10.30.2008

Jack and Lily





Cedar received these JACK AND LILY shoes as a gift from my UMBER studio mate Jessica. They finally fit and they are so cute! They have soft soles so the baby can still get some tactile sensation with their feet and they also stretch over his chubby toes. Thanks Jessica!

10.27.2008

Hello From Cedar


Just a simple hello from a happy baby. Peter took the day off on Monday and the house was full of smiles.

10.23.2008

Sharon's Buttermilk Pie Crust


Peter's aunt Sharon makes the most delicious pies and it all starts with her amazing crusts! She gave this pie crust recipe to me over a year ago and I finally had a chance to use it on a pumpkin pie. If you live the battle of the tough crust you must try this. It is easy to work with and rolls out beautifully. I even rolled it twice and it was wonderful the second time. I took some cookie cut outs made the leaves and nuts from the scraps (which I rolled a third and fourth time), baked them and added them to the pie after it cooled a bit. The crust is flaky and rich. Thanks to Sharon- and this is not the last time you will read about her.

Happy baking. The season for warm kitchens is among us!

SHARON'S BUTTERMILK PIE CRUST
(this is a doubler recipe that makes 4-6 crusts depending on how thick you like your edges)

6 cups unsifted flour
1 tsp salt
2 cups white Crisco
2 tblsp oil
8 tblsp (1 stick) margarine or butter (I used butter)
1 cup buttermilk

Mix all ingredients except buttermilk in pastry blender until crumbly / or mix all dry ingredients and cut in cold butter, then pick up with your fingers and rub until crumbly. Stir in buttermilk. Divide into 4 to 6 equal parts and wrap in saran. Use and or refrigerate or freeze in a freezer bag. Use as you would any other pie crust.

*for the picture I used two pie crusts for a deep dish pie pan and cut outs.

10.19.2008

Classic Fall Day


Ahhh what a beautiful time of year.

10.18.2008

Pea Pods



For as much as I love the country, it is stores like PEAPODS that makes me glad I put up with city life. I have not been there since I was pregnant and that is probably a good thing since I can not afford most of the items there. Since Cedar can not write yet (that is just around the corner) I will have to take over the task of writing to Santa and I am going to kindly ask him to shop here and start with this cute PLAN pull along zebra- or the cute HABA clutch. They have maple building blocks with amazing shapes, wooden stack rings, classic sleds, organic cotton clothing, BPA free plastic cups and a lot more that I hope Santa will consider. I am doing my best to keep Cedar inspired and learning in healthy way and this store is spot on.

10.16.2008

Our morning walk

Every morning since Cedar was about 1 month old I have been taking a morning walk with him and Bella. I now appreciate the ease of summer when we could just grab a sun hat and go. To think that I walked him in nothing but a onesie for a few months blows my mind. It is now just barely 40 degrees when we hit the park. This morning I pulled his winter clothes over his protests and dragged myself into the cold. Once we get going it is refreshing and absolutely wonderful. I will always cherish these walks and I know that Cedar does too.

Here is a clip of our latest walk:

EASY PUMPKIN COOKIES


Wow. You won't believe how good these are - especially hot, right out of the oven and you won't believe how easy these are to make. I have been through two batches already. The ingredients are easy to store and very quick to make. Enjoy!

PUMPKIN COOKIES
350 degrees / 16-18 minutes
1 Spice Cake Mix
1 15 oz Can Pumpkin
1 Cup Chocolate Chips

Mix ingredients, Drop on greased cookie sheet. Bake. Makes about 35-40 small cookies.

10.13.2008

The End of the Harvest


This past summer (and the three summers before) we have enjoyed the bounties of a CSA with the EASY BEAN FARM. Peter and I shared a full share of vegetables with Phil & Pat. Each Friday we received a box of goodies well worth the money. There are many good reasons for supporting local farmers and I am sure you all know those. The downfall is that you share the woes of the farmer too like bad weather, pests, crop failure and over abundance of just one item. All those things can make it interesting, adventurous and sometimes boring, however I have a refrigerator full of onions that will last well into the winter, a freezer full of tomatoes and brussel sprouts and hopefully a healthful body from all the good food. Our last box came Friday and that is the absolute sign to me that summer has passed.

10.11.2008

Dogs are miracles with paws.


When I am out walking with the baby & the dog many people smile and walk up to me. I assume they want to get the baby's attention but they are always drawn to the forever puppy Bella. Kids run up to her for petting, older folks admire her gentle ways and other dogs want to give her a kiss (but she is too shy). Oh Bella. If only I was a good as you think I am, if I could feed you what's on my plate I would and if I can keep those kids hands away from your ears I will. You are such a good friend and a fierce protector, the mail carrier will never cross the threshold. Your snoring at night doesn't bother me that much and your sweet gaze melts my heart every time.

10.10.2008

The Onion Movie


I am not sure how many of you are familiar with THE ONION, but if you are sit down. THE ONION MOVIE is out now. The Onion does what we all wish were good at- turning around current events and seeing the insanity and absurdity in all of it. The movie is no different. I worked on the music production for this movie and after four years (yes it took four years and two studios) it is out now on DVD. For all you Onion fans this is great news. For all of you with a cynical, intelligent and slightly jaded sense of humor get with it! Check out this movie!

To view some clips go to ASCHE AND SPENCER *Note this is for adults

Thank you Grandma Ethel


Thank you for the big box of goodies Grandma Ethel. Top teeth are starting to come in. The teether arrived just in time. Cedar has several cold chewy things and a few others to reach for although at times it is never enough...

10.09.2008

YUM! CASHEW BRITTLE

Thomasina liked to make Cashew Brittle. It was so good that family and friends encouraged her to go into business and make her wonderful brittle commercially available. It is delicious and one bite pulls you into the bottom of the bag. She is amazing! Thomasina is also a wonderful vocalist and a kind person. She stopped by last week with a baby gift and two bags of her brittle. OMG! It is so good I had to hide it from myself. We gave Peter's mom one of the bags because I knew she would like it. (and she really did) If you are looking for a yummy gift for someone that has a sweet tooth I highly recommend THOMASINAS CASHEW BRITTLE
The ingredients are: Butter, sugar, cashews, vanilla. Truly amazing!

Making Your Own Halloween Costume this year?


Are you one of those people who start thinking about your Halloween costume as soon as the kids are back to school? If you are, and you want to win a fabulous costume contest check out the craft challenge at CRAFSTER If you have a fabulous original idea and are doing it yourself make sure to snap a photo and send it in. Win a cool prize and share your creativity with others. The photo shown is a DYI costume winner from a few years ago.
I remember one year I threw together a corpse bride with tool, leaves, sticks and lots of makeup. It was a lot more fun to wear than something you just go out and buy and then find you are the 6th honey bee at the same party- enough for a hive.

10.08.2008

BIRDLETTE "little people tees"



Before Cedar was born I started looking on mod parenting sites. Everything was way cool and way expensive. I love design so much and it is important to me to support artists but I had to reign in the spending and be extremely picky. I ended up purchasing a onesie from BIRDLETTE She has fun cute and whimsy nailed.

The one I purchased for Cedar just started to fit his big milk tank tummy.

10.07.2008

Rainy Day today... but not a few days ago




Today is a cool rainy day. We went for a walk under the umbrella and I was thinking about what a nice sunny Friday and Saturday we had. Here are a few photos from those days for a little warmth in your day.

10.06.2008

The colors of Autumn


I snapped this photo early today. I love the fall colors. So dramatic.

Halloween Shopping


I know many of you are familiar with ETSY. If not you should sneak away with your computer for at least two hours and check out the fabulous items you can purchase directly from the person who made it. I think it is the best on line craft boutique and if you are set up with Pay Pal it is almost too easy to purchase. They are featuring a new HALLOWEEN GIFT GUIDE. I adore anything candy corn and found these soaps in the gift guide. Check out the handmade trick-or-treat bags, the witch finger earrings and all the home decor.

10.04.2008

I Love this hat!


I have been looking for a good fall hat that covers his head, ears and neck (what neck?). I found this cute brown hat at my favorite store HANNA ANDERSSON I scour over their catalogue when it arrives. Luckily (maybe not) we have a store at the Mall of America. I can only go there with a serious limit on spending. There are so many nice things to choose from and everything is made so well. Isn't he cute? He will certainly be warm on our morning walks!

10.03.2008

Art Kids Rule

It is amazing how much information is available on the internet. I assume most of it is a tidal wave of garbage waiting to be surfed in the late hours of the night and not a ripple of good stuff for kids. Not true. I found this site ART KIDS The music page was amazing! I wish I was 6 all over again learning from the world wide web. Don't even get me started on WIKIPEDIA These links make me excited for Cedar's future surfing!

Cedar the Performer


Throughout the house we have "stations". He is sitting well but not well enough and sometimes falls forward or backward. We have to put pillows at each "station". I have one in the living room with toys, one in our bedroom and one in Peter's music room. The station in the music room is complete with keyboards, tambourine, shakers and harmonica. It is funny how he immediately knew to pound on the keys as if instinct kicked in. I am afraid to find out what would happen if we put a saxophone in his mitts. Jam on Cedar!

Must Have for Grabbing


Cedar is getting better at grabbing things, shaking things and now throwing things. He likes things that move and shake, rattle or crackle. I have been swapping toys with a friend and she gave us a HABA rattle to test drive. Now it is a must have. I just went to their web site HABA and found many toys that would end up in his hands. I love the frog.

First Post for a New Blog


CEDAR & JANELL

Ok, I am back with a new blog and a new me. Since the birth of my son I have been very busy (surprised?). Life is really good! I like the new me and I invite you to check in often for pictures of Cedar, products I dream about, recipes, stories and a mix of other things. I hope it is your cup of tea!

"Art is the only way to run without leaving home." 'Twyla Tharp