On the Menu: Strawberry Pie

Dear Reader,

If I had to name my husband's favorite dessert,  I would easily respond with strawberry pie.  My son has now followed suit entirely.  This past week I made a strawberry pie for my aunt and uncle during their visit to our fair state.  (I've never met a more committed pie-lover than my uncle!)  My aunt wanted the recipe, and so here it is.  Enjoy! 

Sincerely,
Abi

Tuesday's Treasury: Savoring Summer

These days just seem to go by so quickly!  I am attempting to savor the moments of summer, and with this treasury I came across some lovely finds that celebrate this time of year.

Sincerely,
Abi

Five for Friday: Common Questions

Dear Reader,

The weekend is just about to arrive - woo hoo!  I hope you are having a nice start to your Friday.  I'm writing today about the most common questions I have received about my Etsy shop from family, friends, and buyers alike.  Here goes...

One. What made you decide on making blocks?  In the past ten years or so, I have tried many crafts both as a creative outlet and a way to make handmade gifts, but I never settled on one craft that I wanted to repeat regularly.  After my son was born, I thought it would be interesting to develop a gift for the many new babies born to our friends and family.  Enter: baby blocks. The style of my block sets has certainly evolved over time, but I have a fairly firm process by this point.  Now the fun comes from selecting patterns and continuing to find ways to make the blocks even more environmentally friendly. 

Two. Tell me more about milk paint.  I first learned about milk paint from my cousin who painted her baby's crib using milk paint.  I appreciate milk paint because it is non-toxic, water based, and made with milk and lime.  Because I often mix colors and proportions, I enjoy that each set of blocks is a bit unique in its coloring.

Three. Who makes your blocks?  My dear husband.  We usually select the wood together, and then he cuts and sands the blocks by hand.  (Side note: my husband is incredibly talented at woodworking!)

Four. Do you take custom orders? Absolutely.  I have made blocks for new babies and for home decor, and if you are thinking about a set as a gift, I am glad to mail them directly to the recipient with a gift tag enclosure with a personal message.  

Five.  Do you give blocks as gifts?  I certainly do.  I often like to pair a set of blocks with a nice sleeper or sleep sack.  I must admit that the first sets that I gave as gifts (about four years ago) were not as polished of a product.  I've definitely learned better methods along the way.

And that's five.  Any other questions?  Please let me know!

Happy Friday!

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips

Dear Reader,

I was introduced to fruit salsa and cinnamon chips by my former supervisor's spouse.  I think the freshness of the fruit paired with crispy and sweet chips is a winning combination (though I could just eat the salsa and be entirely happy too!)  This recipe comes from a publication of a community hospital in our area and is certainly a favorite in our house.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Five for Friday (on Sunday): Father's Day

Dear Reader,

Today promises to be a fun day.  I have the opportunity to spend time with both my dad and my father-in-law to celebrate them and their roles in my life, my husband's life, and our son's life too!  I also celebrate the amazing father my husband is to our son.  Here are five of my favorite qualities about him as a dad:

One. Curiosity and explanations. My husband is exceptional at encouraging our son's curiosity and interest in how things work (a quality that both my husband and son so naturally possess), and my husband excels at teaching and explaining.

Two. Patience.  When I seem to be running low on patience, my husband offers such solid words and expectations of our son.  Grateful that we share in parenting well.

Three.  Fun.  He provides endless moments of laughter and enjoyment for our son, and I count on his playful spirit as a dad to our boy!

Four. Kindness.  I am not overstating this by saying that my husband is one of the nicest people I have ever met.  He demonstrates kindness and consideration as a father so often.

Five. Love.  My husband expresses his love to our son through carefully listening to him, through making certain that he kisses him goodnight before bed each night and each morning before he goes to work, through affirming the great things our boy does and through his thoughtful words of discipline and forgiveness when our son makes mistakes.

And that's five!  I consider myself blessed to be able to parent with my husband!

If it weren't enough to celebrate Father's Day today, I have another GREAT reason to celebrate.  My friend Kara turns thirty today!  Happy Birthday, dear friend.  Your friendship is such a constant gift in my life!  Can't wait to celebrate together soon!

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Strawberry Shortcake

Dear Reader,

My family and wonderful family friends of ours had a long-standing tradition of a day in June called Strawberry Day.  Our friends would come over, and we would share a very nice meal together.  Then the kids (myself and my two friends) would play games outside (badminton, volleyball, croquet) or make up skits while a strawberry shortcake was prepared for dessert.  The famous recipe from this event is listed below, and the memories that come with Strawberry Day are such a good example of special traditions that can be made over time.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Tuesday's Treasury: Celebrating Fathers

I am looking forward to this weekend and the celebration of my father, my father-in-law, and my husband who is an amazing father to our son!  I decided to theme this week's treasury around dads.

Sincerely,
Abi

Five for Friday: Children's Books

Dear Reader,

We experienced some rather high temperature days this week and are only grateful for our wonderful neighbors who invited my son to join the other kids in their blow-up pool to cool off!  And today is a rather rainy day around here.  Hot, humid days and rainy days both lead to lots of book reading at our house.  My son and I make a weekly trip to the library, and here are some of his (and my) favorites right now:

One. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Two. What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Three. Mole Hill: A Woodland Tale by Lois Ehlert

Four. Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale by Daniel Kirk

Five. Little Whistle by Cynthia Rylant

And that's five.  Any recommendations?  Please send them along!  Happy Friday!

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Schaumtorte

Dear Reader,

This is one of my favorite desserts (meringue shells topped with ice cream, strawberries, and whipped cream), especially during strawberry season.  My aunt did a wonderful job of collecting recipes from my Grandma B. and passing them along.  This is my Grandma's recipe for these wonderful meringue shells.  (I will tell you that they are a little risky to make on a very humid day in the Midwest, but so very worth it if they turn out!)  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Thirty

Dear Reader,

Today is the start of a new decade in my life. The celebration started last week with a getaway with my husband, son, and parents.  Last night I had a lovely birthday party with my husband's side of the family.  And so today - my actual birthday - feels like the icing on the cake!

Many thanks to all the friends who have sent an e-mail or a Facebook post my way with well wishes.  A special thanks to my friend Jill for the wonderful post that I woke up to read this morning!   And, Mom, thanks for sending the flashing, musical greeting card; my little boy is in love with it.  I will have heard a rendition of "You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet" many, many times by the end of today!

Off to have a fun day!

Sincerely,
Abi

Featured in a Treasury

Many thanks to princessdoodlebeans for including the brightly patterned blocks in this treasury.

Sincerely,
Abi

Five for Friday: Birthdays Remembered

Dear Reader,

In just a few days, I turn thirty.  I'm looking forward to this birthday and the year ahead.  Here are a few memorable birthday celebrations from past years:

One. Twenty-one.  On my 21st birthday my boyfriend took me for a picnic dinner at our favorite beach and asked me to marry him.  One of my favorite nights ever.

Two. Twenty-two.  The night of our wedding rehearsal and dinner.  The rehearsal went really smoothly.  The dinner was very enjoyable (my in-laws did a lovely job hosting.)  The night was topped off with late night bowling with our wedding party.  Fun.

Three. Five. Clown party at our house.  Every child had a fabulous clown costume, and we did a big wheel parade with streamers and balloons around our neighborhood.  We also ate clown cones for dessert.  (Every year between the ages of one and ten could be listed as a favorite though; my parents always made them quite special!)

Four.  Eighteen.  Starting a very nice getaway with my parents after celebrating my graduation from high school and open house in the previous two days.

Five. One.  Do I actually remember this birthday? No.  But this first birthday started a long-standing tradition of angel food cake, whipped cream, and strawberries for my birthday cake.  Early June birthday = perfect time for strawberry birthday dessert!

And that's five.  Happy Friday!

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Dear Reader,

We don't make chocolate recipes often in our house (as our nearing four year old is surprisingly not a fan of chocolate.)  Even so, I have some wonderful recipes which include chocolate, and I will try to remember to send them along to you from time to time!  This recipe comes from a family friend and is a delicious treat while using some zucchini.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Featured in a Treasury

Many thanks to With Love, Ruby for featuring the seaside patterned blocks in this treasury!

Sincerely,
Abi