Mango and Avocado Salad

courtesy of Cooks Illustrated - Summer Entertaining

3 large mangos cut into 1 inch chunks

3 medium ripe avocados cut into 1 inch chunks

6 TBSP lime juce (about 3 limes)

6 TBSP minced red onion

6 TBSP minced fresh cilantro

1 jalepeno minced (with seeds and ribs if you want extra spice - we left it out for Charlie's sake)

salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and cover with plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for an hour before eating.  

I think this is my new "salsa" - we all loved it.  Some of us just picked out the mangos....

things I'm reading and listening to today

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/190903-would-booing-david-ortiz-help-him-out-of-his-slump

- background reading for.................

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/manny_ramirez_to_david_ortiz_road?utm_source=a-section

- I love the onion =)

http://www.nhpr.org/node/25210

- A segment from my soon-to-be public radio station about hyper-parenting.  I'm really into  podcasts and listening to NPR these days.  Interesting to listen to.  I was directed to it by the yahoo group that I joined for parents of young children in the Upper Valley area.  It makes me grateful that my brother and I were encouraged to climb neighbors trees, build secret forts in the woods and spend our days outside playing.  I'll try to remember, Charlie....

http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/09/02/50-ways-to-save-1000-a-year/

http://www.dsquilts.com/

- the fabric and quilt obsession continues.......

http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2009/05/daisy-chain-hedgerow-quilt.html

-and continues.......  I love the linen sashing she uses

Craft books I'm putting on my "someday" list.....

Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase

Linen, Wool, Cotton: 25 Simple Projects to Sew with Natural Fabrics (Make Good: Crafts + Life) 

Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching

Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew

Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To

The Art of Embroidery: Inspirational Stitches, Textures, and Surfaces

- No, I don't know how to embroider, but I've really been interested in it lately.  

I'm not sure where I'd find the time though..... On that note, I need to go get some chores 

done before baby wakes!!! Have a good day!

wonderful mail day!

I was so excited to get the mail yesterday, as I was expecting a little package from my trusty quilt lady, Dianne.  (If anyone is looking for someone to quilt for you in the Northeast, Dianne is wonderful and very affordable.)  You know you've all torn open a package as soon as you get it.  I pick up my mail from the post office, so waiting until I get home is just not an option.  Now, the daunting task of binding the thing.  SIGHHHHHHHH  I am such a slow hand stitcher.  I guess when you don't ever practice, what do you expect?  (I think I've had my mom bind all of my quilts to this point!)  Anyone have any tips to make it less painful?  The sooner I finsih it, the sooner you get to see the finished product.......

inspiring podcast

I just listened to a great podcast on CraftSanity of an interview with Amanda Soule of the SouleMama blog that is definitely one of my favorite blogs.  It is 84 minutes long, so you need some time, but it was great to listen while checking off chores on my to do list.  It made me remember that it is important to make time for things each day that make you happy.  Now off to play with the little guy (and hopefully work on his quilt later!)

i'd like to introduce you....

...to my new friend.   Her name is Ravelry.  I know I am behind the times on this, so if this is old news to you, just humor me.   I have not had much time to spend with her due to the move, but I think she and I will be good friends.  She is a bit coy - if you are interested in joining Ravelry you have to sign up then wait for your invitation to join the community.  For me the wait was a whole 3 days.  Why??? I don't know my new friend well enough yet, so I won't complain.  I guess she's just popular.  I look forward to getting to know her, though I fear her peer pressure and am not sure I'm strong enough to resist her.  We shall see.....

I hope you had a great weekend.  June already?  I can't believe it....

D'oh!

We are in the midst of moving, and in the hassle of it all I forgot that my photos are on our main computer (packed, moved.......)  Therefore.....  you will not see any photos for a week or so!  Sorry!  I'll be around in the meantime with some other tidbits.  For now, I'm going to sleep - tired from moving heavy items all day....  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

recharging

We're back from Maine and catching our breaths - well, trying to. We're all a bit sniffly. Let's hope it passes quickly! As far as my crafty/creative needs, I manage to find ways to work some magic here and there, thus sanity preserved. I have nothing to show for my work yet, but hopefully soon. I have been a bad girl lately - spending too much time on etsy and getting way too many ideas. Good thing we're packing to move, or I may be tempted to actually buy lots of materials. I have exercised restraint and lately have only purchased this. I promise it is being crafted into something and it isn't just sitting there. One problem is I read other craft blogs and get introduced to all of these great fabric lines and designers whom which I would otherwise be blissfully ignorant. I LOVE unicorns and the whole fairy tale theme, but just noticed the price on that Heather Ross fabric bundle - what the heck?!?  UPDATE.....  That item link now no longer works.  Do you mean to tell me someone bought the entire 24 yard collection for $320?  I am jealous and amazed....  Here is Heather Ross's blog so you can see what I was referencing (the fabric designer for the Far, Far Away fabric I'm drooling over - more so now that it is so sought after and pricey - it makes it more exotic.)  

(As you can see, I learned how to use the link tool! I LIKE!)

I'll leave you with some shots of the day. A congested baby getting much needed rest - note the 3 pacifiers and 2 bug bites =( , and a shot from my window. I love this view of the winding driveway that is turning greener by the minute (photo not altered at all!) with all of the gentle rain falling as I type.