Smartie Pants Sewing Pattern

I saw this cute pattern at Brooks Fabric in Bountiful, yesterday. They had some samples made up that were adorable. I love the propeller butt. Perfect for using up your minkie scraps. We would have bought it, but everyone we know is having boys.
PS Brooks has the BEST selection of flannels for baby blankets.

CRAVE.shoes.handbags

With all the talk about layoffs and economic downturn, it's revitalizing to hear of start-ups, especially when they're local. CRAVE was on one of my friends' blog the other day, they're starting out Shade Clothing style, going with the home parties. Since becoming a mommy, I rarely do the high heel thing anymore, but I absolutely adore these flats. You can't go wrong with shoes and purses, like my SIL always says "they always fit".

Children's Place 4 Layering

Children's Place is hit or miss for me, as far as boys go, as I don't have a need to buy girl clothes :(  But, currently they have excellent brights for layering.  Musts for layering.....stripes, collars, solids.  

Simpli Jessi

These have to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen, seriously. A bit of an investment, but totally worth it if you consider the time involved and the quality. So refreshing to find a doll suitable for a boy. (Yes, there are girl ones too)

And with the most adorable stories......

Andy is a park ranger in Oregon. He protects wildlife and nature on a daily basis. Andy drives a yellow jeep that has no doors, and plays the bongo drum in a band called "Bare Feet". Andy loves Popsicles and thunderstorms.

Juan was born in a tiny village in Mexico. The town was situated quite nicely on the Pacific Ocean...where Juan learned, at a very young age, to be a fisherman. Juan can play a wicked harmonica and on Saturdays he teaches salsa dancing

Felix is a technology junkie. He even writes rap songs about how much he loves technology. Felix likes to shovel snow and jump on his trampoline. When he has days off from work, Felix will sometimes roller skate at the local park.

Tri l Fec l Ta for Valentine's Flowers

Trifecta might be out of some people's price range. But, you'd be surprised how much money men spend on Valentine's day flowers. Something pretty basic, that I consider to look dated and downright awful, would probably cost $60-80 at your run of the mill florist, and we're talking somewhere inexpensive. However, I might be a little particular, being a florist myself. But, I love Trifecta's unconventional style. That and I was also a ribbon-loving florist.

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed

This is a favorite of mine. It's kind of like an unintentional Pay it Forward. The cover is also very lovely, very presentable as a gift.

Postman Pat

We recently broke down and got our digital converter box. We don't watch much TV, but I'm happy to have the cartoon channel, QUBO, if you are not already familiar, they have Babar, Theodore Tugboat, etc. Last night I discovered Postman Pat. It's like Wallace & Gromit. Definitely my new favorite. PS If your kids are fans of Qubo shows, their website has fun printable coloring pages and free games.

Jack and Lily My Shoes

I apologize for my absence the last few days. About the only thing that has peaked my interest the last few days has been tylenol, nasal drops, nasal syringe, and a humidifier. "W" is getting multiple molars, NOT FUN! Poor thing is sleep deprived because he can't breathe.

Anyhow, Jack and Lily's new line of "My Shoes" has more than plenty of cute girly shoes, patent and such. But, this one caught my eye for the boys. It doesn't look like much, but imagine with me here, because they don't have a side view. A green heel, very cute.

"CPSIA Impacts on Children's Apparel Industry" Petition

Remember this cute little boutique that I blogged about? They and many others throughout the country are being forced to go out of business because of a law that was passed back in August that forgot to make an exception for all of the small businesses and SAHM's that make a living this way. It's closely linked to the Save Handmade Toys petition that you've probably heard a lot about. Please sign this petition and we'll all do what we can before Feb. 10, 2009, now named, National Bankruptcy Day.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA?e

Coraline

I am so excited for this movie to come out. (In theatres, Feb. 6) Not only is it from the same director as Nightmare Before Christmas (one of my all time favorite movies), EVERYTHING in the movie is made by hand, including all the HAND-KNIT clothes, as the Duchess has informed me.

Toastabags

I found the most recent issue of Real Simple exceptional.  The highlight? (for me, anyways) This toastabag.  Yes, I'm easily impressed.  But I also really enjoyed most of the articles, that's pretty good considering I'm lucky if I like even one article in a magazine.

Laughing Elephant Valentines

You get 2 bolts today, since, obviously I wasn't on top of things yesterday.

Laughing Elephant makes the best vintage Valentines, among other things.

Draper Temple Open House

We went to the Draper Temple Open House yesterday. It was amazing. I was surprised at the classic modern design and the dark wood. If you don't already have your tickets, get them here.

Meredith Steele

Junior Society blogged about this artist today. Now I want one of her pieces really bad. The Fisher Price variety, of course. (PS, I just checked out her etsy shop, her prices are a steal!)

Utah Work/Life Awards

Every year the department of workforce services comes out with a list of best places to work in Utah. You can nominate your place of work (or your spouse's) here. Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 11th, 2009. Give back to those that have been good to you.

Joseph Smith Papers Vol. 1

If you were considering buying this book, but haven't because of the price. You should just go for it. It is exceptional and worth the money. I have just barely dug into it and have learned quite a bit already. It was a little after Christmas bonus gift to PBTB, from a misfit elf.

Oprah Free Book Download

If you watch Oprah, you already know this. I don't, but happened upon this episode. You can download this book for free until next Thursday from Oprah's website. I can't attest to the value of the content. I haven't read it, but hey, it's free, right? Worth a try.

Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallows

Homemade marshmallows are surprisingly easy to make and taste a lot better than store bought. I had a recipe similar to this one, but it's in storage, surprise, surprise. Anyway, you can't go wrong with the Barefoot Contessa.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar for dusting
Preparation:Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup. Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat. With the mixer on low speed slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly. With a sieve, generously dust an 8 x 12-inch non-metal baking dish with confectioners' sugar. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan, smooth the top and dust with more confectioners' sugar. Allow to stand uncovered overnight until it dries out. Turn the marshmallows onto a board and cut them in squares. dust them with more confectioners' sugar. Yield: 20 to 40 marshmallows, depending on cut size

Kindle

I love the idea of this wireless reading device. You can download pretty much any book you want from wherever you want. I don't, however, love the price. Although, considering that there's not a monthly subscription, it's not horrible. Right now, I'm with some of the other critics, call me when it's a little cheaper.

Travel Zoo

I am kind of a Travel Zoo junkie. I like to read their weekly Top 20 e-mails. They have really good deals. The first year we tried them out, PBTB and I went to Hawaii for 4 days for about $800 and that included room and air. I think that air usually costs more than that. I am usually planning Spring Break right about now. We like to keep it somewhere pretty close. We've been to Lake Havasu a couple of times, Flaming Gorge, Lake Powell, St. George, usually somewhere with a lake. This year I'm thinking Bear Lake. I'm a little torn, "warmer than here" is usually a must, but we might make an exception.

Anywhoo, there were some notable deals this week. (Bahamas, including air, for $259? Sounds good to me.) For something local, they included a discount to "Walking with Dinosars" next week.

I'll try to add images later, when Blogger isn't being pissy.

Eggplant Parmesan @ Buca di Beppo

My brother invited me to lunch on New Year's Day to Buca di Beppo, but I couldn't make it. Now, I've been craving their Eggplant Parmigiana ever since. FYI, any other place I've tried this it is no good, somehow Buca has mastered it.

Mountain Boy Sledworks

We used to carry these at the pharmacy. They are the coolest sleds and you couldn't find better quality. I bought PBTB a kicksled one year. I think we'll have to break it out sometime soon. They're made in Silverton, CO (If you haven't been, add it to your "places to see" list.)

Reflections by Carol P. Harding

This woman spoke in my MIL's relief society a few years back. The story behind the picture is incredible, read here. We have this print hung where we can see it when we wake up in the morning. "W" has taken to pointing at it whenever he wakes up in our bed.

Amelia Bedelia

The Duchess gave me a journal for Christmas that was made from an Amelia Bedelia book. She was one of my favorite characters when I was a kid, great books. And, what a great idea for old books!

Grandma Phoebe's Scones

We used to get together with the Yarn Queen's family every Christmas season for a scone party. That was before Grandma sold her house. Now, we do it every other year, if someone volunteers their home. This year my cousin, Lindsay, organized something at the ward house, thanks Linds.

Scones/Buttermilk Rolls

Bake 400 degrees

10-15 minutes

1 qt. warm buttermilk

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp salt

2 Tb salt

1/2 tsp soda

3 tsp baking powder

2 Tb sugar

6 Tb oil/shortening

Dissolve yeast in buttermilk

Mix all ingredients, add flour until you can roll a nice soft dough. Roll out dough.

For scones: let raise for 1 1/4 hour, cut into strips and cook in oil.

For rolls: make into rolls and let them raise 2 hr, then bake