An Easy Birthday Banner.

This Birthday Banner took about an hour to make.

I used some twine and strung up the #3 flag I had made out of Kraft Paper. Then I just started tying ribbon to the twine. I alternated lengths and tried to have a variety of thicknesses.

I already had about half of the ribbon from another project. I hung all those ribbon and then I was able to judge what other colors I needed.

I spent about $10 on new ribbon. I couldn't resist adding those fun pom-poms!

I love this project because it didn't take forever. Plus, I can reuse all the ribbon by either untying the ribbons or cutting them off the twine.

Simple, right?

Cute Wordless Birthday Book. "Carl's Birthday."

Okay, so the first page and the last page both have a few sentences - making this book, technically, not wordless. But, all the other pages are just illustrations. Very sweet, charming illustrations.

The story is about a Toddler (Madeline) and her dog, Carl, who are sent to their neighbor's house for a nap, while their Mama gets ready for a Birthday Party.

Madeline and Carl sneak back home and discover lots of yummy and exciting surprises at their house.

It's been a hit at our house for the last 6 weeks. We keep renewing this library book.

Now, that Nye-Nye is turning THREE on Friday, it's been handled even more. I've been observing her sitting on the couch or her chair, telling the story in her own words.

This is BIG because she is NOT a kid, who wants to sit still and read books all day. 

I think we'll going to have to get our own copy.

This book is great, especially, if your family includes a special canine member. 

 

Office Supplies. The Best Birthday Presents for Kids.

Okay. Maybe this might not be true for all kids. But, most of them LOVE post-its, right?

Pens, note-pads, return address labels, business cards. All cool stuff.

Recently, I created a Mail Center for my soon-to-be three year old. She's really been into envelopes and making cards. So I created a whole box just for her.

It has everything she would need to mail off a card. I had some return address labels made that she puts on EVERYTHING.

She spends probably two hours each day working on her cards. It's definitely worth the headache of organizing all the cards, stickers and pieces of paper strewn around the house every night.

Today, her business cards arrived.

Yes, I ordered business cards for a three year old.

She has spent hours playing with my Mother's business cards. So, I figured a card with her photo on it, would be tons of fun.

I was right.

She refused to let go of them today, when we went to the playground. She ran around, climbing things and sliding down the slides, all the while clutching a stack of business cards.

It's gratifying to see something that cost so little money (and took such little effort) could bring such Joy to my daughter.

There have definitely been several projects that took A LOT of effort and time on my part, which she played with it for a grand total of five minutes.

I am going to bed one Happy Mama.

I wonder how long it would take her to start handing out her cards.

The Birthing Month. Birthday Time Capsule.

One of my favorite things that we did for Nye-Nye's First Birthday, was to make her a Birthday Time Capsule of sorts. 

I wrote about it here when I was thinking about doing a Christmas Time Capsule.

It took a while to explain it everyone at the Birthday Party, but once all of the Indian Aunties understood my Odd-ball Idea they ran with it.

We handed out a letter form and a number to each group (we decided that it might be a little to overwhelming for each person to fill out their own, so we asked people to find a partner). The number was the Birthday they were suppose to write about on the paper they were given.

On Nye-Nye's 2nd Birthday, we opened the first letters. It was so sweet, I can't wait until she actually understands the concept. I have a special box where all the unopened letters remain.

Originally I wanted to do this for our Baby Shower but I wasn't able to get it together in time.

Here is an example of one of the letters.



Dear Bright Eyes,

Happy Birthday! Today, you are turning 5 years old. I am Catoctin Mountain Mama, your Mama.

My favorite memory (of when I was 5 years old) was when I was playing Soccer and I looked up from where I was standing and realized my Aunt and Uncle were on the side-lines. They had drove over an hour to come and surprise me. I felt so loved.

I loved playing soccer, going to my Ballet class, playing dress-up with Aunt Mimi, cuddling with the many, many kittens on our Farm, listening to my Mama sing, sitting behind Daddy when he drove the tractor in the fields, eating oatmeal in the Morning, listening to my Popop play the piano, learning how to read and playing with my Mama's long hair when I was your age.

Don't forget to spend many hours outside playing in all sorts of weather.

My wish for you is that you will always be fearless and willing to take chances (and fall flat on your face), that you will have faith in your ability to adapt to any situation, that you will learn to always listen to Your Inner Voice, that you will come to see Life as a Journey and not as a Race, that you will always treat others with Kindness and share that gorgeous of your yours and that you will be comfortable in your own skin.

I would also like to say that I want you to question EVERYTHING, especially when you are told that it's the only way (even if the person saying that is me).

Enjoy today. Greetings from the year 2014!

All My Love Forever and Forever,
Mommy

Tulips and Olives. Sunshine and Jeans. Big Hearts and Big Smiles.

Valentine's Day itself was a little rough. 

The Morning got off to a bumpy start. There was a Teething Baby and a silly argument with Papa Bear. The 3-year-old pooped in her underwear twice. I was NOT excited about our plans for that night.

But, when I woke-up from our nap, there was a bouquet of tulips next to me. Things got increasingly better.

Nye-Nye arranged the flowers, while Papa Bear cooked and I set up the table. There were my absolute FAVORITE olives and some excellent cheese to munch on, while we all worked.

We continued our tradition of having an Ancient Ale Date, enjoying the Ta Henket Beer this year. Papa Bear out-did himself with the Rainbow Trout and Scallops. Both were phenomenal, but the Scallops were the best I have ever had (and I love myself some Seafood).

Bears chowed down on the Roasted Mushrooms and Nye adored the Roasted Asparagus. I set up the folding table in the Living Room and the girls seemed to enjoy the novelty of it. I love the photos of Daddy serving Nye some food.

It was a really lovely Valentine's Evening with my three Loves.

The Love Fest continued on Saturday. My friends, Ed and Taryn, came to visit for an early celebration of my 35th Birthday.

Papa Bear continued to work his magic in the Kitchen and prepared THREE amazing dishes. Le Pain Quotidien Cookbook is now Family's new muse. 

Pea, Pancetta, Radish Tartine (no photo...it was devoured too quickly).

Spicy, Shrimp and Avocado Tartine. 

Pancetta Fried Rice and Wilted Greens. Oh, My...

Ed and Taryn humored me and helped me a bit with my Birthday Present to myself (a Gee Bend's inspired denim Quilt). More on that later...

We ended our Weekend of Amazing Food by having Brunch at Evening Star Cafe. 

Anala Bears cooperated beautifully. Man, do I love this face...  

Feeling very Loved.

Many Thanks to my Husband for all his Hard Work and Devotion and to my dear, dear Friends, Ed and Taryn, for their Patience and Loyalty (and willingness to drive out and see us).

35....I'm ready for you!!!

Birthday Time Capsule

One of my favorite things that we did for Big Sissher's First Birthday, was to make her a Birthday Capsule of sorts. I wrote about it here when I was thinking about doing a Christmas Time Capsule.

It took a while to explain it everyone at the Birthday Party, but once all of the Indian Aunties understood my Odd-ball Idea they ran with it.

We handed out a letter and a number to each group (we decided that it might be a little to overwhelming for each person to fill out their own, so we asked people to find a partner). The number was the Birthday they were suppose to write about on the paper they were given.

Last March, on Nye-Nye's 2nd Birthday, we opened the first letters. It was so sweet, I can't wait until she actually understands the concept. I have a special box where all the unopened letters remain.

My dear friend, Crissy, is about to have her Baby Shower and wanted to know what was in the Birthday Letters. (Originally I wanted to do this for our Baby Shower but I wasn't able to get it together in time).

Unfortunately, I lost the original template (sorry, Crissy)...but this is an example of one of the letters.



I am hoping to do the same thing for Bright Eye's First Birthday.



Dear Bright Eyes,

Happy Birthday! Today, you are turning 5 years old. I am Catoctin Mountain Mama, your Mama.

My favorite memory (of when I was 5 years old) was when I was playing

I loved playing soccer, going to my Ballet class, playing dress-up with Aunt Mimi, cuddling with the many, many kittens on our Farm, listening to my Mama sing, sitting behind Daddy when he drove the tractor in the fields, eating oatmeal in the Morning, listening to my Popop play the piano, learning how to read and playing with my Mama's long hair when I was your age.

Don't forget to spend many hours outside playing in all sorts of weather.

My wish for you is that you will always be fearless and willing to take chances (and fall flat on your face), that you will have faith in your ability to adapt to any situation, that you will learn to always listen to Your Inner Voice, that you will come to see Life as a Journey and not as a Race, that you will always treat others with Kindness and share that gorgeous of your yours and that you will be comfortable in your own skin.

I would also like to say that I want you to question EVERYTHING, especially when you are told that it's the only way (even if the person saying that is me).

Enjoy today. Greetings from the year 2013!

All My Love Forever and Forever,
Mommy

Lemon Balm and Black Tea Infused Vodka

There is a huge patch of Lemon Balm at my Parent's farm and I am a huge fan of Jasmine Tea. So, when I read this post, I knew this was a pairing I would have to try. 

As I mention before, I am on a "infusing Vodka" kick.

I have been making Medicinal Tinctures for 4 years now. They take about 6 weeks before they are ready. Infused Vodkas? A few days.

I want to experiment and make a variety of infusions, since so many fruits and vegetables are in season, right now. Plus, I have a lot of fresh Herbs at my fingertips. 

Gift-giving at Christmas is always a Big Stressor (last year we had 35 Family members to get presents for). I am thinking that if I make a lot of Vodka Infusions now, it will make December a lot more relaxed.

It would be nice to have a stash of ready-made, cool presents for Hostess Gifts and Adult Birthday Presents, don't you think?

Lemon Verbena and Cinnamon Infused Vodka

What's my latest Obsession? Making Infused Vodka.

My husband and I have varying ideas about Gift-giving. But, when I mentioned this idea, he jumped on it. It combines my interest in Herbs and his interest (and his friends' and family's) in alcohol. It's perfect.

(Thanks Elyse for the inspiration)!

We have several friend's Birthday Parties to go to over the next several weeks, so now is the perfect time to experiment. We have some brave Herbs growing in our Back-yard (despite our neglect). I read this post and got some ideas for some pairings based on what we had on hand.

Papa Bear and I both like the taste of the "Lemon Verbena and Cinnamon Infused Vodka" and plan on making some more. We kept the Cinnamon Sticks in for 3 days (3 sticks in a large Ball Jar). The top photo shows what it looked like on Day 1 and the last photo shows how much the color changed by Day 3.

We kept on small Ball Jar for ourselves and left the Lemon Verbena leaves inside it. I want to see, if it can balance out the Cinnamon flavor (which is good but strong). Next time, I think I'll just leave the Cinnamon Sticks in for only 2 days.

What is your favorite Infused Vodka flavor?

What To Do With The Worst Chocolate Cake Ever

I tried. I really did. But, I'm just not a Baker.

 

I made a Chocolate Birthday Cake using the recipe I had posted here. I wanted to do something special for Papa Bear's Birthday (almost a month ago). But, I had just had the baby and was not up to doing anything grand. So, Nye-Nye and I made the Cake.

 

My Sissy was visiting. Neither she, nor I could finish our pieces. We all agreed that it was the most driest, most awful Chocolate Cake, we had ever tasted. It was so dry, I had a coughing fit that lasted 10 minutes. But, my Sweet husband was a trooper and finished his!

 

This is what happened with the rest of the Cake...



 

 

A Birth Day Cake

father's day chocolate cake (Photo credit: freakgirl)

If I go to a restaurant and I see a Chocolate Cake on the dessert menu...you better believe I am getting it. It's one of the things in this World that is guaranteed to bring me much Joy.

So, what better way to celebrate the Birth of my second child, than to eat the Perfect Chocolate Cake? I think all New Mamas deserve some Cake, after giving Birth.

I got this recipe for a "Perfect Chocolate Cake" from the book, The Chocolate Cake Sutra: Ingredients for a Sweet Life, by my favorite Buddhist writer, Geri Larkin. I haven't tried it, yet. But, it sounds easy and it sounds good.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons of Baking Cocoa
1 cup of White Sugar
4 Eggs
1 2/3 cup of Self-Rising Flour
a pinch of Salt
8 oz (2 sticks) of Butter


1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Grease 2 eight-inch layer cake pans.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar together.

4. Add Salt and well-beaten Eggs.

5. Add Baking Cocoa and Self-Rising Flour (through a sieve, if you have one).

6. Pour Cake Batter into the pans and bake for 20-25 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean). Don't overcook.

7. For Frosting...melt a stick of Butter, add as much Powdered Sugar as it takes to look like Frosting (drop a few teaspoons of Milk in, if you overdo the Sugar). Add 1 teaspoon of Vanilla to the Frosting. Let the cake cool before you add the Frosting.

8. Dive in.

Yum, yum and yum. I am getting hungry just thinking about this Cake. Oh, yeah...I can't guarantee how good this Cake will be, but I can tell you the book is a good read. Enjoy!

Nye-Nye's 2nd Birthday Party with an Easter Twist

 

 

 

Surrounded by lots of Love and lots of Family (and a little bit of rain), my daughter celebrated her 2nd Birthday. It was simple and sweet (although not without some anxiety before-hand).

 

We decided to combine the two events because of scheduling issues, which meant my Mama hosted the largest Easter Celebration she had ever hosted (37 or was it 39 people...of JUST family). We kept hoping for a beautiful day, but dealt with the sprinkling of rain we got.

 

The kids had their Easter Egg Hunt and we all filled our bellies with a terrific meal (thanks to Papa Bear, my Mama, My Mother-in-law, Neal Uncle, Aunt Mimi and Rita Auntie).

 

The house felt like it was bursting with Love. I love the video I shot of all the happy, loud chaos. It was a good day. I am so grateful.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Birthday Party Present: Sandpaper Letters

Did the Sandpaper Letters I made turn out perfectly? Nope. But, I think they are good enough. And, the best part? They didn't cost a cent. They ended up being one of my favorite presents to her this year.

My daughter has been showing some signs of being ready to learn her sound/letter combinations. She has demonstrating an interest in singing the alphabet since she was about 19 months old. One of her favorite things to do (over the last 2 months or so) is "write" in her journal (especially when she sees Mommy writing). She adores writing on her chalk-board. So, I decided to finally break down and start formally introducing her sound/letters.

I am trained as an Orton-Gillingham Tutor and worked for a bit in an AMI Montessori Pre-school as a Teacher Assistant. That's why I am doing the seemingly crazy thing of teaching my 2-year-old CURSIVE letters. More on all that jazz, later. A post will be coming (as well as a Letter of the Week Craft Series).

Right now, I just wanted to show you how my first batch of Sandpaper Letters turned out.

My Step-father cut out the 14 rectangles from a scrap of wood (I'll make the rest of the letters later). I sanded the edges and then glued on the letters I had cut (free-hand) from some belt-sander paper, he had in his shop. It's a lot harder than it looks and they are all pretty imperfect. It took about 5 hours from start to finish make these. But, I feel like it was time well spent.