95 and Partly Cloudy

That’s right folks. It is now 95F and Partly Cloudy outside and 79F inside with the A/C having run all day non stop. It is APRIL! That means it’s gonna be a Hot hot summer. My tender little gardens don’t stand a chance.

On the left are my little Heirloom Tomato Seedlings and on the right is mixed lettuces and herbs. I’ve been watering every other day and I’m now switching to everyday. We’ll see how hardy these heirlooms really are.

Now this garden Alan made for me. Teehee 🙂 It has a Palm of some sort and two Jatrophas. Both are heat loving arid types, so, this garden just might stand a chance.

It was Redding’s idea to come play outside today. What he actually asked me was “Go outside and play in the mud?” Boys like mud. He insisted on wearing his smock today–not sure why.

Wyatt started splashing in the puddles on the patio while I was watering the flowers, so I just gave him the hose and he had at it.

I’m sitting cool in my tee and blue lightweight cotton gingham circle skirt I made two summers ago. Perfect for hot summer days.

Happy Spring!

 

Loving the Primaries

This Little Lovely is a Yellow Honey Dew Melon. I was in the produce section at Wal-Mart and this guy just spoke to me in keeping with the bright Primary colors trend of late. I couldn’t help myself. And he was only $1.50. That was also cool. Boy, oh, Boy was it tasty! I threw it in the fridge when I got home and the hubby and I enjoyed it as a late night snack later. It had the consistency of  pear. A little crunchy and oh so sweet with a random tart bite here and there. Melons truly are my favorite fruit. Watermelons being the very tippy top of my list by a wide margin. Nothing, and I mean, nothing compares to a icy cool watermelon on a hot July afternoon. Common Watermelon Season!!!

Moving on…

 This is my Scalloped Curves Class quilt. Me and the boys had fun picking out the colors at the quilt shop. It is a baby size quilt, but I didn’t need a quilt of that size at the moment (I know, blasphemy), but I did need a skirt around the vanity in my guest bathroom that’s getting a facelift right now. Why am I redoing the bathroom that is actually painted and halfway decent when there is another bathroom in need of TLC, my boys bedroom that needs painting and decorating, AND finishing up the organizing in my Craft room all waiting for my attention??? I don’t know. No Idea. Well, maybe this had something to do with it…

I had a gift certificate to the local quilt shop (!!!!) and after picking out all the prints for the quilt in my master bedroom, I had money leftover. So I snagged up some Animal Party Too that I have always loved and decided since the plumbing is now fixed (yay!!!) in my master bath, I could officially turn the guest bath into a fun place for the boys. Now that Wyatt is old enough to sit in the bathtub and play with Redding, the boys have spent MANY an hour splashing in the bubbles lately. And while I was sitting in there with them, the urge to fix it up overtook me. I was powerless to resist the call.

Just like I was powerless to not come home with 3yds of this fun flower print from Ikea on my birthday.

I can’t wait to show you the full photos of what i used it for. It makes me happy. It’s not a print I would have normally grabbed of the rack, but seeing it hanging in panels with the tree print (I’m kicking myself for not buying some of that) all over the store made me want to buy it. It looks so much better hanging than folded on a bolt.

And finally…

After making this for Wyatt, I just had to make one for Redding too with the leftover fabrics from his quilt. Tre Scrappy No? I used the para-cord that Alan bought for me at the army-navy surplus as the drawstring and some goofy red sparkly ancient Christmas fabric for the lining.

And because I got to this step of creating much too late at night, I was taken by the idea to do FMQ on the two panels of the bag thereby needing to sew it together with French seams. I don’t know. I just don’t know. In the end it worked out ok, and I squared of the bottom corners of the bag like a tote with a bitty 1″ seam and tacked the resulting triangle excess down to the bottom of the bag.

I’ll give it to Redding with a little something inside on Wyatt’s birthday in April when I give Wyatt his bag. Why on Wyatt’s birthday? Well, when we were little, Mom always got each of us a little present on our sister’s (sisters’? sister’s’s? I have two sisters) birthday. It was nice to not feel forgotten while still enjoying celebrating a sister’s birthday. I think I’ll continue the tradition with our boys while they’re young like Mom did for us. So, for a first, I already have some of the birthday presents ready A WHOLE MONTH in advance. I also got all the stuff for Easter baskets at the store yesterday. Mwhahahaha! I’m so on top of things right now!!! Don’t worry. It won’t last long. Those statements/thoughts tend to jinx me.

Funny story: While leaving the house yesterday, I was walking down my hall and turned to go into the kitchen. I wear glasses so I don’t have a full range of vision. Case and Point. I turn to go into the kitchen and from beneath my glasses I see something large and black charge my feet. I know what this thing is even though I can’t see it. It’s another $)&%#$ &^$%&*( ROACH. As previously stated, I don’t have little Roaches in my House. No. They are all BIG OLE 3″ suckers. Tonight I saw a little one at about 2″, but that’s not the norm. So the thing charges me and I have been trying to wrangle children out the door and am already fit to be tied, I’ve got Wyatt on my hip and I start dancing because as you know, I’ve had these suckers run across my feet before, and It’s just not pleasant. Redding starts laughing at me and telling me “mommom’s so silly! It’s a big ole (which sounds like bagel when he says it) bug!!!” Then I realize I have to kill it, so I start stomping around like made trying to see where it went, and I thought I got it, but because I was looking underneath the bottom rim of my glasses the floor is blurry, and I must’ve missed it. A furious search ensues, but the bugger escaped. I throw the kids in the car listening to Redding asking me “Mommom get the dead bug?” Bugs are referred to as dead in my house even if they’re still alive, because it’s only a matter of time before they’re exterminated with a shoe.
Just like that 3″ roach found out when he was waiting on the wall of my shower for me in Round 2. But my big strong shoe wielding Man was home then. HA HA! Dead Bug.

Too…Many…Projects…

Well. Ideas I suppose. Or partial projects.
Ever feel like you have so many Ideas and supplies for things that you just don’t know what to start or finish next? I’m there. Prioritizing is not my strong suit. But I do enjoy having the ability to make a variety of things at any given moment. Right now I have picture frames from Goodwill to upcyle and paint, pictures to go in albums, about a gagillion Christmas gifts to make, holiday baking, a Christmas quilt to make, a Stocking for Wyatt, mending and alterations to our clothes, decorating projects, and, uh, oh yeah, yard work and house cleaning. Good grief. I also am itching to make t-shirt yarn. Not that I need it for anything right now. I just want to make it.

Last night I made 21yds of 1″ single fold bias tape. I’ll turn it into half inch double fold once I finish my Christmas gifts I’m using it for. I couldn’t stop myself. This cute lime, coral, and orange polka-dot fabric wanted to be bias tape. So that’s what I turned to whole yard into.

Today I went to check out a playset I found on Craigslist for the boys Christmas present from us and the grandparents. I can wait to get it! It was as good as I hoped! It’s a step 2 climber and swingset and Redding is going to freak out to have a slide in the backyard. We need to finish cleaning up the yard and cut out the grass and mulch where the playground will go. Hope to work on that this week.

I’m also in the process of sanding and painting this patio furniture I found on Craigslist. I was so excited to find it! I have always wanted a black iron patio set, but haven’t found one for the right price. A couple weeks ago I did: a four chair and table number that is cute as can be! The guy was even nice enough to drop it off at my house. It’s going to look great when it’s finished. My parents gave me a table umbrella in a nice grey and tan damask scroll print that will go great with the set. I also need to pressure wash the back patio and get the paint off it as you can see. I’m hoping it all comes off. I want to make cushions for the chairs too, though probably not right away. It’s been so hot outside that we don’t like being out there in the middle of the day, well, I don’t mind, but Redding’s a wimp about heat. Hopefully it’s cool enough this weekend.

Time to go make sugar cookies and do laundry. Then maybe a project or two 🙂

October Recap

Ok, So I’ve totally flopped on being involved in my LTTSA this month and in the Celebrate Color festivities. It’s been a crazy couple a weeks. I’ve gone to the park almost everyday with the boys and been baking Pumpkin Pies and working on my Etsy store.
Etsy recently went through a redesign on how the search engines work and as a result my items weren’t getting found. The update was for the better (I grudgingly admit), but I have about 40 items in my shop and every single last one of them had to be updated and keywords not only changed, but then I had to watch my google analytics page to make sure the new tag words were letting people find my listings, and then update them again and again, until I was making my way back to the top of search results by using the best searchwords possible. It’s been a long process, and I’m still not finished, but about 40% is done, so now I’m starting to get sales again. Which means I had crocheting to do. I also had to get some new Holiday Hats made up and pics taken of, and listed…
Cute Huh? I was happy 🙂

Wyatt has also become mobile now. Yes, my 6mo old is crawling. And my 2yr old leaves little bitty choking sized toys everywhere. Nuff said.

I managed to squeeze in a pair of slippers for Redding with a left over fat quarter from his Thomas the Tank Engine Quilt. I styled them after some Ikea Idegran Slippers I saw while I was on Vacation with my Bestie in Orlando for the first week in October. It was a awesome weekend! We stayed at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and our 6th floor balcony looked into the main atrium. Too fabulous. We spent lots of time by the pool and squeezed some shopping in between all the relaxation. We also party crashed a Hindu wedding that had been going on for the last several days and scored some free drinks before we had to make a break from our helpful Indian friend who wanted to take us for a walk around the atriums after the celebration. We went to the bathroom and then bailed down the nearest stairwell when he wasn’t looking. It was so fun.

Anyways, While I was there at Ikea, I saw these slippers and just knew Redding would love some big fluffy slippers like them, so after much pulling apart of stitches and playing with stuffing amounts, I got his pair finished complete with grippy soles on the bottom 🙂

He doesn’t look thrilled in this pic like he should, but trust me, he likes them 🙂

I also have started my first real quilt. With blocks, sashing, and everything. After searching through everyone’s project archives while lackadaisically following the Christmas blog Hop over at Ellison Lane Quilts, I stumbled upon this adorable and easy Whirly Gig Quilt. I thought, “Yes! Finally Something I’m not scared to try!” It looked easy enough and the best part is I can make my squares as big as I want and each block only has 8 pieces in it, so I already have half my blocks sewn up. Naturally, I didn’t follow the directions *exactly* even though, the blogger warned me to “be sure to cut your blocks like so…”, but I didn’t think it was necessary and ended up having to recut some pieces. But that’s ok! Half the blocks are going to be white and blue like this, and the others are going to be white and pink.

Oooo! Look what I found while going through my pics! Yummy Blueberry Scones! I’ll post up the recipe tomorrow. I made them while working on my quilt. I just needed some good scones. I’ve been on a “I’m going to make everything myself that I usually buy at Starbuck” kick lately. Cost effective for sure, well, comparatively, but dangerous with the ease at which I can now create tasties. So I’ll share a couple drink recipes with you too. Because It’s not right for my to keep them to myself. You should have to indulge as well. I’m also gonna post up the most tastiest bread recipe I’ve made yet. Breadmachine style, of course, but still homemade 🙂

So, I’m hoping to be able to make up my LTTSA project tomorrow, cut into our last pumpkin and make yummy toasted pumpkin seeds, and I also am going to have to learn how to use a circular saw. Yep. You heard me right. I have a pile of fence posts in my backyard from when part of my God-only-knows how old privacy fence took a dive in a storm this summer. Florida Thunderstorms are serious business. I love them. Here is my Pinterest page of Ideas for my Fence pieces. I don’t feel like copying and linking all the pics here, so if you have a desire, feel free to check it out.
Can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner?! Now, I’m not one of those “Let’s just skip right over Thanksgiving straight on to Christmas” people, but Crocheting a bunch of Holiday hats gets me thinking… and thinkin… and thinkin… about what the heck I’m going to make for everyone this year! I know for sure if I get my Whirly Gig Quilt done this month I’m going to be making From the Blue Chairs Stack and Whack Wonky Block quilt that looks so fun and would be perfect for the Christmas fabrics I bought last year and didn’t get around to doing anything with.
Enough Rambling. I think this post was more for me as a Sign post of What-I’ve-done/What-I’m-going-to-do to prove to me that I didn’t while away October. Sometimes it just feels like, “Where did all my Time Go?!” and this has helped me to stop beating myself up over it, and see, “Oh, yeah, I did make/do that.” So I haven’t squandered my precious time. And here’s one more pic just for you, because you need a smile 🙂

A Day at the Park!

The weather here in Florida has just gotten cool enough that it’s enjoyable to go to the park during the day. Hurray! That means I get in two miles of bike riding exercise to the park and back, and the kids get to run and play and get all that energy out. Well, Redding runs. Wyatt laughs at him while sitting in the swing. He’s big enough now to sit in the baby swing. I’m going to make him a cover for it asap though. I’ve got some ideas and will post my finished project soon I hope.

The LTTS Backpack is  BIG hit around here! Redding quickly warmed up to it and now asks to take his “pack-pack” everywhere he goes. It’s very helpful for us because he tucks a couple books and small toys into the backpack, and I can stick my keys, cell phone, camera, and an extra diaper and wipes for Wyatt in there when we head to the park. And of course his juice cup in its special pocket 🙂

 

It worked perfectly to tuck the backpack in front of Wyatt while he was swinging and he was held in place from rocking too far forward. It also gave him something to chew on while watching brother run around 🙂 The hanger strap was soaked with slobber by the time we got home 🙂

It was a very fun day. And now home again, home again, jigitty jig… Wyatt was pooped out from all the excitement 🙂

And a special thanks to my very sweet friend Debby who gave me the bike trailer! We love it! Even if we don’t make it all the way to the park (like today when it rained on us halfway there), the boys still love a bike ride.

Project updates and Book Shelf Organization

Been Busy today taking my kiddo to the park to play in the fountain, hitting up the library, visiting family, cleaning, and 2nd best of all! Working on the LTTSA backpack! Have I ever mentioned that I hate cutting out patterns and pieces? It’s my least favorite part of the sewing experience. Fabric shopping might be my favorite, sewing second–if given a choice, I’d even rip apart a messed up seam and re-sew it before cutting out pieces. Anyways…. It’s allllll done! The pieces are cut (except the interfacing b/c I don’t know how much I want to use yet) and waiting for attention! I made a couple changes to the pattern and added/subtracted some things to the pattern. Like pockets on each side and making the front one complete piece without a seam and without pockets. I’m also using quilting cotton and flannel instead of a sturdier fabric. Hence the indecision about interfacing. So tomorrow, hopefully, me and the machine have a date 🙂

Next: Some long awaited pics of my new sewing room. But only the bookshelves.

Look at the organization! It’s delish. My books are all in the middle with fabric and sewing boxes and random craftiness on the sides. I still have to clean off the tops of the shelves and decorate, and the closet needs attention, but 80% done is goooood.

Here are my Rainbow organized books! I stole this idea from my sister’s roommate who has awesome bookcase organizing techniques as well as kick butt spinach artichoke dip. No lie.
I thought about organizing by author or genre, but it’s a really mixed bunch and in this small of a room, it would just look like chaos, so color was the choice! And I’m a fan.

These shelves of fabric goodness are displayed on rectangle cut pieces of cardboard boxes. It is easy to see all my fabrics and somehow I can fit much more into the tiny space. Not that I’m sure you can call four rows of bookshelves, a scrap box, a remnant box (top left shelf), a 55gal bucket with faux fur, and another box of felt a “tiny” space, but you get the idea.

Do you like my vintage tea cup? I use it to hold all my straight pins. It’s easy to get into, and not too easy to knock over. I love it. The red toile pattern is so pretty.

Now it’s time for a good book, a cup of hot tea, and to throw my sour dough loaf into the oven. It should have risen by now. Then bed, bed, bed.

 Goodnight, my someone, goodnight 🙂

Why Adventurous Homemaking?

Adventurous:
[ad-ven-cher-uhs]

–adjective

1. inclined or willing to engage in adventures; enjoying adventures.

2. full of risk; requiring courage; hazardous: an adventurous undertaking.
3. characterized by unknown dangers and risks
4. disposed to seek adventure or to cope with the new and unknown

I can think of no better way to describe the requirements of homemaking. It requires everything of me. I must be courageous, able, willing to give everything for my family, unafraid of the exciting journey ahead.

I am so blessed to be a wife, homemaker, teacher, cook, maid (ha!), gardener, crafter, and all the other things that describe my life of adventure. I will endeavor to always follow Jesus in this adventurous life He’s given me.

 

 

 

New Clothes!

So, I’m super excited about the new shirts I inherited from my friend Katie and some new shirts I found at the mall. Summer is getting into gear in Sunny Central FL and it is time to make a decision: To wear shorts, or to not wear shorts…

Now, I’m a firm believer in the evils of denim in summertime, but I’m also against seeing my legs in shorts. So, what to do? I have settled this dilemma by hidden option number 3, wear neither. That’s right. I’m going to dress like 50’s housewife. It’s all dresses and skirts this summer. Well, except in my house, where athletic shorts reign. To meet the missing need in my life for cute skirts, I am working on sewing up a couple styles.

The first I made was a simple double-layered, cranberry, knit, knee-length skirt with an elastic waistband. The second is resting on my sewing table waiting for the addition of elastic to the waist. I found the second skirt in the clearance section at Ross and it was much to big with a broken zipper, but it was baby pink with dark brown and black floral pattern and a few white flowers around the bottom. It is a lightweight cotton with a thin lining and it is a twirly skirt! That was the selling point for me. It has triangle panels sewn in to give it the twirlyness and an A-line cut. It came down to my ankles so I shortened it from the waist to just below my knees and zig-zag sewed the invisible zipper closed after removing the zipper part. I’m not sure if I want to fold the waist band twice and run the elastic through the casing or if I want to sew the elastic directly to the inside of the skirt. There’s pro’s and con’s with each, so I’m still up in the air. I’ll decide tomorrow when I go to sew it.

Tomorrow will be full of Biscotti making for the mothers in my life and giving the house a final go over before my in-laws come in to town for supper. It will be very nice to see them and for them to get to spend time with Redding.

Alan starts his new job on Monday after being at home in the transition phase for two weeks. Redding has so enjoyed spending time with him during the day and Alan has been wonderful to have at home to keep me company and have around the house. He is truly my best friend. We are looking forward to this change and are excited about the changes and the challenges and interest a new job will present.

I have been very busy with Etsy lately as I have sold 8 Fuzzy Wuzzy Bear Hats and One pom pom hat in the last three wks which has been very fun. I’m so thankful that God is providing me with business and that I can offer a product that buyers like.

Gonna get back to watching Justified with my friends now and catch up on the last two weeks episodes.

Nite!

Monday!

Good Day to You!

I’ve done a little writing over here today and hope to have regular “Seller of the Week” posts for FAM members.

Today will be spent cleaning house. My bedroom is the point of incursion today. If I can take that room and secure several loads of clean laundry, my day’s campaign will be complete. 🙂
I’m also just getting into Jane Austen’s Emma and will post a review once I finish it. I’m also going to try to get in a little sewing today. I have dreams of a twirly skirt in my fun vintage material that is inspiring my current Rosette Collection that is debuting this month on Etsy. I’m also being inspired by my antique Rosebush that is beginning to bloom. I have vases of fresh roses in my house every day 🙂 Such a sweet fragrance.

Good news also is that thursday and friday were spent painting my bathroom walls and vanity. My wonderful hubby is going to tile the vanity top for me as the paint didn’t want to stick very well. He is off tomorrow so I have hopes of window shopping at Lowes for tile ideas.

My parting thoughts for the day are this: What does your home say about you?
Is it clean and comfy? Is it well managed? Is it a place of refuge for your family? Is is a great place to be, but also a work in progress?
I am in the work in progress category. By no means perfect, but still pleasant and a place we can enjoy.
Embrace your apron!

And off to the Battle of Clean Bedroom (it’ll show up in the history books soon. An epic battle between the Apron and the evil Dust Bunnies holed up under IKEA bed Mountain.)

Car Washing with Papa

Yesterday Alan got off a little early from work and needed to wash his Chevy Corvair. So Redding and I helped.

But Redding liked dropping the sponge in the bucket more than helping 🙂