happy weekend

image credit: blueflash

I mentioned yesterday some things that are going on this weekend.  Other than that, things are low key, which I'm kinda looking forward to.  Some things to check out from the past week... 

- far far away III is coming to a quilt store near you this summer

- I wish I could go to this floral workshop

- love this girly dino-themed party

- this week's healthy change

- seeing the tulips in Holland in person must be amazing

- I want to try making a dessert in a jar, maybe to send to my sister-in-law in Iraq if they'll survive the trip

- some of this ruffle fabric would make a delicious summer dress

- these baking tips are super helpful!

What are you up to this weekend?  If you're a Rhode Islander I hope you enjoy the sunshiney weather ahead!

for a cause

This weekend two exciting events are taking place. One is the March of Dimes March for Babies and the other is the 30 Hour Famine.

I've participated in the March for Babies for the past two years in honor of my friend Jaclyn's son, Zachary.  She gave birth to him October of 2007.  Zach was sixteen weeks early and only weighed 1 pound 12 ounces.  Eighteen days later on November 12th God called Zach home to heaven.  This year I'm raising support with a renewed sense of purpose because two very special things have happened since the last March - I gave birth to Ezra, and Jaclyn announced that she is expecting!  Team No Life Too Small is walking in memory of Zachary, but also with the hope that the March of Dimes is going to help get Mykenzie Jayne to full term.

I’m raising support for our family, and for yours, too.  Ezra’s birth was a life-changing experience for me, and while he may not have been premature (in fact, he was five days late!) we endured some struggles of our own early on in his life.  I can’t imagine how the difficulties would have been compounded had Ezra been premature.  I support the March of Dimes because they help families prepare for birth by providing tools for helping to prevent prematurity.  Visit my personal page to donate through the secure website, or find an event near you. 

Last year was my first time doing the famine although I must confess that I didn't fast, but don't judge me - I was pregnant!  But no one knew yet so Amanda (also pregnant) and I had to sneak snacks in whenever we could.  For photos and details about last year's famine visit Matt's blog.  The teens will have their last meal at lunch on Friday and then we'll all break the fast together at dinner on Saturday.  They're raising awareness of hungry people worldwide, but this year our focus is on Japan and all those affected by the tsunami.  You can donate online to our Ocean State Baptist Church team by going here or find a group near you.  Thanks for your support!

stripey bag

Why is it that all the bags I fall in love with (like this one) are so dang expensive?  The Cabana Stripe bag looks like the perfect fit for summers with a baby in tow.  Bright stripes give it a nautical feel which is always appropriate here in Little Rhody.  Kate, I love you but this bag would put a serious dent in my savings.  Maybe I'l have to make my own. 

cupcake love

{chocolate coconut crunch}

The Bakery Boutique is located in Smithfield, RI near church. That means it's easily accessible on Sundays and Wednesdays if I can convince Matt to drive in the opposite direction of home for a couple of miles.  The Bakery Boutique is home to these yummy creations, but the good news is that they can go home with you.  That is, if you can manage to not eat them in the car.

 

{classic white wedding cake}

{Nutella swirl} 

{key lime pie}

{red velvet}

What cupcakes would you want to try?  Any cupcake bakery recommendations?

new blooms

What better way to start the week than with tulips? My lovely husband bought me flowers again last week. Usually I get right to work selecting a vase and snipping the stems, but this time I had to stop and admire the gorgeous wrapping job the florist always does.

Kraft paper, green tissue, and raffia.  I can't really imagine a better way to wrap up fresh blooms.  Matt stops at Bert and Peg's on his way home from work and I must say I'm glad he found them!

happy weekend

image by Guiliano Mangani for National Geographic

This Saturday Jaclyn and I are getting pedicures as a belated birthday treat and in the afternoon Matt and I have plans to wish a friend well as he heads to Iraq with the service.  Hopefully I can squeeze in some Easter outfit shopping time with my mom in between.  On Sunday we'll be celebrating the resurrection at church and then dining with family all afternoon.  I'm in charge of making a dessert and I'm thinking chocolate layer cake.  How will you spend the weekend?  Now for another burning question... and other links, too -
- why are there no pop up dessert shops around here?!
- I like the one with the moustache
- on having 1/3 less stress
- would you extreme coupon?
- hoping Matt brings me home a bouquet like this some day (hello, husband!)
- if only I was qualified for this internship
- ooh la la! a faux lashes how-to video
- get a free coffee or tea today!
- this week's healthy change
- I want to make this cute bunny
- can't wait to try my hand at this baby log cabin quilt
- even the potholes in Paris are pretty
- a cool confetti street installation
- putting candy in a bottle never looked better
- yet another way to use fringe for party decor
- enter this sweet giveaway from Longaberger and Rachel of ps i quilt
- love this simple flower-filled teapot as a centerpiece
Happy Easter!

score!

Score one for me - I was the lucky winner of this giveaway from Randi over at Swoon.  Aren't these cards the prettiest?  I may have to try my hand a making some of my own.  The vellum envelopes are a nice touch - such a surprise to see the colors through the envelope.

Good news for you - Randi is hosting another giveaway in honor of her 100th post.  I almost don't want to tell you because if you enter my chances of winning will be decreased, but good luck anyway!

While you're at Swoon take a peek at two of my favorite posts by Randi - a Peter Pan Party (part one and part two) and how to make Salt & Sugar Scrub.

the uglies

Ezra's friend Big Toe the Ugly Doll is one of his favorite softies.  Big Toe is a great replacement for me when Ezra is desperately trying to burrow his face into something when he's on his way to dreamland.  Big Toe also functions as an excellent arm rest when I need something to prop up my elbow while breastfeeding Ezra.  Plus, he looks great in Ezra's room.  Ezra thinks Big Toe could use a companion or three.  Dave Darinko, Cozymonster, and Secret Mission Icebat are all contenders.  

I told Ezra his half birthday is coming up and he'll have to wait until then.  Decisions, decisions...

mad hungry

Yesterday at Williams-Sonoma I was thrilled to see Lucinda Scala Quinn's book, Mad Hungry, on the shelf.  Lucinda is the executive food director of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in case you were wondering.  Feeding Matt is quite an endeavor as he is quite picky and eats quite a lot of food, and I won't be surprised if Ezra follows in his footsteps in terms of quantity of food consumption.  Hopefully Ez doesn't pick up Matt's pickiness, but that's a subject for another day.  Maybe Mad Hungry will offer some tips and tricks for feeding the men in my life.
P.S. I think I need to add this book to my cookbook library.  Did I tell you that my mom got me the mini pie maker as an early birthday gift?

Holy Week

With Easter just six days away, I've been thinking about something more important than dyeing eggs, Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs, and what to eat for brunch on Sunday.  Check out this visualization timeline of Holy Week if you're interested in learning more about the Gospel this week.
via Karissa via Bible Gateway

happy weekend

(image source)

On the agenda this weekend: on Friday night we're remembering our trip to Guatemala with Ed and Laura, Matt and Kayla, and Allyssa and Steve by eating tacos, this cake, and maybe some Pollo Campero.  Saturday brings a breakfast fundraiser for my mother-in-law's garden club, a discussion hosted by the Rhode Island Birth Network, and a spring dinner with friends.  Then on Sunday we'll be at church as usual.       

- I wonder if candy mail is allowable by the USPS... doubtful

- this week's healthy change is doable 

- must print these adorable tandem bike thank you cards asap

- have you heard of this springtime Italian celebration?

- maybe one day Ezra will want to have a trash party

- organization by color

- I've always wanted to learn how to do a fishtail braid

- a great roundup of free bookplates

- love these mini polaroid magnets

- how to create the perfect cheese plate and an adventurous one.  yum.

- a simple (and stylish!) way to preserve memories for your children

What are you up to this weekend?  Where ever you are I hope it's sunshiney!

speed racer

I am in love with this speedster from The Land of Nod.  Ezra would look darling motoring around our house on it, don't you think?  I can picture him wearing a little newsboy cap while his little feet propel him down the hallway.

better together

My weekend was complete - I made oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies and the entire batch was gone by sundown on Monday.  During the week I had sent Matt an email with the recipe and his response was, "are you trying to kill us?"  I am happy to report that no deaths resulted in the consumption of said cookies.

Now I'm wondering what else I can hide in a cookie.  My first inclination would be a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, or even better, a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg - so festive this time of year!  What treat would you hide in a cookie?

ranunculus remix

Apparently my Trader Joe's flowers (which are ranunculus for those of you who were asking) were doomed by their weak stems.  What started out as one bloom in a teacup quickly turned into two blooms in two teacups and it was all downhill from there.  I must say I'm liking the new arrangement, perhaps even more than when they were in my favorite vase - thanks, Karissa!  I might just have to keep buying bouquets to keep up the new look of the dining room.  On an unrelated note, it's raining just like last year and the year before that.  Our spirits are not dampened (no pun intended) - we will still stand in line for free ice cream!  Well, at least I will... we'll see about Matt.

free ice cream? I'm there.

It's that time of year again and tomorrow's the big day.  Go here to find your local Ben & Jerry's to get your very own free cone!  I'm thinking some mint chocolate cookie is in order, but I may need to wait in line a second time to get my money's worth.  Oh wait.  I'm not paying.  Well, I still want two cones.  Find me and Matt on Meeting Street (off Thayer), whether it's raining or not.

Happy Weekend

(a little gift to myself from Trader Joe's)

What to do this weekend: make and eat these cookies, distribute flyers for the new South campus of our church on Saturday, and eat more of these cookies.  Sounds pretty good to me.  Also sounding good to me are these links -   

- another rad option for displaying your photos as wall art

- a simple way to upgrade cut flowers

- these pretty table sketches can be downloaded for free... perfect for framing!

- check out healthy change no. 14. this may be the hardest one yet.

- wish I could teleport to Salt Lake City to take this class

- swoon! a trip to France and a cooking & food styling lesson all in one

- homemade pizza balls sound yummy, don't you think?

- I love the super simple candy favors

- six ways to tie a scarf

- on living this mortal experience

- a banner of compliments, free for the printing

- chocolate butter sounds heavenly

- organization of everything is funny

- a cute combination of rainbow and monster

- this sounds like the most perfect schedule

- for me in a little over five years

What are you up to this weekend?

Luxe

 Last night we went to Luxe Burger Bar in Providence for the second time since Ezra was born.  I'm not sure but I think it's his favorite restaurant. 

I love building my own burger - you choose a burger, how it's cooked, cheese, toppings, sauce, bun, and a side.  I ordered the gorgonzola tots to go along with my burger - delicious!

 Here's Ezra as we wait for our dinner.  Last time we were here he spent the majority of the time laying in my lap and/or breastfeeding, but now he's a champion sitter.  Well, not quite, but he's getting there! 

My delicious dinner pictured above - aged cheddar and dill pickle heaven.  Next we want to try Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and I hear that Red Robin is moving into the Warwick Mall parking lot.  Any other good burger places in RI that we should check out?

the owl & the pussycat

This lovely little print by Heather Ross is the newest addition to our bare walls.

Here are the owl and the pussycat going to see in their pea green boat.  Note the 'love conquers all' script below the owl - I love it!

I think these two will take up residence in the blue room but I have to decide exactly where.  One piece of wall art down and several to go... I'm working on this and hope to finish it by the end of the week!

Five Months!

Ezra turned the big 5/12ths on April Fool's Day and since it was sort of his birthday I didn't pull any pranks on him.  Instead I made him mug for the camera for a while.  Forgive me - there are lots of photos - but hopefully you think he's as cute as I do and enjoy them!

Remember when he was teeny tiny? Check out months one, two, three, and four . Once again, a shout out to my friend Keri for providing the month stickers. And happy almost-half-a-year, Ezra!