The four girls were off last Friday. They came to the studio to do a project.
Supplies: We bought four large plant saucers, potting soil, and bedding plants with tiny flowers. We also bought miniature birdhouses and birds, as well as some wooden shapes. Kerry and I got out lots of our studio supplies for them to use, too.
The girls were thoughtful in their planning. They collected more materials from the yard. They were very diligent in painting their fairy houses and creating interesting items to attract fairies to their new little homes.
The results of the day were fabulous! The girls (ranging in age from 6 to 10) worked steadily for 2 hours. They each came up with original ideas, their own magical vision of what a fairy house should look like with its own sparkly magic.
What fairy wouldn't choose one of these lovely homes?
Says the Big Black Rooster to the Little Brown Hen,Sometimes a news story just catches my eye. I see the headline and am instantly intrigued/curious/disgusted/shocked. I often don't comment on these stories aloud, I don't want to seem like a trivia addict.
hot air balloon?" Following the link, I discovered that he did not ascend in a hot air balloon, he hooked himself up to a large number of enormous helium party balloons. Isn't that what we all imagined doing in childhood? Didn't we see the Wile E Coyote hook himself up in an attempt to catch the Road Runner? Would anyone actually do that in real life? What would possess a normal adult to hook himself up to a bunch of balloons and expect to fly?Coffee. Coffee is my weakness. Coffee is important. Especially on a Monday when my kids don't want to get up and neither do I. So I was thinking of my coffee favorites. They fall into several categories.
Have a great weekend!
There are creative people lurking everywhere in our lives, we just have to look and ask. I was on a field trip with my daughter's class and noticed another mom with a fabulous necklace on. I went to admire it and found out she had made it herself and has an ETSY site. The piece was a recycled Scrabble piece with brilliant papers on it. I have seen other pieces made in the same fashion but not with the same high quality artistry or attention to details. Her name is Christiane and is a a stay at home mom with three kids. Check out her ETSY site featuring jewelry and appliqué work. We hope to feature her in our next show at the studio but until then support her and all of the other artists in your lives.
E-Mail Note from Rachel to Kerry:
So here I sit in front of the computer with laundry to do, ruffles to sew, dishes to load.
All I need is someone to say:
“Step Away From the Computer.”
E-Mail Note from Kerry to Rachel:
"Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”Step Away From the Computer.”
Sad, but true.
I love to cook. Primarily, I think because I love to eat. One of my favorite cookbook authors is The Barefoot Contessa. My favorite thing about her recipes is that the are often very simple to make, but because of her use of high quality ingredients, it tastes anything but simple. They taste like luxury foods. Two of my favorite recipes are for her Satay dip and her sun-dried tomato dip. The Satay dip is wonderful with grilled chicken and last for up to a month in the fridge.
Satay Dip:
1 tablespoon good olive oil
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
2/3 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Cook the olive oil, sesame oil, red onion, garlic, ginger root, and red pepper flakes in a small, heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat until the onion is transparent, 10 to 15 minutes. Whisk in the vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, peanut butter, ketchup, sherry, and lime juice; cook for 1 more minute.
Check out some of her other recipes and books.
Sometimes you just find the right thing at the right time. I found these flowers, $5 a bunch at my local grocery store, last week. I couldn't resist and bought two bunches. Usually grocery store flowers have a short life, these have brightened my week. They're looking a little tired now, but not bad for day 7. 
So, this is how I brought spring indoors. Have a lovely springtime day, where ever you are. p.s. it's snowing here today.
I am sure you have been there, if not for your kids, you did it for yourself.... scrambling at the last minute to finish that costume, diorama, book report or term project. This time, the story involves me, my two girls and two costumes for school presentations.
On Sunday we discovered that the Mermaid tail that my 9-year old wanted to borrow from a friend was no longer available. No problem, I can make one, right? So, off to the Internet to Google "easy mermaid costume." Jackpot! There are lots of links with photos and directions for easy to make costumes. She chose some lovely electric blue lamee material, (think Xanadu) and three watery shades of tulle (think bridesmaids of the 80's). We also had a lovely navy blue, crushed velvet dress to modify for a cover-up. So armed with yards of tulle, blue lamee, satin ribbon, and pinking shears, we set out to work. Thank goodness for pinking shears and for fabrics that don't unravel, we may even make it to our Thursday deadline! Happy with our progress on Monday night, she showed her sister the beginnings of a mermaid costume.
And then it happened, my 6 year-old looked at me and said, 
"Mom, will you make me a camel costume." By Thursday?!? I nearly fell over. Back to the computer. Unfortunately camels are not nearly as popular as mermaids, there aren't many entries when you Google "easy camel costumes." And they are not nearly as glamorous, either. At the fabric store I choose a camel colored felt. Thankfully pinking shears will work here, too. Hmmm, maybe I will throw in a little fabric glue and we might all make it to Thursday with our sanity.
We are going to try and let you in on one of our favorite finds each Monday. This week we wanted to let you know about a new discovery in one of our very favorite categories, wine. Martha Stewart, the woman who can do anything, recently launched a line of wines. Rachel couldn't resist and bought a bottle for me. We tried the Cabernet varietal and enjoyed it very much. It was not too strong but with enough bold flavors. I then found the line at my local wine store. Sale price was $9.99, very reasonable for a nice bottle that you can have a with a weeknight supper or a casual dinner with friends. I bought the Merlot and again was quite pleased. It was served at our local book club meeting with a lovely array of appetizers (prepared by Rachel, a very delicious bruschetta and asparagus wrapped in prosciutto.) The Merlot blended well with the foods. They are both wines that I definitely would serve again. There is also a chardonnay that I will try soon. I hope
you all have a chance to try some of Martha's wines and enjoy them as much as we have.
We are pleased to award A Very Mary Design a fabulous package of collage materials, including a kitschy Aunt Martha packet. We can't wait to see her new Aunt Martha tatoo! Take a moment to check out her great blog.
