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our Easter 2016

By Tricia on April 3, 2016 in being Catholic, Handmade Holidays and Celebrations

Last Monday (well the one before Easter, goodness my life just flies by sometimes!) we were driving through endless miles of highway when the realization that we were indeed in Easter week hit me. How in the world did I forget such a thing. In my prepping for our 10 day trip home, I completely missed the fact that when we returned, it was time to prepare for Easter… in 5 days … with absolutely nothing done yet. Oy!

This year, there was no time to make dresses. The girls and I shopped for two days without stopping to find dresses that were decent and modest and didn’t scream frump. Hard I tell ya. Then we took inventory of the boys suits. None fit. None. I thought we could get away with wearing the Christmas suits (wasn’t it just Christmas???) and add new ties but nope, none fit. Finding 5 suits that match including one for Mateo in less than 5 days, that sounds like mission impossible. So, we tackled the suits and somehow got everyone what they needed and decided on bow ties, yay!

We also arrived home from our trip to baby chicks waiting for us and trays of seedlings. Potatoes and onions waiting to go into the ground and so much to do. Deep breaths momma! Deep breaths. The kids reminded me that the potatoes do not know that its not Saint Patrick’s day (do you plant potatoes on Saint Patrick’s day?) and that things will get done. Don’t stress. Play with baby chicks, that will make all the stress melt away and it did, for everyone. Most especially Mateo who has gotten much better and handling them now that he is a year older. I think he is their most faithful companion. Everyone else has been so busy helping to get ready for this spring season which is upon us.

So, 5 days went by so so fast and somehow we were somewhat ready for Easter. A super laid back Easter. A no frills but full of love Easter with ham and potatoes, a white chocolate malted milk cake (I just posted the recipe for this cake here) and an egg hunt. Just a beautiful day outside, to celebrate that He is Risen. That there is life and triumph over all and that our hope is in Him. I hope your Easter Sunday was wonderful and I send my love as we celebrate this Easter season for the next few weeks.

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a Calico Critters birthday party for Livie

By Tricia on February 23, 2016 in Birthday Celebrations, Handmade Holidays and Celebrations

The days are long, but the years are short. That is one of my favorite sayings. I keep it in my heart and I even have it embroidered in my studio. It is so true and nothing reminds me more than birthday celebrations.

It seems that since we left Florida I have not gotten much done in the way of a birthday party and they used to be such a common thing for us. The last proper birthday party we have truly celebrated was Mateo’s right before we moved. We have had a few sleepover birthdays here for the bigger girls but nothing like what I have done in the past, you can see a few of her others here and here. I have given up I guess on the complicated and super planned celebrations in favor of something smaller and more intimate. However, when my sweet little 6 year old comes a calling with the message that she would love to have a cake and party, this mommas heart flutters a little and then it shall be done but perhaps something small and simple.

So, we made out a list of a few friends to invite and talked about a theme. In the past year, she has fallen head over heals for these cute little forrest animal toys called Calico Critters. The first one was given to her by Grandma Yoli on a trip to Miami about 2 years ago. I have quite a dislike of plastic toys but oh my, these toys make me feel little again and they are just so adorable. So I made a mental note and invited her friends over that weekend.

It just so happens that we are also in the middle of a kitchen remodel (I was going to tell you, I promise) and every corner of this house seems to contain everything we had to take out of the kitchen. So I did not really have any time at all to plan this little critter party and the internet was no help since I guess no one has really had a party with this theme much yet.

Simple would have to do and fits so well with these simple feeling little toys. The night before the party, my procrastination finally jolted me into my studio to begin to make everything and really plan what I was going to do. One night. Everything in this party was made in one night. Why I do this to myself? No idea but dare I say that after making these little critters a boat out of an egg carton and setting them up, I feel like buying all the sets for myself and I envision making them little sweaters and accessories. Olivia loves this thought and I will make time for it once all this remodeling craziness is over with.

On the day of the party, most of the kitchen looked almost done, with the exception of the new concrete countertops and the finishing touches but we got it all cleaned up just in time for the first guests to arrive. You might catch a glimpse or two of the new kitchen details in some of the pics and I can’t wait to show you the whole thing!

Food was very simple, tea sandwiches, Livie’s favorite snack (bell peppers) with homemade dip, cookies and milk and of course cake. She also wanted something animal related and sweet so we went with the organic bunny gummies. She insisted on helping make the cake and explained that was old enough to mix the batter and help with the cupcakes. Scooping the batter in the cupcakes was her favorite part and I realized I really did have one more kitchen helper to add to the roster.

As we all stood together singing her happy birthday I quietly ran through her past birthdays in my mind and it is hard to believe she is 7. My pretty little chubby baby who is now all of a young little missy, busy with the business of being a girl, running around with the chickens and anything else that moves. Climbing trees and playing in the creek. Everyone’s tag along and always the loudest noise in this very busy house. She has never met a food she didn’t like and I can always count on glowing reports from her on any meal I serve. Our little ball of laughs and drama rolled into a curly haired girl and presently with 2 missing teeth.

She loved everything I made and approved of every detail of her party. Her one special day to be the queen of this castle and we all loved being her subjects.