Birthday....cowgirl style!

I got to help Miss M celebrate her 5th birthday! 
She wanted a cowgirl party!  Loads of fun!
This was the dessert table.....horseshoe cake with "barbed wire" (chocolate twizzlers).
 

The drinks....notice the very green cactus juice in the back. 
Also, these "glasses" were canning jars glued on candlesticks.  CLEVER idea!   

The "Grub pile" aka. food table.

Some of the food!

More food!

The birthday girl....turns 5!!! 
Sadly I didn't get a picture of her with her cowgirl hat and bandana. 

 

More Florida

I loved my time in Florida and can't believe I've been home 2 1/2 weeks already! 
Am now longing for a little of that Florida warmth!
One day we went on a boat ride to Shell Island, by way of the dolphins.......


.....another we went to Mexico Beach.....

.....then to Gulf World.

Special memories of cooking and baking with Miss M....

Coloring eggs and discovering them throughout the yard.....

And of course, one more trip to the beach before returning to OR!

 

Florida kiddos

Wonderful Florida adventure: 
Beautiful weather.
Lovely company.
Delicious new dishes.
Fabulous beach excursions.
 

 

 

 

Florida!!!!

Luggage packed, id'd, ribbon-ed.....check. 
Boarding pass printed.....check.
Valid ID.....check.
Heart, mind, body ready....CHECK, CHECK, CHECK!!! 

Misc "wrap up"

This post is going to be rather "mix-y"....I might have just made that word up!  Since I will be leaving in a couple of days (more on that in a minute), I wanted to wrap up a few misc details.

These flowers were one of my birthday bouquets.  They are STILL beautiful...2 weeks later!
 

This little combination of fabrics was made into a little something of which will appear at a later date...one of the many projects I finished this last week. 
 

This scarf....well....was interesting to make.  It is made with VERY fine yarn and nearly 1300 stitches on the needles AT.THE.SAME.TIME!  I enjoyed making it, in fact have made another variation of it since (it's not ready to post about yet) and have yarn to make another, but it does take time....it increases VERY quickly into MANY stitches! 
 

This pic was taken at the beginning of our snow this last week....by the next morning, we had 5 in. (didn't get a pic).  Thankfully it didn't stick around very long!  Couldn't believe it....snow on Mar 21st and 22nd.  CRAZY!!!!  Though I will say, it was pretty!  I do love watching it fall.....rather mesmerizing.

And so, that pretty much wraps it up.  I am leaving for the Sunshine State this Wednesday morning and plan to thaw and dry out a bit!!!  80 degrees with a little humidity is sounding quite perfect at the moment! 

I am SO looking forward to:
* meeting little baby C for the first time and getting in a few snuggles.
*celebrating a 5 yr old birthday....cowgirl style!
*basking in the sun, on the beach.
*playing with said 5 yr old and 8 yr sibling.
*of course...hanging out with their mommy and daddy too!  ;)
*and MANY more unknown special adventures that await!

Sashay yarn!!!!

Just got home from JoAnn Fabrics and they have sashay yarn in all colors! The Salem store had many in stock!!!

Quinoa Pancakes

I really like quinoa. So tonight I tried out a new recipe that sounded oh-so-good and I must say, it didn't disappoint me! It was delicious! VERY tasty!!! I shall be indulging again and again (probably with variations).

Quinoa Banana-Nut Pancakes

1/2 cup cooked quinoa cooled a bit
2 egg whites
1/4 cup non fat milk
1 tsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 banana sliced or diced

Beat egg whites, then add quinoa, milk, sugar, vanilla and banana. Spray skillet with vegetable oil cooking spray and cook over medium-high heat, flipping once until firm. Top with plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 sliced banana, chopped walnuts and a little maple syrup.

Evening project

From this......

.....to this. 
A bright and happy dress for a special Florida girlie! 
Keep it a secret Mama Bear!

SO ready for Spring & Flowers!!!!!!

 

 

 

Last week I went to a nursery in the desperate search of color to brighten the dull backdrop of gray that Spring in the Willamette Valley graces us with.  I love the colorful happy faces!
Flowery socks brought some cheer yesterday.  :)

Little Scarf

 

Though you can't tell, this scarf is little, made for a special 3 year old.  Knitted up very quickly....15 minutes or so with Boucle yarn on size 15 needles.  I love the texture!