Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Dino-rrific!

Here's my latest sewing creation- the dinosaur tunic and capri.
This was super simple, made one night after Miss P went to bed. It is made from Daisy Kingdom fabric my grandma bought when I was probably in 7th grade. She used to sew the most amazing ensembles- including several of my prom dresses and my aunt's wedding dress. Miss P loves her dinosaur outfit. I'm getting better and better at this sewing thing. I only had to take out maybe 3 seams :)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

a tale of true love

During our trip to WI, we met our new niece Katelyn for the first time. She's 4 months already!
She's a happy, happy baby.
And Pinkie fell in love.
Here's how you know a toddler is in love:
*** Pinkie rubbing Katelyn's back
***explaining the intricacies of Barney and BabyBop
(I still don't get those two dinos) ***sharing a beloved blankey, 'snug as a bug in a rug' ***begging to kiss Baby Kate-win
(at least Baby Kate is still happy about a toddler
tickling her with clumsy hands and jelly kisses all over)
***kissing and holding Baby Kate all the time I think Pinkie needs a sibling?
Now that we are home, Pinkie tells me all the time that Baby Kate is hungry, Baby Kate is crying, she wants to kiss Baby Kate. I try to explain that Baby Katelyn lives in WI (really far away) and that Auntie Stacey is feeding her, hugging her and kissing her. We're not communicating clearly about this...
I think I want Pinkie to have a sibling too!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Canning our garden

We have an abundant garden this year. For Mother's Day, the Daddy fenced off a section of our backyard with pretty white lattice for my garden. We planted tomato, peas, strawberries, basil, thyme, parsley, mint, jalapeno, onions, carrots, beets, okra and pickling cucumbers.
The carrots, tomato and cucumbers have gone crazy! With our abundance we decided to try our hand at canning. I planted pickling cucumbers because we once got homemade pickles as a gift that were the best things I've ever tasted. I love pickles!
Supplies: canning jars, lids and such
Beets, pickling cucumbers, pickling salt, garlic, dill and other spices Our pickling cucumbers were so large that we had to cut them. They are huge! So we know have pickles 'spears'. They don't taste like regular cucumbers. These pickling cucumbers are kind of tasteless.
Washing the beets- I was so worried that the beets would stain our sink or counter tops. But their color is truly beautiful.
John was in charge of the beets. Here they are washed, boiled and sliced.
P.S. I hate beets.
So the basic process of canning is this:
Sterilize jars/lids, make a brine, put veggies, spices and brine in jars, seal by submerging in boiling water for a period of time, then let sit for a couple of weeks We have four weeks until we can taste our hard work!!! I keep checking the jars each day, hoping they taste so wonderful and we can give some of them as gifts. We'll be canning again shortly. Our garden is overflowing.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Crafty momma!

Finally!!!
I'm done with school responsibilites and have a huge list of crafts I've been meaning to do. I made a make-up bag for my seester, but forgot to take pictures. I LOVE to craft. I spend hours searching websites looking for things I need to make. You should see my 'favorites' tab...
Here's Pinkie wearing it. She put a bunch of Zoo animals in it. The bag took less than 1 hour. I want to make a few more for some little girls I know. And here is how it happened... I have found Heaven for crafting moms. My family owns a preschool in Beaverton. It's closed for the summer so Pinkie and I go there at least three times a week. I set up my sewing machine and brought my supplies. Pinkie plays and plays and plays, eats snack, then plays and plays. Tomorrow, I start craft project #3!

You are invited to play with us... call!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Recovering

3 Girls under 3 = official family vacation
Pinkie***Katelynn***Brooke We spent a week visiting family in Wisconsin. Planned for months, we readied the girls for sharing and saying eachother's name correctly. When asked "what are you doing tomorrow?" Brooke would reply, "Maddie". Pinkie would chant, "Baby Kate-win and Brookie!" The trip was an only child's paradise- someone to giggle with, swim with, bathe with and at bed time yell through the walls too. So very cute at bed time, yelling from room to room "Maddie?" "Brookie" "Maddie" "Brookie?" Parents- "girls go to bed!" We are still recovering. More fun stories and cute pictures to come. Especially of new baby Katelynn. My baby clock is thumping now...