sheppard girls

Littles

My Club Little House package is nearly ready to go.  I have purposely not looked at what other folks made, in part because I didn't want to find out that someone else had made something similar, because I didn't have any other ideas, and in part because I didn't want to see how amazing their work was and feel like mine wasn't good enough.  I have a couple other goodies that will be tucked into the boxes as well, if I am able to finish them in time!

Have a learned nothing?

Teeny tiny metal trays!  I saw a big pile at an antique store when we were on vacation near a small central Minnesota town.  I paused.  I thought about them.  I did not buy them.  I am certain they were no more than $.50 each.  And now I know what I wanted them for.  Have I learned nothing!?  If you pause over something, and think about it a long time.  And they are fifty cents each.  BUY THEM.  You will find a use.  Sort of like crafting dejavu in reverse.  On the aforementioned vacation I was reading The Know it All by A. J. Jacobs who tried to read the encyclopedia.  He mentioned the actual word for reverse dejavu in the book.  This is the second time the book has been referenced in the last two days, as yesterday the dad made one of my very favorite salsas using tomatoes from our CSA box.  A.J. had saved the day when his wife nearly put coriander on a dish and he was able to recall that their dinner guest hated cilantro, and that cilantro and coriander were the same herb.  I don't like cilantro either, but in this salsa, it is irresistable.

Essential chopped tomato-serrano salsa  from Rick Bayless' Mexican Kitchen

2 medium or 4-5 plum tomatoes

Fresh serrano chilles to taste (roughly 3-5, 1/2 or 1 ounce total)

A dozen or so large spring of cilantro

1 large garlic clove, peeled and very finely chopped

1 small white onion

1 1/2 tsp fresh lime juice

Salt, about 3/4 tsp

Core tomatoes, then cut in half widthwise and squeeze out the seeds.  Finely dice the flesh by slicing it into roughly 1/4 inch thick pieces, then cutting each slice into small dice. Scoop into a bowl.

Cut the chiles in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds if you wish.  Chop the chiles as finely as you can, then add them to the tomatoes.  Carefully bunch up the cilantro sprigs and slice them 1/16 inch thick, stems and all.  Scoop into the tomato mixture along with the garlic.  Next, finely dice the onion with a knife, scoop it into a small strainer, then rinse under cold water.  Shake to remove excess water and add to the tomato mixture.  Taste and season with lime juice and salt.  Let stand a few minutes for the flavors to meld.

No picture, because I ate it all. 

Swimsuits and argula

Imagine how cool I felt when, while listening to The Splendid Table this afternoon while out doing such glamorous errands as returning bath fans to Lowe's, buying ice, and getting the dad a much needed new swimsuit ( I am correct in thinking that, if the last swimsuit you got was for your honeymoon, nearly nine years ago, then it is okay to get a new one, right?)  When I heard that the next book on Ruth Reichl's summer reading list, was also The United States of Arugula.

Mirror mirror

When I did the St. Paul Craftstravaganza in April, I sold tons and tons of headbands.  But I didn't have a mirror for folks to look at themselves before making a decision, even though they were clearly super cute.  It was my first show - I didn't know.  Thank goodness for the nice and patient jewelry booth next door.  So I have been on the lookout for a little mirror and yesterday I found this one at Mustard Moon.  I love it, and I love small town occasional stores for charging such amazing low prices for their treasures.

Sandal love

               

Apparently I live in a fog over here, because I have completely missed the new craze in blog-land over Salt Water Sandals.  How cute are they?  Can't you picture them with a great sundress - which I am certain to get finished yet this month.  I am thinking red for the girls and yellow for me?  Do you have these?  Are they are as fun in person?

Cute afterall

Dear folks at Crafty Planet.

You were right.  I was wrong.  The bunny fabric is wonderful.

Good intentions

me: oh I love those tops (from MiniBoden). 

the big one: yeah, me too

me: I could totally make some of those

the big one: yeah, but you won't

Darn.  She knows me too well.  I have a couple of shirts, that, whenever I wear them, someone asks, 'did you make it?'  NO!  But I should have, I know.  I could have.  Someday I will.  Summer is half over and I even have a little pile of fabric set aside, just in case.  I have many good ideas.  Just very few of them get done in time. 

 

I did think of, and complete a star shaped barrette for the little one for the 4th of July.  I finished it about five minutes before we ran out the door to the parade, it had to cool in my hand because I had just ironed on the fabric backing and while doing so, I melted the little star-shaped sequins I stitched on.  But maybe someone thought they were sparkles or abstract fireworks.  I am certain of it.

Just a little too late

Wouldn't you know it!  After nearly three years of looking for a white rectagular, glass-topped wrought iron dining table for our deck, I finally gave up and purchased different chairs, only to find two, TWO! different tables at Hunt and Gather.  Either one was exactly what I was looking for.  But I had already changed my mind.  I did get a bunch of vintage flashcards, which I love. 

 

We currently have these on the walls of our playroom.  They are doll clothes that my great aunts made for my mom.  All hand sewn. 

   

And these,

 

which are more vintage flashcards with the names of the big one and the little one.  (I could hardly contain my joy!)  I am thinking I could do at least as good as these flashcard displays from Sundance,

and because mine were $1 each, I could still find my perfect table.

darn

 

Remember this post and how excited that I was to discover how much my girls enjoyed Silly Putty?

Remember my friend Kay's warning that Silly Putty lasted about two days at her house?

Guess who just had to type in "how do I remove Silly Putty from fabric".

Just a few

   

I certainly hope that the grass really does seem greener on the other side, and people with mostly sunny gardens would like some shade, because, as someone with a mostly shady garden, I would love a bit more sun.  This is the first of a very small number of bouquets I will be able to make from our gardens, as hosta and astilbe don't make the prettiest cut flowers.