Inspired

You dearies sure know how to show a girl some cake love! Thank you for your wonderful and unique cake suggestions! I've got all kinds of ideas swimming around in my head and have spent way to much time thinking about what this cake would taste like with that frosting!

Perhaps I've failed to mention that I'm no good at all when it comes to following one recipe verbatim. While I'm not haphazard in the kitchen, neither am I scientific. Cooking this way can get a girl into trouble sometimes.

I'll probably be requesting recipes from some of you very soon. However, I must admit that after flipping through some cookbooks a snowy white coconut cake sounds {and looks} pretty tempting. Of course I'm wondering if I can use this cake recipe with that frosting recipe, but add a little smidgen of this and leave out all of that. Somebody make me stop... I've got to cook by the rules this time, other people are going to be eating this cake.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! I hope to have the sewing machine humming this afternoon.

{About the photo... my mother-in-law has a friend who crochets pot scrubbers using plastic netting. She stopped by earlier this week to give me some. Aren't they darling?! I can hardly bring myself to use them. The happy colors look so refreshing next to my kitchen sink.}

Let Them Eat Cake

The supercake has been delicious -- we've enjoyed leftovers all week. I most definitely haven't mastered cake baking so all compliments must be directed to Hershey's who was nice enough to print a tasty chocolate cake recipe on the back of their cocoa box.

Now, let's talk hypothetically for a few minutes...

Suppose you know a mod girl who must contribute a cake to go on the dessert table at a very large and nice dinner next week. Keep in mind that this mod girl is not a cake baking diva... however, she really wants to present a delicious {and pretty} confection for the event. What kind of cake would you suggest? Please share... I know a certain mod girl would appreciate it!

Ribbon Box

This gift box was too pretty to be ignored...

So, I filled it with rolls of color. What a happy and satisfying activity for a gray, rainy morning.

Promise

Winter's dull grays and dormant browns still hang, but the promise of spring is present. Today I spotted daffodils in bloom! {Already?!}

Supercake, Superday

A few weeks ago I asked Tukes what kind of cake he would like to have on his birthday. His reply... "Supercake!"

I wasn't exactly sure what supercake is so we worked together following his specific requests for, "Chocwate cake wiff icing and spwinkles and candles and a twuck and fire on it."

The boys decorated it with sprinkles and every birthday candle in the house {20 to be exact}. Tukes added his new truck. When it came time for the fire we only lit three candles. It was a hit.

Big Brother proudly presented Little Brother with a new toy truck over a birthday breakfast of donuts. Tukes carried it around all day, calling it his party favor, before putting it on the cake.

To make the day extra special we enjoyed Happy Meals on the McDonald's playground for lunch. This was a rare treat because the boys have a germ-a-phobic, fast-food-a-phobic mother! {Thank you, cousins, for the gift card!}

And, of course there were balloons. It was a happy, colorful, superday!

Three

He can jump too, and today is his birthday! Two has been terrific. Watch out three, Tukes has arrived {although, he insists that he is seven}! That Tukes...

The two of us have a special cake to make this morning. I wonder, will it have three or seven candles?

Everlasting God

Before the mountains were born or

You brought forth the earth

and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting

you are God.

Psalm 90:2

Jump

Things got a little "cwazy" this afternoon!

Flois

Tukes has a way of putting things in the most random places...

Take Flois, for instance, the beanie kitty that he abducted adopted from the church nursery last year. Named after Lois, his favorite neighborhood cat, Flois has been dearly loved by Tukes from the very beginning. Thankfully, she has always gotten along quite nicely with Bear and Ducky.

Just before Christmas, Flois went missing. I looked everywhere; I questioned Tukes, but she was nowhere to be found. I hoped that, perhaps, she would show up eventually.

Earlier this week, while I was searching high and low for my keys {Tukes got his hands on them} I found Flois.

She was trapped, albeit quite snugly and happily, inside the the chartreuse Russel Wright teapot. I should not have been surprised... after all, members of the tiny nativity were found hiding there in early December.

Tukes was thrilled. "I wuv Flois," he told me before settling down to feed her a hearty lunch of "chicks kicks" {Cracker Jacks}, alphabet soup, and chocolate soup, all carefully served from my old, metal Cracker Jack lunch box and thermos. The delicious lunch was purchased at Ikea, or so he told me.

Flois is home. Tukes is happy. And, yes, I found my keys.

Egg Salad

I've been on an egg salad kick lately. I know, I know, it's winter and picnic food is decidedly out of season, but sometimes cravings and seasons do not align.

As a girl, from time to time, I would walk to a nearby drugstore with friends. We would order lunch at the counter, sit at a little cafe table, and nibble creamy egg salad sandwiches. I've loved them ever since.

My sister-in-law makes delicious egg salad. She uses her friend Mary's recipe, which goes like this... "Mix together hard boiled eggs, Hellman's mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Chill." How is that for basic? I like to spread it on wheat bread, adding leaves of fresh spinach and slices of Roma tomatoes.

Quotable

Boo to Mod-Mama after Krogering yesterday: "Will I suffocate if I loop grocery bags around my feet?"

Over breakfast the professor and Boo discuss Valentine's Day:

Boo: "What kind of prizes will we get on Valentine's Day?"

Prof: "It is not a big holiday. People give each other cards.

Boo: "Well, I hope I get a Target card."

{He means a Target gift card. Yep, he was born in the 21st century.}

Tukes communicating his displeasure to Mod-Mama after being denied dessert last night {hey, he didn't eat his dinner}: "Nobody wuvs me and I'm hungwy." {Yes, he added alligator tears for drama. It was hard but I stood firm.}

Tukes to Mod-Mama while snacking on raisins and studying the box: "How dem get gwapes in dere?"

{Photos: yesterday afternoon the boys looped bags around their feet and did not suffocate, Tukes joins me for coupon clipping this morning}

City Window Thoughts

Saturday morning, bitterly cold and impossibly gray, found us warm and content in one of our places.

We asked for a table in the window... unknowingly the host seated us at our favorite spot.

Why do I love this beautiful/ugly street-side view... here, on the south side of downtown? This is my hometown city, a city that I love despite its flaws and scars.

It was warm and comforting inside, a contrast from what was on the other side of the glass. Ironically we enjoy the sights and sounds of both views.

After many years away I still claim this imperfect city as mine. After nearly nine years of being us we still love breakfast dates and I still can't believe that he is mine.

{Photos two and three by the professor.}

To Knit

Nine of us gathered this afternoon... some were seasoned knitters, the rest were utterly clueless. {In case you are wondering, I was in the second group.} After two hours of patient instruction I am now casting, knitting, and purling with very little confidence.

The final goal is a baby hat. My "assignment" for next Sunday is twenty completed rows. Three down, seventeen to go... it may as well be seventeen miles. My fingers have never felt so cumbersome.

God is Light

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is not darkness at all.

1 John 1:5

Wooden Snake

We happened upon it this morning in the depths of his closet. A toy that was buried and forgotten, resurfaced. At first he was a little afraid of it. That's okay, I don't like snakes either.

{The photo? I'm sure the professor would barely give it a passing grade considering that it is technically awful -- out of focus, imbalanced light, wonky perspective. Yet... it appeals to me. I think I'll chalk it up to being a happy accident, smile, and call it a day.}

Here's hoping you don't find any snakes in your closet this weekend.

Cooking Contemplated

It took the whole day for me to pull together a hefty heap of food to share with a family that has a house full of teenagers. I was amazed by how much it takes to provide one meal for the hungry crowd. Then, I realized that the joke is on me...

Right now I have one hard working husband and two little boys. When it comes to meal preparation, I'm on easy street. In a few years I'll have one hard working husband and two big boys {with big appetites}. I can see the handwriting on the wall... I'll be cooking "cowboy food" just like the Pioneer Woman every. single. day.

Distracted

Sometimes the call of domesticity must be momentarily ignored. I should have been washing dishes or making beds or vacuuming my crumby floors this morning...

But, the eastern sunlight poured through the office window in the most distracting way, casting a warm glow and graceful shadows. This is why I love sunny, winter mornings.

And then it happened again this afternoon, about an hour before dusk, when I should have been folding laundry. Western sunlight crept in through the kitchen window and I was rendered useless, once more. Yes, there are times when the call of domesticity must be momentarily ignored.

Bedknobs

I wasn't good for much this afternoon.

So, I stretched out in a patch of sunlight and dozed.

Twenty minutes later I ate apple crisp with ice cream.
Much better.

Growing Pains

Tukes and I have a little after lunch routine; while I tidy the kitchen he is on a mission to pick out books. Then, we crawl up on his big bed and read together before I tuck him in for his nap.

At first he romps around {see above}, eager to convince me that he doesn't need to rest. We both know differently. I open a book, he settles down and cuddles next to me, and we read.

These are sweet moments... I look forward to them every day. While we read and talk I study him. I listen to his little voice, I savor his smell, I try to memorize his big, blue eyes and, oh my, those long, dark lashes. I delight in the curve of his little ski-jump nose, I giggle when he giggles, his rosy lips make me smile.

After we read I tuck him under the covers. "Time to play?" he asks me. I respond, "I'll come and get you when it's time to play. Go to sleep now. I love you."

This business of turning three in a few weeks is taking me on a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride. If I told you that I haven't shed a tear {or two} over it, well, I would be lying. The other day he informed me, "Me not a baby. Me a boy." I know, Little One, I know.

He has reached that tender, transforming age... During this year I expect that he'll give up his nap, his chubby legs will get longer and skinnier, his round cheeks won't stay so round. Each precious day that passes I see a bit of my sweet baby slipping away. And, while he is turning into a delightful little boy... I confess, I am going to miss this little toddler that cuddles up next to me at rest time.

Meredith's Pockety Apron

Tukes was invited to a birthday party. His little friend, Meredith, turned three years old.

For the birthday girl, a six pocket apron that I pieced together using remnants. Perfect for creativity in the kitchen or when painting a masterpiece with artist-mom.

This was my first time working with bias tape... tedious best describes the experience. I have no idea if I applied it correctly. Surely there are some tricks out there {of which I am very unaware} that make this stuff a bit more user friendly. Tips anyone?

And, I simply must show you the colorful birthday party spread! Not only is the birthday girl's mom a talented artist... she knows how to throw a spectacular party!

Worship the Lord

Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name;

Worship the Lord in holy array.

Psalm 29:1-2

Red, Black, and White

All of the holiday merchandise at Big Lots is 75% off, and the pickings were good at our local store. Holiday grosgrain ribbon {that doesn't look so holiday'ish to me} is $.25 per 9-ft. spool. That's ten spools {90 feet} of ribbon for $2.50 plus tax. I bought some today with pocket change. Not bad!

Sipping, and Such

Cold ginger ale with a twist of lime... it's my favorite. You should try it some time. I sipped on it this afternoon while I tried to figure out how on earth to work with bias tape {more on that later}. I think it soothed my sore throat just a bit.

Tonight I will try to chase away a bit of a chill when I sip on gag down a dose of Nyquil. I'll also be crossing my fingers in hopes that Tukes won't decide to play musical beds all through our sleeping hours like he did last night.

"Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you..." Please, oh please, wish me the same!

Orange and Red Day

Green may be my favorite color, but orange and red is my favorite color combination.

"What a warm and pleasant duo... I always admire you," I thought as I dressed this morning.

Orange and red against blue-green, my favorite. Yum!

After donning warmth and brightness today I started noticing how much the combo colors my world.

In the kitchen on the work table...

In the bookcase. Actually, it was there more than once...

On the couch, with that blue-green creeping in again. Delish!

The ABC's have got it right in Tukes' room!

I even saw orange and red peeking out at me from the bathroom cabinet. {This is my favorite photo of the day}. Scrumptious cinnamon scented soap, a stocking stuffer so beautiful I simply couldn't unwrap it. I still can't.

I recommend that you enjoy orange and red someday very soon, preferably on a day when you feel like you're coming down with a cold. On a day when you wish you could stay home and sip tea and hibernate, but instead must step out into the sunshine to navigate the carpool line {twice!}, grocery shop, zip to and from speech therapy, cook dinner, and accomplish a thousand other things in between.

Yes, orange and red is a nice pick-me-up on a day when you need picking up.