So I'll admit to being entirely selfish lately! After spending the majority of last week in New York City (a city that I feel beats parallel to my own heart), I have returned to a luxury weekend of relaxation.

I met a few friends in New York, from...get this...elementary school!  I don't have a single friend from High School, but can connect just fine with my old first-grade pals!  We shopped on 5th Ave, dined in Little Italy, went to "Promises Promises" and the Museum of Natural History.  I hardly missed pushing the stroller, listening to a familiar whine or answering questions on Etsy.  It was bliss!

I'm not sure if Axel even missed me as we clearly needed a break from each other, he did seem happy to see my however when I presented him with a 6-foot stuffed snake from the museum!  Someday I hope to take him there as it is FABULOUS and he would love it!

This weekend the weather here in the mid-west (most recently known as the "oven of america") has turned the corner and I woke up today to a brisk breeze, lower humidity than we've seen in months and a happy smile on my face.  I woke up just a bit early, so I could steal a few minutes reading silently on my new "nook".

While lavish shopping trips to the Big Apple, self-gift of a new eReader, and making myself a new guitar strap may not be what causes happiness, taking care of myself for the first time in 2.5 years is a good start.

Any nook users out there interested in sharing books?

Surrounded by nothing and yet everything fabulous, I celebrate my 27th birthday today. I had been feeling a little sorry for myself because I'm the only member of my immediate family celebrating a birthday in our rental. While Axel and Jahred both enjoyed their parties in our circa 1924 bungalow, it was not to be for me.

Although up until today I insisted that this birthday would be a terrible reminder of everything I am missing this year, it was just the opposite.

I have been dreaming of a greenhouse in our next back yard; somewhere I can admire beautiful things all year long.  Yesterday, to my surprise, Jahred transformed the balcony into just that. He built a lovely portable greenhouse of his own design.  There is room for a heating device, a grow light, plenty of plants and if I am really desperate, yes, I fit.  In our next home, it will become my seed starting shelter, but for now, it's more of a home than the other shared walls, used carpet and elephants that live upstairs.

In the company of my new tropical paradise I opened presents with family today.  Axel was pleased to blow out my candle, and although this year has been more "bitter sweet" than "sweet sixteen", I may just survive to see 28.

Thanks to my family for surprises and simplicity, just the way I like it.

Ok, really, this greenhouse rocks.  I wish you all could see it in person.

I less than a week I'll be blowing out candles once again.  I may just have to stick my candles in ice cream since I happen to be without an oven (lovely appliances they have in this rental), but none-the-less I will be celebrating.

Because I am on the downward slope to Jahred graduating and moving into our next home, it's time to clear out the stocks.  I have added lots of new items from my collection to the Etsy shop.  Antique items, yarn scrap packs, you name it, I'm ready to part with it.

In honor of my own B-day, I'm offering the following deals:
** ALL ORDERS over $27 (not including shipping) will be refunded 20%.
** ALL PDF SEWING PATTERNS are BOGO (buy one get one free...let me know at checkout 
      which one you would like GRATIS)!
** ALL DE-STASH items are 50% off (priced as marked).

Take advantage!  Sale ends at midnight, July 25th!  Supplies limited as everything is OOAK.

Questioning faith is a life long journey for me.  I'm always looking for signs.  I have a questioning mind being trained as a scientist, and the questioning actually helps my faith grow.

In the last 2 years, license plates have been my signs.  In 2008, the month our checking account hit $0.63, the year we had a new baby and Jahred returned to school, Mankato's license plates from the DMV were printed with S-E-W.  "SEW 546" ; "SEW 081"; apparently the plates are printed alphabetically and somewhat by geographic location.  Nearly half the cars in Mankato had/still have "SEW - - -" license plates.  When I started seeing them, it occurred to me instantly that this was my sign, a way to remedy our finances.  "Sew" I did, and my Etsy shop began to grow. Sewing paid the bills, sustained our family and fulfilled my inner need to provide.  SEW may have been a random license plate assignment to some, but for me it was an answer.

Today, on our way home from the mall, I was questioning myself again, what? how? why?.  My answer was delivered at 55 mph, I was following a Chevy with the license plate "4 PAPA" (insert goose bumps here).  To my even further shock, the truck was red, Papas favorite color.  I NEVER carry a camera with me, but happened to have one in my purse this morning.  I snuck it out of my bag and yes, I took a picture while driving.  Having proof of a "pinch me moment" is worth the temporary risk of a moving violation.

Who is in charge at the DMV after all?  Or maybe I'm just in the right place at the right time.

Even stranger is the Arby's sign in this picture.  Thanks to Papa, we had a steady flow of "Beef 'n Cheddars" growing up.  Arby's will always be a special treat, and as Papa would say, they have the best coupons.

A girl has to fake a few things to get through life; and I have been faking my breakfast habits for a long time now.  Even my husband is completely blind to my inner cereal desires. The truth is, although I can put on a pretty face and choke down a bowl of granola with yogurt on top, what I really prefer is a larger than life helping of marshmallow cereal.  Preferably Lucky Charms, Marshmallow Mattees...really anything that turns the milk a funky shade of greenish pink.  I subconsciously eat the oats first and save the goods for last.  With each heaping spoonful of only mallows, I am already dreaming of my next bowl.

While shopping the co-op yesterday, I suddenly stumbled into my cereal Nirvana.  To my surprise, some respectable adult like myself developed an all-natural marshmallow cereal?!  Was it that hard to just swallow your pride Mr. Organic Companies and create the cereal that we all secretly desire? $3.79 was all this large box cost.  In the last 24 hours, 2.5 of my meals have consisted of "Mallow-Oats".  It is seriously yummy!

Another confession to faking it comes down to fashion.  When the 80's style started to make a comeback, I began dreaming of neon sunglasses, checkers and big hair.  Maintaining my "JCrew" style, I have compromised with myself and last week I bought a neon yellow sports bra. It is satisfying on 2 levels: the teens won't be able to mock me for being the mom who thinks she's a kid again, yet on the inside I know that I've still "got it".

This week, you all have my permission to fake or not to fake.  It isn't easy to turn a fake into reality, but sometimes you can meet it half way.

Here is the link to the Storque article on my sofa.

CLICK HERE
Check out the other "How Tuesdays" as well.

Thanks to a wonderful Etsy column titled "How Tuesday", I will be featured as the resident "expert" (term used loosely) on furniture upholstery.

On October 6th (a Tuesday of course), the feature will be up with a link to my tutorial on "Emergency Upholstery Techniques"...how to not throw up when you look at your hand-me-down furniture.

Below is the sofa I have remodeled for the project.  I had hoped to post the tutorial this evening...but seeing as it's already 11pm and the wake up call comes at 5am...I will be posting it on Sunday night for a sneak preview to my loyal blog readers.  Tuesday of course, the web waves will be filled with Etsy hopefuls looking to upscale their living room.

Yes, friends, the photos below are of the same sofa.  Stay tuned for details . . . .