Friday Favorites

1. Japanese mums from mpressdesigns
2. Tea towel - Everyone Came to Tea from skinnylaminx
3. Kids Fantastic Fall Fox Coat by littlegoodall
4. Draco the soft dragon by contemori

I'm not sure if everyone had super bitter coffee with their breakfast, or wore their skinny jeans on a "fat" day, or if they just had their "Grumpy" panties on, but it seemed as if everyone at the grocery store this morning was in a bad mood. And we're talking a Philly style bad mood (i.e. it's your fault I'm this crabby, not mine). So, as I was leaving the parking lot I decided I need to think of some of my favorite bits from the week to bolster my courage and not speed (I have a tendency to do that when I'm feeling ornery). So, here are my Friday Favorites:

+ Listening to William and his new friend giggle in the kitchen. All over a paper bag no less!
+ Vynasa yoga last night at my new favorite studio.
+ Making spinach feta quiche without a recipe and have it turn into the best quiche I've ever made.
+ Catching up with my sister on the phone after a week of phone tag.
+ Putting socks on William this morning because the temperature has finally dropped!
+ Realizing that I have a friend who can call me out on the flaky things I do--because she loves me!

I'm already in a better mood! Tell me your favorites from the week!

XOXO,
Jewels

Breakfast

I'm slowly discovering the art of preparation, or at least something akin to that. For me, this is a skill honed after much time. Much. Granted, I don't use this skill often enough, or in the areas of my life that I really should (i.e. laundry and book supplies, ahem), but, when it comes to William and breakfast, I'm getting there. I've been trying out different bread recipes and found a cinnamon raisin recipe that not only keeps itself together (no major crumbling) but also makes three loaves at a time! Brilliant. So, I made cinnamon raisin bread three weeks ago, sliced up the first loaf and stuck it in the fridge, the other two were wrapped in tin foil, zippered in a ziplock and stored in the freezer. When the bread got a little hard over the course of a few days I made French Toast for the little man. I made 5-6 slices of French Toast, wrapped each slice after cooling and stored them in the freezer. I pull one out when we're tired of the granola bar/blueberry/ego routine, toast it in the toaster and voila! Breakfast!

PS We're still in a blanket of misty, sticky humidity right now, but the foliage around Chestnut Hill is slowly turning--fall will come regardless if we're still in shorts! Will try and take a few photos once it stops raining... *groan*

Friday Favorites

1. Turkish Bath Towel from bathstyle
2. Green Ivory Meito Tea Cup and Saucer from willowonthewater
3. The Wind and The Wheat by buckscountyframes
4. Mini Nutty Buttery Peanut Butter Cookies from miniMEbakery

We're just about to head out for our morning ramble around Chestnut Hill. I'm trying to get back into the habit of bringing my camera with me. My photography took a summer break as well it seems!

I hope you all have a marvelous weekend!

XOXO,
Jewels

Happy Birthday

We are curious beings, totally unique, comprised of extraordinary events, circumstances, experiences--each one molding us, shaping us. Each one giving us opportunities to shine and create. I know that we are made of layers, deep and varied. You, my dearest friend and partner, have so many layers--comic book wiz, lawyer, spiritualist, nurturer, baseball geek, soldier, traveler, explorer. You give our little family a sense of security and we flourish in your love.

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Today

Today I will see something new. Today I will give him an extra cuddle. Today I will actually read a chapter in my book. Today I will finish that straggling project. Today I will give Andrew his desk back and create a special place for me--somewhere else! Today I will embrace the Mondays that loom. Today I won't berate myself for not fitting into that pair of jeans. Today I will drink my latte with relish. Today I will put on lipstick before I leave the house. Today I will bake double chocolate chip cookies and give them all away!

Friday Favorites

1. Vintage teacups from bluebirdandviolet
2. Simplicity print from CarolynCochrane
3. Pastel Pretties Buttercream Cookie-wiches from tookies
4. Raspberry fern sachets from lottahelleberg

I think of my day as a list of little things. Clean the bathroom. Make supper. Do laundry. Bake cookies. Although, I feel as if I've accomplished the biggest task if I can just get outside. The life of a stay-at-home-mom is a tricky one. You're not getting a paycheck, or benefits, or even vacation time. And you're the one who is determining whether you're doing a good job or not. The baby will love you regardless--he doesn't realize that lunch was a major flop or we were actually supposed to go to the zoo and didn't. So, I've been cultivating a system of "good job mom" tasks. Making supper from scratch, getting William outside at least for a short walk every day, exploring something new at least once a week. It sounds silly, really. But, if I do any of those things within the course of the week/day, I feel like I'm on track. Of course changing my underwear and actually kissing my husband hello is also on that list... but, well, you know!

Mums

Although it's been a bit balmy here in Philly this past week there have been indicators of autumnal happenings--such as the Pumpkin Spice lattes at Starbucks, rows of mums at the farmers market and acorns littering our sidewalks! I love this time of year.

Quiet Post

Quiet post ~