I finished it.

What can I say? I'm glad I read it. It was hard to read (think Bowling for Columbine,) but the way Picoult dissects the tragedy from all sides makes the horror of it all somehow seem less mysterious, therefore less scary. It definitely made me think about how my actions affect others and how my parenting affects children besides my own. And there is an interesting twist at the end...

Since I feel like doing nothing but sitting...

I played around on Polyvore, which is a site I heard about several weeks ago but was just reminded of via Design Mom. What I really want to put together is an inspiration board for my new kitchen ideas, but I'll have to re-upload the pictures I'd been collecting because my folder got lost...or worse, erased. So here is what I put together from what they had. It's really fun. Kinda like playing with paper dolls...

Cruddy

I've had the stomach flu, so bear with me while I sort out things in my soupy head in order to find something to post...

Chimchar

Did I tell you that Elijah LOVES Pokemon? Well, his birthday was full of pokemon; games, cards, books...and cakes. This is supposed to be Chimchar, Elijah's favorite.

Happy Birthday!

Today my sweet Elijah turns 7 years old! I can't believe it has been that long since I had that adorable - and huge - 10lb baby. He almost killed me getting here, but he has been the most precious thing ever since. I love you, Lijah!

Bathing Suits Please

I'm always a fan of DKNY and I'm in love with these one pieces.


I guess I'm subconsciously wishing for swimming weather...

New Work

New necklaces in the shop.

How'd you get that shine?

I had the feeling that I needed to do something about my dull, product built up hair and scalp, so in lieu of purchasing a clarifying shampoo, I did some research and found out that apple cider vinegar and aloe can be a "cure" for hair with buildup. I tried it by massaging all of my hair and scalp with the vinegar and then after rinsing I applied aloe vera to my scalp and then worked it throughout my hair (the aloe is supposed to restore your natural PH balance.) After rinsing that, I conditioned as usual. I have to say that I think it worked! My hair definitely looks shinier and I feel good because I did it naturally. Just don't use the vinegar any more than once every two weeks. I use vinegar everyday in my jewelry making and I know that it can strip things a lot stronger than hair if you use it too often!

A Treasured Treasury

I got to make a treasury page on Etsy! I'm so excited because it's my third try to get one and my first success. Click here to see it.

A Dinner Side or a Snack

You've got to try this. I needed to use up that random can of kidney beans in my cupboard, but I'll bet it would be even better (although mine turned out sooo yummy and fabulous) if you followed the directions and used fresh beans.

Red Bean Dip

8 ounces dried kidney beans (scant 1 1/2 cups)
2 1/2 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 whole cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, halved and very thinly sliced
1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt, preferably Greek-style
4 cups baked blue corn chips (10 ounces)
Directions
Cover beans with at least 2 inches of water in a large bowl. Cover loosely, and let soak overnight at room temperature.
Drain beans; transfer to a medium saucepan. Add stock, herbs, spices, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer beans until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain beans; reserve cooking liquid. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Let liquid cool completely.
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 25 minutes.
Pulse beans and 1/2 cup cooking liquid in a food processor until smooth. Add more cooking liquid if needed to reach desired consistency. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with yogurt, then onions. Serve with chips. Dip can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.
(from Everyday Food)

My New Favorite Necklace

It's in the shop.

Just the Black Notes

Watch this. It's amazing...



And it makes me want to see Amazing Grace the movie.

Spring again...

I took these juxtaposing pictures today. Neighbor Julia's (top) and neighbor Chris's (bottom) snowmen, and in our yard: spring irises and lilac buds.

For the Readers...

I was tricked into joining one of those clubs where they offer you a whole bunch of books for only $.01 and then you have to buy four more books at regular price over the next two years.
O.K., I say tricked, but really, I knew what I was getting into because in high school I did the CD version and proceeded to go into major debt with my parents because of all the music that was sent to me that I didn't have the heart to send back. That's how they get you. I should have learned, but I fooled myself into thinking that I was mature enough to handle it this time, and instead of them using me...it would be I who used them to get some free books.

Well, the time has come to buy those four books or else they're gonna bill me an insane amount because my two year membership status is coming to a close. The reason I never bought any books after those free ones is because they really don't have very many good books other than the free ones that I already got! I've ordered two (shown in the photos.) And I'm hoping that someone will be able to tell me a good book or a good author that I might not have thought of. So, help a girl out... good books anyone?

...and then snow again.

For those of you who live in Nashville: Can you believe the amount of snow we got last night? What did I tell you? It's snow then spring then snow then spring then snow again! It looks like Styrofoam!

Seth and I enjoyed the evening by inviting some friends for appetizers and wine. After they left, we stood by the windows, mesmerized...

A Thought Changed

I have always wanted to have a baby girl but lately I have been thinking that even if I were to have another baby I might not really want it to be a girl. Maybe in part because I've heard that girls are harder, I already know what to do with boys and maybe there is another part where I'm subconsciously protecting myself just in case we decide to have another and the fourth...is a boy. So I decided that I do not want a girl..until I opened up this month's Cookie magazine and there was this ad for Guess Kids:

Oh my goodness, she is beautiful. The desire for a daughter is back...

Into the Wild

Have you seen it? I loved it. A much better movie than No Country for Old Men. I think I missed something with that one (which I also saw this week.) I just don't get how it won best picture. But Into the Wild? It could have won...if only it had been nominated!

And the winner is...(warning, spoilers ahead)

Christian Siriano on Project Runway Season 4! I thought that all three of the finalists had a really good chance of winning and I loved all of their collections. This has been my favorite season so far. I love the peeks of red that Jillian put into the lining of this jacket.

And I loved the antique lace dress that Rami put together. I think I could get married in that dress (I know, I'm already married, but you get the point.)

But overall, I'm secretly glad that Christian won. I predicted it from the start. His clothing is art. And this dress was a show-stopper. Fierce!

What were your favorite outfits?

The Garden Swap

I participated in Nicole's Garden Swap. It was so much fun to receive something random in the mail! Jana from Lola Again sent me this gorgeous patchwork tote. It will be perfect to take shopping along with my new flip and tumble bag that I won from Rachel. She also sent along a cute little card and some great coasters. Very Martha-y. Thank you Jana! I love it!

I sent my package of seeds, garden inspired beads and charms, vegetable soaps and little books to Amy of The Life and Times of Monkey and Scooby. I hope she likes it! I like doing swaps. I'll definitely do it again.

It's snowing...no, it's spring...no,snowing...no,spring..

It's raining now, but over the weekend it was glorious! It is strange that we had a snow day just last week, but true to the pattern of Tennessee winters lately, spring poked it's head in early...and randomly! Here are some photos from our tree climbing outdoor play at Mimi's house.