A little girl named Cora, who was just over a week younger than my baby Capri, passed away recently from cancer.  To read more about her story please go to:

http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com

AND

http://corapaige.blogspot.com

Many etsian sellers have decided to sell specific items whose profit will go directly towards a playground in Cora’s name.  I could not hear this story and see pictures of this family and not imagine what I would hope other’s would do if I where in this situation.  I have chosen five adorable onesies to donate their proceeds to this amazing cause.

Snails & Butterflies

 

 

 

 

Starry Dusk

 

 

 

 

 

Cotton Candy

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Rose

 

 

 

 

 

Horizon

 

 

 

 

 

 

100% of all proceeds from these listings goes directly to:
CORA  PAIGE PLAYGROUND FUND

To find links to more shops participating in this fundraiser please go to:

http://thesefavoritethings.blogspot.com/2007/01/coras-playground-etsy-benefit-sale.html

Thank you.

I know! I can’t believe it either! My baby girl is one today! In remembrance of that special day I’m going to take a little look back…

February 24th, 2008

I woke up that morning extremely uncomfortable because I was ridiculously pregnant and baby girl was hanging out with her feet jammed under my ribs. Also, today was my due date and baby had not dropped…I was NEVER going to have her. Jared knew I was not in a good mood so he said he would watch Cedi while I went and sewed a bit…sewing relaxed me.

My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I had decided to make a quilt for Katrina’s wedding (Barb’s daughter). Karma had just gotten me her blocks the day before and I decided I would try to get my portion done since I knew that once baby did decide to come I wouldn’t have much time for sewing. I ended up finishing my part in the quilt that morning.

I think Karma called me around 1:00 to wish me “Happy Due-Date.” I responded with, “Shut Up, this baby is never coming.” Around 2ish I felt something weird…but wasn’t quite sure what it was (I was induced with Cedi and once I started contracting I pretty much had my baby-so I wasn’t really sure what contractions felt like). Cedi was napping so I told Jared that we should do the bills while she was down.

I decided to take a shower. When I got out I realized that my contractions were really close together. I told Jared he should call his parents…we needed to go to the hospital.

I think we arrived at the hospital around 4 or 4:30. Jared said that the roads were the best they had been all winter. (thank goodness!) I felt like I was in Triage forever before they finally got me my own room. All I wanted was an epidural.

My doctor got to the hospital pretty quickly…it was her first anniversary and I tore her away from their dinner (sorry but thanks!). All I wanted was an epidural. My doctor ordered one for me as soon as she got there but she knew my labor would probably be short. They called to say the epidural would be there in fifteen minutes. I made Jared tell me the time so I could try to keep track. Thirty minutes later and 8 cm I had given up all hope. I even looked at my doctor and said, “This is going to be you in three months!” (she was pregnant too…)

But, miracles upon miracles, the anesthesiologist arrived right then. Stuck an insanely large needle in my back while I was having contractions (I had to sit absolutely still, but it really helped me deal with the pain by having something to focus on). It started to work pretty much right away. I had them put the Oscars on. They told me that a lot of women like to wait and rest before they start pushing. I said, “Let’s just get her out.” Fifteen minutes later (at 8:16pm), my beautiful baby girl, Capri, joined us. She was 8lbs 1oz and 21-inches of absolute perfection!

Happy Birthday my beautiful and sweet baby girl!

Cedi (at 15 mo) meets her baby sis for the first time!

And here we both are…exactly ONE year later! Happy Birthday Capri!

The Dedication to Apple-tizing Recipes from Lapacek’s Orchard reads as follows:

This book is dedicated to my[Diane’s] mother, Iva Donahoe. I dug to the bottom of my recipe drawer looking for more recipes to test for use in this book. There, in the very back corner, I found a small notebook of handwritten apple recipes that Mom had given me when we first planted apple trees back in the early eighties. Thanks, Mom, for still being here besides me.

Apple Danish Pastry Bars

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 c. shortening

1 egg, separated

milk

1 c. crushed corn flakes

8-10 peeled apples

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Blend flour, salt, and shortening. Beat egg yolk and add milk until you have 2/3 cups. Add to above. Mix well. Divide dough. Roll 1/2 out thin and put on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with crushed cornflakes. Mix apples, sugar, and cinnamon and pour over cornflakes. Roll other 1/2 of pastry thin and place on top. Brush with slightly beaten egg white. Bake at 400-degrees for 30 minutes. Frost with thin powdered sugar glaze.

I’ve never actually had this recipe but it looks absolutely delicious…maybe Diane will want to make it sometime (wink, wink)!

We are starting to put together some ideas for upcoming apple seasons. I've put up a poll on this blog and a different one on my other blog, www.kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com to try to get some feedback. Please take a minute to answer both of these polls...who knows, maybe we'll get enough positive feedback we'll try something new!? like cider donuts...yummm...