1 thing i {{heart}} sunday

it's teacher appreciation week!! woot woot! there are some pretty fine teachers in my little girl's life and we baked up some homemade goodies for them and packaged with a sweet little note which you can easily create yourself or download here.

we made our cookie sleeves out of patterned paper but, i think this would be so cute in a cellophane bag with the labels printed on sticker paper and used to seal the sleeve.

10 things i {{love}} sunday

 1. i could totally live in the backyard. my favorite flower is in bloom and the air is so sweet.

 2. this little boy.

 3. this little girl.

 4. the fact that i know when things are too quiet something is up but, that my girl writing her name on random things is totally okay.

5. one dog in a field and one dog on a hill. there are wide open spaces all around us.

honestly, i am beaming with smiles. this world is so gorgeous and i have two precious littles and a hubby to share it with. they are my sunshine and rain. they keep me on my toes and filled to the brim with happiness and longings to make the most of each moment.

happy days!

10 things i ((love)) sunday

gimme some sugar, baby!

it is soon to be easter!! gotta love reese's peanut butter eggs and rainbow jelly beans and the little gum that comes in a tiny egg carton.....do you remember those? here are some of my favorite easter basket finds mostly of the noncandy type because, well, that would be too easy to pick favorites or too hard to narrow down the choices.

1. things in stuff catapult how much fun would you have in your yard with this?
2. imagination kids bunny family
3. ahmelie vintage sweetness handbag clutch
4. bit of whimsy prims doll dress pattern clothes for the kids?? not so cool to the littles always but for baby. cool.
5. mahalo wolf mask we are all about pretend play here
6. while searching for a picture of reese's, i came accross this recipe...reese's peanut butter bars. yum! go check out designs by gollum's blog.
7. stay awake princess and her knight finger puppets
8. lilian eve designs sweet nella hair bow
9. those great house women i spy stegosaurus bag quiet way to keep busy
10. dreamspun kids extra large playsilks

books also top my list of things to add to the basket and silly putty or playdough. what kind of ideas do you have?

and, don't forget to add a few of these!!! i am bound to find a few hidden by the rabbit.

10 things i ((love)) sunday

march is a tricky month. there is always a lot going on. 5 immediate family members have birthdays to celebrate...including me!!! the weather is also warm, cool, blustery, snowy, rainy, sunny. a little bit of everything. today was gorgeous. lots of mud to find but, i am already dreaming of white sandy beaches to stroll on and refreshing drinks to sip on.

1. teardrop sterling silver pearl necklace by island shop grl
2. blowing bubbles by melon dot
3. dark blue and turquoise towel by turkish bath
4. pleated messanger bag by ikabags
5. ruffle tank dress by dyanhar
6. cities of europe bus scroll by transit design
7. elsa dress by marta klinker
8. it's a party by sweetpea baby
9. photo puzzle wedding guest book by custom dog bandanas
10. upcycled glass jar candle by bragging bags
11. bed and breakfast vinyl decal by expressive designs

i had to throw the last one in there. as queen for the day on my imaginary vacation, i would like for someone else to make breakfast and the bed. or....i could just stay in bed...ummm.

what are your favorite things when the weather turns warm?

10 things i ((love)) sunday

today's 10 things i ((love)) is brought to you by hudson's love to be LOUD! all the time and in every way....expect when meeting someone new. he charms them first and then lets loose his WILD side!

1. little lion hat and diaper cover love and ladybugs
2. dinosaur jumbo crayons lil doodlers
3. old school vintage bike happy family
4. i roar you dinosaur onesie melon dot
5. shark bite surfboard hook rack sunday treasures
6. tractor vinyl wall art urban expressions
7. roar - super soft baby safe lion piggly and pebbles
8. dinosaur roar pacifier clip pacifyme
9. roar flip top web belt ame creations
10. roar stegosaurus hat pattern make tot toppers

wish me luck on taming my wild beast!

10 things i ((love)) sunday

i heart valentine's day!! not for the jewelry or the candy or the flowers but for all the fun and creative ways to say 'i love you'. and, for all the crafts that involve pink and hearts!!!

1. take this super cool, easy, and educational game with hearts. maggie from smashed peas and carrots posted a great tutorial on Kids Create.

this game has so many options. the obvious matching game where you find pairs but you could also play a game where you mix both sets (numbers and colors) and then find pairs or take it one step farther and have them find 9 pink objects or draw 9 pink things.....

2. from purl bee, i found this tutorial for valentine heart barrettes. all the girls in ava's class are getting one (all 4 of them!)

3. i love these knotty legs baby leg warmers

4. revolutionary souls makes these tiny slippers .

5. strawberry and rosemary scones so very very yummy. i made ours without the glaze and instead sprinkled sugar on them before baking. pic from http://www.myteenytinykitchen.com/2010/02/strawberry-rosemary-scones.html

6. i am so smitten by these s'mittens by tippy toes knits!
 
7. hanging some art on the wall as an everyday reminder to love fully. falcor digital and silhouette blue

8. for hudson, i would love this bowtie from buttered toast.

9. for ava, i created a blooming hearts tee.

10. for my hubby and me, i would love some us time. life is moving too too fast and i am missing just being us.

sending you the sweetest of wishes for a happy valentine's day!

hudson's 2...10 things i ((love)) sunday

really, seriously.....my little man turned 2 today! so, no more counting months. he travelled the house all day saying 'birthday'. he is a super guy and i ((love)) this little man.

we started the day with balloons everywhere in the house. i think i will continue to find the hidden ones for weeks. kids can trash a house in a whirlwind minute and well, i have come to the conclusion that i am bound to never see some things again and/or the day that they eventually resurface they will have already been long forgotten about.

1. he had a big bowl of cereal and finished every last drop. he is a growing man, you know!

2. he made some very important phone calls. he is a busy man, you know.

 3. he is not big on sweets but, destroying a cake is totally up there on his to-do list.
4. he may not have a lot of hair but, he looks good with a mustache!
5. everytime you pick up a camera or someone else does you say 'smile'.

6. your sister could totally pull off a mustache as well, of the paper kind.

7. you totally crack me up with your 'bless you,' 'love you', your insistant 'no, mommy not daddy!', 'share', 'please', 'thank you', 'potty', 'tractor','combine', 'skidloader','ahhhda' (ava), 'mommy', 'daddy', 'uncle', 'grampa', 'gramma', 'kendal', 'candy', 'gummy'. you've got a lot to say!

 8. you hit the jackpot of all things tractors
9. i ((love)) that you even dug the cool new books you got.
10. i ((love)) us! you, me, daddy, ava.

happy birthday, my little man!!!

linking up with emily at chattingatthesky for tuesdays unwrapped.

10 things i ((love)) sunday

"soak it up, dear," they say, "i remember those days and they go by all too fast." i am a shameless swooner of all things baby and kid--cheeks aching from smiles and giggles, the passerby's kiss as they rush on to the next big adventure in the backyard, the first "daddy, let's play barbie's," shy smiles attempting to hide the excitement of a 'this is cool' moment , tight hugs, tiny fingers. i want to capture all the wisps of the moments i know are fleeting.

ava is 4. just yesterday she was a little babe in my arms. i cared for all her needs and then, well, she grew. just like she is supposed to, just like i want her to. but, WOW, this time is passing all so quickly. did you know that "someday {she} is going to get married and have 3 kids and move away but, {i} can visit."

here is an interview with a 4 year old!

 

   

a few more:
favorite food: macaroni and cheese...who could have guessed!
favorite candy: hot chocolate with whipped cream and a marshmallow
worst food to eat: lettuce
favorite place to go: daddy's work
animal that gives you the jitters: a bear. i think we need to go on another bear hunt. i love this song and your kids will too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzIcu6tbEko

there are moments when it seems as if there is just too much on our plates. i love dropping it all to have it all! i love our afternoon vacations, our pruning sessions in the bubble bath, our purposeful {and at times not so purposeful} chaos, your wild and carefree dancing. you are amazing!

it's one thing to find yourself, to know yourself, to love yourself and dwell in a world that can seem to skew your perceptions with expectations to be smarter, prettier, richer, funnier, faster, better, different from any marvelous thing you already are.



you are amazing!

to thine own self be true....shakespeare

today i am linking up with emily at chatting at the sky for tuesday's unwrapped and alysha at

10 things i ((love)) sunday

 fall has officially arrived. the nights are crisp and cool. the days are sunny and warm. here are a few of the things i am hearting to add color, warmth, and sweetness to my days.

1. allisa jacobs.  wood handle fall floral handbag

2. nikid. caramel and belgian chocolate covered apple with pecans

3. rocket and bear. baby organic booties

4. the bitsy bean. apple natural wooden teething toy

5. missisaau. handmade mixed rainbow colored pencils

6. thimble and acorn. heather grey long sleeve tunic

7. an apple a day. fresh and crisp the season's best

8. girl hula. wheels. what better way to get around and enjoy your surroundings.

9. this little boy in his little boxer briefs. we are far from being potty trained but, who can resist those cute little cheeks stomping around the yard. he has also become quite the scholar. both a and h love books and we spend hours reading. he found the perfect spot and plopped himself down with a pile of books. occasionally when the 'it's too quiet' panic mode sets in, this is what i find my children doing. it melts my heart.

10. ava's first official team sport. she has made loads of new friends whether they were dribbling the ball back and forth or swapping bracelets on the field.  i may not technically be driving the mini-van but, i am the proud momma of a soccer kid.

i hope you enjoy lots of snuggles with your loves and warm sweaters and cozy socks this fall.

10 things i ((love)) sunday

hey everyone, i am trying something new this week and i want to make it a regular feature because this world is full of great finds just waiting to be spotted. i am also having some help this week from catherine of bumpkin bears. she is a wonderful artist and these are a few of the things she ((loves)) this sunday. scroll down to see more about her as well and visit her shop as she is having a christmas in july sale.

also, please don't forget the GIVEAWAY! put your name in the hat!

1. Wool Giraffe from - http://www.etsy.com/shop/violastudio
2. Bluebell Meadows photo - from Ginger Lilly Tea -- http://www.etsy.com/shop/gingerlillytea
3. Baby's Nest - Custom engraved stone - from - http://www.etsy.com/shop/sjengraving

4. Gorgeous Daisy knitted Bunny from YOomi- http://www.etsy.com/shop/y0omii
5.Precious Liberty fabric Sundress from Daisy Fleur - http://www.etsy.com/shop/daisyfleur
6. Bird Mobile - from - http://www.etsy.com/shop/CriswellCreations
7. Bird on a Branch Appliqued onesie - from - http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChirpAndBloom
8. Flower hair accessories from Millylillyrose - http://www.etsy.com/shop/Millylillyrose
9. Bubs Bears - Baby Keep sake Patchwork Bears made from your little one's outgrown baby clothes - a perfect way to remember the early days - http://www.bubsbears.com/About.html
10. Gorgeous Baby shoes - from - http://www.etsy.com/shop/Woolmint


I’m Catherine Young, the Artist that brings Bumpkin Bears and Friends alive for you. Growing up amongst the English countryside gave me a life long love of nature and all the animals that are part of it. My storybook imagination never stopped as I grew up, always busy creating hand made gifts and stories based on the animal friends I would meet on my daily adventures, through the apple orchard and out across the fields!

Later on at College and University I studied Art, Textiles, Photography and Communications further heightening my love of design. Moving to Belgium and discovering the world of Artist bears opened a pathway to fulfilling a dream of running my own creative business. Out of the nickname, Country Bumpkin, which my Granny gave me, Bumpkin Bears & Friends was born.

My nostalgic images capture the simple pleasures of childhood from collecting Spring flowers, tea parties, storytime by a warm fire… As a child I would lose myself gazing into Art, found in books and in frames. It is now my dream that others too can loose themselves into my Art and be taken away into a carefree world.

www.bumpkin.etsy.com
www.bumpkinbears.com
www.bumpkinbears.blogspot.com