Category Archives: Likes

Library Card Birth Announcement

21 Tuesday Aug 2012

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We had these library card announcements custom made by Ilfant Press for Josie’s birth. Lisa Hasegawa at Ilfant worked with us to design the layout and then letterpressed the library cards by hand. I love letterpress! Josie (and Ada) were born at home so the library home address made us happy. We used photo corners to attach Josie’s picture and tied them with a bit of baker’s twine.

Vintage Hand Towel

17 Friday Aug 2012

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Handmade lace edging on a vintage hand towel. I love using these in the bathrooms at our house. Linen and cotton hand towels are abundant and cheap at thrift stores. Linen lasts forever and just looks better with age. Be sure to check towels for signs of wear and stains.  This cotton hand towel was $6 and makes me happy. Here are some Etsy finds.

DIY Flower Ring Card

13 Monday Aug 2012

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We made this flower ring card for one of Ada’s friends. The flower centers are actually rubber rings that can be popped out and worn on little fingers. The flower ring makes a nice token for a ‘no gifts required’ party. (Ada really likes giving gifts). To make your own you will need:

*Card stock

*Two Rubber Rings (We got ours here. You can the same recycled flip flop rings here).

*Crayons or Markers

*Scissors with sharply pointed ends

1. Fold card stock in half.

2. Using the scissors, carefully punch two holes in the front of card. The holes should be big enough to just fit the loop of the ring and hold it snugly in place.

3. Draw flower petals around the openings.

4. Push rings into place.

Cloth Diapers

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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This is one of those photographs that may not be beautiful to anyone but me.  This is a stack of clean cloth diapers on our dresser.  We can see this stack from our bed and it makes me feel happy when the stack is high and neatly folded.  It feels like a full pantry to me, like having supplies on hand.  We have used these for both kids and the routine of washing and drying has become second nature to us.  My sister just had a baby girl and I was reminded of how many questions we had – about diapers and sleep and feeding when Ada was born.  It is strange how stressed out the tiny details can make you at first, and then those details become the daily routine.  And then the routine turns into years and the details are blended into the memories.  I wonder what I will remember about the early days with children when I am an old woman.  I know I will remember the smell of a new baby head, and how Ada looked curled up against Chris as she slept.  I bet I will remember the stack of diapers.

Ronnybrook Farm

02 Thursday Aug 2012

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I love Ronnybrook Farm.  Their milk and cream is the best for making ice cream and I lived on their yogurt drinks when I was pregnant.  They sell large bottles at our farmer’s market in returnable glass bottles, which look like the milk man brought them to your fridge.  Ronnybrook uses Holstein cows – those sweet black and white spotted ladies.  We had Holsteins on our farm growing up and they hold a special place in my heart.  (I remember watching my sisters in white uniforms leading their Holstein calves around the 4H ring).  Farmers who put thought and care into their production make better tasting food.

Juice Glass Love

01 Wednesday Aug 2012

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I love vintage glasses.  We have a large collection in daily rotation, and they brighten up even the most boring beverage.  I especially love these tiny juice glasses (the stars, tulips and gingham in the photo), called Swanky Swigs.  The small Swigs from the 1930s and 40s make cheery little wine glasses.  I had a collection of them long before the kids, but they turned out to be the perfect size for little hands.  We have dropped our fair share, and it always brings a little pang when a favorite hits the tile floor…but I generally won’t pay more than $4 per glass, and a space on the shelf is a reason to go explore an antique shop.  We are planning the future kitchen shelves around the collection.  Etsy has a sweet collection of vintage glasses here.  Cheers!

Pop-Up Sponges

31 Tuesday Jul 2012

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I love Trader Joe’s pop-up sponges.  They are completely flat and compact until you add water (Ada’s favorite job).  I like to use a new sponge every few weeks and these are made of plant material, so the old sponge can go right into the compost bin.

Lanterns

26 Thursday Jul 2012

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Metallic silver paper lanterns in the dining room for Ada’s birthday week.  We got them at the Tail of the Yak.  They have a little metal holder for a candle inside, but I am not quite brave enough for that in this old house.

Peanut Butter Maple Syrup Ice Cream

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

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I grew up in New Hampshire and real maple syrup is on my list of things worth living for.  The combination of natural peanut butter and real maple syrup is crazy delicious.  We used only a few ingredients in this recipe, and the quality of each is important.  Use the best you can find for the best results.  (Ada busted me with this cup after I took the shot.  I was pretending to eat soup in the 90 degree heat so I wouldn’t have to share).  I am not proud, but it is hide-from-your-child good.

To make your own Peanut Butter Maple Syrup Ice Cream you will need:

*1 Cup Chunky Natural Peanut Butter (We used a Trader Joe’s PB with Flax Seed for extra crunch)

*1/3 Cup + 1 Tablespoon Real Maple Syrup (Any grade you prefer, but not imitation syrup)

*1 1/2 Cups Whole Milk

*1 1/2 Cups Heavy Cream (We use Ronnybrook Farm for both)

*1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

*4 Strands Saffron (Optional, but really good)

*Pinch of Sea Salt

*Mixer

*Ice Cream Maker

1. Gently heat 1/4 cup of Milk and crush Saffron into it.  Stir, cover and allow Milk to simmer for five minutes.

2. Turn off heat and let Milk and Saffron cool for half an hour before returning to the fridge and chilling for another hour.

3. Mix together Peanut Butter and Maple Syrup until smoothly combined.

4. Add Milk, Saffron Milk,  and Cream and continue to mix until evenly smooth (about 30 seconds).

5. Stir in Vanilla and Salt.

6. Place mixture into Ice Cream Maker and follow manufacturer’s directions.

7. Enjoy!

DIY Paint Chip Game (or How to Learn the Colors)

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

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I made up this game when Ada was learning her colors and just dug it out again for Josie to play.  I am convinced it helped Ada learn her colors quickly and it is a simple and pretty toy to have around.  The felt swatches are beautiful to play with on their own, and my kids seem to find paint chips are endlessly entertaining.  I found the felt swatch ring here on Etsy.  The paint chips are free at almost any hardware store.  Felt + Paint Chips + Double-sided Tape = Awesome.

To make your own Paint Chip Matching Game you will need:

*Felt Sample Ring

*Paint Chips in Variety of Colors (We used Behr because I liked the square shapes)

*Double-Sided Tape

*Scissors

1. Stick the double tape to back of paint chip and place the same color on its back.  This will keep you from having to turn over each chip to see a color.

2. Trim any excess tape with scissors. The closer you tape to edges, the less likely the child will be to pull apart the chips.

3. Here is how we play:  Find a color on the felt ring, say the name of the color and ask the child to find the same color paint chips.  (None of the colors we have are exact matches, so it challenges a child to think about shades and grouping of colors).  Ada also liked to find the same color toys around her room and match them to swatches.  The possibilities are pretty endless…

*Pantone Colors is a beautiful new toddler book about the subtle shades of each color. The book is one of my favorite new baby gift and would make a great companion to this game.