Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .cold, icy.  So icy that the kids are home ALL DAY due to road conditions!

I am thinking. . .that I would like to start my spring cleaning.  Maybe spring will show up.

I am thankful for. . .the love and friendship in my life.  I really am.

From the kitchen. . . a lovely burning candle that smells so fresh.  Hot cup of chai tea.  fruit, lots of fruit.  again, a symbol of spring.

I am wearing. . .jeans, Packer t-shirt and long gray sweater.  I love gray right now.

I am creating. . .a new painting from our trip to Ethiopia almost a year ago.  Hope to get to it later today.  The link below is the companion piece to it.

sacred painting

I am going. . .(after Jack finishes his time out) to get all 7 kids in my house to the art studio 

(studio below...I know I'm spoiled)  ;) 

I am reading. . .   blogs & magazines,  right now because it is quick and satisfying.  "People" with Jennifer Aniston on the cover is for quiet time later today.  Rocks your world, i know.  There is a pile of great books bedside, which I will tackle on spring break.  Right now they just put me to sleep!

I am hoping. . . for spring.   peace.  hope in the world.

I am hearing. . .6 kids laughing as they play, Bob the bulldog making noises playing with them, and 1 kid (Jack) whining to come out of  the"time out" spot.

Around the house. . .the kids are home from school with an "ice day".   It is busy and chaotic, but in a good way.

One of my favorite things. . . Gwen Frostic's book:  To Those Who See

It is a book my grandmother gave me, that had been agift to her in 1973.  It is filled with poetry, beautiful papers and reflections of nature.  I recently shared it with my artist's group and they loved it too.  It is fantastic.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . a couple days of the school routine, working out, eating better, getting in the art studio, watching a movie.  Then driving 5 hours to MN with 4 kids ALONE, to be with my Dad on his birthday, visit my family and  snuggle my baby niece, Eleanor.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . .

one year ago-

one year ago-
you were smiling for and  being held by your nannies.
we were packing, organizing and ready to jump on a plane to Ethiopia to meet you
you had no idea your forever family was coming to you to bring you home
we knew you only known through reports and photos
you had never drank from a bottle and looked in our eyes.  you drank from a cup, held outward
we had never counted your little toes
you had only ever known a nursery with many babies and loving nannies
we had only ever known life with 3 little boys
you had your thumb to comfort you
we had a blanket to give you
you had not yet felt our love
we loved you already
one year ago the anticipation was so wonderful, so intense.
We couldn't wait to hold you in our arms at last and forever.
one year ago, sweet girl and now look at you!

And while I am sharing this "colorful" photo....I can't help but want to enter it in 

Faith-Simplicity photography challenge

Project 64: Indigo Blue

A shade of indigo blue....love this little guy, my god-son.  

The cookie monster shirt use to be worn by my little guy Jack.

scavenger hunt Sunday

  
First time I have ever completed the challenge with all NEW photos from the past week!  
It was a fun challenge!

1. Chocolate:   

Chocolate covered strawberries from Nana for Valentines.  oh, so yummy.

2. Numbers

Drew is #7 , which he thought was pretty cool since he is "7" 
and he is crazy excited to be starting the basketball season!

3.  Canned Food
feeling inspired to make a little pyramid of cans...

4. Music
"Thriller!"  Oh, M.J.  how I loved you.  how I miss you.   
This record was well loved... and now even without a record player, 
I can't seem to part with it.  
As I pulled this relic out it was the first time my kids have ever seen a "record". 
 Drew was thrilled because I have made him into a huge M.J. fan too!

5. Stack:   

Proof I have a bit of an addiction to magazines....

                   I think the magazines we choose say a lot about ourselves.  For me my favorites- Oprah, Marie Claire, This Old House, Adoptive Families, Metropolitan Home, Better Homes and Gardens....and all those get organized, create color home mags.  
Of course, I am a People junkie too....
although I don't subscribe, just can't resist at a checkout!

Greek Pizza!

Normally, I am not the kind of blogger to share recipes, actually this is a first....because well, that just isn't on my radar.  I love (a little too much) food, but often am lacking in my efforts to be creative in the kitchen- unless it is something new on the wall!  

My dear friends, Cari Teff and Kate Stuart creators of "Bites" created this amazing recipe incorporating Odyssey feta cheese for a local cheese company, Klondike Cheese.   

They kindly gave me their permission to share this with my friends.

Odyssey Greek Salad Topped Pizza

(Recipe courtesy of Bites Catering)

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise

3 ounces cream cheese 

3 cloves garlic, minced

6 cups salad greens 

1 seedless cucumber, sliced

1 pint grape tomatoes

½ red onion, thinly sliced

¾ cup kalamata olives, sliced

8 ounces Odyssey feta cheese, divided

1 pizza crust or flatbread, baked

¼ cup greek vinaigrette (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine mayo, cream cheese, 4 oz. Odyssey feta, and garlic.  Spread over prepared pizza crust and bake for 8 minutes.  Meanwhile, mix salad greens and veggies in a large bowl, toss with vinaigrette.  Place salad on pizza crust and top with remaining 4 oz. Odyssey Feta and enjoy!

Greek Vinaigrette

2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

In a bowl add balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, shallot, oregano.  Slowly whisk in olive oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

paper mama photo challenge: red

Red... Paper Mama photo challenge

This shot of our sweet girl from last summer....she was turning one and just about to walk, 

which as you can see she was excited about!   

I bought this outfit from the GAP's product

RED campaign (RED) raising $$ for the Global Fund to elimate AIDS in Africa 

This outfit sat in her dresser long before she came home from Ethiopia (almost a year ago now!).  

Here RED signifies hope for Africa...

decor rehab- art studio- part 2

The decor madness has continued....  I have rehabed a few more pieces, which all live in my art studio and love it.  The space is finally coming together.  Feeling like a space in which I can relax and create.

before on the coffee table:

A great thrift store find.  $10.   yeh!  

I gave it a good sanding.  Had a red stain that came through primer and required several coats, but is worth the result!  Also took the rollers off of it to paint.  I love that it has cast rollers.

i painted it a gray, sanded the edges, dry brushed on some white and then stenciled the top.

after:

 Here is you get to see the studio coming together a bit more all in preparations for my art critique group that is visiting.  More on that "art love" gathering later.

For now, focus on my vintage chair.  I got 2 for $50 from the same thrift store!  (Even at this price, my husband doesn't understand these)  They are in great condition to boot!  Some may not get it.....but I love them.   Perfect for the studio.  And designer Amy Butler just came out with a new fabric that is nearly identical to this vintage one....what goes around comes around.

Amy Butler's Soul Blossom line.  love, love, love

look  at the fabric right above ** Well, maybe not identical, but it is very similar and very vintage like these chairs.  To top it off the window treatments that are being made are from the fabric that is right above it (in peacock).  Love!I can't wait for those window treatments to arrive!  it is the little things....but creating this art sanctuary for myself has been so very therapeutic! Then this little table that was given to me......needed to be toned down a bit. Used a paint to just dry brush a color over the bright color and tone it down a little, while letting some color through for dimension.   I like this effect with a bright color underneath! the table turned out really nice....great place for plants in the studio Then we have this wonderful rug that I found at the Swiss Colony Outlet store here in town....once in a while you can really find a discount treasure!   The rug is so soft and fun, the kids love rolling on it's shagginess!  How to vacuum it is still a mystery, but like many things I will figure that out later.  And then onto the framed mirror I found at an antique store... I really need to get a grip and always get a before shot.  But sometimes I just get so excited. Trust me, it was gold and belonged in a cheesy, smoky, Vegas hotel.  But now it has a whole new life and message! Now it is one of my "Favorite things"!!!

the art studio has been re- created, it is inspired and truly loved!  Now I need to share, share, share it!


Check out other awesome DIY home decor "favorite things" at the link below....its just fun