Feelin' Festive: 4th of July Edition

Seriously?!  I didn't think it had been that long since I've been here, but apparently it has been 4 months.  I won't go into why or make excuses, although I'm sure I could come up with some.  I apologize. 

I feel like I haven't had much time to devote to the things I typically write about--primarily cooking and crafting.  But, the other day our nanny said something to the effect of: "I am amazed by what you have been able to accomplish."  And when I thought about it, she was right.  In the midst of a busy work schedule, a 7 month old, travel and just the tasks of everyday life, I have still managed to do some of the things that I love.

Recently, a friend posted on her Facebook that she needed to stop spending all her time pinning things on Pinterest and actually make some of the things that she's pinned.  Good idea, Lindsey.  One of my favorite boards that I've been adding things to is my "Feelin' Festive" board, which is a place for all things that are holiday related.  With the 4th of July just this month, most of my pins featured glorious red, white and blue (a favorite color combo of mine, with or without the patriotic undertones).  So, on a recent weekend at our family's lake home, I managed to recreate one of my favorite pins--a rag wreath.  It was simple and turned out so perfect--every time I walk in my front door I have to smile.

The tutorial that I borrowed the idea from is great, so there's no need for me to redesign the wheel--just check out the instructions here.  I don't know for sure what size wreath she used, but mine is 19" in diameter.  I ended up using about 3 yards of fabric and my little bunting says "America the Beautiful."

I can picture myself making another one of these for the fall.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Today, I feel the need to share just a few of life's simple pleasures.  I'll let them speak for themselves.

• Green Beans with Lemon Pepper.  I was introduced to this amazing combination by my sister-in-law's mother.    It's as easy as that--cook your green beans your favorite way (steam, simmer, saute, whatever) and then just toss them with some lemon pepper.  Fresh, tasty and way less calories than the butter I would usually use.
• iPhone "My Shopping List" app.  This handy, dandy app puts your grocery list in order by department.  Since I make my list by going through each meal for the week, it used to take me forever to do my grocery shopping---everything was on the list by meal.  Now, I simple put the item into my list on the phone and Voila!  Everything appears in it's correct category like meat, dairy, baked goods, fruits & veggies, etc.
• Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman.  Part parenting book, part cultural study, this book which compares parenting in the U.S. to parenting in France was funny, practical, and offered a little mental vacation to Paris.

• Onion and Rosemary Focaccia Bread.  I made this from the "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" book and it is delicious. 
• Sunny warm days.
• Bright Daffodils

On  slightly different note, I just read about this "My Favorite Things" party idea and would love to do one!  I love the idea of sharing all these little things with my friends!  Read more about it here My Favorite Things Party. 

One of my life goals...

Something I have always wanted to do is to enter something in a county fair.  Last spring, I started to work on a quilt that the further I got in the process, the more I was certain that it was my fair entry piece.  I should have finished it a long time ago--especially since I have had it back from the quilter since August and all it needed was the binding.  But, I just wasn't in the mood.

Well, finally during the course of several stolen moments the last couple of weeks I was able to get the binding put on and I am SUPER happy with the result.  It is something that I will be proud to enter in the fair and excited to hear what the judges have to say.  I used exclusively1930's reproduction prints to create this lovely, sunny quilt.  I don't really have a place to display it or use it, but I'm sure I'll think of something!