How to Throw a Spectacular Baby Shower

As good luck would have it, my good friend Meg is also pregnant and I'm so very excited for her. This baby has been long in the wanting and will be smothered with love when she makes her appearance in October. Way back in the day when Meg threw my bridal shower, I told her that I would one day throw her a baby shower and so when she told me she was pregnant, I began planning her shower.



I wanted this to be a shower filled with love, food and fun! I scoured magazines, I searched websites and I kept my eye open for ideas. Martha Stewart featured a Book Themed Baby Shower in MS Living and I knew I had found the perfect baby shower theme. Then Meg's dad made her a bookcase which cried out to be filled with lovely children's books.



I asked everyone to bring their favorite children's book along with a present for Hazelnut (My nickname for Meg's baby). I printed out book plates from MS on label paper and asked people to inscribe them for the baby.



Since Meg and I HATE baby shower games, I decided to have a few activities to keep the party flowing. I had a "Suggest a Name for Hazelnut" station along with a "How Well Do You Know Meg?" game. I think Meg was grateful that I didn't make people wrap her in toilet paper or something like that. She did laugh at some of the questions on my activity and shot me a dirty look for including the question, "What is Meg's Favorite Curse Word?" as her in-laws and other family were at the shower.



Meg received a lot of wonderful baby presents and TWO quilts! Her Mom made her the lovely one above and our friend Amanda made the gorgeous quilt below. I was in awe at the handiwork involved in both of the quilts. And since Meg is a knitting friend and we have a lot of friends that knit, she received so many beautiful baby hand-knit sweaters.



All in all, it was a lovely shower and I'm sure Hazelnut now knows how loved she is by all of us. I can't wait to meet her!

The Wednesday Links from Around The Web 7.20.11 Edition

You will die from the cuteness

Washing your face with oil - I'm doing this again

Best Blog Name and a delicious looking Galette

Knit a Rug

Rainbow Hair

Showing her
freedom (this one made me cry)

Flatbreads!

Decorating the Nursery

Ever since we found out that we're having a baby girl, my decorating senses have gone into overboard obsession! I love decorating and I love nurseries.



Unfortunately the room is currently in a huge state of disarray. The cats have their food in there which needs to find a new home. Additionally I still have a few boxes that need to go to goodwill in the room and basically some other stuff that needs to be stored in the basement. This was our extra room when we moved in and we basically just dumped stuff in there. Now that stuff needs to be cleared on out! That rocking chair will be staying though! My mom used it when I was a child and now I plan to use it with my child.



I've been collecting ideas from various sites and love the image above. Of course I saved the image and have no idea where I found it. All I know is that I LOVE it!

We've decided to paint the room Silver Sateen by Behr which is a nice grey color. It will also work if Oops both ultrasound technicians were wrong about the baby's sex.



My parents have already bought the baby's crib which is the DaVinci Kalani Convertible Baby Crib in white. The DaVinci Emily Crib is a top buy by Consumer Reports. I wanted a slightly different style and figure if Consumer Reports rates one style so highly, they must like the entire brand. I think this logic works. Yep, that is what I think.

We're also going to be getting the Hemnes Dresser which we'll use as a changing table as well as a dresser. Under the long window in the bedroom, we'll be placing an Expedit Bookshelf which we'll put on it's side so it can also be a small bench. I'll be sewing a foam pad for it. We have hardwood floors so after an exhaustive search, I've ordered a grey rug from Overstock.com who has amazing shipping prices!

As for decor, I have some beautiful artwork from The Black Apple that I'll be re purposing for the baby's room. I have three prints - There is the button collector, the Little Knitter and the Sugar Girl (not currently for sale so no link). Above the crib, we're considering adding this cute wall decal.



I also want to make a quilt for Platy and I'm leaning toward the above design in grey, pink and soft orange with white. I need to make my decision soon so that I can possibly finish the quilt before Platy comes.

The coming months will be busy getting the room ready for our little girl and I'm so excited! I can't wait to show the progress along the way.

I'm at the halfway point in this pregnancy today! It's cold here today. Seriously it's 59 degrees in the middle of July so I'm wearing my long-sleeve dress with some leggings.

I've been sleeping a lot which my Mom told me happened to her. She said she was attending college and would sleep between classes. Her classmates would wake her up before class as would her bus mates so she didn't miss her transfer home. I'm still nauseas which does suck but otherwise I'm doing well.



We had an ultrasound last week and found out that we are having a girl! I was so surprised because I really thought I was having a boy. Trickery! I'm so excited to have a girl though. My pink-loving heart is going wild.

Tomorrow I go back for a follow-up ultrasound so they can get some better photos of Platy's heart since she wouldn't stop wiggling enough for them last Friday. My parents are coming with and I think they are going to have a great time.

Crowd Source Kitchen Paint Color

Our kitchen needs a fresh coat of paint and I figure if we are going to paint it, I'd like to add a bit of color. My problem is that I can not decide on a color at all.



At first my husband suggested yellow but after putting a few samples on the wall, we noticed that they matched the cabinets (light maple) way too closely and that we needed some contrast.



Then we thought, Green! But the dining room which is adjacent is a light green and really that feels like a lot of green.



We also have this beautiful tile back splash that we'd like to coordinate the paint colors with.



Finally I just took all my Martha Stewart Paint Samples out and we painted swatches on the wall that we plan to paint. The rest of the walls will remain a nice cream.



So tell me, which color would you paint my kitchen? I'm not married to any of these particular colors but I need direction and lots of help!

The Wednesday Links from Around The Web 6.22.11 Edition

Useful iPhone apps that work without service

3 Budget Alternatives to Expensive Camera Equipment

Travel Food

Such Lovely Images

Perfect for a Plethora of Rhubarb

I'm loving this simple yet complex-looking quilt idea

The State of the Knitting

The knitting has been going full gang busters over here in baby mania land. I've made 2 1/2 sweaters, a few hats and a pair of booties.



The booties were my way of telling my parents about the baby. They were unsure as to what they were when they opened the boxes containing one bootie each. It was fun watching their faces as they figured it out.



I'd like to have a few more booties and hats made before the baby comes and I really need to finish up the Ella Funt sweater. I was roaring along until I got to the intarsia part where I hit the wall.



I also have an item on the needles just for me. I'm hurrying to finish it as I really like a good FO.

Documentation

Now that everyone knows I'm having a baby, I've feel free to admit that I've fallen head first deep into baby obsession! My current obsession is documenting this pregnancy.

I've toyed around with the classic belly photos but to be honest, I started out with a belly so these aren't very exciting right now. Currently I just look a bit more jiggly. Wheeee!

I do however love what this Mom did to document her pregnancy and I'm thinking of taking inspiration from her.

I figure if I throw in a bit more inspiration from Pacing the Panic Room and Dooce, I'll end up with a great documentation of this pregnancy.

What are some ideas from you? How do you think I should document this journey?

The Wednesday Links from Around The Web 6.15.11 Edition

My Drunk Kitchen is hilarious!

Adorable Cards

Texan Flash Cards

Anatomy of a Knitter

Embroidery Guide

Freezer Friendly Meals

Salted Caramel Sauce

Delight of the Week - Devil's Food Cake

Back in May, my Best Friend came up for a visit. Since it was very close to her birthday, I asked her what kind of cake she might enjoy as a birthday treat. True to her chocolate loving heart, she asked for a Chocolate Cake.



I dove into my cookbook collection and began hunting for the perfect chocolate cake recipe. As soon as I opened one of my Nigella Lawson cookbooks, I knew I had found a winner.



This cake is fun to make and delicious to eat. We gobbled up half the cake while my friend was visiting and then threw the rest out into the compost bin to keep ourselves from a sugar high. The raccoons loved the treat as I found chocolate cake crumbs all over the back porch in the morning.



Nigella's Devil's Food Cake

Ingredients

Cake:
1/2 cup best-quality cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 stick plus 1 tablespoon (9 tablespoons) soft unsalted butter, plus some for greasing
3/4 cup superfine sugar
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs

Frosting:
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cubed
11 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (or 2 cups chips)
Special equipment: 2 (8-inch) round cake pans

Directions

1. Begin by making the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottoms of both cake pans with parchment paper and butter the sides.

2. Place the cocoa and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar into a medium bowl and pour in the boiling water. Whisk to mix, then set aside.

3. Cream the butter and superfine sugar together, beating well until pale and fluffy.

4. Stir the flour, baking powder and baking soda together in another bowl and set aside for a moment.

5. Add the vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar - mixing all the while - and then drop in an egg, quickly followed by a scoopful of the flour mixture, then add the second egg.

6. Keep mixing and incorporate the rest of the dried ingredients for the cake then finally mix and fold in the cocoa mixture, scraping its bowl out well with a spatula. Divide the batter between the two prepared pans and put in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Take the pans out and put them on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes, before turning the cakes out to cool.

7. As soon as the cakes are in the oven, get started on your frosting: put the water, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar and 1 1/2 sticks butter in a pan over low heat to melt.

8. When this mixture begins to bubble, take the pan off the heat and add the chopped chocolate, swirling the pan so that all the chocolate is hit with heat, then leave for a minute to melt before whisking till smooth and glossy.

9. Let it stand for about 1 hour, whisking now and again by which time the cakes will be cooled, and ready for the frosting.

10. Set one of the cooled cakes, with its top side down, on a cake stand or plate, and spread about a third of the frosting, then top with the second cake, regular way up, and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides, swirling away with your spatula.

And Soon There Will Be Three

Scott and I are so very happy to announce that we're having a baby! I'm due December 1st so I'm just about 15 weeks along. We've named the baby Platypus which has been the source of a lot of jokes and laughs around here. We heard the baby's heartbeat today and it was one of the most fantastic sounds ever!



I've been reading all sorts of pregnancy books and badgering Scott with baby topics. Luckily pregnancy so far has been pretty good me. Oh I've had the usual nausea, grumpiness and pretty much have slept the last few months away but so far, being pregnant has been good!



I've also been knitting, knitting, knitting in between planning, plotting and scheming. I've knit two and a half sweaters with plans for many, many more.



I've also spent more time than I thought possible researching diapers and strollers. I've decided to go with the Fuzzibunz diapers since they grow with the baby. Also I found two great sites with so much information on cloth diapering and I was hooked. The first site is StyleBerry Blog and the second is EatCraftLive.



I'll be taking all of you along on this journey with me and I welcome any tips for a new Mama! I'm pretty sure that my life is about to be rocked. Scott and I have an idea what we're in for but really at the end of the day, we do not have even a single clue what we just signed up for!

The Movie Room (aka Man Cave)

When Scott and I moved into our new house, he announced that he wanted a space for himself. He ALMOST got exactly what he wished for. We made one of the bedrooms (it doesn't have a closet so it's not a true bedroom which works for us right now) into the Movie Room.



I talked with Scott to find out what he wanted. Since this room was going to be his room (with me constantly invading to watch TV), I wanted to decorate the room to his liking. He indicated that he wanted a room that reminded him of a movie theater. He wanted a plush couch with lighting that could dim to create a dark space. And of course the TV would be the centerpiece of the room.



We added four movie posters after much discussion. Scott already had a one that featured "Clockwork Orange" so I wanted to work off the orange and red theme. We finally settled on "Amelie", "Trainspotting" and "Vertigo" which also happen to be movies that Scott loves. He also requested that Boba Fett be in the room. I agreed even though Seriously? BOB? the Paper Doll?



I still need to make pillows for the couch. I have the fabric, I have the pillows, I have the design plans. I just don't seem to have the motivation. It will come soon!

A Big Bowl of Love

A few weeks ago, Bonnevivante hosted a blogger's cookbook event with Cristina Ferrare for her new cookbook, Big Bowl of Love. I was excited to attend the event not only because we would walk out with cookbooks but also because Cristina is so much fun to watch on her show, Big Bowl of Love on the OWN network
.



Bonnevivante hosts the best events. Whenever she posts about an event, I quickly rush to sign up as there are usually only 25 spots available. This was another one of those fun, great events. With only 25 other guests, I was able to really chat with Cristina. She's a genuine and nice person who is really interested in the person she is talking with. I may have even over-shared with Cristina...Oops!



The event started with an introduction of Cristina. She's an author, TV personality and former supermodel. Viv told a story of how she had a photo of Cristina on her wall as a teenager as well as a huge crush! I think she may have made Cristina blush a bit.

Cristina then gave a demonstration on how to make her signature Cesar Salad. Her assistant turned out to not only be a blogger but a trained chef.



As with any event, tweets were flying throughout the event. It was fun to go back to read what was being written during the event.



Before leaving the event, I had Cristina sign my book. My husband met me at the event so I was lucky enough to introduce him to her too.



She recommended a great chicken soup recipe which I still need to make. It looks delicious and was a hit with her own children.



Once I got home, I sat down and poured over the book. The images are gorgeous and when I flipped to to credit page, I found out that the White on Rice couple were the photographic geniuses behind the photos.



After spending hours reading, Cristina Ferrare's Big Bowl of Love: Delight Family and Friends with More than 150 Simple, Fabulous Recipes, I decided to make Cristina's Avgolemono Soup



This soup is delicious! Scott and I enjoyed the soup with some fresh baguettes. It made for the perfect meal.

Delight of the Week - WHO Bread

Scott and I love homemade bread and before I got a bread maker, it was sometimes a pain to make. We however loved SouleMama's WHO Bread goes acoustic recipe. When I got the bread maker, I remembered that SouleMama's WHO Bread was originally a bread maker recipe.



Last week, I decided to make the WHO Bread. It was so simple and delicious. It barely lasted the day.

WHO Bread Recipe

(makes 1.5 lb loaf, set to 'basic' with medium crust)

1 1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons butter @ room temperature
1 tsp salt
3 cups of flour (we do 2 cups unbleached white, 1 cup whole wheat pastry)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (or, one package)