Holiday Traditions

Every year we decorate butter cookies. It is my late grandmother's recipe. We would sit around and decorate together. How I miss her so.... This is Bella's first year helping out. We had so much fun.

Some of my favorite things...

Ella's cream puff Ivy's Magnolia

The Rowan Pant

For Christmas this year, I am working hard to give all the kids of my best friends clothing from Bellablu. They support my efforts year round, and always inspire me! Here is what I have come up with so far this year...

Vintage : Memories

Here is my late Grandfather's vintage Canon that my mother gave me. Made in the late 70's. I love the "boxy" style of it, so many things I don't know about this camera. You have to toy with so many settings with it, something that I know nothing about in this age of digital, point and shoot cameras. It has a telephoto lens that goes with it, wish it fit my current SLR!

Experimenting

I am currently working on a boy's clothing line for the shop, just a few items. Here is a prototype of the "Tucker Overalls".

Celebrating this holiday season

Our recent trip to the cabin was wonderful. Bella was in good health, something that has never happened before when we have attempted a trip to paradise.

She will be having her adenoids removed this Tuesday, making it a necessity to close my Etsy shop for awhile. It was so hard to make this decision, but we are in much need of a rest. I am not sure what this small surgery intails as far as healing. If any of you know, I would love some advice!

Here are some pics of our adventure. Thank you all for your support of Bella Blue, we will be back soon with more new items, and possibly a boy's clothing line!

relax

Bella catching snowflakes on her tongue

Grandpa's birdfeeder

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

More adventures with tutus

Here are some of the latest pics of Bella and her "tutu adventures". She is having quite a good time frolicking around, on "location" at one of the sweet spots for photographers here in our city. It is an old homestead, complete with chickens, and roosters running around the grounds. There is an abundance of fruit tress all around, and tons of rotting fruit on the ground. (note the orange in her right hand). She has fun, and I get to sharpen my skills with the camera. To order the sweet little number Bella is wearing, please visit: Danbury Lane.

Special Order

I have been called upon to make two very special portrait dresses for two beautiful identical twin girls. Constructed of ultra fine, Liberty of London fabric. Simple A-line smock that crosses in the back, fastening with buttons. I am so excited, and these are a few pics of my work in progress...

Available in 6-12 mo and 12-18 mo for anyone that is interested, convo me via Etsy...

The ability to smile

This week has been trying. Bella was sick with a cold, then Daddy got the stomach flu. Then what do you know, I got it next. I was so sick, couldn't get out of bed for 2 days. Bella had a really hard time with it, mommy was in bed all day, and couldn't play. My spirits were lifted yesterday morning when she insisted on wearing her fake "moustache". She laughed so hard, and looked right at me. It helps you get through the day, and the 30 minute tantrum that immediately followed!! I am back to health this friday morning, thank goodness.

Halloween '08

Spencer's "Quad"

Monkey Spencer, Angel Bella Scary Haunted House of Daddy's

Halloween Glow

"I love chocolate coffee"

That's what Bella calls her ovaltine....on our recent birthday trip to the cabin...

Tutu cute

With Halloween steadily approaching, I had to come up with a solution to Bella's request of: "I want to be an angel!" I will be honest with everyone, I don't like to make tutus. The tulle and me, don't get along, and we never will. So naturally, I turned to Etsy for my solution. I came upon this magical shop, Danbury Lane. I was immediatly smitten, and ordered Bella an angel costume without even thinking twice. Rebekah is super talented at what she creates, visit her shop, you won't be disappointed. Bella actually thought she could fly while modeling her costume in these portraits I took of her.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Now this beauty takes the cake, bravo!

10 year reunion

Steve and me before our 10 year high school reunion. It was so nice seeing everyone again. left to right: Steve, Sara, James, Jennifer, and Jenny
The girls...
Bella, grandpa, and the pomegranate
How my mom manages to grow dicondra and rain lilies in this searing hot, sonoran desert is besides me.

Grosgrain: Baby Bumblebee Costume

Grosgrain: Baby Bumblebee Costume

Adorable Baby Bumblebee costume. Check it out!

McCormick Railroad Park

If you ever get out to Scottsdale, you must visit this awesome railroad park. Tons of fun for Jr. railroad engineers. Bella and I went today for the 2nd annual Halloween bash with all our NICU mommy/nurse friends from work. She and I rode the carousel and train twice, had lunch in the shade, and played on the playground. She loved the carousel, there was a 7 year old girl behind us riding it, and crying becuase she had bumped her knee. Bella looked straight at me, serious, and said, "mommy, I'm not crying, I'm happy!" This brought tears to my eyes, Bella has trouble sometimes expressing her feelings. This was simply awesome.....

Click here to visit the railroads' website.

Grosgrain: Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Stunning costume giveaway! Enter here to win!

Something GOOD to eat Tonight.

Spagetti squash with jalepeno cream. Why not make it tonight? This was so delicious, and can serve a crowd!

Time: 1 1/4 hours. We've tossed spaghetti squash with a spicy cream sauce and baked it, mac-'n'-cheese-style, for a warming, hearty side dish that doubles easily and reheats beautifully. Keep this one in mind for Thanksgiving.

Yield
Serves 8

Ingredients
1 spaghetti squash (about 3 lbs.)
2 cups milk
2 to 3 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
2 tablespoons butter, plus more for pans
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded jack cheese
Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut squash in half lengthwise and use a spoon or melon baller to remove seeds and surrounding fiber. Put squash, cut side down, on a lightly buttered baking sheet and bake until tender when flesh is pierced with a fork, 30 to 40 minutes. Or poke several holes in skin of squash with a fork and microwave it on high 10 minutes. Squash should be tender when pierced with a fork; if it isn't, microwave on high in 1-minute intervals until tender. Let sit until cool.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm milk and jalapeños until bubbles form along the edge of the pan. Remove mixture from heat and let sit 15 minutes. Strain and discard jalapeños.
3. When squash is cool enough to handle, use a large spoon to scrape the strands out of the skin and into a large bowl.
4. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp. butter. Whisk in flour and salt and cook, whisking, until flour smells cooked (like piecrust), about 3 minutes. Slowly pour in jalapeño-infused milk while whisking. Reduce heat to medium and continue whisking until mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Pour mixture over squash and stir to combine. Transfer mixture to a buttered 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with jack cheese and bake until bubbling and brown on top, about 30 minutes.

Just Listed

Love pintucks, so the Pintuck Trouser was born..Thinking this would also look great in a soft, lightweight wool.

{Pintuck Trouser} 12mo-4T

Miss Socialite

The only thing that came to mind while making this little top was, "it will be the most perfect little preschool top for Bella." Made of lightweight royal blue and white stripe shirting that I just could not resist, topped off with a bright white johnny collar, border of white around the hem of the 3/4 length sleeves, and buttons all the way up the back. Perfectly proper, not too boyish, suitable for a lady don't you think?

-Available in 6 mo, 12 mo, 2-3 years.

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Another original from this talented mom.....love the lining!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!

Tinkering

I have been tinkering with this raglan sleeve blouse for a while. It has a gererous cut, and can be layered over something frilly like this lace tank. Ultra thin, and has the most appealing paisly print on it... Available in 12 mo-3T.