It's Done!

I finished the embroidery on the pillow case last night while watching "Malcolm in the Middle" on TeenNick TV. Funny, funny show. Anyway, it's done and here it is.

The pillow and mattress - I choses a Rose theme for obvious reasons

I am so pleased with how the painted Rose on the cradle turned out.


The lighting isn't that great, you can't really see the patterns on the fabric. Maybe I'll try taking another picture later.

I had fun working on it, but I'm glad it's done. Ryan thought I was a little bit crazy for spending so much time on it, but that's me. I wanted something beautiful because it would be sitting out in the girls' room and frankly, it's fun to make tiny things for a baby doll. I can make that quilt I've been thinking about forever, but on a small scale that's done quickly!

Snow Day Projects

So this is the second day this week school has been canceled. I usually don't mind it - we always stay busy with projects around the house. Monday, we made gingerbread cookies, I pieced a quilt, we worked on our Christmas puzzle, the kids and I watched fun movies, etc. It was a good day considering we were all trapped inside our little house. Oh and the kids went in and out of the snow a couple of times, resulting in a lot of snow on the kitchen floor, and gloves and hats everywhere you looked. It will truly be a wonderful day when all of the kids can get themselves ready to play in the snow by themselves!

Rose liked the cookies, but the icing was the best part

The project of choice today was finishing Christmas presents. Rose will be getting a nice baby doll from her grandparents for Christmas, and in the spirit of this gift, Claire and I have been busy making "gifts" for the baby. I made a small quilt, mattress and pillow to put inside a repainted cradle I bought at an antiques store. Claire and I stenciled a rose on the cradle today. I'm finishing embroidering the tiny pillow-case today and when it's all done, I'll post a picture.

I have to admit that every time I see the little cradle and bedding, it makes me giggle with delight! It all turned out SO cute!

Our Bread and Butter (literally)

The roads have been cleared, the snow is melting (barely) and my husband is back at work, allowing me to do a little blogging. I did take lots of pictures of our snowed-in weekend, but the camera is really taking lousy pictures, and my photography skills, or lack thereof, doesn't help the matter.

To keep the kids busy on Thanksgiving Day, I had the kids make the butter by shaking cream in little jars. It was so easy and so good, that I think we'll make it a Thanksgiving tradition. It isn't really economical to make butter this way, but it sure was a treat.

After the buttermilk is poured off - you get lovely butter
...and yummy buttermilk for pancakes the next morning!

And what goes better with homemade butter, than homemade bread? So good!

I really do love to bake, but limit my sweet baking to once a week for Family Home Evening. The kids have a great time "helping" - actually, Claire is quite helpful now, getting ingredients and reading the recipe as I mix. And Rose? Well she just enjoys sitting on my mixer, or as she calls it, her boat.
Happy baking this season!

Catch Up

I realized that I didn't put up a picture of the kids in their costumes. I know this is not the best picture, but believe it or not, it's the only one I have of all three kids. Claire was Kirsten - one of the American Girls, William was a ghost (he likes fuss-free costumes) and Rose was a ballerina.

I don't have much of interest going on here. Claire has been home from school with the flu and Ryan has it too. So that pretty much keeps me busy. I had to take Rose with me to Young Womens tonight so that Dad didn't have to deal with her. Rose was very happy and loved the attention.

It's just that time of year again...lots of medicine and trips for more medicine!

And here's a picture of me cutting Claire's Troy (from HS Musical) doll's hair; someone gave it to her for her birthday. He looked a like a girl, so I gave him a little trim. I know you can't tell from the picture, but I was humming "We're All in This Together" as I clipped ;)

Rosie Update

On her 2nd birthday, at the zoo. The guinea pigs were the only animals she was interested in.

I know, can you believe your eyes? It's been several months since I've been on here. Blogging fell way down on my list of things to do; towards the bottom, really. But I have lately been missing it and wanted to post some funny pictures of my girl, Rose. She had her birthday in October and is now two years old. I love hearing her talk and she is learning new words daily. Thankfully, she is less "busy" and plays with toys a little more. But there is still a lot about her little personality that keeps me busy. Love this girl!






Hopefully, I can stay a little more up-to-date on here, but I'm not promising anything. Our remaining computer runs very slowly, so all of our pictures are on an external hard drive. So in order to access any pictures, I have to plug in the drive, making the computer run even more slowly. It is quite the process. So there you go: my lame excuse...

The Girls

Some of my best girls

One of the best things about our move to Illinois, has been getting to know some of the most amazing women. It had been years since I had a good friend nearby - many had moved on to other places. I haven't lived near family in 11 years, and it doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon. But amazingly, our little church ward was chalk full of awesome ladies. I have learned so much from them (I get the best advice and support from them) and they are always there. I know I can at least count on one of them being available, should I need something. Illinois would be a very lonely place without the girls!

Firsts

Today was the first day of school for the big kids. They have both been so excited; school and all of the logistics is all we have talked about all week. I too was very excited for them to go - it was definitely time for school to start again. William started Kindergarten this year. Tomorrow is a half day for both kids and then Monday is the first full day.

After watching Claire ride the bus for three years, William will finally get his turn.

My big 3rd grader

Some other firsts...the kids and I took a week-long trip to Texas last week. We had a great time seeing my brothers and their families and my parents. My brother Dan rented a ski-boat for a couple of hours and took all of us for a ride on the lake near their place. We had so much fun. My mom and I were the first to experience Dan's merciless driving. But it wasn't until later when I went on the tube with my sister-in-law Katie that Dan let us have it. He about killed me and I know he was holding back a little for his wimpy big sister.

Here's Claire and her cousin - they did so well and had a great time - no fear, these two

We spent a couple of hours at the lake, boating, eating and swimming. Thanks to my Dad, who was able to watch Rose, I was able to play in the lake with my brothers and sisters-in-law. What a fun group they are. What I wouldn't give to live closer.


Another first: Rose is sleeping in a twin bed now. The night we got back from Texas, Rose figured out how to climb out of her crib. The first time was successful, second ended with a sore head. So down went the crib, and out came the big bed. She loves the freedom, but looks so tiny on the bed.

What a busy, busy day. Well, it's a school night; better get ready for bed!