Pet Portraits- Meet the "Kids"

My husband and I adore our dogs, Itchy and Moose, and anyone who knows us would agree that they are very much our "kids."

When our first anniversary was approaching, I thought a lot on what type of "paper" gift would mean the most to him. And then I discovered Elizabeth Fraser. I knew immediately that commissioning portraits of our pups was the answer.

Itchy

Moose

Above are the portraits and the photos from which they were painted. These portraits were oil on gesso prepared paper, but now she also offers oil on canvas. You can check out other examples of Elizabeth's pet portraits here.

I truly couldn't have been more thrilled with her work. Elizabeth captured the pups perfectly, and the color in the paintings is even more brilliant in person. Most importantly, they will always be meaningful pieces for us as they celebrate our first two "kids."

Now, with a rapidly approaching second anniversary, I've got some serious thinking to do on "cotton."

Tag Team, Back Again*

Wow! I was tagged again, this time by the hilarious Kimberlee of Brown Button (I love her blog,) and the lovely Vicki of French Essence (which I've only just discovered, but I am enchanted already.) I am certainly quite honored! So, here goes.

The Rules
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules
3. Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself
4. Tag six other bloggers by linking to them
5. Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

The Facts
1. My husband and I have two dogs; one dog weighs 80 lbs and the other only weighs 18! Quite opposites in size, but they get along famously.
2. I dogear the pages of books as I read, but I never dogear the pages of magazines.
3. In case you haven't guessed by my header, I am a complete night owl!
4. I somehow know the words to a lot of songs, and I always sing along. In high school, one of my friends said, "Geez! Do you know the words to EVERY song?" I think she may have been annoyed by my singing, but, then as now, I just can't help myself!
5. I love dark chocolate, but completely pass on milk chocolate.
6. While certainly no one would call me a neat freak (Mom, are you laughing?) I simply can't stand to cook in a messy kitchen. It must be clean before I can mess it up again!

As a kid, I always preferred "Freeze Tag" to the regular version. What that means in relation to this I have no idea. But I am terribly indecisive at times, and right now, I can't decide who to tag. I would love finding out more about you all though, so please feel free to leave comments and play along!

*Yes, that is "Whoomp (There It Is)"

Home Sweet Home

A custom pen and ink drawing of a couple's home from Etsy shop the ink lab would make another sweet and very personal wedding or first anniversary gift.





Think outside the box for a couple who hasn't yet shared a special home; for them you could commission a drawing of the place of their rehearsal dinner, wedding or reception.

A friend of mine received a drawing of the historic home where they held their wedding as a wedding gift, and it is a piece that holds great sentimental value to her. Art this personal seems bound to become a family heirloom

In addition to the ink lab, you can find other custom home drawings on Etsy here and here. A colorful home portrait can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, and here on Etsy.

Cities of Love

I love these City Love prints from Etsy shop Art Shark Designs. These prints would make a sweet wedding or first anniversary (paper) gift for a couple who has shared a special moment or history in one (or many!) of these cities.

New York

San Francisco

Washington D.C.

London

Venice

Also, according to Art Shark's shop announcements, the designer will debut new cities in coming months including Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, and a yet-to-be determined city in Ireland, as well as possibly others. I am excited to see what other cities will be added to the shop.

Do you and your significant other have a city that has played an important role in the story of your relationship? Do you have more than one?

Forgotten no more

I will be gone for the day, but I wanted to leave you with the Long Forgotten Coat Rack from Anthropologie; if I had my way, it certainly wouldn't be forgotten for long! This coat rack would be a cheerful sight in an entryway, and it would add such interest to the right space.

Not Just Upper Crust

I promise I am moving on from apples, but I couldn't leave the topic without mentioning these sweet calling cards from Etsy shop Avie Designs. It seems so upper crust* to have calling cards, but these cards are certainly an affordable luxury with 48 cards for $12.50.

That's it. Moving on (well, at least for a while!)

*I couldn't help but love learning the history behind the phrase "upper crust." One of those phrases I had never given much thought to the origin, although it's probably not difficult to guess if you think about it. This handy fact come to us from U.S. Apple Association.

In early America, when times were hard and cooking supplies were scarce, cooks often had to scrimp and save on ingredients. Apple pie was a favorite dish, but to save on lard and flour, only a bottom crust was made. More affluent households could afford both an upper and a lower crust, so those families became known as "the upper crust."

Apple Crisp

I finally made the apple crisp I have been craving for over a week! I tried a new recipe, though, and I am not sure that I was 100% crazy about it (I like the other recipe I've used better.) My husband, however, loved it.



I was intrigued by the inclusion of maple syrup and pecans, which I did like in the recipe, yet I wasn't completely sold on the final outcome. I think I'll try this one again with a few tweaks.


Oh, and I chose to make it in a larger baking dish, as opposed to the individual ramekins the recipe indicated.


So, for now, I am still on the hunt for the perfect apple crisp recipe. Do you have a favorite? If so, I'd love to hear it!

*Sorry the photo quality isn't the greatest, especially the last one!

** I wish I'd had this or this to wear while I was baking.