These are the result of our look what mama made photoshoot. Isabella had a fun time making funny faces, playing pee-a-boo with her hat, and running away from the camera. You can't really get a good look at her new skirt and apron I somehow managed to finally find time for but they are cute (you'll have to trust me for now.) I am pleased. I know it isn't really practical to ever make money selling children's clothes but it would be fun (if I had the time) even if I didn't make a huge profit. For now I will keep dreaming, because I can hardly keep up with making things for Isabella! Im trying to keep myself from thinking that as soon as im done working (mid-May) I will be over whelmed with time for crafts because even then I will still have a very active one year old.

David's Valentines Day present, a camera cozy. We also got a new memory card. [finally] I am going to make it my goal to use my phone camera less and the camera camera more. This will be a challange considering how easy the phone camera is to remember.


A few projects that are more than a few days old. These are all very simple projects that put some pretty fabrics in unexpected places.


1. my new "head board" I plan to change the fabric in these embroidery hoops often.
2. my first attempt at patchwork is now a bathroom floor mat.
3. Valentines Day + Saint Patrick's day kitchen floor mat.
4. Valentines Day banner [this looked much better at the park for our Valentines Day picnic]

Yesterday Houston had it's first good rain of the year. Isabella and I got caught [kind of on purpose] in the rain yesterday coming home from the store. We were only half soaked when we got home so we played outside in the rain until we were completely soaked and cold. I love February rain in Houston. So does Bella.

valentines day

We are very excited for Valentines Day this year! I finally feel like I am on top of everything. (This would be a good time to get pregnant, right?) Somehow I squeezed out this dress last night and I am just loving it!


The cookies are for our first play group Valentines Day party. Note. to. self. Bring camera! This is a big day for a first time mama.

Planning New Meals!

We are on day three of meal planning. A friend pointed out that I don't have to find new meals to meal plan. She suggested planning meals I know and make frequently. I love trying new things and I am sure finding new meals will get old, but until then I will continue to search for recipes to add to the "keep" pile. This, of course, would be a virtual pile because I keep all my recipes online. [David is working on making me a meal planning/shopping list web application and I get to help design the interface. Why does that make me so happy? Not sure!]


Simplest cauliflower soup as seen in bread bowls made by David found here.

As you can see I had a lot of help with these. (top left) Isabella decided she loves cream cheese and could not keep her fingers out of it. I've never seen her so into any food like that before. Very cute!
You can find this recipe here.

Mean planning smeal planning....

For some reason or another I can not quite manage the weekly meal planning thing. I've done it successfully once or twice but I am really committed this time to making it work. OK, at least for a week. Maybe even a month? I think my long term goal will be to meal plan for two weeks at a time. Meal planning for two weeks sounds impossible but I know two, TWO women who say it can be done. I just don't know if my personality is up for knowing exactly what to eat each night. Most of my dinners have a lot to do with what I am in the "mood" for. How does one plan for that?

I'm getting a little help from a web application called Meals Matter over at mealsmatter.org.

Any meal planning pointers for a person who avoids planning at all costs?

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