The Simple Woman's Daybook: March 1st

For Today... March 1, 2010

Outside my window... it's noticeably lighter earlier! Just another sign that spring will, at some point, be here!

From the kitchen... This afternoon I'll hit the grocery store. I'm never sure how we ran so low on so many things so quickly! In any event, the cart will be piled high, the kids will be squirmy, and I'll be frazzled! Good times!

I am wearing... Green PJ pants, a brown camisole, and a black cardigan.

From the Learning Rooms... Little Mister's been busy lately. We went on a field trip to the Magic House in St. Louis last week, and he's been science, science, science! He's SO curious and attentive, so I'm following his lead for the time being.

I am creating... a new apron. I picked out material a couple weeks ago. Blues and browns with flowers and hummingbirds. My grandmother loved to hang hummingbird feeders on their patio and watch the hummingbirds all summer. Every time I see one, I think of her. Living in this house, I like to do small things to keep her and my grandpa close.

I am praying... giving thanks for the gift of God's son. At this time if year, I am in awe of the Holy Sacrifice that was to save me in all my smallness and imperfection.

Around the house... I'm tackling that master bedroom. I'd hoped to get to it last week, and now it's worse than ever! I started last night by resorting the DVD's and boxing them away out of reach of little hands. Hopefully I'll have reclaimed our turf by nightfall!

One of my favorite things: forgiveness... from loved ones, from strangers, from myself, and most importantly from God.

A few plans for the rest of the week... A play date, photo session for a friend (I can't believe her little guy is almost 1!), and general happy chaos that is life with three kids!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Happy March 1st from Little Mister in all his goofiness!

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Dora the Explorer Cake

Dora birthday cake. This cake was one that I really tried to work on my buttercream icing consistency for flat icing my cakes. When I started decorating cakes a couple years ago, this design would have intimidated the heck out of me. Yesterday, I was able to successfully estimate the amount of time I'd need to bake and decorate this cake to feed 50. I started baking at 7:15 and put the finishing touches on the cake at 1:15. Just enough time to shower and load the crew to make the delivery!

The stars were super easy- made with fondant and a cookie cutter. A bit of pearl dust brushed onto each shape created a slight twinkle. I used a round tip to trim the cake, adding a stripe of orange food coloring to my bag to create the line on my pink beads. I've used that technique to make flowers with contrasting tipped petals with great success.

I LOVED that I was able to score this dora set from the Wal-Mart clearance isle! I had a single dora figure in hand when I ran across this set for the same price- $7. It sure beat setting Dora up there all by her lonesome!

My little stars were attached to craft wires that I'd spiraled around a smooth pencil. I really enjoy the effect that such a simple, cheap addition makes to a kid's cake. More pearl dust blown onto the entire cake, and I was ready to hit the road... the mile long string of rocks, bumps, and potholes!

A Bit of Dr. L Wisdom

From Dr. Laura's show today:

"If you know it's an alligator, you don't get into the tub with it! If you do and get bit, you blame yourself, not the alligator."

Let's face it. We all have alligators in our lives, and sometimes we let ourselves pretend they're... salamanders. And then we're surprised when they snap at us. But really, we knew better, didn't we?