if i had to be a cookie...

and being chocolate chip was taken...

...i would be these...

sunshine in cookie form.

and we NEED sunshine here.

there is about a foot of snow outside...NEW snow...and it is still falling!

these were SUPER simple to make.

you use a food processor!

they are tasty too...like a slightly strawberry flavored shortbread...

you can find the recipe HERE.


enjoy the cookie sunshine!

things i'm lovin.

I'm loving my new pin cushion from Happy Find.
I can't wait to see it in person!

I love when Aaron sits like this to play.
Is it possible for paint color to make a house actually happy?
I think so.

I love fresh bread but yeast does not like me.
So...I love Rhodes...perfect fresh bread (or rolls or cinnamon buns) every time.
Take that finicky yeast.

I love my mantle.
It is my favorite canvas.

I love my paint color. Crystal Aqua from Valspar.
It feels fresh and happy even when it is January.
I don't love that it is January.

I'm loving my custom orders. :)
I'm loving that my sewing machine now hums instead of clangs.
Who knew that lint could make that much difference?

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:8

I am loving this scripture.
I can't quite articulate it at the moment...but soon maybe.

I love your questions.
I think it is time for another question and answer.

So if you have a question you have been dying to know...leave it in the comments.
You might want to click on FAQ over in the labels section on the right, too, to see if it has been asked in the past.

I don't love that it is supposed to snow this Saturday.
Booooooo!

xo

cheers and jeers.

cheers:
we finally gave Moses a haircut.
what a cutie.
jeers:
it makes him look older. :(
and he wouldn't cooperate with a styled do, so a buzz cut it was.

cheers:
Aaron has decided that he wants to feed himself!
and he does pretty well at it.

jeers:
he is going to be ONE in less than a month.
how did that happen!?

cheers:
Starbucks has cute new cupcakes.
jeers:
they taste like crap.
the frosting tastes like a stick of butter sprinkled
with powdered sugar and the cake has the taste of freezer.
that goes for all of the flavors...yes we tried them all.
boo on you Starbucks...I expect better.

cheers:
new white curtains makes it feel less like winter grey inside.
jeers:
it is only January. :(
I miss you spring.

cheers:
a cute new product.
a simple bag with a loop to hang over a door knob...or stroller handle...or in the car.
I see them being perfect for stashing a couple of diapers and wipes...holding trash in the car...collecting doo-dads at a child's bedroom door...so much more.
jeers:
I don't know what to call them.
I don't know if anyone else would think they are awesome.

cheers:
I cleaned my sewing machine out.
I also learned, via that crazy thing called a manual, that it has an automatic needle threader that is WAY cool and easy to use.

jeers:
this is what it looked like inside.
that is where my bobbin goes.
that is lint/dust/fuzz.
it was thicker than FELT!!!
it was gross and fascinating all at the same time.

cheers!
xo

20 minute crafter. cute photo gift for 50cents!

Today's 20 Minute Crafter is Julie from Joy's Hope.

Say Hello to Julie!

Her craft is super cute and easy...I made a few...just haven't had time to photograph them...so pretend you saw mine and that they were super cute...okay?

~*~*~*~
Would you believe me if I told you that you could make A.Maz.Ing gifts for less than 50 cents each? (By the way... why don't keyboards have cent signs?)

Seriously, 50 cents.

Take that crappy economy!

Here's what you need to make eighteen gifts.
Why eighteen? Why not eighteen?

A six foot long 1x6 pine board from Lowes or Home Depot cut into 4 inch pieces.
(Bat your eyelashes at the nice lumber man. He just might cut it for you.)
Black paint
Mod Podge
Wire edge ribbon
Foam brush
Staple gun
Cute xeroxed pic of your family, preferably taken by DrewB.



After you or nice lumber man cut your wood, paint each piece and sides black.




Trim your picture. The board is actually a bit less than 6 inches wide. False advertising.
Put a thin even coat of Mod Podge on the board.
Lay your picture on top and smooth out all creases and bubbles.




Cut a 10 inch piece of ribbon.
Admire the cuteness.




Staple the ribbon to the back.
If you want to be fancy, cut a piece of felt the same size and glue it on to hide the mess.
If you are lazy (like me) just write 2009 on it and call it good enough.




Hang the cuteness.
How easy was that?
Give one or a few to your in-laws, your grandparents, the mailman, whoever.
You made eighteen.
No need to be choosy.

Have fun with these. They are my new obsession.

Peace out girl scouts!

*****

Wouldn't they make Valentines? Or birthday gifts for Grandmas?
Mine aren't quite to the photographing stage. :)

:)

artificial sunshine.

Just some photos that make me smile.
In case you are as desperate for spring as I am.