by Allison 9 • 23 • 2008

a tutorial.

I loved the tutorial on one of my favorite design blogs How About Orange yesterday. It looks super easy and I’m already dreaming of the possibilities for my house. See full instructions here. {photos and instructions via How About Orange}.

by Alma 9 • 22 • 2008

recipes from farmer’s market food.

Today seems like the first really fall day weather-wise this year. Fall is my favorite season of the year for so many reasons. I love the cool weather. I love fall colors and fall fashion. I love pumpkins and mums and changing leaves. And I love all the food that suddenly I’m able to cook again like soups and stews. I am in a cooking group that meets together for dinner once a month. This month was my turn to…
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by Kimberly 9 • 19 • 2008

pottery barn sale.

So it seems Pottery Barn Kids is constantly advertising a “sale” of some kind. Sure, whatever. $5 off a gazillion dollar item. Whoopee. I took the time to do a little browsing, however, and found some actually great deals on fun items–perfect for your own little ones or for stocking your gift cache. A sampling: Though summer is ending all too quickly, I might snatch up one of these for next year. Looks like tons of fun, sure to make…
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by Alma 9 • 8 • 2008

how to: make yummy apple oven pancakes.

This recipe for apple pancakes is too good not to share. I’ve even been enjoying cold leftovers. (There’s only two in my house, so there’s leftovers—if you have a few more members of your family, I bet you’ll polish this right up!) Apple Oven Pancake 4 T butter 5-6 C sliced, peeled tart apples 1/3 C brown sugar (you can use 2 T if you want it less sugary) Juice of 1/2 lemon, strained 4 eggs, slightly beaten 1 c…
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by Allison 9 • 3 • 2008

easy taco soup recipe for busy nights.

This recipe is an absolute no-fail dinner for my kids, and is especially fit for a busy soccer night {or any other night full of extracurricular activities}. My kids beg for it, and that doesn’t happen all that often in my house {read:never}. It’s warm and perfect for a crisp Fall night. This recipe is pretty big for our family of 4 and I usually have leftovers to serve the following night, {and who doesn’t love leftovers?}. Taco Soup 1…
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by Kimberly 9 • 3 • 2008

A little suga for the tootsies

Oh how the summer takes its toll on our tootsies. Calluses, cracks, roughness (and let’s not even get started on “crusty”) are the plagues of summer for feet. Give them some sweet treatment available in your very own pantry. The recipe below evolved from 3 or 4 others I tried. You will need: 1 cup of light brown sugar 4-6 Tbsp. olive oil 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract a small, wide-mouth container with a lid Stir ingredients until combined, adding oil…
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by Allison 8 • 27 • 2008

mom calendar.

Part of my whole back-to-school ritual every year is to get a {big} new calendar for the school year. The moment the paperwork from school {and a myriad of extracurricular activities} starts flowing through the front door like a tidal wave, I write it all down on a master calendar. That way I’m not surprised in October when I’m expected to bring treats for sixteen preschoolers, and that come November I’m the head mom for the 3rd grade Thanksgiving Feast….
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by Allison 8 • 24 • 2008

m. writes

A big thank you to Marta for guest posting last week on Petit Elefant. Isn’t she great? Best of luck to her as she’s thisclose to delivering her first baby. Follow Marta in all her adventures on m.writes, and Marta good luck, you’re going to make an amazing mama. {photo via m.writes}

by Kimberly 8 • 22 • 2008

beautiful custom note cards.

Most kids really dig anything personalized with their name. It’s something I never outgrew. Maybe that’s partially why I’m loving these elegant custom note cards from DebsDesign. I’m repeatedly inspired by the bountiful talent on Etsy; Deb is no exception. The trees are especially a favorite, timeless and ageless in a fresh color scheme of cream, sage, and chocolate. But the birdies, the bikes and, of course, the darling little elephants are all rather snappy. Great for your own stationery collection…
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