http://bekatelyn.com/index.php/notes/index/ A collection of all notes, photos and quotes from bekatelyn.com en katie.muirhead@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-02T00:34:14+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/macarons http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/macarons#When:00:34:14Z My first attempt at macarons was a big fail. I was almost certain that they were a fail before I put them in the oven because the egg whites lost all of their volume when I added the cocoa. The second try, I decided the give plain a shot, and voila, it worked! Well, that's not entirely true. I paid more attention to my egg whites and folded ever so gently. I didn't take the time to trace 1-inch circles on my parchment because I didn't want to invest too much in them, just in case. Next time, I'm hoping that a little sifting and a couple other tricks will make them even better. But, if they don't get any better, that's okay with me. Because these were pretty dang good! Recipe can be found in the Miette cookbook. Thanks Kim! Baking and Cooking, 2012-02-02T00:34:14+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/new-make-up http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/new-make-up#When:19:28:10Z I'm doing well with my resolution to take better care of myself. My hair's been cut! I bought some new make up the other day. Kind of a big deal because I'm such a cheapie when it comes to cosmetics. Pink lip gloss was on the bill! It's super fun to wear. And some neutral eyeshadow. I haven't purchased eye shadow since right before I became a married woman, and if I remember correctly, my Mom bought that compact for me! Yikes! I also added myself to the birchbox waitlist. I think it'll be a fun little way to glam up my life!  Any make up tips or recommendations you'd like to share? What's your beauty secret? Goals, 2012-01-31T19:28:10+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/stay-home-date-night http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/stay-home-date-night#When:18:47:35Z This past weekend, Conor and I did a little at home date night. Something we always talk about, but never have done, until now. Going out isn't always convenient. We have to either take the children (ah!) or hire a sitter ($). But, if we stay home, we can enjoy a little date night after we've put our daughters to bed. We made lovely pizzas, caprese salad, and topped it all off with gelato. It was wonderful to linger at the dinner table and have a real conversation with Conor rather than rush to wipe hands and faces and clear dishes so we might entertain our youngsters. I enjoyed relaxing in my own home with my favorite person. Funny how things change.  The pizzas are topped with olive oil that's infused with garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes. The cheeses are fresh mozzarella, fontina and goat cheese. The argula salad is tossed in a dressing of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper. This pizza was so good that Conor felt like it was his birthday. That's the best compliment I could ever receive about a meal from Conor. (Recipe is from my favorite cookbook) This is the kind of date night that will be repeated. What's your favorite date night? Baking and Cooking, Date night, 2012-01-30T18:47:35+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/we-miss-the-beach http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/we-miss-the-beach#When:19:06:43Z Winter has come which means rain (but definitely more sun than rain). Which also means, no more beach trips for a little while (although this weekend is shaping up to be pretty nice). I bought Holly a shovel the other day - a big plastic shovel that I've been meaning to buy for a few months. Holly loves the sand and the beach and the ocean. Last week, we played "pretend ocean." The girls shimmied into their swim suits, and played in the bath tub. Holly was pretty excited about it! We may play real ocean though and go to Santa Cruz this weekend if the girls are feeling well. California living! Greta the Great, Holly Antoinette, 2012-01-26T19:06:43+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/gretas-first-haircut http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/gretas-first-haircut#When:13:36:38Z Greta has the most amazing head of hair. When she was born, I could hardly believe I had made, in my stomach, a newborn with that much beautiful, dark hair. Greta's hair is getting so thick and so long and coarse. Her cowlicks are a bit more tame these days although we still have issues. Greta's hair is wild! And sometimes it's a little awkward (sorry baby, it's true!). If I don't comb Greta's hair out after she bathes, she gets a little bit of curl. I'm hopeful that one day her hair will have some wave or curl to it, ideally like her Nana's or Aunty Nicole's. Not awkward, unworkable wave like mine. Greta's hair was becoming a little scrappy in the back so she got a little trim. Cutting a baby's hair is really hard! But, she looks much more tidy. Now we're just hoping Holly doesn't think that cutting hair is something she should do... Before. See? A little too close to mullet. On the phone. On the phone again. Still cowlicky in the front. See? Little bit of curl. Greta the Great, 2012-01-24T13:36:38+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/momma-talk http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/momma-talk#When:12:56:44Z During church on Sunday, Greta fell asleep in my arms. For the whole of church (3 hours) she was a little angel. Playing sweetly, or cuddling up to me. And then, with a half hour left, she easily and quickly drifted off into sleep. She sat in my lap with my arms wrapped tightly around her, her arms wrapped tightly around her bunny, softly snoring. It's moments like that that make motherhood completely worth it. Soft, sweet moments that melt away the yelling and the frustration, the exhaustion and the unkept home. Motherhood is hard, but oh so worth it. I love who I am becoming because I am a mother. Greta the Great, 2012-01-23T12:56:44+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/embroidered-flowers http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/embroidered-flowers#When:22:21:52Z The girls' had an empty little frame on their wall that needed filling. So, during a spare evening, I popped in a movie and embroidered little flowers on some white linen. It took me a couple hours, but I think it was worth it. I've enjoyed discovering embroidery, although I keep reminding myself, I can't embroider everything. Do you embroider? Do you like embroidery? Hobbies, 2012-01-22T22:21:52+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/photos/entry/jumping-on-the-bed http://bekatelyn.com/photos/entry/jumping-on-the-bed#When:22:20:43Z 2012-01-22T22:20:43+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/a-quilt-to-give http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/a-quilt-to-give#When:12:48:55Z I began working on this quilt in March 2011 and I gave it to my sister-in-law, Elizabeth, for Christmas. It was a a really fun quilt to make, which is good, because I spent a lot of time making it! It turned out beautiful and was rather hard to give it away. Luckily the recipient is a quilter herself and therefore "got it." You know? Quilt in action! Christmas, Hobbies, 2012-01-20T12:48:55+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/another-dress http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/another-dress#When:13:25:46Z These first weeks of January have been very productive for me. I love it when I'm productive! I had two cord dresses cut out for the girls since November. Ah! This cord pattern takes no time to sew up, but again, Christmas... Anyways, finally sewed them up, put them on the girls and then Holly had an accident (plus a few more) and a rough morning altogether (I was the only one that attended church that day). But Greta looked really cute in hers! The cord is super soft and comfortable. Thanks to my mother-in-law for sending the fabric! I'll hopefully be able to snag some photos of Holly in her dress soon! Somebody needs a haircut! We're getting too close to mullet. Greta the Great, Hobbies, 2012-01-19T13:25:46+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/chocolate-granola-bars http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/chocolate-granola-bars#When:13:00:32Z This is a delicious granola bar recipe! Conor was surprised at how tastey they are (he's not big on granola bars). I want to have more nutritious, yet still tasty snack options in our house. Slowly, I'd like to phase out certain sugars. The only sweeteners in this granola bar are the honey and chocolate chips. I bought these sweet little mini chocolate chips but I didn't let the mix cool enough before I stirred them in. Next time. I also added a half cup of craisins. Delicious! Baking and Cooking, Hobbies, 2012-01-17T13:00:32+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/new-dress http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/new-dress#When:19:14:44Z Hooray! I made something for myself. Making for me happens a lot less these days. I cut this dress out at the end of November and meant to sew it in time for Christmas. But then Christmas projects took over my life and the dress remained tucked away until a couple weeks ago. The pattern is Simplicity 2246. I changed the sleeves - either I need to lift Greta more or dress pattern sleeves are disproportionate. I've never been in love with my arms, but seriously? Anyways, if I make the dress again, I'd lengthen the sleeve and put in an elastic. The pattern has some other really cute views. I bought some floral fabric recently and I think I'll make it up with this pattern. Other than the sleeves issue, I really like this dress! I love the gathered skirt at the waist. It's really fun! And I love the metallic dot fabric I made it up in. The whole dress is a win-win. A good start to my new years resolution of making more for me. covered buttons Catalogue Katie, Hobbies, 2012-01-15T19:14:44+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/tired http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/tired#When:15:05:34Z Greta subtly tells us that's she tired and woud like a nap please. Greta the Great, 2012-01-11T15:05:34+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/zoo-zoo-zoo http://bekatelyn.com/notes/entry/zoo-zoo-zoo#When:14:48:17Z This weekend, our little family went to the Oakland Zoo. It was a beautiful day. I know the weather will get cool and rainy at some point, but I'm telling you, this is the life! Anyways, the zoo. Holly's been more interested in animals than ever. We were especially excited the see the lions, giraffes, elephants and monkeys. The lions were lazy and we could hardly see them, but all of the other animals were visible. It was a really fun day... and Holly had zero accidents! 'Atta girl! Standing on one leg like the flamingos. Trying to get a closer look.... Holly was so concerned about the baboons. "A-bum a-sore." giraffe+gazelle oasis. Super excited to be riding on Dad's shoulders. Holly was extra impressed with the elephants because they had Christmas trees in their enclosure. The elephants were the only animal that Greta showed any interest in. Family, Greta the Great, Holly Antoinette, 2012-01-09T14:48:17+00:00 http://bekatelyn.com/photos/entry/easiest-way-to-crawl-and-carry-a-rabbit http://bekatelyn.com/photos/entry/easiest-way-to-crawl-and-carry-a-rabbit#When:21:06:35Z 2012-01-08T21:06:35+00:00