Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Menu Mondays

We had Chicken Southwest Soup last week.  I bought a soup mix from Great Harvest and just added in the chicken.  It was delicious.  I highly recommend it.
 
 

Monday - Fajitas 
Tuesday - Shredded pork sandwiches
Wednesday - spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday - leftover pork
Friday - Chicken and asparagus 


Monday, May 24, 2010

Weekend Wrap Up

Projects completed over the weekend:

- quilted an 85 x 102 quilt Saturday morning
- added binding to my verna quilt - held out for the hot pink fabric and so glad I did, it makes the quilt
- started and completed a disappearing 9 patch quilt using a layer cake - sewed, quilted, and bound
- quilted my Rural Jardin table runner just need to add binding
- added borders to my blush quilt and got the back sewn just need to quilt

I'd say all in all, it was a pretty productive weekend - even with my poor teething child!

 I used this tutorial for the disappearing 9 patch pattern.  My cousin Kelly had me quilt a baby quilt this last week using a similar block and it inspired me.  It was SO easy.  Instead of a charm pack she used a layer cake, which I did also.  I liked the way the pattern tutorial turned their blocks so I followed that path.  You could also place your blocks randomly for a different look.  I cut, pieced, and quilted this in about 3 hours total.  It may just be my new favorite go to quilt pattern when I need one in a hurry.  The quilt measures 68 square when finished. 

I'm finishing the binding now, will add completed pictures shortly of all the projects.  I love when I get into completion mode and even more when I have the energy to actually follow through!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

No Place Like Home

During the week I long for the weekend.  At work I count down the days, and then hours until mid day Friday comes and I'm out the door.  This weekend was cold and cloudy...not great play weather.  We spent the weekend at home.


Home with a 5 month old teething, screaming, wanting to be held baby isn't that much fun.  To top it off is a 2 1/2 year old very cute, but talks NON STOP big brother.  He makes me laugh, but when 8 o'clock hits each night I just want the talking to stop!  A silent home would be nice.

Tonight I have a headache, I'm anxious to get the kids in bed and watch a few shows.  Rocking Sam to sleep I look down at him, aren't sleeping babies so precious.  He sleeps with a cute little smile.  I rock him a little longer savoring the moment -- he wiggles so much when he is awake, I have to take advantage of the snuggle times.  I can hear Jake and Mike playing in Jake's room, Jake TALKING up a storm and hear Mike chuckle at something Jake has said.  I smile, and think to myself, even with the headache, the screaming, the non stop talking, there is no place else I'd rather be.

Weekends at home with this family are the best.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Saturdays Song

I was putting Sam to bed the other night and decided to play some music for him to help him fall asleep.  I was reminded of this song and how much I love it.  I think of my cute little babies every time I hear it.



Little Wonder Lyrics
Artist(Band):Rob Thomas


Let it go
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists and turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours
These small hours
Still remain

Let it slide
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine,
Till you feel it all around you
And I don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by
It's the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists and turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These small hours
Still remain

All of my regret
Will wash away somehow
But I cannot forget
the way I feel right now

In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists and turns of fate
Yeah, these twisted turns of fate
Time falls away
Yeah, but these small hours,
These small hours
Still remain

Yeah, oh they still remain
These little wonders
All these twists and turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These little wonders
Still remain

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Conversations with Jake

My mom just called to tell me this little comment Jake made.  Too funny not to have a record of.

They were playing in his room and the sun went behind some clouds so the room got dark.

Jake: "Grama, the freakin lights turned off." 

I guess I have to be careful on what words I use these days....I did laugh so hard I was crying when she told me though.  You've got to be proud of the kid for using it in the right context.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Menu Mondays

On Tuesday no less.....

Monday - baked ziti (its was so good)
Tuesday - Southwest Soup
Wednesday - pork sandwiches
Thursday - hot dogs
Friday - leftovers

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Fabricaholics Anonymous


My husband and I have been having "talks" lately about my addition.  He just can't understand why I have this need to buy, and buy, and buy.  Buying more fabric projects then I can complete. 

He has said, "buy 1 project for every 2 that you complete." and he would be happy. 
He has said, "shop in your "store" you have downstairs." (my closet full of projects)
He has said, "use what you have downstairs, you loved it at one point or you wouldn't have bought it."
He has said, "sell everything in your closet and start brand new."



The problem is I have gone through my stash, and have anything I'm willing to part with listed here for sale.  Everything else in my closet I love.  I hope to get to the projects.  I lay awake at night thinking of the projects I bought 5 years ago, and make a mental note to start that one next. 



I think the problem is I started this hobby a little too early in life.  Who decides to pick up quilting right when you start having babies?  What was I thinking?  Between a full time job, 2 little boys, and a constantly messy house, when am I suppose to fit in my sewing time for the hundreds of projects I have bought? 



My goal is - to only buy 1 new project a month if that (I've gotta give myself a little slack for the new lines coming out) and to finish at least 1 project a month from my stash.  12 projects a year (that will make a dent...NOT), but maybe get me motivated and moving to create more! 

Until I have more time and more money, I'll work on these goals, but I'll also be entering every fabric giveaway I can find!  With that in mind head on over here.


Hopefully I can win these little gems!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Menu Mondays

Updated Menu - I decided to change things around a bit after I bought a chicken at Costco.  So this week there is gonna be a lot of chicken


Monday -  Chicken Orzo and left over strawberry/avocado salad
Tuesday - Southewest Chicken Stacks
Wednesday - Steak yams and salad
Thursday - Chicken tacos
Friday - Tortellini
Saturday - Soup

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day

What the heart of a mother gives away is never gone.  It is kept in the hearts of her children.
                                           -- J.R. Downing 

The moment Jake was born this feeling, an overwhelming feeling of the need to protect, the feeling of love, the worry, the joy.... the feeling of motherhood.  This feeling is one that cannot be described.  You can try, but it has to be felt.  I am sure fathers have similar feelings, but I am certain it isn't as intense as the feeling we mothers get. 

Life has never been the same since that day.  



Motherhood has taught me to appreciate mothers in general more.  Being a mother is the hardest job in the world.  Full of joys and fun, but also full of fears and heart break.  I have learned in my 2 1/2 short years as a mother that most mothers are doing the best they can, and we all should go easy on each other. 



I was raised by a wonderful mother.  She has taught me many things about life.  She was always our cheerleader, telling all of us kids we could accomplish anything we wanted.  She made us believe we could be successful with our dreams.  She made us feel loved.  I remember nights when I was little in my red and white bedroom saying prayers and being sung to sleep (something she now does with my own kids).  I remember shopping trips, and late night talks.  We worked together for years and shared lunches, and stories, and tears. 

Holidays, especially Christmas were always made fun and special by mom.  I can still hear mom singing along with Barbra Streisand Christmas carols as mom would turn our house into a magical place.  Two Christmas trees, garland, mantels being redone, the whole house looked new. 

I spent years with my mom at sporting events for my brothers.  She was always supportive and cheering us on at everything we tried to do.   Always running to give us rides, or running to meet us at a game, or running to get us a drink. 

My mom was always available if we needed her.  A pep talk, a gossip session, if I needed a good laugh or a good cry.  I've learned a lot from my mom, but the biggest lesson I learned was unconditional love.  I know no matter what life brings my mom will be there loving me and cheering me on. 

I am so grateful I have such a wonderful mom.  Now she is bringing her fun and wisdom to my boys as she plays with them 3 days a week.  Another lesson I've learned since becoming a mother is it takes a village.  I am so lucky that my mom is part of the village helping me raise my boys.  It has brought me so much joy to see the fun relationship she has with them.  She and Jake have their own little language.  They sing songs and have cute little names they call each other.  I am lucky to have such a loving grandma to watch over my kids.


I am surrounded by great women.  My mother, my mother-in-law, my sister, and sister-in-laws, cousins, aunts, friends.  I also had the two greatest grandmothers anyone could ask for.  I have been blessed in life to be around such brave, strong, independent women.  They have taught me a lot, molding me into the person I am today.  Loved me, laughed with me, cried with me, were always there for me.  On this Mother's Day I celebrate all of them.  As it was all of them who have made me into the mother I am today.


             Mother-in-law with Jake

 
                 Mother-in-law with Sam


                  Whit with Jake


                  Sister-in-law Mel with Sam



       Cousin Marta with her nieces.


Happy Mother's Day!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Dresden Plates

Nadine over at Material Girls has gotten me on a Dresden plate making kick. 

I'm no perfectionist by any means, but I'm trying really hard to perfect these plates.  I've made 2 1/2 now.  Still trying to get them just right.

This was my first attempt.  I think it turned out pretty good.  The circle isn't the perfect circle and I've got to work on attaching everything, but for my first try I was happy.


My second attempt.  My sister and I decided to whip this up for her mother-in-law.  I found when quilting all the way around the Dresden, it no longer lays flat.  But I still love how it turned out.  Again, I need to work on making the circles, well more circular.


I've decided anything made out of Verna turns out cute!  Love this line.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Progress

Border on and quilted, I'm making progress.  Just need to bind it now, I'm thinking of the hot pink fabric....



I love how it turned out.  I have enough stripes left for another one too!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Menu Mondays

Monday - Grilled chicken w/roasted veggies
Tuesday - Crispy Chicken wraps
Wednesday - fish tacos
Thursday - steak w/spinach avocado and strawberry salad
Friday - Southwest Soup

Sunday, May 2, 2010

To Quilt

Going through my quilting closet tonight I found a few loves I had forgotten about.  They are currently laying on my floor now so I will remember to quilt them. 


Using the My 3 Stars Buggy Barn pattern I made a smaller version.  I made this before Jake was born.  Almost 3 years ago.  Time to quilt it?  Its still one of my favorite quilts.  I love the Shangri la line which is of course 3 Sisters from Moda.  I've debated on if I should add a thicker border.  What do you think?


This little wall hanging? Table Topper?  I created myself.  Yes can you believe it?  I know its a flag, not rocket science, but I do love it.  I think its the fabrics.  Prairie Paisley by Minick and Simpson for Moda.  I have bins of this.  I dream about it at night.  Have some ideas to use it as its getting closer to the 4th of July, so stay tuned. 

Goal is to do these right after the one client quilt I've had for the last couple of weeks.  Gotta get that one out first!  So glad I found these, they have inspired me to clean out my closet.  All the quilts hanging waiting to be quilted are mine....isn't that why I bought the machine in the first place?

Saturday, May 1, 2010

VERNA - my new love

I love the line Verna by Kate Spain.  I wasn't a fame at first, but every quilt I've seen out of it is beautiful.  So I jumped on the bandwagon and I'm hooked.  I can't get enough of it.  My recent finish is this quilt top.  Still need to add the borders, but boy am I loving it.



I know the lighting isn't great, but I'm rarely home during the day to catch the light.  I'll take a better shot once I get the borders on.  Can't wait - heading to Material Girls this weekend to get border and backing.  Hopefully I'll get it quilted soon!