the good life.

summer daze

They've hatched and I can't stop looking at these fluffy cuties!!

Little Treasures

My sweet table with all the goods: blue china, a tanzanian tea pot and a painting done by my sister.


My pretty plant!

A bird found our skate helmet and made a home for her little ones. The bird was still in the nest laying on her eggs when I took this picture. I didn't want to scare her so I didn't get closer, but you can see her beak. The bonus is that she eats all the bugs off my plants, hooray for that!

A new find from the Thrift store, it started as one piece and has drastically branched out lately. I just adore this brown pottery.

for the love of felt!

Felt pillows that are embroidered are just about the most amazing project you can do. So easy, I was amazed! I made a pillow of a hedgehog scene with little red mushrooms. (so cute!) and I'm working on one that has brown branches flowering with baby pink cherry blossoms. It takes my breath away. If only I had a digital camera! I will post pictures someday!

Feeling French

Listening to this terrific album while reading
this fantastic book. It has amazing recipes and the best
of french cooking.

This pattern (above) is a Julia Rothman. I'm totally in love with it.
These little beauties have just begun to bloom here in Williamsburg! They take my breath away!

Oriental Chicken Salad

5-6 Chicken Tenders
Bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 head of Romaine lettuce
1 carrot, sliced
1 cup wontons
1/2 cup mandarin orange slices

dressing:
1/4 cup pineapple juice concentrate
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
4 T. sesame seed oil
2 T. olive oil
2 T. Soy sauce
1 T. honey
2 t. ginger
1 t. salt

Dip the chicken tenders into egg and milk mixture, then dredge in the bread crumbs. Cook in a saucepan with a little vegetable oil and a bit of sesame seed oil. Let cool and cut into cubes (larger sized). Add to salad with carrot slices, wontons, and mandarin slices. Cover in dressing and toss. Enjoy!

The Ballet

I won tickets to the Moscow School of Ballet's version of Cinderella off of the radio. I took Abigail last night and we had the time of our lives. It was so much fun looking at everything through the eyes of a child. She oooed and awwwed over everything and when a ballerina would come out with a sparkly outfit (the fairy godmother) she said "Pwetttyyyyyy". She marvelously sat through the whole thing and we had a magical evening just the two of us. She wore her pretty white dress and the pink cloak that her Aunt made her and she looked priceless. As we walked into the place, everyone stopped and said "Oh she's soooo cute!" Little Abigail had everyone's attention and even during the performance people kept looking at Abigail who was taking it all in and loving it. Right before the ballet started, one woman turned around and did a little clap to Abi and said "Oh goodie, it's about to start!" to which Abi gave a little squeel of glee!(and everyone laughed). Our tickets were amazing, we were in the third row and in the very center. You couldn't have asked for better seats! What a marvelous gift from God to "His girls".

Sufjan

I'm becoming addicted to Sufjan Stevens! I can't stop listening to his music. Especially the song "holland". Somehow it hits my soul in just the right tune and I'm mystified.

Eating Wheatabix and Drinking Orange Pekoe Tea. Kids are playing with puzzles and I'm in the process of making a tea cozy and embroidering a tea towel with a picture of grapes and a wine bottle. Listening to a college radio station playing a garage band that sounds like postal service. Currently reading "Idols of the Heart" and chapter 5 is really applying to my life! Yikes, conviction! It is raining and beautiful in a dark and gloomy kind of way.