn't find everything online and I can't find my camera cord, so I can't just take pictures. But still....this is a lot of it.

For Tim:

For me:

all the clothes are from Martin + Osa (wow, that's a lot of clothes!)

So, I have a new wardrobe to wander around in, delightful! Now I just need to work off those Christmas cookies to make the clothes look just a smidge better on me. :)

Merry Christmas Eve!

Dear Santa,

So, because I seem to be completely out of creativity and inspiration for this blog at the moment, I am posting my letter to Santa from last year...after all, he has yet to answer it.

How are you? I'm fine. Can you believe the big day is only 2 days from now? I figured it was time to tell you what I want. But let me preface it by saying, I've been very good. I have been in zero fist fights this year. For that matter, I've only been in one fist fight in my life (except with my brothers, which, as I'm sure you know, can't be avoided), and I didn't throw any punches, so I think that should be stricken from my record.


You see, I was at my kindergarten best friend Monica's house, and we were playing a highly competitive game of Mempry. I was, as is usually the case, winning like crazy. So, words were exchanged, and after a certain point, Monica said, "If I punched you in the stomach, you would cry." I declared that I would not. So, naturally, she punched me in the stomach. And, though I wanted to cry, I held it in. As it happened, her dad came into the room during the aftermath of this punching, and so I asked him to take me home, and Monica and I were no longer best friends. But, I want you to know that I have forgiven her. So, please, don't hold this against me.

I have also not stolen anything this year. Again, I have only stolen once in my life - at the tender age of ten. I was in K-Mart in Yakima, and ate one of the candies from the 5 cent candy bins. I immedietely regretted it, and was terrified that the alarm was advanced enough to sense the candy in my belly (it wasn't). I eventually confessed this to my mom (by eventually, I mean around 23 years of age) so, since I punished myself with guilt and later repented, I think this should be stricken from the record as well.

I have not put a snowball down anyone's neck this year. This has only happened once - when I was about 13 and Chris was about 10. I paid dearly for that already, when Chris immedietely turned so red he almost burst into flame, and he screamed so loud all the icicles fell from the roof. So, since the punishment has already occurred, let's pretend this strike against me didn't, okay?

So, now that the formalities are done, what I would really like for Christmas is for Bill Watterson to come out of retirement and begin writing Calvin and Hobbes again. Is this too much to ask? I mean, I've been really good, and I really miss Calvin and Hobbes.


Thanks in advance,


Your friend,


Erin

Mom's Button Cookies

Last night I went to a Christmas party. It was the perfect opportunity to make my mom's famous button cookies. They turned out delicious, so I thought I'd share the recipe.

Ingredients:
For the cookies:
2 cups flour
1 cup butter
1/3 cup light whipping cream
1 cup sugar
For the frosting:
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
Red and green food coloring
Directions:
Mix flour, 1 cup softened butter, and light whipping cream together, kneading with your hands until dough makes a ball. Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for an hour.

Preheat oven to 375. Roll the dough 1/8" think, rolling 1/3 of it at a time. Cut out small circles (I use the top of a shot glass). Put 1 cup of sugar in a small bowl. Dip each cookie round in the sugar, coating both sides. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, prick them with a fork and bake for 7-9 minutes. Do not over bake. They will be a light golden brown. Let them cool completely.

Frosting: Mix butter, powdered sugar and vanilla and divide into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one half, and green to the other. Frost 1/2 of the cookies and top them with the other half.

Makes about 24 cookies. Enjoy!


Yes, this was my breakfast. Please don't judge me.

The Christmas party was great, complete with carols, Secret Santas and lots of food. Two of the girls even made ornaments for everyone, look how cute they are!

If you make the cookies, let me know how you like them! They're a Christmas staple in our home. Do you have a cookie you bake every Christmas?

On the time I was supposed to disect a pig

I managed to get through junior high and high school without disecting anything grosser than a flower. I was feeling fairly triumphant, disection is something I am more than happy to do without. But then I took biology lab in high school. It seemed inevitable. I was doomed to pass out while taking apart a smelly dead piglet. Well, far be it for me to allow a syllabus to take away my dream of a disection free life style. I cleverly planned my absences so I would have to miss that class. Smart, no? So, instead of heading to bio lab that evening I beelined for the cafeteria and ate with my friends, inwardly rejoicing in the success of my scheme.

Fast forward two weeks. I hadn't counted on my professor having an evil scheme too. But, as I was taking my midterm, I noticed students disappearing into the adjoining room for a few minutes and then returning to their desks. Suspicious, I thought. Thats when I turned the page of my exam and saw directions to go into said adjoining room and label parts of a disected pig. Oi. My plan backfired. If the question hadn't been worth multiple points, I may have skipped it. But my not so great grade wouldn't allow it. So, I mustered up my courage, held my breath and walked resolutely into the room. There, a teachers aid was pulling little pig organs with tweezers and asking us to identify them. Blech. Gross. But, I didn't have to cut anything open, so besides some mild revulsion I was none worse for the wear.

Until I got to dinner that night...pork was on the menu. Blllleeeeecccchhhh!

Is it bad...

...that I bought Tim a Christmas present from one of M+O's competitors?* I suppose it's better than buying something from Sam's Club. That would be like treason in this household.

We have 16 gifts under the tree right now. One is for me. Judging by the "wrapping" (silver box with silver bow emblazoned with Martin + Osa) it's probably a puppy. Despite only one gift under the tree for me, Tim has brought home a mysterious M+O bag every night with orders not to look in them. Evidentally he's bought me so many presents that one of his co-workers asked to marry him if I was ever out of the picture.

Anywaaaaaay, I sold a few more pieces, I'll be sending them off tomorrow. And I got my first feedback so my store now says 100% positive! Yay!

Hope everyone is doing great!

*pssst - don't tell Tim

How are you spending your morning?

Mine is being spent job searching with lots of coffee by the tree. It would be perfect if I could switch job searching with reading or watching a Christmas movie, don't you think?