another baby quilt!

A few weeks ago, Steve and I went to Iowa for his sister's Heather's baby shower! She's expecting a little boy in early August, and I made a quilt for her! I was so pleased with myself, as it was the first time I've ever finished a quilt before the baby arrives! As I explained in the last baby quilt post, I am always a few quilts behind. I still have to finish Christine's baby Ada's quilt, Heidi's baby Ethan's quilt, and, Stephanie's baby Grace's quilt! Also, I spoke to Stephanie this week, and she told me the exciting news that Grace will be a big sister in November! So, looks like I have another baby quilt to add to the list  :) 

For Heather, I selected a fabric line called One For the Boys by Zoe Pearn for Riley Blake Designs. As I often do, I ordered it from Fat Quarter Shop, which is one of my favorite online fabric shops! They are located in TX and the customer service is second to none. For the pattern, I kind of made up my own, not following anything in particular, and I am pleased with the way it turned out! 

I also made a few cloth covered burp cloths using cloth diapers and some fun fabric! 

Along with these, I gave Heather a little onesie and a copy of Peter Rabbit, one of my all-time favorites. I think she liked everything, and I hope that Baby N likes them too, when he arrives. He'll be here in a few weeks and I am looking forward to meeting him! 

The baby shower itself was very nice, and Heather received many lovely gifts. Baby N is so loved already - what a blessing! It was a short weekend in Iowa, as that was the main focus of the trip, but we did have time to see some friends of Steve's and a few other things in the area. We toured a historic home, just for fun, and I met an aunt and uncle of Steve's that were in town for the shower. I hadn't met them before, as they live in St. Louis, so that was a good thing! We'll be back in Iowa in September for a Labor Day weekend wedding! 

Tasty Tuesday! Strawberry and Creme Cupcakes!

Here's a recipe from my sister Bethany! I have it cross-posted to Scarlet Threads blog today too, so feel free to peek there if you wish! Also, we have some darling new aprons in the apron shop...have you seen them yet?? I'm loving the ruffles on Priscilla so much. Remember, if you purchase anything from Scarlet Threads, use the code lex25 at checkout for a 25% discount! We're trying to get to all 50 states this year, so please share with your friends! Any friends in Alaska? That's my goal...send an apron to Alaska  :)


Anyway! Cupcakes! My sister loves to bake, and they always look delicious, and these cupcakes were too good not to share! Of course, I just wish I lived close enough to try one...DC and MA are just too far apart! 

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Normally I like to bake from scratch, but I always keep a few boxes of brownie and cake mix in the cupboard for those "emergency moments." My husband and brother in law spent the day ripping up the carpet on the stairs in our new house and putting in new hardwood stairs- yay, they look so pretty!  I was in the mood to bake, which isn't anything new, and felt the boys deserved a treat after their hard work.

Luckily, I had all the ingredients necessary for a cupcake recipe I'd been wanting to try!

I didn't have as much time as I hoped, as I had plans for the evening and it was already 4pm, so I pulled out a box of chocolate cake mix, heavy whipping cream, and fresh strawberries.

Make the cake mix as directed on the box, and fill cute cupcake tins about three quarters full.  For maximum moistness, bake for a few minutes less than directed on the box.

While cupcakes are cooking, wash and dry strawberries.  Cut into thin slices and set aside.

Wile cupcakes are cooling, whip heavy cream with hand mixer until fluffy.

Carefully cut off tops of cupcakes.

Spread a layer of whipped cream onto each cupcake, cover with a strawberry or two, and replace cupcake top.  I also put a dollop of whipped cream on the top so it would stick to the strawberries!  Add another dollop of whipped cream to the cupcake top and cover with one more strawberry.

Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve and store extras in fridge as well.

This is a delicious, easy summery recipe that got thumbs up from all!

What's baking in your kitchen this week??


Eeeek! Just realized this was my 700th post!!! Should I do something to celebrate? A fun giveaway? What do you think??? A Scarlet Threads apron?   :)

pre-flight breakfast!

Happy Saturday! I have a  2pm flight to Iowa this afternoon for Steve's sister's baby shower tomorrow. This flight includes a four hour stopover in Chicago (UGH!), but I had time for a leisurely breakfast watching The Pioneer Woman at home before I left!

An English muffin and tea.  Perfection.

Yes, I always fly with my passport, even domestically....you never know when you'll be whisked away on a secret mission somewhere  :)

I made a baby quilt for Steve's sister Heather, so I will post photos next week!

Happy weekend, friends!