For the Love of Felt

So I have a problem.  I’m addicted to felt.  I never knew it, but over the Thanksgiving holiday I acquired an obsession with felt. 

 

I’ve always been into fun DIY craft projects, so I knew for the little man’s birthday party I wanted to go with a lot of homemade decorations.  On a whim, I picked up some felt at Michael’s…little did I know what would become of it.  Garlands, a wreath and another project I’ll share later…

 

I’m thinking G’s theme is no longer red wagon, rather felt.  Ha!

 

Look Who's Eleven Months Old!

Happy 11 month birthday, George!

 

 

Oh month 11…you really have been my favorite.  Bittersweet I must say though because I feel like I no longer have a baby rather a big kid. J

 

This little man is so funny.  He is in constant motion.  Standing up, pulling up, banging on things.  He loves his musical instruments.  Blowing his trumpet and shaking his shaker are his favorites.  Oh, and his ball.  This kid loves his ball and actually has a pretty good arm.

 

Month 11 brought a promotion at school. He’s no longer in the baby nursery but in the big kid class.  Most of his friends are walking, so I am sure he will be soon.  Lord help me. J

 

G has also become the best eater, which makes me so happy.  He tries anything and everything, and there isn’t much he doesn’t like.  His favorites include rotisserie chicken, spinach Alfredo pasta, any kind of pea or bean {he’s a legume man!} and clementines.  Oh and he has a new found love for Mexican {he inhales cheese enchiladas!}.

 

Cannot believe this little guy will be one in just a few weeks.  This truly has been the best year of my life, and I am so looking forward to the rest of the journey ahead.

Scenes from the weekend...

Here’s hoping everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.  Did you gobble ‘til you wobbled?  We kept things pretty low-key around our house, so not too much wobbling.  My long weekend kicked off Wednesday with a much needed, long overdue spa day {Escape truly is heaven on earth.}.  It was just what I needed to get me in the mood for our Thanksgiving.  Our theme this year?  Relaxation.  We decided months ago we weren’t traveling and no one was invited here. J  It would be a Thanksgiving for three!  As much as I love our families and did miss them, this may have been the best Thanksgiving ever.  I cooked a simple meal {we didn’t even have turkey!}, we ate Christmas cookies and lounged in our pjs for a good portion of the break.  I also got SO much done for G’s red wagon party.  I was feeling quite crafty and discovered a new love of felt {more to come on that…}.  The highlight of my break was truly sitting back {in my pajamas!} and being with the two most important people in my life, reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for…and believe me, it’s a lot! J

 

 

 

You say it's your birthday...

Ah the big 3-1!  I made it another year and was happy to celebrate my birthday yesterday with my two favorite guys, B and G.  Birthdays are so funny to me.  It seems the older I get, the less important they become {maybe it's just a denial of aging}.  However I must admit the little perks of birthdays still get me.  Simple gestures from co-workers {donuts!}, Facebook posts, text messages, cards and emails from my favorite retailers offering me 15% {love some birthday shopping}.  When B asked me what I wanted to do this year, my answer was just stay in, lay low, drink some wine and hang with my boys {our little shopping trip to Nordstrom was nice too!}.  The best gift though, this kid's laughter.  Truly better than any sweet treat, wine or present.

Scenes from the weekend...

Let me just start off by saying kudos to all you single mothers out there.  I don't know how you do it.  B had a 7am flight out to LA Friday morning and didn't get home until tonight.  I love my little man, but without a break or partner to help, it's hard work {but totally worth it.}.  We started off the weekend with a trip to the Prop Sale at Tweed on Friday to find goodies for G's birthday party {It's a red wagon theme with a vintage twist.} and did not leave empty-handed.  Now if I can just get the party to look as adorable as the inside of Tweed {oh to have that creative gift!}.  My little man and I picked up take-out {and a bottle of wine for mama}, and we were in for the night.  As much as I knew I would miss B, I was secretly so excited to catch up on my Real Housewives {Atlanta, Beverly Hills and Miami!}.  Saturday G picked up a new trick...becoming an early-riser up at 6:10am {he would trump this the next morning with a 5:45 wake-up call}.  As bummed as I was to look at the clock and see how early it was, I quickly turned my frown upside down when I walked into his room and saw that love dumpling just grinning back at me, so ready to start our day.  He is so entertaining these days.  Into everything! Loves to pull-up, crawl and try to stand on his own {won't be long!}.  We took a field trip to Michael's to pick up some necessities for a few party projects {trying to channel my inner Martha} all the while getting texts from B and all his new friends at the AMAs {yes, I was equally surprised Jenny McCarthy would even look his way with that nasty stache...all for "No Shave November"}.  As jealous as I was of the celebrity spotting and hobnobbing {and as tired as I was}, I really enjoyed the sweet time with my little man, just us.

Gobble, gobble it up!

So last night I hosted Recipe Club, and the theme was {of course} my favorite, Thanksgiving.  Everyone was to bring their favorite Turkey Day side dish.  I made sure I wore some stretchy pants, and let's just say the ladies did not disappoint.

No gathering is complete without a special drink,

so {thank you Pinterest!} Spiced Cider Champagne Cocktails were in order. 

I felt so fancy with my pumpkin pie spice rimmed flutes. 

This is my new favorite drink by the way!

 

And how cute is this festive turkey I snagged at World Market?  He's got a twin on the other side.

So onto the food!

One of our Thanksgiving favorites is my aunt's Asparagus en Croute.

 

Asparagus en Croute  

Ingredients

12 slices sandwich bread

 

 ½ pound Swiss cheese

 ½ cup Dijon mustard

 12 Asparagus spears -- cooked

 

 4 tablespoons butter – melted

 

Roll slices of bread as thin as possible with a rolling pin; trim crusts. You will have pieces 3 to 3½" square. Lay squares out on a work surface and cover with a damp cloth for 10 minutes. Cut cheese into fingers, more or less the size of the asparagus spears.

Spread each bread square evenly with mustard. Lay an asparagus spear and a strip of cheese on each bread square and roll up. Place seam side down on a buttered baking sheet. Brush rolls with melted butter. Bake in the upper third of a 450 oven for 10 minutes, or until brown and bubbling. Serve immediately.

 I am so sad I did not snap more shots of all the food {I was too busy piling it all up on my plate!}.  Everything from Tomato Artichoke Casserole, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts, Homemade Apple Sauce and Pumpkin Dump Cake, my plate runneth over {don't worry, there were oldie but goodies like Green Bean Casserole and Corn Casserole too}.

My award for best presentation was

the Baked Acorn Squash {and it tasted delish too!}.

From the looks of it my Baked Hominy and Cheese Casserole was a hit as well!

 

What's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish??



Look Who's Ten Months Old!

Happy ten month birthday, George!

 

Again, so behind on these birthday posts...

 

Month 10 has been such a joy!  I feel like each month I say, “This is my favorite month so far!” but this one really is. J  Our little man is growing so much.  He is on the move!  The kid is so fast and loves his independence.  This month was a good transition from "baby food" to "big people” food {and he is such a good eater!}.  He got to experience his first popsicle and first pancake this month {thanks to Miss Whitney and EK}.  Many travels this month as well. 

 

Looking forward to all that month 11 has in store!

Scenes from the weekend...

Happy Monday! Considering I worked 12 hours on Saturday and then recovered from it yesterday, I don’t feel like the weekend even happened. Oh well, the good news is I got some much needed rest yesterday, and G and B got some one on one father son time. Our little man has been fighting the funk and has a constant runny nose. Fortunately we discovered a new friend over the weekend. I love the days B has G all to himself. Mismatched clothes, food in hair but big smiles all around. Love my boys and so thankful for them both! B was amazing yesterday. Cleaned, cooked and even took Chloe to the beauty shop. G and I enjoyed some long naps and are now ready for the week ahead! Hosting Recipe Club tomorrow and so excited for the Thanksgiving theme.

 

 

Here's what...

Here’s what I’m loving these days…

Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl’s

 

I’m such a fan of high-end designers partnering with affordable retailers {remember this}.  Thanks to some bloggers and friends, I heard about this pairing just in time {Sadly, I think it is now sold-out.}.

Check out what I snagged.

 

 

 

Mark and Graham

 

And speaking of bloggers and friends keeping me in the loop, one of my favorites shared this fun find today.  I am in love!  Here are some Mark and Graham goodies I have my eye on.

 

 

 

Suave Dry Shampoo

So I am not a huge products person, but when it comes to my hair, I am willing to try anything.  For those of you who know me well, you know I am a bit obsessive about my hair.  I used to be that girl that had to wash it every day {sometimes twice a day!}.  This bad boy is a lifesaver.  Seriously!  Jazzes up my day-old bedhead and gives it so much body.  I have even gone three days without washing!  Unheard of.  Best part is, it’s $2.99 at most drug stores.  Go get some now!

Crispy Quinoa Sliders

 

 And it wouldn’t be a post of love without some food.  We all know I am loving me some quinoa these days, but this has to be hands-down the best thing I have made/stuffed my face/craved in a long time!  B is a fan too.  Made them Monday night, and we have been eating the leftovers every day since. Yum yum!

 

What are you loving these days?