birthday love and a giveaway!

Tomorrow is my champagne birthday! I will be 30 on the 30th. I like to think I've accomplished quite a bit so far, and since it's my birthday, I'll brag a bit. Over the past ten years: three university degrees, check. Amazing husband, check. Two beautiful, funny, adorable, smart and charming boys. Check. A career that I love and in my hometown, check. A wonderful old house that I also love, check. Oh, wait - did you catch that? I HAD BABIES. That's a big deal. And it makes anything else feel possible. I've discovered that I love to take pictures, make soap, and bake, bake, bake. I can grow things. I know what foods are in season, when. I know what I like. And what I don't. I love looking for the beauty in every day, and sharing some of that with all of you.

 I've been forcing some snowball bush and lilacs in the house. Not really intentionally; they had to be pruned to avoid gouging passersby, so I plunked them in some water. Lovely, aren't they? And although they're paler and smaller than if they had bloomed outside, the lilacs still smell! Happy birthday to me!

I LOVE birthdays. Anyone's - I think it's a great way to recognize the passing of time in a life, just like the seasons. (Which I also love.) And so, a giveaway! I'm going to make the best CD mix, ever. And I want to send it to you. With some tea that I've blended, and maybe some soap if I can figure out how to pack it without it making the tea taste soapy. Just leave a comment with some advice for this year - what should I do in my 30th year on this lovely planet?

Also, a few fun birthday links!

This is one of the most interesting recipes I've seen as of late. And since sweet potatoes are right up there with sliced bread and a good night's sleep in our house, I think I'm going to try it. And it's fast!



This is exactly how I hope my cowl turns out. Only a different colour, and in wool and all.You know. Love her boots, too.


Giant pom poms! Fun. I think I might make these, just because.

Going to have this combination next time I make lemon curd.

Homemade creme fraiche - going to try.



And how gorgeous is this creamsicle jelly? Super easy recipe, too, and perfect for this time of year. And in Weck jars! (Mine arrived, and have meyer lemon & vanilla jelly in them! Yipeeeeeeee!)

This jam pudding business sounds interesting.



Since I found exactly the Spring coat I wanted at Frenchy's for $5 (Old Navy, right size and colour and with some great buttons) I bought this to go with it! Yes, it's green, just like everything else I own. But fun and bright and Spring-y.

What's your favourite thing about this time of year?

*Edited to add: sorry if this post appeared a hundred times in your feed; I was having trouble trying to post using the iPad.*