A Year and Some Change

And they tell him, "Take your time. It won't be long now.
'Til your drag your feet to slow the circles down."

And the seasons they go 'round and 'round

❧  Joni Mitchell

It has been over a year since my last post and oh my! there have been some changes.  I've moved, obtained a small flock of hens, married and last but not least, I will have a kiddo this spring!  Nothing like taking a head-first plunge into adulthood and all those other things that I secretly thought I would not have to even think about for years to come.  These new changes are simultaneously exciting and frightening.  A husband and a new, tiny human on the way; not to mention fresh eggs (nearly) every day... how crazy is that?    For now I still feel like a kid playing house, but I'm sure I will grow into my new surroundings.

Very Pinteresting.

Source: honestlywtf.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Dear Friends,

It's been awhile...  Hello!

I'm afraid I'm a little behind the times, but recently I have discovered Pinterest, and if you aren't on the train yet, look out... it's like the best bulletin board/scrapbook ever!  Basically, you find things you like all over the internet (think recipes, craft ideas, beautiful photography or anything you find inspirational) and "pin" it to themed "boards."  I have one for craft ideas, style, recipes, wedding ideas, and stuff that just makes me laugh.   Click the link to register (you have to be "invited" but it only takes a few days) and then follow me here!

A Beautiful Mind...

 For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it. - Ivan Panin

Whilst poking about on the world-wide-inter-web and feeling mighty inspired by the crafty work of others I came upon a lovely little site called A Beautiful Idea.  The brainchild of Miss Evie Shaffer, A Beautiful Idea sets out to save the world, one craft at a time.  The concept is simple, artists create artwork, artists sell artwork, artists donate proceeds to A Beautiful Idea and the money goes to those in need.  The best part: crafty-folk can choose how much to donate and every six months (or when the donation goal has been reached) ABI focuses its' efforts on a new charity.  So far the site appears to be in its nascent stages and still searching for supporters.  It is a small, small world, dear artists, and creating changes like this are highly encouraged.

To join the movement or check out the full scoop, go to www.beautifulidea.us

Get Happy, Eat Cake

Forget your troubles, c'mon, get happy

You better chase all your cares away.

❧ Judy Garland as Jane Falbury in Summer Stock

It has snowed here.  A lot.  I love snow and today was absolutely gorgeous, but sometimes winter starts to feel long and when I need to get happy quick the only thing to do is bake something tasty.

Today I made a small adaptation to a recipe called "Granny Cake," and I think I came up with something quite yummy so, dearest folks, I am sharing the recipe with you.

Sarah's Granny Cake a.k.a  Savanna Banana Cake

Ingredients:
¾ C. butter
3 Large Eggs
6 Ripe Bananas (I mean ripe like, left-in-your-freezer-for-3-months-because-you-had-no-idea-what-else-to-use-them-for-and-now-you-have-22-bananas-in-your-freezer ripe)
½ can (about 8 oz.) Peaches, drained
1 tsp. Vanilla
3 C. Flour
2 C. Sugar
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Nutmeg (fresh ground, if possible)
½ tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Ground Cloves
1 C. Chopped Walnuts 
Powdered Sugar for dusting

Special Tools:
1 Bundt Pan
Electric mixer

• Bring eggs and butter to room temperature (leave out on the counter for about half an hour)
• Preheat oven to 325°
• Grease and flour your bundt pan and set aside 
•  Beat butter in your electric mixer until it is light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, to butter and continue to beat with mixer. 
• Add peaches, bananas, and vanilla to egg and butter mix.  
• In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients (excluding nuts and powdered sugar)
• Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into butter mix until you batter is mostly smooth (it should look like a quick-bread batter)
• Fold in chopped walnuts
• Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and bake for 70-80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. 
• Let cake cool for at least 10 minutes before inverting it onto a fancy plate
• Dust cake with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Mr. French, Revisited a.k.a Progress Report Part II

I knew that I had been missing some pretty priceless pictures, but I did not know that they were so easily accessible.  These coveted pictures were hiding on my ancient digital camera, which had a dead battery for approximately seven months.  Oh, the joy of joyous occasions it was when I discovered the most pricelessest of priceless pictures; the one and only, Mr. French.  You may recall from some very old posts, that I was doing a portrait for some friends of mine, of their beloved pooch.  Here, finally, eight months after the painting was completed and happily hanging in it's new home, is the finished product!  Hooray! 

p.s.  Congratulations to Momma and Papa French, they are tying the knot!

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Deals...

Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.  ~Albert Einstein

~o~o~o~  10% off Entire Etsy Shop ~o~o~o~

Okay, here's what's up - from now through Valentines Day everything in my Etsy Shop is 10% off when you enter CANDY HEARTS into the notes to seller.  Get your sweetie something fuzzy, or your kiddo a huggable critter or show that co-worker how much you care.  Custom orders are available, just comment on this post or send me a message on my Etsy site.  

If you're driving into town
With a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number
Who's bound to love you 

-Joni Mitchell

Let it Snow

Winter is the perfect time of year to cozy up with a warm mug of hot chocolate, a cozy quilt and a nice book.  Some of my favorite books are the stories that I grew up with, particularly those about winter.  I love some of the classics, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas but some of my favorites don't have anything to do with holidays, but rather, they are a tribute to when the world slows down, cools off and moves indoors.  
Below you will find some of my favorite winter books as well as some snowy treats from Etsy.  I have listed a few Christmas books, but most of them are worth the read well into February.

The Snowy Day  

by: Ezra Jack Keats

 The Polar Express
by: Chris Van Allsburg

The Winter Picnic   

by: Robert Welber  Illustrated by Deborah Ray

Owl Moon  

by: Jane Yolen

The Mitten  

by Jan Brett

The Clown of God  

by Tomie dePaola

The Jolly Christmas Postman 

by Allan Ahlberg

Little Polar Bear 

by Hans de Beer

Thomas' Snowsuit 

by Robert N. Munsch Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

special thanks to: Violetteville Vintage,  Tasty Vintage, Gaelianna,   Wildlife Prints, Wave Song,
United Thread,  Sunny Hands, Talk 2 the Trees, 
Obscurio