Frazzled Mommy & Chick Lit

Do you ever wonder "How does she DO it?". I do! We all know the uber mom who bakes cookies, sews her kids clothes, always has her hair and nails done and keeps a spotless house all while running the PTA and VBS. Sometimes I wish I possessed these time management skills. For the rest of us mom's this book is a great treat. I am a big fan of chick lit. I no longer feel a stigma reading my pink or aqua covered books. I read purely for pleasure and this book most certainly was that! If your week looks anything like mine (company coming, a show, and a family vacation all occuring in the next 7 days) take a little me time. "I Don't Know How She Does It" is a fun read sure to make you smile.

A Midsommar DayDream

Being here in the States away from our Swedish family is hard year round. It is about this time of year we notice it most. In Sweden the biggest holiday of the year is Midsommar, or Midsummer. Sweden experiences the long cold nights of winter, where they get very little sun or even daylight. But in the summer the sun stays up nearly 24 hours on the solstice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer Sweden is rich in traditions and Midsommar is a perfect example. Traditional foods will be served including special herring and new potatoes, as well as this strawberry cake.

It is a very light cake, similar in texture to an angel food cake, although not as spongy or sweet. It has layers of vanilla custard and strawberry jam. The outside is garnished with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. This cake was made by my dear husband this last weekend. Isn't it fantastic?

Another fun tradition is for the girls to wear "krans" or crowns made of woven flowers. This photo is of my oldest and I at our last midsommar in Sweden in "03. I can't believe how much she's changed!

No Midsommar would be complete without the "Maypole". It is wrapped in greenery and raised. Following the raising of the pole is folk dancing and singing around the pole. It is nothing like I expected my first time. Most of the songs are like children's songs with actions that accompany the words. The most unexpected part of it all is that everyone participates. From the older generation to the young urban hipsters; all take part in this fun tradition. The pole in the photo is from my in-law's hometown on the west coast of Sweden.

So I hope you have enjoyed your Swedish traditions lesson today! The Swedes will be celebrating this coming weekend. I hope we get another cake! (Thanks honey!)

Sweet Little Gnome Home

I just listed this little Gnome Home (mushroom) Necklace on ebay for Ivylane's Free Spirit launch. All the designs are inspired by various FreeSpirit fabric lines. This necklace matches jamclothingco's set. Please click the title to be taken to the auction. Can you believe the detail in the mushroom? It is lampwork glass, painstakingly made by a glass artisan. This auction has no reserve price. Enjoy!

Crazy Hair Day

K has been in soccer camp all week and absolutely LOVING it! Today was crazy hair day. I think we did pretty well. This hair gel is amazing. Can you believe the mohawk lasted through 3 hours of camp, a whole afternoon playing and his sister's VBS wrap up where he showed it off? He was so proud. :)

Baby Beluga in the Deep Blue Sea...

As has become our custom, when K and I were out shooting photos this weekend we had to incorporate photos of her current best toy: Baby Beluga Whale. Her love for animals knows no bounds, and has now moved into the marine realm. Luckily for K there is a book called Baby Beluga. It is one of our all time favorite children's books and we have read it many times. If you don't have it, I recommend it!




Here are the lyrics to the song:
Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea,
Swim so wild and you swim so free.
Heaven above, and the sea below,
And a little white whale on the go.

Baby beluga, baby Beluga, is the water warm?
Is your mama home with you, so happy.

Way down yonder where the dolphins play,
Where they dive and splash all day,
The waves roll in and the waves roll out,
See the water squirting out of your spout.

Baby beluga, baby Beluga, sing your little song,
Sing for all your friends, we like to hear you.

When it's dark, you're home and fed,
Curl up snug in your water bed.
Moon is shining and the stars are out,
Good night, little whale, goodnight.

Baby beluga, baby Beluga, with tomorrow's sun,
Another day's begun, you'll soon be waking.

Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea,
Swim so wild and you swim so free.
Heaven above and the sea below,
And a little white whale on the go.
You're just a little white whale on the go.

Mad About Plaid

From the time that I first discovered "boutique" on ebay, I have been a HUGE fan of justjennyco. We were in the "Queen Bees" selling group and I loved every minute with her. She makes the most amazing clothes. When I received this Plaid Patchwork set from her I couldn't wait to make jewelry to go with it. You can find the necklace with soldered pendant and sewn fringe bracelet on ebay now. The bracelet is starting at .99 and no reserve. Simply click the title to be taken to my auctions.