Life and knitting in Chicago

Julia on the phone

Imaginary phone conversation, originally uploaded by sarahbchicago.

Clearly, she has been watching and learning phone techniques from her parents.

Flag cake!

After years of dreaming of it, I finally made it.  It was a perfect family project:  my mother Linda baked the cake (and trimmed the edges that had been gently nibbled by puppy Ruby), I frosted it, and my sister Rebecca applied the strawberries. 

 

The cake is impressive-looking, and it actually tastes fantastic.  Rich and buttery, with luscious cream cheese frosting.  So worth the effort.

 

Flag cake!, originally uploaded by sarahbchicago.

Summer lovin'

Yeah, she liked it, originally uploaded by sarahbchicago.

Julia's first dip in a swimming pool.

52 Poems

In the kitchen

  

Made some shortbread cookies out of The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.  I later dipped them in melted chocolate, but honestly, they look and taste better plain.  The cookbook's advice to chill the cut out cookies before baking them is a good one as the edges bake up sharper.  I would also add that you should rotate the pans halfway through baking (something I don't usually do) so that you don't end up with half a pan of overly browned cookies.

Julia in motion and at rest

RSVP

Loving our return address stamp from thepaperwink.com

My little secret

Couponing.  It's not just for Evangelical Christians who scrapbook and homeschool.  I do it too. Besides the websites mentioned in the news piece, I recommend: www.moneysavingmom.com, www.southernsavers.com, www.hotcouponworld.com

Julia update

Stomach flu means time in bed to to consider resurrecting this blog.  Since Julia's last posted pic was from when she was 3 months old, I thought I'd post a new one.  She is (gulp) 22 months old now.

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