happy birthday with a tomato on top!

Three years ago today Emily was born.  My best friend's daughter (she has 3 girls too), I love her like one of my own.

Although you would never know it now, Emily's little life got off to a pretty rough start.  Three days after she was born she suddenly stopped breathing.  Thankfully my friend lives a half block away from the fire station where they were able to resuscitate her.  After some tests it was discovered that baby Emily was having frequent seizures. Emily's birth was a bit rough.  My friend was induced and they had some trouble with baby's heart rate towards the end.  The best explanation they had for the seizures was that poor Emily may have been oxygen deprived (damn pitocin!)  Two long weeks later she was sent home with no real diagnosis, but the seizures had stopped.

Thankfully, she is as normal as any cute little 3 year old, and we couldn't imagine life without her!  So, to celebrate her birthday...I made her a little gift.

Emily is known as "the tomato girl".  Whenever she is here she raids my plants in the garden.  The girl can put them away!  Lots of lycopene I guess.  Inside that red box (with a tomato- not a cherry on top) is this:

   

a roll-up crayon holder thingy.  I know that I am the last person on the planet to make one...but here is the tutorial just in case I'm not. Super easy...and pretty cute if I do say so myself. 

It is also my brother-in-law's and my grandma's birthday today.  I called my Grannie and asked her to love me in spite of the fact that her gift will be late (still being worked on.)  Pics to come soon!

And, just to add to the already celebratory mood, I would like to make a gift for you too!  This is my thirtieth post!!  Leave a comment and I will draw a random name on Monday. Birthday or not, the winner will receive a present made by me!  Dad, you are exempt!

a little comfort

My friend had surgery a few weeks ago and she is supposed to be "taking it easy".  This prescription for light duty is somewhat hilarious (and totally unrealistic) because she has three children under 6.  I scooped her kids up and we spent the afternoon together while their mommy got some much needed rest. I didn't want to send them home without some "real food" to eat for dinner (earlier in the week I took them a pizza).  I just happened to have all the ingredients on hand for one of my favorite comfort food recipes. I have used this yummy formulation for new mamas, neighbors, and today for my tired friend.

 

It is perfect for this time of year, using up all kinds of squash excess that so many of us find ourselves with at the end of the season.  The recipe is found in this book.  I am pretty sure that I am not supposed to publish it here without the author's permission...so I guess that you'll have to check it out for yourself. 

MMMM, nothing like a hug from a squash. I can only make things like this for other people.  My husband would ask, "where's the beef?"

Heading off to do some late night sewing while watching this crazy funny show...hope to have some progress to report tomorrow.

tinkering

Currently, my camera and I have a strained relationship.  I cannot for the life of me seem to get it to take pictures that are in focus!!  Super frustrating.  I would like to think that if I spend a little less money on these (why must they give them all cute names?  "the polka-dot Lia blouse" ugh!), then I could save up for this.  We'll see.

Anyways, what I was trying to capture above, was the lovely coffee I shared with my friend this morning.  We just sat a looked at them for a while before we sipped.  They have a special little place for kids at my favorite local coffee shop.  So, the babes came along drinking their chocolate milks at a nearby table with plenty of kids books to read.  My friend and I felt somewhat frumpy sitting there amongst all the laptop/briefcase carrying business types coming in and out.  For one small moment I wondered, "am I missing out on something? you know, not working."  It might be kind of fun to get up every morning and put on a suit, to have people calling me on my cell phone for reasons other than to ask me what we are having for dinner.  They all looked very important. 

But then again, the only demands upon my day came in the form of three little girls- who in turn, think that I am pretty important too.

Especially when it comes to moments like these.  Besides, that suit might look kind of cute with a little peanut butter and jelly smeared on it!