The Stuff I Live For

Wordless Wednesday - Butterfly House April 30, 2008

Last week we visited The Camden Children's Garden. There's a really neat greenhouse to go in with butterflies floating all around you.

Some Cuteness to Make You Smile April 27, 2008

Baby Polar Bears

Now for the sad stuff. If our climate's current warming trend continues, polar bears could become extinct within 100 years. Polar Bears International works to educate the world about polar bears and what we can do to save them. 100% of donations goes directly to specific polar bear conservation projects. I have a bleeding heart for animals and enjoy giving some of my ebay proceeds to things like this once in a while.

What I Whipped Up Today - Summer Dresses April 26, 2008

I'm sure you've all been on the edge of your seats since last night when I posted that I'd let you know what I sew next. Oh, the suspense. I just couldn't keep you waiting any longer.

Ayla wore this dress from Children's Place yesterday, so I decided to just copy it, minus the pockets, which I was just too lazy to add.

My version on Ayla: 

I added overall buckels to Shay's:

Here's my inspiration to all of you beginners:  I'm a beginner too. I did my first sewing project just this January, and I've never used a pattern yet. I was going to once, but it confused me too much, so I haven't looked at one again. Of course I haven't done anything elaborate and when I use my Ottobre magazine I'm sure I'll have to use the patterns, but so far for what I've made, they haven't been necessary. You can copy lots of simple dresses or shirts or pants. Especially if you can just keep things simple, like by using elastic in pants instead of zippers, and such.

I’m BACK! April 25, 2008

I've hardly been able to find time to blog lately, seeing as I've had PAILS COMING OUT MY BUTT for the past 4 weeks. Not literally. That would be bad.

I'm celebrating today. I shipped out the last of a large order that's left me no time to breathe this last month. 225 extra large pails. DONE! Finally. Those, on top of my other orders, have left me with no time to blog or sew.

I'm dying to do something creative now. I'm stocked up on new fabric and can't wait to dive into it.

I'll let ya know what I whip up!

Six Word Memoir April 22, 2008

I've been tagged by the PreSchool Mama for a Six Word Memoir. Compared to some other memes, this one was easy enough. So here you have it:

 "Blessed with much love and laughter."

Now, I must tag 5 people, and so on.

 Gina at An UNpink Life

 Wendy the MomLady

 Johnina from Bottles Barbies & Boys

 Lauren at Baseballs & Bows

 Hope from Monkey Giggles

After you post your memoir, tag 5 others. Be sure to link back to the blogger who tagged you, and let those you tagged know about it!

Please, No Autographs April 19, 2008

My Gram took the girls overnight last night and Eric and I went to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia to watch our Mets beat the Phils. The game was sold out - over 45,000 in paid attendance. Of all those people, guess who was on the JumboTron! Someone next to us had a big Chase Utley (Phils player) sign. When they showed it on the JumboTron, I jumped in and waived my Mets hat in front of it then jumped up and down with my hands in the air like a little girl!

Can you believe Eric and I were on it with 2 other friends a few years ago when the Phils were still at Veterans Stadium? It was just the 4 of us and was a real close up. What are the chances?

The way I figure it, I'm practically a movie star.

Very Random Thoughts April 16, 2008

Thank you, Eric, for letting me put my ice cold feet on you at night.

I'm not a big coupon clipper, except for when we go to our wholesale club, BJ's, and when I do I like MommySavesBig.

Gina, you are too-cute for hosting a giveaway for Good Pails. (If you're reading this, you might as well visit her and enter to win!) Why can't I find friends this sweet who live near me?

Today I got one of those invisible splinters that are impossible to get out, and I spilled glue all over my couch and new pants that I wore for the first time today. Lovely.

If you haven't watched The Mist yet, DON'T. We rented it Saturday night. The ending was so disturbing I still can't get it out of my head. Even though Stephen King is my favorite author, I feel angry at him for going too far with this story.

Hubby is snoring right now. Gonna go put my cold feet on him and see if that quiets him.

My 3 Favorite Television Personalities April 14, 2008

This could give you a little insight into my own personality. I ask you… What do you think this says about me?

Best-Ever Blueberry Crumb Muffins Recipe April 9, 2008

I added a new category - Recipes - to my sidebar. You can bet the little number in parenthesis is going to stay a 1 for quite a while. I don't like cooking, though I can stomach baking once in a while. At least I got some use out of my too-cute apron today.

These are a bit of a pain to make, and quite sugary so I'm assuming fattening too, but are unbelievably delicious. There's a certain someone who likes to write in comments here under the name Anonymous whose mouth, I'm sure, is watering right now.

If you have company coming, someone to impress, or someone's butt to kiss - you must try this recipe. These are so good, the kids will only get 1/2 of one muffin each. And that's just cause they helped!

For the batter:

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill a muffin tin with 8 liners.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter & sugar 1 minute.
3. Add egg & vanilla, beat 1 minute.
4. In another bowl sift flour, baking powder & salt.
5. Add half the dry ingredients to butter mixture, beat 30 seconds
6. Add milk, then remaining dry ingredients, beat 1 minute or until batter is smooth.
7. Pour batter into cups and sprinkle blueberries on top.

For the crumb topping:

• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1. In a bowl, combine topping ingredients.
2. With your fingers, rub mixture together until it resembles crumbs.
3. Sprinkle over blueberries.
4. Bake 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Makes 8. Yep, I ate one already.

Shout Out! April 8, 2008

Just wanted to give a big 'Thanks!' to a few blogs who've added Good Pails to Have to their sidebar lately. I'm fortunate to be able to say I cannot even count all the kind bloggers who've posted about Good Pails without being asked to.

 Thank you:

Magnolias, Marriage and Manhattan

Bon Bon Boutique

The Sassy Flip Flop