Water Play

I've come across another great blog, The Wonder Years. No, it's not about the tv show, it's a mom of two young children sharing toddler and preschool activities based on the Montessori approach. We've already tried a couple of the activities with great results.
Our first activity was water pouring. 2 trays (cookie sheets till I can get some smaller ones) with 2 plastic cups and one small sponge each. Simply pouring the water back and forth and wiping up the spills has become at least a twice daily event. I leave one stocked tray on their bookshelf and they bring the tray to the table when they want to work. When I introduced this activity I did it one child at a time and in separate rooms. Gabe started in the kitchen and Addie started at the kids table in the playroom. They were able to take in my demonstration and concentrate on trying it themselves without distraction. I think this was the key. They can work at the kitchen table together now without flinging (hooray!)

A Little Link Love

Have you heard of Ciao Bella? It's a wonderful brand of gelato and sorbet that I have recently discovered. As I type this I am enjoying a cup of Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet. It's so rich and smooth, I have never tasted anything quite like it. Yum!

This is such a great idea for keeping mementos from vacations and trips. I have never been one for scrapbooking although I like the idea of holding on to more than just pictures. -From The Inspired Room

This video clip of a musician explaining why he hates Pachelbel's Canon is hilarious. - Hat Tip: Many Little Blessings

What a sweet idea for a way to celebrate one of Juliana's Patron saints, St. Rose of Lima. I am excited to find ideas for Addie and Gabe as well (St. Irene and St. Gabriel.) - From Catholic Cuisine

Are you thinking about fall yet? This is my favorite season if for no other reason than the smells; burning leaves, pumpkin pies and all things apple and spice. I can just imagine how wonderful this garland would smell and it's easy enough to be an afternoon craft the kids could help with. Well, ok, by help I mean mush dough in their fingers and slap cutouts on it repeatedly. But they would certainly enjoy it. -From Skip To My Lou

A Little Link Love

Life lessons from finger painting; it’s the process, not the product. From On Simplicity.

Check out some awesome pictures of the Dawn Treader being built for the new Narnia film! From Under Her Starry Mantle.

I am anxious to try out this recipe for Ground Beef Pasties (though I'll use ground chicken.) They look delicious and easy to boot. Plus they freeze well! From Cooking During Stolen Moments.

I can hardly wait for Easter to try out these silk-dyed eggs, they're so beautiful! From Our Best Bites.

Check out this blog about a Mom's hobby of fixing up her daughters' hair. No, really. It's crazy. I hope Addie and Juliana don't expect things like this from me, I can do a ponytail and a straight braid. The end. From The Story Of A Princess And Her Hair.

How fun are these chocolate bowls?! I'm so finding a time to make these. From Gourmet Mom on-the-go.

A Friday Find

I was doing some blog hopping the other day and stumbled across a fantastic blog. Bakerella, did not go to school to be a pastry chef. Per her profile, she took a cake decorating class that sparked her interest and appears to be entirely self taught since then. Very impressive, considering the kinds of goods she turns out. She even made an appearance on the Martha Stewart Show! Check out these adorable apple cake pops! Her instructions are clear and broken down into easy to understand steps. I can't wait to try some of her ideas! (And, holy cow! Look at where she gets her supplies! I think that's decorating heaven.)

I had plans at one time to attend Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC to study Baking and Pastry Arts, however events led us back home putting school on hold. It was difficult giving up that dream, but now that we have our three beautiful children and a restaurant in the works it's clear to me that this was my real dream all along, being a wife and mother. Baking and cake decorating will always be my ultimate hobby though, and it's wonderful to see that even without that university education I can develop the skill to produce some beautiful edibles.

Friday Finds

I am frequently drawn to vintage and old fashioned styles so I am always excited to find stores that offer inspired clothing, like Red Dress Shoppe. I am completely in love with the 1940's couture dress, isn't it fantastic?!

As much as I appreciate pieces like these I don't have many places to wear them. This is where my love of aprons comes in. They protect my clothes when cooking or cleaning, serve as towels for drying hands or little eyes, and can actually help keep me productive. Something as simple as putting on and taking off an apron clearly marks the beginning and end of a task. But most of all, they can be so. darn. cute. The perfect way to have my cake and eat it, too.

My sister, Jen, made this fantastic reversible apron for me several months ago. "More work than you'd ever think would go into an apron." she said smiling. But oh, so worth it!!

A Friday Find

I love tea. All kinds of tea. Hot, cold, black, white, green, and herbal. My favorites are usually black teas since I don't drink coffee and they can give me a caffeine boost when I need one. So when I came across a tea called Pu-Erh Tuo Cha at Whole Foods the other day I was intrigued. It's described as being full-bodied with notes of sweet molasses and cocoa. Cocoa? I'm there. And now I'm hooked. One of the best things about this loose leaf tea is that one brick will take me through multiple servings and the flavor doesn't become bitter if steeped for a long time. Even Steve, who normally won't touch tea with a ten foot pole, enjoyed it. Now that's saying something.