Through the Looking Glass; or what I saw in my camera today.

Baked Oatmeal

Mmmm. I found this recipe at the bottom of my recipe box yesterday morning (given to me by my dear friend Sheila several years ago) and it seemed like the perfect, crisp, spring morning to make some warm, baked oatmeal. Simple, sweet, and simply delightful fresh out of the oven and topped with a few sliced strawberries and a splash of milk. I spoon-fed the leftovers (with more fresh berries and milk) to the triplets this morning while they took their bath...wish I had taken a picture of that!

Baked Oatmeal

combine:

1/2 c oil

1/2 - 3/4 c sugar (I used 1/2 c white sugar and 1/4 c brown)

2 eggs, beaten

Add:

3 c uncooked oatmeal

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 c milk

*I added a dash of cinnamon, too!

Poor into greased square baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes (or until lightly browned around the edges).

Stella & Dot Giveaway!

My lovely friend Julie over at The Girl in the Red Shoes is doing a Stella & Dot giveaway this week: two gorgeous pieces of jewelry (Serenity Stone Drop Earrings or an Interlock Cross Necklace) for two lucky ladies! You can view how to enter the giveaway here

These pieces are just beautiful! I would really love to win these earrings and sport them around Bend; I think it would even call for hiring a babysitter and wearing them out for a date night, don't you?! :)

My 5 Minutes of Fame...

Photograph courtesy of Laura Izumikawa Photography

So, remember about a year ago when I submitted an original quote to Good Earth Teas during their "Tag, You're It" tea bag quote contest - and I won?! Well, just last night a friend of mine from high school sent me a picture of her tea...with MY quote printed on the tea bag!!! The funniest part was that she thought it was just a coincidence - she didn't think I had actually written the quote, just that someone out there had my same name:) Too funny! And how random that she would just happen to get that specific one (and actually READ the quote) and then take a picture and send it to me (well, she is a professional photographer, so she probably always has a good camera handy!) I hadn't yet seen my quote in print, so I raced over to Fred Meyer today to buy a new box of Good Earth Tea. I'm hoping the box I chose has at least one bag with my quote on it, but if it doesn't, at least I'll always have this photograph...

I Never Should Have Done It...

It's official...I've joined a cult. You've probably heard of it; you may be a follower, too. It's called Pinterest and it's a virtual pinboard that lets you create your own themed "boards" (you may have one for crafts, cooking ideas, home decor, kids, gardening, etc.) and add "pins" to them (inspirational photos, DIY projects/tutorials, etc.). You can see what your friends are "pinning" you can make your own "pins" (links to photos you find anywhere online), or you can just look at random "pins" by strangers and then "re-pin" them to one of your boards. One thing's for sure...you will be inspired, amazed, sucked in, and obsessed! Here's just a sampling of some of the things I found today that I just had to "pin" to my various boards for safekeeping. If you'd like to follow my "pins" on Pinterest, you can click on the red tab to the right...enjoy!

Paint an old frame, paint the mirror with chalkboard paint, and voilá - your very own chalkboard!

Cut strawberries in half, dip in yogurt, and freeze.

This looks like such a cozy reading nook!

I am totally doing these fabric circles on one of my walls!

Hammered gold earrings from Etsy. I'm hoping Robert gets me these for Valentine's Day:)

Paint Mason Jars with Glow in the Dark paint to look like you've captured the universe...love it!