They Can Walk!

Since we all love to get out and stretch our "wings" by going on great runs, rides, walks, hikes, etc. every day, I figured my birdies might enjoy the opportunity to walk about as well. Thus, my legged birdies!

Available in this ever-popular retro pattern:

 

You can also select the custom order in the drop-down box and pick whatever colors you'd like! 

Fun as bookends, centerpieces, playmates {not recommended for under 3 years old}, or any other creative way you'd like to display them, they're now available as a new way of enjoying Cookie+Curly birds.

What do you think? Feedback always appreciated.

.molly

And the Dust Settles...

I hope this finds you all sitting relaxed in front of the computer with big smiles on your faces as you think of all the joy and happiness you just experienced over the last weekend. What an honor that we have a Savior who came to give us everlasting life!

Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Some pics from our Christmas...

Daily Advent Tree Treats

Playing with Manger Scene Figurines

Christmas Tree Time! (The belly bump appears.)

Forever {I pray!} buddies. Love!

Our celebrations did not pass without little hiccups {I won't go into the details of how our dog managed to smear my nephews poop all over their bathroom wall, and how much my dad already hates dogs but allows our little Ellie because he knows she's a part of our family... Thank you, and sorry, Dad.}. 

Highlight: We got to spend some really great, quality time with my brother and his family who live in Canada. Cousin time!

We are so blessed! This is the day after Christmas at the warm beach.

Opening gifts.

5 weeks apart, but living MILES away.

I am extremely thankful for Jesus' birth, however I am also thankful that all the hubbub that surrounds Christmas is over. {Insert big, long, relaxing breathe.}

May peace and joy continue to follow you into 2012!

.molly

Let's Just Get it All Out

Okay, so... in case some of you have not already guessed it by now, I shall divulge why on earth I have not been up to blogging so much. I have not had a single extra ounce of energy over the last few months because...

9 Week Ultrasound

I have a little being growing in my belly!

Yep, the fifth member of our family {third child} is on its way! We love the suspense of not knowing which gender is inside so you'll have to be patient with us and wait until mid-June to find out exactly who's going to be joining us.

In the meantime, please excuse my sporadic postings. I hope to have more energy soon as I just started week 13 and the second trimester usually brings more energy, but this one's a whole new ballgame for me {insomnia, car sickness, extreme sleepiness... none of which I had with my other kids} that who knows when things will "normalize"... if at all.

Thank you for your support recently. The Stitch Market was an amazing success and the holiday season has brought many new and repeat customers to Cookie+Curly. 

Thanks for all the love!

Christmas is Coming!

My kids have just been absolutely adorable lately. They seem to have hit a groove that I'm really enjoying. They get along really well. There isn't a lot of fighting or whining {notice I didn't say there's none}. They're just buds and I love spending time with them so much.

Yesterday, we decorated our Christmas tree. My little Christmas buddies helped in more ways than just unwrapping the ornaments. Their genuine enthusiasm for the process of decorating, as well as their desire to hear the story of Jesus' birth over, and over, and over again, is just rejuvenating and precious.

I hope this stage lasts for a long time. And, that you're being blessed by those around you the way I am.

.molly

Squishy Squashy Spaghetti

I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to introduce it, but tonight was the night the kids had spaghetti squash for the first time. It was a huge success!

I told them what we were having, but I masked it a bit in presentation by serving it in a bowl with lean sausage and marinara sauce. {Sidenote: Trader Joe's Tomato Basil Marinara rocks in taste but watch it as there's 540mg of sodium per 1/2c servings - Yikes!!}

Once it was a proven success, I brought out the actual squash and showed them where their "spaghetti" came from. They were more intrigued by the squash and actually asked to eat it plain, out of the squash, instead of with the sauce in their bowl. Who knew?!

Actually, I confess that very often I serve veggies with marinara sauce. It's my "ketchup" in that I often use it as a dip to aid in getting the kids to eat more. I've realized lately, and I did it again tonight, that I need to stop immediately doing that and instead, let the kids try the veggie raw or cooked the way my husband and I would eat it.

We enjoyed our spaghetti squash with flank steak and sauteed spinach tonight. Hit the spot! What'd you have for dinner?

.molly

Oh, What Fun it is to...

Oh, what fun it is to go to the Holiday Stitch Market!

What a fun, fun night! Sooo cool to see so many people turn out in hopes of finding the perfect something, something for their loved ones (and themselves!) and walking away with so much love in their bags! 

I look forward to seeing more friendly faces tomorrow (10a-2p - in case you missed tonight - email me if you need the address). What a fun night!

P.S. The rings are going fast! I made extra in hopes of supplies some stores carrying my rings, but it looks like there won't be many left. Sold out of all of the clips and earrings tonight, too - More to come in two weeks. Exciting problems to have! Thanks for all the love.

molly

Holiday Stitch Market - Tomorrow!

Holiday Stitch Market is This Week!

So, it's this Thursday night (6-9p) and Friday between 10a-2p. Can you come?

This Holiday Stitch Market is going to blow away all the other boutiques and Stitch Markets you've been to in the past. Twice the vendors. New items by all the vendors. Local gals. Handmade "totally necessary" goodies & gifts. I'm super excited about this one!

Where/When:
* 1624 Phillips Lane, SLO {off California near the CHP office}
* December 1st {Thursday} 6-9p; December 2nd {Friday} 10a-2p
Basically, you really have no excuse not to come ;)

New from Cookie+Curly:

I'm really looking forward to debuting a few new items, like these fabric cuff bracelets:

   
these new ring styles/colors:

(Photo taken at night - Sorry!)

a new sailboat mobile:

(Just a sneak peak - Come to see the real deal)

and these sweet, polka dot barrettes:

(Again, taken in the dark. Poor quality - My bad!)

Please bring a friend, neighbor, or that girl you've always wanted to talk to and share some drinks, laughter, and shopping time with us!

Can you come?? I hope so! RSVP here on Facebook.

Molly

MIA

I'm sorry I've been missing in action (MIA). That thing called "life" has caught up with me and free-time isn't quite what it used to be. That, and I've been sick for a few weeks now. I'll bore you with the details later.

In the meantime, enjoy these Double Dipped Apple Doughnuts, courtesy of "Joy the Baker". Ridiculously yummy looking!!

I hope to be in better touch now. Maybe a batch of these Apple Doughnuts will help. :)

.molly

You Want Me to Drink What?!

Okay, so this doesn't LOOK terribly appealing {although the orange gives it a little appeal, doesn't it?!}, but it tastes soooo good. And, it's a great way to get your kidlets {or hubby!} to eat some greens.

Ingredients:

* 6 oz light blackberry yogurt

* 1 medium banana

* 1/2 c watermelon

* 1 c frozen spinach {thawed and squeezed to get rid of water}

* 1/4 c ground flax

* 1/2 c non-fat milk

* Splash of OJ

* 3 ice cubes

Really, add anything you want. Cocoa powder would up the antioxidants and totally change the flavor {and turn it into a dessert!}. Blend it all in a blender. Drink up!

I promise: It's good!

P.S. I couldn't resist throwing this picture in. Already posing at 2.5. And yes, she picked out her outfit for a walk downtown. Ah, my little princess...

.molly

Weed Addiction

Again, not that kind of weed. But I do have this strange addiction with weeds. The kind that are obvious, in your face, dead and in need of being pulled. Particularly with these plants.

As I went for a fun, superhero walk with my sweet daughter last week {superhero cape courtesy of her Mimi} and we happened upon this house that struck me.

EVERY single plant outside their house needed plucking! 

It was so hard for me to not just pluck away at every single plant. {Wouldn't that have been a sight!}

Now, as I type this I realize that I sound super anal and you might think me house is completely neat and tidy all the time. 'Tis NOT the case. TRUST me. BUT, when I see something like this with these particular plants - plant after plant - my crazy neat-freak kicks in and I want to do something about it.

As I pulled into our driveway, I noticed that my front yard had three or four plants that had the same dead shoots jutting out of them so I went in for the attack. BUT, I was greeted by defense in the form of a super creepy, get-me-out-of-here spider like I'd never seen before.

Blurry because I wouldn't dare get too close to it as it might jump out and eat me!

So, lesson learned. a) Keep my neat freak zaniness in check. b) Everyone has a reason for their actions - Could be neglect. Could be a preference. Could be creepy spiders. Who knows.

For now, I'll let my husband get to the plants this weekend {and will see if he reads my blog}. :)

.molly

Napkin Ring Turned Earring

So, awhile back I told you about our Gourmet Group's Greek Night my husband and I hosted. {And yes, I still owe you lots of ridiculously yummy recipes from that.}

Well, one of the decorating ideas I had for that evening was to make napkin rings of gold and blue to throw in Greek colors, and a little handmade goodness. These were a lot of fun to make.

Materials:
* gold wire for wire-wrapping {Michael's}
* various turquoise stones
* napkin ring

I wrapped the gold wire around the napkin ring and then made a twist to keep the shape/size needed for the napkin to fit through. Then I knotted, added beads, and repeated over and over, wrapping at the end for closure.

Well, after the party I was stuck with 10 of these which great and all, but we already have a couple of sets of very versatile napkin rings so I thought I'd get a little crafty and turn them into earrings for each of the girls! {Of course, I haven't given them to any of the girls yet so keep it a secret!}

A simple addition of some wire and earring hooks and...

No one ever has to know they were napkin rings! Although it does make for a great story. :) P.S. They are available for $9/pair on my website. Pass it on.

.molly

The Power of Wonder-Under

I've become somewhat obsessed with this fabric.

After using it to make some sweet birds {available on my website}:

I also patched up one of my daughter's hand-me-down sweatshirts with this fabric using Wonder-Under:

Holes, holes, and more holes. But super cute & fits perfectly so patches are a must.

Following the directions of Wonder-Under {THE best patching material}...

1) Cut out a general size of Wonder-Under you will need.

2) Iron it, using the recommended settings, onto your fabric.

3) Cut out your fabric in the size you want - in my case, a flower

4) Follow ironing directions again and iron onto fabric.

I like to do a zig-zag stitch {or hand-stitch for the hard-to-reach spots} around the patch too, just to secure it down.

I couldn't stop there as I just love the fabric, so I patched my "mountain jeans" too.

Big holes were too big to patch. New patches keep them from ripping more.

Now, you have no excuse to not patch that darn item you love so much but haven't worn in forever. It's simple!

.molly

Why Did the Duckling Cross the Grate?

Okay, this picture {I originally found on Feisty, Frugal & Fabulous} made me laugh, but also made me completely cry.

I hope it was a happy ending!

You're a good mama.

.molly