{Goat Adventures}

I've been feeling a tad bit like Dr. Doolittle this past week. We've have  added two beautiful Nigerian Dwarf goat kids to our family. Meet the babies:

The human kids want to name them Star Wars and Hannah (after Avery's best friend). We are encouraging them to think a little harder on those titles. As of now they are affectionately referred to as 'the boy' and 'the girl'. We love them so much already; they are quirky and full of personality. I could sit in their pen and watch them play for hours!

Nigerian Dwarfs are a miniature breed of dairy goat. They are incredibly playful, social animals and usually bond easily with people. 

We eventually plan to breed the pair as they are not related. I also have grand plans for goat's milk soaps, lotions and lip balm as well as cheese and yogurt! The goat adventure begins. Stay tuned. 

{Bunting}

Bunting is a quick and easy scrap-busting project that really adds a whimsical touch to any room. Truth be told, I'm a little obsessed with it. They are a great project for the beginning sewer and there are many great tutorials for them floating around the internet. Here a just a few:

Basic bunting

Bunting strung with twine

Raw-edged bunting

Stayed tuned for more great projects coming up as the girl's room series continues!

{Penelope's Predicament}

My sister and her dog came down from the big sitttttay to have a visit. We all met up at mom's with plans to eat copious amounts of finger food and then take naps. We also planned to clear out a room upstairs which also happens to be the room we lock mom's pig in to keep her from becoming chow. Captain is the pooche's name, he's an American Bulldog and the mortal enemy of all livestock. We live right down the road so Penelope (the pig) was to come stay in our dog lot for the day.

"Oh sure, mom, I'll totally come pick her up! No biggie."

Wrong.

Needless to say, pigs do not enjoy traveling. Perhaps it's an innate fear that they are headed for a giant skewer and fire pit--I don't know. What I do know is that sucker squealed screamed the entire way to my house. I pulled up next to the lot and opened the back door to find that not only had she crapped all over the floor but she had also managed to wedge her massive self in between the car seats. I rolled up my sleeves and gave my best heave-ho but there was no getting her out, not with my delicate butterfly strength. I stroked her back thinking about how she would surely be traumatized by this for the rest of her little piggy days. However, just as I started pondering swine therapy, Penelope craned her little neck just enough to reach a couple of M&Ms hiding in the floor mat. She was awkwardly trapped for the foreseeable future but still maintained a taste for month old chocolatey goodness. Home-slice would be just fine.

I called for backup.

Shannon was able to wrangle Penelope up and out of her sad, strange predicament. He was not, however, able to maintain control of her screeching, wiggly, super strong pig body. She managed to squirm out of his grasp and run away, eating acorns and random shit off the ground the entire way. It was then that I noticed a ginormous glob of green pig excrement caked on the back of my hand.

Pig-1 Ashley-0

The next 45 minutes or so were spent following dear piggy around the yard as she pranced, wagged her little tailed, ate dirt and made certain to stay just out of our reach. We chucked saltines at her in hopes of coaxing her towards the pen but she knew something was up. Pigs are intelligent assholes. Our last resort was to try and throw a towel over her and hope for the best. Again, Penelope bested us. Yep, I was done.

"Mom, you need to come get this pig because I'm pretty sure she'll still fit in my crockpot."

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The fabric for Avery's skirt is Keepsake Calico's Multi-Mod Floral

{Friday}

It's been incredibly quiet around here this week. We had a few days of glorious weather, followed by rain that brought with it high winds and bitter cold. The warm, sunny days were enough to inspire me to dust off the fabric stash and start some spring sewing. Every year I am ambitious enough to announce that Avery's entire warm-weather wardrobe will be handmade (by me) and every year I fail miserably. Hopefully, sharing on the blog will be enough of a motivator to actually get it done.

Speaking of the blog, I have been thinking a lot about where I'm going with this little writing/sharing adventure. From the beginning, I knew that I didn't want it consuming me and I wanted it to be real. I wanted to share  my craft and cooking adventures because they are part of who I am. However, I'm already starting to feel like my personality is getting lost in the creation. Moving forward, I want to try harder to change that. Not because I think anyone cares but because I want this place to be a living memory that I can come back to for a long, long time.

Like memories of cake pop strawberries for a little girl's special day. 

And a wee dude's idea of fun at bath time.

Or a princess dancing while her brother plays piano. <3

Have a great weekend!

{Recipe: Strawberry Heart Meringues}

I can not profess to be a master in the art of delicate confections. Meringues can be a tad frightening; almost up there with the soufflé' but not quite. However, they are not as labor intensive as you may think, and the fact that they utilize few ingredients, makes prep work and clean up a cinch.  Plus, what could be more fabulous than passing these heart-shaped beauties out to friends and family on Valentine's Day? I'm thinking they'll elicit some major "oohs and aahs!"

You will need:

• 2 eggs whites
• 1 Tbsp seedless strawberry jam (room temp)
• 5 drops red food coloring
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
• Parchment Paper
• Pastry bag fitted with large star tip
• Glass or metal mixing bowl
• Mixer

Put egg white in a stainless steel or glass mixing bowl and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 300°.

Combine jam and food coloring in a small bowl.

Combine granulated and powder sugar in another small bowl.

Uncover eggs and add cream of tartar. Beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Add sugar mixture 1 tablespoon at a time until all sugar is dissolved and stiff glossy peaks form (about 5-7 minutes).

Fold 1/2 cup of meringue mixture into jam mixture. Gently fold this mixture into the remaining meringue.

Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper

Pipe meringue into 2-3 inch hearts using a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
Tip: Start from the top center of your heart and pipe the meringue to the bottom point. Come back to the top to pipe the other side. Don't try to form the heart in one pass. 

Place baking sheets in oven and turn it off. Let them cool in the oven for about an hour or until dry and crisp. Gently remove. Makes about 20 cookies.

Recipe is a very slight variation from Better Homes and Gardens Annual Recipes 2005, Raspberry Meringues

{Framed Fabric Art}

I have been racking my brain trying to come up with inexpensive art to fill the empty space above Avery's bed. I had four white picture frames sitting in an open box beside my sewing area and framed fabric art came to mind. They were so fun and easy to make and there was no method to them. I just picked fabric and pieced the different elements together as I went along. 

A happy, inspirational word was sewn onto each one. If your machine is not capable of stitching letters, try fabric transfers or stamps!

Add bits of lace trim for a touch of shabby chic.

This piece has rolled fabric flowers on a ric-rac vine. Presh.

Just go with it! This was such a relaxed and fun project and my daughter just adores them!

{iPhone Friday}

We're taking the girl bowling for her birthday tomorrow. Not something I would have picked for a 3-year-old but home-slice insisted on a "Strawberry Shortcake bowling party". Yep. So, today I've been baking and making cake pops that look like little strawberries. The whole process ended up being easier that I had anticipated, helped by the fact that I cheated and used one of those Bake Pop Maker thingies. You know, the glorified waffle iron with rounded spaces instead of waffles? I don't know where I'm going with this. Anyways, it's iPhone Friday so here's my week in photos:

Oh haiiii!

Serenading the dog. He looks thrilled.

How 6-year-olds do bath time.

We're starting a gang called The Blue-Eyed Tongue Twisters.