Masthead header

super shopper

that’s what i told annie she was on our way home today.
i had some shopping to do and had to drag her along.

Img_9374_2

why do i love this store with such a passion?
and why do i feel i need every coffee cup that starbucks makes?

Img_9373_2

i restrained myself.
since i am the only one that drinks coffee in my house
and i have 20 mugs already…

we did find good clearance items!
from underwear to candle holders to sheet sets.
our first stop was the toy isle for annie.
she was really wanting Rocket (from the little einsteins show).
she found it right away.
smart mommy brought her little people along in my purse to play with.
she was completely content the entire day!
$7 of happiness.

Img_9382_2

this is her in hancock’s fabrics…
and she did this in t.j.maxx in the linen section.
do your kids try to crawl and lay on the floor in stores…
or is it just my weird kids?
she played in the dressing room when we were side-tracked by cute dresses.
she met the dressing room clerk.
she played in the quilt shop.
she really was a super shopper.
5 stores in 4 hours.
and no complaining….thank you rocket.

Img_9386_2

so what do you think….
pretty bright huh?
well i am loving it and can’t wait to get sewing.
poor jenny comes tomorrow and her bedroom is in a sad state.
one coat of primer all the way around.
that’s it.
craig has been working so hard but man it takes forever in this old house!
so much wood work…and old electrical…and ugly ceiling fans to replace.
i think jenny will still love me.
she will just have to come back again to see it finished.

Jimaie - my almost 2 yr old is OBSESSED with little einsteins, his rocket also goes EVERYWHERE with us…i think him and annie would get along juuuust fine 😉

Emily - Oh my goodness, you know how I love Target too! 🙂 You were so good to pack some toys, I need to plan ahead like that!!
Can’t wait to see what you create with the fun fabric!

traci - i just love how you take your camera everywhere and snap photos. i need to do that, but i feel kind of goofy cuz i don’t have an adorable little toddler to take pictures of. so i live through you. thanks.

sara - I LOVE that fabric!

Sarah Keith - Super Target is a disease! Ha! It’s said when I say to my 4 year old…We have to run errands today…and she says…are we going to Super Target!! Fun fabrics. Can’s wait to see what your going to make. Just found your blog! Will be back to visit!!!!
Sarah
http://vintagelily.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Kate of all Trades - I’ve got a huge Little Einsteins fan on my hands too! My little boy thinks June is his girlfriend. Rocket and his gang have completed the mission of entertaining/distracting my guy time and again. Thanks Rocket indeed!

melissa @ the inspired room - Can’t wait to see the room, old houses take for ever to do, I totally understand…
Happy day,
Melissa

Jennifer P. - I feel very deprived–no Super Target around here.
Annie was a real trooper–and no, you’re not alone. The whole world is like a fun-land to my kids–they can play anywhere!
Anticipating seeing what becomes of your gorgeous new fabric.
And don’t get down on yourself for not making your remodeling deadline–sounds like you’re far enough now that it can’t be ignored ;)! I bet your friend will think it’s all very shabby chic!

Sara - the fabric would make a swell art teacher dress…hmmmm…make one for Lorel. ha ha. Someday I want to sew.

Crystal - Not sure how I stumbled into your blog but thought I would tell you that I have that same need to adopt every starbucks mug that I come across as well. I am also the only one that drinks coffee and I won’t even say how many mugs I already own. Starbucks and Apple own me. 🙂 Beautiful blog! 🙂

gabrielle - Thanks Meg….now if any of these “so Called” scrap stores around here have it I’ll be in business…I ask for so little, really I do.

meg duerksen - gabielle….is IS heidi swapp.
lee ann….i keep mine folded up so that i can see it. but i also have two big boxes of the older things that i keep under the counter. my mom has it all in stacks on a bookshelf kind of thing? fabric is so pretty. it’s art in itself.
being in a fabric store is a happy place for the eyes.
liz… the fabric is Sole by free spirit. i was giddy when i got see many of the designer fabrics i’d seen online IN a store. the green dot is bed sheets from target.
-meg

gabrielle - meg..I couldn’t find your email..so I am making my DD banner for softball and they are the The Black Diamondz and who makes the circle diamond you have in your banner..is that Swapp?
gabrielle

Lee Ann - Oooh, oooh, oooh! I CAN’T WAIT to see what you do with that fabric!
I thought of you this morning as I was cleaning out fabric scraps. I’m wondering if there’s a good way to store them besides wadded up in huge bins. I really need a way to see them better. Suggestions?

carissa - she is a rocket… looks like a real trooper! with my girls I never know what I might get! little angel in the cart or temper tatrum princess on the ground!
big coffee lover over here too! starbucks mugs make me drool!
LOVE the fabric… great find!

Liz - I love the fabric, very Sis Boom.

gabrielle - She will still love you….I can’t wait to see her room when it is done. I have to restrain myself with buying the coffee cups. Did you see the new brown and turqoise ones? The look like pottery…so pretty..wanted to buy the blue one but I just bought 4 turqoise ones at Vonz and 2 coffee and Latte ones. I I understand your pain. You take the mose engaging colorful pictures….

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

playtime

Img_9344_2

“this crab has a blankie.”

Img_9336_2

Img_9337_2

we opened these finger puppets…
that i bought at ikea over a year ago.
they were just waiting for today.

Img_9366_2

sean built these himself.
he wanted me to come see and take a picture.
that made me so happy.
in his mind these look so awesome and they are fighting a battle.
he builds bionicles for hours.

Img_9371_2

also there was a little topless art going on.
a mixture of left over sunday school supplies and valentines
and glitter.
that’s not me…if you were wondering.

traci - i just love all the creativity that goes on in your home. topless art – you might have something there – “newest craze to take over the country”

restyledhome - Creative little family you’ve got there!!
Hmmm…wonder where they get that??
Linda
xoxo

Ainslie - My boy just spotted your Ikea finger puppets and said “Hey…we’ve got those”!!! And then he saw the Bionicles and was sooooooooooo excited!!! Will is a Lego fanatic. It’s so lovely to watch him in the playroom, building his own little masterpiece. I think he would have fun with Sean.

emily loria - I love finger puppets. They are classic fun, and anything with glitter– well, I am all over that. Your pancakes look like fun, I have never heard of making pancakes in the blender before! I just use bisquick too, and add fruit into it. I try to do fun shapes, but they never work out. But they taste good anyway.

jeanetta - my son is the exact same. he just caught sight of the pic and thought it was “totally cool!!”
“they look like they are battling!!”

traci - LOL…I kinda knew the topless artest wasnt you..lol
There are so many ways I wish I was more relaxed in life like you are but one thing we share is I let my kids go wild with art where ever, whenever. I think art and creativity should are sooooo important.

Jennifer P. - I love watching kids build and create and play. Why is that we have to lose so many of those skills as we grow? Is it just that they’ve been replaced with things like high-yield investments, and UN dealings, and fixed-rate mortgages. Sigh. Kids are just amazing, perfect little creatures!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

pancakes

when i walked in the kitchen this morning
these two were busy.
within 3 minutes of being awake i had my camera in my hand.
(i put it down for a moment so i could make some coffee.)

Img_9311_2

annie was in the best mood.
she was talking a mile-a-minute and so happy to be with daddy.
i could tell you she has bed-head…
but this what her hair looks like all the time.

Img_9315_2

“i want to crack the egg!”

Img_9317_2

“i got egg on my hand!”

Img_9318_2

“i want to pour the oil!”

Img_9319_2

sneaky.

Img_9322_2

Img_9324_2

“mmmmm….sugar.”
(annie calls it ‘souuu-dawh’)

Img_9326_2

“i want to turn it on!”
can you tell she is three?
she is becoming so very independent.

do you make your pancakes in a blender?
this is the way craig has always made them…
probably because his mom did it that way.
i am pretty sure we always did bisquick growing up??
am i wrong mom?
there’s nothing wrong with bisquick. i use it when craig isn’t here.
maybe i should post his recipe….

Img_9332_2

this routine of pancakes with dad is special.
it’s a 13 year tradition….going strong.
all the kids like to help (or did at one time)
and of course they like to eat them.
now that we add blueberries i love to eat them too.

it makes a mess but the memories are worth it.

Meredith Salmon - We are always looking for the perfect pancakes. Is Craig willing to share his ingredients.

melissa @ the inspired room - We make our puff pancakes in a blender, but not the regular pancakes. But my kids haven’t been too happy with our regular pancakes. Maybe I need your recipe!
Love the daddy/daughter pics. Such good times!
xo
melissa

traci - yes, maybe you should post the recipe. i am a bisquik mom, but it would be nice to suprise the family with homemade. yum!!!

Jenny Pocknall - Yum. My husband makes pancakes too. He makes them with a hand whisk.
It is a great treat for the kids to join in.

kari & kijsa - **Shhhh!**
You are invited to a SURPRISE BLOGGY BIRTHDAY PARTY for kari this Wednesday, Feb 20.
She is turning 40!!!
I would love for you to stop by the party on Wednesday to surprise (hopefully!) the birthday girl, enjoy a bite of cake, sprinkle a little of your magic birthday dust, and check out the party favor giveaway!
blessings,
kijsa

kari & kijsa - **Shhhh!**
You are invited to a SURPRISE BLOGGY BIRTHDAY PARTY for kari this Wednesday, Feb 20.
She is turning 40!!!
I would love for you to stop by the party on Wednesday to surprise (hopefully!) the birthday girl, enjoy a bite of cake, sprinkle a little of your magic birthday dust, and check out the party favor giveaway!
blessings,
kijsa

Lee Ann - We had pancakes today too….but gluten-free just isn’t the same 🙁 Never in a blender. We didn’t even have bisquick when I was growing up. Just Krusteez….only add water. It is nice when you’re just going to make one or two, but oh those fluffy bisquick ones are yummy. Would love to try the blender ones as well.
Thanks so much for my gift! What a thrill to open it. I immediately went to my current scrapbook page to see how I could use some of it…..a fourth of July page (yes I’m going backwards and Christmas is done) and you sent blue and red ribbon. Perfect!

restyledhome - I am so craving pancakes right now!!
You are a master with the camera…are you a professional??
Linda
xoxo

amy - it’s not just you, amy d… the thought of even trying to make pancakes without Bisquick has never occurred to this neighbor.

Andrea - I’ve been poking around your blog now. And I love it! That bathroom! That mirror! I LOVE it all!

Mom - Sometimes I would slurge and make them from scratch, but the bisquick ones were so quick and we thought – pretty good!
I must say that Craig’s are great. He can make pancakes for us anytime.
Also missed him yesterday when yet again we were shoveling tons of snow!
Wouldn’t that be nice if that were the last snow of the winter!
Love ya’

traci - My kids LOVE to cook with their dad too!!! Personally I think there is nothing like a daddy and their daughters. Never saw pancakes blended in a blender before but hey less lumps or probably zero lumps that way. Looks like a great morning. Thanks for sharing

Queenie Bee - Just as I was thinking “hmmmm…I’ve never mixed pancakes in a blender before”…YOU ASKED THE QUESTION! Looks fun! Great blog! Fun read! I found you a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed your family’s wonderful antics. Have an awesomely artful day! You know it’s gonna’ be a good one when you start taking photos three minutes out of bed! 🙂

amy d - you must post that recipe, i didn’t know there was anything other than bisquick! that should come to no surprise to my neighbors 🙂

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

naughty baby

Img_9285_2

oh annie was so naughty yesterday.
this was only one of the sneaky things i caught her doing.
our poor kitty.
you can see more naughty baby here or here or here or here.
there are so many more…but i can’t always be calm with the camera.

alyssa - I love that you call her naughty baby. So cute. My daughter is in sunday school with her. I’ve been spending some time backtracking on your blog (a suggestion of another reader) and I have to say, you have quite the family. A very interesting and fabulous bunch, you are! And your house is amazing.

Mrs. Fox - Glitter-Cat! That’s brilliant! Actually, I once did the same (although) not quite to the same extent to a Persian cat I had in college. He left pixie dust in his wake for days.

Jenn - I love it! Next time Nixon or Truman need a makeover I will send them down the street. Oh,what I have to look forward with London. Thanks the smile on a Monday morning.

floorplan - Just delurking this a.m.,
i so appreciate your blog, so so lively, and the fact that you post huge pics…came here via The Nester.
Your Annie’s toilet decoration was cute and not unlike some of your own art : ) Thank you for sharing her exploits.
I have an Annie and she is now 10. Her naughtiness has become MUCH more constructive, while retaining the sparkle.
deb meyers

amy d - secretly, i bet Emily asked for the pretty glitter 🙂 It looks fabulous! I agree she now needs a cool kitty wig to complete the outfit!

Jennifer P. - Kitty got a glamorous makeover! Now he needs one of those kitty wigs to go with it! Annie will get what’s coming to her one day with her own kids–I know I did ;)!

melissa @ the inspired room - HAAA! Reminds me of our dog who is often sporting some sort of ridiculous outfit.
Silly!

chris - Funny.

kristin - THIS is why she and e are such good friends.

Pattie - Ha Ha!!! My husband used to say that we need velcro jackets on the kids and we could just hang them on the wall to keep them out of trouble.

emily loria - Ooooooooooo, nice kitty!
I love it! It’s so artsy! I use to have a cat that looked just like that! But I love the glitter… did you have to give him (or her) a bath?? Not so fun!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

friday

Img_9269_3

this was one of sean’s homemade valentine’s.
gotta love the eye brows.

Img_9275_2

Img_9273_2

annie loved being at sean’s party.
we took the cupcakes and hung around awhile.
one little girl came up to me and got very close to my face.
she said “is this frosting homemade?”
‘yes.”
“what does that mean?”
“that i made it myself. i didn’t buy it.”
“oh….well it tastes terrible.”
HA!
it cracked me up.
we used it as a good manners lesson later that night.

to make dinner special
(by special i mean calm and quiet)
we lit candles and turned out the lights.
loud voices just seem wrong in the dim light.
they loved it.
it should be a new traditon.
thursdays should always be dinner by candlelight!

Img_9282_2

and this is me today…
folding
washing
drying
folding
the most thankless job a mother has.
but i am watching a movie at least while i do it.

********************************************
yesterday i sent all the anniversary prizes.
after i had them all taped up i saw the note for one on the counter.
so if one of you gets polka dot package in the mail
with fun goodies and no note….
just know that it’s from me!
thanks again everyone for entering.
i loved it!
********************************************

back to the laundry.

Tammy Fischer - Oh Oh! That laundry reminds me of a big leaf pile. You should just throw it into a big heap and let the kids jump into it! I bet it would keep them busy for all of 3.75 minutes…then maybe you would have time to make some decent frosting, which I’m hoping you’ll have perfected by the time I arrive on your doorstep with my two kids, my big fat tabby cat, and my beaded bikini…until then ~ XO XO XO XO

andria - Oh my gosh, your laundry pile is worse than mine. You have two more people in your family though. Laundry is the bane of my existence, how nice to know it makes others crazy too. I recently spent one cold, wet Saturday watching the entire 1st season of October Road while folding & putting away(during commercials) my family’s laundry. If you haven’t watched October Rd. Mondays 9pm, I think you would love it. Great music, good story, thus it probably won’t get renewed for 3rd season.

melissa @ the inspired room - Oh my gosh, that is hilarious about the kid and the frosting. Kids can be so honest. I beg my kids to not embarrass me like that.
Love your laundry pile. My son had basketball today and we couldn’t find his shirt for under his jersey. I wasn’t about to go digging through our piles so we made do with something else. And we only have three kids. But, two of them are teenage girls. Need I say more?
🙂

Jenny Pocknall - Don’t you just hate the washing pile!! One of my least favourite jobs.
Loved the honest comment for the little girl. It made me smile… and grit my teeth. But smile more.
Re last post – I think I would have thrown away the Sports Illustrated too. They’re all airbrushed anyway. And you are right. They probably don’t make cupcakes.

Jennifer P. - ah–children! so honest!
Don’t you love knowing that all the while you’re folding the laundry, the kids are out getting more clothes dirty. It’s like trying to dig a hole while somebody keeps throwing dirt in. I am specifically requesting no laundry duty in heaven. But at least you got to watch a movie!
have a great weekend!

Sara - speaking of manners, one of my 6th grade students today looks at me with a funny face and says, “what is wrong with your hair today? It looks crazy.” Thaaaaanks. I actually spent time on it this morning, but good to know that it looks “Crazy”. 🙂

Susan - Amy sent me a link to your blog. How fun! I could look at your amazing pictures for hours!!! You have tremendous artistic talent. Have a great weekend! -Susan

chris - I Have a question regarding your bedroom color, I have been toying with doing a deep brown instead of the pale blue I have had for 5 years, my guess is it is forgiving light at “night” no? as it is now even in full darkness the room with pale walls seems light .
Chris

Lee Ann - who doesn’t love homemade frosting? It’s still funny….what kids say. I love that you were watching a movie while doing laundry. Maybe someday I’ll be able to do that. It actually sounds heavenly….as heavenly as laundry can be.

traci - OH MY GOSH…I just laughed out loud so hard at that frosting question.. As I was reading it at first I thought she was going to say something nice and WHAM…RUDE.
I have 3 kids, I feel like laundry is my middle name so I KNOW you must just have TONS.

jeanetta - oooo i should be doing laundry.
shoot! now i feel convicted.

Jilly - Why is laundry so dreadful? I love love love the manners lesson! Hope you have a very happy weekend!

Liz - A good manners lesson. I love it! Good luck with the clothes, you should rent Chocolat. It just seems like that kind of day..

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

happy valentine’s day!

Img_9169_2

sean has had a very creative week.
he came home from school on tuesday…
walked straight to the markers and worked on this valentine for mom & dad
for 45 minutes.
very special.
yesterday he made homemade valentines for his whole class.
he was totally into it…making them specifically for each person.
(he had lego ones i bought him but sadly annie ruined them all)

Img_9244_2

apparently i signed up for treats in talby’s class
AND sean’s class.
our kitchen looked like a cupcake factory yesterday.

Img_9263_2

talby’s sweet valentine.

and how totally appropriate for valentine’s day…..

Img_9266_6

this has to come today?
so tacky.
it’s a debate i have with myself every year….
throw it away or let it stay?
make a big deal or pretend to not care at all?
have a pity party over my own body that has birthed 5 babies or get over it?

ugh.

i threw it away.
they are so beautiful.
but they don’t make cupcakes for school parties…

Sarah Keith - Great Post! Yes…they don’t make cupcakes!!!!!!!!

melissa @ the inspired room - Oh my, Meg! I’d throw it away too. And my husband would ask me to throw it away (good husband!) if he knew it was coming. He makes me throw away my Victoria Secret catalogs too. Good good man. And really would you want that around for your son to see? I think not. Good for you.
Your kids are always adorable. I love seeing their cute creations and faces.
Happy day,
Melissa

Mom - Dad says you can send the magazine to him!
Cute pics of Sean – and the cupcakes look yummy!

Linda - Yay!!! Good for you…I bet they can’t decorate like you, and they’d probably make lousy mums!!
You rock!
Linda

traci - homeade valentines are just the best. what a sweetie. the cupcakes look awesome. and the magazine, will he miss it? too funny!

Jennifer P. - Those little valentines are so cute! Tell little ones GREAT JOB! The cupcakes look so pretty. The women do not. You’ve got to go to iwanexstudio.com and check out the insane amount of photoshopping they do. I guarantee those women look nothing like that in real life. And I’d throw ’em away too :). Happy Valentines Day!

michelle - LOL! I am with you on the mag. thing! Darling valentines and cupcakes, your blog is constantly making me hungry. Thanks for the url for the tea images. I’ll let you know how ours turns out.
Happy Valentines Day!

Brenis - Thank you for all the wonderful “color shots” this week! You are definitely a SUPERMOM! All those cupcakes !! And i just want to say kudos to you meg, you put into words what every woman thinks and the way our brains work, when something like the SI shows up at the house!! And I LOVE how you worded the last two sentences! Amen sista!!
And YOU are beautiful too! 🙂
Have a blessed week!

Brenis - Thank you for all the wonderful “color shots” this week! You are definitely a SUPERMOM! All those cupcakes !! And i just want to say kudos to you meg, you put into words what every woman thinks and the way our brains work, when something like the SI shows up at the house!! And I LOVE how you worded the last two sentences! Amen sista!!
And YOU are beautiful too! 🙂
Have a blessed week!

traci - sean reminds me of my 2 kids….they make valentines on their own and make them special for each friend!! I WISH I had taught them that but they came up with it alone.
Cupcakes look soooooo festive
As for the magazine I would have thrown it out too…Ok, this might be going too deep but I think it isnt JUST about your husband but how those kinds of magazines plant the wrong message in young boys minds AND young ladies that you have growing up in your home….ok, thats my little soapbox for the day..lol
LOVE YOUR BLOG

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

i {heart} color

this is for jana.
and lorel.
and anyone else feeling so sick of the gray winter days…

Img_8724_2

Img_8742_4

Img_8700_4

Img_8492_2

Img_9206_2

Img_9227_2

Img_8520_2

Img_5646_4

Img_9229_2

ahhhhhhhhh…..soak it in.

Andrea - LOVE this post about color!

meg duerksen - mom….that is ME!
your daughter.
-meg

Jennifer P. - How can anyone not get happy after looking at all that color? Is that you under that hat–if so–what lovely eyes you have!
I think I’m going to go see if we have any Fruity Pebbles in the pantry now….

Kate of all Trades - Ahhh…that’s feels good on my eyes! By the way, what kind of camera do you have?

theresa - Wow! Thanks for that pop of color!
Theresa

theresa - Wow! Thanks for that pop of color!
Theresa

Mom - These are very nice. So who is under that hat. I’ve starred and starred and can’t figure it out!

Mary Ellen - Wow, gorgeous pics! First time on your blog, your photos are like eye candy.
I’m bookmarking you now!

carissa - thanks for the bright cheer! i feel like skipping!
that painting is GREAT!

Jana - For me??? Thank you sweet friend. You are good medicine… Love your photos, love your eyes under your hat, love you!!

Shawn - I LOVE your photo posts. They always make me want to grab my camera. You’ve got such an eye for what to take photos of though. I’d just walk around holding mine wondering what to capture. LOL

jerusalem - so lovely and cheerful! great way to start the day! thanks!

traci - beautiful color. yum, fruity pebbles. i haven’t had those in ages. love your hat!!! the sun is shining here today and the snow is really bright, so it feels good.

jessi nagy - yeah! im so tired of being cold, and gray!
thanks for the lift today!
jessi

lorel - Thank you! I needed that! Yesterday while I was driving to work with the snow flurries swirling around, I actually thought, maybe I will feel better if I look at Meg’s blog! Everything is much too gray. So glad I can count on you for what I need.

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top