WILW - June 26th Edition.

WARNING: All these "loves" are food related.. Im hungry and have a wicked sweet tooth today!
I was sitting here reading the "news feed" on blogger, and I remembered it was Wednesday, but I didnt really have anything prepared for a post.. until I came across a blog/site I should have been following for some time now! - and is the inspiration for this Wednesday Loves..

{1} The Pioneer Woman - Blog/Site

I have her cookbook, and I've made a few things.. but how did I not know she had a website! Its awesome, and Im sure I'll be visiting more often and posting recipes from my attempts to be more like her.

http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/

You gotta check her out... Rumor has it that she's getting a spot on the Food Network! AHH!!

{2} French Macarons

This is a fairly new obsession, I've been reading about them in other blogs, seeing pics online, and on party table settings.. and I am very interested. I confess, I've never ever had one.. sad.

I wanted to get some for SJ's 2nd birthday party, but I called some local bakery's around here, and NO ONE makes them! How do I get them? I would attempt to make them, but I have a long list of desserts that I need to make for the party already, and these seem a bit time consuming..

{3}The Ultimate Dessert and Dessert Cake

dessert

dessert cake

{ultimate dessert cake}

This looks rediculous.. and I'll have to wait for a quiet day when I have a good 3-4 hours. You have to read the ingredients... cinnamon cookie, rich vanilla frosting, ahhh and the pictures are enough to make you drool all over your computer keyboard.. I really want to try to make this soon, okay maybe before Christmas..ha!

Pics and recipe from I am baker

{ultimate dessert}

What are you loving? Link Up

Weekend Happenings....

Weekend O' Fun.... Parties and Baptisms

Saturday was a cool summer day, so I put on a HUGE pot of Sauce and let it simmer all day long, the house smelled amazing, and we froze 4 containers as well!

My previous post I mentioned its "party season"... and this weekend we had 2 events.

Saturday we had our cousin Joseph's 4th Birthday party. It was a pirate themed party, and it was so cute, all the kids had personalized hats, and pirate "loot" goody bags..

And I HAD to take a pic of these adorable cookies that my Aunt and little cousins made.. They're

"Cars" cookies!! and they tasted just as good as they look, I had 2.. okay I had 3! ha!

This is my god-daughter Clare... and cousin Kerry in holding her.. Clare liked the cookies too!BEFORE Joseph's party, I went to my friend Julie's daughter's Christening.

It was right during naptime, so Daddy stayed home and woke up Samantha and took her to the party, and I met them after..

Sweet Annabelle Marie....

I forgot how tiny little babies are, she was so fun to hold and

she was really well behaved at her party!

Sunday Daddy was in the mood to go shopping???? What?? So we headed did a little shopping, and looking, and then we had a little lunch at Cheeburger Cheeburger.. Never been there before, and it was soooo good.. Its kind of like a diner joint with old fashioned big shakes, and delicious burgers..

We got burgers, and hand cut fries, and chocolate shakes.. It was the best burger I had in a long time. We're definately going there again..

It was a fun packed weekend, between crafting (previous post) and parties and eating out. We're heading to Ohio this weekend, so Im already trying to pack some things aside, and catch up on laundry and try to organize and clean the house before we leave.

A Whole Lotta Crafting!

LOTS of Crafting has been happening... yet another reason I've neglected my dear blog!

I've received a few orders, one which was pretty time consuming... (the chair below)...

and I think it must be "gift season"... because I've been buying, wrapping, sending so many gifts.... Im about to go broke! ha! ..

Child's Chair for Gender Neutral Shower

A friend from high school asked me to make/design/paint this chair for her sister in law's shower gift. They dont know what they are having, and have decorated their nursery in primary colors..

It was pretty time consuming, but I LOVED how it turned out..

She's ordering a matching stool once baby comes in August, so stay tuned for that!

Chairs are such a great gift, SJ uses hers all the time, and I love it!

Canvas Bag for Charity Auction.

Next up, I was asked to donate a "piece" of art for a charity auction. A friend from high school's(different friend).. Mom passed away, and every year they have an auction, and all proceeds go towards a scholarship fund for a girl wishing to attend my high school, but may not be able to afford it.. It was a great cause.. and Im told the bag sold and got a lot of bids!

Cards
Im a novice sewer. I just started making things using my sewing machine.
This weekend I made time and sat my rear end down and made some cards for a few gifts I am sending ...

{Gender neutral baby shower gift}

{card for my cousin's newest addition, Juliana Claire!}

I love the "fluff' sewn on .. its just streamer paper!

I had a lot of fun making these cards, and I plan to make a lot more!

Homemade Topiary

Living in North Carolina, Topiaries were very popular among the South.. I loved them, they were everywhere.. But Pottery Barn wants a cool $50 for some of theirs.. So I almost bought one and said .. oh who cares.. But I was cruising the aisles at Hobby Lobby, and got the Foam Ball, and stick, and faux boxwood

It took about 1.5 hours of sticking and gluing, but I love how it turned out!

Im going to use it in hubby and my room I think,

I added a touch of Spanish Moss on the bottom (Dollar Tree)...cant beat it. Spanish Moss is another Southern thing I noticed while living near Wilmington, it looks so pretty hanging from the old trees near downtown..

And thats it for now.. Im working on another baby stool, and I started making a girl themed burp cloth collection last night so stay tuned!

Crunchy Crumb Apple Pie

Crunchy Crumb Apple Pie

I made this for father's day, and thankfully, it was only about 74 and breezy that day.. so I wasnt totally against firing up the oven, and it was Daddy's Day... and I figured an all american dessert would go good with our BBQ ribs we had on the grill.

This pie is SUPER crunchy... and I added oats to the topping mix, which made it soo good.

1 refrigerated pie crust (double crust)

Filling:

7 medium apples, peeled, and sliced - I sliced em extra thin.

1tbsp lemon juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Crunchy Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp flour

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1tsp cinnamon

1 stick (1/2 cup) cold butter, cut in small cubes.

1. Have ready a 9 inch pie plate and a baking sheet. Place oven rack at lowest point in the oven and preheat at 450 degrees.

2. Line pie plate with pie crust and flute edges

3. Filling: Peel & Slice apples add lemon juice and mix in large bowl. Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl, then add to apple mixture tossing to coat evenly. Layer apples in the pie crust.

Next I added the 2nd pie crust on top and sealed the edges. (you can omit this and just add crunchy topping)

Topping:

1. Mix flour, sugars and cinnamon in medium bowl.

2. Cut in butter (or rub in with fingertips) until mixture forms moist, coarse crumbs.

3. Sprinkle over pie

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, then lower to 350 for additional 45 minutes.

Serve with Vanilla ice cream, and enjoy, we sure did!

SUYL - What Do You Make!

Show Us Your Life

Kelly's Korner!

this week is all about what you make/sell

I love this chance to get my art out there.. last time I received 4 orders in one day!

This post is short and sweet, you can find all my art on this site:

http://www.joellescrafts.blogspot.com/

Im attempting sewing, so that might be a tab I add in the future

I dont have an Etsy shop yet.. Im looking into it.. is it hard to set up?

Any questions/requests, just email me...

joelle1026{at}yahoo{dot}com

WILW!

WILW!

Im just glad its Wednesday, for one... this week is DRAGGING!

Next .. Samantha's decor for her 2nd birthday bash..

Its over a month away, but I started making lists.. and a few decorations.

Our new patio!
We had an old one there when we moved in, and we tore it

out and now we have a new one! I cannot wait to eat outside on our new patio furniture!

Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream.... there are not many words.. you just must try it...

Lastly .. our little peanut...

Swingin' away at her favorite park in our village...
What are you loving?

Link up at Jamie's site and tell us!

Thai Coconut Chicken

Thai Grille Coconut Chicken

When we lived in Surf City,NC - Thai Grille was in walking distance of my front door, and I loved it.. However I have a habit of finding 1 or 2 favorite dishes at restaurants, and NEVER trying anything else after that..

On their menu it was called Chicken and Coconut Rice, but this tastes EXACTLY like it, and leftovers are just as good the next day.

Thai Coconut Chicken was one of them, and I made it for dinner last night.

You can see a big red line crossing out fish sauce.. - Trust me, without is much BETTER! It tasted awful when I tried it with fish sauce...

1. Heat Oil in saucepan. Add onion & curry paste and cook, 2 minutes, stirring to blend. Add coconut milk and 1/2 cup water and bring everything to a boil.

2. Reduce heat, add chicken and lime zest. cook/simmer 30-40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Stir through lime juice ( I left this out too) & cilantro leaves.serve over jasmine rice

I really like "thai kitchen" brand.. And Voila! I served my dinner with Jasmine Rice, Boston Lettuce Salad, and Steamed Carrots... Delish! Oh, and soy over the rice/chicken/sauce is sooo good!
And dessert.... cold milk and lemon cake.

Dear Samantha Jane

Dear Samantha Jane,

I wanted to tell you...

That you are so sweet.
That every day I thank God you are my little sweet pea.
And even though, you are rounding the "terrible 2's"
I love you more and more every day

Sure you've been drawing with crayons all over:
the couch
your puzzles
your books
daddy's leg
our hardwood floors

and throwing tantrums, and deliberately testing to see if Momma or Daddy will really put you in time out....

These little moments I sometimes have to leave the room and laugh

Because at the same time you're being bad.. you're so damn cute!

It is so hard to beleive that you're almost 2... the time sure has flown by,

and Momma has quickly forgotten the:

sore boobies

dirty pacifiers

sleepless nights

blow out diapers

spit up

But ... it never seems as bad now, as it was in "the moment"

and I would do it all over again with you 10 more times!

You are hardly a difficult toddler,

But when you do something mischevious...we have to let you know.

You are such a sweet loving girl

You give kisses and hugs to us all day long

You say please and thank you

You ask before you do most things

You listen so well.

You are my little peanut and i love you!

momma

WILW - Coffee, Cookies, and Cuteness

I missed last week!

Here are some of the things I've been loving and am loving on this beautiful June day.

My new coffee maker!
Ok so I havent used it YET.. but I love the brushed stainless look to match our appliances, and it is MUCH smaller than my old one (pictured below)

Old Coffee Maker ... Delonghi Caffe Nabucco
If anyone is interested in having this coffee maker, just email me!

It works fine, and it was $150.00 .. I bought it when we lived in NC.. before we had our big wedding, and filled up counter space with a bunch of other appliances.
Its pretty fancy, it has its own "starbucks" style espresso maker.. which I LOVED the idea of it at the time, but how many times have I used the Espresso side? Hm, maybe once!

So if any of you all need a fancy schmancy coffee maker just let me know!

Im willing to let it go for a small small token.. very small..

Up next... Yep.. another "Krusteaz" mix that I fell in love with yet again.

Best tasting sugar cookies around!
I think I love this brand!

And last but certainly never least.. my little sweet pea..

Link up and tell us what you're loving over at Jamie's Blog

Samantha Jane 23 Months

Samantha Jane 23 Months

I cannot believe our baby will be 2 next Month!
Samantha you are still in size 4 diaper, size 2T some 3T clothes.

You are very LONG compared to a few months ago.. your little legs

are loosing the chubber baby fat!

You can count to 10, name all the ABC’s and many many other words… some funny things you'll try to repeat have me and Daddy in stitches laughing so hard!

You repeat EVERYTHING we say… Just yesterday, Daddy came inside and said “Gosh its an inferno out there".. and she repeats.. "inferno!" haha.. You have us laughing more and more everyday.

You are completely sweet.. you will give us random hugs and kisses all day long, I'll be cooking or just laying around, and you'll come up to one of us and give the tightest hug and smoochy kiss.. and I love that about you.

You're sleeping very well.. only reason you'll wake up, (like last night is if you dont go #2 and you get a tummy ache).. You've had trouble going #2 since I stopped breastfeeding... I feel so badly sometimes.. I've discovered a couple good/natural ways to help you though... Pears/Fruits/Juice and Adding a little Mineral Oil to your juice, really helps things "flow" better. Im told its a GIRL thing, and that little boys have absoluetly no bowel problems.. geesh!

Your party #2 preparations are well underway.. We'll have just a small celebration in Ohio over July 4th weekend like last year, then we'll have a big bash here in mid-july with all our family/friends, even Auntie Shauna will be here!! or "ya-ya" as you call her.

I cant beleive I have to get ready for you to be 2....But it seems about right, some days you surprise me with the things you do, I'd swear you were 4 or 5.. Ok not rushing that at ALL

We love you more and more each day.. you are the light of our lives!

This and That

I wanted to do a little update.. since I know I've been neglecting my blogging duties! I missed WILW, and SUYL this week.. geesh!

Anyways.. I guess I was busy because it was so nice outside, and I was getting ready for our annual block sale?.. Sure that sounds good.. haha..

We've been making many many trips to the park lately. Samantha loves it, and she asks to go everyday.. rain or shine. I cant even walk in the direction of the park without going anymore.. she knows which direction its in!

I did FINALLY get her to keep her sunglasses on! UGH... Not only does SJ look so cute, but she wasnt understanding till now that she could be in the sun, and not have to rub her eyes/look away...

Then today.. she let me keep a headband on her ALL DAY...May seem small to some, but .. the girl hates anything on her head.. she barely lets me put her hair in pig tails so I was really excited.

Our garage sale was a semi-success.. I sold some bar stools we bought for our condo in NC.. and here we dont have a "bar/breakfast table".. I sold a few cookbooks, odds and ends, clothes, and SJ's baby bouncy seat.. It had been in our basement, and it just seemed if I could get a good deal, I'll buy another one when I have to...

We went to BJ's tonight for our usual diapes, wipes, toilet paper stock up, and then we grilled chicken on the grill, corn on the cob, and portobello mushrooms.. mmmmm....

After bath, SJ and I headed up to the third floor.. she was playing and reading so I started cutting some fabric.. and I actually finished my very first Burp Cloth!!!!!!! I was so excited!!

A few weeks back, my Aunt came over and helped me get my sewing machine started,and taught me a few of the basics, but I havent really made anything until tonight.

Now I want to do MORE!! Im heading over to etsy, and ebay right now to see if I can snag some good deals on a few fabrics!

TA DA!!!!!!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!
Our baby is 23 months tomorrow.. and Im working on that post too.