Baby Shower in a Box

With Little Sis only weeks away from her due date, we here (sisters, aunts, grandparents) are very aware of the distance separating us. To shower her and baby with love, we put together a "Baby Shower in a Box" and shipped it off. Although it wasn't nearly as fun as the real thing, we had a great time shopping, creating, and putting together video messages on a dvd.

The first picture is the loot before it was boxed up, and the second picture is of canvases that I painted to match the bedding set in Baby's nursery.

We can't wait to hear that baby has arrived safely! Any day now...!

The Non Gourmand

Ever have a sweet craving with no sweets in the house? Strange things are created....

Peanut Butter Soup:

• Scoop some peanut butter into a bowl (Jif for the discerning palate)
• Dump in some chocolate chips
• Microwave
• Stir until smooth
• Eat it with a spoon

Ya. We're sophisticated around here.

A Few Good Things

• Popchips
• Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel
• Homemade polenta
• Figs
• Alpicella Bakery's Sourdough
  
• Chocolate Stout
• A Schwinn recumbent bicycle (for obvious reasons)
  

A Common Theme

If I had to sum up this year in one word, it just might be "Craigslist"! Nuts! Working on the house and acreage, preparing for baby Luke, caring for livestock, and upgrading vehicles all had the potential to hugely impact our bank accounts...but it isn't so bad with good ol' craigslist! The other day we were compiling a mental list of the things we've bought and sold within the last year and were amazed! Saddles, cars, furniture, animals, etc., etc.

One upside of the current state of our economy is that everybody seems to be downloading little extras to make some ready cash. Bonus, if you're shopping! We're in the process of trying to simplify our house a bit - getting rid of bulky furniture to make room for a piano in the front room and clearing out our guest room to make it double as an office.

There was a very exciting moment today when I ran across this fabulous item on craigslist with mattresses included for $150!

I emailed AND called immediately...but someone had beat me to it! Sadness. I have been mourning the loss all day. It would have been perfect for our flexible office/guest room...and then would work great as a kid's bed during the post-crib years. All that and storage drawers too! Have I mentioned how sad I am about this missed opportunity? I just hope the lucky purchaser will enjoy it as much as I imagine I would!

From Our House to Yours!