Flea Market Finds

One of my favorite activities in the world is thrifting. Mainly resale shops like AmVets or Salvation Army, because I am not organized or flexible with my time enough to do garage sales. But I love the thrill of hunting for and finding special treasures. I've found still life paintings, funky ceramics, mercury glass, kid's clothes, linens, notions, dishes, clocks, you name it. I love finding quality ribbon and bias tape for a steal. I've also taken to finding dorky old coffee mugs like Camp Tookalusa 1971 or a subverted FedEx logo reading "FedUp".

I always keep my eyes open for old office supplies. That's why I was so jazzed to find some airmail envelopes on last weekend's hunt. I also found this fabulous vintage map chalkboard. LOVE it! Just finding the right spot for it now...There are a few friends I have had that love this, just like me. Right now, none of my pals would tolerate the dirt and grunge and weirdness of the process. My mom and my sister get it, but they are miles away. What do YOU hunt for?

Working Mom Guilt #327 "The Choir Concert"

So...I thought I had it all down pat when I marked the calendar for the Kindergarten/PEPP choir concert. Thursday, May 21, 8:30 AM. I gave the light blue xeroxed flier to Jarrod, to hang on the fridge in the garage. Just a couple of days later I noticed the following "Uniform: White tops and blue jeans" written on this invitation. Hmmm. White tops. Do the boys have white shirts? Then onto...Packing lunches, making breakfasts, dinner, whatever. In. and then Out.

Cue Thursday morning at home: AHHHHHHH. The boys do not have white shirts. Of any kind or variety. What kind of sane mother puts her 5 year old boys in white tees? That is never worth the laundry headache. The mister offered to go to the store, and I admit, I did call Rite Aid. The lady at the store says yes indeed they carry boys white tees. According to the Mister, no they do not carry BOYS white tees. Grrrr. Cue to the boys getting dressed. No white tee??!!! Well, then I want to wear a "cool" shirt, said Max. Beck had his choice of the party clothes too.

I assured myself, really it won't be a big deal. How many other working parents or just plain busy moms are there? It will probably be about 60/40 for white shirt representation, right?

Not even close.

After swimming through the parental paparazzi, I found myself in the back row--me with my iPhone (forgot my other fabulous devices), and every other amateur film maker using tripods and video cameras to capture the glory. There they all marched in, white shirt after white shirt after white shirt. Front row arrives, the last of the students. Beck, then a few later, Max. Try....112 kids in white shirts. 2 in Hawaiian*. Rock on mom, rock on.

*I might have seen a striped white shirt, and one with some funky designs, but nothing, not even close to the Beck & Max show...

OMG Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies ROCK! I actually followed the recipe and restrained from making them "healthier" with applesauce and flax meal substitutions. Maybe next time...

Alaskan Airlines Pilot Oatmeal Cookies
via "Baking And Boys!" Blog

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger and cloves (my tweak, called for nutmeg)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted, crushed finely
1 cup walnuts, toasted, barely chopped
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix together. Add oats, raisins, nuts and any other mix-ins and stir to combine. {They may seem a bit crumbly, but I used a tight little scooper to keep them together. Don't worry, they finish up rich and tender.} Bake on parchment lined baking sheets for 11 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen cookies, depending on size.