Longing For Warmer Days

February is here & I am itching for spring to come. Something inside me has changed I've decided that I can't take winter any longer. It's not fun anymore. Yet we still have a long time before it warms up & we can spend more time outside in the sunshine. It probably doesn't help that both my girls have been sick.


I'm trying to fight off these February blues though. I started by pulling out some strawberry freezer jam that I made over the summer with those berries we picked ourselves. That was definitely a good pick me up. And I found myself smiling today as I stood in the kitchen making potato soup for the little sick people around me. I love the steamed up windows in the kitchen during the winter. They make me feel like a good momma. Cooking for my family always makes me feel like a good momma.

You must try this potato soup recipe that I got from Andrea. It's really, really good & it's what caused the steamy kitchen windows tonight. A few notes on this recipe: I don't think it really makes 6 servings. Our small family never has leftovers, so if you have a larger family I would for sure double this. Also, I use half the cheese & most of the time I leave out the bacon & croutons & it's still delicious.

Vermont Potato Soup

1 cup onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 T butter
4 cups chicken broth
4 lg potatoes, cubed
2 T fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups Cheddar cheese, grated
Garnish: 4 bacon slices, crisply cooked and
crumbled and 3/4 cups croutons, crushed

Combine onions, garlic and butter in a Dutch oven and cook for 5 minutes. Blend in chicken broth, potatoes, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer, covered for 20 minutes then remove from heat. Spoon mixture in a food processor (or blender) and puree small amounts at a time. Place soup back in Dutch oven and stir in cheddar cheese; heat through. Combine bacon and croutons; sprinkle over soup before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Giveaway Winner & 15% Off Code

Congratulations, Cherine!!

By the way, it just so happens to be Cherine's birthday today. What are the odds? She has Random.org to thank for choosing her number. Happy Birthday to you, Cherine!

Thanks so much for playing along and thank you for your suggestions. I have some great new ideas for blog content. :)

If you didn't win & have your heart set on something in the shop, don't be discouraged. From now until February 7th, ff you enter the code SUPER SECRET CODE in the "notes to seller" section & then wait to pay, I'll send you a revised invoice for 15% off your order.

Egg Carton Counting Game

To make this preschooler counting activity, you simply cut out little pieces of paper (I used a 1/2 inch circle punch) and number them 1-12. Then glue them into the bottom of an empty egg carton. I didn't have any elmer's glue on hand so I tried taping these with scotch tape & they didn't stick at all. Then you use dry beans & have the child place as many beans in each cup as the number says.


Simple, easy, & free. Just how I like it! My 4 year old was really excited to have something new to keep her busy. This game could also be changed up with letters instead of numbers. Label each cup with a letter. Place one dry bean inside & close the lid. Give the egg carton a good shake & open in up to see what letter the bean landed on. Then give the child a category like animals, foods, etc. & they must come up with something in that category that starts with the letter that the bean landed on.

What fun stuff do you do with your empty egg cartons? Please do share!

Craft, Inc.

I first read Craft, Inc. back in June and loved it. It's packed full of information & I'm imagining that it's the most enjoyable 'business' book there is for crafters & creative thinkers. I asked Dylan to pick it up at the library for me again because I've been doing a lot of thinking about my little crafty business & how I'd like to make it better. I definitely recommend this book for any of you looking to or already selling your handmade goods. Check it out sometime.

1828

Have you been following the photo project that I'm working on with my sister Heather? If not, I hope you'll check it out.


We are almost finished with the first month. There are days when it's a bit challenging, but here are the things I'm loving about it:

* I am taking way more photos than I normally would
* Heather is so talented & she challenges me to take better shots since my photos are paired with her awesome photos
* I get to be a part of my sister's day...each & every day & vice versa
* The pairings are always a surprise & I still never fail to be delighted with each new combo
* I love knowing that I have a growing collection of photos featuring little tidbits of my daily life
* It's just fun


I also have a flickr set with my own photos & I've been adding them to the awesome group 365 : For the domestic types.

Giveaway Time!

Yes, yes!! Time for a giveaway. You have until midnight on Sunday, February 1st to enter this giveaway for one of our La La Love You Prints in the new light turquoise color & a set of my Vintage Map wooden blocks. More information on both items can be found on their listings in my shop.

To be entered into the drawing, please leave a comment just saying hello or letting me know what you'd like to see more of on my blog. Be sure to leave your name & e-mail address so that I can get in contact with the winner.

To earn an extra entry into the drawing. Post about this giveaway on your blog & include a link back to my blog. This will earn you one more entry into the drawing. If you do this step, be sure to leave one more comment letting me know that you did it.

Thanks so much & good luck!!

Vegetarian Chili

With a focus on eating more healthy, I am trying to eat less meat & more vegetables. On our menu this week was Vegetarian Chili & cornbread. Soups are always an easy way to get a lot of veggies in & chili is so hearty & filling. With all the strong seasonings, you really don't miss the meat. You're not really tasting it to begin with. Here's what I threw together. My family really liked it.

Vegetarian Chili

1 diced green bell pepper
1 diced onion
1 carrot, peeled & diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced green chilies
1 can kidney beans
1 can chili beans
1 can whole kernel corn
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin

I put all the ingredients in a crock pot on high for about 6 hours. Could also go in a pot on the stove & simmer until all the vegetables are tender. Serve with grated cheese & sour cream.

What I Love About This Day & This Man

I just wanted to share a few of my thoughts on this super, awesome day. Obama has impressed me from the beginning because with him I felt like my voice mattered. That what I am doing in my little corner of the world matters. I was shocked with his campaign that he would ask anybody & everybody to join in & become a part of something. To start caring about politics & America again. He didn't require any criteria except that you were an American. He accepted small donations to fund his campaign. Small donations which together became something huge. I'm also happy with the way he's lead his transition time. Still calling upon us to be a part of this movement. Reminding us that small efforts make a difference & together we can change the world we live in.

I hope you will take the time to look at USAservice.org. Under "other service opportunities" there is a listing of many organizations that you can get in touch with to help better our communities. I also hope that you will continue to make efforts along with me to live a more "green" lifestyle. Again, every little bit helps & adds up to a huge difference.

I hope you are enjoying this most special day. I took Sadie to school late because I didn't want to miss anything. Oh, we are excited!

Still Going On About Curtains

Yes. More curtains. In the process of making this set of curtains for the living room, I thought for sure I was going to hate them. Turns out that I'm quite fond of them now that they're all hung up.

These windows are the worst. We've now got them equipped with draft snakes, plastic, blinds & now these nice heavy curtains. We could tell a difference in the warmth of that room with the addition of the curtains. Now we're just keeping our fingers crossed that our next heating bill won't be so hard on the pocketbook.

I think I'm taking a break from curtains for just a little bit, but when I come back to them, the girls' room windows are next.

Stay Out Nasty Cold

We don't like you & we don't want you in here anymore. Also, we really hate what you do to our heating bill.


I am on a serious mission to get all the windows in this house covered. It is consuming me & it's pretty much all I talk about. Right, Dylan? Anyway, I can check off the dining room windows & tonight it's on to the front bay windows. That is the coldest spot in our house. It's also right where our sofa sits. Makes for a not so cozy living room.


I'm confident that these window coverings will help a great deal with keeping our house nice & warm & keeping our heating bill down. Maria & I hit up the sale at Joann's & found some nice heavyweight home decor fabric in the clearance section marked down an additional 50% off. Can't beat it.

New Vintage Goodies

I just completed a vintage shop update of some really great finds from a shopping trip earlier this week. Looks like the color for the day was green. :) There are some super cool pieces. I hope you'll check it out.

And a little frugal tip: Be sure to visit Suave today & get a coupon for a free bottle of Suave shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, styling aid, body wash, or body lotion (good up to $3.00). Yippee!

Just In Time For Valentine's Day

We are happy to now be offering the La La Love You design in a 8.5 by 11 inch print! We've added a few new fun colors as well. Check them all out in the shop.

I have a really great vintage update planned for the shop tomorrow. So be sure to come back for that. :)

2009 Focus

(Sewing machine cover. Available in the shop.)

Specific goals have not been set this year. I have been doing some reflecting just like everybody else...but I've decided that my focus for 2009 will just be being better. I want to be a better person, better in all my roles...

I want to be a better wife & mother, a better sister & sister-in-law, daughter & daughter-in-law. I want to be a better friend, Christian, crafter, seamstress, etsian, blogger & member of society. I'm remembering also that being better for everyone else means I need to be better to myself and so thoughts of physical improvements & overall wellness have entered my mind as well.

I have high hopes for 2009. :)

New Stuff In The Shop

It's a new year & I'm full of new year energy! I've got big dreams for the shop & with school starting back up again tomorrow, I should be able to find even more time to work. Dylan has designed a new poster called Dream Big. It's available in 4 different colors.


I tried out a new garland idea. You can see it pictured in the photos above & below. These are double sided leaf shapes cut free form & sewn together with a strong, invisible, nylon thread. I hung the finished garland up in the girl's room & just loved it.


With the organizing mindset that comes with the new year, I decided to make a batch of grocery bag dispensers as well. These will be added to the shop over the next few days.


It's good to feel this surge of energy & excitement. What are you focusing on now that the holidays are over?

365

My oldest sister Heather and I have started a new photo a day project for 2009. Each of us, living in different parts of the country, will take a photo a day & post them together. Our goal is to do this every day of 2009. Heather's photos are on the left & mine on the right. Because we don't talk at all about the photos we'll take, everyday is a nice surprise. You can follow along with us here.

Handmade Holidays Received

Not only do I love giving handmade, but I love receiving handmade. Take a look at the handmade gifts that we received this year from family.

My Dad got me this scrabble pendant necklace set from my sister. I love it & how cute is the painted game piece holder! Amber & Jen sell their creations at Just Be Jewelry.


My sister-in-law Lilia really spoiled our girls this year. She made Sadie some adorable clothes for her barbies.


She even made a Princess Leia dress & buns! Perfect gift for the Leia obsessed girl.


Lilia also made Claire two sweet little dresses & She made Sadie a polka dot one to match the Barbie outfit she made. I just can't seem to find it. I assume it's in the laundry because Sadie has been wearing that dress all the time! Lilia also keeps a really fun etsy shop.


My mother-in-law made these great hooded towels for the girls. The kids love having their own distinguishable towel. I love how nicely they hang behind their bedroom door. Sadie even wants to play dress up with hers sometimes. :)


We are so lucky. Thanks all for the wonderful gifts. Handmade means so much to me because I know the time that was put into these gifts. Your busy little hands have made us feel loved.

2008 Sewing

2008 was a really great year of sewing for me. I tried a lot of new things like making clothing for Sadie & myself, machine quilting & double fold bindings. I learned just how much I could produce if I set my mind to it thanks to my involvement in the summer market. I reached over 400 sales in my etsy shop. Not all sales being items that I've sewn (posters, vintage), but acceptance by the etsy community this year has been such a confidence booster for me. I'm ready to keep going in 2009!

I want to wish you all a happy new year! Thanks so much for stopping by & leaving your sweet comments. I'm hoping for the best for all of us in the year to come.

Don't Eat Pete, Free Download

We played Don't Eat Pete for the first time with the girls tonight. The game is quite popular with my niece & nephews in Las Vegas. For some reason I have failed to introduce it to my kids until tonight.


It was a hoot! Really the most simple of games, but thoroughly enjoyable for everybody involved. Sadie's eyebrows shot up with interest when she found out she'd get to eat candy & little Claire caught on to the excitement of yelling "Don't eat Pete!!" & kept yelling out her mumbled version of it at the wrong times.


I put Dylan on the task of creating the game board while I cooked dinner. The artist in him couldn't just make it simple. I was really pleased with his illustrations in the end. He rocked it! So we decided to make it a free download for other families to enjoy. We plan on laminating our game board so that it can hold up for future uses. You can download it here, print your own game board & enjoy some good times with your family today!



How to play:

Send the first player away from the game board or into another room, then have the remaining players choose which one of the twelve people on the game board will be "Pete" for the round. Place one M&M in each square of the game board. Have the first player come back and begin picking and eating M&M's from the game board. As soon as the player tries to pick "Pete" everyone yells "Don't Eat Pete!" The player keeps all the M&M's picked up before trying to get Pete. Refill the game board and play again with the next player.

You can use cereal or other small snack foods as well as any type of small candy for this game.

Doily Pot Holders

These pot holders are my absolute favorite things right now. I love the pot holders that I made for myself a while back & thought I'd try some out with my favorite girly, vintage embellishment...a doily. I love how they turned out. I've added these to the shop, of course. we'll see how they are received. :)

Mom's Quilt

I decided to make my Mom a lap quilt this Christmas. A lot of the fabrics used on this one are the same as used on the baby quilt that I have listed in my shop right now. I thought the colors would work well with her sofa & living room. It was nice to work on a quilt in the winter. Hand stitching the binding on with the warm quilt over me was so cozy & relaxing. One thing is for sure...once finished, I really wanted to keep this quilt for myself. I know that's a good gift if I don't really want to part with it myself. But I've decided that I need to have a stack of about 5 or 6 six handmade quilts like this in my house. Better get to work then, right?

Sorry for the poor lighting in these photos. I was rushing to get it finished & off in the mail. I couldn't wait until morning for better light. Heather was so sweet to get a photo of mom with the quilt in the gorgeous Las Vegas light. Take a look here.

Christmas 2008

* the year of the baby strollers
* barbie clothes & star wars
* making my mom's cinnamon rolls for the first time (they turned out great!)
* looking at lights of Christmas Eve
* reading the story of Christ's birth from the Bible
* sprinkling magic reindeer food outside (thanks Chanel!)
* forgetting Santa's cookies & having to make them a half hour before bedtime
* our first year at home w/ the kids

Christmas really is the best. I hope everybody had a super great day! We have immediately turned towards cleaning & organizing. Every room, every drawer, every closet will get hit by the organizing duo (Dyl & I) by the end of this week. It feels great to get rid of some stuff & put everything in it's place. I want to start off 2009 in an tidy house. :)

In the middle of all the holiday busyness, my mind has actually been brewing with ideas for the shop. Watch for some updates soon. Especially if you want some items to brighten up your house now that all the Christmas decor will be put away.

Hello Winter

We're staying in today. Luckily there are no errands that need to be done! The goal for today is to do all my weekly chores so that we can enjoy the holiday.

I finished up the last of my sewing last night. I didn't even finish half of the handmade gifts I originally set out to make. I'm giving myself a break because of all I've been through this last little while. Next year I will try again to be better & start in the summer time. For now I am just too exhausted. Dylan put his foot down & told me I couldn't start any more gift projects at this point. Although, I did have a few softies in mind for the girls....I know he's right. I need to get some rest & focus on other things, like wrapping & baking & remembering where I hid all those gifts.

We are supposed to warm up a little in the next few days. All I have left to do is shop for food. It's our first Christmas on our own as a family. I'm planning to make my mom's cinnamon rolls. I've never made them before, but Chanel has. She says they're easy & so I'm not too worried. It's fun to choose traditions from each side of our family to use & to make some up on our own as well. It feels great to be doing Christmas in our own place this year. I will miss our family tons, but we're excited. No need to sit around & be sad, right? We are so blessed. So very blessed & I can't stop thinking about that this week.

What are you doing today? What are your holiday traditions?

Everyone Needs a Pom Pom Skirt

This gingerbread girl is by far the best craft to come home from preschool this year. I love the pom pom skirt in all it's overdone glory. We've even lost a few pom poms in the backpack & throughout the house. I think we all need a pom pom skirt. How fun would that be!


We also got a card from Sadie yesterday with a hand print reindeer on the front.


Her teacher helped her with the inside.


Now please note that we really are not big fans of McDonalds in this family. Actually, I think I counted about a 3 or 4 year stretch where we did not give McDonalds any of our business. But, Sadie got a little older & we'd end up there on road trips every now & then...but still we try to avoid it. While I was sick over the past couple of months, we did however stop there quite often. Sometimes just for a vanilla cone. Anyway, just thought you should know that we are not McDonalds junkies & don't like to support them with our money. :)

But...back to this adorable card. My very favorite part is "Thank you for hugging me and giving me apples." It's the sweetest thing!

I'm Around

Getting my laundry on. Oh, who am I kidding? That laundry has been in those baskets for days now. Don't you just hate when you need a white piece of clothing & have to dig through the whites basket. It's impossible & totally annoying.

Anyway, I am getting things done. Trying my best to keep up productivity around here. It feels good to have energy. I feel like my old self again.

But there are a lot of things to get done. Anybody else feeling the stress? I know I'll get it all pulled off in the end, but boy am I looking forward to resting after Christmas. Unfortunately I can't share any of my recent sewing with you, because surprises will be ruined.

On a side note, I joined facebook finally. I'm kinda in a race w/ Dylan to have more friends than him. Any of my buddies out there that I haven't tracked down on facebook yet? Let me know. We'll hook it up.

Crazy Mullets

Yes, I did go get my haircut at a place called Crazy Mullets last week. No, they did not give me a mullet. Yes, I am happy with my cut. Yes, I am happy with the amount I paid on my way out ($20 women's cut, $18 men's cut). No. I'm not sure that I can give up this awesome postcard next time I go in even though it's good for $3 off any cut.

Crayon Rolls

I've added a few crayon rolls to the shop. I love to give these as gifts along with a coloring book. They are a good little stocking stuffer as well.

Visit With Santa 2008

Santa was in town last night so we took the girls for a visit. Sadie was SO excited. The store that Santa comes to is right across the street from our grocery store, and whenever we're by it Sadie brings up her visit with Santa last year.

I was curious to see how Claire would react to him this year. I truly thought that she would be scared. Not at all. She walked right up the stairs and sat on his lap just like her big sister. Sadie let Santa know that she wanted a Belle dress for Christmas & that Claire wanted a baby stroller. When Santa asked her if there was anything else she wanted she said "No." I just love these little kids who are satisfied with one toy.

Being a kid at Christmas is the best. I am loving watching my kids experience the fun & magic of it all. Luckily, I gave Santa some advance warning on the kids wants this year. I think he's pretty well prepared & I'm glad there weren't any surprise requests last night. :)

The Cake That Maria Made

My friend Maria called me on Sunday to tell me that she wanted to bring over a "dessert" that she made for us. I was thinking brownies or cookies, but then she shows up with this beautiful cake! It is totally professional like & delicious as can be. And how fun is that color? Now if a cake like this doesn't cheer a person up, I just don't know what will. Thanks, Maria!

Sale!

All tote bags, headbands & travel tissue holders have been marked down today over in the Sparkle Power etsy shop. Happy holidays!

Little Gifties

Bean bag sets for the littles in our lives, or Sadie's friends.

Ahhhh, Yes

Things are getting better around here. A little better each day, in fact. We still have moments of sadness here & there, but we are trying to move on & enjoy this holiday season. Thank you for all of your kind words on the last post. They really helped me a lot. I considered leaving the comments off on that one, but knew that your words & thoughts would be so kind & helpful. Thank you.

I cannot believe how amazing our friends out here have been. They have been right here with food & phone calls & hugs & it has been so uplifting & wonderful. Thanks to all who have offered help. The world is full of amazing, wonderful, good people. I really am overwhelmed by your support. Thank you.

We finally finished up our Christmas decorating. The tree was waiting for me to add some berry branches & now that it's complete I remember how much I love, love, love my Christmas tree. I thought that this would be the year that I'd be ready for all new stuff...not so. And last night I did some sewing. It felt wonderful. I am excited to get in the groove of making holiday gifts. I love sewing at night with the house decked out for Christmas & cold snow outside. I'll share what I can along the way!!

Merry Christmas!

Heartbreak

I hate to have to do this, but I must inform you that our family will not be expecting another baby early next summer. At my 14 week checkup earlier this week, the doctor was unable to find the baby's heartbeat. I knew right then what was happening, but she did a few ultrasounds & without sharing all the details...we've lost the baby.

This has been really hard to deal with. We are all very sad. Dyl & I especially & that poor little 4 year old too. I wish it would have happened earlier. I wish that my family hadn't had to go through the hardest part....those 2 months of constant sickness where I am unable to take care of them fully. We thought we were in the clear. We were proud of what we had conquered & that little bean we'd seen earlier on the ultrasound screen with a beating heart had already become a part of us.

We are sad. Our hearts are broken. Time will pass & life will go on & we will be okay. We are okay. We have a lot of love in this little house of ours. We will be okay.

For now I am allowing myself to be sad. Thank you for your calls, but if I don't answer my phone, please understand that I don't want to talk about it right now.