In A Nutshell

the year of the dress

 

Santa gave me a new sewing machine for Christmas. I have been wanting/needing one with more bells and whistles for a few years now. I cried when I opened the wrapping paper. The good kind of cry. The capabilities of this new machine far surpass those of "Old Bessie". She has been a work horse for the last 20 years or so - a gift from my step-mom & my very first sewing machine. Old Bessie will be put into retirement, only to be brought out as a back up if necessary. 

 

 

I will admit that I get a little bit obsessive over things (wink, wink). Right now, it's vintage dress patterns. I am determined to make a few for myself this year. Here is a photo of the one I'm working on right now. My goal is to have it done by Valentine's day so that I can wear it out on a hot date with my man. I'll be making view B.

 

 

I have copied the pattern onto pattern tracing fabric, which I can't say enough good things about. I made the muslin, adjusted it to fit, made the necessary adjustments to the pattern, and re-sewed it. It fits well, and will probably fit even better after the holiday bloat subsides. I will be using this fabric which is a rayon/silk blend and is pretty much on par for what might have been used for a dress made in 1962. I'm really excited about it, but in the back of my head I'm worried that I'm going to totally mess it up... at least I will be able to say that I tried. 

 

jack frost

My alarm goes off in the morning. It's cold in the house and my bed is warm. Cozy. I don't want to get up. I imagine myself sitting at the breakfast table with a warm cup of coffee nestled between my hands. This, I decide, is my motivation. I will get up. I will make coffee.

I half walk, half stumble down the stairs. Then, I look out the window. 

 

 

Jack Frost has arrived.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a year ago, yesterday

 

Yesterday marked our first complete year in Washington. After three days of exhaustive traveling and one accident, we made it here together and in one piece.

 

 

There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful and greatful for the family we have that made it all possible, 

 

 

for the home we have, 

 

 

the friends we've made, 

 

 

the places we have explored, 

 

 

the things we have learned, 

 

 

and for our future here.

 

It's been a beautiful and fulfilling year.

I'm looking forward to watching our boutny of blessings grow with each passing season.

 

autumn yarn wrapped wreath

 

I'm doing Thanksgiving at our house this year. This is all new to me and I'm pretty anxious about it. That is the most mild phrase I can think of to describe how I'm feeling, folks. Any hoo...

I decided that I needed an autumn looking wreath for the front door. I love, love, love the wreaths over on Etsy at Itz Fitz! However, I am a cheap skate and couldn't justify spending forty bucks (plus shipping) on something that I knew I could make myself with reasonable satisfaction and with supplies I already had... mostly.

Here's the tutorial I used to make my copy cat wreath. I trodded off to Michael's and bought the wreath form and a little birdie. The rest of the stuff was from my own stash o' stuff.

It's not perfect or exactly as I had envisioned, but I'm glad I got to use a few things that I might not have otherwise.

 

happy halloween

 

 

 

Have fun, be safe, and don't forget that your children are subject to a 10% "mama tax" on all candies collected. ;0)

for my little ham

 

It's hard to keep the things I make for my boys a secret unless it's a toy. If it's something they're going to wear, well, I've got to make sure it fits! This one is now safely tucked away in my closet. Come Christmas, I am certain that Griffin will have forgotten all about it. 

 

 

Unfortunately, I can't pull this one over on my older boys anymore. I make them promise to keep their eyes closed while they're trying things on... and I'm pretty sure that they sneak peeks.

 

 

Ravelry notes here.

 

exploring

 

We're closing in on our first year here in the PNW. It feels like home now, but it still has a shiny newness about it. There is a lake near our house that we like to visit. When we go, we usually take a picnic lunch, let the kids wear themselves out on the playground, then walk by the lakeside to discover what is new with the season. I enjoy this time tremendously, and I relish the fact that my 10 year old son is discovering the inner peace that being out in nature can bring.

 

 

The water level in the lake has lowered significantly since our last visit. We explored a different path that allowed us to get our shoes a little muddy. Isaiah wanted to cross the small water flow to check out the island. Knowing how cold the water was, I totally wussed out. Next time we'll bring our wellies and go exploring.

 

 

The show of mushrooms was fantastic, complete with reds, yellows, browns, and greens. 

 

 

And who doesn't love spotting a friendly wooly bear?

 

 

The first frost of the season has been predicted to visit us tonight. I'm looking forward to it & to the many evenings wrapped up in blankets, sipping on hot chocolate that it will bring. 

 

at the pumpkin patch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were introudeced to one of the local hot spots for fall festivities last weekend. Phoenix got a birthday invitation to Plumper Pumpkin Patch in Portland. Say that fast three times. At this farm there is a pumpkin "cannon", a pumpkin throwing trebuchet, corn cob "guns", and giant apple slingshots. There are certainly many more activities to enjoy other than destroying/blasting produce, but what more could my three boys possibly ask for? I forsee many more visits in our future.

The birthday was a beautifully casual free for all. It was great fun and the cupcakes were amazing. =)

 

crunchy curry chickpeas

 

Garbanzo beans. Just the name sounds gross, right? I fondly think of them as butt-beans, but I believe the preferred and more romantic name for them is chickpeas. I don't think I was much of a picky eater as a kid (my dad would roll his eyes upon reading this), but garbanzos were on my short list. That was where I drew the line. 

 

 

Oh, if only I had had them like this; crunchy, a little flakey, spicy, and just a wee bit salty. All of my boys like them this way - even the two year old. Of course, he likes to help with them too. Staring at them in the oven makes them bake faster. Don't cha know?

 

 

 

Crunchy Curry Chickpeas

2 c. fresh cooked or canned chickpeas (I like to cook my own)
1T olive oil
3/4 tsp. curry powder
scant 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. chili powder

 

Move one of your oven racks to the very top position of the oven, then heat oven to 425 F.

Toss all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Spread the chickpeas out on a metal baking sheet. Bake for a total of 30 minutes. For every ten minutes of bake time, give the pan a quick shake.

Turn the oven off and wedge a towel between the oven and the door. Let the chickpeas sit in the warm oven for another 10 minutes.

Dump into a bowl and enjoy! They are best served warm, but they may not be around long enough to get cold. ;0)

 

busy bee hat

 

Who doesn't love to get something out of nothing? I get a gleam in my eye when I am able to transform leftover yarn or scraps of fabric into something new. In this case, I had a beautiful grey cloud of yarn leftover from a hat I made for my dad a couple of years ago. 

 

 

I plucked this super soft yarn from its cozy cardboard box in the closet and decided to use it for a very special little man. As I had hoped, I was gifted with a large toothy smile which was topped off with lots of hugs. I love that sweet boy.
 

Ravelry notes here.