Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday Favourites--Christmas Edition??

Christmas in July.....errr...August....
In June the new Christmas fabrics are launched onto the scene and it's about this time that I start thinking towards Christmas.
I always have a list a mile long and never do I get to even a quarter of it but maybe this is my year!

1. side swap package, 2. whimsy studios happy homes winter series, 3. savVy { seasons } package sent, 4. a winter wonderland..., 5. A modern Christmas - Jolly Pillow, 6. All About Christmas Swap - Mug Rug, 7. Merry Modern Table Runner, 8. christmas quilt, 9. Christmas Quilt 2009, 10. Christmas Zig Zag Quilt, 11. holiday ornament :: march, 12. Untitled
It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas!
but maybe we should finish summer first :)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Comparison

I am by no means a competitive person.
Like truly I could care less if you are better at something than I am or do it before I do--so what?
I've always said
"It's people like me that help winners, stay at winning..."
Don't feel bad for me...I don't.
Someone has to lose in order for someone else to win--might as well be me :)
I say it a bit tongue in cheek because no one enjoys being at the back of the pack ALL the time. but really I'm not too bothered either.
However, when I read blogs and see all the creativity and capability out there--in spite of being moms just like me and still doing it all? It does deflate me....
just a little.
But I have realized something about myself and those other moms/bloggers.
I can't do it all because I'm not programmed that way.
I don't thrive on the busy, noisy, craziness of creativity banging away in my brain.
I hate feeling the itch to be doing something else.
Or the pressure to be something else.
I can't function on lack of sleep and still be a good mommy. Heck, with a couple of hours loss of sleep I can't even be a half descent mommy!
Don't get me wrong-- those creative --do it all--women are admirable! And I do, admire them that is. But I won't compare myself to them.
Because they're not me.
I bring this all up because a mom came up to me this week and asked me "how do I do it all?"
How do I do what?!
"Cook, clean, sew, blog, and always have neat tidy children?"
I stared at her wondering if she had me confused with someone else. Could she seriously be thinking I am one of those creative, capable women?
It suddenly dawned on me at that moment that what I share on the outside may look as though I've got it all in check. (Clearly this woman has never actually read my blog!)
And If I look like I've got it in check then maybe those women I have been tempted to compare myself to just share the good stuff?
This woman didn't know me well and I could tell that she's been struggling with a new baby and a desire to be more than she thinks she is, but I think the answer is to be happy with what you are and then work to expand that definition over time.
Define yourself broadly and specify as you go along.
Everything in a season.
So I'm going to continue being me.
no pressure. just ME.
And just in case you are wondering--yes my children are always neat and tidy. Sissy's hair is always done and their clothes and faces are always clean.
But my floors are not.
It's a case of priorities.
I'll let someone else win the "cleanest floors" award :)

Sunday, August 14, 2011

10 lbs of cake

This has been a month of Birthdays in the house of John's Daughter!
And the month of CAKE!
loads of it!

the "Middle-Man" (bubby) turned 4 this summer!

We had a HOT WHEELS birthday and went bowling--it was a hoot!

His cake was a combination of this cake and this one.

He was thrilled!

(the side of the cake is piece of ribbon--I was going to do it with icing but...uh... no.)

and the D-Man (Bear) had a very special first birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa making a special appearance.
What a big boy--I'm so sad when my babies want to grow up so fast :(
His cake was a total yummy pleasure as we all love a bit of candy-- or ALOT as was the case with this cake!
I used this video tutorial from Betty Crocker--so easy!

We have just finally waded through all of the birthday cake around here... just in time for hot dogs and s'mores by the fire.
summer can be so fattening--but totally yummy!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday Favourites

today's favourites are my oldest flickr favourites.
i've had them saved for 2 years and still find them inspiring!
Happy Friday!
We're having some time off to spend with friends--I can't wait!
Have a great weekend!

Monday, August 8, 2011

having trouble getting your kids to read this summer?

Let'em read in the bath tub!

yep...

right there between the shampoo bottles and the shrinking bar of soap.


I gave them some rainbow twizzlers, a drink (I told them no drinking from the tap!),

and a pile of good books-- and they gave me an hour of peace and quiet!!


I'm tellin' ya'--it's win/win!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

PSSST...

Do you love fabric?




Know someone who loves fabric?




You need to check out Huge giveaway!




and if you don't win you can always buy her fabric--best prices ever!




you can thank me later *wink*....

when you win...


or I can thank you when you win and then share your winnings with me!

*hee hee* A girl can dream!