Pinwheels, Owls and Giveaway... oh my!

Yesterday was the day... 31 March, 2011... the day that all of our adoption paperwork was registered with Ukraine. We should hear back from them within the next 2 weeks for a time to travel to Ukraine and bring home some dear little one(s). I've been having so much putting together some inexpensive/fun details in the soon-to-be little one(s) room... and here's what I have so far.

Lots of pinwheels (fabric and paper) everywhere...

Owls are absolutely precious (and gender neutral- in case we bring home boys, even though we've been praying/hoping for girls!)... this little guy (below) is one of Oh Sweet Joy's DIY packets.

To celebrate our dossier registration date (the date that all of our adoption paperwork is "registered" in Ukraine) I'm giving away a sweet little find from the cutest Korean art deco store. Can you believe I found little Matroyshka (Nesting Dolls) on stationary? Well, today, I'd like to gift 3 individuals with this fun "snail mail writing" paper, and there's also a surprise (not pictured), included in each giveaway :)

Here's how to enter:

- Follow my blog on GFC (Google Friends Connect)... located on the right hand side of my blog,

leave a comment, telling me that you do.

- Follow me on twitter and leave a separate comment telling me you do.

- Tweet about this giveaway (and leave a separate comment), maybe say something like this:

" Come celebrate @kdaviscreates ' adoption paperwork being registered with a #giveaway: http://bit.ly/e87gB4 "

- "Like" Karen Davis Photography on facebook, and leave a separate comment telling me you do.

- Blog about this giveaway or facebook about this giveaway... and let me know in a separate comment that you did.

- Tell me one "tip" about being a soon-to-be Mom... oh, and for those that aren't parents yet, tell me if you'd like to have kids one day.

That's 6 different ways that you can enter, and 3 winners will be drawn on Monday, 4 April.

Let the fun..... BEGIN!

Getting Ready...

So, there are a few items that I've acquired "here" and "there" since we found we'd be adopting... FUN band aids are one of the items... I mean, lets face it, something "cute" totally makes boo-boos feel better, and we always have kids over at the house.

Well, the other day the hubby hurt his toe, and quickly ran to the bathroom before the blood spurted... and low and behold, these were the ONLY bandaids available to him I might have purposefully used the "adult" band aids up, and haven't replaced them .

Hello Kitty on huge feet... It warms my heart...

Orange-ya glad he's 'stach-less?

There are still a few days left in March, but over a week ago, my husband decided to shave off his 'stache... boy am I a thankful wife. Let the record show, he didn't shave it off for me- rather, he gave "in" to the razor because his buddy that had a 'stache, decided he had enough of it, and caved to the razor first... In the end, I am one happy Karen, because I FINALLY have my husband back.

On another random note, oranges are at the end of "season"... but we're still getting some at the grocery story on base, because they make the BEST night time snacks. Orange peels also amuse us! Do you agree? Or do you have other food that makes good bed-time snacks?

Munching on Meatballs

Remember how I declared my love for Rachel and her amazing recipes in this post? Well, a few weeks ago, I tried one of her meatball recipes, and it was a HUGE hit in our household, so I made them again today, and figured I'd snap some photos and share the recipe with you. For those that aren't meat eaters, look away... I'd love to hear if you cook these up and what you think... we LOVE them, but then again... we LOVE food in general.

Pork, Apple and Cheddar Meatballs with Egg Noodles

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground pork

1 c. coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese

3/4 c. bread crumbs

1 small, tart apple, such as granny smith, peeled and grated (I used a Braeburn this time, and it tasted just as yummy)

1/2 small onion, grated

1/2 c. chopped parsley

1 egg, beaten

salt and pepper

One 120ounce package egg noodles

4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces.

Let me just tell you... that cooking is fun, when you have bright fun colored "equipment" to work with!

Directions:

1. Preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and grease with butter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork, cheese, breadcrumbs, apple, onion, 3 tablespoons parsley, the egg, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Shape into 16 meatballs and arrange on the baking sheet. Broil the meatballs until golden and cooked through, 8-10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the noodles until al dente. Drain, then return to the pot and toss with the butter and remaining 5 tablespoons of parsley; season with salt and pepper.

For just a "side"... and because I LOVE them, I steamed up some asparagus.

and voila! A yummy meal... quick and easy (especially since I can cook it!)

Now please excuse me, while I stack on some more noodles/meatballs on my plate... I didn't want to look like a "pig" for you...

Finding the Light...

The funny thing about cats... they'll follow the sun around the house... to make sure that they always have PRIME sunbathing opportunities. I wish I could fit on the ledge of the window for my skin to take in some Vitamin D..

I think next week, I'll have to grace you guys with some pictures of the house... I don't think you all really know where we live or how our "stuff" looks in a Korean Western styled house.

Noodle Date

This past week was a crazy hectic week, but I managed to slip in a "cooking class" date with some lady friends... what was on the agenda you ask? Noodles... well, specifically- homemade RAVIOLI. Our sweet friend Lisa, who is totally blessed with culinary skills, shared her teaching gifts with us as well.. and showed us the way to "Homemade Spinach-Ricotta Ravioli". Oh boy was it a time of wonderful fellowship... and my taste buds were extremely happy.

Let us... LOVE on Ukraine.

It's getting closer and closer to that time when we'll be heading to Ukraine. In just under a week (March 31st) our dossier will be registered in Ukraine, and we'll be hearing from them shortly after about an expected "travel" date. Friends, it's amazing how much is just "coming" together, given the amount of hurdles we've had to jump, and the lines that we've had to cross... God is truly amazing.

A few people have asked how they could "help" us bring home our little one(s)... right now God has provided us with the "means" to be able to do this...He has truly rocked our world with the financial blessings, that we won't even be going into debt bringing home 1 or 2 little ones. That being said, we'd still LOVE for you to be a part of our journey, and came up with one FUN way! When we go to Ukraine, we'll be faced with "cases" to choose from, once we've "picked" our child(ren), we'll be heading to their orphanage to meet with them, and decide if they're the ones that God has in store for us (wheeew that's going to be TOUGH, please pray for us, and for our discernment). While we're in the orphanage (it could be close to 2-3 weeks there), we'll be meeting and greeting and building relationships with the other children in the orphanage as well... it's inevitable! That's where you come into play... for those that craft or have handmade businesses, I'm asking for donations. I would LOVE to show up in Ukraine with a suitcase (I'll fit all my belongings into one, and get an extra for international travel!) FULL of your lovely creations to shower on these sweet children. I don't mind if they're bought goodies, but just know that there's a special place in my heart for handmade, and I think the children would just MELT knowing that you made something from them. Make sense? It doesn't have to be much, it could be 1 or 2 headbands, or 10... it could be notebooks... or bracelets (boys like bracelets too!).. paintings/prints would decorate an orphanage wall BEAUTIFULLY... the sky is the limit...and I know... I just KNOW that this would just brighten their day/week/month/year. If your product doesn't seem "kid friendly", I'll also be gifting their caretakers, so you can even send something for adults. Will you join me and the hubby on our journey? Please pass on the word to all your friends...

We're planning on leaving at the end of April to head to Ukraine, so please send soon (sorry for the short notice).

You can ship to: Karen Davis, PSC 3 Box 4064, APO AP 96266

I'll be sure to feature everyone's goodies/shops who donate. I cannot wait to take pictures and share with you all in this journey!

Gift for Little Davis

"Soon-To-Be" Little Davis was gifted yesterday with this adorable travel bag and toiletries from a dear friend here in Korea... friends, I've looked at this ALL day, and I cannot wait until these items get USED! Seriously, I do a walk by... and I have to stop and look at all of the items again and again, over and over. If we come home with two, they'll have to share a toothbrush (but it's acceptable if you're siblings, right? haha), otherwise I think we have enough to get us through our first months with the little one.

Can I also point out how this bag is SMOTHERED with Matroyshka Dolls (Ukrainian/Russian Nesting Dolls!)

Fridge Full Of...

Does anyone else out there despise grocery shopping as much as I do? It is my least favorite chore... in fact, I'll wait until we have NOTHING left in the fridge (don't worry, my hubby finds things to eat/or becomes inventive) until it's time to go back to the store. I'm not sure if there was EVER a time in my life where I actually enjoyed it. I will do laundry ALL day long (washing, folding, and putting away) before going to the grocery store.

The only thing I've been looking forward to when going to the grocery store lately, is stocking up on these beauties (somehow they're in season over here in Korea, and boy are they yummy)!

Why yes I purchased 4 packages of these lovelies...don't judge... at least we have some sort of "food" in our fridge now.

Our Own Little Goldilocks

I suppose I've been having my own little "nesting" symptoms. I'm not going crazy purchasing a bunch, but rather just refinishing things that we've held onto, creating one of a kind artwork (to be photographed and revealed at a later date), using scrap fabric in projects (since I have such a huge stash), and for the last few days, I've been spending some time "finishing up" some of the bedding for the "soon-to-be" little ones room... The fabrics that I used for this quilt, are some of my favorite fabrics/combination to date. they're bright and fun, and girly... again, if we come home with boys, I'll just have to start over (that wouldn't be so bad, would it?) Unfortunately I haven't finished the quilt... YET... I ran out of striped fabric that I'm using for the binding, so I'm nearly done.

Of course, I had to see what it would look like on the bed.... so after I placed it down, and ran to grab my camera, this is what I came back to:

Pretty sure Runyan is having an identity crisis and thinks he's "Goldilocks"... having to "try" out all the beds of the house. I think this bedding passed his test... hopefully our little one doesn't have a cat allergy, otherwise we're in trouble.

A Quiet Morning

The past few days the hubby has been working a crazy schedule, he goes in, in the afternoon...and doesn't get home until 3 am, which has completely made my schedule out of whack. The nice thing is, every morning we've been able to "sleep in" and enjoy coffee in the morning together. I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of our breakfast the other day, especially since the flowers from the Flower Market were looking so pretty. Sunflowers are usually my favorite flowers... they scream "Happy" to me for some reason, but it might also be the color yellow that does the trick, because these beauties I picked up, definitely are making me smile every time I walk by them.

While photographing the flowers, I thought it was so cute how my furry friend was "smelling" the flowers for the shot, until he started MUNCHING on the stems... needless to say, he was in time-out for the rest of the day...

UP UP and Away...

I'm really excited to introduce you to some of my new creations: UP and Away Journal {Reusable} Slip Covers (composition notebook included). They're up in the shop, and more color combinations will be added, if I see that they are a big hit. Aren't they just darling for Spring? You can find them here.

Plant Your Dreams

It's taken a year of living in Korea to FINALLY make it to the famous "Flower Market" in Seoul. And since my visit, I've asked myself, "Why did it take me this long?"... when I say it's the nicest smelling place in Korea, I do not lie... when I say it's the brightest and most colorful place I've been to in awhile, I do not lie... I almost felt like a kid in a candy store. I didn't know where to begin. So thankful for friends that sort of "tugged" me around (led the way) otherwise, I probably would have stood at the front door with my mouth wide open, until the place closed. Everything was eye catching- the flowers (no brainer), the Koreans (even the ones sleeping in their "beds"), the vessels to hold the beautiful flowers, the ribbon and ornate decorations. Truly, what a wonderful place.. a place that I will visit often.