Our life and stuff

With my two hands

The other day we went to that quilt show.

We talked to one lady about her huge beautiful hand quilted blanket.

I asked her how long it took her to finish...

4 YEARS

 

I realized it's never too late to finish up those half-started projects.

That was all the inspiration I needed...

{ Before }

 

{ After }

[ I started these 2 blankets months ago.  I drew the designs out on graph paper, colored in my blocks and calculated all the measurements.  I chose my fabrics, cut most of the squares and then I stopped.  Lost steam. ]

A couple days after the show I opened up my project drawer. 

There they were...

I finished them BOTH and shipped out my belated  *SURPRISE*  within two days.

Sure, it's easy to give some lame excuse -

'I knew you'd need these when the weather turned chilly so I didn't send them in the spring/summer when your baby was born'.

 

 

I was just a slacker. 

I'm happy they are done and can be loved on properly. 

It never gets old to watch the materials and squares transform with a purpose.

I love sewing

  

Adjusting to change

 

In the Spring: the air is crisp, the days are short and we all crave  a little sun! 

For the Talavera family, their warmth came in the form of SON-shine.  No doubt their days have been brightened since...

   

 

Honestly, she wasn't thrilled at me for taking these pictures... 'but I look terrible'.

In my opinion:  even though you feel awful and think you look even worse - there is never a time when a woman is more beautiful. 

 

These types of pictures take you right back, I have some like this too.  I promise you won't notice smeared make-up, puffy eyes and matted hair.

 

YOU REMEMBER- how you felt.  The moment you'd been anticipating and dreaming about is finally here.  It's as if your heart (your everything) is resting in the palm of your hands...

 

 

YOU REMEMBER- how they smelled and those little noises they made as they nuzzle into your chest.  You remember their silky hair, how they pursed their little lips and scrunched up their tiny nose. 

 

Babies.

They grow too fast.

 

 

As we welcome Fall:  we see the leaves change, start to bundle up and begin our plans to gather with family and loved ones.

Following the birth of your new baby you become a family.  We adjust with the seasons as they grow and change right before our eyes.  

  

I was hired to capture some recent photos and forever preserve his little baby face. 

It was my pleasure: 

 

  

 
 
 

He is seriously the center of their attention...

 

 

When I first saw them in the hospital it was adorably obvious of their focus ~ all eyes on the baby.

And a few months later...

 

Some things never change ~

 

cute little people

 

 

I miss my babies being little...Super Tiny.  Like when they fit in the crook of your neck and smell oh so good. 

 

The last time I saw little Ava I was tempted to just tuck her in my camera bag and head home.  She was that size then.  So small and helpless, she simply melted into you as you held her. 

Her Momma called a few weeks ago wanting to take new pictures, I didn't hesitate.  I couldn't wait to see her again and how she'd grown...  did she loose her blue eyes?  DId she grow lots of hair?

 

When they arrived, she was sleeping.  I took that time to take a few of...

Mr. Im.not.gonna.smile.or.even.look.at.your.camera. 

( I swear - that's his name.)

 

 

 

(he slowly warmed up, and I mean sloooowwwly)

 

 

He's just not a fan and that's cool.

He did give me a (as in one) little smirk that morning...

 

 

 

Ava finally woke up...  I checked her out.

She still had those BIG BLUE eyes and just a smidge of hair.  She gave me the staredown and always with this fishy face...

 

 

 

 

: Little Miss Serious :

 
  (but still SO cute)... 

 

It's fun to see them grow and I'm happy to keep these memories for their Momma.

Until next time~

  

OK... I will share

Last week I suffered through sleepless nights. 

I had a lot going on - most of it I put on myself.  And really, when I say that I'm a "PLANNER" that is obviously code for a control freak perfectionist. 

I mean, I know better than to loose sleep over the weather.  You can always have a plan B in case of rain but honestly there is not much else.  On with the story...

Soooo last Friday I was in charge of the school's pancake breakfast.  Even as I type that it sounds silly.  What could be so hard?  You flip some pancakes, bring some syrup- no big, right?  

Looks fun too, huh!  

All the kids in their jammies -  having breakfast with Mom and Dad - at school  

SO many volunteers - honestly  they were my savior

 

I hooked up with Daddy Cakes again because they're AWESOME

We had to cook a hot breakfast and serve about 400 people in 1 hour.  What you don't see behind the photos was the mass frenzy that was underway just moments earlier.

 

Let's take it from the top...

I arrived in the dark - like 5:50am dark.  Dan (that is Mr. Daddy Cakes) was there already, bless his heart.  More volunteers arrived and we were setting up in no time. 

By 6:30 the buffet stations were just about set, tables covered and the light of day made an appearance. 

Now it's 6:45, we should be cooking now.  MINOR DETAIL...  the grill won't light. 

We have about 6 men on the task at this point.  Unfortunately no one can manipulate the tricky propane/starter/pilot/ignitor switch that we rented.  SUPER

So, when ever do people show up on time?  Just my luck - by 7:02 we had a line.  Still no grill.  As the line grew people were looking at me like 'hello, do you plan to light the grills this morning?'  Dear, if only they knew...

Thank the Pancake Gods above or the Daddy Cakes Mojo but it FINALLY lite.  By about 7:15 (only 45 minutes behind schedule and a LONG line later) we were in business. 

   

We bought a few minutes and extended breakfast to 8:15 which turned out perfectly.  I still felt badly for those that arrived so early just to wait. 

The kids seemed to have a great time though - and that = Success!

 

When I looked through the pictures I was taken back by this picture of the cutest grandma and grandpa. 

I see their big warm smiles and imagine their joy.  They enjoyed watching their grandchildren run about, introduce their best friends to them and had a family breakfast together.

I'm glad that mostly everything went smooth.  Hey- it didn't rain!

Thank you Dan for EVERYTHING - even the pictures!

  

'have we met?'

 

I got a bit of a warmer welcome by this little dude today.

He saw that I was back. 

Again, equipped with that big black thing in front of my face.

Ready to beg, plead, dance and sing to his delight.

To me, this stage is the hardest. 

They are excitedly mobile and eager to bolt in a split second.

But this little doll...   

she laid perfectly still

  

I struggled with light today. 

It was dark, rainy and the air was down right COLD this morning. 

I did not have the heart to push open the dark tinted slider and the dark tinted windows.  The natural light was not worth this little princess freezing. 

 

We'll try later in the week (and maybe I'll bring a space heater)...

P.S.  She has her big brother's big blue eyes!  Lucky girl

    

Let's take a tour...

    It's not everyday....  you visit a pancake warehouse.

I brought this sassy girl with me.  I threw up the camera to see if it was charged - she struck that pose in all of .02 seconds :

   

 

I pulled up, relieved to see a big familiar sign to let me know I'm in the right place:

We've exchanged a few e-mails.  I had shared our experiences with their product and they were always SO super nice.  

I spoke about ideas - how I think they would make for an awesome fund-raiser.  Who wouln't want to buy a wholesome, organic, reasonable product.  Something you will actually USE and even better - ENJOY. 

I mean, it's a redi-made family experience...  just add water.   

 

So here we are meeting... I think he understood me and what I envisioned.  Typically my mind is racing and I stumble over my thoughts, leaving important stuff out. 

(It doesn't help that I must be mindful of my 3 year old as she is about to scale the warehouse rolling ladder or stuff her face with courtesy cupcakes. ) 

I was SUPER IMPRESSED.  I am a sucker for a fresh and fun presentation.  Oh- did I mention the space... it was tidy, bright and orderly. 

It's obvious they take great pride in their dreams -

 

How cute are their baskets and tins! 

Much better than some Costco salami/cheese/wine thing that people will NEVER eat. 

We were fortunate to leave with some goodies - I'm excited to try the Vivacious Vanilla.  Thank you SO very much DAN for your time, the treats and listening to me ramble on and on.   

 

 

A treasure found

 

While I've been looking for things to update Luke's bedroom I couldn't help but notice the rest of my place.  I'm so over the wall colors, pictures on the walls, window treatments...   Everything

My hunt for inspiration and cutesy little home stuff landed me in Sweden (AKA Ikea). 

I was super thrilled to take my two children with me to find their kid's camp full- that was not awesome. 

I made my way through the maze of kitchen gadgets, rugs, shower curtains and office organization.  We took a time out to the Cafe before tackling the 2nd floor. 

A few Swedish meatballs later we were roaming through the land of miniature model homes.  The two of them each placed dibs on their new respectable homes: 

 

- that is after Sydney raided this organized closet of some purple stilettos -

 

Almost 3 hours later and I was scrambling for the exit, seriously.  When we finally get up there, they only have self-checkout available.  Not cool Ikea.  Not. Cool. 

Another hour later, once the customer service gal in her snazzy blue polo and yellow vest helped void the multiple transactions created by Luke's trigger finger - we left.

My purchases all fit into 2 small bags : with some little storage containers, pop-lights and a rattan trivet.  It was totally worth it however... I grabbed this sparklie crystal pretty to put up over our dining table outside. 

It was the last one - so it was $17. 

There were 2 crystals broken off (which are Sydney's new earrings). 

I can't wait to see it at night all lit up - I will share later.     

 

 

Lo-and-Behold

My 'no-nap girl' actually took a nap today.  She curled up there on the arm of the couch and just passed out. 

Doesn't she look uncomfortable?!   She sure does to me!

 

Did I move her? ... 

Are you crazy? 

Of course not.  It is one of THE most Basic Parenting rules - "NEVER WAKE A SLEEPING CHILD".  And I'm not a rule-breaker.

 

 

She slept...  for hours.  I was all over Luke to be quiet and not disturb this miraculous event.  I even went so far as to demonstrate the proper way to close a door quietly.  You know, turn the handle, gently close it and then silently release the handle. 

I don't blame him for the bit of noise he was making.  There's been no need for him to tip-toe around a sleeping baby - because, she not of the napping kind.  

 

Good news:  I got a little work done on my little cutsie pillow.

 

Bad news:  She woke up all cranky. 

About me

 

I suppose I'm crafty.  I like to design and create pretty things.  

I guess that makes me a 'crafter'. 

I don't consider myself an artist...it's weird.  Kind of like, how it's weird to call myself a woman. 

I suppose I'm both of those... an artist and a woman.  But I just think of myself as a crafty girl.  just do.

Anyhow, I was creating something today.  A little gifty item - a fancy little fabulous pillow that I imagine on a princess bed or her reading chair. 

 

It's not even finished yet and I secretly hope it won't sell.  It's cute.  It would look really cute on my princess girls bed and her reading chair.  Not that I don't have yards of materials to create a new one.

*****

As I was sewing tonight I thought of the sewing that took place on my darling's face last week. 

Somehow (during the procedure) the 'crafting' topic came up between he doctor, the patient and the nurse - all men.  I wasn't there but I imagine the conversation went something like this...

I take this teenie tiny thread, which is 4 times thinner than the hair on your head and put you back together.  

That's amazing doc, I presume I will still be able to pursue my dreams of becoming an Old Spice model.

Absolutely.  I'm a skilled surgeon with these tools.  It's an art really, sewing you back together.

My wife is an artist... or rather a crafter, as she would say.  She likes to sew. 

She should give these a try, really, they are the best.

What's that ? ?...  it's so quiet.  I'm not used to quiet sewing.  It usually hums me to sleep and I can still hear it at 1 or sometimes 2 in the morning while I toss and turn in my empty bed. 

We're all finished here.

 

I am welcomed back into the room.  I was given care instructions, prescriptions and doctors orders for follow-up.  As the nurse was exiting, he placed a concealed item in my hand. 

He made eye contact and said 'I never saw you take these'.  I quickly tucked my hand behind my back. 

As soon as we were alone... I peeked. 

It was a gift...  for a  crafter

 

 

He tells me they are some of the best scissors for crafts. 

Awesome... and um, thank you.

These are used.  Used to put my husbands chin back together. 

While I appreciate the gesture, they will be put in a special place.  With the tiny shriveled up umbilical cords, +HPT's with urine on them, bloody little circle band-aids with the date of immunizations and some cradle cap...  kidding about that last one.

friends + family + food = fun

 

It was Saturday, so we had...  *COUPLES NIGHT*

 

As much as we all love our children and enjoy the responsibilities of our families, deep down we're still just 'Big Kids'.  We want to have friends over to play, invite our best friend over to dinner and be silly and laugh so much our sides hurt.

When the kids are gone- the candles come out...  

 

 

We BBQ'd cheeseburger sliders and vegetables.  We also had the yummiest pecan crusted chicken tenders with salad and a tangy maple BBQ dressing...

 You can get the recipe for the salad here... its so good and surprisingly easy!

 

After dinner and conversations (which eventually always revolve around our kids) we all went out.  I'm not sure about the guys-  but the girls had lots of fun!    

 

 

As a special gift to the guests of our couples night, we went all out.  We arranged for an extra hour of sleep for them that evening... 

I know.  We're good like that.  

That was our Saturday 11.01.2008