Ransacked Goods

Strange and Magnificent

via www.etsy.com by Freya Art & Design

Can I just say how much I absolutely LOVE this print. I'm such the mama bird now and always. I'm a big fan of the modern yet folk feel of the images. Reminds me of growing up in the 70's with a new twist.

Road Trip Reading

Here's what I'm packing to read on our upcoming road trip. Completely optimistic of me I know.... Two kids in a car for 9 hours, family and friends to catch up with, excitement all around, am I really thinking I'll get a moment to read? Best to be prepared just in case we have some quiet evenings with a cup of tea. I'm already thinking about the rocker awaiting me at my in-laws house. What are you reading now? What is your favorite indulgence to pack on a trip?

Cleaving by Julie Powell

Eating for Beginners by Melanie Rehak

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Animal Stamps

via Cavallini & Co.

We just picked out this adorable stamp set the other day on a little outing to the art supply store. Can't wait to play around with them. Our stamp collection is growing and they are oh-so addictive. Get a set of blank cards and envelopes and you're in business...

Dinner Gone Bad

via OrangeWillow on Etsy

Do you ever ruin dinner? The other night I made this soup and it was terrible. After a few bites I couldn't take it and I told my daughter it was okay to say "Mommy made a bad dinner, sometimes." So I made us eggs and toast instead, problem solved. My husband who hates to waste even the tiniest morsel of food ate the whole lot like a soldier. I kept thinking what have I done to this poor man!

Kid Art Collaboration: Apple Prints

A while back I saw a beautiful simple bird image posted on someone's blog (wish I could remember where). When I read about it I was happy to find that it was a collaboration between her (pen) and her young son (watercolor). A great idea to explore.

When Chickpea ventures into making art I try to stand back and let her do her thing. But she often wants me to play too and I try my best not to influence her art making or make her question herself in any way. Children are more interested in the process rather than the final product, as they should be. As an adult and one schooled at a fine art college, I'm more often interested in the final product. Gee, what would this look like framed on a wall? I need remind myself to stand back and just reflect on the making part - there are no failures just successes.

So I try to surprise her every once and a while with a new art project. The other day I pulled out some vintage accounting journals I had stashed away, pencils, paint and apples from the garden. The bottoms of our paint pots were looking muddy from all the mixing but it was a pretty color pallet. We took turns stamping the cut apples and drawing on them when they were dry.

And yes, I'm happy with the results. It makes me want to get out a big canvas and let her have a go at it. I think the key (like most things) is editing and limiting ourselves to a few art supplies to have the most fun.

Pop-up Wrap-up

We had dinner at the Pop-up General Store last night. I love the concept of supporting local chefs making great food and especially the idea of pre-ordering your grub so you don't have to dilly-dally. Was it yummy, definitely. But I have to say my local farmers markets are wonderful too.

Panchetta, fig and rocket pizza. I'm seeing a trend of Neapolitan style pizza places opening, even one next to my house. Pizza style is actually a personal thing. I'm not loyal to one or another but these seem to leave me wanting more. Such a pricey little bite.

Banana and creme fraiche cupcakes. That whipped cream was amazing, or as Chickpea says "whooped cream".

Note to self, make fresh pasta soon.

I wasn't sampling bread that was $8-$12 a loaf just on principal alone. But they were organic with lots of lovely whole grains. Now that I'm making my own bread I've got to try some of those designs on top, aren't they great.

Fruut Tree Toy Storage System

via www.tike.com.au

We need more hooks around here for little people to hang up their own stuff. I love this idea of a tree. I could see something like this in a front hall with high branches for big people too.

Fabric Play Food

Have you seen this new fabric play food from IKEA? We just picked some up the other day and I think they are totally adorable. The bacon cracks me up. I like the wooden food we have but the paint has been chipping and that doesn't make me too happy. Plus adding more variety to our wooden set is frankly too expensive. These are easy to stack with velcro, more portable and they don't make a crashing noise when the basket is dropped.

Pop-up General Store

via popupgeneralstore.blogspot.com

Check it out. The Pop-up General Store is happening next week. Who wants to go? Yummers. Salty Chocolate Cookies, Pain de Campagne, L'Oakland-Style Pickled Haricots Verts.... Perhaps too pricey but worth checking out. You've got to appreciate the concept.

Baking Bread

So what's the last thing that a busy mother of two, let alone a 9 week old, needs to be doing... baking bread from scratch. I have vivid memories of playing with my grade school friend Phoebe at their huge house in Seattle. We'd come in from playing outside to her mother's freshly baked rustic baguettes. It doesn't take much to imagine myself sitting at her counter with that perfect bread slathered in butter, simple perfection, what could be better. I finally jumped on the bandwagon and ordered a copy of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. I'm sitting here eating piping hot chewy bread and it's wonderful. I can't wait to bring a piece to Chickpea when I pick her up from school. Bread baking is certainly a habit you need to get into but it seems to be worth it.

School Tags

via orangeyoulucky.blogspot.com

These are the cutest labels from helen dardik. I love her illustration work, so happy and fresh

Childhood Memory Boxes

I've been wanting to make little memento boxes for the girls for a long time. These are simply a quick fix of stickers from Michael's. Little piles of letters, drawings, ultrasounds, hospital bracelets have collected around the house and I don't want to loose track of them. I figure these will make a good resting place and they can browse through them like little treasure chests when they get older. Perhaps they will fill up sooner than I think but I'll try to just keep the good stuff. 

Do Fun Stuff

via www.designmom.com

Any other suggestions for good kids music that adults can listen to with out going crazy?  This one seems pretty cool. I have a pretty good Pandora mix that we play at the house when Mom and kiddos are home. When it's on it reminds me that music always creates a mood and it can help us bounce with a little more energy and playfulness. We're gearing up for an 8 hour car trip and I want to have some good tunes and books to listen to.I'm sure there are some real winners I don't know about.

Happiness

Right now I'm reading  The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I just can't put it down, it's so insightful. I already can't wait to read it over again. We should all be a little happier.

Check out her blog too.

Back to School Lunches

via www.anotherlunch.com

I had no idea how popular the idea of bento lunch boxes are. I'm really not a fan of packing lunches but this raises the bar and looks like more fun for Mom & Dad. Ah, I smell a creative challenge. She has some serious inspiration here.

 

I totally want to give these a try. Probably more trouble than they are worth. I'm sensing a trip to Japan town for goodies...

Kotobuki Plastic Egg Mold, Rabbit and Bear