9.30.12

sunday sweets

welcome to my new adventure in blogging called sunday sweets! 

every week i will attempt to bake a yummy treat for our family to enjoy before or after church. i love to bake most anything, with the exception of fruitcake - it's nonsense and you'll never find a recipe for it on this blog, like ever! in addition, i will link the recipe from the source and share my personal notes. also, look for future guest posts from my husband and friends who have offered and accepted my invitation to share their favorite recipes. 

today's sweet is a glazed citrus-poppy seed cake from martha stewart. this recipe was well-worth all the zest grating and mixing required, but manage your time wisely. i had to leave the house while the cake cooled and skipped the unmolding step. oops! Also, the recipe doesn't state how long the glaze takes to boil to 1/4 cup, which i timed at about 3 minutes. 

have a blessed day, friends! ~xoox

9.27.12

thrifting thursday

// i foresee a cupcake fondue party in our very near future - you my friends, bring the sprinkles!! 

9.26.12

wordless wednesday

9.25.12

harper rose

remember last wordless wednesday? well, say hello to my dear friend's newest bundle of beauty - harper rose - born on september 11, 2012. isn't she just breathtaking?!! photographing her was so much fun and filled my heart with so much joy.  

i must admit, while i was editing i had a brief moment of wanting another baby, that is until i revisited this video of silvie and the moment quickly faded! 

9.20.12

thrifting thursday

now that we've settled into brenner's new school schedule, i've made thrifting a weekly adventure with silvie. we gather our budgeted funds, load up the jogger with our essentials and walk downtown. 

thrifting is very nostalgic for me. i have many fond memories traveling to the sumpter flea markets with my family and searching for things that sparked our creativity or vintage items that just made us smile. and now that i'm older, finding treasures with my mother is still my most favorite thing to do. i hope to continue this tradition with silvie. 

here are a few treasures we found this week. and let it be known, there is a little crafty friday project in that bowl coming soon! 

9.19.12

wordless wednesday 

9.12.12

silvie's goodnight moon party

last weekend we celebrated silvie's 2nd birthday with almost 40 friends and family! the theme was inspired from her favorite book, goodnight moon. please observe her little personality as you scroll down the screen.

{our very serious guest of honor as her guests began to arrive}

{some yummy eats & treats we made}

{party bubbles & bird warbler water whistles}  

{homemade mini cupcakes with pom-pom toppers!} 

{welcome path with helium staked balloons}

{party table - window mural on canvas painted by my mother, fabric garland i made from torn fabric, star lollies, & moon/star/bunny/balloon lace cards for the party favors} 

{wharbling}

{bubble-fun with grammy}

{taking a break from the crowd}

{at this point of the party she was done, but kept it together and enjoyed everyone's attention while they sang to her} 

{like last year, we wanted to keep to tradition with her main gift related to the party theme. i found this vintage toyhouse on ebay, bid & won!}

{enjoying smaller numbers & play}

{h-a-p-p-y} 

as much as i love the planning and decorating that goes into entertaining large groups, silvie taught me a very valuable lesson this year through her delicate introverted personality. less is more. so next year, we're drastically changing up the typical party scene and coming up with something that fits her and our family best.  

a huge shout-out to my mother for her creative help, and to my good friend cheryl for her assistance in photographing silvie's special day. i'm so incredibly blessed to have you ladies in my life. and thank you friends for coming, staying and enduring silvie's non-interest in you. ;) 

9.5.12

wordless wednesday

9.3.12

alaska 

a few weeks ago, brenner's dad took him on a fishing adventure to alaska that i know he'll never forget. those who know brenner know that fishing is life to him! where there is water, you'll find brenner with a pole in his hand and an unlimited amount of patience! 

here are a few pictures from his dream vacation come true. and yes, that mama bear (with two cubs not pictured) was a very close 50 yards from my baby. rest assured, he was in very safe hands. 

photos by russ mcintosh 

9.1.12

photo a day august challenge : days 21-31

21. / cool {said silvie} 22. / home {porch swing} 23. / pair {gold candles i painted for silvie's birthday cake} 24. / path {to the beach} 25. / fresh {clams} 26. / dream {rock painting at the beach} 27. / tap {borrrrrring} 28. / clock {clock tower at eagle crest} 29. / down {watching silvie run} 30. / card {the sweetest thank you card from a good friend} 31. / hidden {silvie's face while playing ball}  days 1-10 and 11-20