girl scout cookies

One of my favorite times of year is when Girl Scout cookies are being sold. Mmm...

My personal favorite are Samoas (In some parts I think they're now called Caramel Delights)...all that chocolate, caramel, coconut goodness in neat little cookies (Cookies that are hard to stop at one! I said that and my mom looked alarmed when I took five cookies - but they were only for the photograph above :)). 

I'm ordering some more boxes from the extras so I can savor the cookies a little longer. It makes me sad that they don't have them in stores...but maybe it's for the better, as my wallet stays happier and my health stays better! :)

What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

-carlotta

PS I feel guilty now, as I just remembered the no-sugar-for-a-week challenge that Ashley is doing...

jumping

The weather warmed up again today...and that meant jumping on the trampoline.

They started off with some...uh...rather interesting poses that involved flapping their arms while keeping your eyes closed and giving each other bunny ears. I got really confused trying to figure out how that was supposed to work...

Lilly was a total camera hog. Seriously. She always made sure she was right in front of the camera, blocking my view of the others...

There was crazy hair...

(she isn't crying, in case you were wondering...)

...some singing and dancing...

...and a star guitar player.

Even after having to get up at 7am to babysit, I'd say it was a good day (today also involved some shopping at Target, which gave it "extra points" :)). 

How was your day?

-carlotta 

jeremiah's book report

My brother had to write a book report for school...he really got into it...and he was changing every other word with Word's thesaurus tool...I got a kick out of reading all the long (and "educated" as he would say) words.

"Snow Treasure, written by Marie McSwigan 

Book Report

Once in 1942 when Norway was under Nazi control a group of children tried to save the gold belonging to the town of Riswyk. They used their toboggans to transfer it to a ship that was bound for America. The reader is kept in suspense as they wonder “Will the children be able to succeed bringing the gold to the ship?”

I like this book because it’s thrilling. The children are so valiant! They walk right next to the Nazis with thousands of dollars on their toboggans! And the Nazis don’t even know that they have gold on their sleds.

The message is that even children can overcome an atrocious monster just like in the story of David and Goliath in the Bible (1 Samuel 17:1). David is like the children who were still diminutive but had reliance and overcame the foe. The Nazis are like Goliath who thought he could annihilate David. I thought it was just a very, very attractive book."

"I thought it was just a very, very attractive book." really made me laugh...

I love you, J. :)

-carlotta

my day

I stayed in my pjs until about 11:30 today...we (meaning my mom, my brother, and our handyman friend) put in the tile grout in the bathroom. I showered and Megan, our pastor's daughter, came over.

Around 2pm, my dad and I left to go see Avatar (3D, Imax). 

They had really cool art deco style lights in the theater - I passed my time waiting for the movie to start photographing them.

Going off on a bunny trail here, people say the funniest things. I was listening to people talking before the movie...here are some of the things I heard.

Older man to his wife (in a southern accent): I'm gonna go get some popcorn. You got the money? What do you mean? I thought you had the money! 

I don't think he got his popcorn.

Another older man was being really picky about where they were going to sit. I guess his wife was grumbling a bit, and he goes, "What? We want to have the full Imax experience!"

Then there was this man sitting a few seats away that started laughing at something, only it sounded like he was a growling bear. I had to laugh.

And why in the world do people have to sit right next to you when there is the whole theater to choose from? Sigh.

I digress.

I wasn't too eager to go see Avatar as I'm not really into fantasy things, but I thought that it would be good if I went, as I think it's going to become a classic. Not to mention they're going to stop showing it soon, so my dad and I went. I loved it. It was really, really, really, really, really good. The special effects were, for lack of a better word, incredible. As was the whole movie.
I had heard that the whole message of the movie wasn't very good, but I was pleasantly surprised that it (the message) wasn't too bad.

I really, really, really recommend you go see it (if you haven't already - I got on the Avatar bandwagon a little late!) before it's too late...and if you can, try and go to an Imax 3D showing...

Tomorrow my morning starts bright and early at 7:45...I have to babysit...there goes sleeping in! :)

How was your Friday?

-carlotta

purple

Ever I since a got a purple shirt recently, I think purple has become my new favorite color. Last night at 10pm I decided to go around my room and take pictures of all the purple things I could find (Really. I have problems. Who goes around and takes pictures of purple things at 10pm?!). I was surprised at how many things I had, considering that color hadn't really been on my "radar screen" before...

A purple pillow (cowhide rugs are really good for taking pictures)

My purple and white diy vase

Purple walls in a PBTeen magazine (like I said before, cowhide rugs are really good for taking pictures)

Purple yarn 

A purple lampshade

Purple shoes (the photographer in me is rejoicing that I managed to create depth of field (somewhat)...)

And the purple shirt that inspired this whole thing :)

Is there a color that you have been slightly obsessed with lately?

-carlotta

happiness is...

Can you believe it's already Wednesday again? And time for Happiness Is again? And that February is almost over? And the school year is almost 3/4 of the way over? And that even though it's 26 outside it feels like 45? And how crazy I'm going with the questions?

I'll stop now. 

Happiness is...

...having crazy siblings to keep you entertained. :)

...the awesome crystal (I think) doorknobs in our house...they're original from 1934. And they're in almost every room - they give the whole space that little extra sparkle. And when the sunlight catches them? Sigh. 

(I know I'm going a little crazy with talking about and posting pictures of doorknobs. I'll stop now. I think. Can someone please check to see if I'm sane?)

What are two things that make you happy this week?

-carlotta

PS I'm considering turning Happiness Is into a blog hop - you would just link up your post...would any of you be interested?

raw(e)

Update: I found this first picture in my files and I couldn't resist posting it...is it okay to have two pictures? :)

I loooove the doorknobs in our house...

Go here to learn more about RAW(e).

-carlotta

bathroom update

the tiling of one wall is finished - the grout just needs to be put in. we will most likely have a sink and toilet in by the end of the week - woohoo!!!!!

it's ridiculous how excited i am about a bathroom...but i'm really loving how it's turning out. the grey we have on the wall is sooo pretty, and we're using subway tile (rectangular tile). love. 

what is left to do:

-painting the trim

-putting in the tile grout

-tiling the shower area

-putting up the wainscoting

-putting in the sink and toilet

-fixtures (i.e. bathtub knobs, etc)

we're in the "homestretch"...yay! 

-carlotta

ups

These crazy people:

decided it would be a good idea to smile really big at the UPS guy as he was delivering packages.

They smiled, waved, and knocked on the window (courtesy of MeMe and Lilly). I wish I could've captured the guy's face. Oh. My. Gosh. He turned around when they knocked with this half amused half have-these-people-lost-all-their-marbles look. 

I think he was relieved to get back into his truck! :)

-carlotta

if you've ever wanted...

...to see me being a klutz, then this is you're lucky day.

If you didn't want to...well then avert your eyes.

But if you do watch it, don't ask what I was doing. Please.

Nevermind. Just ignore my crazy ramblings.

I hope you aren't scarred for life now...sigh.

-carlotta

national geographic

I found four old National Geographic magazines, all of which use to be my grandmother's. The oldest one is from 1930! 

Needless to say, they all went straight to my bookshelf.

Some of them had Coca-Cola advertisements on the back:

From 1938 - check out the Indian!

From 1948

From 1950 (This one creeps me out a little)

What are some old(er) things you've seen lately?

-carlotta

snickerdoodles

This is the best snickerdoodle recipe. And the dough is soo addicting. Although, so are these cookies.

But the best part about it is how amazingly simple they are to make.

Adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens snickerdoodle recipe.

Yields approximately 36 cookies. 

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup (one stick) butter, softened

- 1 cup granulated sugar

- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

- 1 egg

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

- 2 tablespoons sugar

- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

To make:

- In a medium mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla, then add the flour. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

- Combine the 2 tablespoons of sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, flatten each ball of cookie dough slightly.

- Bake at 375 degrees for 10-11 minutes.

- Eat all 36 cookies a delicious warm cookie with a glass of milk.


Linking up to A Soft Place To Land's DIY Day.

-carlotta

fill in the blank friday

I'm joining the Fill in the Blank fun over at The Little Things We Do...

1.  If I could  medal in an Olympic event it would be  figure skating. There's something about it...

2.  If I was stranded on a deserted island I'd take Bear Grylls from Man v. Wild.

3.  The plane that I'm on crashing in the middle of the ocean and fire are my most irrational fears.

4.  I'd rather   scrape wallpaper (ugh) everyday,  than   have to clean other people's houses everyday.

5.  I am  dreaming about this room.

6.  I should really be   doing homework or cleaning .

7.  One of my favorite things in all the world is  having a really, really, really good night's sleep with no crazy dreams.

-carlotta

the best guest bedroom ever

I am sooo in love with this guest bedroom. 

I love how brightly colored books can also be art. 

Everything in this room is absolutely perfect - it's so bright and energetic. I love the color palette - navy blue, bright blue, and bright yellow? I'm sold.

I've always been a little afraid of bold wall colors, but this room makes me want to bust out the magenta paint.

If they invited me over to their house I would never leave.

Love it, love it, love it.

-carlotta

spring and starbucks

1. MeMe and I went shopping today...she went to Starbucks for the second time in her life. 

2. My parents were gone for lunch, so we had flammkuchen and sang mock opera the entire meal. Sad, sad fact. Lilly was yelling the whole time, "Okay, guys, listen! I'm gonna say the song and then we'll all sing it!" I don't think anybody really listened to her.

3. I got really pumped today when I realized we're going to Tomball to visit (Our old hometown in Texas) in about a month! I'm soo excited.

4. I can't seem to keep my room clean. I'll spare you pictures, but really. You would think that I'm be able to refrain from dropping and leaving my clothes on the floor.

5. I have a new boyfriend. His name is Albert. And he's pink. And he's my camera. I got him about 1 1/2 years ago and we were inseparable for about two months. Then I sort of lost interest in him. I always forgot to load the pictures onto my computer. Now we're inseparable again. It must be hard for him to have a girlfriend that falls in and out of love with him.

Poor Albert.

6. I am so glad that we have another beautiful spring-like day!

I just checked the temperature and almost fell out of my chair.

It's fifty eight degrees. FIFTY EIGHT!

Break out the shorts and tshirts, snowpants and jackets - kindly leave.

7. Blame it on the weather or that I'm tired of always being behind, but something in me these past few days has me wanting to do homework. Maybe I really am cracking the wall of procrastination.

-carlotta

giveaway

So cute! Head on over here to win an adorable pillow!

-carlotta

bracelet

(Please excuse the terrible photos...)

I saw this great idea and had to give it a try.

First I braided together three strands of yarn, about 3 or so feet long (It will seem waaay too long). It depends on how many times you want to wrap it around your wrist.

Then I stitched the ends together, so it was one big circle:

I sewed on a button that I had on hand...and that's it.

To wear it:

Drape it across your wrist - you want the side with the button on your right.

Loop it through and pull it up to your wrist. 

Wrap it around...

And just pull the button through the middle!

It takes a little practice....

This whole project is so easy and fun! I made almost the whole thing while watching The Devil Wears Prada...it's very, very, very simple.

If this whole post no sense at all, head over to the expert - she's much better at explaining it than I am :)

Linking up to A Soft Place To Land's DIY Day and Reinvented's Trash to Treasure Tuesday.

-carlotta

here comes the sun...

(do do do do)

Now to get that song out of my head...sigh.

The sun FINALLY came out (and stayed ALL day) and it was around 50...I am so thankful! I was glad not to have to wear a jacket :) I was honestly getting a little depressed...I am sooo ready for spring.

(These daffodil sprouts have been growing for 4+ weeks - even through 8 inches of snow!)

'

-carlotta

happiness is...

I apologize my lack of and low quality posts recently...things have just caught up to me! 


It's time for Happiness Is again...where does the time go?!


Happiness is...

...going to the library for the first time in awhile (and another plus of going there was that I had a different "setting" to do my homework in...)

...having a four year old in the house!

What makes you happy this week?

-carlotta