Birthday Girl

Four years ago on this date I went in for my twice weekly ( I know...it sucked!) checkup with my OB. I was as swollen as a tick and my blood pressure was no longer being controlled with the 3 medications they had me on and we were pretty much at the maximum dosages allowed. Today would be the day. I would get to meet my longed for girl. She would come at 36 weeks, ready or not. Thankfully she was ready. She came out of me with a cry that said "Hey, I'm no wallflower, I'm here world!" She was perfect...she was healthy...she was a peanut. When I look at my sassy girl today, with her wild riotous curls and long legs, I can't believe she's the same 4lb 12oz. creature I brought home. As much as she amuses and mystifies me daily (I mean really, why does she change clothes 3 or 4 times a day and what's with those overalls she loves?), she also makes my heart sing. I've never seen a more beautiful smile or eyes that sparkle quite as much. Whether she's dive bombing the couch with her brothers, sitting on my lap to "help" me sew or just cuddling in the bed with me, she leaves me in awe of what an amazing gift she is to our family. So, Happy Birthday baby girl, we love you!

Monday's Meal

In honor of my sweet girl. I thought I'd post a recipe for cupcakes. Tomorrow she will be four. How time flies. Who could believe this is the same little preemie I brought home from the hospital, all arms and legs. She's still all arms and legs...and sass. But, she's my girl and I wouldn't trade her for all the money in the world.

O's birthday cupcakes

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup milk



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin pan with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter, mix until very light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well with each addition. Mix in the vanilla. In a small bowl combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture a portion at a time and mix well. Finally mix in the milk until batter is smooth. Spoon batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Frost when cool.


Birthday Cupcake Frosting

1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring of your choice


Whisk milk into flour in small saucepan until smooth. Heat and stir until it boils and thickens. Cool thoroughly. Using a mixer cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add thickened milk. Beat until mixture resembles whipped cream.

Some birthday threads

I made my girly a couple of things to wear for her birthday which is later this week. She also wants me to make her a backpack so we'll see if I have time to do that too.
Anywho, the skirt, is from two fat quarters picked up on sale at JA's. Serged, elastic waist band and a bit of rickrack along the bottom and you're in business. No pattern necessary. The other outfit is from the two Portabello Pixie patterns. The top is the Claire pattern, and while it's easy enough to sew, I despised the shirring. Next time I think I'll use lastin and zigzag it down to give me my gather. I don't know how long that shirring is going to hold up to my little birthday girl. The pants however are a keeper! Love how she designed them and the sizing is dead on...although I might add an inch or two next time so that they will last longer. O. loves them. The fabric is one of my favorite prints, Alexander Henry's birch blossom. So pretty and the other fabric from Chez Ami is a perfect coordinate.
I'll try and add some modeling shots later in the week when she gets to wear her new threads.


A simple skirt


Just a bit of rickrack to liven things up.




Shirred sleeve


The neck and shoulders shirred.

M.'s big day!

My youngest son turned 5 recently and to celebrate he invited a few friends to join him at the Little Gym. It was very nice. They did all the work, I just showed up with the cake and the check, lol.