[ simplesong ]

passport photo

We're going on vacation next month [yay!] + the little one needs a passport. We went to Penn Camera today to get photos taken + they didn't turn out so well, even after several tries.  They're so unflattering, I can't even post them here ;].  Because they didn't want to be liable for having Ike sit on a chair they had him lie on a floor on top of someone's lab coat  [to get white background] while the guy hovered over him to take a photo. Understandably, the little one had this look of "what are you doing dude? / help me, mom." 

So, I'm wondering if I can just use one of my photos ...

Here are the photo requirements as stated by the Department of State: 

• 2x2 inches in size
• Identical
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• Color
• Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken in normal street attire
• Uniforms should not be worn in photographs.
• Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline unless worn daily for religious purposes.        

I'll give it a whirl tomorrow at the passport office [will bring unflattering back ups just in case:].      

warm january day

We've been out today enjoying the oddly warm January day.   Its 76 degrees today here in the D.C. area!  Warmer here than where grandma + grandpa live [Scottsdale, AZ] where its 57 degrees.  Enjoying a snack outside in early January [unheard of but we'll take it!] ...

playroom decor

I'm looking for some decor for the little one's playroom.  I think I'll make a large fabric covered board to display photos + drawings + will just need a few more things for the walls.  Here are a few things I spotted  so far ...

I really like the owl decals [found via DesignMom] but wish them came in other colors.  The elephant canvases are also super cute -- all from Modern Dose. The alphabet poster is from a little shop called Tiny McSmall [also found via DesignMom].  Super cute stuff.  But I think I'll most likely go with the wall art from Dwell Studio.  Really like the bold animal prints.  And speaking of Dwell Studio, just saw on Oh Happy Day that they are coming out with a line for Target.  Yay!

Will post a picture once I get the room finished!

shop update: 1.3.08

The little one + I have a busy, busy day tomorrow [music class, meet-up w/ playgroup, stop by printers + paper supplier for save-the-date custom orders - all before afternoon nap time] so I went ahead and updated the little shop tonight ...

I gravitated toward my usual clean + simple designs/fabrics but was also inspired by a lot of cheery + bright patterns too.  As you can see from the photos I really liked that yellow fabric.  But after looking at all the photos, I think I need to take a break from it!

serious bed head

The little one woke up from his nap yesterday with some serious bed head ...

Not sure what happened but it sure looks like he had some active sleep :].

2008 calendar

So, I waited too long to get my 2008 calendar + now the one's that I want are looong gone.  I was looking for just the perfect one + simply put I procrastinated.  Here are the two I would have loved, one from Ink + Wit / Pistachio Press and the other from Satsuma Press ...

I have always been super picky about my calendars.  For 2008, I was mainly looking for a wall, letterpressed + unbound calendar.  The designs on both of these are lovely + the perfect size.

I did end up getting this calendar which looks so lovely [haven't received it yet] + almost perfect. 

Next year I'll have to be sure to scout out my 2009 calendar in October or November [not January 1]!

But in the meantime to fulfill my need/want for a wall calendar, I found this one that I might make ... love the simplicity of it ...

holiday treats

Just before Christmas I made some holiday snacks/treats for J's office. A few folks have asked for the recipe for the pecan treats, one of my favorite little indulgences.  They're super easy to make ... but let me note they're not for those who are counting calories as a part of their new year's resolutions.

Bite-size Pecan / Toffee Pies 

1 package of refrigerated pie crusts
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup finely chopped pecans
10 ounces of crushed Heath bars

Preheat oven: 375 degrees

Unroll the piecrusts onto a lightly floured surface [thin out pie crust a bit]. Cutout 30 -36 2 inch circles [I use a red wine glass to cut]. Place circles into mini-muffin pans, pressing on the bottoms and up the sides of each of the mini-muffin cups.

Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and eggs in a large bowl, mixing well. Add the vanilla. Stir in the pecans and Heath bars. Spoon the pecan filling evenly into the pie shells. Bake for 25 minutes, or until filling is set and crust is lightly browned. Cool in pans on wire racks.

[adapted from a Paula Dean recipe]

Enjoy!