tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15844883715115758802011-11-14T02:03:11.845-08:00Everything we have found. And love. And want to share.catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.comBlogger2461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-25920177380529458602011-07-18T12:18:00.000-07:002011-07-18T12:18:21.736-07:00

I'm redesigning my blog and will be posting again after I close down the Cat in an Apron shopping site, tonight at midnight. I'd love it if you would stay with me on my new adventures! Here is a little loveliness while you wait.  These sculptures are from Anna-Wili Highfield: Each one is made of hand painted, archival cotton paper that she tears and sews together.  The are stunning.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-40376034813686946092011-07-12T21:36:00.000-07:002011-07-12T21:36:12.406-07:00

Thank you all so much for all of the orders!  It is a fantastic way to go, for sure.  HOWEVER, we are a bit bogged down, and running out of so much.  Please bear with us as we get through them!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-69133142551708444802011-07-09T12:41:00.000-07:002011-07-09T12:41:17.601-07:00

Tomorrow we'll start an even BIGGER sale. 60% off!! I'm not joking.  I didn't slip.  I said 60% off.  This is the biggest sale we've ever done.  It is time to close the doors of Cat in an Apron, and I'd like to send our inventory out to all of you! This will start at midnight tonight - July 10 - and last for one week only. just enter:  thankyou60    at checkout. Thank you for supporting Cat

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-32825375917831425882011-07-07T16:14:00.000-07:002011-07-07T16:14:22.229-07:00

Yippeee!  A sale!  I love sales. I'm going to start with a 50% off sale.  As inventory gets lower, I'll add more incentives, but we are already running out of almost all of our blankets, so if you have your eye on something, order it now.  When you check out, enter: endofdays  in the discount window, and you'll get 50% off your ENTIRE order.  Now is a good time to get onesies for your baby or

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-85131513417740601722011-07-01T18:58:00.000-07:002011-07-01T18:58:39.025-07:00

I've come to a decision that has been bubbling for some time now.  I haven't been posting because I've been trying to figure out WHAT is going to happen with Cat in an Apron.  After many tears and lists and pacing, I've decided to close it down.  I'm working on new things, and I'm going to keep this blog open after all. I still have so many things I see every day that I would like to share.  I'd

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-62644632522421418112011-02-06T16:55:00.000-08:002011-02-06T16:55:17.318-08:00

My husband turned on the T.V. in another room this morning.  The announcer's voice was blamming on about what I thought was the superbowl (clearly I'm not into sports...).  He called to my daughter:  "Mae, come see what these girls are doing!!"  I thought, "this is it! This is the moment where she is being told to watch the cheerleaders and not the MEN playing the sport".  My  heart sank, but I

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-76535641007395499732011-02-04T18:35:00.000-08:002011-02-04T18:35:23.848-08:00

I saw a woman interviewed on Tyra once (don't judge.) who had described a man's personality by what shoes he wears.  She wrote a whole book about it.  I also saw a woman on a morning news show talking about being able to categorize a marriage and even its future by how two people sleep:  spooning all night = one is in charge and the other likes to be taken care of, a happy ending was surely in

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-50216959463515542572011-02-04T16:49:00.000-08:002011-02-04T16:49:17.970-08:00

 I seriously adore Pix patisserie.  They opened right after my first baby was born and I've sort of watched them grow up with him.  I went to a bridal shower while I was newly pregnant with my second baby and they had a dessert table by Pix.  Oh.  The love affair was cemented.  You know how everything tastes like manna from heaven when you are blissfully pregnant??  (Shhhh!  mamas out there!! I

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-44640096293391429712011-02-02T17:03:00.000-08:002011-02-02T17:03:24.282-08:00

The kids picked out some Silly Bands valentine packages the last time we were at target, but I just can't be happy with them!  They are cute and I know the kids will like them - once they get home since they are no longer allowed in their school! - but I've never been happy with JUST a package from target!  I loves me some Target, don't get me wrong, but I've been thinking about cutting and

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-25166830079839751272010-12-02T14:14:00.000-08:002010-12-02T14:15:29.080-08:00

This is SO funny!All I want for Christmas is you (If you're holding a bunch of presents that are also for me.) Perfect.  Please check out Sycamore Street Press!  This is a great online shop with stunning letterpress everything.  Here is another awesome one: I think these people would be my friends.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-8835190801076147442010-12-01T16:07:00.000-08:002010-12-01T16:07:44.686-08:00

And the winner is:  LIZ eemoody77!!   Congratulations! Awesome that you stayed home and avoided the crowds - now you get to spend the money you saved.  AND it is free!!  Thanks so much for posting!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-82759021000699787932010-12-01T11:54:00.000-08:002010-12-01T11:54:14.036-08:00

Hello!  Thanks for posting and following and fanning and etc. etc.  My littlest boy broke his arm in two places yesterday afternoon - from a very minor fall off the couch - hmmm.  well, it was more of a "let's see if I can walk off of the couch onto the back of my little push motorcycle and ride it around the room."  So after the evening at the ER and lots of holding him, I didn't get to choose a

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-47591823811017856952010-11-30T10:17:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:17:03.031-08:00

I know I've gushed about her before, but I simply adore Denyse Schmidt.  I'm pretty sure we would be fast friends and share ideas with each other and stay up all night sewing together.  We'd paint each other's fingernails and braid each other's hair - wait - that is my dream of what it would be like to have a sister - forget that last part....  She has done it again, not only has she created

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-43093563399324713402010-11-25T15:14:00.000-08:002010-11-25T15:14:42.619-08:00

It has started raining her in Portland.  If all goes the same this year, this should continue until the 4th of July.  This means it is going to be cold and damp for SEVEN. MORE. MONTHS.  It is raining so hard outside right now I can hardly hear myself think.  The only thing that can help that "I'm-so-freaking-cold-not-even-FIRE-can-reach-this" kind of cold is my new favorite thing in the universe

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-21708464168772107522010-11-25T12:34:00.000-08:002010-11-25T14:58:19.383-08:00

HEY!  Just in time for the holidays I'm going to do a giveaway with CSN!  You can choose from any of their stores: from luggage to toys to entertaining essentials!  I'll send the winner $35 gift code.  You can use it as you choose.  You can order from any of their over 200 online stores, from leather messenger bags to modern entertaining to holiday gifts for your kids. I'm waffling about the

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-74447267631646430762010-11-22T14:56:00.000-08:002010-11-22T14:56:20.605-08:00

 This is Baby Jesus.   He is my son's lovey.  None of my kids have ever had a 'blankie' or a specific lovey that they couldn't sleep without.  Until now.  Until Baby Jesus.  Our Mr. O. has always loved babies, and when his big sister took all of hers back, he was left with NONE.  That is until he found Baby Jesus.  Baby Jesus is just about two inches tall and came in the arms of his mother, Mary:

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-81682336052059647672010-11-17T10:14:00.000-08:002010-11-17T10:14:35.686-08:00

West Elm has free printables! So great!  This is the Botanical Suite for gifting:   There are four suites:  Botanical, Animal, Snowflake, and Graphic, and all four come in the gifting option like I've shown, as well as an entertainment package with menu cards, labels and place cards.  Great idea!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-86986033862186207982010-11-15T14:21:00.000-08:002010-11-15T14:21:01.301-08:00

One of the many pitfalls along the path of losing one's mind is the annual holiday shopping.  I used to be able to keep exhaustive lists of each recipient in my head along with a running tally of about how much I'd spent on each.  I've never been so organized as to have a monetary cap that I tried to stay under, however.  This is a *fantastic* idea that hadn't occurred to me until now.  I've

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-16017174431734581322010-11-07T06:43:00.000-08:002010-11-07T06:43:05.197-08:00

Next weekend Cat in an Apron will join 12 other awesome (I simply can't break that WORD - I quit using it for about 20 years and then my son started using it and it is BACK) retailers at Purple Moon on Northeast Broadway.  I'll finish up my Christmas shopping! AND Cat in an Apron will have *giant* markdowns.  We are talking *huge*.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-89529773910706713152010-11-04T10:14:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:14:25.901-07:00

Our shop for Makenzie day was a huge success!  Our list of incredible retailers are so generous to help out a fellow mama / mamapreneur / family in need.  Erin Shirey wrote the most beautiful letter of thanks.  They have allowed Makenzie to go home to strengthen herself for the surgeries ahead of her.  They are at the hospital every day, and now Erin is taking care of the normal things we do at

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-26247951501385737462010-11-03T17:09:00.000-07:002010-11-03T17:09:02.236-07:00

AND here are some pics of the Halloween Birthday party.  Mr. H. turned 8, but there were kids from 2 to 9 years old with us.  Here are the "goody bags".  I gave them out throughout the party as they "won" things.  We filled as many glass jars as we could find with water and food coloring to make it look like an apothecary/scary lab.  I put cauliflower in green, twisty leaves in brownish orange...

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-24351118879701743072010-11-03T16:50:00.000-07:002010-11-03T16:50:29.242-07:00

Last year, my two older kids were Egyptians and I could NOT think of how to make a baby Egyptian costume!  Instead he was a mummy.   I used this video to make his outfit: This is just how I made the kids' costumes this year.  I think I spent about $15 on both of them.  I had a ton of muslin I used instead of sheets, tea dyed everything, ripped and sewed my brains out!  A GREAT idea I found

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-71183406848362368922010-11-03T15:54:00.000-07:002010-11-03T15:54:39.787-07:00

I forgot to post the link to the etsy shop: Choklit

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-13095425449848700042010-11-03T15:52:00.000-07:002010-11-03T18:37:25.332-07:00

Or at least something like her for Halloween next year?  Holy crap the gorgeousness.  I have so many posts to get on here, I'm just going to start with our latest:  Halloween.  Some day I'll spend time on MY costume like her, but for now, I dress three kids and leave myself 5 minutes before we have to be somewhere! I adore Halloween!!!  I love it so much I had my first baby a few days before it.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-58491954478131759952010-10-10T22:10:00.000-07:002010-10-10T22:10:11.163-07:00

I love Garnet Hill!!  I dream of having a life like the women on the pages of the catalog.  I would wake up in my over priced pajamas and they would be IRONED, and i would lounge in my slippers with my robe perfectly askew in my room that was decorated to the inch in what ever season i happened to be in.  We'd have a different Advent calendar in every room stuffed with little trinkets that are

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-25093196381454760372010-08-03T13:33:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:33:50.049-07:00

Our super awesome reversible hats from Flipside Hats (designed JUST for us) are featured in the denim section of Cool Mom Picks Back To School Guide! We are beyond excited here!And if anyone wants to find gifts for me or the kiddos, let's just say we want everything ELSE on this list!!  Make sure you check it out before you go school shopping - the prices are fantastic.  Our Flipside hats are

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-11154253477568779072010-07-29T09:26:00.000-07:002010-07-29T09:26:52.236-07:00

I get SO many emails a day about how to make a room feel larger.  Paint ONE wall red, mix up textures, pull all the furniture OFF of the walls so you feel the room behind them (yeah, that one only works if your resulting furniture configuration doesn't leave every piece TOUCHING because your room is so small), etc. etc. I have a GREAT tip that REALLY works: Open up your ironing board and put it

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-27545949515435246342010-07-23T12:12:00.000-07:002010-07-23T12:12:31.386-07:00

And since I'm in the ranting mood (I mean, did I just post about Angelina Jolie for crap sake?!), I thought this would be a good time to kick off a series I've been thinking about.  I'm not together enough to do it on the same day of every week like lots of bloggers, but I was thinking about some great titles: Bad Design Mondays,Crap Idea Tuesdays,Pisses Me Off, Wednesdays.Wait, those all suck,

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-85810801609956340422010-07-23T10:53:00.000-07:002010-07-23T10:53:14.061-07:00

Does anyone detest this woman as much as I do?  Or maybe I should point this at her publicist who is a genius.  How did this home wrecking, "I respect women too much to touch another woman's man", blood wearing, mess of a woman become the uber mother of the world?  And she looks like a crazy alien, not like the most beautiful woman in the world / "American Royalty".  What a farce.  And don't get

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-80534375128254361652010-07-21T15:16:00.000-07:002010-07-21T18:27:30.274-07:00

Come see us in Person!! Cat in an Apron will be joining some GREAT local artisans at the Portland Nursery THIS sunday, July 25th.Here are the details:July 25th, 2010 from 2-8p'Summer Soiree' Portland Nursery 9000 SE Division St. There will be an amazing Silent Auction benefiting My Voice Music! "My Voice Music is a nonprofit organization based in Portland Oregon that engages marginalized youth

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-59406540283656104082010-07-16T17:07:00.000-07:002010-07-16T18:03:28.016-07:00

My 20 year reunion is coming up in the next couple of years.  I'm not sure I'm ready.  Alright.  It is next month---! I am incredibly excited to go home.  Here and there my vanity gets the best of me and I wish I looked more like the 18 year old who drove out of Valdez, Alaska - minus the 6 inch tall bangs, cut off jean shorts, and blue eyeliner - but mostly I'm just really, really excited. 

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-14974874996897489692010-07-07T16:10:00.000-07:002010-07-07T16:10:27.394-07:00

The biggest fundraiser of the year at my son's elementary school is the auction.  Each family donates an item that will go on the auction block.  This year we teamed up with 4 other families and auctioned off a Voodoo, Vodka, and a Van Ride Home party.  The entire event started with a surplus of vodka (terrible, terrible luck, I know) and instead of drinking it all down, we tailored our party to

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-1540942604533460512010-07-07T15:10:00.000-07:002010-07-07T20:18:02.926-07:00

I've been stewing an idea for a summer "incentive" chart and wondering how to draw swirly lines and how many steps I would need to get us through the summer, when inspiration hit.  Okay, my husband hit - as usual (and not in the "he only hits me when I deserve it" creepy kind of way from Natural Born Killers that I'm still too afraid to watch) - he said, "oh, you mean like an old Chutes and

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-45983053122707103162010-07-01T12:17:00.000-07:002010-07-01T12:17:03.741-07:00

I came  home from a week away to this: !!!A giant overflowing garden is in place of the sad little water soaked one I left behind.We lost the basil, but planted a bigger plant (from Trader Joe's!)  The dill isn't looking very well and is being attacked by the fennel - this is AFTER I hacked at the fennel...  I'm pretty sure I'm trimming it wrong, though, because I just got a giant fennel bulb

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-87584710307721220722010-06-17T10:28:00.000-07:002010-06-17T10:28:57.227-07:00

I've had so many parties lately that I haven't been able to keep up with posting them all!  I know, this is the kind of trouble to have!  I'm going to try to get them posted as much as I can.I didn't get great photos of my husband's party because, well, honestly I was having so much fun that I forgot!  We had a great time!  Friends we see every day were mingling with friends we haven't seen in

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-60369706090684743162010-06-07T16:11:00.000-07:002010-06-07T16:11:16.042-07:00

My son's class was reading Homer Price in his first grade class and they decided they MUST act the entire thing out, and Mr. H. of COURSE volunteered to make the doughnut machine for the play!  He assured everyone it would be SO easy and even built a model for us to follow:With some help from his dad's recycling room at his office and a pinkie swear that the machine would NOT return to our house

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-87493501913682300352010-06-07T15:57:00.000-07:002010-06-07T15:57:28.274-07:00

I went out to trim back some of the poor veggies who have been just SLAMMED with rain in the last couple of weeks (please oh please let the rain stop and my garden have a chance to grow!!!) and I found these radishes poking RIGHT OUT of the ground!!  They are lovely.  And they were delicious!And there was this lovely spinach that I sauteed with garlic from the recipe here:That huge amount of

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-57578340467876083512010-05-28T14:53:00.000-07:002010-05-28T14:53:23.918-07:00

You need a changing table.  Okay, you don't NEEED a changing table - you CAN change a baby on the floor or on your bed, or on the bathroom counter at your kids' school... anywhere really, but OH a changing table makes it SOOOO much easier.  We didn't have one with number 2, and I kept a pretty little canvas bin thing with me, complete with diapers, wipes, etc.  It was fine, but a changing table

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-60833290027728345252010-05-25T14:32:00.000-07:002010-05-25T14:33:15.983-07:00

Powell's Books, our absolute favorite place to be in the universe.  Well, not better than with our kids, or with each other, or, ... well, you get the idea.  It is the largest book store "west of the Mississippi" or at least it is HUGE.  And absolutely wonderful.  Right now they are having a 30% off of their favorite Scandinavian Mysteries.  This is totally hysterical to me and awesome.  I've

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-88071144262872560212010-05-24T19:11:00.000-07:002010-05-24T19:12:32.671-07:00

These Tonytail wraps replace the little band of hair that you are supposed to pull out from your pony tail and wrap around your elastic.  I did that...  once.  I'm sure it would make my daily ponytail look ever so much more chic.  One of these days CHIC is what I am going to aim for again.  Now the highest I reach for is getting everyone dressed, brushed, fed and out the door on time.  Coats are

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-21277374702961013242010-05-20T22:33:00.000-07:002010-05-20T22:33:57.970-07:00

I've gushed about Campbell Salgado to anyone who will listen, but let me say again what a wonderful experience I had with them.  Now that I'm further away from the whole being preggo state, I look back at our sessions with them as actually part of my birthing experience.  The memories of those sessions are actually woven into my memories of having babies!   I was NOT an "I feel more beautiful

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-54870735702248841152010-05-18T20:59:00.000-07:002010-05-18T20:59:03.589-07:00

It is all coming together!  And things are beginning to show growth - I think I can tell the difference three weeks makes??  First, here are some of the photos I hadn't posted yet: Last weekend we planted the herb garden:And the "fruit planter box":Around the corner from the fruit planter, we planted blueberries in the GROUND - shocking concept...And here are all four planters so far:We will

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-19760534569829548782010-05-17T20:09:00.000-07:002010-05-17T20:13:00.346-07:00

We were lucky enough to attend the most delicious party ever!!  The details were stunning!  From our invitations that were in mini takeout boxes with measuring spoons, to lovely vintage cookbooks at every turn, to yummy recipe books of everything the kids made to take home with their own personalized aprons, oven mitts and wooden spoons!Look at these gorgeous place settings!!! : Some of the kids

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-64036323252173754312010-05-06T13:02:00.000-07:002010-05-06T13:03:31.788-07:00

We've finally done it!  We have planted a garden!  Of course since the weekend we've had wind storms, hail storms, and rain storms, but everything still seems to be alive and growing.  Can't see the seeds yet (yes, SEEDS, seriously, EEK), but I'm confident they will be showing themselves soon!! Here is our original plan for the back yard:(oy the new formatting in blogger is GREAT, and stubborn..

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-75115371394309788092010-05-03T12:41:00.000-07:002010-05-03T12:41:36.097-07:00

TARA! I've emailed her to let her know, and she can choose which piece of gorgeousness she would like CSN to send her. CONGRATULATIONS!  I'm not jealous.  (yes I am.)

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-52072427276724136292010-04-27T14:24:00.000-07:002010-04-28T07:59:43.084-07:00

I WANT a t.v. in our bedroom.  What a luxury it would be to fall asleep watching a great show or movie while all snuggled down in my OWN BED.  One of the many things I love about staying in hotels is that I can watch t.v. in bed.  My husband?  Not so much.  He does not want a t.v. in our room.  SO I stayed up all night watching infomercials in our old house, SO "they" say a t.v. in your bedroom 

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-30839054284253452762010-04-22T20:59:00.000-07:002010-04-22T20:59:46.222-07:00

A princess who is about to sit on a pea, really needs a pillow.  And a princess who is going to have a pillow, really should be able to decorate it herself so she will always remember the super fun party she attended with her darling friends.  I thought, "how EASY!  I'll just whip up a simple pillow case for each girl!"  It turned into more of a project than that, but I think they ended up great,

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-70689389216441204232010-04-21T10:42:00.000-07:002010-04-21T10:46:59.171-07:00

This is the perfect mother's day card from afavorite on etsy.  Not only is it incredibly great looking, it is SO TRUE!  I love "nutritionist" and "tutor"!  I adore letter press - this is two color - and it comes with the manila envelope!  And check out the rest of their great cards.  LOVE it!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-47791595058085184782010-04-19T22:32:00.000-07:002010-04-19T22:32:17.976-07:00

The Princess and the Pea I've FOUND the original photo that inspired me to make our invitations! When I wrote the original post I couldn't find her again, but searching tonight, I did! I found this lovely set of mattresses this super talented crafter made for a friend, and then promptly lost it. I did, however, have the image in my mind through the entire planning of the party. I had intended to

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-53046113358279916812010-04-15T13:56:00.000-07:002010-04-19T21:01:33.776-07:00

In order to be a proper princess, even one who is only recognized after sleeping on a pea (see invitation below), one really must have a crown. I don't like to ask anything TOO, too much of party guests - the idea of someone feeling left out for any reason is too much for me, and the thought of someone feeling inadequately dressed is the worst. I DO, however, love dress up parties! (My son's

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-66971196982163823422010-04-12T20:10:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:24:58.352-07:00

My daughter's 5th birthday was this weekend. We had a lovely Princess and the Pea Party. I am incredibly lucky that one of my favorite people in the world, and the mama of my daughter's good friend is a fantastic photographer! She took the most gorgeous photos - they made me cry. It was two hours of crafting and story telling and good girl friends - those first girlfriends at 5 years old - yummy

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-41936725787812169392010-03-29T10:06:00.000-07:002010-03-30T13:41:35.184-07:00

Or turn it green? I come from a long, long, long line of green thumbs. Both sides of my family have grown beautiful yards and house plants and fed their families the fresh fruits and vegetables they've grown. My mom grew lovely things in ALASKA. Somehow this enviable genetic trait jumped right over me. It landed and settled nicely with my brother, but not even the teeniest bit wiped off on me.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-42491167118445338052010-02-14T17:08:00.000-08:002010-02-14T18:02:34.099-08:00

Miss Mae and I made these for a couple of her friends for a party she went to today. I saw them on Crafty Crow, and they brought back so many memories of when I was young!We used leftover pizza boxes (that I, AHEM, found), lined one side with some pretty valentine-y paper, glued the tissue to the other side, punched a hole in and tied it up with a pretty, spring-y green ribbon.The party was a

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-44316301000916550452010-02-14T17:01:00.000-08:002010-02-14T17:08:18.362-08:00

Everything is all ready to go for making Valentines:Miss Mae's friends: Mr. H's: and: I believe I have a glitter/glue/horrible-scissors-that-hurt-my-hand/tissue paper hangover.Happy Valentine's day to you all! (is it St. Patrick's Day yet?!)

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-59338294928204004612010-01-27T19:41:00.000-08:002010-01-27T19:54:40.046-08:00

These lovely little darlings are free to download from Teri Pettit! I found them at Found It. Love It by Divine Caroline - one of my very favorite daily emails. I haven't talked my daughter into actually playing with any of the paper dolls we've gotten her her entire life, but I'm holding out hope!You can print out her entire tea party. Oh, I'm in heaven!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-61906144549559826452010-01-21T12:02:00.000-08:002010-01-21T12:18:58.714-08:00

I know this book has been out for ages - I've given up thinking I'm going to read ANYthing hot off the presses - but holy crap it is funny!!! I am laughing out loud reading it! I read at night while everyone else is asleep and I have tears streaming down my face and I'm biting my lips together to keep from laughing so loud that I wake everyone up.I'm a fan of Chelsea Handler, but I worried that

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-43277984969151937192010-01-21T11:50:00.000-08:002010-01-21T12:02:27.019-08:00

Do you have words or phrases that are part of your consciousness - part of you - but you haven't spoken them since you were a child? Surprise plates are that for me. When I was very young my brother and I would make "surprise plates" for each other. If either of us was feeling low or ill, we would put a little of this and a little of that on a plate with a paper towel over it to hide its

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-44858452971878769982010-01-15T17:37:00.000-08:002010-01-15T17:54:13.111-08:00

I finally got the courage to sit down and watch a tiny bit of the news this morning about the earthquake in Haiti. I just couldn't stop crying. I can't imagine what those people are going through. Seeing moms screaming for their children... - it simply is horrifying. Too, too much.There are so many places and ways to donate the money that is so desperately needed - a quick google search will

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-80235929214197262872010-01-10T22:31:00.000-08:002010-01-10T22:40:00.355-08:00

Finally, the Towel Tags are up on the site.Make sure you all know whose towels are whose, and tag your towels! Don't worry about whether or not your monogrammed towels are clean. Don't wash the family's towels every day. Tag whichever towel you grab and know it is yours for a few showers. Save the planet. Save YOUR energy! Make you bathroom pretty with blooming flowers. Or spaceships. Or

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-69054670737957464332010-01-09T10:28:00.000-08:002010-01-09T10:36:20.282-08:00

I was just explaining to someone about how I had JUST had a baby and had to answer, "well... he is 15 months old, actually" when asked. It has been 15 months since I worked out regularly. Yes, I worked out every single day of my pregnancy and then QUIT. Maybe if I had this gorgeous wrap to snuggle in after a workout I'd do it again? Seriously. Gorgeous.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-16302856800924946572010-01-04T09:29:00.000-08:002010-01-04T10:42:02.051-08:00

I've never been one for New Years' Resolutions. I've never understood why anyone would wait for ONE time of year to make changes in their lives. This year, however, it coincides perfectly with what is going on with us. There's been a natural break in our schedules and it is a perfect time to start. There are SO many reasons this is so important to our family: we need to save money, we need to

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-1270163747657245222009-12-23T14:22:00.000-08:002009-12-23T14:47:16.101-08:00

Download 7 free ORIGINAL Christmas songs today!! The Hipwaders, Brady Rymer, Didi Pop, Gustafer Yellowgold, Princess Katie and Racer Steve, Rock Daddy Rock, and David Tobocman all share NEW Christmas songs!!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-38494099178478025312009-12-17T21:02:00.000-08:002009-12-17T21:04:04.053-08:00

A Tudor Feast at Christmas Knowledge Network - oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my. As crazy as it sounds, this sounds like absolute heaven to me! I would give almost anything to be able to be part of a project like this. I love my kitchenaid mixer. I love my Cuisinart food processor. I love my fresh market! Still, the idea of making everything from scratch from the ORIGINAL recipes makes my skin tingle.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-42682870273228631342009-12-16T18:41:00.000-08:002009-12-16T19:00:39.255-08:00

My kids got these as an early Christmas present from my parents. My parents found the cards at the Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle, but I couldn't find them on their website. If you can visit the store, buy them there, otherwise they are here at the MoMA store. Or if you can VISIT the MoMA store, oh my gosh go, there! Each matching pair of cards has one complete image of the original

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-13339881279443238462009-12-13T20:58:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:25:27.746-08:00

LOVE these mixes, too. They are just real ingredients: no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no refined sugar, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. They even have low fat, low cholesterol, and vegan mixes. Mixes are SO much easier, but I hate what they bring with them - these let go of all of the guilt and make just really, really yummy cookies and brownies and more. I chose the

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-14847258444022971062009-12-12T15:47:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:32:40.491-08:00

I just gave my kids' teachers their Christmas presents. I know some of them celebrate Christmas, I'm pretty sure some of them don't. But we do, so we get to give them presents. I adore Attic Journals. I adore Michelle and Miguel who make them. They are the most lovely vintage books, that would have otherwise been lost, turned into journals - the PERFECT gift for teachers - and everyone else. I

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-54306569213279651542009-11-28T11:12:00.000-08:002009-11-28T11:37:53.046-08:00

I've been making these little Towel Tags for my family for a while now, and finally decided to share them. With two adults showering every day and 3 little ones taking baths every night, we create a LOT of laundry. Even though we have lots of different colors of towels, it seems impossible for us to remember whose is whose.These tags allow us to keep our towels separate and use them a couple of

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-3578758240472555202009-11-28T10:04:00.000-08:002009-11-28T10:44:38.815-08:00

I sit here happily grateful for my lovely little family. How did I get so lucky? I think my feeling are best expressed by my son's Lego representation of our family. My mom should be very proud of her little hottie image and my husband is not quite as gangsta as the outfit implies, but does tend toward baseball caps on the weekends!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-16212479102798980482009-11-19T13:55:00.000-08:002009-11-19T14:10:39.224-08:00

I just pulled out my kids' paintbrushes that we haven't used in quite a while, only to discover the source of the SMELL that has been coming from my paint basket! Our paint brushes had MOLDED. Who knew that was possible? They are mostly painted wood handles with a couple of those disposable sponge "brushes" with wood handles. The sponge ones were definitely the worst. After using them, I

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-24826420453337663762009-10-31T10:33:00.000-07:002009-10-31T10:40:42.544-07:00

Still need an outfit for tonight?? Here is some Mr. H. inspiration.We have Cleopatra, King Tut, and the most adorable mummy you've ever seen in our house. Watch for photos later.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-54686324497259655212009-10-31T09:30:00.000-07:002009-10-31T09:48:34.068-07:00

GroverFamily!!Thank you all so much for entering, it was REALLY fun for me (even though I don't get any glasses... JUST kidding. (no i'm not.))allmodern.com / CSN will send them off to GroverFamily.Thank you www.allmodern.com!!(randomized list generated Oct 31 2009 at 9:9:34 by www.psychicscience.org)

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-54178950827286248912009-10-30T12:44:00.000-07:002009-10-30T12:50:28.651-07:00

W.O.W.!!! Thanks for all of the entries! I have to say I'm more than a little jealous, I love the glasses, too!!I'll keep the entries open until 12 midnight tonight - Pacific time since we are out west. After we check all of the posts, I'll use the random generator, and contact the winner first thing in the morning! Remember you can get extra entries for becoming a Facebook fan, blogging about

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-91276632614919091572009-10-24T15:45:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:37:22.837-07:00

With all of the craziness leading up to holiday shows and the HOLIDAYS and costume making and school responsibilities, I seriously need a break. Do YOU need a break? How about taking a few minutes for yourself with a glass of wine - or maybe something a little stronger?While I was studying architecture in Denmark, we took a 'field trip' around Scandinavia - yeah, I know: DREAMY! What I wouldn't

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-59938804179797987182009-10-17T11:23:00.000-07:002009-10-17T11:38:17.816-07:00

Anyone else conflicted on this one? It looks SO uplifting and SO exciting, and my little adventurer is sure to recognize a kindred spirit, but will those wild things come back when they are alone in their room, in the dark, at night? If you've seen it with your kids, will you tell me what they think?

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-58330502787215901092009-10-10T11:11:00.000-07:002009-10-10T20:00:39.239-07:00

I saw these at ourbestbites yesterday, and have been thinking about them ever since! I must get tiny little jars and make these personal pies! The idea of holding a warm little pie in my cold hands after being outside is lovely! And the savory ones just might get my son eating chicken pot pie. What a great site - they have SO many good recipes. check them out!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-74656126115931261432009-10-07T21:02:00.000-07:002009-10-07T21:14:29.399-07:00

Organic, full of flavors of the world, and made right here in the Northwest! If ONLY baby O. was still eating baby food! This looks so fantastic. Two doctors, husband and wife, created these new flavors inspired by tastes from around the world. No bland strained peas or pureed sweet potatoes!! This is Borscht! It is about that time of year that I make a giant batch (like the good Ukrainian girl

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-71985604223727564412009-09-30T16:03:00.000-07:002009-10-01T10:23:43.313-07:00

I know I go on and on about Anthropologie, but SERIOUSLY? This image (and the shirt she is wearing that is cut off in the image) is STUNNING. Why do her smashed up messy curls looks so fantastically chic?? If I COULD manage a do like this, I would probably knock someone behind me over with the protruding pile without even noticing. and that sweet little bump in the front?? Why, on her, does it

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-251962476158235822009-09-30T13:47:00.000-07:002009-09-30T14:12:04.505-07:00

I have loved http://www.reprodepot.com/ since I started sewing! They just always have the best fabric and books and notions. I was SO pleased to hear this morning that the folks over there have put out TWO books filled with gorgeous design prints! Each book even has a CD for you to use in all of your crafty goodness! What a fantastic idea - what a gift to all of us! They are also giving away

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-56814529121920699212009-09-29T14:05:00.000-07:002009-09-29T14:33:38.823-07:00

Eleven years ago my husband and I were married. We were just babies with almost no responsibilities... For our honeymoon we packed our backpacks and headed to the British Isles! We toured the most interesting and romantic places: London, Avalon, the windy Cornish coast, crumbling Irish castles... It was a beautiful month and we were both smitten with those funny people across the pond. One of our

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-7921499772768552732009-09-16T11:05:00.000-07:002009-09-16T21:52:48.944-07:00

I'm SO disappointed with Trumpet Socks. They were the cutest socks, but more importantly they stayed on my son's feet! Seven years ago when our Mr. H. was a baby they were all I put on him. When Baby O. was only a couple of days old, we made a special trip to a boutique here in Portland to snap up some new trumpets for him. I was SO sad to see that they are no longer made as beautifully as they

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-70503346675685945542009-09-16T10:29:00.000-07:002009-09-16T11:05:40.703-07:00

I was just reading my new Everyday Food magazine/recipe book I got in the mail yesterday and there was the best tip! Freeze your leftover wine in ice cube trays so you can pop them in soups or stews for extra flavor or even to deglaze a pan! I know I've read this before, but I seem to have forgotten it and feel so guilty when I look at that little bit of wine left in the bottle. I can hear you

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-81090059214650905382009-09-13T12:57:00.000-07:002009-09-13T14:39:31.100-07:00

Congratulations Molly!!! My daughter picked your name out of a hat! Oh my gosh I love giving things away. I have to make this a regular thing!!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-37823136904181832802009-09-10T23:21:00.000-07:002009-09-10T23:44:20.204-07:00

Here are some of the prints you can choose from. I'm just saying...

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-497403340701321532009-09-10T14:07:00.000-07:002009-09-10T14:17:55.424-07:00

As my baby is getting ready to turn ONE, I found this photo of him sleeping soundly in his swaddle at EIGHT MONTHS OLD! Swaddles are truly miraculous - the answer to all sleeping woes. Babies love to be all snug as bugs. He is a big boy, and still fit into our swaddle blankets at 8 months! This one is called O'Henry Swaddle Baby Blanket - Blue Green Clusters.And because I'm feeling all warm and

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-48864318913276238132009-09-09T10:56:00.000-07:002009-09-09T10:59:35.036-07:00

Are you KIDDING?? How can something this gorgeous exist!?! Oh that I had somewhere to wear it!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-26333043165147085932009-09-08T21:49:00.000-07:002009-09-10T12:52:14.519-07:00

I want two of these SO bad for our basement rec room. I saw them first at Airplay Cafe here in Portland, and it was love at first site. They are HUGE. They are soft but incredibly durable. They can be a chair, a lounge, a fort. Oh, and they come in Marimekko prints. The outdoor styles are on sale at The Mini Social right now - sign up!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-18701039808455109002009-09-06T21:14:00.000-07:002009-09-06T21:52:30.156-07:00

As I was reading to my kids tonight, I asked them what they wanted for Christmas. I've been thinking of things I can make or find that are made. We are making a gigantic effort to finally cut down on the amount of presents that are given to our kids. When our first baby was born, we had all of the lovely ideals about only having organic, natural toys, and not giving in to the mad commercial crush

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-66435133122430592212009-09-02T06:42:00.000-07:002009-09-02T06:54:49.783-07:00

Sheila Lukins the co-author of The New Basics and The Silver Palate Cookbook died on Sunday at age 66. I'm actually sitting here crying. My mom gave me her New Basics when I was in high school, and it is still my favorite cookbook. Even now when it is so easy to just print out a recipe and toss the paper in the recycling, I pull out her book first. I was just at a friend's house for dinner,

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-75009379762769883642009-08-26T21:06:00.000-07:002009-08-26T21:23:33.339-07:00

I'm terribly embarrassed to admit that I'm fan of the series. (And even more embarrassed to admit that "fan" might be an understatement.) Just when I think I'm all grown up and jaded and tough, something like a tween vampire romance pops up and knocks me back into my sad, sappy reality. Really?? Highschoolers dating? I mean, a highschooler and a century old vampire..? Yes. I can't even

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-60344065602495776142009-08-25T20:51:00.000-07:002009-08-25T22:01:24.935-07:00

I finished our group quilt! It is based on Denyse Schmidt's pattern for "What a Bunch of Squares" from her Denyse Schmidt Quilts book that I STILL adore. I gave each parent a pattern for one block (number 1, 2, or 3), they chose their fabric based on the colors "Lake Blue", "Cloud White", "Limeade Green", and "Lemonade Yellow", and each child personalized their block. I sewed them all together

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-54538022929611251362009-08-19T16:59:00.000-07:002009-08-19T17:07:11.132-07:00

Every single day I use a cookie cutter to cut out a shape from my kids' sandwiches. I cut the left over into pieces so it is like a little puzzle. I was terribly impressed with myself until I saw THIS! I'm not sure this would get Mr. H. off of our peanut butter and jelly jag, but SUPER cool sandwiches at Funky Lunch. Apparently they are releasing a book with instructions! I saw them at Cool

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-70652228214376722262009-08-18T13:28:00.000-07:002009-08-18T13:42:54.711-07:00

My husband and I were dreaming of all of the things we would do if we won the powerball drawing. It is expected to be $250 MILLION dollars. I have a laundry list of things I would do if we won, but number one on the list would be to have another baby. ANOTHER BABY?! Are you freaking crazy??? I'm sure this is what you are thinking. My biggest dream, though is to have a house full of kids and

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-75958991620624752292009-08-11T20:51:00.000-07:002009-08-11T20:55:49.948-07:00

I just watched this on my cousin's blog and it is SO GREAT. Terribly moving. Of course I was crying by the end. It is quite long, but worth every minute - hang in for the very end.He is Benjamin Zander - the music director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-75101810171094313972009-08-05T08:42:00.001-07:002009-08-05T09:15:31.353-07:00

I have three little kids - one who is crawling and JUST beginning to walk. Vacation is sort of a dream for the future. Here we sit at this lovely lake and most of my time is spent making food, feeding, cleaning, and chasing. BUT, I'm a mama. That is what we do. Every vacation, though needs a really great BOOK! And boy am I immersed in one right now. I'm reading World Without Endby Ken Follet. It

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-17585547279553231712009-07-25T08:08:00.000-07:002009-07-25T08:28:54.160-07:00

Even Baby O. is in on the checklists!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-69154118493697374052009-07-22T14:36:00.000-07:002009-07-22T18:19:45.861-07:00

This morning I had a grande black iced tea at Starbucks instead of my delicious frosty grande chai tea frappuccino. I saved 330 calories and about $1.50!! It for sure wasn't as good and spicy and sweet and comforting, but it was cold and okay. 330 calories would take me about 45 minutes to an hour to burn on the treadmill!! Tonight when I run, I'll know that I'm not just working off the drink

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-43010013464037410532009-07-16T21:41:00.000-07:002009-07-17T08:15:36.468-07:00

We are SO lucky here in Portland. There are so many great things to do all the time. Today as we drove to swimming lessons, there was a giant mobile climbing wall in the park! Every one of these little pockets feel like living in a small town. How do we have such a small town feel in such a big-ish city? I don't know, but the people are warm and energetic and lovely.Today's outing was to one of

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-31636665024009237642009-07-15T09:36:00.000-07:002009-07-15T09:59:10.959-07:00

Well that was a bit of a failure! Baby O. was SO happy, laid his head right down on me and snuggled in, but with every step, the front ties got tighter and tighter and TIGHTER! I couldn't breath! I stopped, adjusted, retied, twice. Finally when we got to Miss Mae's school, I had to take him out and put him on the front. Not sure what I did wrong, but we'll have to try to get some instruction!He

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-92060241734953645162009-07-15T08:13:00.000-07:002009-07-15T08:16:43.898-07:00

I'm attempting my first Baby Hawk back carry walk this morning. Wish me luck!

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584488371511575880.post-89940156502202133822009-07-13T13:26:00.000-07:002009-07-13T14:02:51.855-07:00

Our newest obsession is paper airplanes! They are SO much fun to make and Mr. H. LOVES to fly them. Who knew they were so technical?? We used to make them when I was a kid, but they were nothing like these.This one is from this book:The Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes. My parents got it for Mr. H. when Baby O. was born, and he is just discovering it 9 months later. There are LOTS of great planes in

catinanapronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014161789756372325noreply@blogger.com0