It's Not You, It's Me.

I've been cheating you, blogger. I met someone else. Wordpress and I have been having a relationship for a couple days now and I think I am ready to call it quits with you and move most of my content over to my NEW blog: www.eatpaintlauren.com. So, if you still want to read about me, stuff I make, things I do, blah blah.....join me. It's nice over there. Promise!

Signs of Life

Today has shaped up beautifully so far; walked to the park with the dog and was so delighted to see things beginning to bloom everywhere. Saw these baby pink flowers getting ready to pop out and thought they were too cute to pass without taking a quick photo. Also this morning I decided to make something with won ton wrappers. Behold; mini quiches. I just put two won ton wrappers in a cupcake tin (tuck them in opposite each other for a fun flower like shape) and filled them with about half a scrambled egg plus some ham and cheese. Baked at 350 for about 20 mins. Dee-light-full.

Having a Love-Fest with Spring

Yum to the YUM

Any excuse to go to the market; today I am making my own marinara sauce. Why not, right? While at Whole Foods I found these HUGE strawberries that also happen to be big on taste. I am in love with strawberry right now; especially strawberry with cinnamin. Sprinkled on cereal, oats, or just by the handful, it's a real good thing.

What I'm Obsessing Over This Week

1. Sunrise walks in relatively comfortable temps.
2. Odawalla Pomegranate Limeade juice (It's what the gods most have drank).
3. Fully loaded (caffeinated) French Roast coffee with Truvia and skim milk. OH...Emm...GeeeEE
4. Irish Soda Bread; the kind with raisins and those weird seeds I usually pick out of pizza.
5. Justin Townes Earl's Harlem River Blues.

More on #5 later. Maybe.

:-D What are you obsessing over this week?

Oh Please Tell Me It's Not Friday

This morning I woke up with a terrible feeling. It's the Friday of spring break! Oh no....my last day to not worry about work and other day to day responsibilities. And I hadn't done any new paintings all week. I wasn't too hard on myself though - I did manage to rip out carpet, visit with friends, cook a fantastic Irish feast, and spend some time in the nice weather. But really a whole week off without painting something is pretty odd. So I buckled down this morning and came up with the above 4 new paintings. Look for them to hit the store shelves soon! If I can find the time between doing nothing and nothing to get them listed.

Who's Irish Today?

As you know, all week I have been having a Spring Sale in my Etsy shop. Also, if you are on FB with me you know I have been doing "print of the day" freebies each day. Today I am letting you in on the secret - for St. Patty's Day you can get a free print of "The Naturalist" pictured above with your order just for being YOU, Irish or not. That's along with your 15% off discount (MADNESS15 -> coupon code) and your free print of your choice if you spend more than $20. It's your lucky day! It's everyone's lucky day, really, unless you are stuck at work all day and not able to partake in the festivities of food and party, which I am pretty sure is the whole sha-bang, right? Have a great day no matter what you're doin!

Before and After Living Room Edition

It's been one year since we moved into our very first home. The house was pretty much good to go in terms of decor and stuff so we never really painted or re-did anything. Most of the house has lovely wood floors except our living room had some really gross carpet that only got grosser after a year. Two dogs, and two children didn't help much. I know the wood underneath the carpet wouldn't be great looking because I assumed it had carpet for a reason. But I didn't care. Getting new carpet is too expensive so with the help of some guy at Home Depot I bought some tools and got to tearing out my own nasty carpet. It was a little more than I could chew but I am really happy that I did it. It was my first semi-major home improvement. My muscles are killing me today (from whacking away at nailed in tack strip) but my mind is happy that my living room is livable and since it isn't a "nice" floor or anything we can do just about whatever we want in there without worry about messing up the floors. Perfect for the artist, child, and furry friends.

And Speaking of Things that Come in the Mail...

I am the proud owner of another original Karen Faulkner painting. This time fruits in her wonderful perfectly placed yet hap hazard style. As a big watercolor person myself I have to admit I like to investigate her marks and colors closely just to see how it was done. But she's got a good thing going and I don't think I can quite master the amazing quality of brush stroke. I love the color and intensity of this piece. Also, the cherries look like eyes to a huge orange smiling mouth. It's like they are looking over at the little blueberry face ;-) Maybe that's just my automatic cuteness detector. If you don't own a Karen Faulkner original yet you MUST hurry to grab one. So pretty, so perfect, so GO!

Stickers and Print of the Day

Oh the things that come in the mail that make me happy. Last week I received my new order of 2" stickers. I love putting one in with each order from my shop. They are so much fun. Also - more shop news: Have you "liked" my Facebook page yet? This week I am doing a "print of the day" promotion where I am giving away a special print with each purchase for free. Go check out my page and "like" me for great deals and updates.

Art Sale Plus...

There is no better time than spring break to try and have a spring sale in the Lauren Alexander Shop. Happy as I am to be on break, it is hard to feel so much joy when I know there are really tragic events going on in Japan due to the massive earthquake and sunami. Part of the proceeds from my sale this week will be donated to relief efforts. My heart aches for the people and families who have been hurt by this event.

Darlin' I don't Know Much

Celebrating 5 years of marriage today. And how, you ask? Gotta sitter for the kid, and plans to go to dinner and see a band. And we can stay out as late as we want because Grandma's hosting a slumber party. Wooooooo! I am most certainly excited for cake. I am going to eat the same wedding cake that I had at my wedding - no not the actual cake, but I do know the baker and she's making a special cake top sized portion for me to enjoy. I guess I will share with my husband. Maybe. Here's the lyrics to the song that we chose as our "cake cutting song".

Darlin' I don't know much

I know I love you so much
My life depends on your touch
And my love is a river runnin' soul deep
Way down inside me it's-a soul deep
It's too big to hide and it can't be denied
My love is a river runnin' soul deep
I'll work myself to death for ya
Just to show I adore ya
Nothin' I wouldn't do for ya
"Cause my love is a river runnin' soul deep
Way down inside me it's-a soul deep
It's too big to hide and it can't be denied
My love is a river runnin' soul deep
Huh!