through the screen

Why is it that when I try to take a picture of Sweet Pea through the netting of his pack and play or the screen door - it just looks ridiculous and nothing like these cool images by Matthew Tischler? Clearly instagram needs to create a screen door filter for me very soon or else I'm going to be forced to buy one of these amazing prints. (By the way, wouldn't be a rainy filter be awesome too?).

images via Matthew Tischler's "screen series"

Rosemary Loves Lavender

I attended the wedding of two enthusiastic home cooks last weekend in southern Vermont. The ceremony took place at an apple orchard; the reception was in the apple packing barn. It was beautiful. Their wedding motif was rosemary and lavender, which beats any of the themes suggested in the dozens of bridal magazines I read before my own wedding (Skiing? Disney? Debauchery?). Rosemary and lavender were used as colors for the bridal party and table decorations and an image of them adorned the couple's invitation. But I was most excited about the use of real herbs. The center pieces were lovely smelling potted herbs and sprigs of lavender were placed at every napkin.

But the very best use of the herbs were the cocktails. Named after the bride and groom, each was infused with a simple syrup flavored with lavender (hers) or rosemary (his). Both drinks were spins on a Tom Collins, with a base of fresh lemon juice, gin, and club soda. The bride's drink also contained lavender simple syrup and honey (making it a little like a Bees' Knees) and the groom's had rosemary simple syrup.

Recipe for a Tom Collins

Recipe for lavender-infused simple syrup (I think you could just substitute rosemary in place of the lavender).

Here are more nice things to be done with lavender and rosemary, whether or not you're altar-bound:

Honey lavender ice cream

Rosemary cake from ecosalon.com

Lavender cupcakes. Recipe here.

For favors?

Buy at http://www.thelabelman.com/

Buy at http://www.woa-garden.com/

Lavender confetti for a well-scented farewell!

a plan

This photo made me spring into action. Instead of daydreaming, net surfing, and gathering images of all potential workspaces that I could maybe/sometime/one day fit into my house.....I am taking that weird wall area in the nook of my bedroom and putting up some prettily covered clipboards to get the stray paperwork under control. 

It will help with organization- one child to every clipboard, one clipboard for art projects, one for home projects, etc.. It will not require purchasing of furniture or shelving and I won't even need to move anything!

I even have a variety of papers for the covering part. I'm half a dozen clipboards away from home organization :).

Image: ecoetsy

Tiny Potatoes

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the tinier something is, the more adorable it is perceived to be. See: babies, human; babies, animals; and vegetables, tiny potatoes. As seen in the photo above, tiny potatoes are delicious roasted in olive oil, salt, and mixed herbs (I cooked them for about 50 minutes at 375 degrees). I found mine at Whole Foods.

A few pieces on the Dakota Fanning of summer vegetables here, here, and here. I’m most excited about the last one, which uses lemon.

Serving an entire meal of baby vegetables as part of an elaborately staged hint to tell your husband you’re expecting, a la Rebecca in Full House is optional.

the three bears

This past weekend we finally saw Brave. It was just as good as all the critics, ages 4 to 62, had said - a lovely combination of exciting, sweet and funny.
Without spoiling anything, I will say my favorite character is the mama bear. I found myself laughing out loud, but also remembering a few of the books I had on my wishlist on at home. Sure enough, when I did check there were actually three titles that featured bears. By summer's end, I hope we get a chance to check them all out from the library....

 I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

The Bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear s memory and renews his search with a vengeance. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

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 Bear in Love by Daniel Pinkwater

One morning, the bear finds something just outside his cave. It is orange and long and pointy and has bushy green leaves at one end. And it’s sweet and crunchy! Where did it come from? Did someone leave it for him? Then there are two more of the sweet crunchy things the next morning! The bear knows that someone nice is leaving him these treats. If only he could discover who it is! Should he leave something tasty in return? With the help of Will Hillenbrand’s endearing illustrations, the inimitable Daniel Pinkwater spins a charming little mystery about unexpected kindnesses and finding that extra-special someone.

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Otto the Book Bear by Kate Cleminson

Otto lives in a book and is happiest when his story is being read. Otto is no ordinary storybook character: when no one is looking, he comes to life! Otto loves to walk off of his book’s pages, but when his book is taken away while Otto is off exploring, the book bear sets off on a grand adventure to find a new home. Except...it's an awfully big world for such a small bear and Otto misses his warm book. Will Otto ever find the perfect home?

With sweet, timeless illustrations and a story that will have young readers watching their bookshelves in hopes of spotting wandering book creatures, this charming story is sure to delight book lovers everywhere. 

Images: juliasbookbag , wereadlikethis, kirkusreviews, book4yourkids

Say hello to Jane!

via AbeBooks

We are shaking things up a tiny bit here at Hiving Out! Jane, a dear and lovely friend, has decided to take us up on the offer and join us on these pages. We are beyond thrilled. Jane is funny, whip smart, and has some amazing taste. I'm expecting to find some great vegetarian recipes, book finds, and music from this lady. And, of course, if she doesn't work out - she also has a very crafty cool mother that we can always tap as a new blogger. Look for the occasional Jane post starting this week and here are a couple of my favorite Janes to make this one feel welcome and loved!

Jane Birkin via Height of Vintage

"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë via The Book Cover Archive

Jane Goodall via Time

 Jane Addams (1st American woman awarded Nobel Peace Prize) via University of Ill.

 Jane Fonda via Letter to Jane

Jane Austen's "Emma" via Abbey's Bookshelf

Thursday, "Children at Play" and Etsy

 pitpatwaddlepat

The "Children at Play" fabric line, designed by the artist at SarahJaneStudios, has been available for awhile now, so there are quite a few Etsy items that feature various prints from the collection. I am a big fan of the art, so the fabric is a favorite as well. Here are just a dozen of the items I found- all of them as darling as the fabric itself!

 lolaslovies

 JemiBoutique

 QuiltStory

 EmilyAnnsKloset

 printsnpatterns

 LittleBirdsBoutique

 modernmadebaby

 liltulip

 DollBabyBowtique

 NamelyPillows

OddEDesigns

Sidenote: This past spring Sarah Jane Studios premiered her latest fabric collection- "Out to Sea". I definitely like it just as much...maybe more!

Images: sarahjanestudios

Lego guys are funny

The other day I was brought to my knees after stepping on the head of a Lego fireman (if they get you right on the instep- forget it). Even though it hurt like nobody's business, I laughed as I pulled the helmeted head off of my sole. Lego guys are funny.

 Images: mysanantonio, citrusmilo, etsy, etsy, etsy, syncblog, flickr

poppies for presents

The site ellinee.com not only has links to the design studio's shop and Pinterest boards, it also has their blog which happens to contain the most incredible DIY paper flowers.
I am already thinking forward to fall (while still enjoying the summer, of course) and want to have a dozen of these paper poppies on hand to use for gift wrapping. The tutorial provided includes the link to the PDF of the perfectly watercolored petals- all you need to do is grab scissors, a glue gun and read the surprisingly simple step-by-step instructions (complete with photos!!).

All Images and tutorial: ellinee.com

baby yawns

I am definitely not an interior decoration expert, but one thing I will share is a tip for displaying certain photos. Having just passed my six year anniversary of becoming a parent (and therefore my six year anniversary of not consistently getting a good night's sleep), I am now so very grateful for the three good sleepers under my roof. 

Don't get me wrong- it took each of them the better part of a year to get there and there were times, with eyes burning and head pounding , that it felt like the better part of decade. But, a few weeks after each baby was born, I snapped a photo of him/her/her yawning. I just love that shot- a snooze-y newborn on the brink of sleep. I put them up in my room, one by one to remind myself they could rest, and now when I see the three photos together they are funny and sweet and the perfect reminder of that crazy stage of sleeplessness......