For the Love of a Great Movie

Tonight I was feeling at loose ends.

This afternoon I was laying down with Mikah trying to convince him to have a nap. One minute we were laying there, and the next I was opening my eyes to find his had closed. Then I was in the midst a most wonderfully strange dream. I can't remember what it was about; maybe a cruise??? Which is strange because I have never had the desire to go on one. But, it was enjoyable in any case. We slept the afternoon away the two of us, cuddled in a blanket cocoon. I must have really needed it because I never nap; unless I have the flu, which I don't (knock on wood).

After such a lazy day, I have been wandering the house unsure of what to do. I always feel that way when I haven't gone outside or accomplished much during the day. While I was trying to decide what to do, I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. And, surprise, one of my favorite shows of all time is on. Love Actually. So it was decided, make some chili-lime popcorn and hunker down on the couch to watch the movie. Don't you just love it when your favorite show is just randomly on TV, and you luck out and turn it on just as it's about to start instead of when it's ending? So I've been sitting here smiling my way through the movie. I just love it. The tenderness of the movie speaks to me; possibly because I guard mine so closely. The movie brightens my day and lightens my overall outlook on life and humankind.

Here's a map that I found that shows the connection between the characters on Love Actually. I don't mind admitting that I'm still slightly confused.

Happy Earth Day!!!

How are you going to show your love for the planet today?

Last night I made 15 bags of different colored playdough for an art project at school today. I'll post pictures tomorrow. The kids have to design a picture using playdough showing their thoughts, hopes, feelings about the Earth. Hopefully the project will work out.

I think we're going to have another lights out night at home tonight. And, maybe Alek will have another idea (as usual LOL).

Child Care

I am on the hunt for new child care for my boys starting this summer. My babysitter has decided to return to the "real world" at the end of June. While I wish her all the best, the more that I search for a new babysitter I'm realizing more and more just how lucky we were to have her. I NEVER had to worry about my kids. Ever. I trust her completely with their little lives, and she's always happy to see them. Even when she maybe shouldn't be LOL! She has helped make the last two years so much easier for us. Thank you Corra!!!

How am I ever going to find such a great caregiver again? Especially when the people who respond to my ads have email addresses such as, "Pimp-of-the-Year."

Seriously.

Egg Tarts

One of the best things about Hong Kong was being introduced to Egg Tarts. The flaky pastry shell and the indescribably smooth custard filling... Just; mmm. I don't normally like custard so these tarts must be something special.

I've always wanted to make them but have never tackled a recipe. But this recipe may just change all that. Don't they look delicious? Can't you feel yourself drifting towards the kitchen and pulling out the supplies? If Mikah and I weren't already baking mini raspberry pies today we would be making this instead. Maybe this weekend. Definitely sometime soon. Enjoy.

Project of the Day

While blog surfing this afternoon (while the babes slept) I came across this picture and thought, "Wow, what a beautiful bottle! I wonder where she bought it?" Lucky for me, and you, she didn't buy it, she made it and was nice enough to share the process with us. Thank you, Kathleen of Twig & Thistle for the amazing idea and tutorial! There will be more than a few people I know who will be receiving these Homemade Vanilla Extract bottles for presents.

Click on the picture to be taken to the tutorial.

Garage Sale Season

It's finally here! Or, it should be if the snow will ever stop ~sigh~.

I love looking for treasures and great deals. Plus, I do like to reuse materials as much as possible to cut down on needless waste. One man's junk; and all that.

This year (near future) we are going to have a garage sale of our own. The boys have grown out of so much stuff and now that Lukas is 1, baby paraophanalea doesn't need to still be over-taking our house. I counted last night and I have 3 garbage bags and 8 diaper boxes of clothes that need to go. Plus more I'm sure that are still put away in the upper storage. Add to that swings, sttollers, toys, jumpers, basinette, and other furniture. Oh, and computers! LOL, I just had to throw that in there in case Lev is reading this. I'm pretty sure we might have bikes and patio furniture as well. The magnitude feels scary even typing it out. When am I going to get a chance to assemble all of the stuff and have the sale???

Besides, all this stuff needs to go so that O can look for new treasures LOL! On my wish list this year... a dresser to customize for an entertainment unit, a vintage rocking chair that I can recover for the living room, back yard toys (maybe), backyard furniture, storage and shelving, and doors for my office space. Plus, there are always the impulse buys. Like

Here's hoping that my saling buddies are getting as excited as I am! And... if you really feel the need to help at a garage sale, don't be afraid to let me know.

A Space to Call My Own

Finally! After years of complaining, I am finally getting an area of the house that I can make mine. Lev has had a corner of the basement for all of his computer stuff since we moved into this house. But he has been busy lately ridding himself of computer clutter, and after he downsized to the new Mac mini he just doesn't need as much space anymore. Literally, his loss is my gain LOL!

Unfortunately the space needs some heavy work before I con move myself and all my supplies in. It has slowly been taken over as a storage space as well and it needs to be cleared out and cleaned up. But still; YAY!!!

Now I just have to decide what I want to do with the space and how I want my work space set up. I'm going to need a long work table with lots of storage space for all of my do-dads; material, sewing machine, serger, paper, paints, ribbons, thread, plans, and patterns. And of course it will have to be fun, funky and inspirational. Not a tall order at all (she says sarcastically).

Anyway, I'm thrilled, and I just had to share.