Friday, February 27, 2009
Out Takes
Just a glimpse of what I had to deal with while taking pictures of my kids this week. I set up a makeshift studio and somehow lead myself to believe this would be a cinch..... right..... The T.V. on, a crawling baby, a bossy sister, no one to help, a mom with high hopes, it was a recipe for disaster. I did end up getting some excellent shots, but we'll save those for later. Sharing the bloopers makes me appreciate them more. Katelyn was a flower girl in the fall, but we never got really great pictures of them dressed up. So this was take two of two. Yes, believe me, I am done, there will be no more. My biggest mistake was attempting this while Matthew was at work. Would have been much easier with an entertainer/crowd controller. Anyhoo, was good for a laugh, and like I said, I will reveal the good ones later.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Mr. Piano Man
Here is the story of our free piano: It was a cold and stormy night, everyone had left our house and for some reason Matthew said emphatically, "I want a piano!" At first it seemed as if this dream wouldn't come true, but we didn't give up hope. Then we found an add from a woman in Wembly with a piano that needed taken by the next day. Within an hour we had everything in place but as we would find, that was the easy part. Within a matter of minutes, we had named this piano 'The Beast' and it would cause much pain as we would soon find out. It was a tight squeeze, both out of the woman's house and into ours. Our neighbor came to the rescue and within a matter of 5 minutes had a 3 inch gash in his head, but that didn't stop the resilient crew. With screams and cries, the 800lb beast made its way up the front stairs and now, it is a permanent member in our home. It is a Heintzman and Company transposing piano, built in Toronto in 1897. (posted by Matthew)
Friday, February 06, 2009
25 Random Things About Me
1. I love singing at the top of my lungs while driving alone on country roads. I used to take voice lessons and I even do those old voice exercises in the car. I had one very humiliating experience singing in front of an audience and ever since I don't sing in front of people. I don't see this as a big deal, it didn't take away from my enjoyment. I just love singing out to Jesus, this is my favorite way to worship and connect to Him. Oh, and I sing for my kids
2. I would love to live on a farm and be fully self-sufficent. Have a wind mill, well, wood stove thing-a-ma-jig to heat the house and cook on, the works. Obviously I have a lot to learn about all this, but I'm excited
3. I like to eat brown pasta and brown rice. One of them I like almost mushy, the other I like tender. You can probably figure out which is which.
4. I love old furniture and dishes, especially if they have personal sentimental value to me. Things from my, and Matthew's grandparents are really special. When I buy new things I feel like I'm cheating. I just figure, why are we all buying new stuff that's made in China when there is probably the same thing already kicking around somewhere, it has much higher value in so many ways. Not to mention burning all these fossil fuels making and transporting our new flimsy things.
5. I had a C-Section with Katelyn, which was very last minute and heart breaking at the time. It turned out that she was footling breech. I was glad I didn't know because I'm thankful I got to labour with her.... which sounds a bit crazy now. Anyways, because of that I did a lot of research to prevent another C-Section, and in doing so decided to have a home birth with Owen. It was amazing and perfect and I'll do it again someday, which also sounds crazy when I think about it.
6. When I was in grade 4 I watched Freddie Kruger, it terrified me. I never watch even remotely scary things and I don't see the point of it at all. Why put that in my mind or even in my house?
7. I force myself to be organized because otherwise my life would be a mess. I really love lists, budgets, schedules etc. I just have a really hard time implementing them.
8. In the winter I get psoriasis on my elbows, I know it seems kinda yeecky. Basically it's just really itchy and dry. Since Christmas I've been eating really healthy and it's cleared up.
9. I use cloth diapers for Owen, I recycle, I reuse Ziplocs (and get made fun of for it), I limit my driving, I use cloth shopping bags. Despite these things my husband accuses me of washing dishes by the principal of erosion, just letting the water run and run until the food comes off. I also take extremely long showers. I feel very guilty about these things and I'm trying to stop.
10. I lived in Switzerland for a year as an au pair. Best experience ever, it was just incredible. There is so much value in something like this. I love the family I lived with and still miss them almost 5 years later. I traveled a lot of Europe while I was there and want to go back when my kids are teenagers.
11. I'm a night owl, I don't even really get going in my day until 10:00am or so.
12. I like stand up comedy, live theater, live music (most kinds)but I don't like going to the movie theater. I'm never comfortable enough, don't like the food there, and wish I could pause it so I could pee.
13. I hate leaving my kids with babysitters, it just seems like more trouble than it's worth. Once we're out I enjoy our time, I don't fret. I envy my friends that have parents living close, I would totally over use that privilege.
14. I was head over heels for Matthew and had no idea he felt the same. When he told me he loved me he totally took me off guard. It was wonderful. I loved dating him and I love being married to him.
15. We watch T.V. in the evening and I always knit or embroider, other wise I feel like I'm wasting time.
16. It takes me about 2 years of living in a house before I put pictures on the walls. We've been married almost 5 years, lived in 3 places, I don't often have art up. It's usually because I'm intimidated and can't really decide exactly what I want.
17. I have plans drawn up for our future dream house and I regularly revise them as life goes on. It's not huge, but very practical for our family. The rooms I'm most excited about are the kitchen, the laundry room, and the piano parlor, oh and the school/craft room.
18. I'm pretty good at cooking about 10 different things. Everything else is just trial and error, unfortunately it's usually error. But I'm getting better and I learned how to make really good 100% whole wheat bread last week. I used to enjoy cooking a lot and would pride myself on mastering certain things like pie. Now I would rather be sewing.
19. I thought I would naturally be a great mom and not have to try very hard. I enjoy being a mom but it's hard and doesn't come naturally to me. I feel like I have to call someone or read up on things everyday for different reasons.
20. I like riding my bike and miss doing it. I've had the same road bike for 15 years, it's still great. Where I grew up there was perfect bike routes with amazing views. Where I live now is too dangerous to road bike, I miss it.
21. My favorite colours are green, then red. These are very unfortunate favorite colours when it comes to home decorating...... although I do love Christmas, I don't want my house to look so festive all year round.
22. I'm about half way through 7 sewing projects right now. I have 13 more projects on my list to be done before spring. I have an old Kenmore that was left in a house our friends were renting out, it's great. I love free things, although I'll probably buy a new sewing machine someday since I use it so much, I don't know how long this one will last me.
23. I regularly purge my wardrobe (about every 3 months). I hate having things hanging around that I never wear. I don't know how I still have clothes 'cause I don't go shopping very often. Oh, I'm sneaking another one in here 'cause it's related. I hated shopping before I had kids, and now it's something I really miss. I wish I could spend as long as I want, by myself, at a really nice mall. I like Market Mall (Calgary).
24. I try to eat seasonally, locally, and responsibly. Soup in winter, salad in summer etc. We grow or buy the majority of our food locally. My favorite thing to not buy is dairy products. I make yogurt, kefir, butter, all that. I started this when Katelyn started eating solid food. Some things are really hard to stop buying, spices, chocolate, coffee, salt. Everything else really can be made. I don't make everything, and I still have a house full of boxes, bottles, and bags, but I'm trying...
25. I always think I have a favorite kid but then while I'm thinking that I realize the other one is my favorite. Hopefully this makes sense in other peoples minds. I just love both of my kids so much. They make me laugh so much and sometimes make me cry (in a good way).
2. I would love to live on a farm and be fully self-sufficent. Have a wind mill, well, wood stove thing-a-ma-jig to heat the house and cook on, the works. Obviously I have a lot to learn about all this, but I'm excited
3. I like to eat brown pasta and brown rice. One of them I like almost mushy, the other I like tender. You can probably figure out which is which.
4. I love old furniture and dishes, especially if they have personal sentimental value to me. Things from my, and Matthew's grandparents are really special. When I buy new things I feel like I'm cheating. I just figure, why are we all buying new stuff that's made in China when there is probably the same thing already kicking around somewhere, it has much higher value in so many ways. Not to mention burning all these fossil fuels making and transporting our new flimsy things.
5. I had a C-Section with Katelyn, which was very last minute and heart breaking at the time. It turned out that she was footling breech. I was glad I didn't know because I'm thankful I got to labour with her.... which sounds a bit crazy now. Anyways, because of that I did a lot of research to prevent another C-Section, and in doing so decided to have a home birth with Owen. It was amazing and perfect and I'll do it again someday, which also sounds crazy when I think about it.
6. When I was in grade 4 I watched Freddie Kruger, it terrified me. I never watch even remotely scary things and I don't see the point of it at all. Why put that in my mind or even in my house?
7. I force myself to be organized because otherwise my life would be a mess. I really love lists, budgets, schedules etc. I just have a really hard time implementing them.
8. In the winter I get psoriasis on my elbows, I know it seems kinda yeecky. Basically it's just really itchy and dry. Since Christmas I've been eating really healthy and it's cleared up.
9. I use cloth diapers for Owen, I recycle, I reuse Ziplocs (and get made fun of for it), I limit my driving, I use cloth shopping bags. Despite these things my husband accuses me of washing dishes by the principal of erosion, just letting the water run and run until the food comes off. I also take extremely long showers. I feel very guilty about these things and I'm trying to stop.
10. I lived in Switzerland for a year as an au pair. Best experience ever, it was just incredible. There is so much value in something like this. I love the family I lived with and still miss them almost 5 years later. I traveled a lot of Europe while I was there and want to go back when my kids are teenagers.
11. I'm a night owl, I don't even really get going in my day until 10:00am or so.
12. I like stand up comedy, live theater, live music (most kinds)but I don't like going to the movie theater. I'm never comfortable enough, don't like the food there, and wish I could pause it so I could pee.
13. I hate leaving my kids with babysitters, it just seems like more trouble than it's worth. Once we're out I enjoy our time, I don't fret. I envy my friends that have parents living close, I would totally over use that privilege.
14. I was head over heels for Matthew and had no idea he felt the same. When he told me he loved me he totally took me off guard. It was wonderful. I loved dating him and I love being married to him.
15. We watch T.V. in the evening and I always knit or embroider, other wise I feel like I'm wasting time.
16. It takes me about 2 years of living in a house before I put pictures on the walls. We've been married almost 5 years, lived in 3 places, I don't often have art up. It's usually because I'm intimidated and can't really decide exactly what I want.
17. I have plans drawn up for our future dream house and I regularly revise them as life goes on. It's not huge, but very practical for our family. The rooms I'm most excited about are the kitchen, the laundry room, and the piano parlor, oh and the school/craft room.
18. I'm pretty good at cooking about 10 different things. Everything else is just trial and error, unfortunately it's usually error. But I'm getting better and I learned how to make really good 100% whole wheat bread last week. I used to enjoy cooking a lot and would pride myself on mastering certain things like pie. Now I would rather be sewing.
19. I thought I would naturally be a great mom and not have to try very hard. I enjoy being a mom but it's hard and doesn't come naturally to me. I feel like I have to call someone or read up on things everyday for different reasons.
20. I like riding my bike and miss doing it. I've had the same road bike for 15 years, it's still great. Where I grew up there was perfect bike routes with amazing views. Where I live now is too dangerous to road bike, I miss it.
21. My favorite colours are green, then red. These are very unfortunate favorite colours when it comes to home decorating...... although I do love Christmas, I don't want my house to look so festive all year round.
22. I'm about half way through 7 sewing projects right now. I have 13 more projects on my list to be done before spring. I have an old Kenmore that was left in a house our friends were renting out, it's great. I love free things, although I'll probably buy a new sewing machine someday since I use it so much, I don't know how long this one will last me.
23. I regularly purge my wardrobe (about every 3 months). I hate having things hanging around that I never wear. I don't know how I still have clothes 'cause I don't go shopping very often. Oh, I'm sneaking another one in here 'cause it's related. I hated shopping before I had kids, and now it's something I really miss. I wish I could spend as long as I want, by myself, at a really nice mall. I like Market Mall (Calgary).
24. I try to eat seasonally, locally, and responsibly. Soup in winter, salad in summer etc. We grow or buy the majority of our food locally. My favorite thing to not buy is dairy products. I make yogurt, kefir, butter, all that. I started this when Katelyn started eating solid food. Some things are really hard to stop buying, spices, chocolate, coffee, salt. Everything else really can be made. I don't make everything, and I still have a house full of boxes, bottles, and bags, but I'm trying...
25. I always think I have a favorite kid but then while I'm thinking that I realize the other one is my favorite. Hopefully this makes sense in other peoples minds. I just love both of my kids so much. They make me laugh so much and sometimes make me cry (in a good way).
Friday, January 23, 2009
A Sigh of Completion
Yipee, I finally embraced the loathed and hated Picassa and now it's a cinch to upload pictures here. Now if only I could click and drag..... Anyways, here's some cute kiddies, and a bunch of stuff I've been working on. I made this touque for Owen while I was preggers with him, even though I was fully convinced I was having a girl.
I put these shadow boxes together which I've been putting off for hmmm.... almost three years. So now Katelyn will have a very babyish room, but who cares. I finally did them. These booties are from Auntie Felicia, so sweet. This is my favorite fabric line right now. It's freshcut by Heather Bailey, love it! I will eventually hang these and the dresses on the wall, but I mean it took me three years to get this far, so what's the rush now right?
Here's a bunch of other stuff I've been working on the last month or so. The first one up there is Katelyn's doll Gracie. She is sitting on a highly secret doll quilt project, which cannot be revealed until the recipient has.... received. Then there is Katelyn's quilt which I finally started but have since packed away, boo! I'm waiting for some fabric I ordered, which won't get here until next time Papa Larry comes 'cause it saved me more than 10 dollars to ship it there instead. I'm not sure it was worth it now, I'm going crazy waiting! Alright, then we have a couple pictures of aprons. Two for Katelyn's little buddies who just turned 4, yipee! I also made one for Katelyn but seemed to forget to post a picture of her wearing it. I'm also making this apron for myself, but I'm adding a top part. I ruin a lot of shirts, trust me, I need the bib part. Then we have this sassy and sweet eye mask for Linds who is travelling the world and will need to block out the pesky sun to get her beauty rest once in awhile. I love embroidery and will definitely be doing lots more of it. And I'm making this touque here for myself. Hopefully it turns out the way I want. I have a touque which you will see if you're brave enough to scroll down, it's just not very stylish. Which brings me to my next point. The weak of heart should not keep reading this blog. I will be posting some very VERY DISTURBING PICTURES BELOW...... BEWARE!!!!!!
Ha ha, you've been warned, those were just warm up disturbing pictures. A hideiously ugly doll quilt with no binding, and some very lumpy lonely sock monkey's waiting to be finished. Now for the REAL disturbing pictures. Matthew and I got to go to the farm a couple weeks ago and help butcher cows. I'll spare my poor blog of any really explicit photos and just put two up. Matthew got to take down the second cow, and did a very good job of it too. So that's him after the shot, you can see the cow in the back ground. And then there's me helping with the skinning. SO PLEASE DON'T SCROLL DOWN ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE DEAD AND SKINNED COW!!!!!! If you're brave, than here you go.
I won't say it was fun, but it was very interesting. I think it's very beneficial for anyone who eats meat to do this if they get the chance. It only seems fair you know? It was a big job, and an eye opener. I will still eat it, but I won't be eating fast food for a long time. Which is sad 'cause that Uncle Burger sure is yummy. If I know where my meat comes from I'm ok with it. I won't get into this, don't worry. We're doing chickens this summer, can't wait to post pics!
I put these shadow boxes together which I've been putting off for hmmm.... almost three years. So now Katelyn will have a very babyish room, but who cares. I finally did them. These booties are from Auntie Felicia, so sweet. This is my favorite fabric line right now. It's freshcut by Heather Bailey, love it! I will eventually hang these and the dresses on the wall, but I mean it took me three years to get this far, so what's the rush now right?
Here's a bunch of other stuff I've been working on the last month or so. The first one up there is Katelyn's doll Gracie. She is sitting on a highly secret doll quilt project, which cannot be revealed until the recipient has.... received. Then there is Katelyn's quilt which I finally started but have since packed away, boo! I'm waiting for some fabric I ordered, which won't get here until next time Papa Larry comes 'cause it saved me more than 10 dollars to ship it there instead. I'm not sure it was worth it now, I'm going crazy waiting! Alright, then we have a couple pictures of aprons. Two for Katelyn's little buddies who just turned 4, yipee! I also made one for Katelyn but seemed to forget to post a picture of her wearing it. I'm also making this apron for myself, but I'm adding a top part. I ruin a lot of shirts, trust me, I need the bib part. Then we have this sassy and sweet eye mask for Linds who is travelling the world and will need to block out the pesky sun to get her beauty rest once in awhile. I love embroidery and will definitely be doing lots more of it. And I'm making this touque here for myself. Hopefully it turns out the way I want. I have a touque which you will see if you're brave enough to scroll down, it's just not very stylish. Which brings me to my next point. The weak of heart should not keep reading this blog. I will be posting some very VERY DISTURBING PICTURES BELOW...... BEWARE!!!!!!
Ha ha, you've been warned, those were just warm up disturbing pictures. A hideiously ugly doll quilt with no binding, and some very lumpy lonely sock monkey's waiting to be finished. Now for the REAL disturbing pictures. Matthew and I got to go to the farm a couple weeks ago and help butcher cows. I'll spare my poor blog of any really explicit photos and just put two up. Matthew got to take down the second cow, and did a very good job of it too. So that's him after the shot, you can see the cow in the back ground. And then there's me helping with the skinning. SO PLEASE DON'T SCROLL DOWN ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE DEAD AND SKINNED COW!!!!!! If you're brave, than here you go.
I won't say it was fun, but it was very interesting. I think it's very beneficial for anyone who eats meat to do this if they get the chance. It only seems fair you know? It was a big job, and an eye opener. I will still eat it, but I won't be eating fast food for a long time. Which is sad 'cause that Uncle Burger sure is yummy. If I know where my meat comes from I'm ok with it. I won't get into this, don't worry. We're doing chickens this summer, can't wait to post pics!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
In the New Year
My poor lonely blog, sniff. What have I been up to lately? I've been on the computer a lot, but never know what to blog about so I've stayed away. I didn't even blog over Christmas or since!
We had a pretty good Christmas. Having kids makes it so much more fun. It's fun teaching Katelyn the real reason for Christmas. I made her a little magnet nativity scene so she could play on the fridge. Told her the whole story of Jesus being born. Now she pretends to carry baby Jesus around and love on him. I'm not sure if she really gets the point but you start somewhere I guess. My brother and sis came up for a bit, it's was super good to have them around. I always just wish it could last longer. Stupid blogger isn't letting me put pictures on. Pretty sure I'm going to ditch blogger soon and try something new.
I've taken some pretty lazy days since Christmas. I needed that. But I've also gotten a few things finished and started. I started Katelyn's quilt, yipee! I'll post a bunch of finished projects soon. I'm holding out for some more fabric. And on that note I gotta jet, I'm off to the fabric store. Sorry I'm seriously so boring, will try to improve soon. HA! That would mean my life would have to be more interesting and I'm quite happy with how things are going right now, so don't actually expect this blog to be more exciting any time soon. If you're bored go read some Anne Taintor slogans, so cheeky I love them!
We had a pretty good Christmas. Having kids makes it so much more fun. It's fun teaching Katelyn the real reason for Christmas. I made her a little magnet nativity scene so she could play on the fridge. Told her the whole story of Jesus being born. Now she pretends to carry baby Jesus around and love on him. I'm not sure if she really gets the point but you start somewhere I guess. My brother and sis came up for a bit, it's was super good to have them around. I always just wish it could last longer. Stupid blogger isn't letting me put pictures on. Pretty sure I'm going to ditch blogger soon and try something new.
I've taken some pretty lazy days since Christmas. I needed that. But I've also gotten a few things finished and started. I started Katelyn's quilt, yipee! I'll post a bunch of finished projects soon. I'm holding out for some more fabric. And on that note I gotta jet, I'm off to the fabric store. Sorry I'm seriously so boring, will try to improve soon. HA! That would mean my life would have to be more interesting and I'm quite happy with how things are going right now, so don't actually expect this blog to be more exciting any time soon. If you're bored go read some Anne Taintor slogans, so cheeky I love them!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Happy (late) Birthday to me!
I had a great birthday. Usually I have too high of expectations and I get dissapointed. This time I just enjoyed every moment. I got a wonderful breakfast with my family and had a pretty relaxing and yet productive morning. I've been trying to get so many projects done before the big day. That day being Christmas of course. I've widdled my list from 18 to about 7. Not because I've finished that many, but because I simply took things off my list that I knew I wouldn't finish. Like making a huge quilt for Katelyn. Yea, right. Maybe for her birthday in June. I finally finished Owens quilt, this is it in the picture. On the Owen note, he popped about 4 teeth last week. Crazy!
Anyways, back to my birthday. I ditched the fam and went to the Bezanson farmers market. I had some good friends out there, so I had a great time visiting and spending lots of money. I'm sad that more people didn't go, it was amazing. One lady was selling beautiful crocheted snowflakes for only 2$. They were incredible. Next year people, go. I got home with just enough time to feed Owen before my hubbie whisked me away for a lovely date. He wrote me a love letter. I love him. So much. It was such a nice day. So that's it. My birthday post, yipee!
Anyways, back to my birthday. I ditched the fam and went to the Bezanson farmers market. I had some good friends out there, so I had a great time visiting and spending lots of money. I'm sad that more people didn't go, it was amazing. One lady was selling beautiful crocheted snowflakes for only 2$. They were incredible. Next year people, go. I got home with just enough time to feed Owen before my hubbie whisked me away for a lovely date. He wrote me a love letter. I love him. So much. It was such a nice day. So that's it. My birthday post, yipee!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas Countdown
It's on, the count. My sibs are coming next week! Can't wait!!!! The project countdown is also on. I have 16 left, although that's looking good from the 18 yesterday. I've made serious progress on the Christmas quilt this week. I've been babysitting a friends girl this week so my time has been a lot more kid oriented than usual. My poor kids are used to playing in the sewing room A LOT. Anyhoo, here's some pictures. I had been waiting for a least one comment before I posted again. Thanks Alissa for finally humoring me.
Heres Owen trying to fight off his cousin David. He's two months younger and already crawling circles around Owen. I've been trying to teach him all week. He's in no hurry though, and come to think of it neither am I.
This is our wonderfully fake Christmas tree. My sister will be so disappointed when she gets here. I've considered switching it to a real one, but who wants to undecorate and start all over again?
My dear sweet friends came to visit a couple weeks ago. I got really sick while they were here, boo. They took such good care of me. We managed to make this gingerbread house with Katelyn while Laura was still here. I globbed on the icing and let her put on whatever for decorations. Aren't they pretty? Fun times. I love Christmas it's the best! Oh and did I mention that tomorrow is my birthday? Lots of comments will make me happy:-)
Heres Owen trying to fight off his cousin David. He's two months younger and already crawling circles around Owen. I've been trying to teach him all week. He's in no hurry though, and come to think of it neither am I.
This is our wonderfully fake Christmas tree. My sister will be so disappointed when she gets here. I've considered switching it to a real one, but who wants to undecorate and start all over again?
My dear sweet friends came to visit a couple weeks ago. I got really sick while they were here, boo. They took such good care of me. We managed to make this gingerbread house with Katelyn while Laura was still here. I globbed on the icing and let her put on whatever for decorations. Aren't they pretty? Fun times. I love Christmas it's the best! Oh and did I mention that tomorrow is my birthday? Lots of comments will make me happy:-)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Road Trip!
We've been back for a week and I just haven't caught up with life yet. We drove to Salmon Arm for our friends wedding in the 8th. Katelyn and her friend Sydney got to be flower girls. It was pretty cute. The dresses turned out so sweet, and us crazy moms decided to make necklaces to go with them. We're a little obsessed you might say. I wish I had taken a better picture of Katelyn and Owen together, I loved his outfit! The guys in the wedding party wore sweater vests, so I couldn't resist when I saw this outfit. In between the ceremony and reception we happened upon a little bowling alley. Just to prove that as parents we can still be spontaneous we decided to check it out and knock down a few pins. It was pretty fun.
From Salmon Arm we drove down to Oregon to visit Matthews family. It's always a good time and so beautiful down there. I just love the trees so much. Matthew has three brothers and their families, and his parents down there. I can't say enough about it, it was just such a good trip. We love you guys and miss you! Katelyn had so much fun playing with all of her cousins. They both traveled really well. We stayed with Matthew's aunt in Seattle on the way home and then drove all the way from there. I couldn't believe how well they did all that way. I think I freaked out more than they did. Blogger isn't really easy when it comes to labeling pictures and having the words actually line up where they're supposed to. But here's a brief description of the pictures: 1. Judy serenading Owen 2. Katelyn got to go to Kindergarten and ate ice cream, what a treat (grammie Judy teaches Kindergarten) 3. Rosemarie and Katelyn playing piano, they played so nicely the whole time, Katelyn loves her so much 4. The two year olds on the swings together and Clara in the background 5. Judy the monkey
From Salmon Arm we drove down to Oregon to visit Matthews family. It's always a good time and so beautiful down there. I just love the trees so much. Matthew has three brothers and their families, and his parents down there. I can't say enough about it, it was just such a good trip. We love you guys and miss you! Katelyn had so much fun playing with all of her cousins. They both traveled really well. We stayed with Matthew's aunt in Seattle on the way home and then drove all the way from there. I couldn't believe how well they did all that way. I think I freaked out more than they did. Blogger isn't really easy when it comes to labeling pictures and having the words actually line up where they're supposed to. But here's a brief description of the pictures: 1. Judy serenading Owen 2. Katelyn got to go to Kindergarten and ate ice cream, what a treat (grammie Judy teaches Kindergarten) 3. Rosemarie and Katelyn playing piano, they played so nicely the whole time, Katelyn loves her so much 4. The two year olds on the swings together and Clara in the background 5. Judy the monkey
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Lentil Soup
We're on holidays visiting Matthews family, so no pictures today. But here's a soup recipe because it's cold and rainy down here. Matthews mom always makes this soup, it's so homey and yummy, and healthy to boot. Hee he, to boot, I'm such a geek. Over my long 4 years of marriage and cooking I've changed the recipe a bit, and I've never written it down, which means it's never been the same twice. Here's my first attempt at preserving it.
Lentil Soup
2 cups of beef broth (or vegetable if you're doing vegan)
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 c lentils (doesn't matter what kind, I use a mix of two different kinds)
1/2 an onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
1 stalk of celery, chopped
Put the above ingredients in a frying pan with some salt, pepper, and thyme. Let these sweat until the lentils and veggies are cooked. This is just to get some flavor and thickness to the finished soup. Once this is cooked blend it up either in the blender or with an immersible blender (which I love and use all the time)
8 cups of the broth of your choice
chopped veggies: cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and whatever else you have on hand that you think would work
fryed ground beef with seasoning (omit if you're doing vegan)
your choice of herbs and spices. I use thyme, basil, oregano, a titch of red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
1 cup or so of lentils
a splash of balsamic vinegar
throw this last part in a pot, add the pureed mix from your frying pan. This thickens up the broth and adds flavor to the lentils. Simmer until everything is tender. Enjoy!
I didn't make this as I was writing it so the amounts might be way off. I eyeball things a lot and never use recipes. Even if I have a recipe I never follow the directions precisely. Where's the fun in that?
Anyways, we're doing a lot of driving the next week. I love road trips. I got Owens quilt done so I'm just doing the hand sewing on the binding in the car. My machine is horrible and the quilting is the worst. But it'll do I guess. Pictures to come! I also started reading a book, it's called "The Condition" it's good so far. An easy read, and perfect for a road trip.
The kiddies are doing great and loving hanging out with the cousins. Oh and remember the flower girl dress I was talking about? Yup, she did it, she walked down the aisle all dolled up. I can't wait to get home and put pictures up. My little sweetie boy is on my lap wanting some food. He's precious. Even when he's screaming until 11 at night. I don't know if it's teeth or tummy, but he's one mad little man the last few nights. Talk to you later. Make some soup!
Lentil Soup
2 cups of beef broth (or vegetable if you're doing vegan)
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 c lentils (doesn't matter what kind, I use a mix of two different kinds)
1/2 an onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
1 stalk of celery, chopped
Put the above ingredients in a frying pan with some salt, pepper, and thyme. Let these sweat until the lentils and veggies are cooked. This is just to get some flavor and thickness to the finished soup. Once this is cooked blend it up either in the blender or with an immersible blender (which I love and use all the time)
8 cups of the broth of your choice
chopped veggies: cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and whatever else you have on hand that you think would work
fryed ground beef with seasoning (omit if you're doing vegan)
your choice of herbs and spices. I use thyme, basil, oregano, a titch of red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
1 cup or so of lentils
a splash of balsamic vinegar
throw this last part in a pot, add the pureed mix from your frying pan. This thickens up the broth and adds flavor to the lentils. Simmer until everything is tender. Enjoy!
I didn't make this as I was writing it so the amounts might be way off. I eyeball things a lot and never use recipes. Even if I have a recipe I never follow the directions precisely. Where's the fun in that?
Anyways, we're doing a lot of driving the next week. I love road trips. I got Owens quilt done so I'm just doing the hand sewing on the binding in the car. My machine is horrible and the quilting is the worst. But it'll do I guess. Pictures to come! I also started reading a book, it's called "The Condition" it's good so far. An easy read, and perfect for a road trip.
The kiddies are doing great and loving hanging out with the cousins. Oh and remember the flower girl dress I was talking about? Yup, she did it, she walked down the aisle all dolled up. I can't wait to get home and put pictures up. My little sweetie boy is on my lap wanting some food. He's precious. Even when he's screaming until 11 at night. I don't know if it's teeth or tummy, but he's one mad little man the last few nights. Talk to you later. Make some soup!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trick or Treat!?!
Before and After. I bought this ugly cheap dress today and jazzed it up a bit. We had these wings laying around so I guess she was a fairy princess. I sewed these flowers on to cover up the picture on the front (they came from a Hawaiian lei, which was also laying around). I had to bring it up a lot too, so made it a bit puffy on the bottom. Very cute, we had lots of fun. This is her little loot bag I made. Not very big, we had to keep emptying it into the stroller (which I had Owen in hoping he would fall asleep, HA yeah right). This is our third year living on this block, it's amazing how much it's changed. The first year we literally only had three people come. This year I ran out of candy before 7:30!!! Happy Halloween everyone!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The Season
Eggnog, Christmas music, sleeping in. Here we come Christmas yipee!! I need to pace myself though, last year I was almost sick of Christmas festivities come January 1st. Almost. So this year I'm only allowing this nonsense on the weekends, maybe until my birthday (Dec. 13th, take note and buy gifts). The other five days a week it's regular cream in the coffee and no Christmas music. Although who would say no to sleeping in if the option was there? Today my kids slept 'till nine!!! How did I get that lucky? It's crazy I know.
I have allowed myself to do some Christmas prep, mostly just 'cause I'm crazy and obsessed. I started making a Christmas quilt. Here's a picture of the squares cut out. Just a bunch of cheap stuff from Fabricland. This was mainly for practice, but I'm starting to really like it. We started watching the Lost series on DVD, so now I'll have a cozy quilt to cuddle up with (and our awesome fake fireplace yay) Here's the kids and hubbie in front of the "fire" one blissful sleep-in morning. Here's a picture of the house we're framing next door to us. This is what Matthew does in real life, when he's not here feeding the baby or listening to Christmas music. He also started playing soccer again this year, exciting. I haven't gone to a game yet, they always start late, I'll have to just suck it up and get a babysitter someday.
Here's some quick pictures of the stupid baby blankie I finally conquered. I just couldn't figure out what to do with this, took it out a million times, then finally figured it out as I was falling asleep one day. And of course it was so simple. So here's Owens, and an girlie one I made for my friends baby. I think this will be the standard baby gift from now on. Sorry to ruin the surprise Linds;-)
Well I'm feeling pretty nauseous for some reason, so I'm gonna go eat some real food. Speaking of which that's another Christmas season thing I love, food, right now it's mainly citrus fruit. We don't eat it until nowish, and then it's such a treat. Today it's grapefruit, yum! I'm trying to clean and organize today and take a break from sewing. It's hard.
I have allowed myself to do some Christmas prep, mostly just 'cause I'm crazy and obsessed. I started making a Christmas quilt. Here's a picture of the squares cut out. Just a bunch of cheap stuff from Fabricland. This was mainly for practice, but I'm starting to really like it. We started watching the Lost series on DVD, so now I'll have a cozy quilt to cuddle up with (and our awesome fake fireplace yay) Here's the kids and hubbie in front of the "fire" one blissful sleep-in morning. Here's a picture of the house we're framing next door to us. This is what Matthew does in real life, when he's not here feeding the baby or listening to Christmas music. He also started playing soccer again this year, exciting. I haven't gone to a game yet, they always start late, I'll have to just suck it up and get a babysitter someday.
Here's some quick pictures of the stupid baby blankie I finally conquered. I just couldn't figure out what to do with this, took it out a million times, then finally figured it out as I was falling asleep one day. And of course it was so simple. So here's Owens, and an girlie one I made for my friends baby. I think this will be the standard baby gift from now on. Sorry to ruin the surprise Linds;-)
Well I'm feeling pretty nauseous for some reason, so I'm gonna go eat some real food. Speaking of which that's another Christmas season thing I love, food, right now it's mainly citrus fruit. We don't eat it until nowish, and then it's such a treat. Today it's grapefruit, yum! I'm trying to clean and organize today and take a break from sewing. It's hard.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Grandpa's Plaids and other things
This post is a tribute to finished projects. Finishing things is a very big deal for me and must be celebrated. I never finish things. I haven't celebrated the finished bassinet here yet (I have on facebook in Owens baby album). So here's my little cuties with the finished product. The condensed story of this bed is this: While pregnant with Katelyn 3 or so years ago I saw this picture of this 400$ bed. Naturally I really wanted it, and naturally I wanted to make it instead of fork over the money. My wonderful husband did his part right away, cut out the wood and had it all ready. I bought the fabric and got together with my wonderful sewing friend Marilyn, but got stuck so I didn't finish it. Then when I was pregnant with Owen the plan was revived. It wasn't actually completely finished until after he was born. But now here it is and I'm hoping he can use it for as long as possible.
Ok, another finished project: Corryn's quilt. I think I told you about this a couple posts ago. So here it is all finished, I gave it to her last weekend. Considering I'm not a huge fan of different plaids this turned out pretty good. I like the pattern, it's an Amy Butler one. I saw the picture of this quilt but again, didn't want to actually buy the book with the pattern in it, so I just drew it up on graph paper. I think I'm always going to do that, it works well. Is that breaching any copy right laws? I hope not.
So now I'm starting new stuff:-) Sydney and Katelyn get to be flower girls next month and Shari and I are making the dresses. So that's one project. It's a simple pattern but apparently I'm a sewing reject and totally can't figure it out. I'm learning a lot, mostly patience. Don't want to give anything away on that though, so I'll post pictures after the wedding.
The other project is Owens quilt. I feel like I'm really doing stuff I like now. I got all this fabric on Etsy. I'm waiting for this fabric to fill in these blank spots in the picture. Hopefully that link up there worked so you can look at the picture if you so care to. Here's his quilt so far, can't wait to start sewing it together!! This poor boy plays on my childhood strawberry shortcake quilt, he needs something a little more boyish.
So with that, I'm outta here, I have some sewing to do. Needless to say my house is feeling very neglected lately. In fact the laundry got so bad Matthew was driven to do a few loads last night. Good method for getting out of laundry eh? But of course I have time to spruce up our fake fire place:-) It's not actually a fake fireplace. It's gas with fake logs. It's pretty cheesy to me, but still nice to have. I just like real logs that actually burn. Someday, someday.....
In other news I've had a headache for three days, I think it's a pinched nerve or something. That and the fact that there was only half a cup of coffee left by the time I got to it today, and it was cold. Boo. It's a good thing I have a sweet cuddly girl on my lap right now, otherwise I might be grumpy or something.
Ok, another finished project: Corryn's quilt. I think I told you about this a couple posts ago. So here it is all finished, I gave it to her last weekend. Considering I'm not a huge fan of different plaids this turned out pretty good. I like the pattern, it's an Amy Butler one. I saw the picture of this quilt but again, didn't want to actually buy the book with the pattern in it, so I just drew it up on graph paper. I think I'm always going to do that, it works well. Is that breaching any copy right laws? I hope not.
So now I'm starting new stuff:-) Sydney and Katelyn get to be flower girls next month and Shari and I are making the dresses. So that's one project. It's a simple pattern but apparently I'm a sewing reject and totally can't figure it out. I'm learning a lot, mostly patience. Don't want to give anything away on that though, so I'll post pictures after the wedding.
The other project is Owens quilt. I feel like I'm really doing stuff I like now. I got all this fabric on Etsy. I'm waiting for this fabric to fill in these blank spots in the picture. Hopefully that link up there worked so you can look at the picture if you so care to. Here's his quilt so far, can't wait to start sewing it together!! This poor boy plays on my childhood strawberry shortcake quilt, he needs something a little more boyish.
So with that, I'm outta here, I have some sewing to do. Needless to say my house is feeling very neglected lately. In fact the laundry got so bad Matthew was driven to do a few loads last night. Good method for getting out of laundry eh? But of course I have time to spruce up our fake fire place:-) It's not actually a fake fireplace. It's gas with fake logs. It's pretty cheesy to me, but still nice to have. I just like real logs that actually burn. Someday, someday.....
In other news I've had a headache for three days, I think it's a pinched nerve or something. That and the fact that there was only half a cup of coffee left by the time I got to it today, and it was cold. Boo. It's a good thing I have a sweet cuddly girl on my lap right now, otherwise I might be grumpy or something.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Some Things I Care About:
supporting local growers
healthy eating
chemical free cleaning
the three R's
being a responsible citizen
sharing what we have in order to build relationships (ex: lawnmower, why do we ALL have one???)
reteaching society what's right (from body image to money and everywhere in between)
supporting small businesses (boo Walmart)
growing food for ourselves
voting and being informed
basically just thinking about others more than ourselves. These are things that I think about more and more lately, and I'm sure I could add to the list if I sat here longer. As Christians especially we have a responsibility. Thats all for today, just me thinking out loud. More fun stuff soon. I started Owens quilt yay!
healthy eating
chemical free cleaning
the three R's
being a responsible citizen
sharing what we have in order to build relationships (ex: lawnmower, why do we ALL have one???)
reteaching society what's right (from body image to money and everywhere in between)
supporting small businesses (boo Walmart)
growing food for ourselves
voting and being informed
basically just thinking about others more than ourselves. These are things that I think about more and more lately, and I'm sure I could add to the list if I sat here longer. As Christians especially we have a responsibility. Thats all for today, just me thinking out loud. More fun stuff soon. I started Owens quilt yay!
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