Two Days, Six Projects...

...and still no boxes packed. That day of caffeine rolled over into two days. Every time I would crop something, I had to start a new project out of the scraps. Or I'd spot something laying around that I've been meaning to do for months, and so on, and so on...

Project #1: Earrings














These earrings almost didn't make it. I kept cracking the wooden beads...there were some unladylike words said. So they went to the craft box for a time-out. Day two brought success, and after completion I held them up for Judah and said, "Yeah! Look what mommy made!" and he clapped. Totally worth it.

Packing Shmacking.

Nothing new...just updates and things to come. I am very caffeinated right now and have multiple projects going in every room of the house. They all seemed so quick and easy...
Update: the deodorant is going well. No stench, that we know of. John Jay even likes it. His only complaint is that it is more time consuming to put on from the jar. Maybe next time I can make it in some sort of push-up tube thingy.
Oh, also, Judah couldn't have cared less for the carrot cake. He passed it up for plain ol' boxed cupcakes. I don't blame him. Those things are simultaneously disgusting and irresistible.
I need to finish up these senseless projects and move on to a much more important one...packing! We are moving in 3 weeks and 4 days! So far, I have one box of books packed, and actually John Jay did that. Maybe I'll feel inspired soon. We'll see...

Happy Birthday Judah!

Our Judah is one! ONE! Every sentence I begin sounds foolish and cliche about how I can't believe it...and he's so amazing...I miss him when he sleeps...etc. But it's all very true. And it would be unfair to write about him without including some of those thoughts. I just can't figure out a way to convey all these twisty, warm and fuzzy, unreal and quite dreamy ways I feel when I think about he and John Jay. Oh well, I tried. You'll just have to take my vague word for it.
I made him a Mama and Baby marsupial owl set for his birthday. I know, I know. Owls aren't marsupials. But look how cute!































I'm sure I enjoy their adorableness a lot more than he will...and Mama's pouch will probably be filled with bugs and frogs one day, but that's okay. It's his to "personalize" however he chooses. Just remind me I said that when I find a roach or spider in there.

Queen of Cake-Eating Excuses

I made a practice cake for Judah's birthday. We tried to think like the wee one and judge whether he would like it or not. It was so good, but an awkward size to split. Of course John Jay didn't even want his entire half and I was forced to finish it all. Here's the slightly healthier, less sugar recipe I made. I'm sure you could double it for a regular sized cake.

Judah's 1st Birthday Cake:
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c brown sugar
1/8 t baking soda
1/8 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 c oil + 3.5 oz container of baby food (anything...carrots, pears, apples...etc.)
1 egg
1/4 t vanilla
3/4 c grated carrots

• Preheat oven to 350˚
• Grease and flour (or parchment paper) cake pan.
• Bake about 35 minutes - depending on pan size.


Less Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 t butter (softened a little)
4-5 oz. cream cheese
1 t vanilla
1/3 c confectioners sugar
1 T milk

My Cinderella Dress

This is totally my "what I would've made when I was a little girl" project...and the twirly girly pictures to go with it. Very reminiscent of the piece-it-together quality of Cinderella's pink dress - except no help from mice or birds.
I took this shirt:



















and this skirt:



















and made this dress:

Celebrating the 4th

This is a drawing of my husband. It's a page out of Judah's "The Letter J" book I made him for Christmas...which explains why John Jay is Juggling Jack-o-lanterns.



















Anyhow, my point is that he is easily caricatured: furrowed brow, puffy vest, capri pants, tevas, the v-neck (now), and an occasional makeshift mohawk. But thanks to me, he will no longer have to roll those normal pants of his any more! He has been begging me for months to hem some perfectly good pants in to capris and tonight I finally did. What better way to observe our nation's independence than to make capri pants for my husband? George would be proud.














Here they are, in all their cropped glory.



















Since I spent my evening doing this, instead of a "fun" project, I added my own little touch to the tag.
he he.

To Stink Or Not To Stink

I'm thinking about trying this. I'll let you know how it goes. Or you'll let me know if you can smell me from a mile away. I've read a lot about carcinogens in deodorants, toothpaste, etc. so we figured we'd give it a go. My head spins to think about trying to make our house/products/food all natural and safe all at once, but this is a first step.
Oh, also...I bid farewell to my beloved blistex as well. This article pushed me over the edge. I can't even imagine how many tubes of that stuff I've eaten in my lifetime.