MIA

I know I've been out of the picture for an inexcusably long time, but I've been GOOD busy and am very happy save a case of minor sniffles. Baby #2 is still ping-pong size and stopped giving me trouble about a week ago. It might be a girl after all. HAHA.

Here are some pics of my girl...

White Earflap

A customer sent this pic of her daughter wearing this earflap hat and I just thought it was too adorable not to share...

Oven Fries

2 potatoes, scrubbed (better with skins on!)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp rosemary
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tblsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 425. Cut potatoes into 8 pieces each, soak in ice cold water and rinse off starch. Pat completely dry with towel. In plastic bag mix cheese, spices and olive oil. Place cut potatoes in bag and try to get them as seasoned as possible.

Place seasoned potatoes on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for approx. 30 minutes, turning once.

This pregnancy no. 2 is kicking my butt! Why it's all worth it:

little hippie

Craft Fair

There is a craft show downtown that I'm applying for, and I need some advice as to sizes, colors and styles of products from my store that you think I should prepare for it.

Thanks everyone!

Recipe

Cornbread

1 stick butter
1 pkg. Jiffy
8 oz. can corn kernels
8 oz. can sweet creamstyle corn
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs

Melt butter and pour into bottom of 9 x 13 baking pan. Mix Jiffy, corn, and sour cream until it is just bound. Beat eggs lightly and then pour into dish, then thoroughly mix the ingredients until it has an even consistency. Smooth top and bake 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees.

Little Miss Attitude:

Winner!

The winner of August giveaway is Nachelle! Congrats!

Detailed info will be available on HomemadebyJill this morning.

As a thank you to all who entered (and everyone else) all purchases made this week will be 5% off with a mention of Jill's blog.

Thanks everyone!

Little Sweetie

Another example of Kristel's faboo photography, wearing beanie a la ummashin

http://kristelbueckertphotography.com/

Giveaway Shout-Outs

UMMASHIN'S GOODIES GIVEAWAY: enter HERE

Thanks KIMMY , AMELIA and GRANDMA62 for spreading the word!

Links to their fabulous Etsy stores:
Kimmydukes
Granny's Postcards
Chunky J Kids

Chunky J wearing Ummashin custom creation!

Ummashin Giveaway PART TWO

Hello my lovelies...
Homemade By Jill has graciously agreed to host my August Giveaway. The winner will receive a baby item of their choice in the size they need up to 4T. Amazing!

Would you love to win? Know anyone who would?

Enter at http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com. Giveaway ends Friday, so spread the word!

xoxo

Craft Crazy

So the babe is away at the rents' so I have a week to go craft crazy...any suggestions for fall items for the shop? I'm getting excited about it already as summer is just not my cup of tea.

just me

goofing around with the camera to get shots for my store, got two shots of myself I really like...for once, just me, no hat...just me
and of course...just Noelle

French Twist Burger

Inspired by the movie Spanglish (Ji) and the Barefoot Contessa

(this is a dash of this and that recipe, sorry)

Serves 1

1/4 lb. hamburger meat

salt

pepper
fresh thyme if you have it, or dried thyme

whole grain mustard

1 egg

2 slices toasted white bread

mix together meat and seasonings with a fork. Roll lightly into a ball and form a patty. Brush frying pan with olive oil and fry patty for 3-4 mins on each side. Transfer to plate and allow to rest (resist the urge to cut it open!)

Fry egg in olive oil, over easy. Assemble sandwich.

Nommy.

cheekage comparison

I've been re-shooting some of the hats in my shop with better lighting and I thought these two photos together were perfect for a cheekage comparison. Noelle's cheeks are still bitable, but the luscious bulldogness is gone :0( Noelle is sad about it too (see second pic) haha

ummashin's goodies

My latest favorite picture of the little monster...LOVE

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe it's been three years...I don't want to go on and on, but I love my hubby now more than ever, especially when I see him with Noelle. Staying grateful is easy when we are so blessed...thanks to everyone for their continual love and support!

Homemade by Jill Giveaway

The lovely HomemadebyJill is hosting a giveaway on her blog for the EZ View Desktop by The Original Scrapbox.

This desktop presents a multitude of possibilities for scrappers, hookers and beaders! Keep your findings organized and at hand with this lovely desktop. Easy to use and easy to store...hurry the deadline is this Friday, June 19!!!

Bad/Good Hair

Noelle's hair at its best...
and at its, quite possibly, worst. And yet, I can't help thinking I prefer the second. Captures her incandescent, joyful spirit so much better...

Happy Birthday, Fatty!

I can't believe my baby is 1. Amid all the craziness of the past year my baby has managed to grow into a healthy, loveable and loving toddler by His grace. I thank everyone who has supported our family through their prayers, time, and love. Happy Birthday Noelle!

p.s. Insanely beautiful birthday cake made by Ruth Shin. Check out her other awesome goodies at http://savoytruffleandcake.com/!

Adorable Baby Boy

Here are some more photos by uber-talented photographer Kristel B!

C.P. Photo Contest

I entered Noelle in the Children's Place photo contest. I debated for a little while over which photo to send and then decided to send a recent one that I love the most...here's the one I chose.

Etsy Treasury

I am in an Etsy Treasury! Thanks Cowlick Cutie!
Here is Noelle sporting one of Cowlick Cutie's adorable bows.

For those who are not familiar with Etsy, Treasury is a member-curated group of favorites lists.

I was also mentioned because of the Treasury in Turtlemommy's Blog! Thanks again to Kristel for the lovely photo of her daughter wearing the flapper beanie.

Yarn and Thread

Have to give a shout out to lisa at yarnandthreadbylisa! She is a great merchant and lovely to deal with. Fulfill all your yarn needs at her store!

My little trooper

Noelle has been sick for the last week or so and getting her to sleep has been a horrifying experience. It was like dealing with a newborn again. But today is a sunny day, she is feeling better, and things in general are looking up, up, up.

Here's the little trooper in my latest creation "reading" her book. Cheers!

Noelle's Opus 1

This is Noelle's first marker masterpiece, and my first experience with washing "washable" markers off my child.

pfffft

Ribs

2 pounds country style ribs
olive oil
4 cloves chopped garlic
1 tbls. chopped ginger
1 tbls. soy sauce
1 tbls. sesame oil
2 heaping tbls. doenjang
1 heaping tbls. gochujang
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 tbls. honey
1/4 cup water

Mix ingredients for sauce and set aside. Clean ribs and rub lightly with olive oil. Roast at 350 for about 20-25 minutes. Remove and discard fat. Transfer to large saucepan (with lid). Add water, then spoon sauce into the pan. Mix well while bringing to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, turning once. At the end of cooking time, add soy sauce to taste and bring to a hard boil to glaze ribs.

April is the cruellest month...

Yeah, that rule that you should nap while your kid naps is just silliness.

The reason why she conked out is we took a walk because the sun was nice and bright. I go into the dollar store and find my favorite cotton yarn for a lovely discounted price (yee-haw) and when we come out it's SNOWING.

Dear God, in case you forgot, it's April.
Love, Hannah

haha. Of course, as soon as we hit our doorstep it was clear and sunny. Craziness.

Interview

I have an interview at Dalton today to be an Assistant Teacher for the kindergarten class.

Keep me in your prayers!

Fish Patties

2 pollock filets
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbls. toasted sesame seeds
2 scallions, chopped
2 tbls. panko
1 egg
sesame oil
vegetable oil
salt and pepper

Chop up fish and then mash with back of knife until it is workable. Add rest of ingredients to the fish. Mix with a spoon to prevent the fish from getting too mushy. Heat mixture of sesame and veg. oil. (half and half). Spoon out enough mixture to create 2 inch patties. Fry on medium heat, flattening with spatula to help cook evenly.
DO NOT TURN until each side is DONE, as they are very delicate and will break apart. Enjoy!

Headbands and Headaches

So my new thing for the shop is headbands...

I put headaches because I recently rediscovered ginger candy and I have been eating way too much of it, and all that chewing gives me a headache.

First Giveaway!

The first giveaway is officially over, and the winner is...Kara Burns! Congratulations!

Many, many thanks to Jill for hosting my first giveaway! You made it a fun and fabulous experience all around, and your babe is a doll to boot! He makes my hat look good!

Thanks also to all y'all who took the time to visit the shop and enter. Good luck :0)

Finally, to mamabear and koko's mama ~ thanks for the love and support.

Waiting for the results...woot woOT!

Gorgeous Day

Noelle and her Pooh.
Just took a walk with N and the gorgeous weather has just lifted my spirits. I am definitely affected by the weather and now I am feeling so darn cheery I had to share it with the world.

I do have class later but even that can't get me down. Ha!

A note for all you procrastinators out there...tonight at midnight EST is the latest you can enter the giveaway, so get on it if you haven't yet! Tell yer friends!

It's Five A.M. and I can't find a bottle

Last night was horrible. N was SOOOOOOOOOOO hyper and then SOOOOOOOOOOOO sleepy and she was fighting it harder than I have ever seen her fight it. We ended up passing out on my bed. She woke up a little while ago but I soothed her back to sleep and now I can't find the bottle that I need to give her. Where could it be? Must retrace steps from last feeding...sigh.

Three happier bits:

Homemade by Jill is hosting a giveaway for my shop! I am so excited and grateful for her generosity. Be sure to check it out/enter to win! WoOt WOot!

I am loving this playmat/foam blocks set that I got for N. It was pretty decently priced, and has a lot of fun differnt textures, and is soft enough so that N can roam freely, no worries. The only thing I don't like about it is that it comes with 26 letters. Obviously this can't be helped, duh, but when you want to make a nice 5x5 square it is annoying that you have a leftover block. I'm anal, I know. I left out the "X" so that "Z" would be on the mat. "Z" is my favorite letter, after all. "ZUNS!"

and...*love of my life* D is coming home today. :o)

Nick and Norah

Watching this movie made me remember why I love this city so much...I am not going to even start trying to wax poetic about it, but it was nice to be reminded.

Lacy White Hat

It is actually 5 in the morning. Noelle really knows her daddy's not here. She was yowling away but I just gave her a bottle and now I can't sleep...sigh.

Here is the lacy white hat with pink ruffle flower.

Spring Accessory Report

Added a headband and a fluffy Easter hat to my collezione...what do you think?

Noelle updates

Noelle loves to crawl backwards. She's able to do the forward thing, but she really has got the backwards thing down. Is this an indication of a rebellious spirit? Perhaps.

I'm sure many of you are familiar with these Bumpkins bibs, but boy do I love them!

Small Moment

The babe is knocking her Pooh Bear against the rails of the crib.

He's going to need counseling.

Grilled Cheese Perfection - For Ji

There are few joys greater than the perfect ooze of a grilled cheese, attained here using American cheese, soft white bread, a dash of butter and a dash of olive oil (to keep the butter from burning). Here's to all my fellow fatties out there who have the winter blues - fry it up and feel the love!

25 Random Things

Noelle's 25 things (in the first person)

1.I have four crooked teeth, two on the bottom that are fully out and two on the top.
2.I like to grind my teeth together and worry my umma.
3.I really like the fuzzy yellow polka dot blanket. Umma thinks this will be my security blankie.
4.If mom holds me and then passes me off to daddy, I get teary-eyed.
5.I love Amy Winehouse. She's the JAM.
6.My new favorite toy is Pooh Bear from Aunt Michelle.
7.I can play by myself for hours if I have my stacking rings.
8.I can roll over at the speed of lightning, from one end of the room to the other.
9.I have developed catlike ways (see pic). I love to play with yarn and sharpen my little claws on the upholstery.
10.I have eczema.
11.I get a fatty attitude when I'm eating sweet potatoes. Umma is too slow with the spoon, yo!
12.The word I like to say the most is "Ah-Dah".
13.I weighed nearly 23 pounds the last time I went to the doctor. Fat girls rule.
14.My eyes glaze over when watching FSC (Fox Soccer Channel).
15.I believe bath time is the right time for some wicked fun (i.e. fartin' bubbles).
16.If left to my own chewing devices, rubber ducky would no longer have a face.
17.I have begun to make "extreme poo" to the disgusted amazement of both umma and apah.
18.I have concocted an evil plan to get whatever I want from my daddy - look straight into his eyes and say "ah-pah?" and then smile ear to ear. BWAHAHAHAHAHA
19.I like to stand up but crawling gives me the creeps (get it?)
20.I have morning hair 24 hours a day. "No more tangles" my a$$
21.My favorite thing to sing is "woawoawoa" at the top of my little lungs.
22. Once I'm down for the night, a train could pass through the room and I'd still would not wake up.
23.I like cheapie plastic bottles. Bougie bottles can suck it (get it?)
24.I have VERY high-self esteem, much like umma. I'M THE PRETTIEST!
25.My favorite thing to wear is nothing. Easy. Breezy. Beautiful. Fat.

So today was pretty eventful...

Met a sweet photographer today....beautiful work...check out her blog:
http://www.kristelbueckertphotography.com/

Also got a mention on LorChick's blog, http://onthelaundryline.blogspot.com/ - a fun read and great pics.

Yay!

handmade on my mind

so i decided if I don't make any sales after the march children's showcase on etsy I am going to make the switch over to shophandmade. I really think I might have a better chance of being successful over there...

vinegar!

or venaga, as the bottle label in my parent's house says.

I was skeptical at first as to the virtues of this humble household substance, but it does a mighty fine job of getting rid of some of the most hideous odors. For example, no amount of washing seemed to get the old formula smell out of the bottle I left sitting out overnight...but a swish with vinegar solution and a quick rinse and BAM! Rotten milk odor obliterated! It also gets Noelle's toys squeaky clean, and that's great since EVERYTHING is a potential chew toy these days. It even breaks down the most powerful of odors - KIMCHI.
And at 89 cents a bottle, it is the most cost-effective natural solution out there....LOVE IT!

I could be having the worst day

And then I see her face...

i made this hat to practice a new shape...what do you think?

Early Valentine - Bear with Me

Amidst all the etsy craziness, I have somehow managed to fall head over heels in love again with my husband and sweet babe. It is the little things...how my husband wisely ignores the pile of tangled yarn that is quickly taking over the apt., how my daughter coos and giggles as I force hat after hat onto her head and wave toys at her to get the best shot....how hard my husband works without complaining, the confident look N gives me as we "walk" across the room, how soundly she sleeps at night. I am one lucky gal. Who needs chocolate and diamonds...I've got it all.

Etsy Addiction

As a recovering shopaholic, it is borderline painful to not indulge in the handmade loveliness that is on etsy. Here is my version of window shopping: mouse booties
brass necklace turtle print

cashmere blankie