Birthday Stencil

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

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I can hardly believe that four years ago at this time we had just said goodbye to our midwife, ordered Indian food and sat staring at our brand new sleeping baby girl.  We were ecstatic and exhausted and in love.   The house was quiet and felt magical and full and we were suddenly no longer just a couple, but a family.   That Indian food was the best meal I have ever eaten.

I found this Indian chalk stencil (Chalk na dabba) at Tail of the Yak a few months ago.  I remember these stencils on doorsteps when I visited India.  They are usually amazing floral designs stamped out with colored chalk (chuna).  The stencils are punched out by hand on recycled tin.  I love the magic made from the most humble materials.  We filled ours with baking powder this morning and stamped along our front steps while Ada was out with Daddy.  She was quite pleased to find the little trail of birthday wishes up the steps and insisted on sitting out there in her birthday dress to let the neighbors know who owned the day.

Book Love: Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak

24 Tuesday Jul 2012

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Our favorite books by the late Maurice Sendak are these volumes in the Nutshell Library.  This set of tiny books was a birthday gift two years ago, (thank you Tavia!), and has obviously been well-loved.  The four stories were written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak in 1962.  Alligators All Around, Pierre, One Was Johnny and Chicken Soup with Rice represent Sendak’s gift for turning few words and detailed drawings into stories that connect and intrigue children.  The size of the books are perfect for tiny hands to hold and slip into pockets.  One of our friends recalls singing the lyrics to the books as a child.  They were put to music by Carole King and she and Sendak worked together on a tv special, seen here.  We miss you Maurice!

Inspiration

20 Friday Jul 2012

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Instagrams from the week:

*Vintage Fabric

*Greenlignt Bookstore

*Vintage Hankie

*Swanky Swigs

*Hay Bales from Seasons by Blexbolex

*Orchid in the Bedroom

Have a wonderful weekend!

Summer Bubblesuit and Pinafore

19 Thursday Jul 2012

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This easy project is from a vintage Simplicity Pattern, #9395.  The fabric is from Ebay, and I suspect was once a curtain.  (Who remembers that scene from The Sound of Music?  I loved that movie when I was little).  This pattern for toddlers is great because it can be worn three ways and is nice and airy for summer weather.  And, when else can you make your child wear a curtain?

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.

Farmer’s Market Bridal Bouquets

16 Monday Jul 2012

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I got to make the bridal bouquets for our friends’ wedding last week.  We found great seasonal flowers at the Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan.  (My favorites were sweet pea from Dutchmill Garden out of Newfield, NJ and the globe thistle from The River Garden from Catskill, NY).  It was such a treat walking around the market in the early morning and the bees were as excited about the flowers as I was.  I used to do flowers for weddings and I forgot how much I miss it!  Kristin and Linsey’s weding was a beautiful and rustic affair at the Green Building in Brooklyn.  The farm flowers went right along with the homemade pickles and vintage napkins.  Such a lovely night!

To get the longest life from your market flowers be sure to:

*Cut the stems and place in water as soon as you get them home.  Add packets of flower food if you have it.

*Strip leaves off of stems that will be submerged.  Leaves will turn the water rancid quickly.

*Wire any heavy-headed blooms in a bouquet to keep from drooping.

*Change water frequently, and recut stems every few days.

*Keep blooms out of direct sunlight.  They will last longer in a cooler room.

*If you want flowers to open quickly, place them in warm water.

*Avoid refrigerating flowers with produce.  Gasses from fruit and veggies will make flowers open and wilt quickly.

Enjoy the summer blooms!

Inspiration

13 Friday Jul 2012

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Instagrams from the week:

*Sweet Pea at the Union Square Greenmarket

*Reception dinner at the Green Building

*Berries at the market

*Dancing with Uncle Frank

*Bee on the cut sunflowers

*Love

Have a wonderful weekend!

Vintage Planter Baby Gift

12 Thursday Jul 2012

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This sweet little elephant vase was one the favorite gifts we were given when Ada was born.  (Thanks Aunt Marissa!)  Ada gets her own stem for it whenever we buy flowers.  You can find your own planter on Ebay or Etsy.  They are inexpensive and great to have on hand as gifts for new babies.

Popsicles for Breakfast

11 Wednesday Jul 2012

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It is entirely too hot around here to eat a warm breakfast.  (Or even one that is  room-temperature,  in my opinion).  We came up with these as an alternative.  They include some of our breakfast favorites, which are even better frozen.  Put your favorite smoothie in the freezer!  To make this version you need:

* 2 Very Ripe Bananas

* 1 Cup Milk

* 4 Large Spoonfuls of Yogurt

* 2 Large Spoonfuls of Natural Peanut Butter

* 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

* 1 Teaspoon Honey (Optional, depending on the sweetness of your yogurt).

* Blender

* Popsicle Molds

1. Blend together until smooth.

2. Pour into ice pop molds and freeze for 1-2 hours.

*Makes enough for six standard popsicle molds*