It's a Giveaway! {because I love you!}

/

It's February. Did you notice? 

Oh how it seems to drag on! Let's just get through it shall we?

How about some cupcakes?

MMMM! Red velvet. I'd never made these before and they came out so delish. (More therapy.) (And I managed to only have a nibble of Ian's!) Leave it to Barefoot to provide a no-fail recipe. And what's not to love about cream cheese frosting? Yum! So much better than buttercream. You should whip 'em up.

We're also making Valentines, work is currently underway on these:

Oh, and I bought you something! It is February after all. We could all use a few pretty things right?

{paper straws, soy pomegranate candle, and some ready-to-be-made Valentines.}

So leave me a comment, I'll pick a winner on Saturday, and get this little package mailed out ASAP. Sound good?

Here's a printable for you. Download it! I love this quote. 

Screen Shot 2013-02-01 at 11.49.05 AM.png
February can be fun! Right? (Ugh, only 3 weeks until March! I love March.) 

gifts

/

I almost forgot to show you my one and only handmade gift from Christmas! I made the Emmeline Apron (again) for the coolest hot lunch lady around- my Mother-in-law.

I've made this one before, it's such a great pattern. It took me one evening to cut it out, and two afternoons to sew. I love how it's reversible!

I'm taking the Little Boy, and we're headed out the door for a little overnighter in my hometown. Last week it was my brother's birthday. Tomorrow is my dad's. We're going to celebrate both tonight. I'm bringing the cake. Cheesecake that is- a lemon one. Recipe here. I can't wait for dessert!

Cherrio!

Last-minute ideas

/

The days have been quiet and productive. We've had snow on the ground, and brilliant breaks of sparkly sun. It occured to me this morning just how few days stand between me and Christmas. I'm not going to freak out. I'm just going to keep putting one foot in front of the other. As promised, here are a few last-minute ideas that you can pull together in a matter of hours.

We made these for teachers, coaches, music instructors, neighbors, etc.

I love paperwhites! Why not share them? I found the inspiration here. Fill a pint mason jar with decorative river rocks (psst! they have these at the Dollar Tree), drop in the bulb (I ordered mine here because I couldn't find any locally, but try Lowe's, Home Depot, or any type of nursery), screw on the silver band...

Tie on some raffia, attach a label, and you're done! You don't need dirt for these to grow, and your recipient can fill the jar with water. My tags are nothing special... but here's the pdf if you want it.

Here's what the kids made for their classmates:

These jumbo marshmallows were dipped in melted chocolate chips, and then rolled in crushed peppermints. Poke a mini-candy cane in the middle and they are ready to hang on the edge of your mug.

We wrapped them in little individual wrappers (you'll want to do this as soon as the chocolate hardens so the marshmallow doesn't get stale) and put them in brown paper bags with packets of hot cocoa. Easy!

You can make these peanut butter cups! They're always a hit... and easy too. (read: no baking!)

Hop on over here for the recipe!

Here's are a few other ideas from my pinterest board:

For classroom party? Yes, I am that kind of mom.

Hostess gift?

Ribbon trees for your little friends?

Reinbeers for your big friends?

Bailey's pistachio fudge in little tins on top of presents?

Last year the kids made these- it was a fun project.

Okay... gotta run. There's a lot to do. Hope you're staying merry!