All last week was gloomy and rainy and, sure enough, that was also the week that all the new patio furniture arrived. I…
Paper Mache Party Lights
Once I got started with the paper mache, I couldn’t quite stop myself. I came up with a technique for the big decor balls that worked really great – Mixing the paint right into the glue. It gives a super…
2009 Year of Pleasures #21
I spent a day a few weeks ago strolling through the resort town of Balboa Island with my dearest cousin Karen. I really couldn’t think of a sight that was more Newport Beach than a Paul Frank beach cruiser parked…
The Big Day
For nearly a year now I’ve been going to a community college culinary school, and tonight is my very last class. Every Thursday since last August I’ve been dropping Atti off at Bear’s office, donning my chef’s whites, and going…
Back by popular demand
As I’ve thoroughly documented, I’m kind of obsessed with my garden. I forced myself to take a bit of a bloggy break from it though because I was getting a little single minded. It’s only one part of my homemaking…
2009 Year of Pleasures #19
As part of my Mother’s Day celebration, Bear attempted to make my very favorite dessert of Chocolate eclairs. He cooked up the special Pate Choux dough, then we piped it into these squashed up figure 8’s per Alton Brown’s instructions.…
Best Weekend
What a wonderful way to spend a day. Snuggled up to my favorite little guy while my favorite big guy makes me breakfast in bed. Homemade pastry with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. It was perfection. And I only had…
2009 Year of Pleasures #18
I’m feeling a little bit stuck these days. Just not feeling the creative mojo. This happens to me a lot when I finish a big project, I just have trouble getting myself kick started again. Everything I’ve been working on…
Plate Wall
I’ve finally managed to tackle another big job I’ve been putting off and get all these plates I’ve been collecting over the past year hung up along the staircase. Living with those brown paper circles was making me batty! This…
One last garden post…
I know I’m in danger of becoming obsessed, but what is a blog for if not to document everything we can’t stop thinking about? This is what’s keeping me away from all my responsibilities. When I planted them I took…