Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Hello, prim friends!

It's Wednesday ... which means that it's time to share a few crafty makeovers with you. I'm so excited that I actually have something to share this week! It sure has been a while, hasn't it?

Do you remember these little Goodwill finds? Some of them have a brand new look.

I base coated one of the tool caddies black and finished with a robin's egg blue topcoat, some sanding, and stain. For now I've tucked in a few fabric sunflowers and watermelons. I'm still trying to figure out where to put it though. Does anyone else ever have that problem?








The unfinished paper towel holder got a base coat of black, some cranberry paint, a little sanding, and stain. The distressing and color don't really come through well in this photo, but I really like how this project turned out. Not bad for $.99.





And, of course, there's always a new stash of treasures to tend to. (Usually before the first batch of goodies is completely redone, right?) The wooden trencher, tacky box, and salad utensils are next on the list. I hope.

It's a rainy and chilly 50º here today in Midcoast Maine -- so some indoor crafting is likely. Yesterday was a gorgeous outside day and we spent hours outside working and playing, knowing that the rest of the week's weather looks iffy. It's definitely springtime in Maine. Hot and sunny one day ... wet and cold the next. But oh-so-much better than snow!




Thanks, as always, for stopping by! Don't forget to check in with Leslie to see what everyone else is working on this week.

Until next time, my friends ...

Mr. Big Stuff

After eight years of motherhood, it should not have come as a surprise to me that Brendan is now officially done with his high chair. But it did. He sat in it happily eating and giggling one night ... and the very next day, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. And that, my friends, was that.

As you can see, he is now a permanent fixture at the dining room table -- just like the big kids. No high chair. No bib. And definitely no booster seat. Just his plate, cup, utensils, and a napkin. Just like the big kids. As happy as can be. Mr. Big Stuff. Or so he thinks.

And, as is so often the case, it's a sight that makes my heart sing (as well as break just a little bit) as we thunder toward the many milestones and declarations of independence to come.

::: How beautiful and bittersweet they are :::

Sweet Strawberries

Though strawberry picking season here in Midcoast Maine is still weeks away, we've been enjoying our fair share of all things strawberry just the same -- recipes, crafts, and many of last year's photos from our berry picking adventures at Fairwinds Farm. (Can you tell we're getting just a little itchy for summer to officially arrive? And maybe a bit nostalgic as well...)

Picking strawberries at Fairwinds Farm is one of those treasured yearly traditions that we anticipate eagerly ... starting just about now. It's usually a fun, messy, and delicious afternoon spent picking and sampling berries ... all while stealing peeks at the ocean. It's one of my all-time favorite family activities. The true beginning of our summertime fun.

::: Fairwinds Flashback: Strawberry Picking 2008 :::

I am constantly reminded how lucky we are to live in Maine. Memories like these are among the small bits of wonderful that add up to make our long winters worth weathering. And we have such fun reminiscing about all of our past adventures. Marking time this way is such a lovely gift. And it reminds me of how much changes from year-to-year -- though the setting remains largely unchanged. The kids grow and become more skilled. They remember more and linger longer. They need less help and delight in a job well done. They absorb the experience and talk about it for weeks afterward. And they eat and eat and eat!

I'm always left hoping that these are the moments they'll carry with them into adulthood. The simple goodness of being together making a memory. Something I hope they will do with their own families when the time comes. Savoring the little things that so often become the big things later on in life. The shared "remember whens."

And since we return home with more than just memories, I've had to dust off some summertime strawberry recipes so that I can be ready. Today's recipes are new, but I can already tell that they will be fast favorites around these parts -- especially when the native strawberries are ripe and ready.

::: Freezer Strawberry Jam :::
(based on a recipe from Recipezaar)

1 quart fully ripe strawberries
4 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
1 box fruit pectin
plastic/glass containers (cleaned and sterilized)

Rinse berries and pat dry. Stem and crush them thoroughly, one layer at a time. Measure exactly 2 cups crushed berries into large bowl. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mix water and pectin in a small saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling for one minute. Remove from heat and add to fruit mixture. Stir constantly for about three minutes until sugar is dissolved and no longer grainy.

Fill prepared containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off edges and immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Containers may be refrigerated for up to three weeks or frozen for one year. Thaw frozen jam in fridge before using. Makes about 5 cups of jam.

::: Whole Wheat English Muffin Bread :::
(based on a recipe from MountLassen.com)

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
2 T yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 T honey
2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
2 1/2 - 3 cups more wheat flour (or combo of wheat and white)

In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. Heat honey, milk, and water in a small saucepan and then add to dry ingredients. Beat the dough until well combined and then stir in additional flour by hand. The dough will be quite stiff. Oil two loaf pans and divide dough evenly between each pan. Cover and let rise for about 45 minutes. Bake at 400º for about 25 minutes. Makes two rather dense loaves that are a cross between Irish brown bread and English muffin toasting bread. Serve with jam or marmalade.

::: Spinach, Strawberry and Feta Salad :::
(based on a recipe from Recipezaar)

1 bag spinach, washed, dried, and torn
1 pint strawberries, sliced
4-8 oz. feta cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 clove garlic, crushed

Combine sugar and vinegar in a glass dish or jar and microwave for 2 minutes on high. Add remaining dressing ingredients and shake well. Chill dressing in fridge for a few hours or overnight. When ready to serve, combine salad ingredients and dressing to taste. Sprinkle with feta and enjoy.






And last but not least, a little bit of summertime craftiness. I painted and distressed this little Dollar Tree tin this week so that I will finally have a container for the fabric strawberries I bought from Laura last summer. I also used one of my new stencils from Cabin Crafters to make the tin a bit more whimsical. I really love how it turned out. Now all we need is summer. And maybe some real strawberries too.

Happy daydreaming, my friends! And thanks, as always, for stopping by...

Museum Memories

Spring has finally decided to stick around here in Midcoast Maine -- which is a wonderful and very welcome thing. And, as is customary, we've enjoyed many hours outdoors these past few weeks. Hours spent playing, exploring, and marveling ... all the while planning for the late spring and summertime fun that is yet to come. It's been a busy time for sure -- trying to strike the right balance between "must do" and "let's do." So ... spring cleaning, as always, will linger a bit into summertime. Inside projects and crafting will be relegated to rainy days and evenings. Outdoor time and projects will reign supreme. And enjoying the moments will commence -- just as I resign myself to adopting the (almost) summertime attitude of "clean enough" and "ready enough." Of course, there's a lot I'd like to do and feel the need to do, but these kid-friendly moments are so fleeting ... and other things can keep. Dust and all.

If only there were more hours in the day, right?

Somehow it seems that many of us are beginning to lean exactly this way, striking a balance and making way for those everyday moments. What a lovely attitude to embrace! But fear not ... though blogging has definitely taken a bit of a backseat here lately, it's still on the list. I enjoy it (and you all!) far too much to let it slip away entirely ...

And so today I thought I'd share some photos from our April vacation trip with The Big Kids. We took Connor and Michaela to Boston for an overnight adventure that included the Museum of Science, riding the T, grabbing a snack at Quincy Market, and eating out at Margarita's Restaurant. Though our time away was brief, it was memorable, crazy, and fun. As always, my hope is that the kids will remember these moments with fondness. I know I will.

Incidentally, the butterfly garden was our favorite part of the museum. And, as always, Connor and Michaela got the biggest kick out of the hotel itself. Another reminder that it's the small things that so often make the biggest impression...

Thanks, as always, for making the time to catch up with us. I hope to return the favor soon! Enjoy your weekend, my friends!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Don't you just love it when someone brightens your day? Well, our very talented and generous friend, Kimberly -- of Brown Bag fame -- made my day late last week when this little quilty arrived in the mail. I won her sweet spring giveaway and now I get to enjoy this pretty pineapple every time I pass through the dining room. Thanks again, my friend! I LOVE it!


And, as with many things in life, one bit of craftiness so often inspires another...



In this case, a Goodwill find from last summer got a prim makeover this week -- and now I have two pretty pineapples in the dining room. At least for now. I tend to rearrange and move things around from time to time. I just can't help it!









And since it's Whatcha Working on Wednesday, I thought you might enjoy a little peek at the wooden tray I picked up at Target (on clearance!) after Easter. It was originally off-white, but I decided to base coat it with black and then finish with a turquoise-robin's egg blue and some stain. I was in the mood for a "new" color and I really like how it turned out. Especially now that I've figured out what to put in it. My "spring" stitchery and anniversary crock have found a home at last! And a few sprigs of Dollar Tree flowers as well. After all, we still need a splash of color here in Midcoast Maine.





So, at least for now, the dining room is in good shape -- after some spring cleaning, tweaking and rearranging, that is. Here's a peek on this dark and drizzly day. The lighting's not the best, but you can click on the pictures for a better view if you'd like.









Enjoy the rest of your week, my friends. And don't forget to check in with Leslie for more Whatcha Working on Wednesday inspiration.

Until next time...

::: March For Babies :::

Once again, Todd and Connor's annual March For Babies fund raising effort was a huge and memorable success! They walked here in Brunswick yesterday morning, along with roughly 100 other participants, and thanks to the generosity of many, they were able to raise nearly $630 in support of this worthy cause. We'd like to extend a HUGE and heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed this year. Your generosity and thoughtfulness will undoubtedly touch the lives of many mothers-to-be and their infants in the months ahead. Thank you so much!

Here's Connor in his Isolette at Maine Med back in March 2001. At the time, he weighed only 3 lbs. 9 oz. His knees were baggy and he had yet to pack on any baby fat. He remained hospitalized for 16 days and we brought him home exactly a month before his due date, weighing a whopping 5 lbs.

As many of you know, the March of Dimes organization has been near and dear to us for eight years now -- ever since Connor arrived emergently seven weeks early, weighing only 3 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 17 1/8 in. in length. We were fortunate that his prematurity had no lasting or limiting effects, and we continue to support this organization in hopes that other parents of preemies will be as richly blessed. Every year we are humbled by people's generosity and willingness to help us in our efforts. Every year we are left without words to express our gratitude. It's wonderful to be a part of something that will help so many families. Again, thank you.

I hope that May is blooming wherever you are! Thanks, as always, for stopping by...