After the work comes the play

The kids helped GR wax the minivan today and after wards were rewarded with a run through the sprinkler. They had such a good time. When I saw that they had gotten the umbrellas out, I handed GR the camera. Here are a few of my favorites that perfectly capture their ability to create pure joy and happiness out of something so simple ... water and an umbrella.

Special Date Night

We don't go out on dates but a few times each year - and really, the times we do get out, it's for church or work functions and I hardly call those dates ... five kids the ages of ours just make it less than easy to have a date night, even with willing family and favorite loyal babysitters.

But when our friends Kevin and Katrina called to see if we'd be interested in attending a Friday night cooking class at a Whole Foods type store that included being served the gourmet dinner we'd be shown how to make, we moved heaven and earth to go.

Over the years I've heard amazing things about the chefs they have teach here - my favorite scone recipe, Alyson got from a class she took from them, and it was great fun to finally experience it first hand. Chef Paige, shared with us a Mediterranean-Inspired Summer Menu that was fantastic and so satisfying. I have to admit that GR and I both felt extremely uncultured and uneducated in the ways of the culinary world, something that hopefully we can remedy once the kids are a little older and can be a bit more self sufficient. We've had a taste of the outside world and well, it was nice.

Potato Gnocchi with Asparagus, Browned Butter & Herbs (we forgot to take a picture until we were all to the very, very last bites on our plates, between the four plates, there was just enough to piece together this fork full. It was amazing, and I hope I can learn to duplicate it at home!


Roasted Rack of Lamb with Mustard Breadcrumbs served with Green Salad with Seasonal Vegetables & Olives


Apricot Custard Tart with Almonds


We truly had a magnificent time. It was a wonderful way to spend the eve of our 11th wedding anniversary. And it was so nice to spend it with friends, thank you Kevin and Katrina for thinking of us. Thank you again to your friends for making other plans and giving us their spots! And thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for making sure the right child made it to the right activity - both scheduled at the exact same time - Sam to his t-ball game, the girls to practice.

It was such a memorable treat for us.

It's All About the Details

Well before I opened Tiny Stitches, I wanted a label I could sew onto my handmade baby blankets or burp cloths, signing my name to what has been my signature baby gift for 12 years. I wanted something chic, I wanted something durable and I wanted something I could afford. I tried to talk myself into something I could print on my home computer and iron or sew on to the fabrics ... but I worried about the durability. My stuff gets used, and used a lot - just the way I like it! I needed, okay I wanted, something that would hold up to being washed and washed and washed and washed through multiple babies. I knew I needed - wanted - a woven tag/label.

Over the last two years I've looked on and off at all the woven label possiblities on and off Etsy, trying to find something that would meet my needs. The hard part is I don't need 1000 labels. I couldn't use up 1000 labels in my lifetime, not to mention the huge investment they would be - ouch. There simply isn't that kind of cash laying around these parts!

Earlier this year Heather and I were talking about labels and she sent me the link to an Etsy shop I'd ear marked before, that provided small runs and allowed me to design my own label, using whatever fonts I wanted. Just before we left for St. Louis for Rebecca's birthday, I took the plunge and ordered my very first run of labels! They arrived on the 21st of May and I love them.

I quietly carried one in my pocket for days. I carefully hand sewed them into a friends baby gift (which had be finished for nearly a week ... yes, I was waiting) during the girls softball practice, so I could finally mail them to her.

Now hopefully long after someone gets my blankets and has lost the tag and business card I ship with them and a someone asks who made their blanket, they can look at the corner and say ... Kathleen of Tiny Stitches.

Felt Sandwich Bread Tutorial

It's ready!! I'm hoping that although only one of you requested the PBJ sandwich tutorial/directions, a few of you were secretly hoping I'd post them even without saying so.

You'll see they are super simple to make, but I wrote out the directions after the fact, so please let me know if you have questions. I'd suggest getting the supplies to make 8-10 slices of bread (yielding 4-5 sandwiches) so the kids can really do something with them once you give them all the fixin's.

I have in my mind picking up some green and pink and white and red and yellow/orange, etc., to make leaf lettuce, ham and turkey, tomato slices, American or cheddar cheese and expand our Sandwich making opportunities. But we'll see ... just watch the felt sales and stock up so you've got everything you need. It's a great little project for keeping your hands busy while you watch a movie and the end product is perfect for entertaining the kids on a rainy afternoon or a blazing hot afternoon, two things our summer has had a lot of so far!