Tea Cup Invitations

I made these little invitations for Sara's shower.

The Wurst

Mark has taken a sudden interest to cured meats. There was bacon which was amazing and has ruined all store bought bacon for me. Then there are the sausages. They are his first which means the ones to follow will be even better. Hard for me to imagine. Maybe these were beginners luck.

Of course Rick always has the cleverest things to say:

"The best wurst burst first"

A Weekly Arrangement - week 3

I'm still hunting for a reliable flower source. I headed to Flowerama this week hoping to leave with an arm-full of different varieties to work from. Not so much. So I had to get creative with the display instead.

I hear rumors though of a new flower shop opening that might be just the place.

Madeleines

These homemade valentine madeleines were left on my porch by my bestest friend.

And quickly devoured with coffee.

V-day dinner

Have I told you yet that Mark is an amazing cook? And not even in a "makes a mean steak" kind of way. More in a "I live with a gourmet chef" kind of way. Lucky for me he decided a cooking career would probably ruin his love for cooking and so he continues to express his art on my dinner plate.

Valentines dinner came in two courses (we were too stuffed for the third).

Course 1: Apple and bacon (that he made, like actually made the bacon from a piece of pork belly) on top of a brie smeared baguette drizzled with maple syrup. This blew my mind.

Course 2: Homemade pasta sauteed in wine, garlic, and mussel juice and sprinkled with ricotta cheese and basil. Then topped with scallops for him and mussels for me.

Course 3: To be continued...

Dancing Queen

I never got to be a flower girl. I'm still a little sore about it. They get to where miniature wedding dresses (and we know everything is cuter in miniature form), they usher in the bride, and it is completely appropriate for them to twirl around the dance floor without a partner.

They really have it made.

p.s. happy valentines day

A few images and a song from my "inspiration" folder. Hopefully it will add a little happiness to your Valentines day.

(unfortunately I can't remember where these images came from, sorry :( )

Snow Country

The pictures do not do the snow justice.

Will be back on Monday.

We are leaving tomorrow morning, even before the early bird gets the worm, to travel to upstate New York for my cousins wedding.

I am packing my warmest sweaters.
Even my dress is wool.

My garden in envelopes

I really love all the seasons (including the coldest darkest winters). I really do. No really, I do. I even wrote about it here, remember?

Ok, you caught me.

I'm secretly dreaming of spring every time I look out the window. Maybe it's the lack of fluffy snow this year, or maybe it's my lack of snow boots. Whichever, it's racking me with guilt for not enjoying each day and instead drifting off to a land of breezy windows and sprouting gardens.

So instead of sloshing through the snow, or cozying up to the fire I am planning my garden. Tasha and I went in together on seeds (great idea, Tasha), because who needs 1,000 seeds of anything? And in only a week it will be time to begin some of the plants so that I can feel I am forcing spring to come.

Birthday gifts

A couple of handmade gifts for Sara: a little cat pillow & bunting to fill a vintage blue jar.

Happy Birthday!!

Ok, so Sara's birthday isn't technically for a few days but with me heading to upstate New York, and Tasha going to Belise (*sigh of jealousy) we celebrated a little early. Things to keep in mind when throwing a birthday brunch: champagne is completely appropriate at any hour when mixed with juice, using nutella as cinnamon roll filling is awesome (thanks Tasha!), and you should plan a nap afterwards (especially if you are a cat).

Weekly Arrangement - week 3

My goal for this week was to break out of the "straight out of the vase" look. The tulips worked really well for that because their stems bend. This stem thing is a whole new concept to me. I had never before thought about the flower stems, just the explosions at the end of them. Now I find myself picking up the rubber banded bundles to get a feeling for their flexibility. I'm sure the Giant Eagle clerks think I'm cuckoo.

•

12:21 am - sewing, chocolate milk (if you're not using whole milk you're missing out), and these guys.

Wild Nights

Last weekend was Tin Armor's 5 year anniversary. The milestone was celebrated as it should be, in a small, dimly lit basement packed with their closest friends and fans. Mark sang Wild Nights with them. It was amazing.


(photo via the amazing Rachael Barbash)

Oy vey

Dear J Crew,

I received your spring catalog yesterday. I am writing because I think there are a few changes you should make. First, stop making such amazing clothes that pull at my heartstrings and hurt my feelings. Secondly, if you are going to continue making such lovely ensembles please send me a lofty stack of coupons so that I can stop trying to recreate them in thrift store fitting rooms. And lastly, please send your spring catalog after all the ice in Ohio has melted so I am not tortured with popsicle colors and adorable swim-wear while piled in layers and layers of sweaters.

Will always love you despite,
Michelle

An enchanted orchid forest

My mother came for a short visit last Saturday. The day was quickly filled with art galleries, conservatories, sharing photo's, and starting huge endeavors.

The Franklin Park Conservatory was hosting their enchanting Orchid Forest Exhibit. It's undeniably the best place to escape all the snow. The flowers hang and shoot from every corner. Many of them looking like foreign insect strung together. They even creating an intricate spinning castle with a train that runs around it and of course their are orchids growing all over it.

I'm considering a membership. According to Sara, a current holder of one, it entitles free visits with a visitor and is good for other cities conservatories as well!

City of Brass

Mark locked himself up in The Tone Shoppe this past weekend to record City of Brass. I let him take my camera into the trenches in hopes for a glimpse of all the rock-awesomeness. I got back some fuzzy orange pictures, I guess that counts. I also heard unmixed tracks which sound completely huge and amazing.


**In semi-related news: The Churches Burn music that mark recorded will be done soon so prepare yourself.