Easter at Celebration Ranch

Today, we popped over to visit my sister and attend Easter Fest at Celebration Ranch.  The boys had a lot of fun and the weather was perfect.

Ty went egg hunting with his Daddy and Papa while Is hung out with the ladies.

Afterwards there was an awesome tire swing to ride and animals to pet.

Here’s hoping your Easter was wonderful as well.

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Merry Xmas to All

Hope your holiday is warm and happy.  I’d post something more meaningful, but we’re busy playing Nintendo games and enjoying my new heater.  Instead, I give you Simon’s Cat in “Santa Claws” aka the reason we don’t have a tree this year.

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Thankful for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun this year.  We had a houseful (12 people total) and way more food than we could eat (there were lots of leftovers).  Because I didn’t manage to take pictures of the food before it was consumed, here are some of the recipes I used.  The turkey and dinner rolls are standards developed over the last three years.  The brussels sprouts were new this year and turned out amazingly delicious.  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Roast Turkey – From Alton Brown of Good Eats.

Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls – From Allrecipes.com

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Walnuts – From Pinch My Salt

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Green Grocery Bag Challenge

Did you hear about the Green Grocery Bag Challenge over at Sew, Mama, Sew?  I’m so excited!  I had already made plans to give gifts in reusable bags this year and this just adds fuel to the fire.  Are you up to the challenge?

(Remember, if you need a bag pattern, there’s a tutorial I made here.)

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Happy Birthday Big Sis!

Today is my big sister’s birthday.  So I just wanted to say…

Happy Birthday, Heather!

Know that I love you enough to post an embarrassing picture of you on your birthday.  You turned out pretty darn good, despite having me as a little sister.

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We <3 Dani Day!

I am declaring it We Dani Day! Specifically, Dani of the three fames DaniDo Crafty, Goddess Tea, and Craft Culture Podcast.  Why should it be WHDD?  Because, Dani rocks.  Don’t believe me?  Check out my awesome top 10 list.

Top 10 Reasons Dani Rocks

1. She’s a knitter.  Duh.
2. She likes aprons.
3. She hand blends tea *and* roasts coffee.
4. She bakes delicious biscotti (and sometimes sends it to her yarny buddies).
5. She’s a college student who runs her own business.
6. She designs awesome patterns.
7. She dyes yarn, too.
8. Don’t forget the awesome podcast that makes us laugh and think about juggling weiner dogs.
9. She gets girlnevergoesout out of the house.
10. She let me talk on her podcast even though I’m a big craft addicted dork.

P.S.
She’s doing a yarn and tea club.  Yes, yarn *and* tea.  Go.  Now.  Buy.

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Happy Holidays!

I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend with your loved ones and that your hand made gifts were well received.  Here are a few images from our holiday celebrations.  To view the entire set of festive photos, click here.

Jacob loved his hat and bean bag chair.

Tyler looked adorable in his chef’s outfit.

And Chloe gave us all the gift of stink.

Merry Christmas, all!

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For the Little Chef

The countdown to Christmas continues with only one sewing day left!  I am on schedule to finish all gifts.  I would be more on schedule had I not run out of muslin yesterday.  But, I only have 3 wedges and a few seams and the bean bag chair is done.  In the meantime, I finished Tyler’s chef’s set to go with the kitchen Santa is bringing him.

The fabric is Debbie Mumm Three Blind Mice made with tutorials from Stardust Shoes (scroll down and look for links to both tutorials in the right side bar).

Apron

I zigzagged on the pocket to give it a more whimsical look (and to hide my crookedness a bit).  I also zigzagged around the outside edge to give it some continuity.

Pocket Detail

The only modification I made was to swap out the neck ties in favor of some adjustable hardware (courtesy of a dollar store dog collar).

Buckle Detail

I also made the chef’s hat, which I must admit is my favorite piece.

Chef’s Hat

I’m so pleased with these pieces I can hardly stand it.  And the thing that tickles me even more is that the fabric colors match the shopping cart I bought him!  One more gift to go and Christmas sewing is *done*!

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Just Deal With It

The last few days have thrown me a curve ball as far as holiday cheer goes.  Health issues, money issues, etc. can really damper the xmas spirit.  But it’s time to put on my big girl panties and power through it.  Tonight I have to finish up the last of the Christmas presents.  There’s an apron that is nearly complete, a chef’s hat that is cut out and ready to sew, and a bean bag chair to cut, piece, and sew.  Not to mention a pair of clogs to be felted and dried in (eek!) three days.  And of course all the presents to be wrapped.  But I can do it.  It just takes determination and my normal stubborn streak.

Watch out December… You screwed up and I’m pissed now!

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The Scent of Oranges

Oranges used to be a holiday tradition for us.  When we were little, there was always an orange in the toe of our stockings.  Once we grew out of stockings (and started using pillow cases), the oranges faded away.  I had completely forgotten about this little tradition until I hauled home a big box of oranges (purchased to support a friend’s daughter’s school fundraiser).  The scent of those oranges (different from the Clementines that abound in my house) triggered that memory.  It made me slow down a little and reflect on Christmases past.  What little childhood traditions have you forgotten about?

Image stolen from the internets.  Thank you Google Image Search!

P.S.
For those of you eagerly waiting for the Middleford newsletter, I will be working on it with Sonja this evening.  It should go to press Christmas week and be out around the first of the year.  There are a lot of great classes this time and some exciting announcements.

P.P.S.
Unique Sheep Gradiance Kits are the featured Christmas special today at MYSS.  Go get yours before they all disappear!  Plus, new patterns for the Secret Garden Shawl just arrived.  What perfect timing!

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