Happy Halloween, everyone! This is going to be a pretty random post covering things we've done over the past few weeks.
Violet is still deciding what to wear trick-or-treating. It's down to: autumn fairy, knight, dragon, ladybug, or witch. Oh---or a Carebear. I'll check in 10 minutes before we leave for trick-or-treating, because her mind changes about that fast.
Remember Violet's nap mat made of vintage Sesame Street sheets? I had some leftover scraps, so I made a little outfit. On her left leg, I put the Oscar the Grouch patch I found in one of The Jars a few weeks ago. She calls it her Nap Mat Dress. Oh! And my sewing machine has a great button hole function that I finally sat down and learned to use. I hate reading instructions, but sometimes you just have to. I'm glad I did, but at the time it was like pulling teeth.
The chef where Adam works came to visit this weekend. (Adam works at a huge facility, and they have a few different cafeterias, and each has different chefs.) Chef Jerry brought us a small fig tree and a delicious banana coffee cake---yum!
We've been practicing 'trick or treating' everywhere we go. "Knock knock, trick or treat, get candy, say thank you." Violet says it all run together. There is a store in Greenville that has a 'kids only door'. Isn't that cute?
The one in the middle is a Carnival Squash. I usually see them in the decorative section, but this one came with cooking instructions similar to preparing an acorn squash. I'm excited to try it. Have any of you had one before?
My friend Sarah shared a good trick for cooking with kids.....let them be the 'designated sniffer'.
Chilly mornings and raisin bread are a nice match.
If you soak the raisins in orange juice before you add them to the batter, they get nice and fat. If you're adventurous, soak them in spiced rum.
Violet expresses happiness lately by donkey kicking one chubby little leg into the air. I got her mid-kick.
See my kitchen? I'm having kitchen angst. It's a perfectly functional kitchen, I'm just not pleased with the aesthetics. I'm a shabby chic/modern country kind of gal, and I'm thinking of whitewashing all the cabinets. I also loathe the blue 'marble'. I've seen kits for resurfacing formica (laminate? whatever counters are called) that are a fraction of the cost of a new top. The results on the packaging look good, but you never know what they'll look like in real life when you do it at home.
So...what do you think? White cabinets, vintage pulls and a slate-y counter refinish? Boy, that makes me tired just thinking about it. That would probably take 2-4 whole weekends, given all the necessary drying time. I don't want my house torn up over the holidays. That might be a good January project.
This is SPARTA!!!!
The poor dogs. Adam gave Violet her first fencing lesson. (With a real fencing foil, not a plastic sword) He's really good, so if she's interested, he can coach her for many years. Adam fenced growing up, but I'd never tried it. He got me some fencing gear when we first got married, and we took some lessons. He's good. Me, not so much. Well.....it was more like, Adam slaughtered me every time and I got impatient. Maybe I'll try again with Violet when she's a little older. That might be more my speed.
Some recent meals:
-Bean and mushroom stew, baked chicken, spinach, carrots, & homemade bread
(By the way, I'm not showing you the nights I eat cold pizza or mac and cheese with half a banana and a scoop of yogurt.)
-Bacon-wrapped steak, sweet potatoes filled with Brussels sprouts, dried cherries, pecans, and blue cheese, and salad with pumpkin seeds
-Tomato based clam chowder, lemon garlic scallops over angel hair pasta, edamame
I saw a grackle pick up a lollipop stick in a parking lot.
What a happy grackle!
Little White Riding Hood
I think it's going to be a fun night of trick-or-treating. It's the first year Violet really understands it and is excited about it. She keeps telling me, "I'm ready, Mama."
Violet's sitting on my new laptop case. I decoupaged one for myself as an autumny treat. I'll show you more photos soon.
I loved this post! It was fun seeing Violet in all the outfits--her donkey kicks of happiness are SO cute. Your paintings are fabulous. All the meals/food looks yummy, and the grackle, ha! That was funny! :)
Posted by: Marty | October 31, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Ooooh, I forgot to tell you--the Sesame Street outfit is beyond cute! Love it!
Posted by: Marty | October 31, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Laura!!!! It's our saints day :) YOurs and mine, haha! cHoooooray!!! heheheheehahahahacacklecackle!!!
I called everyone at 6 a.m., mom sis, everyone with cackles and merriment, they were all zombies, no fun ;) I put on an 80's mix, then Louis Prima and danced all around, now time to bake! Wish you and Violet lived up the hill, and you could ride your bike down and play ;)
I can't tell you what Violet as a carebear does to me, it makes me so happy I could scream!!!!!! And her hugging the pupster, beyond words!!! Her outfit makes me want to wear one too!!!
Oh, white riding hood, beyond dreamy. She is so stunning, all her looks are precious!!!
Laura, I have to tell you, I love your kitchen. I like the colors, all of it. But I know what you mean about not your total feel. I am sure it will be lovely no mtter what you do!!
HAPPY HALOOWEEEEEN! I was baking and ran back here to see if you had posted so I could screach TRICKY TRICKY HALLLOWWWEEEN!!
Looooooove, V
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | October 31, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Where do I start? These pics of Violet have me grinning ear to ear. Grinning so hard there are tears in my eyes. Good Lord she is precious. Costumes! Meals!! Donkey kicks!!! And Adam teaching a 2 year old to fence, with a real foil? Only an engineer...
Posted by: Charlotte | October 31, 2011 at 12:04 PM