sweet love
In lieu of a card I spelled it out for the mister with some candy.
(peanut butter)icing on the (cup)cake
This peanut butter icing recipe is incredible.
The kind of incredible where you have to stop yourself from "trying" it while you make it or there won't be enough to frost the cupcakes. The kind of incredible that you might just want to forget about frosting anything at all and just grab a spoon and eat it straight out of the bowl. Here is the recipe.
I'm beginning to think that my oven is running a little hot as things tend to bake too quickly. I know I have an oven thermometer around here somewhere. Is my mom yelling at the computer right now saying she bought one for me for Christmas a few years ago? Probably. I just have to locate it. Anyway.
For fear that the chocolate cupcakes would be on the dryer side I decided to forego their wrappers and slice them in half. I figured a little peanut butter goodness in the middle like a cupcake sandwich might help the situation. The result?
They look amazing, if I do say so myself, in a not-so-perfect homemade-with-love kind of way. I topped them with peanut butter cups and peanut butter filled m&m's in red...like a cherry on top!
thumb print valentines
Making a heart is super easy with two thumbprints.
Of course, there all sorts of characters to create...
Here's a family portrait with thanks to Clementine's finger prints!
That's her in the back screaming "love", in case you needed a hint.
a sweet little apron
Look at how cute this fabric is! I will forever be a fan of Japanese import fabric. It always makes me smile. Clementine has been OBSESSED with cupcakes. I ask her what she would like for lunch and she replies in a sweet sort of drawn out way, "cup-cake".
It's so cute I often want to give in, but of course she'll have to eat her broccoli first.
As soon as I saw this print I knew it was destined for an apron. What better occasion that Valentine's Day to make it for the little miss?!
This was one of those easy patterns that you can buy off the rack at the fabric store.
I love how ruffly the skirt is and I dolled it up even more with some red and white polka dot ric rac.
Perfect to go along with this play cupcake set!
And one for her little friend, too.
from your little love bird
Making Valentines!
Trace your little one's hand and cut it out to use as the wing on your little love bird.
These are very easy to make and involve googly eyes which are always fun!
Cut out a heart shape for the head, a small heart for the beak and a bird shaped body.
Glue the pieces together.
This is super cute as is or you could add a photo!
the lipstick tree and its red prickly pods
These red prickly pods clustered on a stem caught my attention amongst the blossoms at the market.
Their sign read "lipstick plant".
I was intrigued,
not to mention part of me was waiting for them to open their "mouths" and start singing. It was all I could do to not add googly eyes and wait for this chorus to serenade me.
As it turns out this is the pod or fruit of the lipstick tree, a tropical tree or bush, also known as Bixa orellana, or Annatto.
The seeds are crushed and used as a natural coloring in many foods, like cheeses, butter, margarine, candy, as well as household products and of course cosmetics like lipstick.
The annatto paste has long been used by South American Indians as a decorative body paint, especially for the lips.
So much to be learned from one little stem.
oh monday
Today calls for a little Weezie love, cheesy puff crumb beard and all.