25 Questions: Christmas Edition

I posted this last Christmas, but I enjoyed it so much, I'm re-posting. If you decide to do a Christmas Questions list, leave a comment so I can enjoy yours :)

1. Egg nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa just fills the stockings at our house; we don't put much emphasis on Santa. In fact, when W's PT asked H if Santa was going to bring him some presents, he replied, "Well, we wrap our presents." The reason for not emphasizing Santa is twofold. One, I want my children to focus on the true reason and spirit of Christmas. Two, I want them to know that Mommy and Daddy work hard so that they can get presents. If it wasn't for the good music and books that include Santa, we probably wouldn't do it at all, but I am a sucker for Twas the Night Before Christmas. Below is the response to this question from another blogger that I got this little question list from. I love, love, love her response!

We don't do Santa at our house. We want to be sure that we are telling our kids the truth and that we are celebrating the real reason for the season. If our children are to believe in a man that they cannot see, I want it to be Jesus! However, we told our daughter that people like to "pretend" about Santa at Christmastime and she said she wants to pretend, too. Pretending is fun and that is fine with us! But the presents are from mommy and daddy. We get the credit for that!

Please no hating on me about Santa. It doesn't bother me at all that others do Santa stuff. My brother is almost a decade older than me, so I think that's partly why I was never that into Santa as a kid. Not to mention my mom is not a secret-keeper or much of a surprise-giver.

3. Colored lights or white? White. In fact, my mom gave us her old artificial tree this year (the first time I've ever had an artificial tree, terrible, I'm a real-tree girl all the way), anyway, it is pre-lit with colored lights. That will not do, so I put our white lights on it, and didn't plug in the pre-lit ones. Also, I really like putting the lights on because my dad always checked the lights. It makes me think of him. What can I say? Down with artificial trees!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, maybe when the children are older (isn't that stuff poisonous?)

5. When do you put your decorations up? Either the Friday or the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. Favorite holiday dish? Sausage balls, macaroni and cheese "pie" (as my dad called it), deviled eggs!

7. Favorite childhood memory? Wrapping presents with my grandmother and the year my dad decided we were going to have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

8. When/how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I just sort of figured it out (see #2 above).

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? As a child, I could open one gift on Christmas Eve. Now, we open gifts with my mom on Christmas Eve. This year, I am going to let the boys open one (their matching red Thomas pajamas, so they can have them on for Christmas morning pictures!)

10. How do you decorate the tree? I am a bit of a tree hog (maybe not as bad as Kate). See #3 for the light situation. I put on the lights, then unwrap and unbox the ornaments and hang those, and I have the star we used at my dad's house. I let H help hang some of his ornaments (several John Deere/tractor ones).

11. Snow. Love it or dread it? Love it, usually.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, the last time I tried, and that was a looong time ago.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? It might be this year's, check back after Christmas :) But a favorite from the past was all of Jane Austen's completed novels in hardback!

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Being with my family, doing things that will give my children good memories, and making sure my children know the real reason for celebrating.

15. Favorite holiday dessert? My mom's Fresh Apple Cake.

16. Favorite Christmas Tradition? Going to Christmas Eve church services (haven't done that in a couple of years), watching A Charlie Brown Christmas with my boys, and before he passed away, hearing my dad say, "I hate Christmas, I hate Christmas, I. Hate. Christmas." What can I say, I'm a bit twisted.

17. What tops your tree? The gold-garlanded, color-lights star that was always on our tree at my dad's.

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving? I love giving to my kids, and who doesn't enjoy receiving?

19. Favorite Christmas song? "What Child is This"

20. Candy canes. Yum or yuck? I'll eat them, but they're not my favorite.

21. What do you want for Christmas? Can someone give the gift of sleep and/or more time?

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? No, seems a bit sad, but really, I'm probably glad.

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear P.J.'s? We usually go to my mom's, but it's not dressy (but not pj casual either, I wish it was!)

24. Do you own a Santa hat? Yes, we wore them in parades when I was in band in high school. I wear it when I'm decorating the tree.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Christmas morning and lunch is reserved for just the four of us. Then, my mom and step-dad usually come over as well as my MIL later in the day.

Aack! December

As much as I've been looking forward to Christmas (I love putting up the tree and all the decorations, love Christmas music and the Christmas tv specials -ha, calling them specials ages me doesn't it?), I can't seem to absorb that it's really almost here. I must put in my Amazon order soon. I don't want to be crossing my fingers that it makes it here on time. I do have some things I'd been getting for the boys, but what about the adults on my list!?! Oh, and let's not forget those Christmas pajamas I so rashly mentioned on this site. How will I ever get all this done?

I think this week has been particularly stressful as C's truck is "on the blink" (as my daddy said), and we've had to share my car. Sharing my car consists of frantically getting everyone ready to go in order to leave in time to get Daddy (C) to work ON time. Then after all that hurry up and go. We have an hour before preschool starts. Tuesday, the boys and I decided to live it up and have a "second breakfast" of Chick-fil-a chicken minis and OJ. Now, we could get used to that:)

Thankful for Two

Today, when I think of the many things I am thankful for, one that is at the top of the list is for my two boys. I am thankful for them both individually, of course, but today, when I saw W share his Doc car with H without my prodding, I thought: I'm so glad to have two. I went to the kitchen where we were frantically cutting, cooking and googling how many TBS in 1/3 of a cup, to tell C, "I'm so glad we have two. Two to grow up together and learn from one another." One for each of my arms to wrap around to pull into a mommy-special group hug. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Blessings to you and your loved ones.

A Few Finished Projects

Here's a onesie I added a tie to from this tutorial at Trey and Lucy.

Then a little cap.



These are for a little guy due to arrive in just a short month to friends from college. The mom is one of three girls. This is her first baby, and her sisters each have one girl. So, this little man is in for some spoiling :)

Crafty Stuff on the Net

Just wanted to mention the So You Think You're Crafty challenge. There are some awesome entries, and the winning entry will publish a tutorial for us all! Yeeha! This goes on for ten weeks. Love it. Check it out and vote for your favorite.

While perusing the challenge, I've seen some of my favorite crafty bloggers, of course, but I've also discovered new soon to be favorites, I'm sure. For instance, check out Homemade by Jill, specifically her incredible, not-quite-edible felt food. I have to make some of this for H for Christmas. He loves playing restaurant, and we could incorporate reading, writing, and counting skills using a "menu," taking orders, making change for play money. Aieee! My mind is racing. She also has templates for a quiet book, felt playhouse, the list goes on!

Tragedy or Comedy

My fortune cookie last night reads:

Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think.

All my life, I would have classified myself as a thinker versus a feel-er, but, based on this, I guess I'm a feel-er.

What are you?

Is it just my imagination...

or could I really spend all day, several days washing, drying, folding and putting away laundry? I think I need to do just that to eliminate some piles that are forming!

A New Dress and Some Models

So this is the other little girl's dress I've been working on...
The neckline (above). This dress was pretty simple and fast. The back (below) which I like as much as the front. The arms and back are a Moda fabric which I bought at a quilting store and is a bit pricey. Alas, the pricey fabric is easier to work with and doesn't have to be ironed as much. I was hoping this wasn't true, but it seems that, at least in this case, higher price = higher quality.
Details of the bugs above, and below, a model! Actually, it's the recipient of this dress. She's the daughter of a friend. Sorry about the whited-out faces, but as paranoid as I am about pictures of my own children on the internet, I must do it.

Her older sister received one of the dish towel dresses. Check here for a dish towel dress made from different Target Dollar Spot towels.

I think she's telling me, "Enough with the pictures, Ms. K!" Or maybe she's going to break into "Stop, In the Name of Love."Hooray for hand sewn dresses!
I've got some other finished projects to post soon!

Halloween Sewing

Here are some of my Halloween goodies.



The little pillowcase-style dresses are from the tutorial at Trey and Lucy's (check the right side of Trey and Lucy for pictures and links to all of the great tutorials). As you can see if you check out the tutorial, I completely copied her, right down to the ribbon color choice. These are made from dish towels that were in the Target Dollar Spot! The material is stretchy which I hope will help as I'm making these for a three year-old and four year-old. I used my four year-old as a size guide, so fingers-crossed they'll fit. These truly were easy peasy to sew.

The headband (that orange thing in the middle) is from the tutorial at Blue Bird Studio. I've used it before. It's very simple and quick to make. However, I have issues with backstitching on zig zag to enclose the rubber band type hair whatchmacallit. I don't think others have this problem. I got the material for the headband in a fat eighth, and that is enough to do two of these headbands, good deal!

So now you know (at least some of) what I've been working on.

It's a Beautiful Morning

Actually, it's rainy, but I sometimes really enjoy a dark, rainy morning. It makes staying inside and sewing completely guilt-free. After dropping H off at school this morning, W and I came home to enjoy a snack that included hot chocolate for me, yum. Then I checked out a few of my favorite blogs and discovered that I have won something from A Lil Welsh Rarebit, woohoo! Sorry to have been missing around here for a bit. I've been sewing a pretty goodly amount (for me). Pictures to come of my projects soon. I was hoping to take some today, but the weather may push it back a day or two. I am also trying to adjust to our new schedule now that preschool is back in session. W is going a couple of mornings, so I have some time all to myself. But instead of feeling like I have more time, I try to squeeze all of my errands, grocery shopping and the like into that time which makes me feel busier. (If that makes sense at all). H is really learning a lot already. A few weekends ago he wrote the numbers 1 through 12 out on the dry erase easel, um, wow! Then, we talked about The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. C and I are so excited to see and hear all that he is learning. W loves music time at school. He's a little dancer (he gets it honest, I boogie around the house often). And, W is now sleeping in his big boy bed! No more crib. Oh, and I've been reading too. Maybe I can do a book review of one that I absolutely loved. All of my reading has been for book clubs, promise.

This past weekend Mel and family came for a visit. I was so excited to see them. I got to hold that little sweet girl of hers, and she is a darling, let me tell you. The boys entertained us all what with all the running through the living room and loud voices. Of course, I also got to show Mel some of my latest sewing projects and fabric purchases. We also continued work on the boys' swing set this weekend. My mom came over to help watch the boys, so I could help C with the swing set. We made some good progress, and H really stayed out with us most of the time. He is really, really into space shuttles right now. He watches clips on you tube as long as we let him. So, he sat in the "fort" part of the tree house and pretended it was a space shuttle while I did the countdown and acted as Mission Control. It was so fun for me too! I love to see his imagination in action! I always hoped I would be able to play with my children and enjoy it, but I sometimes feel so busy. It was great to play. I sometimes forget how fun it is to pretend. Let's hope I always remember!

All that knitting...

And this is the result! My orange ribbon sweater. It is knit out of ribbon rather than what you'd think of as "normal" yarn. Ribbon is a bit slippery to knit with compared to wool or blends. It took several classes to get it all finished, one might even say a lot of classes, but I learned several new stitches. It goes very well with my pants. I have a whole handmade outfit (well not the little cami top, of course). It probably took me about two months to complete, but remember they (my LYS) only have classes three days a week, and I have to have someone watch my little guys. There is no seaming, but even keeping the ends woven in with ribbon is a bit tough. I definitely would like to try the pattern again soon in "normal" yarn to see if I can remember all the new things I learned. Anyway, it's just the right color for Halloween!

Pants-Along: All Done (aka The Big Reveal)

As my little guy would say, Ta da! Here are my pants all sewn up. I love them! I had set myself a deadline to have them finished to wear to book club, and although I was hemming the legs twenty minutes before departure, I finished. The book club members commented on them before I told them I made them, so that gave me more confidence for future sewing. And no, I have no idea why this text is underlined.


Excuse the wrinkles, these pictures were taken after I wore them to book club. They "ride" quite low, but that's how I wanted them. Plus, they have to fit over the hips since there isn't a button, zipper, or elastic.

Here's the view from above. Lets you see the pretty casing. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well the drawstring works and how comfortable I feel in the pants.
Here's a picture with the fabulous pockets and some of the casing for the drawstring. My front and back did not line up evenly (although my sewing aunt says that is okay). I also had a place on the front where I must not have cut straight and there was a place that was higher, so I couldn't draw a straight line to follow for my top-stitching as Joanna recommended. Instead, I turned them wrong side out and stitched close to the edge of the casing, used my tailor's chalk to trace a line right along the stitching, then ripped those stitches out, turned the pants right side out, and top-stitched on the chalk line. I still have one place where I didn't catch the casing. Oh well, not going to worry about that.
Just going to sit back and enjoy my new, one of a kind pants :) Although, there are a lovey for H and that kimono I've mentioned just waiting for me to fire up the Bernie Mac.

Thank you to Joanna for doing the pants-along. I hope to make more. These are twill, but I bought some chino to try. If you've ever sewn chino, let me know if you think it will work. It seems a bit slick... Anyway, this has given me great practice and great pants, hooray pants-along!

Put Your Hand in My Pocket - Pants-along

Ha! but don't pull out a rocket, or do any pulling on these pockets, please!


What can I say? Toot, toot! That's me tooting my own horn. I laa-uvvv them. Go ahead, click on the picture, see them up close and in detail (C's photography, not mine). When I started to work on them, I got so involved. I didn't eat supper. I left the boys' yogurt container out for a couple of hours (it was still cool, so no loss). I just got in a sewing groove. Ah, and it was a good groove that really worked well, much better (read: easier) than I would have expected. I didn't have any directions other than my own idea of what I wanted, and it turned out just as I had pictured. I've already gotten the casing in, but I still have to top stitch it in place and hem. Then it will be time for the big reveal :)

Sometimes, a picture...

...really says it all.

Cool Down

"The berries are red, so fall is on its way," says H. The mornings have been cool and even the days have been pleasant. Last weekend we set up a twin size bed in W's room, which meant figuring out where to put a full size headboard and footboard (I refuse to give them away). Luckily, we were able to fit it in W's closet along with a few other things that had been hiding underneath the full bed (i.e., my guitar--no, I can't play now but one of these days, one. of. these. days.). Needless to say, it was an all day affair. Then, Tuesday, I tried to organize (okay, fold fairly neatly and put in a storage container) all the clothes W has outgrown. My mom was over, so I had some help watching the boys and organizing. Speaking of my mom, while re-organizing (again, using that word loosely) W's closet, I saw Mom's wedding gown (the one she wore when she married my dad). I may have to do a whole separate post on that. How it once was lost but finally found, how every time I see it, I am amazed (my great-grandmother made it).

With the weather cooling, I find myself yearning to knit even more. I have a few baby hats that I need to make for little ones who will be making their appearances this winter. I also feel that it would be nice if I knitted up some hats for my own little guys. As much as I look forward to Halloween and Christmas and the fun they bring, I feel like summer flew by before I had a chance to enjoy it as much as I'd like. Also, the kimono I still need to sew for my friend's little girl (she's over a month old now, I am feeling bad), I picked vibrant summer colors (sky blue and a bright pink). I must get it made and delivered before September 22, or it is going to be completely out of season. Maybe this weekend, right? C will be home an extra day. I think I need to force myself to stay up late sewing. Sometimes, it's the only way to fly :)

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Enjoy!

Pants-along: First Try On (It's all about the top-stitching)

This weekend I tried on my pants for the first time. I am pretty pleased with how they are turning out. The legs are a bit baggy, but if I think they are too baggy, I may make them capri-length. After trying them on, I though the front seam (along the rise) looked a bit too plain (as seen in the above picture). After reviewing Joann's instructions, I realized I was supposed to top-stitch that seam. So, I've done that, and they look much, much better. It's amazing what a little contrasting thread can accomplish. I finished up the butt-darts yesterday, so now it is on to back pockets (hopefully today).

I am so glad I decided to try to make these. The process is really helping me gain some confidence in my sewing. I still have much to learn, but now I know "anything can happen, child. Anything can be."

Pants-along: Just starting to look like pants

Still slow going (surprise, surprise), but I got a little done on the pants-along pants. You know I do like hanging clothes, etc. on trees; although, the wind was giving me some flack. Not complaining about a breeze in August, though.
I wish the legs were as slim as they appear. I'm a little concerned about them being baggy. Joanna at Stardust Shoes has given directions for "butt darts," so I should be able to take the waist in if needed. However, not sure about how the legs will turn out. We shall see, we shall see.

Here's a close-up of the top-stitching on the inner seam. I completely stole the orange and brown color scheme from Joanna. The color is off. Must get C to take pictures of final product, so the colors will turn out more true.Next up is front pockets which look like they require some fairly serious rotary cutting skills. May have to call C in for help!

Looking forward to a trip to the library today to pick up books for the boys as well as this Charlie and Lola DVDAm I the only one starting to think about Christmas? In a totally-looking-forward-to-it, let's-decorate-the-tree-fun type of way? Maybe it has to do with my list :)

Thrifted Linens (Finally)

Finally, after reading on all of my favorite crafty blogs about thrifted sheets, I find some at a local flea market! I am so excited! Even though these aren't my favorite colors in the world, they have the soft feeling of "lived-in" sheets (okay, used, I know they are used), and check out the price in the next picture.

$5.50 for the twin set. I'm not sure if that's a good price or no (I'm new to this), but I felt like it was a decent price when considering the prices of fabric (usually $6 to $8 per yard). Here's a closer look. I actually think there may be an extra pillowcase or something in there (thus the third pattern, the fitted sheet is mostly white with flowers). Why am I not sure? I haven't untied them yet. I'm not sure I'm ready, I may want to take more pictures of my "find."


Now, I know that some just can't live with the used sheets. And knowing me, the self-confessed germophobe, you are probably surprised that I'm okay with thrifted sheets. What can I say? I am also a totally-devoted library user. Of course, sheets are different from books, but I trust in the strength of hot water and laundry detergent. And these sheets are for sewing pajamas or pillowcase shirts or dresses or something. So, there you have it, my first thrifted sheets. Let's hope there are more finds in the future.

Moving Along

I'm headed to a sewing night with Mel and this talented woman. Luckily, this has lit a fire under my behind to get going on my pants for the pants along. I've got the fronts and backs cut. I'm hoping to get some bobbins wound and ready to go.

I'll be honest, I'm letting a knitting project take over any time I have that isn't taken up by reading (Beach Music by Pat Conroy for local library book club) which isn't much as most of my time is spent worrying over or taking care of the boys. Apparently, we've all gotten a cold. Mine and C's have turned into sinus infections. The boys have both coughed until they threw up. H was up at 5:18 AM coughing, coughing, and coughing. I took them to the doctor today. It has been a long day. C started back to school today. No English classes this time! Hooray!

Pants-along

I am going to try to keep up with Joanna over at Stardust Shoes in the Pants-along. I got some chocolate twill. Still picking the casing for the waist and the top-stitching thread color. Here are some pics.


Think I'm leaning toward the orange, but (oh ye of little faith) I'm so worried these won't turn out (not because of Joanna's instruction or inspiration just my novice-ness). I hate to waste cute fabric. If these pictures are all wonky once I post, I am sorry. I am not good at getting pictures side by side or anything besides one per post for that matter. This picture ---->
is more indicative of the chocolate color.

I've got some kind of sinus problem going, but I'm taking medicine as the little guy's birthday is drawing near. Mommy can't be sick!

Giving New Meaning to the Phrase Cutie Pie

I have been waiting for the okay to link to this hat, because I am just blown away at what people can think of and create. Then, when I checked Blue Bird Studio today, the latest posts are a baby bowl and a baby cocoon with the directions for knitting both. Go take a look, all three of these are so adorable.

Also, While They Sleep is having a giveaway for a handmade pod swaddler or the pattern to make your own. Such a cute and useful idea (my oldest HAD to be swaddled in order to sleep as an infant).

Lots of baby stuff out there, and since the two friends I had showers for back in June just recently had their girls a week and a day apart, it's been baby-visiting time around here. When I see newborns, it's hard for me to believe my boys were ever that small. It goes so very fast and is so very precious, rejoice in it.

Bumper Crop

We harvested our first two squash a few weeks ago, and both boys were quite excited, sure to point them out to Daddy when he arrived home the evening of the day we picked them. It's fun to see their interest in our tiny garden. They help me water the plants and like to walk over to "take a look" at them. C fried those squash up recently (using an egg from our neighborhood for the egg-wash before flouring). They were yummy.Plants aren't the only thing growing around our home. Looks like my oldest is going to need some new pajama pants come fall.




















These are some berries and berry stems off a few of our trees. On the first day he began picking them, H explained that he's making a few collections for me because I am special. Then a few days later, he was gathering some more and said, "You're our mom and Dad's wife, so you are special." Now, hearing words like that is, indeed, a bumper crop.

What to Make, What to Make

Aahhh, and this is just how they were stacked in the package. The colors flowing into one another (well, except for maybe that bottom, Denyse Schmidt, one). That thing in the background? It's a fabric catalog. Yes, you read that right, a fabric catalog. Who knew these existed? It's like a book of dreams. When the catalog came out from between the layers of fabric, I exclaimed, "Look at this! Do you know what this is?" H said, with matching excitement I might add, "A fabric magazine!" That's my boy!

I'll blame this fabric purchase on two blogs: mmmcrafts and her co-conspirator ViolaAndPearl. That's where I read about the sale, and so I went to just look. I resisted for a whole day, but then I was left in the house with only W. He was happily playing...I was happily shopping. I did at least wait for C to tell me I wasn't going to break the bank with one more fabric purchase before actually hitting the Buy Now button. However, I have a terrible non-use problem going on here. I love buying the fabric, but making something with it? Ehh, not so much. I completely planned to tackle Weekend Sewing's Yard Sale Wrap Skirt, but when I look at pictures of this skirt that others have made (via Flickr), they don't look so great. I mean, they are not very flattering. It's not just that they emphasize one's waist, the length doesn't look right. So, what to make? I am thinking the Weekend Sewing Trapeze Sundress. We'll see...

When A Blog Disappears

I don't mean when Blogger is having problems. I mean when you go to check out a blog you read and, in this case, WordPress gives you this message: The authors have deleted this blog. The content is no longer available. What is one to think? Is something wrong? Have they moved to a new blog? A new state? No, that wouldn't matter in blogland. Why no forwarding address and most importantly, why no explanation? Of course, paranoid folks like myself wonder if something scary happened. Did someone make rude or frightening comments (this was a family's blog with pictures of their beautiful children). I just want to know if everything is okay. I didn't check this blog daily but fairly regularly, and I don't think I missed a post where they said were going offline. Don't their readers (me) deserve some sort of farewell post? It's funny how I feel like I need closure over a "missing" blog. Oh well, maybe I'll find them out there again someday...

It is July!

July

When the scarlet cardinal tells
Her dream to the dragonfly,
And the lazy breeze makes a nest in the trees,
And murmurs a lullaby,
It is July.

When the tangled cobweb pulls
The cornflower's cap awry,
And the lilies tall lean over the wall
To bow to the butterfly,
It is July.

When the heat like a mist veil floats,
And poppies flame in the rye,
And the silver note in the streamlet's throat
Has softened almost to a sigh,
It is July.

When the hours are so still that time
Forgets them, and lets them lie
'Neath petals pink till the night stars wink
At the sunset in the sky,
It is July.

by Susan Hartley Swett

*sigh* I found this poem in the 1967 Childcraft The How and Why Library which I believe came with a set of World Book encyclopedias my grandparents bought. As a child, I loved these books, and when we finally gave away the encyclopedias, I could not bear to part with these. I believe it is a set of fifteen volumes. This one is the Poems and Rhymes volume. Don't you love the Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe illustration? I know just how she feels. Hooray for "vintage" books!

If you'd like to read a blog entry that will take you straight to a summer day at the lake/river, go here and Blue Yonder will take you there. Happy July!

A Little Good Stuff

A few things that are making me smile. This sign on my neighbors' mailbox:
I think that's a deal for fresh eggs, and as a gal who helped her brother run an egg business (picture an eight year-old pedaling her pink bike with a couple of dozen eggs in her little plastic-flower-decorated basket), I want to support the two boys who are behind this enterprise (which includes a blog and home-delivery). After reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, I've been buying range-free, cage-free eggs, so to buy some from right down the street is even better!

Then there's this fabric I bought for half-off! I thought it was too cute to pass up (and Mel got really excited about it).
Sorry for the poor picture quality, and for the placement. I've been having a harder time than normal moving my pictures around in posts (must speak to IT aka C).

This evening I am headed to a knitting class. Looking forward to learning new skills and making something for myself with said new skills! Also, looking forward to asking a few questions on some WIPs I have.





Lastly, I am awaiting several packages (and who doesn't love packages? we've discussed this here before). One is the above book Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots by Sharon Lovejoy (underline isn't working today either by the way, but it will underline a link it seems). I saw this book mentioned on BluebirdBaby's blog (sorry no link, pressed for time here). It's about gardening with children, and since the boys have recently discovered the fun of the water hose, I thought it might be beneficial. Another package will be bringing some fabric


It's called Fortune Sea by Anna Maria Horner, sigh, isn't it lovely?

Friii-i-day In The Park

I think it was the 3rd of July...

We took the boys to a park today since C was off work. C and H played miniature golf, and H got a hole-in-one! We even let W take a few hits on the last hole. It was fun! The weather here has been beee-yooo-ti-ful, but today took the cake! 77 degrees at noon on July 3rd and crazily not humid?! Unheard of around here. Sorry, if anyone from Maine is reading this I know some of the bloggers I read who reside there have been bemoaning constant rain. After the park, we went to a local deli restaurant and ate outside. Yes, even C. You know the weather must be nice if we talked him into sitting outside. He does not like heat. Then we came home, and I spent way too much time on Fabricworm dreaming... Hope everyone has a great 4th of July. I think we may try to catch a parade and watch some fireworks from afar.

Coincidence?

Last Tuesday, I asked C if after dinner he wanted to take the boys by a local John Deere place to see a huge tractor they had out front. C had taken a picture of it to show the boys earlier, and I thought it would be a nice way to get out of the house for a bit. As we were yielding to traffic, I saw the above car. I know it doesn't look like much, but it's an old Plymouth Valiant. My dad had one. Actually, my mom bought the "old Val," as the car was known, brand new in 1965 for about $2,000.00.

After my parents married, it became my dad's, and he drove it until it wouldn't drive any more. I sat in it on cold mornings with neighborhood kids waiting on the bus, I rode to school in it in junior high. It wasn't cool or even retro with its push button radio (push the button, the little dial flew to the next station). The paint was chipping off terribly on the front. A brick had been thrown at its side. Still, I didn't mind. It was like your ratty old comfy pants. Daddy did have the engine rebuilt after it "wouldn't drive any more," and then it was our Sunday-afternoon-drive car. By then, I was old enough to appreciate what the car meant to my dad, still I did manage to drag the right front bumper of my second car along its side one night, leaving a nice black line. I went right in and 'fessed up, even though the friend with me urged me to "tell him when we got back." Then, something went wrong with that engine, and the old Val never rode again. After my father's death, we ended up having the car towed away, but not before I asked C to take out the glove compartment door.
Yep, white with red interior!

I always thought the glovebox was neat with its little spot for your drink to sit and nice surface to sit your burger and fries on at the drive-in or a place with car hops bringing your food.


So, when I saw that car on the road Tuesday, on the fifth anniversary of my daddy's death, I didn't think, what a coincidence. I thought, thanks, Daddy, I miss you, too, every. single. day.Drive on...

Out with the Old

New blog layout to pep me up for the Fourth of July. Although, I'm probably more pepped about Hancock Fabric's 5 Simplicity patterns for $5 sale coming up later this week! Book club was Friday. The peach cobbler didn't even make it through the night after C had a bowl. Target's white sangria in a box, don't laugh at the box, is yummy. We emptied the box and another bottle of wine. Sounds like a good book club to me! However, Thursday (the day before book club) was a cluster. I realized I didn't tell my mom I was doubling a recipe. So, she cut some celery for me and then shared the rest with her husband while I was at the grocery. So, another trip to the grocery. I knocked over a box of dry macaroni, all over the floor. I broke one of my great-grandmother's dessert bowls (I've ordered a replacement, fingers crossed it will really match). Friday wasn't a whole lot better. I chipped paint off our bookshelf and put a dent in our table with the can of furniture polish. I was literally afraid to wash my serving dishes for fear of destroying them. Just call me Danger-prone Daphne. Maybe it's because I was all stressed about getting everything done?

So,I am sort of glad to see June go. It's been such a busy month for me. It's flown by, but I haven't had much of a chance to enjoy the summer, to do some fun stuff with the boys. It seems every week has been preparation for the weekend. And C's summer classes? They are taking a toll on all of us. Our yard needs mowing, we are trying to get everything cleaned for the window installation folks (yes, new windows, finally!), our garage and closet need to be cleaned out, and the list goes on. So, as I wave farewell to June, I am trying to just slow down and welcome a slower-paced July.

Funny things heard around here:
H: What are those bugs, Mom?
Me: Lightening bugs.
H: They are flashing their tail lights at us.

Me: What are we going to do with that little brother?
H: Throw him away?

Secret Life of Grime

With my turn to host book club coming up (next Friday!), I am getting ready to do some pretty deep cleaning. If I am to be honest, this is the only time my kitchen gets the good cleaning it needs (cabinet doors wiped clean, baseboards, chair rails, the works). So, I was wondering if I am the only person who has specific spots that I clean, that I wonder if others clean. I am a germophobe but not a neat freak at all. When I am in others' homes, I am looking at their decor, particularly the walls, as I tend to go bare-walled compared to others, not how clean their houses appear. However, there are a few specific places I do look at and wonder, "have they cleaned that?" Today, I was cleaning one of those: the ice and water dispenser on the refrigerator. It can really get disgusting, especially if you have really hard water (like we do). I also really like to get that cover on the bottom of the refrigerator clean (I guess I have a thing about refrigerator cleanliness). I know some of the things that often can be overlooked like the ceiling fan blades and picture frames, but what are some other grimy spots that you notice? I want to make sure I hit 'em all!

The Yellow Bird Fabric: A Serendipitous Tale

When I saw this picture in the May issue of Cookie magazine, I wasn't paying attention to the room (the article was about decor). I was mesmerized by the little girl's dress. That beautiful fabric.

Alas, looking in the magazine and on Cookie mag's website gave me no information about the dress (I was looking for a Where to Buy). So, a couple of weeks went by, and I was on Mel's blog and clicked on her link to Alewives Girl. Imagine my surprise to see a picture of a little girl wearing a top made out of this fabric. (Thanks, Mel!)

I quickly commented, asking Rhea (the owner of the fantastic Alewives Girl) if she could tell me about the fabric. She commented back that it was an Alexander Henry fabric available in her web store. With bated breath did I click on the link to the web store, then to the Alexander Henry fabrics, and then...

what light through yonder iPhone screen did break? It was the fabric with birds golden as the sun. The next day, my fingers quickly did the ordering, and in a very few days (thanks, Rhea), this arrived
Isn't that so beautifully wrapped? And, it contained a hand-written note from Rhea. So nice. So here it is

No, I don't exactly know what I am going to do with it, but I know I love it!