PinkCherryMama

{catching my breath...}

my life, as usual, has been a big whirlwind of beautiful, small and large events this past month. even the sad and not-so-good times can become beautiful when we take the time to see it... sometimes, i need to just stop and catch my breath! often times, i feel so silly when i see such beauty in the "little things", but i do....and i hope i can pass that on to my children....

some "little things" that have been going on this past month:

...piles of ribbon drying on my dining room table...

 

...and piles of orders to finish...

...cupcakes for my son to take to his classmates for his birthday...

the birthday cakes that i "threw" together for a last minute "pirate party" {like, day before kind of last minute!}...

helping little buddy build things and watching his little fingers...

best buddies hanging out before school...

st.patty's day goodness...

spring snow in the morning...

school projects found in the sink...

finished gifts for friends...

sunrise from my back window...

outings with new friends, who will hopefully become old friends...

lazy days at the ocean collecting shells...

...no particular destination needed...

"brothers" getting a closer look...

sisters willing to get down with the little guys...

learning about new creatures...

the sounds of the boardwalk as we nap on the beach...

playing t-ball in the wind and cold...

hot rice and cinnamon in the morning...

sunSET, from my back window...

snuggly gifts from great-grama...

and so much more!

it is truly ridiculous how many things i have to be thankful for! when i find myself feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, i try to remember how blessed i am. i get to work at home and be with my children. our family has been blessed with a home that, not only do i run my business out of, but we also are able to open our doors to kids for youth groups and other things like "invisible children", the organization i talked about a while back. we have an over abundance of food. i am able to read to my son each night and hold him in my arms. i have my health. i have eyesight to view the beautiful world we live in. i have electricity and clean, running water. i have a roof over my head and i can sleep safely i my bed. my husband has a great job. i have my family surrounding me all the time...

the list goes on and on... so, like i said, it may seem silly, but there is so much beauty in everything, every day, and i don't want to miss a thing or take anything for granted...so many in the world have so little and yet, they too can find beauty in it. my cup is over flowing and i am so thankful...

have a wonderful evening!

~r

{life happens when you have other plans...}

so, true to form, i have, yet again managed NOT to post when i said i would...hey, at least i am consistent in that!!!!

the first two months of this year have already been filled with enough to last the rest of the year... we have lost loved ones, learned of new illness in the family, had many visitors, had tremendous stress and dealt with other issues. through it all, God has been faithful and not only helped us through, but helped us to deal with it all with a joyful heart...

the loss of two very dear family members between january and february has been very hard; brother and sister, aunt and uncle, mother and father....friends. they were aunt and uncle to me and will be deeply missed. i have learned so much about how our family truly cares about one another through these two tragedys. i am so blessed to have a family who can laugh and cry together, hold each other up, and be honest with each other when it is needed. through all of this, i know my aunt and uncle would be so happy to know that in their passing, our family ties have been stregthened and that we are, more than ever before, determined to make sure that our children remain close and have each other to lean on in the future.

on the evening of my uncles memorial this past weekend, there were tears and there was laughter. thankfully, the laughter outweighed the tears and it was just as my uncle would have wanted it...to sum it all up, here is a photo:

 

 

this is how our kids chose to spend the evening...laughing and being silly,{and smearing frosting in each others faces!} and honoring their uncle/grandpa with the sound of their laugher. it was wonderful.

*

 in between multiple trips to see family, we had the honor of hosting the invisible children organization in our home twice. these kids are great and if you have a moment, PLEASE check out what they are doing to try to stop one of the most vicious, evil men to ever walk this earth. it is such a worth while cause adn we are so happy to be able to help when we can.

 

 

 

 

*

 

i am always amazed at how much art and creating help me when i am mentally and physically drained. through all of the things that have been going on the past couple of months, the only way i was able to relax was to keep my hands busy. even making the smallest things, like these tiny crocheted hearts, helped me to relax a little...

 

 i had planned on releasing tons of new designs in my shop, but with all of the things going on, it has been difficult just to get my orders done! it is a blessing, but sometimes it can be overwhelming...

 

i almost forgot to include...

i am featured on one of my most favorite wedding websites this week!

EMMALINE BRIDE

emma is such a sweetie and has really made my things look great!

 

well, i am off to try to watch a movie with the family! i hope you have a wonderful evening!

~r

 

{first post of 2012!}

well, it's already february and i have yet to write my first new year post...old habits die hard? yes, they do!!!

*just a note: this is more of a personal update post for today...crafty, shop talk and creativity will follow shortly...

Christmas was quiet around here...anyone who has a split/mixed family can probably feel me when i say that the holidays can be...difficult, sometimes. the girls {"his and mine", for lack of a better term} were all with the "other" parents this year, which made it a very low key holiday, but we were totally ok with low key! little buddy {"ours"} wanted to write just one thing to santa this year...

made me laugh :)

 

to the side you can see my super-rad lamp that i found at the thirft store! little buddy accidentally dropped it on the floor while we were decorating the tree and instead of breaking it, like i thought he did, he actually made it work...see the spiffy built in night light? didn't even know it was there until it was dropped - cool.

my annual Chirstmas morning breakfast got postponed until the girls got home the next day...

yummy vanilla, banana waffles with whipped cream.

not long after Christmas, i got my "annual" haircut. it was a pretty substantial cut!

ok, so, i am SOOOOOO SUPER excited for this next part! for new years, we went to the bay area and spent a few days with my family. i gave my daddy, my hubby and one of our daughters tickets for the raiders/ chargers game for Christmas, so we all went along for the ride. i went to THE most AWESOME super market, EVER! it is called Mi Pueblo and it is in San Jose. i have never in my life seen a cleaner, more organized store, EVER.

the bakery was amazing...no simple icing roses here. the cakes and tarts were perfect...

 

don't laugh...it's the little things that excite me in life :)

while i was freaking out about super markets, the dads were at the raider game with my little diva. i guess she made quite an impression on the "regulars" and was being asked if she would mind taking photos with other fans! they nick-named her "the raider angel"...oh boy...

apparently, they thought her bow was wings...

also on this joyous day, i got to go to santana row....*sigh, so rad! i got to shop at some of my favorite stores, maido and paper source,  but since it was new years day, everything closed early - boo!

oh paper and office supplies, how i love you so :) eh, now i'm sounding like a weirdo....oh well.

early in january, i was asked by a new dear friend to make a star wars cake for her son...i had never made one before, but thought, what the heck, so here's what i came up with...

horrible photo :/ everything, including the plaque is edible. i thought it came out quite nicely :)

been busy baking other things as well..such as...

best ever choclate chip cookies from HERE

came out perfect, no?

usually, i get the fever for baking all winter long, but with this awefully dry, warm winter, it has been different. i feel like spring has been knocking for months! this was one of the only snows we had all year...so sad :(

and last, but not least....my baby girl is grduating this year, so we decided to take out an ad in the year book with a photo of her and her longest friend...

THEN... {on the right}

and NOW... {on the left}

how time gets away from us...

*sniffle, sniffle...

and that's all for now folks! thakns for stopping by and getting through such a LONG post!

i'll be posting a crochet pattern and maybe some other fun stuff tomorrow :)

have a wonderful evening!

~r

{christmas baking}

well, i managed to get some baking and candy made... late as always, but i did it (with the help of little buddy and b! here are the recipes for 3 of our favorites :)

 

{double chocolate cookies}

slightly adapted from martha stewarts cookie book

makes 9 dozen!

3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups unsweetened dutch-process cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 pounds semi-sweet chocolate morsels

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter

4 1/2 cups granulated sugar

6 large eggs

5 teaspoons pure vanilla (i LOVE vanilla)

1. Preheat oven to 325˚. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baing soda and salt to combine. melt chocolate and butter in a glass or metal bowl over a pan of simmering water. transfer to a seperate bowl and add granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla. beat with an electric mixer on medium until combined. slowly add in flour mixture on low speed.

 

2. using a 1 1/2" scoop, place balls of dough on parchment lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. bake until cookies are flat and surface begins to crack (about 15 minutes).

we also always make a huge  batch of fudge for the holidays...

 

{chocolate fudge}

adapted from a hershey's fudge recipe i found in a magazine

this recipe makes a TON of fudge so beware!

8 tblsp. butter

2 2/3 cups evaporated milk

16 oz. mini marshmallows

7 cups chocolate chips

(i substitute peanut butter chips, mint chocolate chips, butterscotch and milk chocolate for different variations)

6 cups sugar

1 tsp. salt

6 tsp. vanilla

*2 cups chopped nuts optional

combine butter, evaporated milk, sugar and salt in a heavy saucepan. bring to boil over meduim heat, stirring constantly. boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. remove from heat.

stir in marshmallows, chips and vanilla. stir until marshmallows are melted. pour into foil lined 12x12 square or 13x9 pan.

*sprinkle colored sugars, nuts, crushed candies, etc.

 

 and lastly...Christmas would not be Christmas without grama rosie's mexican sugar cookies. this recipe was passed down to my mother from either my grandmother lidia or my aunt d. she is having trouble remembering who!

 

 

i really hope you will have time to try one of these recipes for Christmas Eve!

in the midst of having a shoulder injury, baking and wrapping presents, i am also finishing up a bunch of crochet projects for gifts...

i still have 3 more to finish by tonight! better get hooking, huh?

have a wonderful day!

~r

{charity event}

a few weeks back, i was asked by THE PARTY GODDESS, to donate some items for a fundraiser being held by leona lewis for hopefield animal sanctuary in the UK.

with only about 24 hours notice, i went into a mad dash, along with my mother and 2 daughters, to get almost 400 pieces finished for the event!

{cupcake toppers, drink swizzles}

unfortunately, after all that hard work, the post office didn't get my "express overnight guaranteed" package to the party goddess in time for the event....

BIG. HUGE. BUMMER.

even though it did not work out, i was reminded how my mom and my daughters could step up when i need them and without any hesitation or complaining :)

apparently, the charity event for the animal santuary went over well, and, while my items didn't get used for the purpose originally intended, i am told, they were used for charity, which makes me happy!

here are some of the things i have been making for the holidays, but have not had a chance to list in my shop for this season :(

{paper carnival straws}

i am going to take the day off {insert rolling of eyes and sarcastic huff here} to make fudge and cookies while i nurse my baby boy back to health and finish up gifts that i started adn more than likely will not be able to finish!

have a wonderful day!

~roberta

{a year to the day} day 2

so last night i left off in august, when i took my daughter on a "secret" trip to disneyland...

{fuji instax is my new favorite toy}

ok, so i skipped a HUGE part of my year...

while we were in L.A. for the first audition, my truck broke down in hollywood...at 8pm...we were stranded, so we took a cab to "roscoes chicken and waffles" at 11pm....

waited until 1:30am for my lifesaver, katie to pick us up after she got done with work and finally got to sleep at around 2:30am!!! i ended up having to have my truck towed to burbank and had to stay for 3 more days than planned....AND spent $1,300 to fix the dang truck! ugh!!! anywho.. it tured out to be a great week, we saw friends and family and spent time together roaming the streets of hollywood...super fun! we met melanie and ricky from SYTYCD at the grove too!

little buddy started kindergarten in september

 

 

September

we took a LONG road trip to arizona to see my father in law...it was soooo hot! we played in the colorado river to keep cool and i saw a big horn sheep...

 

November

we went back to disneyland for my other baby's 17th birthday!

December

my oldest just got back from another disney audition for disney paris....she made it to the final part of the audition as was the last one cut :( she was so excited to have made it that far this time and it is yet more experience for the next time!

in june, we did go to camp with our church's youth ministry for the 3rd year, which is always fun and always exhausting! we also went to the ocean a few times..of course...  it has been a wonderful, horrible, exhausting, blessed, crazy year and i am so thankful for what we have and WHO we have in our lives! 

and that sums it up for the really exciting parts of 2011 so far! i'm sure i have skipped over a bunch but a year is a lot to fit into 2 days worth of blog!

 

tomorrow... i start back with simple posts and hopefully lots of good ideas and inspiration. i'll post some of the new things i have been working on for my etsy shop as well

 

have a wonderful friday night!

~r

{a year to the day...}

yes, it has been 1 year, to the day, since my last post....

so for anyone out there in blogland... friends, family or the occasional happened-by-accident visitor... i am happy to say, I AM STILL ALIVE! i am so embarrassed for having neglected my blog... i have made it through some major bumps in the road this year and i am  finally ready to come back to blogging. i have missed sharing creative things, ideas and experiences of everyday life so much. just as i was starting to get the hang of it, i gave up. BUT, like i said, i am ready and excited to be back and share what i have been up to and some of the little things that make me happy - or, sometimes, not so happy - in life.

SO much has happened this past year! so for today and tomorrow, i'm going to try to sum it up as short and sweet as possible...

late december 2010:

new additions to our family! louie dog...

and shelby girl...but i can't seem to find any photos of her :(

february 2011:

another day in s.f. nothing really different than any other day...BUT this time, my girls decided to try a new way of taking photos...hang mom's iphone out the window and snap... i LOVED how they came out!

{by the way, HIPSTAMATIC is my MOST FAVORITE APP EVER!}

my oldest decided to compete in dance this year and her team did awesome! i have to admit, i am glad it is over though...lots of travel and fun, but very expensive...

{she's the one on the left}

little buddy began his obsession with boba fete {spelling?} and has not gotten over it yet...

 

March 2011

little buddy turned 5 and had his first trip to disneyland...that he actully remembers!

"sissy b" got a chance to do some modeling for a very good, VERY talented friend of mine... he makes the most wonderful metal art. he lives in a beautiful old mansion in the middle of alfalfa fields where the photo shoot took place...she was a trooper! she stayed in the kimono for 4 hours without a potty break! there were about 5 or 6 layers to the costume and it took about an hour and a half to get dressed. if you have a chance, please check out his work HERE 

little buddy also started playing t-ball this year... what an experience that was (for both parent and child)!

april 2011

grama and grampa had their 50th wedding anniversary! we had to rent a tent last minute because it started to sprinkle. it was FREEZING, but it turned out great...even having to pack everyone into the tent.

(i made an almost exact replica of their original wedding cake and restored their cake top...)

 

June 2011

My baby girl (oldest child really) graduated! oh my goodness, this was a big one for me this year...

AND....she turned 18!

...so we had a carnival :)

August 2011

AND THEN... she went to her very first dance audition at THE EDGE in hollywood. she ddn't get into their dance program, but it was an awesome experience...

the following week, we were back in L.A. for another audition, this time for disney... another no, but no regrets for the experience! i decided to take my baby girl for a "secret" trip to disneyland while we were in socal. it was such a blast...i haven't ever really spent time with her alone since she was a baby...

{photos to come tomorrow :)}

i really want to finish up telling about my year and feeling like i have a new start :) i am exhausted for now, but i will finish up tomorrow.

So for now, i am going to say good night.... sleep well and "see" you tomorrow!

~r

Wrapping, wrapping, wrapping!!!!!

Wrapping presents is always more fun with the beautiful mountains to look at! I am so blessed! Having a very badly needed day off from filling orders and getting lots of Christmas stuff done! I LOVE LOVE LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
TOMORROW: I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes for christmas goodies :)

I have lots of new Christmas stuff on my etsy site so check it out for some inspiration.

Have a blessed day!
~r

{this weeks giveaway}

 

GOOD MORNING!

this weeks giveaway is...

{set of 8 thanksgiving place cards}

you can also find these in my etsy shop ;)

TO ENTER: leave a comment telling about a thanksgiving tradition you have...tell a friend too! remember, the giveaways will get better, the more people that enter :)

this week will be a bit different...the winner will be chosen once i receive at least 10 comments. i will also be posting some yummy recipes and traditions of my own when i announce the giveaway winner.

anyone who lives in the reno/tahoe area, please come by and visit me at the VALHALLA HOLIDAY FAIRE  on november 20-21 at the talc historic site in south lake tahoe {near camp richardson}.

before i go...

as i look out my window at the snow capped mountains and the green, yellow and orange colors of the valley i am so blessed to live in, i can't help but thank God for his many blessings and for the beautiful world He has created for us. although i try to celebrate thanksgiving everyday,{and don't always do a very good job of it} there is something so special about this time of year. the crisp, cold mornings, the changing scenery and the sudden need to bake and cook comfort foods for everyone i know, make this time of year like no other...

enjoy your weekend and remember to give thanks...always.

~r 

{giveaway winner and new things on etsy}

SUSIE!

YOU ARE THE WINNER!

since i obviously did not get this posted in time...{technical difficulties with my BRAIN!} i will send you a set of 8 personalized thanksgiving place cards instead :)

i will be posting another thanksgiving giveaway on friday so tell your friends and come back to enter!

here's what i have been working on...

alice in wonderland invitations

personalized tea or mulling spice bags

these are both available in the shop

and that's that...for now. mr. migraine has decided to visit so i will have to cut this post short. but please come back on friday for the giveaway :)

good night!

~r