Monday, March 24, 2014

new beginningsI

It seems fitting that I'm returning after almost a year-long hiatus to blog a baby quilt and shower. I hope that this will be a new beginning for me with this blog just like the weekend was about celebrating the impending arrival of a new life. I didn't mean to be away so long; life kind of had her way with me, however. I was not at all sad to see 2013 transition into the new year, but I am immensely excited for all the love and fun that 2014 will bring!

Chief among them is the arrival of my niece or nephew next month.  To celebrate, I threw my sister in law a party. Full of awesome bites, easy games and handmade presents. See for yourself!

Our wedding bunting, still useful and cheerful!
The food table. We like to eat when we party!
Still using those vintage sheet cloth napkins!
Games and handmade vintage sheet goody bags!
Baby shower guest art. Each guest took a rainbow ray to write a blessing/prayer/hope for the baby.
I must confess, I am really proud of the way this original idea turned out!
The baby quilt I made for my niece or nephew - front.
A closer look at all those triangles.
Love this detail on the backing!
The back of the baby quilt.
So proud of this binding job. I am also now IN LOVE with clover wonder clips.
It has been some time since I quilted with new cotton fabrics (instead of vintage sheets). I'm loving the crinkle!
Too many photos of binding?
My sister in law and baby!
It was a great weekend and a great excuse to sit back down at my sewing machine. I did need to take a nice long nap on Sunday after church, but hopefully I'll be back soon with more sewing updates.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Moses Henry is 7!

Moses' new favorite toy is a tennis ball we put in an orphaned sock.

Today is Moses Henry's seventh birthday!  He is our little sweetheart, a constant source of joy I would not have known my life was missing if Mark hadn't brought him into our marriage.  He is the most laid-back pup ever; sleeping a lot of the time but still with enough spunk and pep to bring a smile to almost anyone's face!  He loves to snuggle and has mastered the commands 'sit,' 'down,' 'stay,' 'barrel roll,' 'bang' (play dead), 'spin,' 'counter-spin' (spin the other way), 'up,' and 'sayang' (gentle).  He is very smart and is a good listener (you can tell because he cocks his head to the side).  His favorite toys include tennis balls, which he brings home almost daily from the tennis court behind our home, plastic easter eggs, plastic water bottles and his best friend, Goat.  He loves going for walks, sniffing around our neighborhood (or any) dog park, riding in the car-car, and running through the grass (especially if you cheer him on by calling out 'yay!').

I have finally gotten (mostly) over my issues picking up his poo, and I could not love him any more than I already do.  He loves to eat rice and most fruits and vegetables (we don't give him the no-nos), and we both treat Moses to those kitchen scraps whenever the other isn't looking.  Happy birthday, Moses Henry!  Thank you for all the joy you bring to our lives!

Friday, April 26, 2013

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 
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{this moment} ritual from Soulemama

Thursday, April 25, 2013

a fire and a flood

No photos today.  Although it is a bit dramatic, technically, there was both a fire and a flood in our apartment yesterday.

We decided to spring for a pizza for dinner last night.  Our kitchen was simply too messy to prepare dinner, and by the time we would have cleaned up enough to start cooking, either Mark or I would have already begun to gnaw off a hand or arm in hunger.  But we didn't want to spend $3.00 per topping to get a 'gourmet' pizza, so we ordered one topping and decided to dress the pizza a little more ourselves.  I laid out sliced sundried tomatoes and roasted whole garlic cloves on a baking sheet to warm under the broiler as we waited for our pie to be delivered (we also added proscuitto).  Only, I didn't want to add more mess by way of a dirty baking sheet, so I lined the sheet with foil and parchment paper.  Then I put the pan under the broiler?  The paper caught fire and flames leapt out of the oven!  I quickly shut the oven door until the fire died, but the sight of flames shooting up out of our oven was super scary.  I tossed the burnt mess and tried again, sans parchment.  It was a minor crisis, but the pie was delicious (thanks for asking).

Hours later (nearer to midnight, because that seems to be when I get the urge to clean), I had gathered enough momentum to do a few loads of dishes.  Load = 1 (tiny) dish drainer of dishes.  We have to wash a little, dry a little, put them away, repeat.  I was filling the (also tiny) sink with water to scrub up some silverware and Mark was just getting in on the fun, multitasking by pulling the trash to take to the dumpster while preparing to take Moses outside a last time before bed.  Pulling the trash bag, Mark cut the top of his foot on a broken piece of glass in the trash bag.  The cut was small but pretty deep.  It happened really quite fast, but I left my post in the kitchen to bring Mark some first aid supplies in the bathroom, and there was some business dragging a chair back and forth so Mark could elevate his foot and... I forgot the stopper was in the sink and the water was still running.  I dashed back to the kitchen only to find the floor absolutely flooded.  the carpet that meets the linoleum floor was saturated, the silverware drawer was full of water and everything in our cabinet under that was wet.  Of course I turned off the water, and frantically started to sop up the mess.  I used nearly every towel we own, including 3 'dog' (older) towels, 4 bath towels, 6 beach towels and a plethora of hand towels.  Plus a wad of paper towels.  And couldn't soak up all the water in the carpet... it was a long night.  Never did quite finish the dishes, but Mark's foot seems to be okay (thanks for asking).

I didn't get any complaints from our neighbors today, so it seems I lucked out and our flood did not affect the apartment below ours.  However, in my grabbing towels from the linen cabinet and rushing back to the kitchen I did manage to break the door to our linen cabinet.  I am so upset with myself.  I suppose there's a possibility of a wood glue repair, and I am lucky I did not break the glass door, but... what a disaster.  There's still a fan targeted towards the wet carpet, a full bag of wet towels; let's not forget the original dirty dishes/kitchen, and Mark and I are exhausted today from the lack of sleep.

Today, I began researching renter's insurance.  Not sure if these types of issues would even be covered, but my eyes are opened to the silly little stupid mistakes that can cause a lot of damage.

Well, I better hop to the laundry.  I've got a lot of towels to wash.  Thank goodness tomorrow is the weekend.

Monday, April 22, 2013

farewell, old friend.

Our beloved family cat passed away today.  He just made it past his 18th birthday.  I'm so grateful for many years of laughing at his antics, snuggles with him, and his determinedness when it came to being pet.  Crazy how sometimes that used to drive me nuts.  I would give him all that and more now, if I could.  Bubba, we love you so.  Hope you're reunited with your brother Stinky (Socksy) now, curled up like yin and yang the way I remember you both best.  Farewell, old friend.  You are already missed.

Patches "Bubba" Din, 4/13/95- 4/22/13