Andy had a birthday over the holiday weekend and it was one of the nicest ever, I think. We went up to Multnomah Falls for lunch, which has become sort of a birthday tradition in our family. It was crawling with people (on a Saturday, in May — of course) but it's still a beautiful place and a nice lunch. Andy and our brother-in-law went to see a band on Saturday night, then Michael spent the night. I made homemade dirty-chai cinnamon rolls with this recipe for the rolls and using this filling and glaze and, oh my. Ridiculously decadent and the perfect treat for a birthday morning. We had lunch at Por Que No and then I baked a cake in the afternoon. Amelia and her friends had an almost-sleepover down the block on Sunday night while all of us parents barbecued in the backyard. We were all home by 9:00 p.m. and sleeping within the hour! Har! But happy birthday, my love. Forty-five looks very good on you, dear papa bear!
This week we're putting the finishing touches on the 'Night, Neighborhood kit, and I am thrilled about this. The floss is almost all pulled and the fabric is here. The patterns arrive tomorrow, and I am nervous; I used a new printer this time, and I'm hoping everything looks good. If it does, we'll put kits on sale next week. It's a weird time of year to launch a new product, but it just worked out this way, and this one has such a summery feel I actually think it'll be perfect. If you are looking for a good project this summer, stay tuned. I will talk a lot about this one next week. I'm so happy with how it all turned out.
Today, oh glory be, it's rainy and cool. Birds are singing, Mimi's about to take a bath, and then we'll go to the grocery store and make some kind of pasta tonight (I'm thinking bacon, chicken, and mushrooms, since it feels like fall). I have a stack of library books it would be lovely to crack. Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Ikea, playing house in the fake kitchens and living rooms for hours (I was the baby and she was the mommy), finishing the day with a fruit bowl, chocolate cake, and a cup of coffee for mum in the cafe. Highly recommend.
***Sorry I forgot the links to the cinnamon roll recipes — all fixed now. And for those who asked, those are just rock pies in the tins above. :)
Those cinnamon rolls look delicious! Happy birthday to Andy!
Is there a link for the chai rolls?
Yes I agree those cinnamon rolls look so good. Happy birthday to your hubby!
Sweet sweet sweet.
It looks like your summer is off to a beautiful start! I just love visiting your page when I can. Truth, beauty and goodness - it's always all here in this spot. Cheers. :)
Dirty Chai cinnamon roll recipe, please! Happy birthday to Andy!
Hi, I just want a to say that your blog has definitely grown on me over these past years....you have turned me on to a couple of different types of art craft that I haven't done in years, thank you so much...I am so excited to start cross stitching (again)when your new pattern comes out . That is a definite purchase, plus I have made your lamb crochet pet as a gift that the recipient (2 years old ) loves it. Next I will need some of your sewing patterns I am gonna be a 1st time granny soon.
Thanks again Alicia for getting me back to my roots
Fern
She's riding a bicycle!! So grownup!
Happy Birthday to Andy, I'm glad he had a good day. The photo of him with Amelia is really lovely, beautifully captured. Aren't the roses glorious this year. Hundreds and hundreds of petals all gently unfolding. The cinnamon rolls look delicious. I shall be making a birthday cake tomorrow for my littlest boy. He always chooses a Victoria sandwich with cream and strawberries on top and jam in the middle. It's a very good time of year for a birthday. Good luck with the new cross stitch, I'm looking forward to seeing it. CJ xx
Why so glum, Andy? ;) A belated Happy Birthday!
I adore the idea of an almost-sleepover. I had some good pals over once for knitting and a movie and I dragged every comfy chair in my house into one room and made sure there was a blanket on every chair (for warm laps and legs) and a little table next to every chair for snacks and tea. It was so lovely. I need to do that again! Maybe with dirty chai cinnamon rolls this time!
Alicia, what's in/going in the little containers with stones? Some sort of succulent?
Happy birthday to Andy! I've only been to IKEA three times (since we don't have one local to us, we visit them on vacations when we can - yes, we kind of go on vacation to IKEA, but whatever, we love it), and I always wish I could play house in the little fake houses. I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to do this. :)
Birthday best wishes to Andy! Please post a link to the cinnamon roll recipe. It sound soooooo devine
*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to Andy! He's such a good daddy. I was at the falls on Tuesday for a dress rehearsal for the big 100th Anniversary Event next week. We'll have flower girls and I'll be leading the National Anthem for the event. :-) I look forward to seeing your new kit. Those cinnamon rolls look beyond delicious! Have a super weekend! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Good grief. You have wattle fencing around your garden! I just discovered it this year and have plans for a garden next year with it. It's so rustic and cottagey! Can't wait for the release of the 'night, neighborhood pattern. I need something else to add to my "to-make" list. LOL :) Happy birthday to Andy! It looks like a day well-spent!
Happy belated Birthday Andy! What a truly lovely day you had :) Thanks Alicia for the link to the cinnamon rolls, those look fast and yummy!
Lovely photos, as always. I think summer is a perfect time for a project. I'm looking forward to it!
I can attest that those cinnamon rolls are the BEST! I got the recipe from a link in your blog a few months back and have made them three or four times, and my mom and aunt have made them, and now they're a family favorite. So thanks!
happy birthday to andy! wonderful looking cake, as always.
It´s so cool that our summer here in Sweden has cached up with yours. I remember a few month ago when it was all grey and cold here an you showed pictures of spring flowers and I was so envious. And now we also have roses, strawberries and green leafs everywhere. Love it!
Happy birthday Andy!
Hasn't the little girl -- in the birthday cake photo -- in the foreground got stunning coloured hair.
Oh my Alicia, all your photos are dreamily gorgeous. I don't know about playing house in IKEA (I've never been!) but I love looking at your photos and dreaming of summer days in the garden and allotment. Midsummer Sprigs is at the framers so lI'm looking forward to the release of a pattern for Night Neighbourhood.
Happy Birthday Andy!!! I'm glad to receive the email about this post--it brightened my day. Alicia, I don't know if you remember my collie Ellie? She unfortunately passed away on Monday. She was only 9. We took her to the vet for just a dental cleaning (which I finally gave into them for after years of being scared of putting her under anesthesia!). Well, the vet ended up killing her with the wrong drugs or dosage. We are devastated here--she was my baby and so much a part of our lives. I'm telling everyone with dogs to google their breed and anesthesia to make sure your vet knows the risk level ...mine did not. Herding dogs as well as some other breeds are extremely high risk for anesthesia and they must know what kinds of drugs they can handle. And as far as teeth cleaning, just don't do it!!! It's so not worth it. Nathaniel graduates from high school next Tuesday so both of my kids will be away at college this fall. Ellie was supposed to be here with me so I wouldn't feel so lonely. Our hearts are completely broken. I know you understand because my heart broke when you lost your puppy... I just didn't know how painful it truly is. Again, you are a bright spot in a horrible week.
Happy Birthday Andy!