Getting Ready to Get Ready

*My links are not showing up unless you hover over the words...I'm working on how to fix that.

I had a really fun weekend doing almost nothing. I love that. And hate that.
But mostly just love it.

I spent most of my time with Mark, and we went to Costco, that's a little something, right? Seriously, who doesn't enjoy a Costco trip?

We had the opportunity to listen to Elder D. Todd Christofferson speak, and that was a good something.

And I met new people, and one gave me a copy of her newest cookbook!
Keeping Up Cookbook
Grace Ivory Rock has published two cookbooks and this is her latest and the newest addition to my kitchen. I already love it, it's cute for starters. And everything in it sounds sooo good.
I am so excited to use this, I made my first today, Garlic-Lemon Spaghettini, It was very good. Her recipes are not intimidating, but are sophisticated enough to be delicious and exciting.

Naomi's birthday is coming up soon! And so is Valentines Day.
She and I decided to make it one big celebration.
We are making birthday party invitations tomorrow!
I'm guessing it won't be many more years where she thinks a Valentines Birthday Party is a fun idea. Personally, I think it's a fantastic theme. You really can't go wrong with pink, purple and red hearts. And Candy and hearts. And more hearts.
And please send any fun party ideas my way!
I'm thinking I need to make a heart-shaped cake.
Maybe something like one of these? Naomi just wants candles to blow out.

I really love chocolate, this recipe is from Joy Of Baking

(sounds good, but maybe too much for a birthday party)

This heart cake tutorial looks so great, and probably very complicated....from I Am Baker

(really, this is my favorite, how fun is this cake!)

Martha Steward never fails

(These would probably be just perfect. Adorable too!)

 Or how do you make something like this? Heart shaped molds would be helpful I'm sure. And knowledge of how to use fondant. I watched Ace of Cakes enough, I should be able to handle it I think. Ha, joking of course.

And I just found this image, how to make a heart shaped cake: Not that tricky.

Speaking of Valentines, I saw this valentines idea from Twig and Thistle via Design mom today and It's just the cutest thing ever. Ever. DIY Valentines Fruit Stickers.

Ok, maybe not ever, but it's really fun, right?

We already started this homemade color-theory Valentines from Mer Mag.

This is ours so far:

I think we might have to pair it with the DIY fruit stickers! But I need to locate some sticker paper. I already tried printing them on label paper, not many turned out centered on a label. But it was worth a shot...

And other things? I am keeping up with school work, but it's difficult when there are so many other things I need to do and so very many things I want to do, besides school work. 

It is interesting. Psychological Stats is both interesting and time-consuming. Behavior Analysis isn't bad, and I'm learning, or rather, re-learning how human behavior works. It should prove to be an interesting semester.

One of the other things I just want to do is make new pillow covers for my couch pillows. I have the fabric, the sewing machine and the tutorial. Just need the time. I'll probably follow this one from Freshly Picked.

I love all these creative people sharing ideas, it's fantastic.

I also need to make some more bows, clips, ribbons, flowers, etc for Naomi. I really love doing that and it's been a while. I need the fix of starting and finishing a project and she needs new accessories. Win-win.

Oh, and running. I took a break. Now I'm back. I think. I loose my base so quickly that it makes me anxious when I haven't run for a few days. Ok, a week. Back to the gym for another few months until we thaw here. 

And lastly, Jamesy fell asleep on the couch. He is so sweet and peaceful when he is sleeping. He got a hair cut too, so cute.