I Used To Be a Morning Person

I used to be a morning person, that is before Cream decided that waking her momma up multiple times a night would be a fun pastime to take up. I can vaguely remember the days where  I would wake up and tackle a do to list with pleasure. Days where I would have energy and a desire to see what I could all accomplish. Now, I usually call it a good day if the girls and I are all up, dressed, and wearing clean clothes when Mr. Cherry makes it home from work. I feel as if I am back to that newborn stage with her. I am about ready to see if the moms group that I belong to is willing to start bringing meals again like they did when Cream was born. Actually I think that she slept better when she was a few weeks old than she has been the last month.
We still swaddle. That magical wrap that was such a blessing at the beginning is now a bit of a curse. She still does really well in the swaddle. It keeps her hands away from her face and pacifier when she is trying to fall asleep. However, she has become quite the Houdini, able to escape pretty much whatever swaddle we throw at her. Upon her escape, she acts as if it certainly must be morning. We hear her chatting away in the Pack and Play batting at the screen walls with her free hands and arms. I know that it is time to break the swaddle habit, but I am just too tired.
Did you catch that she is still in the Pack and Play which means that she is still in our closet. I think she would probably sleep better if she were down in her crib in her sister's room. I think that, but am too tired to try it for fear of having to run up and down the stairs all night long. And for fear that she would ruin her sister's good sleeping habits.
Last night, or maybe early this morning, I allowed her to cry for a bit because frankly I had just collapsed back into bed from the second trip to her "room" in five minutes time. She cried for less than three minutes and then was quiet. That girl is seven months old and is playing us. She knows that if she cries mom will come and take care of her and if mom comes to take care of her enough she might even earn a trip to the comfy cozy location known as mom and dad's bed. And sometimes if she is really lucky she earns a nice night cap of warm milk. Oh yeah, the girl knows how to play her cards.
I am longing for a solid night of sleep. At this point I would settle for 6 hours. That would be great.

SMILE

Here is a bright and sunny smile to start off your day! 

I figure it just isn't fair of me to keep them all to myself.

Double Sided Fabric Headbands

Check out this great headband tutorial over at Happy Together. They are just too much fun to make. Unfortunately they don't look all that great with my current short hairstyle, but not to worry I have plenty of friends to give them to. :o)
Here are some that I recently made for my friend Becky as a birthday gift. Rest assured, she can rock them!

I am linking to these wonderful parties this week.
Today's Creative Blog
Making the World Cuter
The Sweet Talk Shop

Baby Boy Gifts

Remember that Harley baby shower I wrote about a few weeks back? Well, here is the fun gift that I made for little Owen.

2 bibs, 2 burp cloths, monthly onesie picture kit, 4 pee pee tee pees, and 1 pacifier holder. I  made it all from 4 different 1/3 cut fabrics, and 1 yard of flannel with various other items.

I made the bibs using this great tutorial and pattern from Lots of Pink Here. I used flannel for the backing and a fusible batting for the middle layer. Instead of adding velcro, I used a loop of elastic cord and a button. The center is embellished with ric rac.

For the monthly onesie picture kit, I packaged up 4 different sized plain onesies, 12 month stickers that I designed on Publisher and printed on sticker paper, and a sticker holder with an elastic loop and button closure.

The pacifier clip is made using a mitten clip on one end of a strip of fabric and an elastic loop on the other end. The burp cloths are just a rectangle of fabric with flannel backing. I made them into "cupcakes" using a printable I purchased at KdBuggie Boutique on Etsy. I followed the tutorial on Saturday Mornings for the PeePee TeePees.

I wrapped it all up in a box, which of course I didn't take a picture of, but you can see it on the left side of the picture above. 

I think I will be making lots of these fun baby kits as baby presents. They are fun and easy to put together and I can't think of a new mom who wouldn't appreciate some homemade baby goods.

I am linking to these wonderful parties this week.
Today's Creative Blog
Making the World Cuter
The Sweet Talk Shop

Foodie Friday: Chocolate Cherry Truffle Cake

Yesterday was a big baking day here at the Bowl of Cherrys. My faithful assistant and chief taste tester, Peachy, and I hammered out a delicious and lovely birthday cake AND a super cute St. Patrick's Day treat. The later is still awaiting assembly, so you will have to wait on that one, but the cake has been enjoyed and I am ready to share.

I found the recipe on the Pillsbury website. I will send you there for the directions, but here are a few tips:
1) I had problems with my filling seizing on me. I would maybe omit the almond extract to see if that helps.
2) Instead of flouring the cake pan, I used cocoa powder. This accomplishes the same thing as flour, but doesn't leave the white residue behind.
3) When working with the glaze, I did not add the milk for fear of it seizing as well. It worked out fine for me without the milk.
4) Instead of decorating mine with the chocolate shavings and cherries, I glues ribbon to toothpicks. I recently saw this idea on one of those project cards at Joann Fabrics. It was a super cute and easy way to finish off the cake.

So, if you are looking for a showstopper of a cake that is rich and decadent, this is it. However, you must love chocolate.

PS Sorry if this post has left you craving chocolate. Especially for breakfast.
PPS I may know from experience that a piece of this cake does taste really good for breakfast.


I am linking to these wonderful parties this week.
Today's Creative Blog
Making the World Cuter
The Sweet Talk Shop