Smith Playhouse

Erik and Auntie Lita took Meredith to the Smith Playhouse in Philadelphia this past weekend.

She loved it!

Lots of serious playtime...

(as you can tell by her expression in all of these photos!)

Auntie Lita

Auntie Lita has been visiting with us this week - fun times all around!

Thanksgiving was a beautiful day here - so before the festivities began Erik, Lita and Meredith had some playtime at the park down the street. :)

home projects

Last week I finished some home projects that I've been wanting to do since we moved in. New, fresh curtains. I can't deal with blinds...especially cheap and old rental type blinds, so after a bit of sewing (fun!) we had fresh, clean colorful windows! :)

funky and colorful kitchen curtain. someday perhaps we'll paint the kitchen, but until then this jazzy fabric brings some pizazz into the room.

Our breakfast nook was needing a major face-lift. So, new curtains for all six of the windows!

I love the cheerful green flowers in this print.

Once the curtains were made in the sunroom, I felt that the table needed some color as well. We didn't have a cloth that worked well with its shape anyway...so, this new cloth came to life quickly one Sunday afternoon.

And, our family room was given it's own unique window treatment as well...complete with a bamboo curtain rod installed by Erik. These curtains use some of my favorite fabrics, so it's fun to see them everyday now.

weekend pleasures

We had a full, but restful Saturday and Sunday. :) A wonderful beginning to our week of giving thanks.

dinner with sweet friends

a new recipe from our beloved, Simply in Season book: Turkey Lentil Pilaf (we used chicken) It was a hit all around.

Our fireplace is keeping us cozy these days...

...and of course crafting projects are in the works. :)

this is my favorite recent photo of MJ - can't believe how much her expression looks like toddler pictures of my brother, Jonny! :)

sew fun!

It's been a week of sewing fun for Mama. Projects included a corduroy jumper and woolen slippers for Meredith, curtains for the family room, sun room and kitchen. Yay! It's so fulfilling to make this house a home and to keep my girlie cozy. :)

Meredith is modeling both the new jumper and her teeth brushing skills (a favorite activity!).

up-cycled (from old sweaters) woolen slippers

toasty toes!

fun girlie! Stay tuned for more photos this week of the curtains...

the arboretum

We've had beautiful weather here this week - several days in the 60s, and in the sun it feels even warmer! Meredith and I have spend our mornings soaking in vitamin D outside. :)

Wednesday we went to the Morris Arboretum. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Of course, Lambie came along for the excursion. :)

Fun day!

Pockets

dollie

Meredith is entering the typical little girl stage of playing "Mommy" and carrying around dolls. YAY - so fun! So far in our household, we only own one doll! :p But, one doll is all Meredith needs to act out the mother role.

Last Christmas Granna made this doll for Meredith and it has become a household favorite. Most days "dollie" comes along with Meredith all over the house and is included in many activities. :)

I wasn't able to catch it on camera, but Meredith loves to give her dollie kisses and then push the doll into our faces to receive the same free love. :) What a little mama!

hummus pizza :)

Jane:

We've begun a new tradition - Erik cooks on the weekends! So far, the plan is a huge hit all around. Jane gets more time to sew and hide out in her art room, and Erik gets to experiment in the kitchen and try out his own swing on recipes. Meredith continues to happily toddler around the kitchen with Daddy...and sometimes takes matters into her own hands and feet by climbing up to the 3rd floor in search of Mama. :)

Tonight's menu: hummus pizza and a scrumptious salad. I'll let Erik fill you in on the details. :)

Erik:

I started with a base of olive oil, sprinkled with salt, pepper and rosemary. After a layer of hummus, I spread chopped yellow pepper, mushrooms and apples. Then topped off with a squeeze of lemon juice and cheese (feta on one half, on colby the other).

Other weekend endeavors included Chai Muffins (a wonderful side to eggs in the morning), Apple-Walnut Pancakes, and a Carrot Raisin salad with the addition of apples, cinnamon and lemon juice.

All this was primed by crisp weather and a free schedule - both necessary ingredients for cooking to be enjoyed at its fullest. And for a fine finish - a 2007 Château Perron (a red bordeaux blend) from Lalande de Pomerol in France.