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Friday, March 22, 2013

outside my window

Outside my window there is snow.  Again.
Rowan was excited to see more snow.
But then she saw me taking pictures and said, "Ok, ok.  No more pichas mama."  It's happening.  I'm losing my last willing model!
And I'm not going to lie.  I still get a little bit excited, even this late in the year to see such pretty white stuff out there.  But we're also about to go on a long car trip for Spring break, so warm weather would have been nice.  Oh well.
No matter the weather, we're going to enjoy this break.  It is Brian's first actual vacation in well over a year.  He is about to change jobs and take command of a unit, so I know that more work is coming his way.  Hopefully the work won't keep him at work until 7 to 8 pm every night, but you never know.  So no matter what Mother Nature throws our way, we are going to enjoy our break!

Are you taking a trip or long break this Spring?  Hope you have better weather in your area!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

hunting eggs

Monday morning we all woke up with a cold.  Actually, Rowan woke up multiple times Sunday night with her cold and stuffy nose.  So we're all a bit draggy, tired, and grumpy this week.  It's not the plague-like cold that hit us last time, more like the Spring sniffles.  But we're feeling it.  Despite the colds, we HAD to go on the egg hunt this morning that Fletcher and Rowan's school had organized.  It is way too cold outside, so the egg hunt was relocated into the church.  Pretty sure it was my first egg hunt among church pews.  First time for everything!

We started out strong with all the other littles hunting for eggs.  Rowan's class all had cute bunny ears to help on the hunt.
Fletcher was fine with the 15 egg limit imposed, but Rowan was less than happy when I had to pull out about 10 extra eggs she had in her bucket.  She was one angry bunny.
 When we got back to the classroom to open the eggs, Fletcher and Rowan had the 10 mile stare going on, and were obviously exhausted.
So we're back home now, cuddling on the couch and recuperating from all that hunting.

Monday, March 18, 2013

St. Paddy's parade + party

Hi friends.  I know I've been gone for a while, but I had to get ready for one of the biggest (and most important to Brian) parties we've ever had.  You understand.  It was a load of work.  I tried to be organized and keep track of what had to be done day to day leading up to the party, but at the last minute it seemed like nothing on my list was checked off!  But we pulled it off.  We even got ready in time to go to our town's parade the morning of the party.
You'll have to forgive me, but I did not take a lot of pictures at the party.  Busy hostess and all.  So some of these are from my phone, too.  Brian sewed this flag himself.  He is rightfully proud of it!



The bagpiper was so good, and stayed for hours playing inside and outside.  There was a lot of good food, a lot of good drink, and a lot of great company.  I have to say that it was a success.  And I'm still exhausted and recovering.  It was worth it.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

march madness

Hi friends.  It may be a bit quiet around here this week.  We're gearing up for our biggest party ever, which is saying something, let me tell you.  Brian just adores St. Patrick's Day, and this will be our first St. Paddy's party.  So it will be pretty exciting around here this weekend.  We have a bagpiper booked who also plays the tin flute and uilleann pipes.  Which is good because although Brian can stand hours of bagpipe music, I always say that 10 minutes is 5 minutes too long.  Don't get me wrong- I do love hearing them, but a consistent drone of bagpipes in the middle of a party doesn't sound too awesome.  Brian has been working on his own projects, sewing and all, and I have my own list I'm working through.  On top of my project make something.  So busy!
Rowan has been working on her own projects along side of me, and I love it.  It's been so wonderful sitting down to make something and having Rowan bring over a stack of random ephemera and crayons and go to town.  You can see me working a thread and needle beside her here.
 I realized that the shirt I made Fletcher for St. Paddy's last year will still fit him, but I had to whip up something for Rowan.  Mission accomplished.
A cheeky shirt for my cheeky girl.  And now I'm off to write up grocery lists, make garland, and scrub the house clean.  Wish me luck!

Friday, March 8, 2013

making pizza

On Monday the littles had a field trip to make pizza at a local, family owned pizza parlor.  Really it was Rowan's class, but her teacher let Fletcher participate.  The grandson of the owner is in Rowan's class.  It was so fun!  Fletcher and Rowan really enjoy being a part of any cooking or baking project, so this was destined to be a great field trip for them.

They laid out the pizza crust, and let the kids put whatever topping they'd like on top.  Rowan just wanted cheese, which seemed like a big travesty to the owner.  He looked at the pizza and started talking quickly and loudly in Greek to his daughter.  I have no idea what he said, but the daughter sighed and told him, "Papa, put the pizza in the oven.  She's a two year old."  Ha!  Fletcher luckily loves his cured meat products, so his pizza covered in ham and pepperoni passed the chef's critique.
I love that the restaurant is set up so that you can see into the kitchen, and watch the pizza chefs put the toppings on.  While the place filled up with seriously delicious smells, we took pictures of all the littles in their cute chef hats.
Those goofy faces.  When the pizza was finished baking, we pretty much ran to the tables and devoured our lunch.  Rowan is a HUGE fan of pizza- it's her hands down favorite.  You won't believe me, but she ate her entire little pizza.  The whole thing.  It is the best pizza in town, so I don't blame her.  Luckily for me, Fletcher only ate a couple slices, and I helped him finish his.  I'm helpful that way.
Fletcher's favorite part was checking out the caboose that is parked right down the road from the pizza parlor.  We always have to stop and check it out on the way to the car.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

slow and steady

Making things for people I don't know is harder than I thought it would be.  I ask a few questions about what they like.  Favorite colors, collections.  I thought that would be enough to get me on the right track.  But then I start thinking.  And thinking.  I think about making a painting.  And then I think maybe they'd rather have something embroidered.  And then I think maybe they might be disappointed that I didn't get it right.  Have I mentioned that I am a worrier?

But I soldier ahead.  I remind myself that these little somethings are not orders that someone has put in.  No one is waiting on my something to get there in time for a birthday.  Or expecting something that they are giving their mom for Mother's Day.  And this is a gift from me to someone I don't know, so they are probably not really expecting anything in particular, right?  (please say right)

This recent something was made for someone who liked mushrooms and elves.  So I had a LOT of thinking on this one.  It's my first ever mushroom/elf art piece I've ever made (even if my elf is quite gnome-ish).  And I probably would never have made it if it hadn't been for this project.  So this project is stretching my wings a bit.  And I like that.  I'm learning a lot about myself, and I'm learning a lot about strangers who appreciate their somethings.  I've only gotten positive feedback, and it all makes my heart so happy.

I wish I could make everything all at once to send out, but it's pretty slow and steady around here.  My aim is for 2 a week, but sometimes it's only 1.  Sometimes it is 4!  It just depends upon the something and the week.  My list is quite long, and I've barely scratched the surface.  I'm going to have to put out a deadline for people to stop asking because I keep adding more and more.  Because honestly I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it up if my list is growing faster than I am crossing off people.

So here we go.  Deadline will be in one week from tomorrow.  March 15.  If you've been thinking about asking, please do!  It will definitely take me a while to get something to you, but I do want to add you to my list if you aren't already on there.  So email me!  mytrashandtreasure@gmail (dot) com.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

this boy

The other night Fletcher picked out the book Where the Wild Things Are for one of his bedtime books.  I told him it was my very favorite when I was his age, and how I still love reading it to him.  After we finished reading, getting tucked in, and getting snuggles, Fletcher told me that we should read the book every night.  And that he'd only read it with me since it's our special favorite book!  He's pretty special himself that way.  Full disclosure: he did go on to tell me about a Spongebob episode that involved some pretty gross scenes.  So, yeah.  He's still a boy.  But he's my favorite boy ever.

Monday, March 4, 2013

spicy black bean soup

I can't lie.  I make soup when it's cold.  And I think it's my favorite meal for winter.  I don't actually have a favorite soup, but if the soup has beans, I'm happy.  So as the snow fell last Friday and the winter wind chilled our bones, I made soup, and I made it spicy to make sure we'd stay warm.

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups broth or water
1 can diced tomatoes (I used Rotel for extra spiciness)
1/2 cup salsa
1-2 cups corn (fresh, canned or frozen)
1 T olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped carrots
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
cayenne powder and hot sauce to taste
serves 4-6

Chop the vegetables and saute in olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven.  Add minced garlic when vegetables are almost browned.  Stir frequently to keep from over-browning.
While vegetables are browning, pour rinsed and drained black beans into a large bowl, and mash lightly.  I like whole beans left for the soup, so I really don't mash the heck out of these.  So mash to your preference!
Once vegetables are lightly browned, combine the rest of your ingredients in your pot and bring to a boil.  I used water instead of broth, and added a couple shakes of salt.  The mashed beans give the soup some body, so it won't be watery at all.  But broth is great too.  Don't let me talk you out of broth.  I'm pro-broth!  Turn the heat down to low and simmer for an hour or so.
Garnish with sliced avocado, sour cream, extra hot sauce or shredded cheese.  Or all of the above if you are me!  Enjoy, and I hope you're staying warm this March.