JCasa BLOG

Things I love today...

: 01 :

our garden is (finally) in, and the peas are begging for a trellis - enter the lovely julia over on tend with her great idea to source the yard for natural trellis materials.  we have a lot of downed limbs and branches back by the woods, so it appears we may have a trellis by the time i post this.

: 02 :

did you know mason jars are the new takeout box?  brilliant!

: 03 :

vintage picnic basket in need of a pic-me-up?  yep, we've got one.  that's why i'm so happy about the pretty up your picnic basket DIY on smile and wave.   yet again, rachel is spot on with another fantastic up-do.  that girl knows a thing or two, i tell ya.

: 04 :

i adore lotta jansdotter, and her summer skirt stencil project is so great.  in the tutorial, she walks you through the process and even provides links for materials you'll need.

: 05 :

i saw this video above called "organizing the bookcase" via CRAFT the other night and could not stop watching it.  so.  completely.  great.  i love that little book that chases after the others.  and how you see time passing on the wall clock.  and the end.  just watch it.  again and again and again.  it does not get old.

: 06 :

must try screenprinting with mod podge.  will report back.  over.

: 07 :

i love love love this no-heat way of curling long hair with a sock to get those dreamy beachy curls and waves.  she's got a lot of great instructional videos on other styles as well - i'm still trying to figure out the best way to give girlygirl a braided crown without too many hair pins, so you can bet i'll be looking through the youtube for up-do lessons.  hairstyle tutorials, who knew? 

: 08 :

oh.  my.  goodness.  (i know i say that a lot, but holy heck this is a goody.)  have you heard of connect design?  i pretty much would love to have anything/everything from that store, but i'd be happy to start with the DIY cross-stich iPhone case.  i would need a 4g first, but when i do...

: 09 :

this is the perfect PERFECT solution for my wish to organize + display + rotate our kids' artwork.  you can bet i'll be doing this.  right.  away.  ohmygoshiloveityesido.

: 10 :

i may have to bake a batch of these strawberry lemonade bars for an upcoming date with friends at the sprinkler park.  i'm a sucker for a good lemon bar, and since we picked nearly 30# of strawberries last month, some of which are already pureed + in the freezer waiting to be called up for duty, i consider happening upon this recipe rather serendipitous.  and who am i to deny those berries the opportunity joining forces with the mighty lemon bar?

 

a kindly request

if you ordered my book TYV Crafting with Kids on Amazon and are enjoying it, my publisher and i would LOVE it if you would write a review on Amazon.  we can only assume that there are no reviews yet because everyone and their kids are off enjoying craft time together.  hooray for that!  nevertheless, we'd love to hear what you think and would really appreciate your reviews.

thanks bunches!  xoxo

:

other than that, hello.  how are you?

i'm fine, thanks for asking.  it was a rough week of worrying and distracting myself leading up to a second round of mammograms due to a "possible finding."  really?  but we (my left breast + i) are on the other side of things now and happy-go-lucky once again.  it's the second time that has happened in the past few years, and even though i put on a good show of not being anxious, i kind of was.  not as much as last time, but you know what i mean.  once i got my results, i spent the remainder of today feeling ever so thankful that the dice landed in my favor once again.  be sure to do your monthly self-exams and get your annual mammograms, ladies.  xoxo

he's back. again.

the corn fairy is back in town, woo hoo!  this week he dropped off a few summertime treats for the Casa kitchen.  i am thrilled about the brown eggs in particular because i:

• have nothing planned for dinner;
• just got an email that we have a makeup t-ball game tonight;
• found a small hunk of pancetta in the freezer;
• have ripe zucchini and peas in the garden;
• think there is a chunk of wisconsin cheddar in the fridge;
• now have a plan = dinner pie* + salad

as if that weren't perfect enough, not pictured above is the cutest little Amish-baked blueberry pie you ever did see and we happen to have vanilla frozen yogurt in the freezer - a certain two girlys are gonna flip.
thanks, dad!  xoxo

*dinner pie = quiche.  the alias pretty much guarantees it'll be devoured without the slightest hint of whining or loss of masculinity.  whatever works, am i right?

monday lunch

salad from the garden with edamame, a tomato + a few shrimp.  nom.

eaten atop a girlscantell placemat to celebrate spotting sara's towels at anthro this morning - only one left in stock - yay you, sara!  xoxo

snapshots

: the girls + i pulled over to the side of the road after a long day away from home and enjoyed the fireworks after all.  score one for mama.

: the better part of the 4th was spent in our own backyard with the dearest of friends, and as the lightening bugs were being chased and everyone was clearly ready for bed, we talked about how much we're looking forward to our upcoming vacation together.

: there were a few successful thrifting expeditions, including one to my secret treasure trove in Amish country to finally buy that old old table i have loved for years.  i then spent a few days rearranging furniture to figure out how to best welcome the piece into our home.  and while i was at it, i rearranged my studio.  twice.  it's how i do.  gave the blog a little updo, as well.

hope you are all enjoying your midsummer!  xoxo