Dreaming

Of Evenings in the Gazebo filled with candlelight and laughter.....

Playing with my girls in the playhouse....

...and views like this out my kitchen window once again....

I can dream right?

More snow while we sleep...

Let it Snow

With no end in sight, I've decided to embrace the snow and grab my sled.



Just an old rusty sled found curbside, 2 birch logs and greenery from outside, and a repurposed candleholder.


With no end in sight, I've decided to embrace the snow and grab my sled.

Who's On Duty?

In our house it's a big deal to lose a tooth. Here is Sofi, wiggling away.

Izzy is contemplating being a dentist, and has already lost two teeth. Here she is giving Sofi some assistance.

A little floss did the trick, and here she is clutching her tooth while calling Papa. Notice she dressed up a bit to talk on the phone? This is a big deal...because Papa knows which tooth fairy is on duty each night. For the first tooth, it's usually Matilda. One never knows quite what the tooth fairy may need, or what the tooth fairy will do while she visits. She may string up your room, or put your toys in bed with you, or write a secret message with toothpaste or anything else she can find. Only Papa really knows, and that's pretty cool.

To quote Izzy, "We are lucky because we have a Grandpa who knows the tooth fairy. Here's our board in the kitchen for all of those special quotes.

Curtain Call Ramblings

"New" curtain over the Kitchen window....

The new curtains from Ikea were too long, so I ripped off the bottoms (literally), and was left with 2 remnants. I pulled at the threads left behind, and liked the bit of smocking...but it needed something.

After digging around the studio, I decided this lace would do the trick. Dad found a bag of antique lace years ago in a home, and it's been so fun to play with.

Add some of Nana's buttons.

Clip on some old family recipes recently inherited.

Clip onto Ikea wire. Add GG Lil's spoons, already bent and previously used on kitchen curtain. Done!

Forks and Spoons Above

Making a chandelier for your kitchen...

1. Find an antique broom holder.

2. Go outside to umbrella stand. Remove candleholder and bring inside. Turn it upside down and secure in place.

3. Purchase silverware from Goodwill. Persuade husband to drummel holes in ends of forks and spoons. Secure with wire and pretty little crystals.

4. Be amused months later upon seeing this....retail $4800 at Anthropologie.

Still Climbing Up

We bought this house from my parents in 2000. Some treasures were left behind, and in my mind this is one of them. It's Swedish, and if you look closely, you'll see the numbers 10, 20, 30, etc. Dad wasn't too excited that he had reached the peak at 50 years and was on the decline.

It was in perfect condition, and stretched on a wood frame. One day I realized that it fit perfectly on the etched glass doors that I wasn't fond of. I bought some spray adhesive, cut it into 4 sections, and here it is. I need to have the top translated again.

At 38 I'm apparently still climbing and will likely leave this on the office doors until I am 50.

Laughing Out Loud

I was a Brownie drop-out in kindergarten. Seriously. I hated it. I walked Linnea home from school while Carl and the girls were eating their cookies and milk. We were greeted at the door by Sofi & Izzy (see pic) with this prepared speech, "We're fundraising for girlscouts. Would you like to buy some cookies?" Attached to the plate is a note which reads, "Cookies is good. Love, Sofi & Izzy." I laughed out loud.
I'll take fresh-baked cookies anytime.Here today's EASY special:Cake Box Cookies-Take any box of cake mix, add 2 eggs and 1/2 cup of oil. Mix. Roll into balls. Bake at 350 for 8-19 minutes. Fast, easy and delicious.
While making the dough, I caught Izzy with her hands in the bowl. "Mom, you really do have eyes on the back of your head. I thought you were joking about that!"