exit, pursued by bear

nesting of another sort ...

no, not that ... this! I'm desperate to make these:

{Martha Stewart "Nesting Baby-Bluebird Cupcakes"}

Also seen here.So cute for Easter and springtime!

easter decor.

We're hosting the Easter festivities at our house this year, so I've been trying to get things ready this week. I don't have any Easter-related decorations, and while I didn't want to go overboard and I didn't want anything too fussy or cutesy, I also wanted to have a few things that we could use again in the years to come.

 

{Papier-Mâché Bunny & Chick from Pier 1}

I picked up this chick last night (heh.), and another similar, small bunny figurine (must take a picture) -- but that tall guy is pretty cute, too. Such a stoic, handsome little bunny, no? He's clearly very serious about his job. And those feet!

They're really pretty and delicate in person -- and covered in glitter, of course. Right now they're standing in the middle of our dining room table, but I'm hoping to make a little festive arrangement with them.

where I curse myself for not visiting England during Easter ...

Behold, the Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry:

{photo from flickr user uglyagnes via "All That Klausner" and Slashfood}

I ... I don't even know where to begin. I don't even know what to say. I am literally without speech. Cadbury Creme Eggs blended into delectable McFlurry goodness? Thank God I didn't give up ice cream for Lent -- that way, in case there's some freakish twist of fate and I do end up traveling to England approximately ... three months prior to our intended departure, I'll be able to induldge absolutely guilt-free.

{photo from "i was really hungry" via "All That Klausner"}

McFlurries have certainly been on my mind recently -- what with the 30 Rock episode, ensuing controversy (or not) and now this?! I just need to pause for a moment and truly absorb the fact that some genius came up with the idea of mixing ice cream and Cadbury Creme Eggs ... Thank God we have Julie Klausner to properly articulate what I know most of us are already thinking (emphasis mine):

Apparently, British people, who are all geniuses who figured out ages ago that if you add more sugar to milk chocolate, it gives you diabetes faster, make this delectable concoction by pouring the following wonderful things into a standard Flurry base: chips of Cadbury chocolate, and a generous heap of the "yolk" fondant section of a Cadbury Creme Egg. They do NOT use the white part of the egg in the McFlurry (the ice cream acts the role of "white part"), and the yellow fondant is poured into the shake from the kind of bottle you keep mixers in at a bar. Or at least that's how I picture it. It IS in a bottle, though. Are you picturing that yellow fondant in a bottle, like gold? Do you feel like Rumplestiltskin? Are you hungry for candy-juice? Do you want to move to England?

I think need to go lie down now.

Actually, it's probably a blessed miracle that these aren't available stateside, as I would probably eat my weight in McFlurries every Easter season.

Craving some sort of Cadbury Creme Egg creation? Maybe it's time to these (just try to ignore the obscene photo).

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

In honor of Mardi Gras, a few photos from this year's Krewe of Barkus Pet Parade in Soulard:

{a Lou!}

{better view of his festive Mardi Gras fleece}

{part of our "security detail" -- the cutie-patootie Charlie}

{a very handsome fella who was lined up near us -- I LOVE bull terriers. I took about a hundred photos of him.}

{speaking of taking hundreds of photos -- here's the best one I was able to manage of our fine Mayor. FYI: yelling "Mayor Slay! Mayor Slay!" does not help in attracting his attention}

{my attempt to snap a pic of my dear friend Tammy with the mayor in the background failed -- thanks red coat guy!}

{Tammy's crazy dog Axel -- who is Louis' best friend, naturally}

{goat! you never know who will show up for the parade ...}

All in all, a good time -- great weather, too!! Anyone else attend this year?

Oh, and in case you were wondering -- Norm stayed home, he was feeling lazy that day. Well, that day and every day. (I usually end up having to CARRY him the entire way, anyway ...).

be mine.

I am sadly behind in sharing with you the most absolutely perfect Valentine's card that my husband found for me:

{letterpress card from Sycamore Street Press}

I think I may have squealed with delight when I opened this. How darling is this card? It's just absolute perfection.

Look at this face!

Oh, it looks so much like a little Lou.

I immediately wanted to frame this -- but I didn't want to lose the lovely message inside. Fortunately, when I mentioned this to my handsome husband, he said that I didn't need to worry: he had accidentally ordered a six pack of these cards, so there are plenty available for my framing pleasure. And apparently he's set for the foreseeable future for lovey-dovey cards ;o)

What's even CUTER about this whole thing, is just last month I ordered this lovely calendar from Sycamore Street Press (Frenchies also make an appearance, along with darling pugs and somewhat alarming looking cats that I still manage to love). That husband of mine, it's like he can read my mind ;o)

{"2009 Letterpress Poster Calendar. Yellow and Gray."}

I promise to get back to my regularly blogging schedule soon!

a toast to 2009.

"For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."
-- T.S. Eliot

merriest wishes.

"The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness. May all these be yours at Christmas."

And, if possible, the gift of snuggly puppy kisses.

Merry Christmas!

feeling festive!

We've been a little bit frantic over the past few days, weeks ... and Christmas has definitely sneaked up on us this year! So, I thought I'd share some of our favorite Christmas songs in a handy little playlist -- just to help everyone feel a little bit more festive.

The first one, "Christmas Waltz" by Frank Sinatra is one of my absolute faves ... around this time of year you will often find me randomly belting out: "frost-ed win-dow paaaaaaanes!" The "three-quarter time" really makes it catchy :o)

On the less traditional side, "River" has been a family favorite of ours for years. I first discovered it when the Indigo Girls covered it on 1200 Curfews (my goodness I used to love that album, I need to dig that up) , but it's actually an old Joni Mitchell tune. My parents have a version of it sung by Robert Downey, Jr. (random -- from the Ally McBeal Christmas soundtrack. Even more random). And I have always loved DMB's "Christmas Song" -- that brings back a lot of warm memories!

{now that we're officially in the post-holiday song season and to spare you - but mostly me - from hearing this automatically load every time this page opens, click here to listen} 

I could create a whole separate list of my favorite Christmas hymns -- the above playlist is more "popular" than Christmas carols. But I did add in "The Holly and the Ivy" -- which is one of my mom's favorites -- it's a more traditional English carol.

What are some of your favorite holiday tunes?

**Update: Some of these songs may be slow to load, just FYI. Refreshing the page may help**

**Update 2: Here's the full playlist, if you're curious:

1. Frank Sinatra - The Christmas Waltz

2. Ella Fitzgerald - Sleigh Ride

3. Leon Redbone/Zooey Deschanel – Baby, It’s Cold Outside

4. Dave Matthews Band  - Christmas Song.

5. The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

6. Sarah McLachlan - River

7. Death Cab For Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

8. Brian Setzer Orchestra - The Nutcracker Suite

9. The Holly And The Ivy (Traditional)

10. Charles Brown - Please Come Home For  Christmas

11. Dean Martin - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

12. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby

13. Perry Como - Winter Wonderland

14. Bing Crosby - Silver Bells

15. Ella Fitzgerald & Frank Devol Orchestra - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

foodie gifties.

Or gifties for foodies, whichever you prefer!

Desperate for last-minute gift ideas? Fear not! I thought this "Un-Gift Guide 2008" round-up from The Kitchn was very helpful, especially "Gifts from The Kitchen" section, which has lots of recipes for gifts you can make.

I think I'm going to try the salt caramels and the peppermint patties. Oh! And definitely the Oreo truffles, which I've been meaning to make for ages. I think I'll make some regular ones, plus a batch with Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joe's (peppermint filling and bits of candy canes -- my husband LOVES them).

And if you're looking for more candy ideas, check out this post: Candy for Giving and Party Snacks: The Full Roundup"

Yum!

hanging around.

We already have a lovely ornament wreath hanging on our front door, but this looks so fun to make, I just might pick up some extra ornaments and try it out! I mean, who couldn't use another ornament wreath hanging around for the holidays? ;o)

{Ornament Christmas wreath from Eddie Ross}

Eddie's instructions sound so easy -- this just takes a wire hanger, a glue gun and a BUNCH of spare ornaments (he estimates about 80!!). I think it would be fun to alternate sizes (smaller ornaments will help fill in any gaps), colors and textures. Glittery ones would look especially lovely.

I'll let you know if I'm successful in this crafty endeavor.