The Important Things...

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I can't believe its been 20 days since my last post.  This month has been a rough month.  My work has gotten extremely busy and there has been no time to do anything else.  My house is a wreck, my kids don't know who I am anymore, and my sewing room - well that's a whole other story - there are probably cobwebs steaming the room by now. 

I had to travel for work this week - I spent the week before at work - literally - one shift was a full 24 hour shift, going on about 40 hours with no sleep.  I went in early, stayed late and came home with my laptop attached to me.  Mike said one morning as I was getting ready - with the laptop sitting on the bathroom counter "I can't wait for the next week to be over". 

It has been warm here and as I left town the trees were starting to bud and blossom.  By the time I came home at 1am this morning I could see the streets lined with white blossoms - the trees have all bloomed in a few short days.

Mike informed me this morning that Sam no longer says "I do" but now says "yes" when you ask him a yes/no question.  It made me sad this morning as he said yes to me because in a few days he has grown up.  He talks clearer, he has turned into Jake's shadow and is growing up. 

Today I worked from home as I have been gone all week.  Whit, Marta, and Benj came over for lunch and it was so fun to watch the 3 boys play together.  Sam would come running inside and grab me to follow him out and push him on the swing.  An hour later he did the same thing to get the tball equipment out, an hour later we jumped on the trampoline.  We laid on the tramp for a minute and he pointed at the sun, told me the sky was blue and clouds were white.  We played ring around the trampoline and I'm gonna get you.

Mike has turned into Disneyland dad - cleaning the house, taking care of the kids trying to relieve any stress he can for me. 

After the last few weeks I have to sit back and think of what is really important.  Not work or the money it brings in.  But the family I have at home.  The changes my little ones make each day and the idea that they won't be small forever.  The wonderful husband and best friend I have at home.  The help and support I get from my family.  The important things in life are what make it all worth while.

Some Updates

I have neglected this blog horribly the last few weeks.  Very little sewing has been going on - and safe to say very little cooking has been going on. 

We celebrated our 11 year anniversary at the end of February. And my birthday the following week.    Mike and I headed to Park City to hit the slopes and ended up checking into our hotel room and taking a nap!  The joys of peace and quiet without kids.  My parents brought our kids up that evening and my mom stayed there with us for a few days.  We spent the next 2 days skiing and eating and resting together.  It was dreamy.  I loved skiing and loved watching Jake ski even more.  Trying to figure out how to get pictures off my video camera so I can post my cute little guy. 

We spent every night warming up in the hot tub which Sam loved.  I felt kind of bad that Park City wasn't as much fun for him so I've been trying to make it up to him.

We have gone bowling, which Sam loved and ate pizza along with taking taking them to Toy Story on Ice last weekend.  Sammy loved seeing Buzz and Woody.  He is so into Toy Story right now that it was fun to see him get all excited.  We have a trip planned to Disney in a few months and I am so excited to see him there.  Its fun with the kids get into characters and rides. 

I have been quilting for a few others so I have next to nothing to show!  I did finish all my blocks for my schnibbles of the month - and again I had issues.  I think I'm mentally challenaged when it comes to little blocks.  Instead of putting them all together for one little quilt - I used each strip to make a table runner and now have 3!  Hoping to get them quilted soon. 

My goal this week - eating healthy - quilting a few more client quilts and to sew something for me.  Its been crazy busy at work, so I need some fun time!

Menu Mondays

Have you heard of Bountiful Baskets? My neighbor got me excited about this little co-op and I purchased my first basket last weekend.  For $15 I got a slew of anaheim peppers, asparagus, carrots, green onions, kale, and a head of lettuce.  For fruits I got pineapple, bananas, mangos, oranges, and apples.  Two huge bags full of these things for $15!  Pretty good deal.  So I've been cooking up a storm and have big plans this week!

Monday - Veggie tacos (I added shrimp and was so excited that Mike loved these!)
Tuesday - Kabobs - shrimp, peppers, pineapple w/chips and pineapple mango salsa (a version of this)
Wednesday - Grilled Island Chicken w/ asparagus and fruit
Thursday - Citrus salmon over kale w/ fruit salad
Friday - Pizza night at Martas I'll be bringing the homemade ceasar salad
Saturday - something with Mangos I've got to use them up!

Saturday I'll be getting my next basket so will have a new grouping of veggies and fruits to work with.  I also ordered there granola and bread this week.  It's like Christmas!  Can't wait to see what comes in my basket this week.  If you have one in your area - try it!

WIP Wednesday - Martinique Pin Cushion

Currently in Progess -
- Swoon
- Route 44
- Nottingham Star
- Lincoln
- ISTH - Schnibbles

I've been quilting up a storm this week, so didn't get to my current projects - except for I did make my first block for my Schnibbles quilt.  I hope to have this quilt top completed before Sunday - so I've got a lot to do with this pattern this week!

After I had the Schnibbles all cut out - I had a few scraps left.  In my effort to use up all my scraps I made this last week.

A little pin cushion with only the aqua color from the Martinique charm packs I'm using.  At first I was thinking I needed to add in some color - but I didn't, and love the results.  Its about 4 x 3 inches.  Cute and little.  I put batting on the back side of the front and quilted it before sewing it together.  It is filled with a mixture of crushed walnut shells and pillow stuffing (is that what it's call?)

At least I finished something this week other than client quilts!

Valentine Chocolates

This is the first quilt I've ever made Mike - sad I know - I've been quilting for about 7 years and this is the first time he's gotten a quilt out of the deal.

 What is even sadder is this fabric is cheater fabric.  Meaning I bought it this way with the patchwork squares already sewn together.  Moda makes these sometimes (use to make them a lot more than I've seen lately) and usually out of 3 Sisters line - which its no secret I adore.

So this fabric was about 5 years old and I finally pulled it out to quilt and bind it.  I have loved this line so much.  The wovens are so soft and comfy.  I thought this would be the perfect quilt for our freezing basement!

The back I might love almost as much as the front - brown houndstooth - it is a heavier weight fabric and I love it.  The binding is by far my favorite fabric in the whole quilt.  Although the wovens are stretchy and pull apart easily - I'm glad I finally got this quilt off my to do list - and I actually surprised Mike with a quilt of his own.

Menu Mondays

Last week I bought stew meat on a whim and made this stroganoff instead of salmon, it was so good - try it!

Source: thecrockstar.blogspot.com via Krista on Pinterest

Monday - Fish Tacos (never got to them last week) w/ fruit
Tuesday - I've got big plans - boys to eat out
Wednesday - Maple Salmon w/fruit
Thursday - Pesto Chicken w/noodles and salad
Friday - Eggs and bacon

Happy Birthday Whit

Yesterday was my little sisters 30th birthday. We had a little surprise party for her and had a wonderful time. It was fun to shower her and the new babe with a few little gift, pizza, and ice cream cake. She has a cute little husband who put the whole party together.

Its a big birthday and an even bigger year coming your way.

Happy Birthday!