reading, cooking, and Colin wins!

I am currently reading a new novel, Madame Tussaud by Michele Moran, which takes me to Versailles & French Revolution days with every page. I love historical fiction. Good historical fiction. We took a family vacation to England when I was about 14 years old and Madame Tussaud's wax museum was one of our stops. I remember Mary Poppins flying in the ceiling's air and the horrible bubonic plague display and bloody heads from the Revolution days as well as celebrities of the 80s. Quite a myriad of characters! It all was very freaky everything being so life-like; this novel is really good so far! Isn't the cover gorgeous?

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Zack asks at least four times after breakfast, what's for lunch, Mama? Sometimes he'll ask at bedtime if he could have such and such for breakfast. Planning ahead. One of the first things Ben asks after school is what's for dinner, Mom? You'd never guess my boys eat quite well after their requests for food so much and I'm a firm believer in snacks and not falling in your seat for a meal because it's been so long since the last. However, they (including my husband) constantly ask what their next meal will be so to end at least one of the many Mom?! questions during my day -- I now have it up for all to see.


I'm sure I'll get the complaints (or graffiti on the chalkboard) when they don't agree with the menu. Ah well ... tonight I'm fixing this recipe. I've gotten to liking mushrooms; I'm sure there will be at least 1 at the table who picks them out.

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And big congrads to Colin Firth for winning Best Actor at the Oscars last night. If you haven't already seeing The King's Speech, I highly recommend it! Happy to see it win for Best Picture too.

He'll always be Mr. Darcy to me but a King's uniform is mighty handsome too. Don't you think?

Little Irish Sampler, a free pattern

It's a pretty, sunny day here -- makes me think of primroses and shamrocks. Still chilly but spring is coming because the other morning I saw 3 robins in my yard! I think they were having a morning meeting to discuss the upcoming season. Here's a little free sampler chart for you to welcome in the month of March. Enjoy!

::Little Irish Sampler::

C 2011 The Sampler Girl
www.thesamplergirl.com

(Click chart to enlarge.)

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The Oscars are Sunday night! Here's hoping The King's Speech wins BIG.

::sneak peek!

I've been working away on a new booklet, French Folio, and it's been really refreshing to stitch with such colorful threads on colorless-wintry days. We have rain moving in so before all the sunlight disappears, I took a photo of one of the designs in progress. The scissor fob is an Ann Fuller clown doll. Do you remember those pretties? I don't think you'll find them anymore unless you search ebay perhaps. My Mom sold the collection in her needlework shop and they were quite popular back then. It matched my project perfectly!

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If you give Zack a paintbrush, chances are he'll want to paint all afternoon. Yesterday he enjoyed painting wooden suncatchers; this is one he did for me. It's almost hypnotic watching it twirl in the window.

Black Bean Pie

When I was preggers with Zack, the main food I craved was black beans. I couldn't eat enough of them! Since his birth in 2007, I can't fathom how many black beans I've eaten because I still love them ... and he does too. Imagine that? :) So Zack was very pleased with tonight's dinner ... the other lad at the table, not so much. Anyhoo, the recipe is from this site and if you haven't seen that recipe blog yet, you'll want to bookmark it!

Black Bean Pie
1 Box refrigerated Pillsbury pie crust
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa (I used Paul Newman brand)
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I added a full cup)
2 large flour tortillas
cilantro, roughly chopped to taste as this can be too strong a flavor for some people - not me!
sour cream to top, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Form 1 pie crust into bottom of pie plate.
In a bowl, mix salsa and black beans. Pour 1/3 of this mixture into crust. Top with 1/3 of the cheese and some cilantro. Top with 1 flour tortilla. Repeat twice. Put 2nd pie crust ontop and seal sides. Make 4 little slits in center.
Bake for 40 minutes. Serve hot!

jolies tasses

Pretty cups. I saw these darling moi et toi cups on etsy a few weeks back and knew I had to have them. They arrived from France today and I adore them. Don't you?

New Pattern -- Fancy a Darcy Day?

…but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. -Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice

Well, it was bound to happen -- a companion to the pattern, Fancy a Jane Day? It's a true delight to reserve an hour, an afternoon, an entire day (when possible!) to watch Jane Austen films while stitching.

However, perhaps a day devoted to Mr. Darcy would be just as swell. Don't you think? So when you're in the mood for a Pride & Prejudice marathon, enjoy your Darcy-day with this charming design!

Fancy a Darcy Day?
Design by Tanya Marie Anderson
The Sampler Girl copyright 2011

Chart is available as Mailed Chart and EPattern.
Click HERE for details.

+ these

The following designs are now available as EPatterns and have been added to the EPattern listing on website.

Ohio Quilt Posey Pinkeep

Sense & Sensibility Sampler

Mary Davies 1769

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Thank you for the good health wishes ~ I think Zack has turned a corner today, a good corner :)

Pie?

It's been a long week here. My littlest has had flu like symptoms and 3 trips to the DR. 2 Flu tests (negative), chest xray (normal), mono test (negative), and 2 strep tests later to find the last strep test came up positive. I don't know when I've been so happy to have the DR tell me, the test was glowing for strep throat! Just to have an answer, finally, and a treatable one at that rather than a virus you just have to suffer through. He did that already, all week long. Nights have been sleepless and downright miserable as you can imagine. I even came down with a fever and cough so as not to miss all the fun.

So the other day I felt like baking a pie. Not craving to eat it really but I just needed to get the apron on and throw some flour around. I opened Pioneer Woman's Cookbook and quickly decided to make her recipe entitled, Flat Apple Pie. I hate to say it but it was a disappointment. I did taste it (but of course!) and the crust fell apart. Literally. The filling was ok but overall not impressed. I followed the recipe to the letter but sometimes it just doesn't work out. Kinda like the week here!

Oh well, I enjoyed the baking part. And the picture was pretty.

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Enjoy your week-end and sure hope you're feeling fever-free!

well, hello there!

So nice to see a bird eating the birdseed and not this guy. Of course Woody here does cause a racket of noise but we won't go there. I'm just content he's enjoying the food. The afternoon sun is a welcome sight here. It was a long, long night with my littlest braving the hours with a fever but it broke a bit ago and he's playing with toys once again.

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I've added a few more designs to the EPattern listing -- now Scottish Sampler, 1650 and GW Ferry Farm 1738 are available in this format.

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Still working on my French booklet -- hoping to get it released by the end of the month. Best start dinner ... a roast chicken is in our dining future. Enjoy your night!

valentines

The morning began with heart-shaped pancakes and strawberries with pink syrup on pink plates. Orange juice with heart-shaped ice cubes in pink cups. Chocolates too, of course. I'm confident it will end with red velvet cupcakes decorated with pink frosting and matching sprinkles. Love and chocolate ... couldn't make for a better day!

Miss Maddy will be happy with her Valentine treat when she wakes. But naps are very important. Enjoy your day!

this week-end

::Didn't cook once.
::Took my first Yoga class & loved it.
::Smiled at sunshine dancing on a picture.
::Enjoyed shopping at a French shop sans les enfants.
::Finished 2 good books.
::Started a new book.
::Laughed really hard.
::Played cars. Again.
::Savored really good pizza.
::Listened to an excellent sermon on prayer.
::Saw Gnomeo & Juliet movie.
::Was surprised by a flower delivery from my Valentine.
::Thoroughly enjoyed a Chai Tea Latte.
::Watched Cupcake Wars & craved cupcakes the entire hour. Red velvet ones.
::Downloaded new music.
::Played the piano.
::Clapped when the little potty sang.
::Brushed a sleepy kitty.
::Decorated a tree with hearts.
::Charged Phoebe, my Kindle.
::Bought comfy clothes for Yoga.
::Dreamed of summer.

darn squirrel! + GIVEAWAY CONTEST

Ok, so he's cute.

But remember the flurry of naughtiness this little bugger caused recently? Well, I got an anti-squirrel birdfeeder and the thing lasted ... um, 1 day. Then he knocked it down! This birdfeeder is heavy and I have no clue how he did it. Now I have to make a new hangar for the thing and try feeding the poor, starving, winter birds again.

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Ok - for the giveaway part of the post. Be the first person to comment with the correct TWO answers and you win an EPattern of your choice free. Good luck!
What movie did this line come from AND what was the actor's name who said it ..." "they should have bought a squirrel!"

from a distance

The zoom on my new camera is pretty awesome! There was a fresh little blanket of snow this morning from last night and it sure made the birds flutter their chilly wings about at breakfast time. The squirrels are getting fatter by the day ... this one was mighty cute but it was refreshing to see one of these buggers sit statue-like way up in the tree, as if trying to catch a nap while the birds twitted about. Happy Thursday!

children & books

Back before wedded bliss, my boys, lego and sock covered floors, empty cupboards 20 minutes after a grocery store run, and outlets with safety covers ... I was a children's bookseller and children's event coordinator for a well-known bookstore. Back then I was the one whom frazzled, tired, weary moms brought their sticky, smelly, darling, color-coordinated, rain boot-wearing-on sunny-day children to see for a weekly storytime. This was the best part of my job; being one on one with the kids. The moms would sit next to their child as close or far away depending on the crowd, they'd drink their espresso bar coffee and try to look awake, muster a smile for me and try and make sure the cheerios their little one was eating didn't drop on the floor. Most of the time. I knew the children's area (and it was huge!!) like the back of my hand because back then I ate, slept and breathed children's literature. Decorating the store windows and planning events that brought kids in the store was like eating hot Krispy Kreme donuts for me ... pure bliss that made your heart warm.

When Ben was small he loved picture books. He had to have his own library card at a young age because he'd reach that 50 book limit pretty soon on our weekly visits and I had my own card to fill! Today Zack got his first library card and I wish I had the smile on his face engraved on it. Precious. If you know me, then you know the library is my second home. Ok, Target is close but there's no place like the library. A bookstore has its special place in my heart but it's not like it used to be -- now it's all covered in toys rather than books which is just wrong. I recall thinking how cute it was to have the cuddly Goodnight Moon bunny stuffed toy to merchandise with the book but nowadays there's the game and so much more. You don't need that -- you need the book!

Zack loves books too and it would be hard to live in this house without a passion for reading so it's good it came easy for both boys. I read long time ago that if your child sees you reading then they are more apt to read, so go for it! Here are some current favs around the house ...

Piggie Pie Po
Short and sweet is this adorable, CUTE, picture book with colorful illustrations and quick-off-the tongue sentences. It's Zack's current favorite pick at bedtime book time and one I'm eager to read again and again because it gives such a smile.


I'm Not Sleepy
Little Owl proclaims he is not sleepy. Not one bit. However, his owl parents and friends think he sure looks sleepy. Very sweet.


Mrs. Brown Went to Town
Older book and a classic. Mrs. Brown's farm animals use her house while she's away and when she comes back home ...


Tuck Me In
Ok, this book is too sweet! Along the line of lift the flap, you get to tuck each animal in to bed with a flap blankie appropriate for each animal. Clever!


Mean Calypso Joe and the Three Billy Goats Gruff
Ben used to love this book and it's a treat to read it again to Zack. Calypso Joe is the meanest troll dis side of de island and no one cross de bridge but first he pay de toll ... fun to read!!
Olivia and the Babies
Everyone loves the Olivia books and TV show. This one is a hoot. Olivia watches everyone goo and ga over her baby brother, William, so she decides she wants to be a mommy and have a cute baby too. She dresses up her cat and a dog and then meets up with her friend/rival, Francine, and she does the same. Very funny!


Toot Toot Zoom
I'm actually tired of reading this book. Love it but sick of it. Pierre goes to the other side of the mountain to make a new friend but on his way, he encounters several animals which delay his journey and make for a twist as they all reach the other side of the mountain.

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I Spy (for younger kids)
I Spy (for older kids)
You need patience to read these. I mean it. It's fun for the child to find the item shown in the jumble of other things but it can take time and again, patience. They have these for young and older children and some of the pages in the bigger books are difficult!! Very popular and terrific to get children to focus and look! When Ben was little, there was a phase when he would only pick these books at our library visits. And all of them right on the shelf, into the bag and we'd pour over them again and again and again ... I got pretty good at finding the skeletons in particular.


For older kids, the Nicholas books are really entertaining. Ben and I have read these together and separately several times. They are translated from French and are laugh outloud stories about Nicholas, and crazy, silly school chums. The one on vacation is my favorite.


Horrid Henry
These are wickedly funny. My cousin started us on these books several years ago and they're fun additions to the bookshelf. The illustrations are sharp and cool for the reader to enjoy. Henry IS horrid but you'll like him.


Oh and if you're looking for a baby gift, Haiku Baby, is a precious board book. The pictures are gorgeous and the entire book is so charming. Adorable!!


If you know a good kids book that we might like, please let me know! Happy Reading.

i spy eiffel

For a breakfast potluck this morning, I fixed this Pioneer Woman recipe and it was very good, rich but yummy. It calls for 10 eggs and 1 1/2 sticks of butter so to ease my mind over all that cholesterol consumption, I used egg substitute and only almost 1 stick of butter and it was perfect. The entire cream cheese brick was added; let's get serious here. It was a fun time of it while fierce cold wind danced outside with school and preschool in session. My cousin's wife who is from Western Siberia joined us and it's always charming to see her and listen to her accent! During our cosy morning we watched Young Queen Victoria ~ great film!!

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Working away on this week's orders and trying to grab some stitching time to work on the Frenchy designs I have coming out later this month. I'd love to get to Paris someday but in the meanwhile, I'll have to stitch my journey and decorate where I can.

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Hope your Tuesday brings you good food, time with a friend, and a comfortable seat.

cosy

It's approaching almost time to fix dinner. Both boys are wild at this hour so it's my chance to escape to the kitchen. Before I pass the 3 piles of laundry that need folding for the 5th time today, don my apron and crank up the cooking music ... here are a few cosy spots in our house.

Zack just came up to me and asked for grub. No joke. Oh brother. Ok, now to make spaghetti & meatballs. Have a cosy night where you are!