More Presents and Tissue Paper Flowers

A couple weeks ago (or was it months?  I can't remember), a good friend had her bridal shower.  I made something special for her, was so excited for her to get it, then I got the stomach flu and didn't get to go to the shower.  Wah, wah.

She finally got her gift last week.

Complete with tissue-paper flowers...

And homemade tag with envelope! (I love these so much I may have to make them again!)

I really wanted to make something for her to give in addition to her registry gift but was stumped for a bit on what to do.  Her and her hubby-to-be are moving after the wedding and I didn't want to get into anything too bulky that would have to be transported.  AND who knows what colors she will be decorating with since they don't know where they are living yet.

I ended up making these simple cloth napkins and reversible place mats.  I was relieved to find out that they would match the dining room in their new apartment nicely.

from Macy's

Her registry had this really pretty green and white vase by Lennox, so paired with that and the cute napkin rings to tie the whole thing together (in addition to the plates, silverware, etc that she will probably get off of her registry), this lady now has a table setting.

It was so simple, and part of me was sad to see it go.  I just love the way it all came together...and that harvest-gold-flowered fabric...*tear*

:)

Anne

Teacher Appreciation #2 and Lessons Learned in the Kitchen

Ever have one of those kitchen sessions in which you just seem to be completely off your game?  I had one of those yesterday.   Lucky for me, and my family, and Moira's teachers, everything worked out just fine, even if it did not work out smoothly (it doesn't help that I can an anxious, overly-dramatic, perfectionist).

I decided to use the Oreos left over from my pregnancy cravings to make Chocolate-Covered Oreo Pops for Moira's teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.

They look good and a taste of non-pop-chocolate-covered-oreos tells me they taste good...but what a mess I made.  The sticks were too thick; the cream filling not wide enough; the cookies broke; the broken cookies fell in the chocolate...by the time I was done I had covered my fingers in chocolate and washed it off 10 separate times.

Lesson #1:  Next time you have a pregnancy craving for Oreo cookies...buy Double Stuff!

On to dinner.

I tried a new recipe from my Rachael Ray's Look and Cook cookbook...Spinach and Artichoke Mac 'n' Cheese.  (Definitely not a diet food but perfect for Meatless Monday.)

Moira and I were out of the house most of the day and I did not unload the dishwasher or wash any of the dishes left in the sink.  This is something I am usually right on top of but I just didn't feel like doing it.  Well, I started cooking and quickly ran out of room on my counter and in my sink. Plus I had those Oreo Pops setting on the counter.  In the middle of preparing dinner, I decided I had to get my workspace cleared and started unloading the dishwasher and filled it back up, all the while trying to keep Moira from pulling out the dirty dishes from the washer...and laying in the middle of the kitchen floor as I cook...and dumping all of her play food and dishes all over the dining room floor...and taking a moment to get her set up on the potty (ahhh, potty training).  Needless to say, I burned my butter and had to start over and my dinner could have used more seasoning.  I was not fully into my cooking, that is for sure.

Lesson #2:  Take the (literally) 2 minutes it requires to clear off your counter and empty the sink.  It is not like you are cooking in Kitchen Stadium here!

Lesson #3:  Turn down the damn heat when you are melting butter!

Lesson #4:  Stop trying to do everything at once!

When all was said and done, dinner was good (and not too unhealthy because I served smaller portions and we had salad with it...yay for green veggies).  The treats came out just fine.  The Teacher Appreciation Gifts were what I was hoping for and received with much gratitude.

I think I need to relax!

:)
Anne

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is teacher appreciation week!  Although Moira is not in "preschool" yet, she has been attending daycare since she was 3 months old.  At that age the caregivers are not necessarily called "teachers", but I know that Moira is learning every time she is there...after all, our babies are little sponges!  In that spirit, I have taken to acknowledging the hours my daughter spends in the care of someone other than myself or my husband and showing our appreciation for all that they do.  (I know what it is like to spend hours with one two-year old...they have a room full of them!)

This year's small token of appreciation...cute little post-it note holders.

I made 8...one for each teacher in the room.

It was quite simple, with only a couple of supplies needed, and I am sure I will use this again down the road someday.

My post-its were 3"x3" and 100 sheets.  I cut a piece of paper 3" wide.  Moving along the length of the paper I scored at 3", 3 3/8", 6 3/8", 6 3/4", and cut at just a teensy-weensy bit over 8 inches (sorry, I didn't snap a photo of that part).

I glued the post-its to the back 3"x3" square.

To make the "enclosure", I put 3 dimensional stickers at where the top flap ended.

When I put my tag on top, it created a little notch-sort-of-thing to keep the holder closed.

Wrote a little note of thanks inside to finish it off.

Now, I am also in the custom of bringing some sort of "treat" to these fine ladies...I just haven't decided what it will be yet!

:)
Anne