Friday, October 26, 2012

This Moment 11.26.12




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Friday, September 28, 2012

This Moment 9.28.12




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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Apples! Apples! Apples! Oh My!

We went apple picking in August this year. We once again traveled up the road from my in-laws and visited J and A Orchard. Last year one of the owners told us to come earlier in the season to get different varieties of apples. Boy, did we find a different orchard. The variety was larger and the quantity was larger. Last year it took us much longer to fill our 1/2 bushel bucket...but this year it was pretty hot and muggy.





So we returned home with our 1/2 bushel bucket. What to do with all those apples? Last year I swore that I would be better prepared with a recipe and action plan. Good intentions. Maybe next year I will accomplish the apple preparation prior to the pick. I made several batches of crockpot apple sauce, apple spice snack cake, apple pies, and pumpkin applesauce muffins. Yum!! Get out and pick some apples of your own this year!


Thursday, August 30, 2012

This Moment 8.31.12






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Monday, August 27, 2012

Boy Crafting 2012

My nephew came up for his annual visit a few weeks ago. We try to do fun and entertaining things while he is here--we have gone to amusement parks, museums, putt putt, and movies. A few years ago I dragged him along on a visit to the craft store and we started an annual crafting tradition. We have painted the past two years...this year we tackled some duct tape crafts and tie-dying.
It has been such a long time since I attempted to dye anything...it was an adventure.  I am thankful that he wants to hang out with us for a solid week (not sure this will last too much longer since he is about to be a teen...) and thankful that he humors my craft habit while here.






summer reading shirts...slightly altered








white t-shirts--love the finished products



Black Thumb 2012...topsy turvy fail.

Well folks, I am sorry to report that round two of the topsy turvy tomato gardening was an epic failure. I started earlier, got a better variety, plant food, and good soil=I was prepared for garden success. I was so excited to actually have four baby tomatoes, but alas, the black thumb found me and this is as large as they grew.






still looked promising...




my baby tomatoes next to a real one...

My dear sweet hubs actually watered it religiously for me, because he is better about remembering to do things daily, and the tomato plant still died. The plant actually broke completely off and was lying sadly under the topsy turvy one night. I think I am giving up on the topsy turvy. I might try a regular plant pot next year...if that doesn't work, then I truly must give into the taunting black thumb. I love the idea of urban gardening...not so sure my condo is an ideal spot for it. Maybe I will rent a square in the community garden...and hope the tomato death black thumb doesn't find me there. Anyone else have a complete gardening fail this summer?

Friday, August 17, 2012

This Moment 8.17.12




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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Crepe Myrtles

I love trees of all shapes and sizes, but these trees greet me every morning on my way into work. I just love it when they are in bloom. They are beautiful crepe myrtles. I was thrilled to see Crepe Myrtles featured in the August edition of Southern Living. The author, Steve Bender, starts his article with the proclamation that "nothing says summer in the south like crepe myrtles." A lot of things say summer in the south to me besides crepe myrtles, but I am lucky to work in such a pretty spot with these trees all around. My city has approximately 40,000 of these beauties growing around town. We definitely have an abundance of crepe myrtles. Aren't they gorgeous trees?








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Friday, July 20, 2012

This Moment 7.20.13




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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Christmas in July

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is participating in gift exchanges. This past Christmas I attempted way, waaaay too many gift projects and ran out of time to make an ornament for my dear friend. She made the most adorable ornaments for my tree (I would post pics, but they are packed away) so I decided a couple months ago to celebrate "Christmas in July" --this would allow me to make her long overdue gift and not feel like such a horrible slacker of a friend.


She and I both love coffee...so I knew this was the perfect ornament when I spotted the kit in the store. I haven't done a lot of hand sewing in quite a while, so some of my stitching is a little off. Maybe someday my handiwork will be as impressive as this lady. I just adore the ornament kits in Alicia Paulson's shop. Absolutely adorable. Hopefully my pal won't mind too much that I am terribly late in delivering her ornament. It was created with love in every stich and I hope she feels it when hanging this ornament in December. Merry Christmas in July everyone!


ornament photography was assisted by my sweet bird

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Saturday, July 14, 2012

My princess and the princesses

Took my daughter to the princess meet and greet at Disney this month. She happily gave sweet hugs to Belle. I wonder why...







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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

This Moment 7.13.12



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UNC babies!

My good friend since childhood is about to embark on the ride of her life...otherwise known as motherhood. I wanted to make her baby something special. LBR is being welcomed into a household of Carolina love. As a fellow Tar Heel grad and fan, I felt duty bound to make a UNC themed gift. One of my all-time favorite baby gifts was a set of fabric burp cloths. They were big enough and thick enough to catch all the baby spit-up headed my way, so I wanted to give her some too. I stamped one with the UNC logo and my mom helped me sew another one with UNC fabric. I also logo stamped a onesie and ironed on some football bling to a set of baby overalls. I am pleased with the finished products and hope she enjoys them. Can't wait to meet the newest Tarheel fan in their house!









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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Oh La' La'...more cupcake love

While visiting family in May, we visited the town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. After lunch, we went to this adorable cupcake shop-- Oh La' La'.

I ordered two menu items, an Oreo/chocolate cupcake and a birthday cake cupcake. They were packaged in this adorable box with an Eiffel tower on top.

Cute, cute, cute. My daughter devoured the birthday cupcake. I ate most of mine, but the icing was a bit too rich for my tastes. I hope this Blowing Rock French lovin' little slice of the cupcake world finds continued success. If you are ever visiting the town, drop into Oh La' La' and try one of their sweet treats. Definitely worth a visit.


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Friday, June 22, 2012

This Moment 6.21.12




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Friday, June 15, 2012

This Moment 6.15.12





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Friday, May 25, 2012

This Moment 5.25.12




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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Black Thumb 2012--topsy turvy gardening update #1

Well, my gardening black thumb has already struck. Our basil plant is dead. Beyond dead. My co-gardener thinks that moldy dirt killed it. Man, can I tell you how frustrating it is to have a herb plant die before we actually got to use it in the kitchen. The mint and the parsley are still hanging on.


One the bright side, the 2012 topsy turvy tomato is doing well. Well, as in it is still alive. No tomatoes yet, but I am still hopeful.


Friday, May 11, 2012

This Moment 5.11.12


{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (From Soule Mama...love this tradition so I am striving to do this as well...I need to take more time to savor and it will be such a treat to look back and remember these moments)

Thursday, May 10, 2012

We're Jammin' --Strawberry Jam 2012

My family has been picking and jamming strawberries since I was a little girl. My first strawberry pick was in the scenic hills of Scotland. Our current strawberry adventures take place in the less scenic fields of Virginia Beach, but the end results are just as delicious. Fresh strawberries are just so darn tasty.
We picked a lot of berries this year. A lot. Which resulted in a lot of jam. yummy!










Friday, April 27, 2012

Art Friday

Want to start sharing some of the great kid artwork created by my child and nieces. I love it. I especially love the hair in this portrait! Happy Friday!!



Created by PLW 4.12


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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Goodwill Hunting...thrift store shopping

One benefit of city living is quick and easy access to....bunches and bunches of thrift stores. I went to a couple this week and found some great buys. Don't you just love that moment when you spot a great deal?!! I bought two sets of cards/notecards for 2.00. Two dollars won't even buy one nice card in the cheap big box stores...



I also found this great little candy dish.



My mom has one she painted back in the day, so I was thrilled to find a similar one for my Easter decor. Love it. Love that it cost me less than a dollar even more..hooray for thrift store treasure hunting! Anyone want to share their latest shopping/thrifting score?

Friday, April 20, 2012

This Moment 4.20.12


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Topsy Turvy Gardening 2012 edition

So I may be a little down and out after my first year of topsy gardening produced zero tomatoes...but I am not out yet. Last week we went to the store and purchased a different variety of tomato, called Patio, which I am hoping will thrive in the 2012 topsy turvy. Tomato food also made it into our shopping cart. This tomato plant had better grow this year...while plant shopping we also picked up some new herb plants. Minty delicious mojitos are definitely on the drink menu this summer.
Urban gardening is so different than my mom's beautiful suburban garden beds-no shed, limited tools, limited space. Pondering potato growing and a potato barrel at some point. It has been an adventure to figure out what I can garden in my small urban condo. Too bad we can't grow a bunch of fruit-my child would happily live on a 24/7 fruit diet. I will post some periodic updates. Keep your gardening green fingers crossed for me.

"patio" tomato in the turvy


mint, parsley, basil

Friday, April 13, 2012

This Moment 4.13.12


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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Why yes, Virginia, there is an Easter Bunny

And his name is Matthew Mead this year. After a long day of travel I was totally thrilled to check my blog reader update and find that I am one of the drawing winners for a giveaway on his site. Hooray! Who doesn't love getting free gift cards?!!

I first came across Matthew Mead's work in one of his Halloween books. It was full of great ideas and had links to his site for free images. His work is always current, polished, and full of fun and whimsy. I cannot wait to get his new book, Flea Market Finds. If you haven't seen his books or website yet, give him a look.


Flea Market Finds with Matthew Mead



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Friday, April 6, 2012

This Moment 4.6.12


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Saturday, March 31, 2012

the Big One

We traveled down to NC for a first birthday party this month. Amazing how fast a year flies by!!! Our friends had a picnic party at this wonderful park--trains, boats, and a carousel. This public park put our local parks to shame and it was PACKED full of kids and families enjoying the spring weather. The decor from the party was absolutely adorable. Good parties take so much work, but are fun to just soak up when you are a guest.




Craft Hope Spreading seeds of hope one stitch at a time