simple made special

this shirt may be ruined...

Sorry mom, I just didn't have the heart to stop him, he was discovering mud! My favorite part is the mud on his tooth.

I need shoes, too.

  

Is it just me, or do we all like mischa better since the paparazzi released those awful photos of her lumpy backside? I don't like her much, but I do adore this campaign by keds. I love these photos and the shoes are so cute. did you know keds are like, $50-$100?!? I had no idea. now I really want them.

from 50 to 90 in one day

I officially have no shorts to wear (unless you count cut-off sweat pants, but I do not). The warm weather is here and I need some stylish summer looks. I'm really going to try to branch out from my usual cargo shorts and stained t-shirt. Husband actually refused to go to home depot with me if I wouldn't change into something better. If you're too uggo for the depot, it's time to shop I say.

the winners

I know many of you, like me, have been waiting for the winners of Martha's cupcake contest. Most were super cheesy, so I was pretty bummed. A few were noteworthy though...I would totally make the bird's nest for a spring baby shower (minus the jumbo roses). You have to have a mix of simplicity and sweetness. Anything too intricate just seems kind of too man-handled.

My favorite cupcakes will always be from Magnolia Bakery in New York's West Village. People literally line up around the block to get in, and they have a bouncer who lets people in a few at a time. I bought the cookbook, and I can make them almost as good, but there is something about taking two trains and walking forever in the horrible heat that made them taste better.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_Bakery

a weekend project perhaps?

Is it bad that I'm already thinking about the weekend? This little pouch looks really easy to make and has some cool finish techniques. go here: http://ayumills.blogspot.com/search/label/Tutorial

She is calling it a camera pouch, which is great for little point and shoots, which you should always have with you. I also think it would be good for holding tampons, which you should always have with you.

So Cute!

This is really hitting the spot for me. Isn't it cute? I'm talking about the artwork. I can't vouch for the book. You must check out his other work:

http://rob-ryan.blogspot.com/

He has wonderful style and sweet sentiments. It almost makes me want to clean off my painting table. Almost. But it's almost warm enough to start painting in the basement for the year, so that's something to think about.

BABY WRESTLING!

Grandma left the nephew in our care for a few hours today. We had a very fun time. He played with the old hot wheels we found in digging up our bush, swung the broom around and we enjoyed a good wrestling match. He is such a boy and loved being squished by pillows and thrown onto the bed when he tried to escape (all with the upmost care of course).

He has quite the set of chompers, which you get a good look at when he's laughing and squeeling. He is so cute. I also loved this shot during a calmer moment...

FEATHERED FRIENDS

The sweet little blue headed birds are here–and we got a photo! I put a bird feeder out when we were first married. That first spring a little yellow, golf ball size bird came, and then a few days later I saw one of these blue headed birds. And that cycle has repeated every spring since, first the little yellow bird, then the blue bird. I can't find either in my birds of the west book, so I have to assume they are just migrating through. It always a good sign that spring is here when they are visiting. Usually they only stay a day or two, and you only see them in pairs, but we have had them about a week and in large groups.

Also, working on work and transplanting my tomato seeds. I haven't been having as much success as usual, so I needed a little inspiration. Just seeing one of these tasty fruits reminds me that it's worth the effort. This is an heirloom variety called 'striped german.' It has red and yellow striped flesh and is so good and so pretty sliced.

SPRING FEVER

I have been going through my garden photos from last year, and I am getting so excited. I love this time of year and have the most incredible urge to plant flowers everywhere. I have resolved to remain patient though and wait for my little seedlings. I have started some zinnias, black eyed susans, and violas from seed again this year, and will have to start some nasturtiums soon.

The garden beds will be mostly tomatoes this year. I never have enough bottled to last through winter, but I'm really going to try this year. I love canning, it really brings out the pioneer in me, and maybe the polygamist, because it is a hell of a lot of work, and I wish I had four sister wives to lend a hand. Just kidding. I'm not really for or against polygamy, which offends a lot of people, but I guess the adults involved have the right to choose. I do think it's wrong to involve young children though because they can't decide for themselves.

So, wouldn't you want to be amish for like, a month. They make such good cheese. And the quilts! I want my own chickens so badly. They would eat the bugs out of the lawn and we could eat really fresh eggs. I'd get the kind that lay greenish-blue eggs. The only trouble is–what do you do when they get too old to lay eggs? Our yard would turn into a chicken-retirement compound. Besides this really goes against one of my strongest personal beliefs: thou shalt not have pets.

SIMPLE made SPECIAL

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I have decided to name this blog 'Simple made Special.' I chose it because it sort of encompasses my life philosophy right now. Also I googled it and got no matching hits.

Some other titles I considered where:

The life and times of a person who has read so many issues of Martha Stewart they go into serious denial and have outrageous expectations of holidays, gardening, cooking and cleaning.

The life and times of making a living 'designing' order forms. (I've done a lot of production work lately)

The life and times of a borderline stalker aunt. (I will post about my nephew with frequency. He is so darn cute and really makes me laugh. When I'm playing with him, I forget my deadlines for a little while, and feel connected with the present moment. He's so great and I am so thankful for him.