Under the thick layer of dust, i discovered my long-neglected sewing machine, rather like an archaeological find….an artifact of my ever-so productive and perky spring. (Ahhh, those wonderful days when the Muse had moved in for a nice long stay and i was a never-ending fount of creativity. Bliss.) I am happy to say that my sewing machine does not seem to be holding any grudges against me for leaving it alone and unloved for so long, and graciously allowed me to whip up my new favorite garment….the Fiesta de los Muertos skirt.

I think that this is my all-time favorite fabric….Alexander Henry’s “Folklorico” line really makes my heart flutter….but ESPECIALLY this “Fiesta de los Muertos” print. I have had this fabric for so long…i just couldn’t bear to do anything with it just in case a screwed it up! And there wasn’t really enough of either colorway to make an entire skirt. But, to my amazement, epiphanies DO still come to me, even after such a long dry spell, and i realized if i mixed it up, i did indeed have enough to make myself a skirt after all! Add some rickrack and bias tape for contrast and VIOLA! For this skirt, i also decided to give it an elastic waist rather than screw around putting in dreaded darts and a zipper. This makes it more “free-sized”, which i like, as my weight seems to yo-yo, oh no! This way i can wear the skirt no matter how much Dulce De Leche i eat.

Mmmmmmm…Dulce de Leche…this brings me to the public service announcement section of this post….DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, be tempted to try this recipe if you are in any way concerned with your weight, or the amount of sweet sugary goodness you consume. This stuff is pure evil, addictive and soooooooooo sinfully luscious. I’d love to show you a picture, but i ate it all. (Hangs head in shame)

Really, all it REALLY is a can of sweetened condensed milk, poured into a glass pie plate, covered with foil, and set into a larger pan of water. Pop the whole thing into a 450 degree oven and let it cook for an hour or so til it is all thick and brown and caramelized. Let it cool and whisk it til it’s smooth and then devour however you like. On ice cream, spread on toast, or straight up with a spoon in the middle of the night….ooooooooh so good. It is my new favorite thing, and i dare not make another batch any time soon, because i am ashamed of the lack of self-control i have with this goo from heaven in my home.

Speaking of sweets….

I am pleased to introduce the newest member of the Buttonbox household…Pocky! Half pug, Half beagle, 100% puppy love.

She’s sweet as she can be…now if only she’d get it through her head that poop and pee goes OUTSIDE, she’d be perfect. I am not even kidding when i say it’s been like having another kid since she joined out family. But we are loving her, and she seems to love us back even though we are all insane and moody. She is always good for a snuggle when i feel sad.

Hoping you all are getting the snuggles you need too!

xoxoxo