Time Really Does Fly

Mardi Gras Holiday Time

2012-02-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, sweet baby boy was picked up early today and will come back to play next Thursday. It's called the "Mardi Gras Holiday." Sweetpea is out of school all next week, Prince Charming has a couple days off work and Secondborn can sleep in very late on both Monday and Tuesday...no classes to report to.

I have a nice long list of chores and fun things to do before next Thursday...things like sew, garden, and bring Sweetpea to the DMV for her driver's license. I also need to renew my driver's license. I've had my current one for the past eight years. In that pic taken long ago, I had no gray hair and my bangs were just starting to grow out. I'm afraid my new pic will look more mature (to put it nicely) compared to the one taken eight years ago. I also heard about a new sewing machine dealer in town...and he sells Fabric Finder fabric and Children's Corner patterns. Checking out that place is on my list too!

My celebration of Mardi Gras will not include parades, but will include a few bites of this...

King Cake from a local donut store...oh, so delicious

with

half Bavarian cream and half chocolate filling in the middle

only

6,500,497 carbs

and

26,001,988 calories.

Okay...maybe not that many...

but close.

And to help Prince Charming's back

A brand new lawn mower.

All he has to do is guide it where to cut and it will proceed.

No more pushing and pulling an old mower with a broken handle that had to be held just so to make it go...thus causing a very sore back, a doctor visit, meds, and lots of that stinky Icy Hot.

Okay....off to enjoy my list of chores

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nine Pounds Down....

2012-02-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

and......

those brand new one-smaller-size-jeans are no longer in the closet!

Dancing this sweet baby around the house has helped with the nine-pound-down thing

plus

denying myself all those yummy carbs.

I am feeling the need for a delicious bite of king cake or two before Lent begins....hmmm...

it will have to be Bavarian cream filled for me to allow it in.

T.G.I.F.

2012-02-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

Just agree with me it has been a long, stressful, sad, tiring week

and

I'm so glad it is Friday.

Early in the week we had to put our sick dog down. I cannot convey how sad it made us.

The decision making was agonizing.

We miss that good dog and it will take a while before our backyard feels normal.

I don't think I want another dog...at least not for a long time.

Last Saturday, my husband pulled his lower back...oh, not too badly according to him.

He kept on doing his same ole routine...working, lifting heavy stuff, yard work,

moving furniture...the whole time saying nothing of his hurting back.

At 1:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, he got up for the bathroom and could not walk back to bed...could not take one step. He was in such tremendous pain and I thought he was going to have a heart attack.

The scary images that ran through my mind were not pretty.

I helped him get to a nearby chair and eventually back to bed.

A doctor visit was on tap for early Thursday.

A steroid injection given, pain medication provided and he is up walking again...

but

taking it very easy.

No grass cutting, lifting, gardening or compost hauling this weekend!

A few days ago I pulled up two large carrot plants and this is what came up out of our wonderful garden soil. Hmmm....I surely won't be winning any awards at the county fair for the prettiest carrots...maybe the most vulgar looking! Short, fat, ugly, tasty carrots! haha

and this is just glass head pins...very closeup.

I hope to sew this weekend....my frazzled nerves need some sewing therapy!

Firstborn Has Arrived

2012-02-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

Since my last post,

I completed and delivered this Mary De jumper...

just in time for the kindergarten interview.

Took a few pics of my messy craft table and sewing room.

There are weeks around here where this room seems to become a "catch-all room."

I don't like that very much.

I love it all straightened up and especially like being able to walk through the room without breaking a leg or stubbing toes.

A clean sewing room makes me want to sew...a couple summer nightgowns for myself...before I actually need them.

And today,

I watched Firstborn rent a moving truck, load it up, and drive off to unload his meager belongings into his new apartment 45 miles away.

He is a working man now and ready to move out on his own.

I am proud, happy, and sad all at the same time.

He left with the dinnerware set my husband and I purchased the day after we brought him home from the hospital as a newborn twenty-three years ago.

Yes, time really does fly....

Our Late January Garden

2012-01-31T17:50:00.000-08:00

The kale started growing better in January...if it would get cooler/colder it probably would do even better.

The romaine and butter crunch lettuce is keeping us supplied with salad greens.

The carrot patch is being used up dish by dish...the greens are a foot tall.

Here the newly planted leek seedlings are taking root and starting to grow.

Now if we could live on flat leaf parsley alone...oh, how easy life would be as it grows with little effort on my part.

A small arugula patch...no need for a larger one as we really don't care too much for the taste or smell of this green...there are five yellow onion plants growing in the arugula.

A cauliflower that needs to be cut, cooked, and eaten...we've had a wonderful cauliflower crop this year.

Now to the sugar snap peas...the plants are over two feet tall and beginning to bloom...I planted the seeds below around Christmas.

And look what I found this afternoon....our first sugar snap pea!

These are so easy to grow and so very tasty!

Next post will probably be from the very messy sewing room...that is also housing a baby seat, a baby stroller, a crib, a mini-trampoline (for me, not baby) and lots of sewing, fabric and scissor disorder.

I'll have to clean things up before I take pics! ;)

They Know Me Well....

2012-01-20T10:39:00.000-08:00

Oh, yes, these seed catalog companies know where I live...they're in cahoots with my mailman....

who keeps putting these luscious looking catalogs in my mailbox...

almost a new one every day lately...

the pics make me want to part with my money...

plant leeks, tomatoes, and potatoes

grow fragrant and delicious herbs in terracotta pots on the patio

and collect the ripe veggies and herbs in a garden hod.

Oh, yes, these guys know the way to the sowing side of my heart!

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

A new sewing project started this morning while baby napped

Lawn fabric for new summer nightgowns washed and waiting to be cut out

The gift of Louisiana citrus

grapefruit and naval oranges

satsumas, lemons, and Louisiana sweets

one delicious artisan bread for dinner

Bake - Sew - Love

2012-01-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

A couple days ago, Jeannine from Grace and Peace left a lovely comment on my blog...so naturally I went to her blog to meet her and there found a wonderful cake recipe!

I decided to bake it for my family on the Feast of Epiphany and here we are the next day and the cake is no more...good cake.

I had was one teeny, teeny, tiny bite...and it tasted delicious!

I borrowed the bundt pan from my neighbor.

I sprayed the inside and floured it well and was very surprised when that cake released from the pan so perfectly!

I used 2/3 cup of the remaining mini chocolate chips, a bit of heavy cream, 1/4 tsp. of instant coffee and 1 Tbsp. of butter to make a ganache icing....mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

It was a hit!

After smiling baby left, I made the flannel princess pajama shirt to match the pj pants from my last post.

I think the little recipient of this gift might not want to take these off!

Smiling baby

yes, his chubba cheeks get kissed 4.2 million times per day!

Off to tar$$$$$get

wonder if I can sneak out of there spending less than 100 bucks???

Trying to Get Back in the Swing of Things....

2012-01-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

I love these days after most of the Christmas and New Year celebrations are over...but still hanging on a little bit.

Parents go back to work and baby boy comes back to me...

he is a good napper and during his naps I literally R.U.N. around doing my chores!

My husband headed back to work and Sweetpea went back to school today.

A new month and artwork on this sweet calendar hangs on the wall behind my sewing machine.

A new project in the works for my next-door neighbor's granddaughter's 5th birthday. (please say that 3 times real fast!)

First. The hanging clothes rack must be cleared and hubby's shirts ironed.

Christmas decor is still up and will be until mid-day Saturday.

I've started phase 1 of the South Beach Diet...and love it!

I ate far too many chocolate crinkle cookies over the Christmas holiday. :(

My favorite tea cup

and the kitchen tea drawer is stocked!

One of my favorite Christmas gifts...these precious measuring cups.

Another wonderful gift for the practical girl...olive oil pouring spouts that do not drip!

The beautiful roses my husband gave me on Christmas Eve...they'll be in the compost pile tomorrow.

A new sewing project to dream about while ironing and holding the baby when he's not fast asleep.

The makings for a chicken-veggie soup for my family today...not for me...no potatoes and carrots during phase 1 of SBD.

Ironing done and pajama pants done....I just can't help but think the world would be a happier place if we all wore flannel princess pajamas to sleep!

Up next....a pajama shirt for these pants.

bye now

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

On this first day of the new year...

I took a nap.

I woke rested and full of energy.

This cauliflower pic has nothing to do with my nap.

My husband cut this...our first from our fall/winter garden for me to cook Friday for dinner with a crawfish pie we received as a Christmas gift. Both the pie and cauliflower were delicious!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T19:49:00.000-08:00

Our December Potager

2011-12-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

Now that the Christmas preparation hustle and bustle is complete

and the duties of the day are slowing a tad...

I needed to take some pics of the gifts in our

late December potager.

Our first cauliflower is growing beautifully and will soon be ready for the table.

A head of green cabbage destined for New Years Day.

Our broccoli heads were rather small this year, but still tasty and enjoyed!

The extra shoots are almost ready for cutting.

Beautiful and delicious rosemary growing in a pot on the back patio.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Mania

2011-12-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

Item # 5 on my countdown to Christmas check-off list...

the baking of more

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

I started off early this morning making three separate batches of dough in order to refrigerate them the necessary four hours before the preparing and baking of the cookies.

I then put together a pot of beef stew as I knew my house elves would be hungry and moaning for something more than cookies later in the day.

After a quick lunch, I got busy rolling the chilled dough into quarter-size balls working quickly as to not warm the dough because that makes them very sticky and hard to handle.

I then coated each one with confectioner's sugar and placed them on parchment lined baking sheets.

Each batch made approximately 54 cookies....so that would be 162 cookies today

plus

the batch of 58 I made yesterday.....yes, I am tired!

Thirteen minutes later from my 350 degree oven emerged very cute and yummy cookies.

One batch is for us and the other two are for gift giving...

also, yesterday's batch was for gift-giving.

Between batches one and two, I made myself some much-needed hazelnut coffee and placed my cup next to this plate...no, i did not eat those six cookies.

Instead, I munched on some delicious end-of-season satsumas my husband brought home after helping power wash a local church and rectory this morning.

Twas a full day in the kitchen with lots of cooking, baking, and the constant cycle of dirty dishes in need of washing, drying and putting away.

Also in our midst was our 19 pound "rookie elf"...the cute one who only takes his meals in a bottle...

and gets quite vocal when his tummy runneth low.

Thanks to Sweetpea's wonderful help and assistance

crinkle cookie day is complete.

Tomorrow we clean house -

No, I will not be blogging/taking pics about

the scrubbing of toilets

the vacuuming of dust bunnies.

Countdown to Christmas Check-Off Continues...

2011-12-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

2. Wrap gifts - check!

3. Put up and decorate Christmas tree - check check!!

4. Firstborn's college graduation - check checkity check!!!

i see you

Such a happy and proud day!

On to the baking of gift goodies!

Countdown to Christmas Check-Off Begins

2011-12-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

1. Complete Patty dresses....check!

Finished these sweet little dresses Wednesday afternoon, then quickly whipped up two pair of matching diaper covers out of the leftover fabric. The diaper covers are not pictured as they are folded in half over the hangers under the dresses.

Size 1 and size 2 Children's Corner "Patty"- the side collar version...my favorite.

Fabric is Fabric Finder's Raspberry featherwale corduroy from BessieMary.

Collar fabric is Imperial broadcloth from stash.

Whipstitch piping is Tropical Pink color and reminded me of peppermints.

Sweet little sleeve

Three little mother of pearl shank buttons and a metal snap above the top button close the backs.

And now my cutting table has become my wrapping table...on to item # 2 on my

countdown to Christmas checklist....

the wrapping of gifts!

Countdown Time

2011-12-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

The extent of my sewing today....stitching by hand the two bias bands to the underside of the sleeves for my size 2 Children's Corner Patty dress currently under construction.

I hope to complete these little dresses tomorrow!

My Countdown List:

1. Complete Patty dresses

2. Wrap gifts

3. Put up and decorate Christmas tree

4. Firstborn's college graduation

5. Bake more chocolate crinkle cookies for gift giving

6. Food preparation for Christmas Eve and Day

--------------------------------------------

Late this evening a package arrived at our front door.

It's the last of my Christmas online ordering.

It is all for me. A present to myself.

Lavender bath soap

so fragrant, so sudsy, so wonderful...

My favorite!

I store the unopened packages in my dresser drawers and take a deep whiff every time I open them.

I first read about Bonny Doon Farm many years ago in an issue of Victoria magazine...back in the days when my own babies were very little...the time before we had a computer or internet in our home...when the phone was still connected to the wall by a long cord that could reach clear across the kitchen.

The days when my Victoria magazine would arrive in the mailbox and I couldn't wait to make myself a mug of tea or coffee and enjoy my new read.

I still have those magazines...and soon will take some time out with a mug of tea or coffee and enjoy my old reads.

After every item on that countdown list above is checked off!

Definitely Not Diet Food....

2011-12-10T17:59:00.000-08:00

....but very, very good!

I did make these cookies today and they are wonderful!

They would be perfect for gift giving.

I added 1/4 teaspoon of pure peppermint extract along with the 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.

I like a little peppermint flavor in chocolate goodies at Christmas.

This recipe would also be scrumptious with chopped pecans inside.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the sewing room today....

I worked on the dresses for my lil patty collars.

I think they are so cute!

The pink whipstitch piping reminds me of candy canes.

I am making two side-collar Children's Corner Patty dresses (a size 1 and a size 2.)

This dress pattern is one of my all-time favorites for little girls!

Patty progress in my sewing room today -

Making these assembly-line style...

did both backs,

then both fronts,

then sewed shoulder fronts to shoulder backs...

next the collars will go on,

then side seams

and

sleeves,

then buttons and holes,

next hems.

the end

Hope you all have a joy-filled Gaudete Sunday tomorrow!

Cookies and Sewing and Good Grades

2011-12-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

I want to bake these delicious, scrumptious cookies today.

I also want to sew on Christmas rose dresses...the collars are finished.

Firstborn just informed me he made the highest grade in his class on his operating systems final yesterday...a 99%.

He has all A's for his final semester and will graduate with honors next Saturday.

I am so very proud of him and so very grateful to

Almighty God!

Organic Swiss chard

2011-12-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

This morning while washing greens for my green smoothie, I pulled out the package of organic Swiss chard Prince Charming purchased last night at the local grocery.

This one leaf was about 20 inches long, 12 inches wide and so lovely in color!

Christmas colored!

After washing it I just had to snap a few pics...it was too pretty not to.

Now if only the chard I've planted in my garden can do this!

My own is growing, but oh so slowly - maybe the rain today, tonight, and tomorrow will help and the colder temperatures should too.

Below is a pic of lil ku*bota and me. I kept telling him to smile, but he would not.
I just love his second chin. :)
I do not like my neck wrinkles. :(

While Baby Boy Naps....

2011-12-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

...gotta type quickly...

All my Christmas shopping is done! This always makes me very happy!

Between online last week and out Saturday in town with Sweetpea...it is done!

Sweetpea also now has something to wear to her brother's college graduation next Saturday and midnight Mass. Oh, I thank my lucky stars!

While baby boy naps this week, I am working on two little Christmas rose dresses...

right now I'm rockin around the collars with small bullion roses and having fun.

The gorgeous raspberry featherwale arrived in my mailbox last week from BessieMary and then the ever-so-hard-to-find coordinating tropical pink whip stitch piping from Heirloom Creations and I was ready to start this late, push-me-over-the-edge project. Seams like I do that to myself every year...I guess I like it.

While I stitch, I'm praying for my two sons. They're both taking semester finals this week. Firstborn picked up his cap and gown this morning! Sigh.... of relief and sigh of I can't believe I will soon be the mother of a college graduate. Yes, time does fly.

Secondborn stayed up all last night studying for two exams today...organic chemistry and physics...

just the idea makes me shudder and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in trembling fear!

During the writing of this short post...baby boy woke, got a diaper change, and is now kicking away and smiling at toys in his cribby.

Back to my bullion roses...baby boys says no to that idea.

Off to hold baby boy

From Potager To Salad Bowl

2011-11-30T17:41:00.000-08:00

I picked these late this afternoon and added both the radishes (sliced thinly) and the tasty, tender greens (torn into bite size pieces) right into the salad bowl to join the lettuce, tomatoes, sliced carrots, purple cabbage, and celery already in the mixture made earlier today for lunch.

I've decided to join sweet Margaret in her quest for a smaller body. I've been indulging in too much good food...portions too large, too many carbs, too many side servings of sweets....etc.

My jeans are too tight! There are four pair of brand new one-smaller-size-jeans in my closet...hardly worn. I purchased them about 18 months ago after losing a nice amount of weight. Soon after buying the new jeans, I got a little too lax and the weight slowly started creeping back. The new jeans got put away and I had to bring out the two pair of next-size-up-jeans folded and shelved in my closet. Now those are not feeling and looking so wonderful. I've been aware of all this, but just could not find my will power. I think it was stuck under the gumbo and rice, the rice dressing, sweet potato casserole, and all the other goodies in our fridge last week....tiramisu and lemon squares to name a couple.

Margaret's blog post and pics of her little piggies helped me find my will power. I'm ready and started this morning!

Thanks, Sweetie :)

"Margaret, Would you like some fresh, organic radishes???"

Online Christmas Shopping...

2011-11-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

....it's a very good thing!

I've been playing Santa today.

I made my list over the weekend and have checked it all twice!

Thankfully, everyone on my list has been very good this year!

Husband...check

Firstborn....check

Secondborn....check

Sweetpea....check

Secondborn's girlfriend....check

My 10 year old goddaughter....check

Dad....check

Mom....check

Mother-in-law....have ideas, just not sure yet...need Prince Charming's input on this one....

While waiting for the packages to arrive, I'll be doing a bit of sewing, a bit of baking, and a bit of babysitting, along with some Advent reading.

I've begun

Meditations For Every Day of Advent

contained in

The Incarnation Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ

by St. Alphonsus de Liguori.

I always seem to remember this book when Advent is almost over...not this year...I pulled it out yesterday and have it next to my rocker.

I'll also be joining Barbara at Praying for Grace and others
in the St. Andrew/Christmas Novena which begins on November 30th...The Feast of St. Andrew.
My chaplet is ready and waiting atop my Advent reading next to my rocker.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment

in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary,

at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.

In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God!

to hear my prayer and grant my desires,

through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,

and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

psst....go see Barbara...she's giving away a St. Andrew Chaplet to one lucky person!

A Good Turkey Day!

2011-11-25T18:34:00.000-08:00

Started with me rising first at 6:44 a.m. wondering if I would like my cooked turkey this year. I didn't last year and was almost afraid to cook another turkey. Last year's turkey was entirely too dry.

Grabbed a cup of coffee and headed over to food network for some reinforcement...found some with these three recipes...

Ina's Perfect Roast Turkey

Pat Neely's Oven Roasted Turkey

and

World's Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey

a bit of this a bit of that and I loved! our roast turkey this year. I stuffed the cavity and used the basting butter sauce from Ina...I seasoned according the the Neely recipe and roasted following the oven directions from the World's Simplest recipe.

Here sits the roasted turkey...resting before being carved. I'm also keeping the oyster dressing and green beans hot...I think the fresh bread buns were still baking in the oven at this time.

My sweet mother-in-law arrived with delicious dishes in hand...sweet potato casserole above

and her one-of-a-kind potato salad below. I come close in trying to make mine taste like hers, but my family lovingly tells me hers is better. Oh well.

She also brought her broccoli casserole...another winner.

Here the turkey is being carved

while family members watch the T-day parade waiting for the late-comers to arrive.

The meal was wonderful, the company was wonderful and I loved every minute of it!

I was watching Secondborn as he took the first few bites off his plate...his eyes were closed and the look on his face spoke volumes. I asked him if it was good. I don't think I'll ever forget that grateful smile and nod of his.

After eating our noon meal and cleaning the kitchen, we journeyed over the river and thru the woods...actually we crossed the bridge and went down-the-bayou to my parents' home where we visited with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. More fun and love!

The good day finished off at our dear friends' country home sitting around a gorgeous and very warm bonfire with a glass of wine for me and coffee for Prince Charming.

I fell into bed around 12:10 a.m. so tired, but oh, so thankful!

I Hope That Turkey Has Thawed...

2011-11-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

alternate titles...

There is So Blasted Much Left to Do!
or
There is No Rest for The Weary!
or
Thank You, Dear Lord for Everything!

...as it's been in my fridge for 3.5 days. I'll pull it out later this evening to check.
It better be thawed as it is scheduled to spend some time in my oven tomorrow morning!
The beef/pork/oyster dressing base is made...just have to cook the rice and add to the base in the morning.
The cranberry relish is chilling in the fridge.
Ingredients for a loaf of brioche will go into the bread machine about 8:30 a.m.
The fresh green beans are cooked.
My mother-in-law is bringing a potato salad, a sweet potato casserole, a broccoli casserole, and lemon squares.
Sweetpea made her yummy tiramisu.
The kitchen has been a hopping place the past couple days.

Today, I made a delicious chicken, sausage and okra gumbo.

Firstborn and his dirty laundry arrived from college this afternoon. Of course, the washing machine decides to act up.

Secondborn moves back into our home this Friday....still gotta find a place for that 10 ton treadmill other than his bedroom.

Not only has the kitchen been a hopping place, but so has the sewing room.
The two silk dresses are done.
The slips are done.
I can see the top of my craft table once again.

My favorite baby boy and I
wish you and yours a very
Happy Thanksgiving!

New on my ipod

Buble...I love song #5!

Friday Afternoon Hamster Wheel Running

2011-11-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

Sweetpea had only a half day of school...early dismissal due to girls' volleyball playoffs.

After a quick lunch, I let my girl drive me in my car (one of the most nerve-wracking jobs of parenting to date) to the store to pick out some

roses to bring my mother for her birthday...which was yesterday.

With a smiling Sweetpea at the wheel, we journeyed down-the-bayou to visit my parents. Arriving just after lunch, we munched on a few small pieces of left-over fried fish and fries still on a platter from their lunch. I then enjoyed the last piece of mom's birthday pecan cake with a cup of coffee. Sweetpea was offered a piece of lemon meringue pie. I think she licked the plate clean!

My mom is a very good cook...the best!!

Home again, but not before stopping for a bridge open to boat traffic on the Intracoastal Canal.

Not a cloud in the sky...lovely weather we had today.

Now home to prepare dinner...

Fried Shrimp and Stir-Fried Cabbage...

the good cancels out the bad...huh?

I'm Feel Like A Hamster...

2011-11-11T09:52:00.000-08:00

running on a wheel....help...where do I get off??

My cribby is empty today

because baby boy is spending the day with his big sister and granny.

It's my first week day without him in several weeks.

He really likes to eat and keeps me busy making four ounce bottles...which he slurps down in about 15 minutes and then rewards me with a hearty man burrppppppp.

So what did I do on my Friday morning?

I was up with coffee in hand before the sun rose

brought Sweetpea to school

then went directly to the grocery store to restock our pantry and promptly emptied our checking account of all funds.

We've tried not eating...it's impossible.

Back home from the grocery store and into the sewing room...where...

I am elbow deep in silk dupioni, French lace, entredeux, nelona, and batiste.

It's a good place to be.

The periwinkle dup dress in the making...one of two holiday dresses.

Peri dup sleeves somewhat constructed just waiting for me to cut out the nelona sleeve bands.

Dress pattern pieces and instructions close at hand to keep me on course

Handy tools very close by

The preshrunk nelona, lace, and entredeux sit quietly on my craft table just waiting for their turn.

And when the periwinkle dress is completed... the wine dupioni is next...

followed by the batiste for two slips.

Now if only I can find a bit of time to cook some of the groceries I purchased this morning.

Me thinks I'll be running on that wheel all weekend.

Hope yours is simply wonderful!

The Edible Animal Cell

2011-10-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

complete with yummy organelles...

I think Sweetpea's biology instructor will have a fun day tomorrow of sugar over-loaded tenth graders. This particular instructor teaches four classes of Biology I. The assigned group projects of edible cell cakes/desserts will start arriving in the morning. I figure about 12-15 cakes per class period....about 48-60 animal cell desserts throughout the day. Sweetpea and her friend chose chocolate cake with orange tinted icing since we're so close to Halloween. After school today, they decorated the confection with color-coded candies for the organelles and labeled all with cute toothpick flags.

And now for some real sugar...

The Smile

8 weeks old tomorrow - such a wonderful little baby!

Sophomore Year Homecoming Dance

2011-10-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Oh, the drama that has preceded this event...my head hurts

finding a dress,

shoes,

jewelry,

makeup,

a proper fingernail color,

flowers,

hair do and barrette,

My boys were 12 times easier!

I just watched my youngest child and only girl leave with a boy and his mother...

headed to her first big school dance - a very happy girl indeed!

Have a wonderful time, Sweetpea!

I Wonder If...

2011-10-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

my backyard neighbor forgot about her lemons??

They are so gorgeous on our side of the fence I cannot resist taking pics of them.

I don't dare pick one. Sadly, I don't know the woman...we've only lived here 10 years and I've never spoken to my backyard neighbor.

Last year this same tree was loaded with beautiful lemons much like these...I kept eyeing those lemons and one Sunday we came back from mass and all the lemons were gone.

What if she's been counting them this year while I'm at mass and just waiting for them to ripen completely before harvesting? I don't want to be accused of stealing lemons.

Now if they start dropping to the ground...well that's another story...I'll just run out, grab them, zest them and gobble them up!

My teeny, tiny romaine lettuce seedlings...not even an inch tall yet.

And the 20 Packman broccoli plants - they're about 5-6 inches high

Thankfully, the garden goods are mine for the picking.

Other seed beds planted and being watered and whispered to....but haven't germinated yet:

carrots

radishes

Swiss chard

kale

spinach

beets

more romaine lettuce

another patch of bibb lettuce.

In our middle bed...the okra forest just keeps going and going. These plants are over 6 feet tall right now. I have to bend the plants to cut the okra off. Okra will produce until the first frost here. We'll probably keep them another couple weeks. After that this bed will be tilled under and planted with cabbage, more spinach, carrots and beets.

Maybe, just maybe if we have success with our expanded garden project, I'll be able to just walk right past the greens section at my local grocery store. Organic kale is only $3.99 a bunch...ouch!

Grow little seeds...

Shhh.....Don't Wake The Baby

2011-10-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

This little guy is a very good sleeper, and eater, and all the other things babies do around the clock. Looks like he's storing snacks for later in those puffy little cheeks.

Since my last post a couple weeks ago...

I've completed Sweetpea's homecoming dress...and helped her find shoes to coordinate.

Cooked lots of meals and done countless loads of laundry.

In between all that inside work, I've also been in the backyard.

Prince Charming and I have been busy tilling, planting, and watering our fall/winter garden.

I wonder if 20 broccoli plants will be enough?

Last year we had 10 and that was not enough, I will probably be giving heads of broccoli away

or steaming it every other day.

I can just hear them (the people I cook for), "Broccoli Again?!?"

Same for lettuce...romaine, black-seeded simpson, and bibb

And they'll screech, "Do We Look Like Rabbits?!?"

Oh yes, they've said it before and they'll say it again....and then they'll proceed to fill their faces.

All has been very quiet in the sewing room since the homecoming dress scraps were cleared away.

I have two half-completed projects sitting on my craft table -

A wool blend skirt for Sweetpea and 4 doll quilts.

I need to clear the entire table and tackle one project at a time until it is finished. Too much on the table sends me into total shutdown. And yes, with these busy days of late...two projects is two too many!

My own kids have been busy this week with test taking...mid-term exams for the college boys and first quarter exams for Sweetpea.

Firstborn is looking forward to mid-December graduation and beginning full-time employment soon after that. He is currently working at the job part-time each week.

Secondborn is planning to move back home at the end of November.

Fine by me...there is really no reason for him to be paying apartment rent while the blue room in our home sits empty...now where am I going to put that huge tread mill???

Mr. Independent has realized just how expensive it is to live away from home and go to college full time.

Sweetpea finished her first quarter exams (10th grade) today.

Much relief!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Love,

Cheryl

Cute As A Button Indeed!

2011-09-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

I feel like the lucky one

and

thank God to be this child's "Mimi."

Mr. Delicious

2011-09-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

boy toes....

my newest little charge

spent several hours with him today

learned quickly

to cover that squirt gun at diaper change time

he peed his socks the first time

he almost peed me the second time

eats like a pro

burps like a man

cute as a button

wonder, wonder when I will sew that homecoming dress?

why, oh why didn't I just buy the ready-made one off the rack?

still don't have a blog name for him

maybe I should just call him

Mr. Delicious!

Roasted Tomato Soup

2011-09-14T18:01:00.000-07:00

Sunny Anderson's Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe

When Rosebud was a little, bitty, baby girl I used to rock her and watch a lot of food network.

One day I watched Ms. Anderson make this soup and instantly knew I could not live without this recipe in my kitchen.

I Love Tomatoes!!

Then I actually made the soup and could not get over the delicious roasted tomato/vegetable flavor.

I made a large pot a couple days ago and doubled the recipe.

I divided the leftovers in half - froze one half and kept the second half in the fridge for an appetizer today.

Perfect!

I do not have an immersion blender and putting hot soup into a blender has proven to be rather dangerous in my kitchen. I prefer to let the roasted vegetables cool for a bit when I take them out of the oven, then puree them altogether in batches in my food processor...then add the puree to the stock pot with my tomato paste/chicken stock mixture. Works out so much better for me...and safer.

Also...I do not remove the seeds from the Roma tomatoes...too time consuming and I like the seeds.

I served our soup with a garden salad and homemade French bread...and ate weighhhhh too much.

One Pink Corduroy Coat and Two Loaves of French Bread

2011-09-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here are pics of the little pink corduroy coat I completed last Friday. The pattern is from

Gail Doane's Sew Cute Couture.

It's one of my favorite books!

Full of beautiful dresses and coordinating jackets.

I lined, piped, and biased the corduroy with a pretty floral lawn.

The buttons are stacked...a flower shaped at the bottom topped with a smaller round pink button.

Center pleat and round yoke complete the back.

-------------------------

Cooling on the baking rack as I type....

Two loaves of Monica's French Bread.

While blog reading yesterday afternoon I landed at Dreamy White's site and had to print this recipe to give it a try. I can't wait to cut and taste...it's going to be a long afternoon with the wonderful smell of freshly baked bread permeating this house.

--------------------------

Today is our dear Firstborn's 23rd birthday!

Born at 10:57 p.m.

8 lbs.14 oz.

22 inches long

after 30 hours of labor....ouch

I remember it like yesterday

and we love him dearly!

Sew Camouflaged

2011-09-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am having a lovely, very quiet day home alone...in the sewing room...finally working on a sweet little jacket for Rosebud for those cool fall mornings.

After lunch while my coffee was brewing, I stepped outside, saw this and ran back inside to grab my camera before he woke up and hopped away.

Doesn't he just look so cozy and sleepy and camouflaged?

In a pot on the patio, one white (unblemished for today) gerber daisy

Okay, coffee done, back to the sewing room before Sweetpea comes in from school and tells me the 159,684,923 dramatic details about school today.

Sunshine, Blue Skies, and A Morning Temp of 62

2011-09-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Where Am I?

The weather over the weekend was so nasty. On Sunday afternoon, sitting on our back patio with my family, watching it rain, I had enough! Wildfires burning homes and lives to the ground in Texas and here we have 10 inches of rain and flooding to our area over 3 days due to T.S. Lee. This just does not make sense at all. I went inside to finish the book I had started reading a few days earlier, 1 Dead in Attic: after Katrina by Chris Rose. Very good book and I can certainly relate as I clearly remember seeing the devastation of New Orleans after Katrina and the flood.

Monday morning bought wind but no rain and even a bit of sunshine trying to peek through the clouds at times. Monday also brought Sweetpea's 16th birthday! All she wanted was to go shopping! After being cooped inside all weekend, my husband and I were more than happy to get on the road and head to her favorite out-of-town mall. We shopped (everything at American Eagle was 40% off) and had a fun time.

After shopping, we headed home to put together a meal. Firstborn was already here and Secondborn was coming to spend the afternoon with us.

This morning our sunny skies are back,

the cucumber seedlings survived Lee and will hopefully produce a yummy fall crop,

the okra forest has been somewhat righted...it looks like a tangled mess,

blue skies have returned and a cool front has come through leaving us with a morning temp. of 62...on September 6th - Amazing!

Off to do chores, run a couple quick errands and hopefully get myself into the sewing room.

Good Day!

Just Throw It In The Trunk....

2011-09-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

It's been a rather rainy weekend so far...Tropical Storm Lee is bringing wind and rain with his lazy, slow-moving self. I wish he'd just hurry and get out of here.

We did have a break in the rain today and Sweetpea begged her dad to bring her to the mall...seems she needed fingernail polish...

California Raspberry and Don't Know...Beets Me!

Look what Prince Charming and Sweetpea happened to pull up behind at a traffic light headed to the mall. Who carries a bloody-mouth dead alligator in their trunk??

I would never want that stinkin' thing in my vehicle...ewww.

Rosebud is a big sister!

Her baby brother arrived Friday afternoon.

Mom and baby are doing great.

Baby Boy weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 oz. and is 20 inches long.

By the look of his cheeks in pics, he's been sampling the gumbo and potato salad!

Speaking of gumbo and potato salad - I made that today. I figured if we had to be inside most of the day we would eat something delicious...chicken, sausage and okra.

T.S. Lee has blown my okra forest to a side-leaning position. The wind needs to whip back around and stand it up straight again.

Have a wonderful Sunday and Labor Day!

First Yellow Lemon

2011-08-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

Today was Rosebud's last day with me. I've been babysitting this sweet child since May 2009, when she was just five weeks old. This morning on our backyard tour we took a few pics...

The first yellow lemon on our back neighbor's tree...most of the lemons hang on our side of the fence.

In the garden, we peered into the okra forest looking at the delicate yellow flowers,

the huge green leaves,

the thick stalks and all the shade the wide leaves provide beneath them.

I even found a Rosebud amongst my okra!

-------------------

Let's see what else is going on...

Secondborn celebrated his birthday on Monday and turned the big 21!

He began his junior year of college.

Firstborn is now settled into his dorm and began his final semester of college...graduation is scheduled for mid-December!

I've become addicted to green smoothies for breakfast and really want a Vitamix 5200 with the compact container...but my pocketbook says,

"No Way!"

Thankfully, I have an Oster Classic Beehive blender with the glass pitcher. I've had it for the past 12 years and it makes a mean green smoothie. It's nowhere near as powerful as the Vitamix, but seems I can't have everything I want. I'll have to start saving my pennies...or maybe Santa Claus! If anyone has a favorite green smoothie recipe they would like to share please leave me a comment. Thanks.

There has been very little sewing going on. I'm looking to change that real soon.

My washer is again working perfectly!

There were no further repairs after the bobby pin was removed.

My husband told me he prayed over the machine asking God to heal it.

It started working perfectly and has been ever since.

And here I was cursing the machine and threatening to park it at the roadside for garbage day.

Clearly, I have a long way to go.....

In The Garden

2011-08-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

Lots of baby okra...just in time for upcoming pots of gumbo

Pretty okra flowers

and lots of jalapeno peppers to turn up the heat...actually they're not that hot, but sure are tasty

I am looking forward to our fall/winter garden and want to plant broccoli, cabbage, several varieties of lettuce, carrots, beets, cauliflower, spinach, Swiss chard, and nice kale patch for those delicious kale chips.

Have a wonderful weekend....off to cook a field pea and sausage jambalaya and smothered cabbage.

Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep......

2011-08-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

Seems like I have not stopped since I cleaned my oven last Friday. On Saturday, I kept busy doing regular housecleaning chores. I then had my husband get the crib out of the attic so I could put it together in preparation for Rosebud's baby brother. I gave it a good cleaning and it's now set up in my sewing room. It's the size of a portable crib, but is built like a metal baby bed. It's cute and housed Miss Rosebud until she wanted no part of being in it and demanded quite vocally for me to get her out.

Good thing I did all our laundry on Saturday, because on Sunday afternoon while helping Firstborn attempt to wash a few articles for his dorm, the washer quit working and went into code 37....

yes, dreaded code 37.

Code 37 simply means the water is not completely drained at the end of the wash cycle and the machine refuses to run another minute. It shuts off, the door unlocks, it starts that ultra-aggravating beep, beep, beep, beep, and certain lights illuminate. Code 37 means the washer has a load of soggy, dripping towels still soaked with wash water too heavy to ring out and too wet for the dryer. Code 37 makes me want to shoot the washing machine. Once code 37 begins I have to babysit the washer.....turn off the power, unplug it, let it rest, after 15 mins. or so replug it, turn it on, it resets itself, and maybe with prayer and luck or threatening it ....it will complete the wash, rinse, spin cycle. I think code 37 simply means

it's possessed!

See code 37...middle wash green light,

first rinse orange light, and

red spin light.

This 2.5 year old machine first started this nonsense in early July and since that time I've seen entirely too much of the washing machine repair man. It's now getting comical and my anger has turned to laughter...as the machine works when it feels like it. No work on Sunday, no work on Monday, no work on Tuesday....repairman here on Tuesday and I'm wondering who he thinks is more crazy...me or machine. (Who takes photos of their washing machine problems?? and actually shows the photos to anyone??) Repairman here again on Wednesday....machine worked like a charm while he was here and made a complete liar out of me. Repairman leaves and machine washes loads 1,2, and 3 without any problems but decides on loads 4,5,6, and 7 that she is tired and proceeds to pull that code 37 garbage on me. On Tuesday, the repairman found this disgusting, rusty bobby pin underneath the tub....hmmm, could this little number be causing all those code 37 happenings???

Nope, no such luck...even once pin removed, machine still tormenting me with code 37.

Gonna be one expensive bobby pin when all is said and done....

This morning I approached that machine very confidently and she worked...for all four loads and for now my laundry is caught up. All the ironing is done and tomorrow I am

treating myself to see

The Help

I completed the book this morning and with all my washing machine troubles, I fell in love with Minny's sassy self! She had me laughing out loud when I easily could have been crying, and was moved to tears at the end - tears of sadness and joy.

I thank my mother for dropping this book to me late Tuesday morning after her errands were done. I needed a really good diversion from my utility room problems this week.

And machine you better shape up or I will replace you because I don't have time to babysit no washing machine!

Clean Oven Love

2011-08-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

I do not like cleaning my oven,

but just love a clean oven....and stovetop and kettle.

This morning after a walk/jog workout on the treadmill, paying bills, and starting the day's laundry,

I got busy on that dirty oven.

I didn't stop until she was all sparkles and shine.

Then refused to cook dinner as not to dirty her up...

Prince Charming grilled some delicious jumbo shrimp on the back patio...

Maybe tomorrow I will use her as I have a bunch of ripe bananas begging to be made into

muffins loaded with walnuts and chocolate chips.

These muffins are so good...delicious!

I do not put the coconut or rum flavorings...just the pure vanilla extract.

On This Day

2011-08-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

Sweetpea begins 10th grade.

She was all smiles and happy to have mom snap her pic and get her to school early.

I think these years are flying by way too quickly in my opinion. This house is also very quiet without her talkative self here all day.

And in other news....

Prince Charming and I celebrate 26 years of marriage today!

What a gift God has given me with this man as my husband...I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Very little cooking/kitchen work for me today - the sweet man will grill steaks for dinner.

My prayer this day is for another 26 happy, healthy, holy years!

(Sweetpea's pic is foggy cause it was only 110% humidity out this morning.)

Dresses and Flowers

2011-08-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

I've been busy in the sewing room finishing up several projects I started around the middle of July. First, the CC Carol dress. The Nashville Cotton Co. red, white, and blue plaid was purchased from Jan at Bessiemary the Saturday before July 4th. The collar is white line pique from stash and piping is the skipper blue also from Jan. I think it's a cute, classic little dress, but rather plain. I keep wondering if it needs little novelty buttons on the bodice front. Sweetpea thinks once Miss Rosebud steps into the dress it won't be so plain anymore. Now if I could only get Rosebud to try the dress on for me. Whenever I ask her, she simply looks at me and says a very cute, "No." Clearly, a two year old runs my life every Monday and Tuesday.

Next, I made a CC Lucy...I love Lucy...and a coordinating blouse. Again, the fabric is from Jan at Bessiemary...I love Jan too! The apple fabric is a Fabric Finder print and the microcheck mint fabric used for the lining, ruffle, piping, and covered buttons is also by Fabric Finders. The blouse is white pima broadcloth piped with the mint. Miss Rosebud won't try this one on either...Both dresses have matching bloomers to cover those icky pink princess pullups.

Between working on the dresses, I stitched this really soft minky (wannabee) and gingham blanket for Rosebud's soon-to-be-born baby brother. I say minky wannabee because this fabric came from Hobby Lobby and it's not "real" minky. I've never sewn on this type fabric and wasn't sure how it would come out and/or be worth giving. It certainly came out nice and was fun to make! First I googled around and found some tips for sewing on minky at Sew Mama Sew. I did use my walking foot to sew the edges of the minky and gingham together before applying the bias binding. I also used the walking foot to apply the bias binding.

I made another white flannel blanket with blue and white seersucker stripe bias binding - this is quickly becoming one of my favorite gifts for new baby boys. I use the bias binding tutorial from Hello My Name is Heather. It's easy and comes out perfect every time.

Despite the high heat, humidity, and afternoon doses of liquid sunshine, the flowers are blooming. In the front yard I have a couple areas in my beds of these perky pink and white periwinkles.

In the backyard, my

Queen Elizabeth offers a pretty site

as I look from the air conditioned inside...

There Are Days...

2011-07-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

...when I just don't mind hemming a pair of men's slacks.

Especially on the days I am paid with wine and roses...

This morning my height-challenged godson...yes, the one starting medical school in 1.5 weeks phoned and asked if I'd hem some slacks for him.

"Sure, bring them on over after lunch," I told him.

He brought the pants,

we visited,

he left,

I hemmed,

he called later,

I said, "yes, they're ready,"

and he arrived to pick them up with gifts in hand.

Sweet young man!

When The Teenager Falls Asleep

2011-07-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

before the two year old....

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Rosebud pile her favorite books on one by one...

(Sweetpea had a girlfriend sleep over last night and me thinks those girls gabbed late into the night...obviously!)

Good Things Indeed

2011-07-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

This morning after a quick back-to-school-sports-physical for Sweetpea (which took all of 17 minutes from walking into and out of the doctor's office....a record!) she and I headed to my mom and dad's home. We headed that way to visit with my parents over a cup of coffee and also to buy farm fresh eggs from my godparents (who are also my aunt and uncle) that live nearby.

Once home I had to photo the love. Mom gave me 10 brand new, flour sack towels and a bottle of Mrs. Meyer's lavender hand soap...that woman knows what I like!

At my aunt and uncle's home, I purchased 4 dozen eggs and was gifted with fresh pears from their backyard tree and a book for Firstborn, French in 10 minutes a day. When we entered their kitchen, my uncle greeted us in French and I answered back in French. This led to me telling them that Firstborn is learning French during his hour-long commute to and from work each day...which led to my uncle giving me a book from his library to aid Firstborn's interest in teaching himself French.

Fresh eggs and pears, wonderful smelling hand soap, perfect kitchen towels, and an old book to help teach us French....good things and lots of love, oh yes.

Everything But The Weather

2011-07-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

We're winding down our summer vacation as Sweetpea heads back to school on August 9th. This morning she had an orthodontist visit and I sat in the waiting room and watched...yes, the weather and other dumb news on the black box. Then onto Target for a few more school supplies...seems like the school supply wish list multiplies while we sleep. I told her while in the store to hurry and think of anything else she may need cause I wasn't coming back.

After leaving Target we headed to our nearby grocery store... Groceries are entirely too expensive these days! But we still get hungry and need to eat. We picked up fixings for dinner and grabbed a few other goodies...like a big bunch of kale. Once home I washed and dried the kale leaves, cut, seasoned, and baked them (I sound like the Little Red Hen) and made kale chips...Very, very good!

Just a small amount left in this little blue bowl...Sweetpea did not like them, but Prince Charming did. I seasoned them with olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (just a small sprinkling of pepper.) I baked them at 375 degrees for about 18 minutes.

My kitchen assistant

With the kale chips done and the oven still hot, Sweetpea mixed up a yellow box cake and baked it for a simple dessert after tonight's dinner.

Next, she'll make a coffee flavored ganache to ice the cake once it is cool.

Firstborn will be very happy as he is always asking his sister what she made for dessert tonight. Usually the answer is "nothing."

Over the past couple days I've had some fun stuff come into my mailbox...first these wonderful packages of Anchor embroidery floss. I cannot buy Anchor floss in my little city as no one sells it, so I usually end up using DMC which is fine and good. With Jeannie taking the time to package her favorite colors...well, I'm game. I think this array of colors will keep me supplied for a while.

Next, the guide book for my new camera arrived...and in the first 20 minutes of looking at the book I learned 3 new things about the camera....go me!

Finished projects this week in the sewing room thus far have been very slow...

the blue and white minky blanket currently looks like this....

and the Children's Corner Carol dress looks like this...

but I did iron and attempt to photograph the second white bubble for a soon-to-arrive baby boy gift

On this bubble, I piped the collar and sleeves. This one and one posted earlier were kits from The Old Fashioned Baby. The pattern is OFB's Sweet and Simple Bubbles. The kit contained the pima cotton, the tatting, and the buttons for the bubble front and crotch.

Last thing...I've been making most of our bread for the past couple months. My mom shared a simple sourdough starter with me in May (it is renewed with water, a small amount of sugar, and potato flakes.) Usually once a week I make the recipe up into approx. 24 nice sized buns. They're perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They're not too big and not too small and have a slight yummy sourdough taste. My family loves them. I've been keeping them on the kitchen counter in ziploc plastic bags, but today splurged and bought his beautiful airtight glass container to keep them in. Once the buns are cooled they'll all fit nicely in this one container. And I won't have to look at bags of bread cluttering my counter...win, win.

Off to cook dinner and hopefully work on that blanket binding this evening,

bye now.

Glorious Sunshine Returns

2011-07-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

roses cut after yesterday's rain now gracing my kitchen windowsill

Monday Morning Deluge

2011-07-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

Another rainy-day weather post

Woke to severe rain this morning...and backyard flooding...which is what normally happens when we receive 4.5 inches of rain in 4.5 hours...

Yes, this sweet rain gauge is working overtime again today...

But inside all is nice and cozy with plenty of honey-nut cheerios and eyelashes to chase away the rainy day blahs

Hopefully I'll have some sewing room activity pics up before too long. I'm working on a minky blanket and a Children's Corner Carol for Rosebud and her new baby (still in utero) brother...

and if that weather forecast predicting rain for the next 10 days does actually happen, I'll have ark-building instructions and photos up soon as we float away.......

The Sky is Getting Dark...

2011-07-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

and I hear the rumble of thunder as I type...

Our area suffered from near drought-like conditions all through late winter, spring, and early summer...but monsoon season appears to be upon us now...enough already. The rain gauge Sweetpea gave her daddy for Father's Day is working overtime lately with heavy rain showers almost every day this week and

much of the same forecasted for the next ten days. ugh!

Waterproof shoes or going barefoot required to snatch veggies and herbs from the garden!

"Tuesday's Child Is Full Of Grace"

2011-07-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

swaddled in the blanket I made especially for him.

This sweet little boy was born Tuesday, July 12th,

both mama and baby doing great!

Baby Daddy (my brother) is a very proud papa!

Look at those precious little pinkies.

Mia

2011-07-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

I just completed this little dress and bloomer for Rosebud. The pattern is "Mia" by Children's Corner. I'm pretty sure this is one of the newer patterns. It's cute! It reminds me of an old-fashioned little girl's nightgown and the pattern seems it would be great for making sweet little plisse nightgowns...just add a bit of length as this pattern made as indicated is short. I added four inches of length to the 18 month size for my long-legged little victim.

I used Fabric Finder print #793 - the red/royal colorway with tiny red rick-rack and red buttons for trim.

Now to clean off my craft table and straighten my sewing room while dreaming up my next little project...but first I must prepare dinner and fold laundry...

oh, if only the food and laundry took care of themselves.

Monday Cuteness

2011-07-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

27 month old Rosebud arrived this morning wearing a smocked bishop I made for her first birthday.

She reminded me of a delicious little cupcake all day long.

Kinda cute, huh?

Late Spring/Early Summer Sewing

2011-07-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

First was this Children's Corner Hilary for Rosebud. I used a Fabric Finder floral print of yellow and orange, then piped it with the orange gingham. I can't remember the last time I made this pattern. It's been in my Children's Corner pattern box for years. I think it turned out really cute and looked very cute on. It has matching bloomers.

Sweetpea getting the stroller ready for Rosebud to ride in

Next was this strawberry banana smoothie microcheck bishop for my niece, Emma Grace. This fabric is a poly/cotton by Nashville Cotton Co. and came from BessieMary. The smocking design is called Tuesday's Child and appeared in an issue of AS&E several years ago. It also has matching bloomers. I heard it fits well and looks lovely on...but haven't seen it on with my own eyes.

I then made Sweetpea and myself a few skirts while trying to decide what to make for two new baby boys that will be born this summer. One of them is my newest nephew scheduled to arrive next Tuesday, July 12th. The other baby is Rosebud's baby brother due sometime in September. I knew both mothers would appreciate a dressy type bubble and both mothers like white on their babies. I ordered the Sweet and Simple Bubbles and Bonnet pattern and two kits of pima cotton, tatting, and mother of pearl buttons from Old Fashioned Baby. So easy! I made the first and mailed it along with a coordinating blanket to my brother and his wife. I think they liked both items very much. It was such a fun little bubble to make. I've completed the second one but need to iron it well before it appears here.

Next up is a Mia, a Carol, and a Lucy with blouse....back-to-school sewing for Rosebud...stay tuned.

A New Camera for Me...updated

2011-07-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting/needing a new camera. This idea was really confirmed after our short but sweet vacation to Destin a couple weeks ago. I came home, updated my computer and then could not import any pics from my camera into iphoto. Long story short is that my camera software seems very outdated. OK...time to buy a new camera. Now which camera do I purchase?? I started reading online and as usual reading online about camera specs sends my feeble brain into total shutdown. I really wanted an slr type camera, but don't want/can't spend that much money and I don't think I have the patience to learn how to fully use such an amazing piece of equipment. It would have to be a point and shoot type camera. More looking/reading online....more confusion. This morning Sweetpea and I headed out to our local electronics store to actually look at cameras. I ended up with a Sony point and shoot type...the Sony DSC-H70. I think I'll be very pleased and I can play around with it for 14 days and return/exchange it if I don't like it.

Update: I played with the Sony camera for 3-4 days and discovered several things I didn't care for...biggest drawback for me there was no viewfinder. So back to the electronics store with my goods and receipt in hand and like they said...they took it all back and refunded my sweet little plastic card. I then purchased the Canon Powershot G-12 and absolutely love it! This sweet camera is not going anywhere! I've since ordered a guide to the G-12 and am determined to make myself more photo-savvy...is that a word?

so I headed to the garden to play around with different settings and such

even the roma tomatoes are looking tired

just what is going on in my garden????

the end of a wonderful crop

the extreme heat and afternoon rains cause the tomato skins to split

the hydrangeas look exhausted

Up next...hopefully...pics from the sewing room

Rosebud, Elmo, M&M's, and an old kitchen timer

2011-07-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

It really is simple Rosebud...when the kitchen timer bell dings...you sit on the Elmo potty seat...you make in the potty

and then you get candy!!! Yeah!!!

Between days at our house, days spent at preschool, days at her Granny's house and of course at her own house with her parents...one (and ultimately all) of us will have success.

But right now all I smell is poop from that Princess pull up.....

Early July in the Garden

2011-07-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

the tomatoes are almost done...we harvested a wonderful crop this year and have enjoyed them tremendously

zinnias are plentiful for weekly tabletop decor

I think these are called "cut and come again" which is exactly what I've been doing for weeks now

the drought seems to have ended and the afternoon rain showers have helped the basil take off

same with this black beauty eggplant...I cooked eggplant dishes twice last week

a growing black beauty

after we pulled up our bush green beans, we planted okra...they are slow to get going...it's only been near 100 degrees each day...a little too warm even for okra

the leek patch is coming along well

and the cucumbers just keep going and going

our back neighbor's lemon tree seems to hang all of its goodness over our side of the fence....

Patriotic Tiramisu....Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Sweetpea just completed our dessert for tomorrow's celebration of our nation's 235th birthday. The blueberries and strawberries at Sam's Club yesterday were just too beautiful to pass up. They are not only pretty, but delicious too! Strawberry season here is long over and blueberries are coming to an end also. I must find a roadside stand and purchase additional blueberries...very soon...if I want to stock my freezer for the next several months.

Blogging Again

2011-07-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've decided to begin again....and yes, I've lost count of the number of times also. It probably will be much of what it was before...sewing, cooking, gardening, and babysitting. My life is one of routine - happy and content routine. I probably won't be writing very often about my two boys, Firstborn (almost 23 and soon to graduate from college) and Secondborn (almost 21 and a junior in college.) I will be writing about my Prince Charming and our almost 16 year old Sweetpea....because she still lives with us and is so beautiful and full of love and life. I'll also be including snippets about the little one I babysit for...Rosebud. At a little over two years old, she is such a funny, cute, happy little one. We love her dearly! At the end of August, she'll be leaving us and in a few months, her soon-to-be-born baby brother will be spending his days with us. We haven't decided on a blog name for him yet - I think we'll need to see his handsome face first.

I'm happy to be back in this space. So many times I would sew or cook something and want to share the happiness on this space only to remember my space was gone and empty. Well, no longer.