Busy busy busy

Lately, I always have something on my mind to do. Knit, crochet, sew, bake...I am in the midst of a little bit of each of these.

We acquired a large freezer from Kevin's parents and have finally begun to put things in it. We didn't even plug it in for at least 3 months because we didn't know what to put in it. Now, I'm starting to get a few extra things on sale at the grocery store and cooking some freezer meals for around the time the baby arrives. I'm trying to make extras of our favorite meals to stow away. I'm experimenting with freezing chicken-broccoli alfredo. I didn't make the noodles, but I put frozen broccoli in the bag first, then stuck that back in the freezer for a bit. Then I cooked up some chicken and cut that up, and let it cool. Next, opened the jar of alfredo (no, sorry, not homemade) sauce poured that in, then added the chicken. I squished it around a bit then closed it back up and stuck it in the freezer. Pretty easy. I suppose cooking and freezing the chicken would have been sufficient, but I am trying to make things as easy as possible. Open one bag or open two bags and a jar... :)

The next project on the list is a crocheted scarf. A friend found out I was making scarves and brought some yarn over for me. I didn't tell her that the reason I was doing all this crocheting and knitting was because I was trying to "get rid" of yarn. So, there are more to come.




In the yarn project bag is also a knitting project. A neck gator using a circular knitting needle. I had never tried this before and had to search to find out how to actually use it. The directions emphasized that you make sure the first row was not twisted. I checked, and double checked, and triple checked on the first few rows, and then on about the sixth row, you know what I found...Yes, the gator was twisted. So, my neck gator has a very nice little "tuck"/blemish in it...a fix so I wouldn't have to start over!

The next project. I wanted to make a dress for Kj again this year, and figured now was the best time to do that. So, that is 98% finished. All that is left is to figure out how I am going to finish off the ends of ribbon that are the shoulder straps. It is unraveling some, otherwise I would just leave it. I just don't want to make it bulky at the ends...




Let's see, anything else? Ah, yes...

~ Hooded bath towel for Kj.
~ Fleece scarf...if I have the right size fleece leftovers (approx. 7"x32")
~ Wash the dishes from surprise birthday party last night
~ Clean the bathroom before my mom and sis come to visit
~ ...I'm sure there are more...

(Jan. 22...black and red scarf, Kj dress...finished!)

What timing!

The question of the week: Why not add another project to the before baby to-do list??

My husband and I have been saving the last several months for a home improvement project...Thinking it wouldn't be a monumental task, we hoped to have it done before our next baby came (mid-March). Since that time we have been saving, talking a little about what we expect/want, and thinking it could be done in a timely manner. About a week ago, we decided that we needed to just start, even if we didn't get a whole lot done right away. We could at least start with purchasing some of the supplies. So, this past weekend, we passed our nearly two-year-old off on her grandparents (lucky them!!), and we started.

Here is our progress...

New hardware for the cupboards. I started doing this and got most of it done, but the new hinges were a little deeper than our old ones, so Kevin had to do some drilling.


Working more on taking the old plastic tiles off of the walls. We learned through an internet search that heat helps to take the adhesive off the walls. So, here is Kevin trying to use our bathroom heater to test that. It really does work. It makes for a little quieter job as well, so we can do it while Kj is sleeping!


We also purchased our new faucet and some new towel rods. All very exciting. We even found flooring that we like. Now to order that, and figure out if we or someone else will be installing it!

It is crazy how exciting buying these items is when you are a homeowner. I never thought I would get so excited about drawer handles, faucets, and linoleum! :)

Scarves...

In my second trimester surge of productivity, I am trying to finish off projects that have been around for a while. One of the projects I am working on right now is a "using up some yarn" project. I have made already finished 3 scarves and am working on a 4th. I stopped after the 3rd one to move on to other things, but have found that it is nice to have a little something going that I can take a few minutes to work on here and there. It gives me a little break from all the other everyday things that take so much of my time. Kind of a chance to take a breath and figure out my next action plan.

In the few days that I took off from this diversion, I realized that I had come to almost "need" it. I got overwhelmed by the dreariness of the sky and thinking that I had to play with Kj all day! Amazing what calm a little handiwork can bring. Thank you God for using knitting and crocheting to do this!!

Bridal Shower Gift...

I was given a mission recently to make a "cute" apron. My sister-in-law is getting married and that was her one request of me. She asked her mom, "Can I ask for something specific from someone for my wedding?" The answer, "It depends." And with this request the answer was, "Yes." So, I set out looking online for a prefect pattern for a "cute" apron. I had a few rough sketches and some ideas. I even had part of the plan laid out in my sewing room. The only thing was I couldn't find a complimenting fabric for the pieces I had laid out (cloth napkins with snowflakes in the corners). So, one naptime I looked through my boxes of fabrics from other projects and hand-me-downs. I found 3 pieces (2 bits and 1 large piece) that I decided would be prefect. A few days previously I had been to a craft store and seen an apron book. I found the prefect "cute" apron. Now, I just had to remember what it looked like and figure out how to assemble it. Once done, I decided that since Kj's aunt was probably going to be the only one to make cookies with her, she needed a matching apron. So, I simplified the design and made it toddler size. Very fun!

Coloring Day

Hello all!

Here are the pictures of our Coloring Day. We had 6 kids-2 and under, 5 moms, and 1 grandma over to our house. We thought we would be making Christmas presents, but when I went out shopping I found these aprons. I did find the dish towels I had been looking for, but they ended up not working--for some reason the crayon didn't iron onto the fabric. That was sad. I'll have to think of new Christmas presents!

Anyways, I found a pack of iron-on crayons for about $3, and aprons at half price (about $1.50 each) so a very reasonable project. The kids went back and forth from the coloring table to toys. And some moms did more coloring than others. ;) But we had a great time. Then there was a mad rush to get everyone out the door, because we had to leave for supper and clubs at church that evening.

Wonderful craziness. I would definitely do it again!!

Transportation

Hello everyone!

I'm back and working on Christmas presents!! Last Christmas I had a felt board made for my daughter. She was a little too young to actually do much with it, but this Christmas we (my brother and I) are working on a felt-figure swap. We decided it would be a fun and creative gift exchange between the cousins.

Transportation has been my theme so far. I made:
Grandpa's kayak with little E. and Kj. sitting in it.
A sailboat inspired by Max's in Where the Wild Things Are.
A car and truck inspired by borrowed toys.

Next, I will be making some geometric figures and also some flowers. Any other ideas, you can let me know.

By the way, this project is inspired by: Three Sneaky Bugs.

Mmm...Hot Chocolate!

Heat 1T cocoa powder, 2T sugar, 2T water on low 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add 1c. milk and a bit of vanilla (or mint). Mix and heat until preferred temperature. Enjoy! 1 serving. It is pretty rich so you could add about 2T of extra milk to each serving.