spreading a little sunshine...

I have been BUSY. Helping a friend stage her house for sale, taking Valentines to a nursing home, creating new cards for my shop, doing more yardwork this week than I did all of last year combined (thanks to good health - woohoo!), working on creating a garden in my front yard (my first ever!), taking care of sick kids, avoiding a sick husband (in an attempt to stay healthy myself), and cleaning. Spring cleaning. Spring is giving us a teaser here in Oregon this week and I am LOVING it. I feel like a new woman!

Here are some of the cards my daughters and I made for some elderly people in a nearby nursing home. We busted out 50 of these! Taking these cards to those sweet elderly people with my children was one of the highlights of my life. My girls were so sweet - and brave - and my son (whose 11 months old now) was SUCH a ray of sunshine to those people. They brought so many smiles to people who probably feel as if they've been forgotten. We didn't want them to feel that way.

I wish I had the time to tell you all of the stories of that day. Here are just a few tidbits: We visited the "skilled nursing" section, which meant everyone was either in beds or wheelchairs. The very first room we stopped in was an elderly lady named Sarah. She just kept saying what "pretty babies" they were. After we left her room and headed down the hall, she followed us in her wheelchair for several minutes because she just couldn't get enough of watching my kids. I don't think they have many kids that come to visit them there.

There was a little old man who couldn't talk, but was SO grateful for the card, and blew kisses to my kids. So they blew kisses back! It was the sweetest thing. Then, an elderly woman entered the room and he pointed to his wedding ring and then to her, gesturing that she was his wife. She almost started crying when she saw the sweet card we had brought for him. I asked if she lived there too, and she said no, that she was there to have lunch with him. It was so sweet and sad that I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach.

There was another old man who was so shaky and his hands were gnarled...but when he spoke to my son, my son would smile and wave his little 11-month old arms and literally melted this old man and everyone else he came into contact with. This man wanted to shake my kids' hands - and so my little three-year-old and five-year-old girls put their hands in his shaky, gnarled and twisted ones, and made his day.

As we entered another room with two ladies in it, one of them just began raving from the very beginning, "Oh, this is such a blessing. Oh, these children are beautiful. Oh, mom, you don't even realize how wonderful this is. Oh, what a wonderful thing to do. Oh, this is so special....so beautiful..." and on and on and on. She was making me want to cry.

 
Most of these people looked from the doorway like they were sleeping. But as soon as we said "hello" and asked if we could bring them a Valentine, they would come alive. They lit up and couldn't get enough of my kids. They all wanted us to stay and visit and I wished we could stay and visit the whole time with each person...but I knew I had another 49 Valentines to deliver. It was sweet and special and heartbreaking all at the same time.

I was SO proud of my kids. It was only when we got back in the car that I saw what time it was, and realized that we had been there for an hour and a half, right through the kids' lunchtime! They had not complained a bit and even though they got tired and hungry and were probably there way past when they should have been, they continued making people smile up until the very last minute. You better believe I got those kids lunch AND ice cream on the way home!

A Little Valentine's Perspective

Happy Valentine's Day! Yes, this is my second post today...but I couldn't resist telling you a few more things. First, look at these cute cookies I bought at Home Goods for $2 each...(they're huge)...

...and this felt gift bag, also $2 from Home Goods...

...and look at some of the Valentines my daughter and I made...there were 46 total...

...which we then put in a basket and delivered to the elderly people in the rehabilitation center of Hope Village in Canby.

And let me tell you...it was really time-consuming to make the cards...and even harder because it was a really rough week for me physically (due to my endometriosis)...but I got my reward when I saw those beautiful, wrinkled faces light up at the sight of my two smiling little girls, handing them homemade Valentines. I almost burst into tears once I got to the car. I was so proud of my girls and what a good job they did, and my heart was so full because I really felt that we had seriously blessed some people.

Inside the card, I'd handwritten the following message:

"Happy Valentine's Day! God loves you. Love, the Goodwin family"

It's true for you, too, my friend. Consider yourself hugged today!

My $20 Quest for a Fabulous Valentine's Table - Part III

My Valentine's Quest is finally complete! Judge for yourself whether it was a success. :-) First, let me explain that I have a LOT of really elegant candlesticks, vases, etc. around the house, but I was going for a table setting that was a little playful and didn't take itself too seriously. I was also trying to use generic elements that anyone could purchase or find in their own home. My friends, I only had $20 - and with two little ones, only about 20 minutes!! So here's what I put together:

I started with the $3.99 fabric from Goodwill which just happened to be the perfect size for a tablecloth! What are the odds? But, had it not been big enough, I still would have used it as a runner over a plain white or red tablecloth.


Next, thank heaven for Target! I'm not sure my husband is quite as thankful, since a good portion of his paycheck goes to Target on a fairly regular basis, but I love it. Anyway, the large plates were $2.50 each and the small ones were 2 for $2.50.


Then, I headed to Ikea where I found two round, hot pink placemats for $1.99 each. Then, over in the glasswares section I scored two pink glass wineglasses (handmade! can you believe it?) for $2.99 each.



As for the candleholders in the center and the napkin rings: I realized I had quite a few of those foam stickers that kids love for crafts (we just got finished making a bi-gillion cards with them...but that's another post). So I just got some "highball" glasses out of the cupboard (juice glasses or actual votive holders would work great too) and stuck the foam stickers on! For added height, I simply turned a glass over and used it as a pedastal for another glass, raising one flame above the rest. (This is a great tip for a buffet table or centerpiece - if you have a dish that you would like to elevate - simply use another similar dish turned over as a pedestal.) Then, I added stickers to two old napkin rings of mine, and voila! A heart theme emerged. (I already owned the stickers for this project, but you can pick up a small package of them at craft stores for a couple of dollars.)


So, if you're keeping track at home, you're right: it adds up to $21.45. OOPS. I only just now realized I came in $1.45 over budget. What can I say? I have to admit I bought a few things at Home Goods, but later decided not to use them and plan to take them back. Somewhere in all the "adding it up in my head" I must have gotten things a little mixed up. (Okay, okay, so math was not my strongest subject...okay, so I hated math.) But instead of making one person go without a glass or placemat, I'm pretty happy with myself for this first foray into a blog experiment and I'm going to just let myself off the hook for the $1.45 (there is an advantage to making the rules up yourself).

Note: There are many, many different ways you could spend $20 - this time I chose to use it to actually purchase the elements for the place setting; you could use what you already have for the place setting, then just spend $20 on the elements of the centerpiece. (A centerpiece note: to switch things up a bit, I like the effect of flowers repeated in small arrangements rather than just one big one. So get roses from Costco for $14.99 (or better yet, from your husband!) and if you feel like it, split them into smaller vases, glasses or bowls.)

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Valentine's Day (Part II)

It's Week 2 of my Valentine's Day finds from Etsy. As always, I tried to select pieces that are not only great on their own, but which represent an entire shop worth of wonderful goodness. So be sure to browse each artist's store...I love them all!


"I Fancy You" set of ten cards with kraft envelopes, made by Michelle Brusgaard...they are both whimsical and elegant. I think they'd work just as well to give to a friend as to a significant other.

It's not strictly a "Valentine" gift...but who doesn't adore red cherries? And red cherries on jewelry with Swarovski crystals is even better. I fell in love with this bracelet and just had to post it. Seller Moppet's Closets also offers custom name-stamped jewelry that is unique and affordable...I'm thinking they'd make great Mother's Day gfits. Be sure to browse...

This is a sweet and simple letterpress card with the words "I Love You" spelled out in sign language. I am really loving anything letterpressed right now, and also any Valentine's Day cards that are not your typical Hallmark card. This one by Letterary Press is both.

Vintage heart-shaped salad molds & cookie cutters lot from Estate Sale Treasures. Some of you out there like to collect these little salad molds...for others it's a good way to organize little things on your desktop. Personally, I think this would be a cute way to package a little Valentine's Day gift of candy, a cupcake, or - my favorite - jewelry. Put the gift inside and just tie it all up with red or pink ribbon and voila! A cute gift for V. Day.

"I Heart You" set of four cards and envelopes by Enfin, La Voila!. This is also not the "typical" Valentine's card...but there's just something about this whole line of fabulous cards based on antique and baroque designs that really appeal to me. They are old-fashioned but somehow quirky, fresh and modern at the same time. Be sure to look at the rest of the shop!

I find this "Pocket Full of Love" print by Studio Mela to be really charming! I've always played a game with my daughter about having "something in my pocket. what is it? it's a BIG HUG for you!" so this reminds me a little of that. I just think it's really cute and could work in any kind of setting.

Have a great weekend...and be sure to check out everything else these fabulous artists have in their shops! Tomorrow morning I'll post the winner of the Salt City Candle giveaway. (We haven't done the drawing yet or I'd post it now...patience, Grasshopper!)

My $20 Quest for a Fabulous Valentine's Day Table

Day 1: I started at Goodwill, where I was hoping for some pretty china or glassware. I didn't find either, but I did find this LARGE piece of pink & white fabric - tablecloth size - for $3.99. It's vintage, I'm guessing from the 1960's - I can picture the late Queen Mother wearing a suit & matching hat out of this fabric. (And of course, pearls and gloves...but I digress.)

Day 2: I happened upon these plates at Target in their dollar section, of all places. The dinner plates were $2.50 each, and the two appetizer plates were $2.50 for the set. And they are actually ceramic, not plastic! However, I have to admit I was hoping for pink dishes, so I'll keep my eyes peeled. I'm not afraid to return these if I find something better.

Total Spent So Far: $8.99

Amount left to spend: $11.01

Check back for updates!

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Valentine's Day

This week, it's all mushy and pink and hearts and girly. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but there's still time to order some handmade decor, cards, or gifts for the big day. Here are some of my favorites from Etsy for "heart" day:

This table runner by Annie K Designs is both chic and cute. We're usually pretty focused on the color red on February 14, so it's fun to have something in a couple of shades pink instead.

I love the simplicity of this "Happy Valentine's Day" banner by Paper Farrago. And for my scrapbooking friends, check out the wealth of other paper goods they offer! It's pretty amazing.

Check out this cute gift set of four felt cupcakes, made by Robin's Egg Pink. Why felt cupcakes, you ask? Because they're just so flippin' cute, I answer! Be sure to also look at this gift set which includes the cupcakes pictured above, plus a child's apron! It is adorable.

Why order roses when you could have this adorable button bouquet by butterfly mosaics? I love flowers, but I've always been equally in love with the idea of bouquets made out of unconventional items. It's quirky and fun.

This is a charming set of vintage-reproduction stickers from candyconnection22...you get four each of the designs pictured. Attach them to gifts, use them to make cards, or add them to your scrapbook pages. Super cute. My scrapbooking friends definitely need to browse through all the other scrapbooking supplies they offer, too!

"Key to my heart" gift tags, made by kibbles. Just look at 'em! A cute and simple tag. Great for gifts, or use them as cards. Kibbles has a whole variety of fun tags to look at.

Funny Valentine card and Love Bug card, both by Squeedles. These make me smile!

Strawberry Dream Cake

Strawberry Dream Cake - Perfect for Valentine's Day, a girl's birthday, or any strawberry-lover! This is a FABULOUS recipe that I got from my husband's grandmother. At the age of 90, she was still making this cake every year for my mother-in-law's birthday, so when I got married, she passed the recipe and the tradition on to me. I made a few adjustments to the recipe, and in addition to making it each year for my mother-in-law's birthday, I've also used it for cupakes for my daughter's birthday. This is a perfect cake for February, because it has a beautiful pink color from top to bottom.

Cake:
1 white cake mix
1 small package strawberry Jell-O
2 T. flour
4 eggs
½ c. water
½ c. vegetable oil
10 oz. container of frozen, sliced strawberries in sugar, thawed

Buttercream Frosting:
3 c. powdered sugar
1 stick salted butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
10 (or so) drops red food coloring (optional)

Filling:
1 pint heavy whipping cream
2 T. powdered sugar (to taste)
8-10 fresh, sliced strawberries

CAKE:
Mix all ingredients except strawberries on medium spee for 2 minutes. Add berries and their juice and mix 1 more minute. Divide batter into two 8- or 9-in. round cake pans. Bake @ 350◦ for 35-40 minutes. Cool on racks for 10 minutes, then frost with frosting.

FROSTING:
Beat all frosting ingredients on medium-high speed for two minutes. Add food coloring to get the desired color of pink.

FILLING:
Beat heavy whipping cream with sugar until peaks form. Add fresh sliced strawberries and spread between layers.

Enjoy!!

Friday's Fabulous Finds

In honor of my little girl's third birthday today, this week's Fabulous Finds from Etsy are all for kids! Some of them work for Valentine's Day, too - if you have a pint-sized Valentine in your life, one of these items might be just the thing. Prepare yourself for the cuteness to follow:



This outfit from EllieBeans Kids is handmade, adorable, and oh-so-chic. Okay, I have to admit: now you know what my daughter's wearing to her birthday party tomorrow! Be sure to check out her twirl skirts made from vintage-looking fabrics too. I love absolutely every piece in her little store.

This is a one-of-a-kind, limited edition play cookie set for Valentine's Day from nanaCompany. Can't you just see one of the little girls in your life playing with this little set, baking happily awa for hours (without the flour smeared all over your kitchen?). I love it so much I practically want it for myself.

The word on the shoe says it all! These little ladybug shoes by diddle dumpling are handmade with wool felt and they would make an adorable gift. They come in a range of sizes. I'd ask for a women's size 9 in a heartbeat, if I thought they'd look as cute on me as they would on my one year old! Diddle dumpling has a huge variety of other styles too - check them out!

Okay, I may have saved the cutest for last. We'll be having cold weather for a few more months here in Oregon (quiet sob) so it's totally legitimate to list these custom hats by Knitty Bitty. Can you believe how cute these hats (and their models!) are? I love this cupcake hat, frog hat, and strawberry hat. I'd like one of each, please. Don't see your favorite fruit, though? She's got 20 different styles of "fruit" hats alone! I love these!

Have a great weekend! And happy birthday to my baby girl!

Easy Valentine Cupcakes & Toppers

I'll be bringing you more Valentine's themed posts in the coming weeks, but for now...I just saw this article in Country Living magazine and thought these cupcakes were charming. There are a couple of different styles of toppers they show in the magazine, but the best part is, you can download vintage images from their website here to make custom toppers for them. I LOVE cupcakes and I love little touches like this that make them seem so special.