the dress! the dress!

Remember this post, where I mentioned my love for this dress?

The dress is now mine!!! One of my best friends from high school was visiting this weekend and we met in Georgetown for dinner. Of course, there was time to pop into Anthropologie! This amazing dress has long been sold out on the website. It was originally $168, then marked down to $80, but Saturday night? It was marked to $39.99!!!!!

So, what shoes would you wear with it???

breakfast at Cinderella's Castle!

The other night, I was cleaning and packing (have I mentioned that I am moving this weekend?) and came across this photo, from our trip to Disney World in 2008!

Lexi, Steve and Cinderella :)

I had never been to Disney at all before (shocking, I know!). We were walking in and of course, came to Cinderella's Castle and there was a huge line. Of course, stopped to investigate, and found that it was a line for breakfast with the Princesses! YES!!!! I knew that I wanted to do this, but what I didn't know, was that most people make reservations for their family six months in advance! Oooops. I asked the girl at the desk, and it turned out that since it was just the two of us, and no children, we had just a 15 minute wait! Breakfast was delish, and I got to meet Snow White, Belle, Jasmine and more!

I'll have to post some of the other photos sometime...they are too funny, especially the one of Steve and Jasmine, hehe!

Who is your favorite Disney Princess?

tasty tuesday- lasagna a la lexi!

Happy Tuesday, and today I am sharing a new favorite. Maybe not new, exactly, as I've always loved lasagna, but until recently, I had never tried making it! Growing up, I don't remember my mother making it- I feel as though she said it was time consuming, and maybe it was, if you boil the lasagna noodles, which I don't ;)

I first made this a few weeks ago, and Steve loves it...so, it's become a favorite of ours!

Lasagna a la Lexi

1 lb. ground beef (or turkey, if you prefer)
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
1 pinch each- basil, garlic powder, oregano, sage, black pepper, minced garlic and onion flakes (I do large pinches, as I am very generous with spices!)
1 jar maranara sauce
1/2 package lasagna noodles (no bake noodles- I don't precook them)
1 large container ricotta cheese
1 bag mozzarella cheese, shredded

1. brown the beef in a large skillet over med-high heat. drain excessive grease, stir in water, olives and spices. simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often. stir in maranara sauce and then remove from heat

2. place a layer of meat/sauce mixture at the bottom of a 9x13" pan. cover with dry noodles (three across). spread layer of rocotta cheese over noodles, sprinkle with mozzarella. cover with layer of meat/sauce and then repeat until pan is full.

3. bake 45 minutes at 375*

4. enjoy :)


It is super easy, and you can also improvise. For example, I sometimes use half a jar of maranara sauce and half a jar of another flavor, like garlic or basil. Someone could also add mushrooms, if they like them, which I don't :) I also use a bag of the Italian mixed cheese, so there are four or six different kinds of cheese in there!

Also, the original recipe called for half a pound of ground beef and half a pound of sliced sausage, but that seemed really heavy, so I've never tried it with the sausage. Should I? Or do you agree that that sounds like way too much meat? :)

me, my lasagna and my Scarlet Threads Penelope apron :)

What are you cooking this week? Please share!

what are YOU doing?

Today is National Philantropy Day!

I've seen lots of posts about this on twitter, so I thought it would be appropriate to discuss. According to their website (linked above), 2010 is a very special year, as not only does it mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the chief sponsor of NPD, but it’s also the 25th anniversary of this special day.

In the United States alone, there are more than 1 million charitable organizations, and Americans give more than $300 billion annually to charitable causes (Giving USA Foundation). In Canada, more than 88,000 charities provide countless services to millions of Canadians, who in turn contribute more than $10 billion annually to those organizations (Canada Revenue Agency). In Latin America and Asia, with governments no longer able to provide enough funding for social services, charitable sectors are growing rapidly and creating programs to meet the needs of their countries’ citizens. The quality of life for all people—everything from education, healthcare, the environment and the arts, to name only a few—would be far less if not for these organizations.

(italicized paragraphs come from their site)

I talk about them enough, so I'm sure you know of two of my favorite organizations-

Scarlet Threads

A a compassionate boutique, specializing in unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses in rural Asia.

World Vision

a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

It has only been recently that I've become involved with Scarlet Threads, but I just love their mission and beauty, and I'd love you to check out their site (linked above, and on the side of my blog) for more information. They have gorgeous fairtrade aprons and other gifts that are perfect for any occasion. They just came out with their new products, and see the Aubergine apron? That was my name suggestion! Time for another giveaway, perhaps?

As you know, I sponsor two little girls through World Vision. Majlinda is seven and lives in Albania and Boikokobetso is three and lives in South Africa. I've been sponsoring Boikokobetso for just over a year, but it's hard to believe some days that Majlinda has been in my life for more than three years! I just love having them both in my life, and I think about them often, sending love and prayers their way. I have a picture of them both on my desk at work too. Unfortunately, I cannot post their pictures on my blog, as WV works hard to protect their privacy, and I respect that, but trust me when I say how adorable they are!

What are your favorite charities and what are you involved with? Are you passing along the message of philantropy today?

sweet saturday

Our new pets!



Bob the beta & Sunny the snail!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

still too many cookbooks

Remember this post from more than a year ago, where I discussed my many cookbooks?

(see teaser photo below)

I really need to purge some of these cookbooks! They are taking up space, and I just don't use them all! I use some, but not all.

So, want one? I'm more than happy to send you one or two, if you are interested, because it would be better than them sitting here and growing dust!

Yes? No? Maybe so?

sparkle all the way!

This weekend, I am heading home to NH to go on a quilt retreat with my mother! Feel free to giggle, my sister has been calling me Grandma since she heard the news! It is at a resort up in the White Mountains and we are staying in a cabin with two other friends who are going! I don't know what we are making- it is a mystery quilt! I know that it will finish to be 58" x 58," which is a good size. For supplies, we were asked to bring about one yard of our "focus fabric" and then 2 1/2 inch strips that match. I went to the fat quarter shop, a great online shop and found these-

It is from a line called Sparkle All the Way and the designer is Robert Kaufman. The poinsettias on the bottom is my focus fabric, and I am using the pre-cut strips to go along with it! I am hoping to be able to finish this weekend, but we'll see! I may do a little post here and there with my progress, as I can blog from my iphone, but we'll see! If you don't follow me on twitter, feel free to, as I will likely post pics there too!

happy things

Analiese of Tulips and Tea posted a lovely list yesterday, of ways to nourish yourself. I loved the list, and wanted to post it too. She found it via Graceful Balance.

Get adequate sleep and make it a priority to be well rested
Move your body: stretch it, tone it, and allow it to play
Eat foods that support wellness (Most of these grow in the ground)
Spend time daily being quiet
Connect with uplifting friends
Have fresh flowers in your home
Supplement your diet with the appropriate vitamins and herbs
Remember to be grateful
Stay hydrated
Play with a pet
Find reasons to laugh
Practice financial responsibility
Stay in the present moment
Read spiritual books
Get creative. Paint, sculpt, sew, build or draw
Spend time in nature
Create rituals that support, soothe or heal
Learn to breathe deeply
Continue to learn
Know what you want

I'd add bubble baths, cozy quilts and Earl Grey tea to the list.

I probably don't nourish myself as well as I should, but I think that these should be reminders, would you agree?

What would you add to the list?

wild wild wednesday

Recently, Steve and I began to notice some noises coming from the attic at night. It isn't much of an attic, really just a crawl space. He noticed that a piece of paneling on the side of the house was loose, so he thought it might have been a squirrel that had gotten in. After a few "visits," he realized that it was probably larger than a squirrel.

Over the weekend, we went out and bought a large trap.

He set a bait with cheese and croutons (ha!) and set it up.

Yesterday morning, this greeted him when he looked-

Rocky the raccoon!

I thought he was kind of cute and suggested we keep him, but Steve thought it was best to drive him to the woods and release him back with his friends, which he did.

He suspected that there may be a second raccoon, so he set the trap up again yesterday afternoon and just now texted me to say that a second raccoon was caught in the trap! Crazy, eh? Once again, he will drive Rocky II to the woods for release.

Next step? Repair the loose paneling on the side of the house :)

tasty, tasty tuesday- potato time!

Last night I made the most delightful dinner- baked potato soup! It was SO good! I've seen a few versions of the recipe, and the one I used can be found below. I found it on someone's blog, but I didn't link it, as I printed it, but didn't mark the blog it came from. So sorry!

First things first, here is me in my adorable Lucy apron, by Scarlet Threads. Adorable, yes? :)




Cheesey Baked Potato Soup

4 cups chicken broth
4 cups peeled and chopped potatos
1/3 cup minced onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1- 8oz package of cream cheese, softened and cut into chunks
shredded cheese
chopped cooked bacon

Directions-

1- combine broth, onions, potatos and spices in stock pot and bring to boil
2- boil on medium heat until potatos are fork tender
3- mash about half of the potatos so that the stock thickens
4- reduce to low and add cream cheese
5- stir frequently, until cream cheese is melted and soup is thick
6- top with chedder and bacon crumbles and try not to explode with yumminess

First off, I don't measure. It says four cups of potatos, but I used three HUGE potatos, so I think I had more than four cups, so to even it, I added about two more cups of chicken broth. I should have added more cream cheese too, but I didn't have any more, but it didn't seem to matter. It still came out really well, and was so creamy and delicious. I am also very generous when it comes to spices, ha! This recipe was super easy, though a bit time-consuming, since there was such frequent stirring :)

Still though, SO worth it! Make it, try it, eat it, love it.

The results-

Also, go check out Scarlet Threads blog. They have some new products, including a Christmas tree skirt and a new Mommy and Me apron combo and are having naming contests! If they use your name, you will win a coupon for 50% off any item! Also, Scarlet Threads does a Tasty Tuesday too! You may notice their last TT was baked potato soup! Funny though, I saw my recipe the day before they posted theirs. Great minds think alike, eh? :)

I know many people do the Tasty Tuesday posts, so I have no links to anywhere, but let me know if you've tried something fun, and if I should make it as well!

What are you cooking this week?

getting crafty!

On Saturday, I met with the DC Modern Quilt Guild for our monthly meeting. One of our new members was generous enough to open her home to us to meet at. She lives in Rockville in a 100 year old house that is so adorable. Also adorable is her two year old daughter who was there!

As always, when I came home, I was feeling a bit inspired, so I made a few things!

Here are two little holiday ornaments that I made. They were SO easy and took ten minutes each! I think I will be making lots of these little ornaments. I can use them with gifts, I think, to help decorate the packages!

Anyone want an ornament? :)

Here is a little "mug rug," as I am calling it. I suppose it could be a pot holder, but there is only one layer of batting inside. People seem to be making these to keep on their desk and put their cup of tea/coffee on. So, I suppose it is like a big coaster :)

This wonky "pattern" came from the first issue of Fat Quarterly, a new e-zine that I am loving. They have a special holiday issue coming out today that I plan to buy this afternoon!

I've also finally finished the baby quilt I've been working on, but I am not going to post pictures yet. The baby's mother sometimes reads my blog, and I don't want her to see pictures of it before it arrives at their home in Wisconsin! So, I'll be getting that in the mail soon and will then post some pictures! I am very pleased with how it came out.

The rest of the weekend was quiet. Steve was out of town, but did send me a dozen cupcakes and a vase of tulips and irises while he was gone, so that was very nice. Maybe I will post a picture of those tomorrow....

How was your weekend?

anthropologie does it again!

I know I am not the only fan of Anthropologie...yet again, I am lusting for their things!

How cute are these ladies-in-waiting dinner plates!?

I am pretty sure that I need them for happiness.

I just emailed them to Steve. He has not replied, but I am pretty sure that he will disagree with me about these :)

What are you lusting for today?

a cozy new quilt!

My mother made this gorgeous quilt for me!

It is using a type of fabrics called batiks. I've never used batiks, but from what I understand, people either love them or hate them!

It's also quite big, as you can see.

She showed it at a quilt show this past weekend, in NH. I wish I could have gone home to see it there, along with all of the others!

I can't wait until it is on my bed!

In related news, I am finished with the baby quilt that I made for my friend! I will post pictures of it later this week. I am pleased with it, despite the mistakes :)

picture book swap!

I just came across this blog, called Playing by the Book, and Zoe, the author is hosting a children's book swap! I really love this idea, so so much!

This swap is all about sending and receiving wonderful, indeed brilliant children’s picture books. It will be a way for you to spread the word about a picture book you are passionate about, and to discover another equally amazing book through a gift from someone else.

I've already signed up and I know just what book I will send. I don't know where my swap partner will be, but I am hoping for somewhere outside the U.S., as I'd love a children's book from the UK, or in another language!

Want to join? Go here and check it out. You'll have to send some information to Zoe and then she will match you up. So much fun!

So much fun, indeed.

bachelorette party weirdness

This weekend, Steve has a friend from high school who will be in town for a bachelorette party. She lives in Chicago. She asked Steve if she could stay with him, and he said yes.

Does this seem odd to anyone? Would you travel with friends for a bachelorette party, but then not stay with the party? I suppose it could be seen as a cost-saving method, but really, when I've gone to bach parties, there has been several girls, so the cost of a hotel room (or two) was minimal.

It just seems really strange to me. I wouldn't fly to Chicago with the bride and then not stay with her! Isn't she the reason why I am there? Of course, if I had other friends there, I would try to make plans to meet them for lunch or something, but if my main point of being there is for the bride, then I'd spend the majority of my time with her. If I wanted to see friends, I'd see about the possibility of staying an extra night or something. She arrives Saturday morning, and then I assume leaves Monday (long weekend!), but I don't know for sure.

Am I the only one who thinks this is bizarre? Thoughts?