sewing table

this is genius

dresser

DIY found here

teepee beds!

LOVE!

nesting dolls

i have a crush on nesting dolls.

and how could i not love these and pretend they are just for the little man?
 oh yea, and these too.

yummy christmas tree

this was on the cover of martha in december 2009.  i think i need to throw a party just to use this as an edible centerpiece...

reasons for flowers

from real simple in May 2010.

just might be a reason to have flowers around all the time.

kitchen gadgets

too bad i don't drink.  what else could i do with this fun prop?

paint it fabulous

a linen wall?  herringbone chair?  gorgeous.
i'm a sucker for a good before and after.   what could be better than buy something ugly and painting it pretty?

browsing the martha may 2009 issue, you'll find it full of faux pattern ideas.

and just for a pretty p.s.

chicken noodle variations

what i really love about this one, is that they give you a recipe and then a way to switch up the flavors.  yummm.  it gives me more excuses to play a little in the kitchen.

  

from woman's day

• Active Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

• 4 oz medium egg noodles (1⁄3 of a 12-oz package)
• 1/4 small bunch fresh dill, plus more for serving
• 4 bone-in chicken breast halves (about 3 lb total)
• 6 carrots, sliced 1/4 in. thick
• 4 celery stalks, sliced 1/4 in. thick
• 2 medium onions, quartered and sliced crosswise 1/4 in. thick
• 10 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
• Kosher salt and pepper

Recipe Preparation

1. Cook the noodles according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, tie the dill together with a piece of kitchen twine or thread and place in a large pot along with the chicken, carrots, celery and onions. Add enough broth to cover (adding water if the broth isn’t enough); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add 1 1/2tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Discard the dill. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and, when cool enough to handle, shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones. Stir the chicken and noodles into the soup. Sprinkle with chopped dill before serving, if desired.

3 variations: 

(you know i'm loving this thai one--  even though most of the stuff labeled thai is nothing like they have in thailand...)

thai chicken noodle soup:
omit the dill.
add one 2 1/2 in piece of fresh ginger (sliced) along with the veggies
before returning the shredded chicken to the pot, add two 14 oz cans of light coconut milk and bring to a boil
stir in the chicken, noodles, 1/2 cup fresh limes juice and 1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro

pozole:
omit the moodles and dill
add 2 28oz cans diced tomatoes (drained) and 1 T ancho chili powder with the veggies.
add 2 15 oz cans hominy (rinsed) long with the shredded chicken and simmer to heat through.
serve with tortilla chips and diced avacado.

chicken, chickpea& couscous soup
omit the noodles. add 2 15oz cans chickpeas (rinsed) along with the shredded chicken and simmer to heat through.
cook one 10 oz package couscous.
fold in 3/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives.
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup parsley.
Spoon the couscous into bowls and top with the soup.

crock pot thai chicken

from woman's day

The key to brightening up a slow-cooked dish is to add fresh elements right at the end. In this recipe, peas, cilantro and lime wedges do the trick. No cilantro? Try basil or mint instead.

• Active Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

• 3/4 cup light coconut milk
• 2 Tbsp natural creamy reduced-fat peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp red curry paste
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 1⁄2 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1⁄2-in. pieces
• 2 red bell peppers, sliced 3⁄4 in. thick
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 lb rice noodles
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• Lime wedges, for serving

Recipe Preparation

1. In a 5- to 6-qt slow cooker, combine the coconut milk, peanut butter, curry paste and ginger; mix in the chicken, peppers and onion.

2. Cook, covered, until chicken is cooked through, on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

3. Twenty minutes before serving, cook the noodles according to package directions. Stir the peas into the chicken mixture, and cook, covered, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Spoon the chicken, vegetables and sauce over the noodles and sprinkle with the cilantro; serve with the lime wedges, if desired.

ABC

lets be honest here.  i don't know if i want these more for the bebe or for myself.

oh for the loveliness.

i want these

  and these too

what fabulous teaching tools.

and pretty too!

Cold Sesame Noodle Salad Recipe

from woman's day

Skip pricey Chinese takeout and munch on this tasty salad of spaghetti noodles coated in a flavorful sauce of sesame oil, soy sauce and fresh ginger next time you have a working lunch or business meeting.

• Active Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 6 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp chili-garlic sauce
• Kosher salt
• 4 Kirby cucumbers, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• 4 scallions (white and light green parts), sliced
• 2 medium carrots, grated
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped

Recipe Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and run under cold water to cool.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the oil, soy sauce, ginger, chiligarlic sauce and 1/2 tsp salt.

3. In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers, scallions, carrots, cilantro and peanuts. Add the pasta and dressing and toss to combine.

a reason to throw a party

i love when somethings are pretty enough that you want to throw a party just for an excuse to use them

for the next time i'm approaching labor...

direct all inquiries here

more measuring please...

i've always had a love for nesting dolls... and now they've given me an adult excuse to play with them!

for the love of dish towels

i wonder how many dish towels i could collect...

i think i like maps...

i think maybe if i play with maps it will make me smarter....

play with your food

this will definitely help me eat my vegetables.

found here

and here