Play Kitchen Sneak Peek

I've been wanting to share the play kitchen Cameron built for Stella, but I want  to put all the finishing touches on it before I do. We've got a lot of projects going on right now:  Spring cleaning/organizing (we want to be done by spring, so we can just maintain and enjoy the sunshine), prepping the garden, and a family brunch I'm hosting next week, so....the kitchen is taking the back seat.

This is the project we were supposed to start in September 2010 to have it ready for Christmas morning. It didn't get started until 2 days before Christmas, so we only have the bare bones  so far. The plans are from the amazing Ana White. Because of the time crunch, we didn't tweak the design for our taste like I originally wanted, but it's still so cute and Stella loves it.

 The dog bowl is eventually going to be the sink. Oh! The paint was only $5! Thank you oops section.

The wooden cutting food from Melissa & Doug. 

My hope is that our result is eventually something like this beauty from Kirsten at Crafting Chicks:

Here are her details about her play kitchen building adventures.

I know we're crazy. Okay I'm crazy, and my poor husband spent late nights out in the cold building this thing, but he will admit it's not all my fault that we didn't get it done in advance and on time. It was so important to me for her to walk out on Christmas morning and see the beautiful gift her daddy built just for her. For her birthday, my dad built her a toddler size picnic table. Trying to start traditions! It was worth the craziness. Especially when I'm working in the kitchen and she goes over to work in hers.

I'll be sure to update on our progress!

Falling in Love

This is a small pillow my mom cross stitched. My father picked it out. I never got to experience my parents "in love" because I was so young when they parted ways. I have a few pieces my mom has made that were started while she was pregnant with me.  Little things like this are a sweet treat that give me glimpses of the love they had for each other that led to me. I'm sure there's a tremendous amount of hope and love in every stitch. My mom gave it to Stella and we keep it on her window seat. It reminds me, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)."

Baby, It's cold outside!

We're still here it's just too darn cold to do anything! I won't bore you with the daily ins and outs.

My friend Sara made Stella's adorable Berry Hat with a matching blanket. She found the pattern here but there is a similar one Ravelry (and it's free!) Ravelry is such a great resource for knitting/crocheting There are many free patterns and others are for sale. If only I could knit or crochet. There are so many things I would like to make Maybe I'll learn this year...