Bunnies...

I made a sketch of the feel that I wanted for the pink Easter bunnies that I had in mind to paint. This is how it's going... I hope they produce like little bunnies... I need about 50.

Joan Walsh Anglund...

I love the art of Joan Walsh Anglund. I love how she puts beautiful words and beautiful art together. This little book, Love is Forever, is one of my favorites. It is currently kind of hard to come by. I wish that they would make another printing sometime soon.

Love is the center of every dream ... and the beginning of all our happiness. Joan Walsh Anglund

My LOVE collection...

The red love was made for me by Michelle and I liked it so much that I put it up for Valentine's Day that year and never took it down. The silvery one, I just bought at Target and I like it, but I have a lot of gold in my house and I wish very much that it was brass and not aluminum so I don't know if I will keep it. The pink one is one that I made myself and just finished yesterday. I have seen those cute block letter for years, but they never have had them in my colors so I painted some. And, I was pleased with the blocks they had available at the craft store because they were nice and solid and I thought blocks should have some weight to them. They would make a good craft party/ church project because the blocks were only around $1 each.

Cineraria...

Primroses were not in the greenhouse in time for my party. So I chose several colors of these cineraria which were not exactly the conversation heart pastels that I was going for, but they have the added benefit of a lovely scent. They are two weeks old in the house and they are starting to fade, but all together they cost less than the price of one small bouqet and I was able to have lots of flower power at my party.
I love the little white wicker baskets, these were available at the greenhouse for $2 and $3. They are lined with plastic, so great for watering and now I have a full collection so I will be ready next time I need a lot of flowers.

Fancy Nancy... by Jane O'Connor & Robin Preiss Glasser

My mom got this book somewhere. I love it. It reminds me a certain girl whose name begins with S.....

See it here.

His Girl Friday...

Over on Shelese's blog, there has been some talk about Cary Grant movies. My favorite! I have collected quite a few. This is one that did not get a mention and I really love. Whoever wrote this movie wrote 5 hours of dialogue that is delivered in 2. Don't watch this drowsy, you'll miss it. I really think this movie has some of the best dialogue (funny) written. I love sharp female leads like the ones that Rosalind Russell plays here. Then WW11 happened and after the boys came home, the movie people thought Rosie the Riveter should act like the dumb girl poor Doris Day had to play in so many of her films.
I need to watch this movie again sometime this week. Last time I watched it, I thought that if they simply added new wardrobe, Rosalind's hat are really over the top, they could release this movie in theaters as is and it would be a hit. I'll have to watch it again and see.

Hand Painted Love Boxes...Lily of the Valley...

Thanks Parkland! This will be sent out this afternoon.

Pink Elephants...

I did a lot of painting Saturday. I finished these elephants which say inside, "Thank heaven for little girls." & "Sugar n' Spice n' everything nice." & "A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend..."

For these simple baby gifts, I think I will stick with the top design. What do you think?

Another thing, this weekend was fun because I got to give away one of the blue boy elephants to a friend who had a cute baby boy with a head full of red hair. He is adorable! Congratulations!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie...

(I like this recipe much better than the one I gave out in the Christmas card several years ago.)

2 9" unbaked pie shells

4 eggs

1 tsp. good Mexican Vanilla

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cup butter

2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips either way, I like the Guittard

Beat eggs until foamy. Beat in flour, sugars and vanilla until well-blended. Add butter and blend. Stir in chips and nuts. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake 45 min. at 325 degrees. The recipe says to serve warm with ice cream, but I really love it best cool and the next day.

2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts

My Favorite Chocolate Chips...Guittard...

These are the best! And, they are even lovely just plain. And, they are recommended by Cook's Illustrated too.

Boho Bedding...

I adore this tangerine color. Several Saturdays ago, I went to Park City and I saw this beautiful blonde woman wearing a coat in this tangerine. She had a tangerine purse and a tangerine wallet with her. No one would have a tangerine wallet, unless this was their favorite color, right? It just made her look like the most fun and happy person. I think tangerine must be one of the most cheerful colors ever. Hmmm what to paint tangerine???

If anyone sees this throw anywhere, please tell me... I keep thinking about it.

See this bedding here.

Victoria & Albert...

Produced by the BBC and A&E, as well as the same group who put together the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice, this program is a gem. Don't miss it, it is simply inspiring.

Turtles...

We had a turtle day yesterday. We saw some pictures of someone we know and love dressed as a turtle. We watched a National Geographic Explorer program about saving the nearly extinct Leatherback Turtles that can grow from this size to be six feet in length and 900 pds. Wow.

And, my dad sent us this poem to perfectly cap the turtle theme we had going for our day.

“I am Home,” Said the Turtleby John Ciardi,
(The Little that is All [Boston, 1974], p. 294)
“I am home,” said the turtle, as it pulled in its head
And its feet, and its tail. “I am home, and in bed.
“No matter what inches and inches I roam,
When the long day is done, I am always at home.
“I may go whole feet . . . even yards . . . in a day,
But I never get lost, for I’m never away—
“From my snug little house and my snug little bed.
I can dream lots of dreams, but remain here instead . . .
“You can go on forever, no matter how far,
And whatever you need is wherever you are!”
(“Is there one thing I miss when I’m snuggled in tight?
Yes: there’s no room for someone to kiss me good night.”)

More Kokeshi Dolls...

I put these up for sale here. So, it will be interesting. Japanese dolls made in Utah??? Hmmmmm..

Hand Painted Love Boxes... The most requested...

The elephants are my personal favorites, but this is the most requested box. The best one I ever made is part of my youngest sister's collection and appears in lime green.

Lean Cuisine...

Lean Cuisine has some new meals that I really like. I like this butternut squash ravioli and the new potstickers meal, thai chicken is very good too. I haven't really been on a diet and I am not losing weight, but it is nice to have these around for a healthy lunch when you're busy. I'm tired of peanut butter and soup for the moment. The portions are small so I heat up some frozen veggies to go with this and it makes a great lunch and right now Albertson's has them on sale for $2 so thats a cheap lunch too and what is really great is the trays wash up and then they are perfect for holding paint.

Pink Elephants...

Not the baby pink elephants yet, but I do love pink elephants... more are coming soon!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

My favority painting by an award winning and yet anonymous artist... :)

My Funny Valentine...

Made these funny valentines...

Alexandra's Newsletter is Posted...

See it here.