Inspired Cupcakes

I had planned a visit to my friend Pam today as she has been laid up with a bad back. Cupcakes! I thought, sure to cheer anyone up.

I was also very happy when wondering how to transport them, I found some cake boxes that I had ordered from the Kitchen Krafts www.kitchenkrafts.com catalog. If you've never looked through it you find all of this great stuff you never knew you needed. But how cool to have a baker's box to put the cupcakes in. Who cares how they taste (although they are great) the presentation is a perfect 10!

This sanding sugar is from Market Basket. In the bakery section they have a little stand with the most BEAUTIFUL colored sugars. Blue and pink and light green. (yes, you can go to Williams-Sonoma and pay double for your sanding sugars as I have in the past - sorry, Peggy! - or you can pay two bucks at the M.B.) If you are into this kind of thing, if you are a baker, then colored sanding sugars really get your attention. I just bought it because I couldn't resist the color and thought putting it on the strawberry cupcakes would be like eating a little piece of Spring.

Ok, the whole while I am listening to Adele's new CD, "Rolling in the Deep". Where do I begin? As inspired and transformative as any songstress I have ever heard. She is amazing and today she inspired cupcakes.

A Friend Indeed

Celebratory pink roses given to me by a real cowgirl. Long may we ride!

Underground Railroad Quilt

In Mrs. Lydecker's 4th grade class they have been studying the Underground Railroad. It's not underground nor is it a railroad, as my son explained. The reasons why they were quilting is because they learned about quilt patterns such as "drunkard's path" which would throw the slave catchers off and "bow tie" which means dress in your best clothes so you can blend in when you escape.

It was like a secret language used through quilt designs. Moms brought in their sewing machines and guided the kids in putting together their quilting squares.

Here is a selection of the designs which included monkey wrench, bear's paw, flying geese and log cabin which when on a house, meant it was a "safehouse".

At the end Mrs. Lydecker gathered the class around her table and sewed some squares for the kids who were absent. "Go really fast!" they shouted...and she did.

First Day of Spring

Happy, happy.

Joy, joy.
Melt, melt.
Fast, fast.

Feeling Blue?

the after school snack of champions. I know, I should be ashamed to post this...but he is 18 and there are colleges that want him ; )

A little damage done at Macy's

It happens every so often, to all of us, right? Not a big shopping trip, maybe just a quick browse. But for some reason the guilty pang doesn't kick in and on top of that sticker shock goes out the window. It just seems like it's all good. Had it happen to me at Macy's this week. First I picked up this great leather slouchy bag. I loved everything about it. It's a weathered grey metallic with a little copper running through it. It will get better with age.

The next handbag aisle over I saw these cute cross-body bags in a million colors. I liked the pearl color, has just enough sheen to it to feel dressy even with jeans. It's long enough, it's deep enough, and it has lots and lots of pockets.

I was almost back out to the Mall entrance and on my way to the car when these peasant blouses caught my eye. Hmmm...I thought...it probably won't fit...probably won't look that great...I will try it on and it will be all pulling on me and I will regret trying it on. But hey, ya know what? It looked very cute so I bought it in black, too. So in conclusion, Macy's is having a great sale and as you can see I jumped right in and 3 days later haven't had a twinge of guilt ; )

An Irish Blessing

'Tis better to buy a small bouquet,
And give to your friend this very day,
Than a bushel of roses white and red,
To lay on his coffin after he's dead.

The Grace Period

These are the happy days before the strife over how to pay and being sad that he's leaving the nest. It is like we all get accepted with every reply that comes in. Gone are the days of waiting for above "snail" mail. Oh no, these college applicants get notified via email well before anything actually comes in the mailbox. Last Saturday night I was in the ladies' room at a school auction and heard my phone beep. It was 8 pm and my son texted me that he had gotten in to a favorite school (with a "leadership grant" awarded as well - oh NOW I am just bragging!)

Before it is all said and done in a month or so there will be disappointment over not getting into some schools and happiness about others. There will be nuts and bolts discussions over loans and trips to visit the colleges within driving distance. (The darling child has applied to some schools very far away...I guess if he wants to go there he'll just pack his rucksack and get on a plane and go!)

But for now, we are all caught up in the exciting journey.

Ronan and the Boston Blazers

the Joshua Eaton Chorus was invited to sing the National Anthem at the Boston Blazers Lacrosse game this past Sunday afternoon. Here are the kids before the game getting ready for "rehearsal" backstage.

Moments before showtime they had little lacrosse players come out. I learned a little bit more about lacrosse than I knew before.

With great anticipation and energy they had lights flashing and the music loud as the Boston Blazers' players were introduced. Our kids were lined up to the left of the opening.

Then they were led in to take their place on CENTA COURT AT THE GAADEN!! So exciting. They turned the lights down so unfortunately I didn't get a good photo of them all standing there, but a momentous occasion nonetheless. They were great!

Don't They Make Such a Pretty Pair?

Shopping on Monday, I walked by these babies at Home Goods. Then I walked back down the aisle and thought "hey - those are really great lamps!" and then walked away again. I went to the store to look at rugs I kept telling myself. Then I asked myself the all important question. "How would you feel if someone walked right up behind you and put them in their cart?" And when I broke into a cold sweat (lol) then I knew that it wasn't just a passing fancy, that I really did LOVE these lamps.

I love the color, sort of a taupey-green that goes with everything. I love the elegant column-style base but I what drew me to them were the shades, of course. A little petticoat, a little parisienne, a little formal, a little informal.

Just right for me.

Academy Awards 2011

Dear Readers,
I have a wonderful guest blogger today! Her name is Cinzia and she is a very hip and cool gal and a fan of my blog. She had a few thoughts on the Academy Awards so click on her link and see what
she has to say!

http://cinzz.blog.com/