week in review

My friend Jo celebrated the big 5-OH!

This is her doing Sally O'Malley, "I'm 50!"

Jo is from Tennessee and we frequently discuss the differences between Tennessee and Texas South. Of course I'm forever accused of NOT being Southern because Texas doesn't count. Whatever. This Texas girl made some goooooooood strawberry shortcake!

The recipe is from here. I read the comments and followed the suggestions to reduce the baking powder and leave out the cream of tartar. I don't know how much of a difference that makes, especially since this was my first ever time to make strawberry shortcake! But it was scrumptious. I made it in a big dish instead of individual cakes so it was easier to put together and serve. (The dish was a gift from Martha because she couldn't believe I didn't have a Polish pottery lasagna pan! Thanks Martha!)

I made this one pretty little sample the night before the party to make sure it tasted good. They're lucky the rest made it to the party after we tried this one! Oh, I made fresh whipped cream too.

Wednesday was the Mother's Day Brunch at Ethan's school. It was cute. They made little heart shaped cakes and sang songs. I only got to stay about an hour because.......

Wednesday was also our annual Arts and Crafts contest awards ceremony. You can read all about the festivities on the shop blog here. I made the dress I was wearing but I didn't get a good picture. I tried today, but it needs to be ironed. I'll have to get back to you with that one.

But I DID get a picture of THIS!

The Fleur d'Paris fabric came in this week and this one was just dying to be a shirt! After a lot of debating I finally settled on the Ruffle Top. Jennifer gave me one that she made last summer and I really like it. I pleated the front band to give it a little detail and I really like it. I had to sew each pleat down so it would stay in place. Then I added the cap sleeve instead of the ruffle. I based it on another shirt Jennifer gave me (the black one w/white polka dots) and it was pretty easy once I figured out what shape to cut out. So, anyway, I really like it! Ethan took the picture for me standing up on a bench! He did a pretty good job! And that was with the big camera!! It was so cute because he just kept clicking! Future model photographer???

And last but not least, here is Ethan and his classmates singing a Mother's Day Song in German.