In the Midst Of the Crazy Days

It is just before 7a.m. today and I’m staring at the computer wondering how it is only Tuesday.  

After what felt like a crazy summer spent in chaos, packing and unpacking from trip to trip, planning parties, doing photoshoots, making cakes, setting up play dates… things have finally “settled down” enough for me to start cooking again and working on cleaning up (read: cleaning out) our home in preparation for everything that messes it up during the holidays.

But each day still seems too full. Overflowing from one thing to the next, moving swiftly without down time or a stitch of boredom. The days feel this way even if we never leave the house. So of course, it is my brain, not our days really, that is overflowing.  There are so many ideas swimming around up there desperately trying to get my attention but my own anxiety about the what if’s of the world brushes most ideas aside until I can give them each individual, adequate attention. This rarely happens so the ideas just keep swimming… or piling up.

Beyond reveling in the “work week” spent without technical “work”, I’ve been making an effort to cook often, plan meals, have dinner ready to put on the table at 5p.m. It makes the hubs so happy which, you know, makes me happy, too!

I’ve also been experimenting with a few easy recipes that the kids can help me with because it is beyond fun right now to have them both in the kitchen. Dumping, mixing, stirring. Lilly chats away like a little bird, while Grace watches quietly with her serious face, brow wrinkled up, intent on not missing a single moment.

This chocolate bark is simply chopped up crispy bacon, Reeses Puffs cereal, and melted dark chocolate chips mixed together and spread to harden on a silpat baking mat. Insanely good.

Both kids are changing wildly these days; Lilly so absorbed in learning and finding out, sensitive, curious and sweet.

Grace is finding her voice (loud and happy), magnetized to her big sister, mischievous, cuddly, and independent.

So we are relishing these moments together. Before Lilly starts preschool, before we aren’t together anymore- whenever those days might come.

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I’ve had some projects to share too!

Please excuse all these iphone pics- I haven’t had the energy to pick up my “real” camera this week.

You may have seen these sports cupcakes ages ago if you follow me on instagram (@sweetersidemom).

I’m kind of obsessed with them even though I’m not a big sports gal.

And of course, some various blanket progress shots:

This beautiful scrap quilt is coming together nicely. It’s the first thing I’ve made that Brandon really expressed wanting to keep (!!). The idea is that I will keep adding to it and create a giant family quilt, for use outside or for picnics etc. I adore each print in the progress so far and love thinking about what projects I each fabric was used in.

Next up was finishing this little patchwork quilt top I also made out of scraps.

Arranging the squares in a warm to cool color pattern took the quilt from random to cohesive with a clear design element.

My favorite part of the finished product? The pom pom edging!

Though I definitely love the fabric Lilly helped me pick for the back.

A dear friend snatched this blankie up the instant I posted it on instagram (@sweetersidemom) to give to a friend for her new baby. I’m so excited to know it’s going to a good home 🙂

I can’t wait to try more pom pom edged quilts!

And finally, this gem.

Another finished color block crochet blanket. Love the colors in this one, brights + gray is definitely a favorite color scheme.

Incase you are curious,

I sell my blankets and goodies in my shop on Etsy:

The Sweeter Side Mom.

The pattern for this blanket can be purchased here:

The Pattern Shop

If you are on instagram, you should definitely give me a follow (@sweetersidemom) so you can see all my progress shots, snatch up a project that you love, or enter in the giveaways I’ve started there that are for IG users only! I’m having so much fun with it. Are you an IG junkie, too?!

Anyway, happy Tuesday, friends!

-J