It's peony season around here and that makes me SO happy.  Are those the most unbelievable flowers?!  Like most things in life, I just wish peony season lasted longer.

The random number generator chose 3 numbers/names to give those awesome MOODmatchers a try.
#69:: Lasavin
#38 :: Nia
#104 :: Kellie Engle
Please email me.  (lesliemfriend @ gmail dot com)

I have my sweet Libby next to me asking me to google a big snickerdoodle for our cookie this week.  Like the ones from Starbucks.  And, she wants me to head to the kitchen and make some.  Right now.  It's 10:11pm.  It's not gonna happen.  But if you have any suggestions for a Snickerdoodle like Starbucks,  we'd love to know.  xx

I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't share this cookie recipe.  If you like lemons, SO GOOD!

Happy Weekend!  I'll be back soon to announce the winner of the MOODmatcher lipsticks.

xx

Libby and I have recently fallen in love with these MOODmatcher Lipsticks.  And more specifically, the MOODmatcher LUXE Twist Stick.  They come in a sleek, slim, and modern case, which offers customized control as well as a personalized lip color.  The slender, tapered tip provides more precise definition, making it easy to highlight the curve of your lips.
The sweet peeps over at MOODmatcher have given me 3 MOODmatcher LUXE twist sticks to giveaway.  Green, Yellow and Orange.   The green turns to a bright fuchsia pink, the yellow changes to a light baby pink, and the orange changes to a coral.  All three look different on me than they do on Libby.  Super duper cool if you ask me!

If interested, please leave a comment before now and Friday May 27, 5pm EST and I'll have the random generator choose 3 names.

Hello there!
Gosh... I don't know where the time has gone.  But I do know that we have been busy.  This time of year always has me behind the eight ball.  Even when I try not to be!  Life is full.  What a beautiful thing.
I have some fun giveaways coming up.
Have a wonderful weekend.  See you next week!

I just couldn't help myself.  I cast on for Pink Memories... the yarn is so yummy.  Even more than these snickerdoodle bars which says A LOT.  Cause they are our favorite.  Especially Charlie's.  And I sort of made them for him.  He is home from OSU.  Yippeeeeee!  (It always amazes me how early the Colleges let out for the summer.)

Licorice.

I have the most wonderful memories with my kids gathered around the table with Chalk Lots.  Drawing, doing homework, playing games and leaving funny notes.  They are always on our table.  The best is when their friends come over and leave us funny drawings. It truly makes me happy down to the core.

Chalk Lots helps get our kids engaged with their sweet mamas!  Unplug and draw funny faces, play games, work out those times tables and write lots of LOVE notes! (Not to mention, a list of their chores!)

In celebration of our amazing moms, aunts, grandmothers and sisters out there in the world, Chalk Lots are 25% off through May 9.  Enter THANKYOUMOM at checkout.

Holy Moly, Happy May!
I haven't made pancakes consistently like I did when the kids where younger.  If you've been visiting here for a while, maybe you remember how much we loved our pancakes.  Especially on Saturdays.  Well, I started working on Saturdays and the pancakes seemed to have moved to the back burner.  Cereal became the new Saturday special!
Yesterday I pulled out the old recipe.  I forgot how good these are.  And I thought I'd remind you, too.

Pancakes:
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cup flour
2 TBLS sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1-2 tsp vanilla

Separate eggs.  Beat egg whites stiff.  In another bowl, mix the egg yolks with the milk and oil.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Stir until combined.  Fold in egg whites.  Use a measuring cup (we like the 1/3 cup) to ladle batter onto the skillet.
We have been known to add mashed banana to the batter.  Or blueberries.  Or chocolate chips.  Whipped cream is always a favorite topping, (beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla) as well as warmed fruit.  (In small saucepan warm 1/2 cup berries, 1 tsp sugar, 3 tbls sugar.)
Breakfast for dinner?

 This is what happens.

I've made ice cream sandwiches before.  But not for a while.
And when I looked back to find the recipe we love,  the link had been removed.  (ack!)
So, I found a new recipe.  Made the cookie.
Piled delicious ice cream on half of the delicious cookie.  
Placed the other half on top of the ice cream.
Popped them back in the freezer to harden.
And made a big delicious mess when I cut them.
Then I froze each delicious mess in its own paper sandwich bag for a warmer day.

The kids rated them a 10.  I would like to find one with a softer cookie, like the last recipe.  This is the one we will try next.

Happy weekend! xx

**UPDATE!  A very awesome Abelian (Dot) found the old link!  Thank you, Abelien!**

It's one of those chilly spring days where drinking hot tea and knitting all day sounds like a dream.
I've been working on Elen in hopes of finishing at the end of this month.  However, I'm 100% positive that won't be happening.   Short rows were worked in order to achieve that scooped bottom.  (That's the back pictured above.)  I reworked it a couple of times because I wasn't paying attention to the mesh pattern.  I think it's smooth sailing now.

And, oh!  I have a new project in the wings.  The yarn arrived today.  Can't wait to cast on.

I immediately went to the kitchen and starting baking.  I can't believe I didn't see this recipe back in 2009 when she first published it.
They are SO good.  And SO easy.  Andrew and Libby went nuts over them!

Happy Weekend, friends!

P.S.  I used butter.  Not margarine.  :)

It took me about 10 tries to get the cast on just right so that the stripes added up.  But finally... It worked.
Oh, did I mention it took me a couple of months to get this yarn because of how quickly they sell out.   They update on Thursdays and sell out pretty quickly, so if you're looking to make a pair, set your alarm!  (That's what I finally did.)

Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks omitting the stitch pattern with a Slip Stitch Heel
Yarn:  Trailing Clouds - Mind the Gap
Needles: Size US 2
Made for:  Libby's happy feet

 I never fail to throw the picnic blanket in the car when heading out on a road trip.  You just never know when the urge might hit to throw a little pizza party on a Big Oval Lawn and knit a few rows!
And last weekend, Libby and I headed to OSU to visit Charlie.  Did I mention he transferred?  Yep.  He transferred from PITT to OSU in January, and couldn't be happier.  We hit the big spring game.  What a blast!

 The staff at the Resort was wonderful with little touches to make our trip extra special.
 Since my sister, Shelly, and mom live in Florida, they were able to bring our beverages so we really never needed to get dressed! :)  Happy hour served... in robes.
Thank you, sweet mom.  We will hold our special moments together close to our hearts.  Forever and Always.

 I could not be more pleased with results.  It was designed after the cashmere wraps that are sold where I work on Fridays and Saturdays.  Man, do I love those wraps.  I decided I could make one, but it would have to have the same sort of drape as cashmere.  This yummy yarn is pretty close.
While making it, I told Libby it was for her.  I've now told her maybe we should share.
It reminds me of the yoga shawl I made last summer.  However, I can honestly say it has much more drape.  It's a simple, easy pattern that requires minimal thought.


Pattern:  Twig
Yarn: 4 skeins Fyberspates scruptious DK/Worsted
Needles:  US size 8
Crochet hook: size G
Gauge: 18 st = 4"

Have a great weekend, friends!

 So, last week, we went to a cooking class and made Thai food.  It was so much fun.  BYOB and you cook and get to eat your creations.  I just love how we prepared all of the dishes beforehand, making the actual cooking part a breeze.
 I seriously don't know why I don't do this all of the time.  It makes it even more fun and even cleanup is a breeze!
Baked Oatmeal Bars.  Delicious alone.  But we are dreaming of them warm with ice cream on top.

I stink at crocheting.
No, seriously, I do.  And that's okay.  Except that it takes me so long to do it.  And, I get cramps in my hand.  And, I can't seem to get the tension correct.
But, I am halfway finished adding a crochet border to the wrap.  And, I have big plans to finish it by tomorrow.

This beauty came in the mail from my sweet friend, Kristyn.
I was completely speechless when I opened the box.
Are you kidding?  Kristyn spent all of that time knitting for me?  And she included all of the stash in case I wanted to make a pair of  T O A S T.
My heart is completly and utterly full.  It truly might pop.
 I absolutley adore this cowl.
It will be worn all spring.  And then again.  And again.  And again.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,  sweet friend.

Pattern:  Rayures
Yarn:  Knit Picks, Palette

Libby and I had a little Easter photoshoot last week for Chalk Lots with our treasures from Target.  They had the cutest, CUTEST decorations.  They may have a few of those jars left on super sale!
 This year there was only one extremely talented egg dyer.  The other someone said that vinegar makes him sick to his stomach.
 What a masterpiece we ended up with!
The plastic egg hunt was a success.
55 small eggs.
5 large eggs.
1 golden egg.
4 eggs are still missing.  Including the coupon for lunch at their favorite Chinese restaurant.  Wonder if it will ever show up.

 Love working on this Classic Elite sweater named Elen.  I think I should move this top on the list since it is a Spring/early Summer sweater.  The yarn is light and feels so good in my hands.
This yarn is just the funnest and makes these socks so much fun to make.  Easy to keep in my car for those moments spent waiting.  (Except for when I drop my extra needle down in between the seat and the console.)
 Almost finished with this wrap.  I've kept this project in my car all winter.  Simple and easy.  I just took it out of my car to try to finish.  And because I was afraid the mouse that was in my car (Yes!  I had a mouse in my CAR!  I left a pizza box in there.  DON"T do that!) was going to try to make a nest out of it.  I'll share the pattern soon.
The Maine Squeeze blanket.    So love this.  I can only usually work on this at home as it is quite bulky.

Have a wonderful day, Friends!