I'm not sure how it got to be Thursday already. Between a trip to the aquarium and fighting colds all around, the days have seemed to tumble by. People say that February is a tough month, but this March, with all its gray skies and cold rains sure sucks the energy out of me.
Now, how's that for a depressing start to a blog post? Yikes.
But today, I'm feeling the clouds lift and things are finally making the move back to normal. I set one goal for myself today: to get the dining room table cleaned off. It may sound like a small task, but if you saw the piles of books and spilled markers and "stuff" brought in from a car clean out, and mail and fabric and....you'd be impressed.
Emma and Mary went riding all morning, which was a much needed gift. Elizabeth toddled around half naked and happy, making messes in other rooms, while I focused on getting the dining room done.
Isn't it funny how having a mess like that can not only clutter up your house, but also clutter up your mind (and attitude) as well? I'm feeling much better, tons better now that the job is done.
I've been finding it really relaxing in the evenings, once the house is quiet, to continue dipping my toes in the world of digital scrapbooking. Or at least my take on digital scrapbooking. Though they are mostly paper scrappers, I've been finding a lot of inspiration digging around on the blogs of Molly Irwin and Ali Edwards.
There is something really intriguing about it for me--it satisfies some of my creative longings, it keeps with my love of capturing and taking note of every day life, and I can easily work something from start to finish in a (fairly) short period of time.
I am also really intrigued by the idea of using it as a tool for projects and journaling with the girls, where they are doing the designing and creating and storytelling.
So these are the last two projects I've been working on. The first is a page with my pictures from Sunday's naps--because I just loved them too much to only have them on my blog.
The second is a recipe that Emma created, that I've been wanting to share with all of you. It's really good. So pass it on to your children and let them whip you up a batch.
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Sunday Naps: details here
In The Kitchen:
Background : Andrea Victoria Pina Kit
Frames : Katie Pertiet Basic Bare Frames
Recipe Card : Katie Pertiet File Cards No. 2
"Mom's Notes" : Lynn Grieveson Journaling Spots and Strips
Doilie: Jesse Edwards Doilie Paper Pack
Button: Katie Pertiet Alandia Meadow Kit
Font: Report School
Mom's Note text: "She's starting to dream up recipes, sneaking into the kitchen to try new things. This experiment is actually pretty tasty. She came up with it one Saturday afternoon while I was away. She gave it to Dan as a snack. He loved it. She was proud of herself. She's been copying the recipe, giving it to friends, encouraging them to try it. And she makes it a few times a week. What's a little peanut butter and butterscotch in exchange for creativity and independence? "
digital scrapbooking now that is something I might be able to do.
what a great post.
Posted by: christina | 19 March 2009 at 05:03 PM
I love you pages - they look great. I'll have to pass the recipe on to Kellie she loves to make things in the kitchen. And I agree about the weather here in MD! How about today?! iii, I've had a headache for three days.
Posted by: Mary | 19 March 2009 at 05:32 PM
Oh, I've decided to try digital scrapbooking too, but mine are nothing like your gorgeous ones, or Molly Irwin's, which I LOVE, too. Sigh. Practice makes perfect, right? :)
Posted by: kyrie | 19 March 2009 at 06:21 PM
Digital scrapbooking - brilliant! I will check it out.
Posted by: Lecia | 19 March 2009 at 11:26 PM
Our kitchen table is just like that. Stuff slowly piles up on it, and for a (long) while we don't even take notice and just shift the piles around to make space. Then all of the sudden I feel that the clutter is cramping our brains as well: we embark in a major clean up and we promise never to let it happen again ... How come it always happens again?!
Posted by: Francesca | 20 March 2009 at 02:56 AM
Oh, she's growing up mama. Such a sweet story.
Posted by: Eren | 20 March 2009 at 06:25 AM
I love that she is creating her own (edible) recipes!
And that napping page. Oh, I could eat them up it's so cute. Really, really good.
Posted by: caroline | 20 March 2009 at 06:45 AM
what a wonderful way to remember.
love that recipe! i know some girls here who would go for that!
Posted by: sarah | 20 March 2009 at 07:11 AM
I took out some books about digital scrapbooking from the library recently to explore this medium a bit more. Not sure if I want to add something else to my plate, but I am intriqued. Love the result of your projects.
Posted by: jane | 20 March 2009 at 07:34 AM
I know what you mean. I tackled our kitchen yesterday too - cleaned off the table, counter and shelves. We have so many surfaces in there, the stuff kind of migrates around instead of finding a home. I want to tackle as much of the house as possible this weekend while my husband is out of town (why is it easier to clean when he is not here?) but I notice having the kicthen clean makes a big difference in how the house feels and how I feel.
Posted by: Arwen | 20 March 2009 at 09:14 AM
Very sweet. I know just what you mean about March. I think it comes with more expectations..of nicer weather..makes us feel impatient for a "nice day" when really most of then are still crummy..weather wise.It's snowing here today.
Posted by: KateinNJ | 20 March 2009 at 09:15 AM
My dining room table still has the Christmas table cloth on it. Nough said!
http://sprucehill.typepad.com/
Posted by: Spruce Hill | 20 March 2009 at 01:53 PM
So sweet! And your pages are ALMOST making me want to take up a new project (to add to the mountain of unfinished others). They are so so great!
Posted by: Stefani | 20 March 2009 at 02:51 PM
i am so intrigued by digital scrapbooking. i really don't know much about it so i am not even sure where to start to look. ideas?
Posted by: erin | 20 March 2009 at 08:52 PM
I love the handwritten recipe card...
So precious,in that cool chick way. ;o)
Posted by: karen | 21 March 2009 at 11:23 PM