Outdoor Winter Play

The kids are really enjoying the snow.

Ready to go when they come in from the cold.

 Warming up while reading a book and wearing her new hat. (a fabric Ikea box)

 I cannot wait to make these!

 Tate's new favorite accessory...Mr. Potatohead glasses.

Pouches!

Not the most flattering of photos, but here I am, late one night after finishing making a drawstring pouch for Tate and a zipper pouch for Soleil.  The drawstring version ended up being WAY too big, but he loved it anyway.

And now I want to turn every piece of scrap fabric into a zipper pouch.  They are so fun!!  I googled "how to make a zipper pouch" and followed along with the directions.  Good Luck!

A Bit Serious

When I started my blog, it was for fun.  It was also secretly a way of communicating with my then estranged sister.  Long story short, she and I eventually reconnected, with her blog comments being a way of reaching out to me.  And then she died unexpectedly.

If you read the earlier posts, they are funnier, more entertaining, even a bit offensive.  However, since she was my audience (I always thought about her as I posted), I realize that those adjectives describe her!  She had that influence on me and, well, I miss it.

I was recently reading my blog and thought BORING.  I feel as though I was a bit of a sell-out, emulating blogs that I love, but it wasn't really me coming through.

So here you have it, folks, a confession.   Here at CupcakesandCoffee, you will find random blathering.  You will find ideas of things I do with the kids. You will find recipes.  (I love to cook, no wait.  I love to eat is more accurate.) And lastly you will find lots of crafty things, many of which I have found on the internet.  Hopefully after today, you will also find more of my voice, instead of the voice I thought I had to be.

I hope to entertain, in a relaxed manner authentically, and hopefully not offend, to open doors, and have a laugh.

Love from Cat.

What I did today instead of Laundry.

It might be a bit early for Valentines Day decor, but it makes me happy.

Cardstock hearts made with my new Cricut machine+embroidery thread+command strip hooks.  And yes, there are still Christmas lights in the family room.  I plan to move them to the beam with the hearts, so they look like they are fairy lights for Valentines Day:)

 The mantel needs some love, but the felt heart garland is a start.  I just cut the hearts with scraps of felt and sewed right through the center (from top to bottom.)

Our Holiday Continues...

Ok.  I was complaining A LOT about the fact that Tate didn't get out for Holiday Break until the 23rd.  I now am happy about it because he gets this entire week off.  We went to the Minneapolis Children's Museum, which I highly recommend for younger kids.  Perfect Day.

And on to a not so perfect day....Yesterday was the first day we had at home after traveling to Michigan to just relax at home.  Initially, I could feel myself wanting to half a bazillion things with the kiddos. (I forgot how limiting naptime is, now that Sunny Sunshine won't sleep in a stroller.)  So, I thought, let's just do ONE thing today that is planned.  Let's make PLAY DOH!!  (I found this link and was inspired.)

SIDENOTE:  If you are bored with kids at home during a break from school, or really any time, get online.  There are SO many great ideas on mommy blogs, especially, that you will be WAITING to do stuff with you kids. I swear, I am so inspired every time I have a moment to surf the web.

Back to the play doh.  Soooo...the day was not going as I had envisioned it.  I had a ton to do, having returned from a 10 day trip.  The play doh wasn't happening.  Finally after dinner, I ignored the dishes (please don't look in the background of the photo), let the baby stay up a bit past her bedtime, and made some flipping Play doh.   

It took about 10 minutes, was totally fun, and worth it.  Yep--totally worth it.