:: links ::

:: cute french sneakers ::

:: snappy danskos ::

:: a new beauty website ::

{where i found this}

one of our

:: all-time favorite books ::

{boodil reminds us SO much of our kooky dog, maisy}

at the top of maisy's wist {wishlist},

:: pet peek ::

on my wist,

:: this shirt ::

i'm obsessed with

:: this ::

remember this?

it is now available as a

:: fine art giclée on canvas ::

{just in time for mother's day}

and finally,

:: what i want for mother's day ::

♥

show & tell {cuddly tarantula}

a contradiction in terms.

an oxymoron.

a cuddly tarantula.

♥

:: black bean burgers ::

one of our very favorites

black bean burgers {makes 6 big burgers}

ingredients:

1 onion, diced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

1 zucchini, grated

--------------------------------

1 can black beans {15 oz}

--------------------------------

1 T cornstarch

2 T water

--------------------------------

1 cup potato flakes {or one 4oz package "idahoan" roasted garlic mashed potatoes}

1/4 cup oats

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes*

1/4 cup dry milk powder

2 eggs, lightly beaten

salt & pepper to taste

*plus extra nutritional yeast to "bread" burgers

you will also need:

oil for the pan {i use butter & olive oil}

6 rolls or hamburger buns

toppings:

sliced cheese

lettuce / cabbage / tomatoes / pickles / onion

mayo / ketchup / mustard

directions:

saute diced onion, diced red pepper, grated zucchini.

season with salt & pepper as you saute, then allow to cool.

rinse beans, then mash.

combine cornstarch & water, then add to mashed beans.

add remaining ingredients: 

potato flakes, oats, flour, nutritional yeast, milk powder, eggs, s&p.

shape into 6 patties.

coat in nutritional yeast flakes {like a breading}.

heat oil in a heavy pan or griddle.

cook 5-10 minutes per side {until golden brown}.

top with cheese while hot.

toast buns under broiler.

best served outside with:

corn on the cob, watermelon, pasta salad, potato chips

♥

ever twine, ever mine

 i have just received a lifetime supply

of the coolest vintage twine

from my sweet friend, mary ann.

sometimes she sends me vintage sewing patterns.

sometimes beach glass & hole-y rocks.

always bundled up with love & encouragement.

she is a dolly, for certain.

thank you, m.a.

♥

:: christmas card ::

i did not send out cards at christmastime.

i'm sorry.

i was feeling overwhelmed,

and i just couldn't do it.

this is the is the photo i wanted to include

better late than never.

merry christmas

♥

p.s. my mom tells me that my great-aunt jimmie

reads my blog from time to time.

aunt jimmie, this post is especially for you.

various & sundry

this post has no theme.  at all.

the easter bunny brought kites

more than groceries at the grocery store

{giant red watering can ~ it's bigger than a gallon of milk}

{green ceramic lantern ~ would make a good orchid pot}

we didn't do a very good job with this video, 

but it will give you a peek at what is going on inside our egg

♥

easter

a pop-up washcloth

kites {we flew them today}

we used chapstick and rubberbands on our eggs

{thank you, martha, for the chapstick idea}

♥

:: hippity hoppity ::

♥

show & tell {tiny wooden bunny}

we love this little bunny

the easter bunny brought him

to emily when she was very little.


and today, he got to go to
kindergarten with ned.

♥

:: a gift card challenge ::

do you have a visa gift card with $1.49 left?

well, i do.

i also have one with $2.17 remaining.

don't let that paltry sum sit idle any longer!

this is the perfect chance to help my best friend

missy

look on your card to find the website where

you can check the exact balance.


note: the missyfund website 
will accept whole dollar amounts only.


missy's fundraising was scheduled to end today,
but has been extended for another month.


please help me help her.


spread the word.


share this link: 
http://www.giveforward.com/missyfund


and the link to my 
gift card challenge:
http://five-ten-fifteen.blogspot.com/2011/04/gift-card-challenge.html


in the words of missy's sister-in-law, chris,
"the world is a better place
having her in it."


thank you, sweet friends!!


♥

:: vintage easter postcards ::

the first one is my very favorite

because it was sent to my grandpa,

forrest hinkle, and his brother carl

when they were boys.

my grandpa forrest & my great uncle carl

two of twelve children, there were two sisters between them,

and eight siblings after them.

the postcard above was sent in 1916 from martha, who wrote,

"i have the mumps but feel fine."

i do hope you enjoy these.

feel free to print them

or share them on your own blog.

{please link back to my post, if you can}

♥

a loaded picnic basket

ned & i had a picnic

on this chilly, sunny day.

i made salami & cheese sandwiches

{a rare treat}

which prompted unending questions

about pigs & pork & meat.

note:

ned calls any kind of deli meat "hammin"

~ sort of a combo of ham & salmon, i suppose.

emily & marian are both vegetarians,

so almost all of our meals are meat-free.

after today's lunch & subsequent discussion,

ned thinks that he wants to be a vegetarian, too.

okay, little buddy.

you do what you feel is right.

tonight we're having veggies with

tofu or chicken...

which will he choose?

♥

for the love of ducks

i have been putting this

on these

because they are near this

so that none of these fall through

♥

:: shopping tote makeover ::

my canvas shopping totes are super sturdy,

but they were not pretty.

i've been looking for some fabric 
to spruce them up.

i found this

i ordered a large sample {18" x 27"} for $7.00 with free shipping.
     unwashed sample           cut & washed sample

look out, grocery store.


♥