Farr Better Life

This is the life.

2011-12-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

I had wanted to make these "cloaks" since I saw them made up by Dana. They seemed so fun to play in. So I made them for Christmas presents and I love the way they turned out. I contemplated whether to buy the new book for awhile and finally took the plunge. Growing Up Sew Liberated. I think I will probably make a few things from this book. I have a pants pattern traced and the pattern cut so that might be the next project.

The pattern was super easy to follow. I made the bigger one first and there are a lot of little errors manipulating the satin fabic But it ended up fine. The smaller one was a bit easier since I had experience.

I am never sure what my kids will actually play with when I get them stuff. Especially my daughter.

But they have flown around the house a few times already.

Happy Make Believe! - Clover

She really did make me do it.

2011-12-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

That is Made by Rae. She came out with this pattern a couple months or so ago and I thought "Oooohhhh" But I knew S wouldn't really like it because it has "stuff" up around the neck and its 3/4 sleeves. But I kept thinking about it, and thinking about it, and damn I kept thinking about it. I started to think maybe I could entise her if I made it in flannel and I let her help me. Ah Ha. Surely she will love it. So I bought the flannel and got busy. I did cut it on the bias and didnt really measure her for the size I just cut the size 5 and hoped for the best I knew if anything it would be too big.

Well I tried it on her before I stitched up the elastic around the neck and hemmed it all. Boy am I glad. She was so excited to try it on after helping me sew on that ruffle. Before it was even all the way on screaming ensued. Pulling at the neck and general hatred. Well really I wasn't suprised. So what am I to do?? I ended up adding four inches of elastic to the neck line and When she tried it on....Success. She liked it and wore it the rest of the day. It is a bit challenging when we need a jacket on cause of those big sleeves but she looks fantastic in it and....she likes it, she really likes it.

Do blondes really have more fun?

Gotta love the bias cut swing.

Can I officially call this sun flare??

Well, how about you. What are your latest triumphs?

I have an "Innocent Crush" on Anna Maria Horner

2011-12-02T18:36:00.001-08:00

As usual I have been sewing away. Maybe a bit slower than normal. We have all had cold after cold. Then Thanksgiving and of course Sophia turning five! It has been a busy month and at night time when I usually hide away and sew I have been sitting like a blob on the sofa and then going to bed a bit earlier than normal. Which in itself has been a good thing. I think I am a lot nicer when I have the right amount of sleep. Or at least way more tolerant of every ones craziness over here.

I really have been obsessing over Anna Maria Horner's fabrics. Every collection that comes out I initially look and go ok thats nice. But the more I look at it the more I start to fall in love with it. She is brilliant. Here colors are just perfect. All of them. So I started making some of her figure 8 scarves and I think they are just the perfect project to really show off some fabric.

This is the one I chose for myself to keep. It is a little wide and long for me who is slightly more petite but it is really striking against a plain colored shirt and even though I usually dress very simply I love it and feel great when I wear it.

This is the second one I made. It is a gift for someone for Christmas . These are more "my" colors but they are the recipients as well. It is gorgeous. I made a second of the one I am keeping to give to someone else and also have a fourth waiting to be finished that is another combo of colors. It is a rather simple sew except the voile shifts a bit. I think at some point I will have to invest in a walking foot. For now I pin, pin, pin and go slow. The hardest part of it is hand sewing the last seam with a blind stitch. I am HORRIBLE at hand stitching but I am getting better with each scarf.

The next project was so much fun and again an easy sew. I am really trying not to be intimidated by knits. They really are very forgiving. Especially in children's clothing.

She was posing "nicely" so she could get back to watching her show.

The back. I debated on the ruffly leg bottoms but I like it.

The leg doesn't sit weird like the picture. They actually fit fantastically.

The pattern is from LilBlueBoo the Sienna Dress and it is so easy and has so many possibilities. I am also obsessed with her blog. I never took any art classes ever. I never considered myself artistic. I was the math and science kinda girl so I am learning all kinds of cool techniques that I would love to try. I found this shirt at the thrift store quite awhile ago and I new the only way to get her to wear it was to add pink so I used some of this interlock I got at a great price when the local fabric boutique store went out of business.

Well there are a few more projects I completed but I think this is long enough. Hopefully I can post some more soon.

-Clover

photographs

2011-11-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

I have been making a lot of gifts lately and by the time I have them all done I am so anxious to get them wrapped up and off to the recipient that I have been forgetting to take photos. This bums me out because I like to keep pictures of the things I have made. I just made my brother a whole slew of stuff for their baby to be and I didn't take one darn picture of it. Oh well. I will just have to wait until the babe is born and I see her wearing the stuff I made.

One of my best friends daughter turned two not long ago so I made her a couple skirts. The theme for her party was dogs so when I saw this fabric in my stash I knew this would be the choice. Isn't she cute!

-Clover

The balance beam

2011-10-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

I often feel like a preschooler on a balance beam. Wobbling from side to side. Slowly one foot in front of the other. Mind racing about what's coming next while focusing on not falling. Sometimes the beam is low with no real consequences of falling. Sometimes it's high and the consequences are lifelong.

The balance of self vs others. As a wife and mother I am constantly faced with the choice between self and others. It is precarious, the balance, some days my soul aches for freedom of choice of time, sleep, quiet. With it no where in sight. Other days it is a steady walk across and the day ends with a gratitude and peace. There is always more that could be or should be done but there is ALWAYS more.

The great balance beam. How high was your beam today? Did you make it? Did you fall off and get back up or where you a show stopper?

Blogging frustrations and a close to KCWC

2011-10-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

So I am finally on a roll with the whole blogging thing and what should happen... My windows live writer "stops working". I have gotten pretty behind the times technologically and I cannot figure it out. I might have to take the computer some where to get it figured out and I am not thrilled.

This is the purple dress. It is made out of corduroy outer, fully lined, and first timers piping. She looks really great in purple. Plus, she is comfortable in this style which means she wants to wear it.

She really is gorgeous.

Then the pants. I had so much hope for these but I am not so thrilled.

back side - original pockets - too big

They look much better in action. I need to make the waist tighter and see how they look then.

front - made the waist band to small

So now I am glad that KCWC is coming to an end. It was a busy week. I am happy in what I accomplished and it is so fun to look through the flickr group to see all the inspiration.

Now for a bit of a sewing break. At least a day or two. :-)

Clover

KCWC- babies

2011-10-12T19:35:00.001-07:00

I have babies on the brain a bit. Partly from the realization that I truly don’t want to have any more myself and partly because my baby brother is having his first soon and it’s a girl. I didn’t start sewing until my daughter was about 3 years old so I missed sewing little baby girl stuff. So now I get to use my brother to try all sorts of stuff in the name of gifts.

Last week I made several things for her and I will share it here right before the baby shower. Last night I added a couple things though and I love it.

I pretty much made the leggings this past weekend but added the little tag on the leg and added the embellishment to the onesie last night. I had bought the trim a few months ago while visiting my mom in Bakersfield. They have the most fabulous fabric store, Strawberry Patches. (Most people drive through Bakersfield at least once in their lives, it would be worth it to stop at this store) It looks so simple right. Well it actually was not. There is this mesh stuff you have to sew through and try not to sew through the flowers.

The leggings were super simple. They are 3 month size, as is the onesie. I used the inspiration from here to make the pattern. Super easy. I used the double needle for the first time. Again, a suggestion from here. I really like how it looks.

Alright, time for the girl to go to bed and to get to sewing the dress I cut out last night. Oh yeah I am using piping for the first time. Wish me luck.

Clover

KCWC–thing 1 and thing 2

2011-10-11T15:28:00.001-07:00

My kids really can act like these characters. I think this is Robert Kaufman flannel. It is so nice. It is thick and smooth and my son has been oohing and ahhing over the fabric for a few weeks now. I am happy to say this is the first matching outfit I have made them. This is the third time I have used this pattern from the Scientific Seamstress. I think it is cute on my daughter I am for sure not using it again on my son. I just don’t love the wide legs on the boy. It is a super simple flawless pattern but I just cant get into it. Oh well. I also finished up the leggings earlier. It is the Lil Blue Boo leggings pattern. I finally used it and I LOVE the pattern, how it fits, and it is easy to modify. However, I have confirmed that no matter what the color polka dots aren't really for him. He wore them out yesterday and was called a girl. While I usually don’t really care about gender biases I still don’t really want my two year old boy to look like a girl. Have a good day. Cheers to another night of sewing!

Clover

prep and peeking

2011-10-10T19:27:00.001-07:00

Have you looked at what others have already made?? This is such a fun week and inspiring for so many other creations. Cant wait to sew tonight! Don’t forget to look at her flickr group.

Clover

Winning

2011-10-09T14:35:00.001-07:00

When I first started reading blogs I would enter EVERY giveaway I came across. In fact Sew Mama Sew’s giveaway days is how I found out about a lot of blogs. In fact in the beginning I won a couple things and it was fun. As I continue to read blogs and try to keep my time on the internet limited to within reason I now only enter giveaways for something that I might use or know someone who might use them.

I couple months one of my favorite blogs. The Cottage Home had a giveaway for a photography book. Mamarazzi. Knowing that I had learned so little about my camera and my photos were still a hit or miss I or very mediocre at best I knew this was not one to pass on. And guess what?!

I won!! This is a great book with a lot of great practical advice. I read the whole book with in the week that I got it. It talks about the exposure triangle in a way that I am beginning to grasp. I am still having hits or misses but a few less mediocre pictures. I think I need to read this book a few more times. It does focus on taking photos of kids which is what I do most of the time but I am still struggling a little with taking photos of my “creations.” Maybe any one who reads this could give me some feedback on my photos!? Thanks Lindsay for a great giveaway.

Come on back because soon I will have a little bit more to say about…Winning

Clover

How my 4 year old convinced me to eat brussel sprouts.

2011-10-05T16:06:00.001-07:00

Does anyone’s kids watch Olivia on Nick Jr.? This is my daughter’s favorite show. Probably because my daughter is very much like Olivia. Well Olivia’s best friend is Francine and one day when Olivia has dinner with Francine's family they eat brussel sprouts. So the other day we are shopping at Trader Joes and my daughter yells “BRUSSEL SPROUTS! Can we please get some?!” Well let me tell you my first instinct is to say “um, honey you aren't gonna like them.” Then the mom instinct kicked in and I said. “ Of course lets get some!!” Well we got home and I thought ugh how am I going to cook these so I can eat them without gagging and how am I going to cook them so that my daughter might actually eat them! I wasn’t too worried about her because she loves raw cauliflower and oo’s and aah’s over them like candy. It was me that was pretty nervous. Cause come on. Brussel Sprouts. Well whenever I am in doubt of something what do I do… I “Google it” And of course it didn’t let me down. The number one result was for my culinary hero Ina Garten. Duh!! of course. So here's what she said.

Roast them. Ahha!

And it was so easy. Olive oil, salt and pepper, oven 350 for 35 minutes. What can be easier. I was starting to get hopeful. Then, what Ina is so great at. She said. “when they come out of the oven salt them like french fries”. Now I was actually getting excited!

They were delicious! Crunchy and salty on the outside and just the right texture on the inside.

Even my husband liked them. The surprise really was my daughter didn’t love them because they didn’t look like Francine’s. But she ate her whole serving and now I have another vegetable to add to the mix.

So, are you weary of brussel sprouts? Give them a try you won’t be disappointed.

Clover

I better get a plan.

2011-10-04T21:09:00.001-07:00

kcwc-button-fall-2011

I really don’t want to miss this. My son definitely needs some pants. And, I have some baby gifts to make. Who doesn’t like to see baby clothes!!

See ya soon,

Clover

Sew Along and Carina Gardner Playdate Outfit

2011-08-08T20:58:00.001-07:00

So in early June I decided to the sew along for this outfit on The Cottage Home. I thought it would be a good addition to my pattern collection since it wasn’t a dress and I wanted to sew something that Sophia could choose her own fabric.

I think it turned out great. But it took me forever! There are a few minor errors on the pattern but they are kind of obvious and easy to fix.

There were certain steps like the lining and hidden seams and the ruffle sleeves that were not easy to understand but thankfully the sew along from Lindsey really made all the difference.

I realized I had cut a part of the pants pattern the wrong size but luckily caught it early in the construction and recut ( again lucky I had more fabric). The waistband was put in a little funny. I think there is an easier way to do it than the instructions. The hardest part was sewing the darn buttons and that little flower. I still need to move a button over and probably resew the flower. You cant see in the picture but its kind of a mess under that cute button. I think I was rushing and I got lazy. So I think I will make it again cause it is a classic style and the pattern goes to size 8. This was a 4/5 and fits perfect. So thanks to Lindsey for doing the sew along. I am adding photo to the Flickr group. There are a lot of other cute playdate outfits.

My daughter was hilarious in that she wanted to hold a white rose just like the girl on the pattern package.

and then of course she had to do the silly faces.

Happy Sewing.

-Clover

Thanks girls!

2011-06-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have been featured on Rae and Dana's roundup!! Thank you. It motivates me to keep posting what I make. I just finished this little bundle for a friends little boy born a few weeks ago. The pants and shorts are Rae's baby pant pattern. It is fun to sew little baby stuff. Oh and a picture of the shirt I made to go with the elephant pants. Thanks for visiting!

-Clover

For ME!

2011-05-20T21:20:00.001-07:00

So I had seen this dress a few times online and thought that it was pretty fashion forward and something I might like to wear. It is “The Mission Maxi” by Jamie Christina. I have been so leary about sewing for myself because kids clothes are pretty forgiving and well, small. Finally I saw a post HERE of these ladies wearing the dress and I thought ok, why not.

So I headed up to my favorite place to go. Maisonnette in Oceanside and got my supplies. Plus, a ton of advice. These ladies are so fun to visit. They are helpful, nice and their shop is fantastic.

This was the first time I had ever used an old fashioned tissue paper pattern. It was actually pretty easy to trace but cutting out the fabric was another story. This was also one of the first times I made a whole garment out of jersey knit. So lining up the stripes and pinning the pattern was a bit tedious for me but fun.

I sewed it up today at nap time and am thrilled. It fits fantastic and the colors are perfect. The neckline topstitching is a little wonky and I am not sure I can totally pull off the horizontal stripe thing but it is still fun. I am gonna make this again soon. They had a fabric that was a melon type color that I want.

thanks for visiting.

-clover

It’s a Funny Thing

2011-05-13T10:01:00.001-07:00

Most of the time when I sew it is my relaxing and reflection time of the day. However there are always moments through a project when I start to get stressed and anxious over the final outcome.

Let me start by saying I am completely obsessed with this sewing thing. More than I should be probably. But through every project I always ask myself is this really worth it. The time, the lack of sleep, the moments of anxiety, Using the seam ripper. It’s not like I can’t afford to by my kids clothes. And lets face it most of us are not saving money sewing our kids clothes considering all the fabric we buy.

Any way I always think I am doing something wrong or its not going to look that good. But I am almost always pretty stoked with the outcome.

These are a combination of all of Dana’s at MADE pants tutorials. These are using her pattern, flat front, lined, front pockets. They fit like a dream on my 21 month old. This is also a legit KCWC project. I started it yesterday and finished them up during nap time.

However, as my first picture shows I chose the worst lining fabric I could have. It is a white knit turtleneck from Old Navy. It is not your standard interlock. Um it has modal and some poly or something. It is sooooo soft and very stretchy. Like very very stretchy. But hey what the heck right. I cut the lining a bit smaller and used a bigger seam allowance. I even cut down the waist and the length of the legs so they just fit inside the waistband and the hem. And I couldn’t be happier.

Does anyone else ever second guess themselves while they are sewing?

- clover

Music Class Blouse and Skirt

2011-05-10T20:12:00.001-07:00

Last winter during some online sales I finally ordered a few Oliver and S patterns. Everyone gushes over them. They have such classic but modern patterns. I had never sewn from a paper pattern before. I had only used PDF patterns. Either free or bought off of Etsy. It is A LOT of work; tracing the pattern, cutting the pattern, etc. It really made me appreciated the PDF format. However it was really cool to have the final product. I usually wouldn’t put my girl in a button down shirt. Heck we live in Southern CA and well she is 4. But I definitely wanted to make the skirt and in the vain of learning how to make a button down shirt I went for it.

It is a little red riding hood fabric. (Yes I am a sucker for white on my kids). I made very few mistakes on it so I am pretty happy. However, it took me days to finish. I was very methodical and did not rush. I guess that paid off.

The skirt I love and will definitely make again. You can’t tell but it has a pocket on the side panel. And I just love the ruffles. I did make a little mistake on the side panel and had to add some fabric at the top to make it long enough but it totally worked out.
So, no, I did not sew these during the KSWC but I promise I am sewing and will post at the end what I did make this week.

-Clover

KCWC 2011

2011-05-09T21:29:00.001-07:00

So I am sorta unofficially doing Elsie Marley’s Kids Clothes Week.  You are suppose to sew an hour a day for seven days and see what happens.  Well spring comes early in Southern California so I have made a few things already that I am putting on her flickr page.  But I am also going to work on some beach shorts that are a Boden kids knockoff.  We will see how that works out.  I hope you enjoy my creations.  Oh another goal for this week is to finally order some labels for my clothes.

-clover

Happy Mother’s Day

2011-05-08T12:58:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom. I love you!

And to me! I am so lucky to be living my dream.

-clover

China Doll Dress

2011-05-02T22:59:00.001-07:00

I have been sewing my little fingers off. It is more fun for me to sew than to blog. But as I am sitting thinking while sewing I think about what I would write. So I might as well actually write it. I spend so much time reading others blogs I should be able to find time to record all that I am making and some of the crazy thoughts in my head and moments in our lives.

I am loving all the sewing and a bit impressed with myself that I have learned so much. I credit so many of the great blogs that I read. There are so many women with amazing sewing skills, photography skills, and artistic brains that come up with such cute ideas.

The dress I want to show tonight is the China Doll Dress. I had ordered a half yard of this china doll fabric and loved it. I made an apron with it during my online sewing class. I had just one little bit left that inspired this dress.

My first pattern I ever bought was a PDF peasant dress off Etsy. It isn’t the most fabulous pattern as you have to kinda move the pieces around to get them to line up right but it works out ok.

I bought an XL men’s linen shirt from Old Navy and changed it to look like this.

All the pattern pieces fit just right. I changed out the buttons and used the teal color thread. I hand embroidered around the applique. I love it!

I also made this cute headband. It’s a little tight on her so she probably won’t wear it much but it looks good for pictures.

Hope to stay motivated and post some other things I have made tomorrow.

-Clover

Finally Lovin’ IKEA

2011-02-19T20:05:00.001-08:00

I have been to IKEA many times and bought a little something. Last year I bought a shelf for Sophia’s room which I love. But overall never really enjoyed the process. I tend to get overwhelmed easily in large store. (Which is why I don’t do Wal-Mart).

Well yesterday was a new experience. I found some really cool things. Plus I bought another shelf, inspired by The Nester. And, I LOVE it. What a great improvement to my room. WOO HOO. Here is a peak at my new acquisitions.

The shelving unit is what I have been wanting to do for so long but since we are trying to sell our house I didn’t want to spend the money. Well now it will probably help sell it. The toys aren’t all over. Yeah! I also got the pillows. The are gorg! and only $15. each. Embroidered and great bright colors on white!

Oh this is my Valentine Mantel. I guess its time to change it but I was proud of how nice it turned out.

I got a few toys too. So cheap and Sophia loves this.

I got the white tray and I think it goes.?

I got some fabric discards in the AS-IS section that where $3-$5 for large pieces. They are actually cushion covers. I have a few re-fashioning ideas. We will see how they turn out. This was an idea from one of my favorite reads…MADE. She is too cool. She is doing a series this month all about BOYS and stuff to make for them. Last years was great.

Have a great day!

Random

2011-02-17T21:00:00.001-08:00

We had a visit from my mom. We had a good time. Dad likes to go way too fast on this rider but the kids love it. Especially Noah. He was mad he had to give Sophia a turn.

This is the tree in our front yard. Even though its only February the sweet pink flowers tell me spring is right around the corner here in Southern California.

I love this fabric. I had been wanting to make a bag out of it. I wanted pockets. So I used this pattern. The pattern calls for fabric straps which I wish I had done.

All the baby dolls in the house are always naked so I thought they might need some diapers. I have had this pattern for so long. It was so easy and fun. I’ve got two more to stitch up tonight. They are lined with flannel.

At least some one exercises in this house. I am not sure how he learned to use these:-)

I really wish my desk didn’t look like this.

I don’t know how to keep it neat.

lately

2011-02-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

I am taking an online sewing class through Whipstitch Fabrics. So far it is going well. I made these beautiful cloth napkins. I am working on the placemats. Only one is done.

reversible placemat with coordinating napkins and stitching

Sickies AGAIN

Uncle Austin and Aunt Jessica came for a quick visit. The little one is quick to get the diaper off any chance he can.

Things I Have Made!

2011-01-30T22:24:00.000-08:00

I taught myself to sew in the summer of 2010. These are most of the things I have done. I forgot to take pictures of a few things I have given away. I am quite proud and cant wait to see what can be made in 2011.

A NEW YEAR in a WORD

2011-01-06T20:07:00.001-08:00

I had been thinking of all kinds of new years resolutions. Exercising, things I want to sew and make. Learning more about photography. Etc, Etc. I am sure I will do some of those things. But I have never ended a year and said I fulfilled a resolution and this is how it changed me.

So the other day I was flitting around the different blogs and came upon Ali Edwards blog with a bit of a different idea. Pick a word for the year. Hmmm. One word jumped to my mind but I am always quick to jump on something and wish I had thought it through first. Well the word kept coming back to me so I did a little bible study on the word and well here it is….Gentle.

I have a lot of goals and ideas for this year and gentle doesn't really relate except the things that mean the most, my relationships, need this. I never really considered my self NOT gentle but situations have changed and so have the people in my life…Husband and kids.

This last year was a tough one for me. Finally my dream of being a stay at home mom was fulfilled and it has been one of the hardest jobs of my life. Don't expectations always seem to get in the way. Because of course it wasn't the “dream” I had. It was much much harder.

Of course I love my kids and I DONT want to go back to work but WOW.

So with a lot of self reflection and prayer I go into my year with the goal of applying the word GENTLE. .

Its for them.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2010-12-23T22:58:00.000-08:00

I think I will restart writing my blog in the new year.

Come and visit:-)

God Bless This Little Family of Mine!

Camera strap cover

2010-09-01T21:40:00.001-07:00

I have seen several of these tutorials around and so I used a few to make what I wanted. A padded camera strap cover out of the most perfect fabric!

First Day of Preschool

2010-09-01T21:36:00.001-07:00

Sophia started preschool. She goes tuesday and thursday from 9am –noon. Her teachers are Miss Deb and Miss Patsy.

She loves it. She already has a friend, Talia. They were holding hands when I showed up the second day.

My little baby girl is now a big girl!

My Beautiful Baby Boy Turns ONE!!!

2010-08-27T21:28:00.001-07:00

I really cant believe it has been a whole year. I feel like I was just pregnant and waiting for him to arrive. Life with a baby is challenging but he has been a true blessing to our family. He is a sweet boy with a fantastic smile. He thinks his sister is so funny. He is daddy’s biggest fan. And what boy doesn't love and need his mommy. Thank you God for giving us Noah.

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Things I Have Made.

2010-08-13T20:58:00.001-07:00

I am now on a sewing kick. I have along way to go to be “good” but I am awful proud of myself for what I have done so far. I have shown pictures of the green pants and the messenger bag. Here are a couple more pictures of my two latest.

The first is the popular “pillowcase dress”. I love the fabric and it was a good starter project but I don't love the lines on it.

This next one is my absolute favorite. It is THE MARKET SKIRT from this blog. (My favorite blog right now). It isn’t perfect but it is cute!

What is next on the agenda????

Dear Diary…I made a messenger bag!! and other stuff

2010-07-23T15:27:00.001-07:00

Thanks to this great tutorial. I made an awesome bag. Now the bag itself is cool but. What makes it even better is that…I MADE IT ALL BY MYSELF!!!

I have been playing with my sewing machine a lot and even was able to borrow an embroidery machine from my mother in law and now have too many projects in my mind! I now stay up way too late!

The Bean got a haircut. It is way shorter than what I asked for but it is still very cute and in a week or two it will be perfect. She is such a big girl!

I also made the best dinner in my life the other night. Now I know its hard to go to wrong with Filet Mignon but I have overcooked some potentially really good food many a times.

I love Trader Joes!!

And what great dinner would be complete without dessert. If you haven’t tried this stuff it is well worth it. It is low in sugar and fat. I think it might actually be healthy for you!

Have a great day!

Windows Live Writer!!!!

2010-07-16T22:30:00.001-07:00

Yeah I found an easier way to blog. I figured it had to be out there somewhere. Thanks to a post on this blog I pieced some info together from all the comments and came out a happy camper.

First day at the water/sand park.

And a Concert at Quail Botanical Gardens

stuff

2010-07-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

Sophia had her first day of soccor last Sat and it was fun to watch her participate. It suprises me that she is a bit shy. But she is a good runner!

My "on the go" photo of the week!

Watching sister. He cant wait to join in on the running.

Boy in a bag.

This is the grey dove nesting in our front porch. I had to take the picture through our window screen so she wouldnt get scared and fly away.

I actually made these!!! I am so proud. They arent perfect but they are undeniably pants. Right?

Maybe there is a little D. Diva in me after all.

photos

2010-07-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

I am so frustrated with the photo uploading. It is taking away some of the fun. If any one has some advice please share. It seems odd that it is not easier to move the photos around my post easier. Also what is all this HTML stuff. Its like a foreign language. My husband is taking Spanish 1. I speak fair spanish. I keep looking at him like "duh dont you get it" I am sure that is what is like for you all who have been doing this awhile. Any I am here to practice today.

We went to the Fair the other day. My daughter loves all the rides!

Oh we all love the cotton candy. They dont make it fresh anymore:-(

Ok so tonight loading photos seems to be working much better. It is incredible slow!! With all the fantastic blogs out there you would think that this would be a pretty high tech easy thing to do.

Buenos Noches!

UPDATE

2010-07-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

So my husband says "any new blog updates?"...I say "I havent figured out how to have enough time to do everything I want to do" in a really whining voice. "One sentence is all you need"

ok, ok, ok.

I am a procrastinating perfectionist. I feel like if I cant post a fantastic idea with lots of cool pictures I shouldnt do it at all. I am trying not to be like this with everything!!!

So here are a few pictures of late

We harvested our first home grown tomato

We went to the fair and had a great time!

Flowers

2010-06-25T22:56:00.000-07:00

I love my hydrangeas.

They look great as cut flowers.

My first gardenia of the season. More to open soon!

Arrgghh! Blogging

2010-06-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

I wish I new someone who new what they were doing with this blog thing.

Is there anyone out there who wants to give me a tutorial?

I just deleted an entire post and cant get it back and dont really want to write it over.

Lets just hit the highlights since my last posts.

I had a great birthday and Big Daddy did it up in grand style as usual!

I got a friday night out with the girls. We had a great time catching up.

Thanks Kayla and Dawn.

Saturday I got my present.

I have been wanting this for a LONG time and now it is here. I am a little intimidated by it but have had fun so far. Obviously the "auto" setting is easy but I want to know how to do some cool effects I have seen in others photos

We then had two nights in a row of eating out. One my favorite mexican restaurant and next Stone Brewing Company. We have wanted to eat there for awhile and it was great. We cant wait to go back. But you need reservations!

And of course my girl saying "happy birthday mommy" all weekend. :-)

Domestic Diva I am NOT

2010-06-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have been spending WAY TOO much time reading other gals blogs and being super inspired to do all kinds of things. Knowing myself too well I am trying to temper my grandiose ideas and just try "simple" stuff. So I thought "ok my family likes fruit leather lets give http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/2010/04/strawberries/ a try". Looks easy enough.

Well two tries later, a big mess, and mainly very leathery fruit leather I am going to keep buying the Trader Joes brand.

I have learned from this project. I am just NOT a "wing it" type of gal.

I NEED to follow a recipe.

Looking pretty is NOT good enough.

I have however mastered making my own baby food.

Now if I could just get the boy to eat food other than his "milk"

WOW

2010-06-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

I lost all my photos of my baby girl when my hard drive went out on me. It cost me A LOT of money to get them "retrieved". I had to send my hard drive some where in Georgia where they had a "safe room" to open it and try and get the photos. Luckily they got them and I finally put them back on my computer ( with a new hard drive AND a new external hard drive ) so I dont have to go through this again. So any way I started looking at baby pictures of the girl and I am just in amazement at how fast time goes by. It reminds me to really enjoy what is left of my boy's first year. They are only babies once.
Arent they beautiful!

LOVE and FORGIVENESS

2010-06-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

"Get rid of all bitterness,rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

EPHESIANS 4:31,32

AND

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity"

COLOSSIANS 3:13,14

Love and Forgiveness go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. Often so difficult. But in the end.

LOVE

I AM SUCH A BLOG NEWBIE

2010-06-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

Ok I am floored and amazed at all the amazing BLOGS that people have out there. There are truly talented people ready to teach and share all their wonderful ideas. As usual I jumped into something (blogging) before I had any idea of what was out there. I will be adding some links to other BLOGs that some of you might find interesting.

Even though someone insensitivily termed it an "ego blog". No one has to read if they dont want. But in this day of reality shows and technology I THINK it is cool to use this as a creative communication tool, a cyber journal, a place to share and learn. Thanks to the womens blogs I have been reading for inspiring my mind to think creatively.

RELAXING WEEKEND

2010-06-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful weekend. The weather was gorgeous.

My mom was here and we had a great time. Saturday was a massage and pedicure at Skinsational Spa with my mom. A fabulous mothers day present from my hubby. THANK YOU! It was so relaxing and nice to spend time with my mom.

Sunday was shopping day at the forum. Finally purchased "the skinny" jean! Then home for some rest and BBQ. We had ribs and "wings" yummy. I am starting to get this BBQ cooking.

Monday was hang at the house. Manster woke with a yucky cold and was miserable. :-(

Now the problem is getting revved up again after all the fun.

CRAWLING

2010-05-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

The little manster officially crawled. He has been trying for a couple of days and getting so frustrated. He finally just did it and did it and did it. He was so proud of himself. Big smiles and lots of clapping which is the other new skill of the week. He is also breaking his top two front teeth and having a rough time with it.

Now THE BEAN continues in rare form with the big "WHY" s. We read Hansel and Gretal for the first time today. What a depressing story. But I guess it ends ok. Bean didnt really understand the whole idea. Why was the boy in the cage? Why did the girl push the witch into the oven? What happened to her? Where did the kids mommy go? Did she turn into the witch? Oh the expanding mind of a three year old.

I made mini muffin meatloaf out of turkey. They were sooo good and sooo easy. the credit goes to http://www.savingdinner.com/ I give this site huge props. I am really just learning to cook and they have given me many great recipes. Anyway, meatloafs...they are definately added to rotation. Who knew that ground turkey at Costco is less than $3/lb. Of course you have to buy 4lbs but hey thats why we have freezer.

Well they are about to name the new Celebrity Apprentice and I am a reality show junky. Have a good night.

IN THE NEWS

2010-05-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

The newspaper was actually interesting this morning.

The first synthetic cell was created. ok i am not a big science buff but this seems from a scientic point of view amazing. A cell is a living, self replicating species. Obviously its a slippery slope, creating "new life". I think the altruistic possibilities are exciting. Hmmm what do you think?

123 MILLION dollars in art is stolen from a Paris museum. I actually kept chuckling when I read this. I kept thinking. "BOND, James Bond." The alarm wasnt working so people came in and took a Picasso, a Matisse and "three others". In a way I think its cool.

THEN, Floyd Landis ADMITS to doping. Duh. And to deflect he points to Armstrong. Well what ever Lance is doing its none of your business Landis. Deal with your own issues.

Now for my life: I have a trip to Lowes planned for after naps. We are going to plant some flower seeds to watch them grow:-) Watch out Martha here I come.

Have a great day!

A BLOG and an IDEA

2010-05-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have been reading some cool blogs lately and thought it might be fun.

I am not a writer or a comedian.

But, I am a wife, a mom, a christian, a physical therapist, a gemini, a brunette, a thinker, a talker, a doer, a procrastinator, a perfectionist in theory.

I have led a life as humor filled and heartbreaking as anyone else and am willing to share it... well most of it.

Happy Thursday, May 20th, 2010.