Oh No, It's Not for Me It's For the Baby!

The baby’s arrival is looming and bed rest is holding back some projects for the baby room so I’ve been forced to spend a few minutes (cough, hours, cough) on Etsy looking for the perfect pieces that, sure, the babe probably won’t give a damn about, but would bring me joy every moment I spent in their room. Now all we need is a winning lottery ticket.

Love it! When the babe isn't looking I could smuggle it into my room! Bunny Rabbit Feltidermy by Girl Savage.

Maple and Walnut Polkadot Rattle made by Little Sappling Toys.

The Duke Of NY Riding His Bike print by Matte Stephens.

Organic Cloth Diapers by Sarahs Vine. I don't think I'll be able to make all the cloth diapers we'll need, but we'll see.

Something From the Store: Lentils

These Cote D'Azur Lentils are one of the may things I've brought home from Plenty. I like their simple no nonsence black and white lable. Lentils du Puy are green french lentils, they were originally grown in the volcanic soils of Puy in France...thus the name. These babies are a product of Canada and I have no idea where they're grown. What did we do with them? We've cooked these twice now and mostly just winged it.

1 1/2 Cups Lentils du Puy
1/2 Cup Each Chopped Onion, Cellery and Carrots
3-4 Garlic Cloves
Red Wine of Choice
3-4 Cups (ish) Veg Stock
3 Bay Leaves
4 Cloves

Saute the carrots, cellery, onions and garlic in olice oil until they are cooked and soft and then pour in a rather generous glass of red wine. Once the veg is mixed up with the wine dump in the lentils. We didn't pre-rinse or anything, however I did search them for stones and such but these were great quality. Stir to coat them and then pour in some veg stock until everything is under the stock but not drowning in it. Toss in a few bay leaves and cloves and leave to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper while it's cooking. Watch the liquid level and as it becomes absorbed pour in a little more as needed until the lentils are soft but not mush. Make sure to pull out the bay and cloves before serving.Beautiful color to them, hey?We served ours with hazelnut brocolli and cauliflower, sauteed beets and roast yams, as this was what was in the cupboards at the time. I have since made this with without having stock in the house or wine, I justed used water and added dried orange peel, fennel seeds, and cinnimon sticks, but I got to tell you, the stock and wine really give the lentils that extra umph.

Procrastinating

Today marks the start of what I have dubbed packing week and what do I find myself doing? Drinking tea and pouring over old desiretoinspire posts, dreaming of future projects for our first home. Sure none o these projects will happen for years to come, but I like to be prepared.

In other news I'm going to be in this month Poppytalk Handmade Market starting Monday. Wish me luck and go check it out!

Gettin' It Done

With just over a month before we move my to do list is through the roof, and let me tell you the roof is on fire (hehehe). Lots of furniture first aid, clothes to mend, clothes to make, becoming smitten to manage... the list goes on and on. I find the more there is to do the less I do, however I have been posting some goodies on etsy lately and have great plans to do it more often.

Meanwhile my list grows on. Anyone know an inexpensive plumber?

Here Comes Fall

I have really been enjoying this rainy, windy weather that Victoria has been having. There is nothing better than sitting by a fire drinking warm tea and listening to rain hit the window. Good bye summer.

Fur Pile

Look at all the work being done at the Becoming Smitten homestead. I've got my nose to the grindstone. Etsy won't even know what hit it!

For Today

I found this awesome daybook prompter in the wilds of the internet from the Simple Woman's Daybook Blog. I love it and I shall use it hence forth and life shall be simple. It's a sort of fill in the blanks finish the sentence sort of thing.

FOR TODAY August 20, 2009

Outside my window our neighbours house is being raised and built upon.

I am thinking of having a nap already… is 9 am too early for napping?

I am thankful for the cup of tea Matt made me.

From the kitchen are the sounds of Bread by Matt in action.

I am wearing oops, the same thing I wore yesterday… my new hand me down summer dress from Anna.

I am creating 7 new big animals and several new minis for the market this week.

I am going... well, today I don't think I'll be leaving the house but tomorrow is bread baking day at Cafe Brio.

I am reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

I am hoping this hot hot weather goes away and I can break out my boots and scarves soon.

I am hearing drilling next door and Minisnap.

Around the house are reminders we haven’t quite finished rearranging the furniture and reorganizing.

One of my favourite things right now is the peach tart Matt made last night that we are going to have for breakfast.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Finish reorganizing.
Assist Bread by Matt in his bread making
Work on these animals
Think about bettering my market display.
Here is picture thought I am sharing of my favorite #2 guy, Maurice, who hates the hot summer days asmuch as me. Don't worry I'm not going to be one of those blogges who's all about their pet, I just like that h's glowing in the morning sun...

Lost Mojo

I threw my back out a month and a half ago. Spent a lot of time weeping in pain on the floor, and have since found out it was from working. When hunched forward focused on the sewing machine apparently you are doing damage to your body. I've been mobile for a while again now, however every morning I have to ice my shoulder and neck and once a week I have started seeing Victor, the massage therapist.
Is there a point to my whining? Yes, I feel as though I've lost my mojo. I'm finding so many excuses not to work... So I ask myself, as most people do when in a conundrum, what sage advice would Julie Andrews sing to me if she was my mentor? Would she say be like the robin and sing while you work? Would she say find your own spoonful of sugar and make it a treat to work?
Would she sing my workroom clean for me? I guess she'd tell me to stop moping about and work through it. I like to think that Julie is a tough sort of mentor... I wish she was nicer to me.

Paper Cranes Bring Joy

I've decided to take the week off sewing as it turns out sewing is ruining my neck, making it hard to move (not fun). So I'm making a paper crane mobile out of old maps. This way when I'm bedridden I can gaze up at these little guys and they will bring me joy.

Oh Christmas Tree

Just another little peek at our Christmas Decor!

Christmas is all Around

I adore Christmas. I think it's the decorating that brings me the most joy. Our apartment has a great fire place and mantle perfect for the season. Most of our Christmas decorations have been made by either my mom or myself. My mom made the whimsical snow man, the pig and sheep (which I keep up all year round), and the star set. The linen trees I made last year from the tutorial that was floating aroung the blog world.

The tiny little angel in our wreath was from our first Christmas of being married, we had no decorations and the saddest looking mini tree, but we had tis angel.