banana+brown sugar+bacon

Last weekend I made this banana cake... only I added 6 slices of crispy crumbled bacon to the brown sugar topping. Hello, sweet and salty deliciousness!

It was the perfect post-game treat for these little guys... who at this point may very well care more about the snack than the T-Ball itself. Who can blame them?

take a seat.

photo: Mel Larson
My dining table had been in desperate need
of some fun new chairs.

Kevin had this set long before we met.
They've seen better days.

I found these treasures at a local antique fair a few weeks ago.
I spent $64 on all four of them.

Technically, I'm sure they've also seen better days,
but they are new and happy to me!

Different heights for different-sized kids. Perfect.
The old schoolhouse chairs are my favorite.

They totally brighten the room.
And now, I'm in search of a cool bench
for the other side of the table!

The fun never ends.

hoop art show off!

A few weeks ago I participated in Life Made Lovely's hoop art swap, and now we're all linking up to show off our finished products! I loved doing this, and can't wait for the next swap! I was lucky enough to be paired with Lindsay of Paint Me a Picture. She wanted something special for her "creative space".

I LOVE it! The turquoise... the 'C'... the California... the yellow painted polka dots... Perfection!

Thank you, Lindsay, and thank you, Heather, for hosting!

soopr speller!

The phonetic spelling of a Kindergartner is priceless.

25 cents.

Why did I end up with 40 random old sewing patterns in my Joann's cart?

a) I've had big plans to make sewing pattern tissue pom-poms when I could find enough patterns for the right price.

b) Thank you, 25 cent clearance bin.

I got several 10x15 inchers out of one pattern...
$10 for over 100 pom-poms.
They'll be put to very good use this summer!

Tinies

Does it get any cuter?

In case you live under a rock, for every pair of TOMS you buy, a pair is given to someone in need.

There has never been a better excuse for shoe shopping!

Even for a seven-month-old.

DIY clipboard message center

I recently found this old frame at an antique fair for a couple dollars. Inspired by the clipboards Meg made us in January, plus a newly empty wall next to my laundry/craft room, my Mod Podge started calling my name. I had some vintage paper sewing patterns to upcycle (they came as wrapping in a package from this girl), but you can use scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or even fabric for this.

I painted the section of wall to frame out in Martha Stewart's Cornbread (one of twelve tester colors for less than $3 at Home Depot!), then hung the clipboards & frame. I love that the original wire hanger is exposed. Perfect for hanging a few mini clothespins.

This project is so simple and easy that I even made a few for the kids using coordinating fabric from their bedding:

{last 3 photos: Melissa Larson}