Out of My Mind

The Amazing Shrinking Purple Pillow

2012-01-27T06:51:00.006-06:00

Before Levi was born I started a blanket for him. I was a novice knitter and the blanket went nowhere fast, so after he was a year and a half I decided that I would make it into a pillow for his bed. He still uses it every night, he'll never know how much I love that. A year ago I decided it was only fair if I made a pillow for Eliana too. I wasn't in a big hurry to finish it b/c she was still to young for a pillow, so I just worked on it in between projects. After Christmas I decided to get serious about finishing it, it had been 10 months and I had only knit about 3 inches. Apparently I had forgotten that making one of these is like making 1/2 of a baby blanket.
Finally after a month of focusing on it I felt like I was nearing the end, but every time I would measure I was 2 inches short. So I would knit what I felt like was 2 inches more and measure again and still be 2 inches short. I did this like 4 times. It was driving me crazy.
I finally decided it was close enough and cast off. It fits perfect. Ellie loves it.

You can't see the stitch pattern very well, but I love it. It's this beautiful ridge stitch from the Readers Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. (The ancient book I taught myself to knit from)
I wish the pictures showed of the pattern better, it really is very pretty and girlie.
I'm so happy to have it finished so I can move on to other things.
Thanks for reading.

Super L Man and Super E Girl

2012-01-25T21:44:00.003-06:00

I finally finished a very long knitting project (more on that later) and decided the perfect way to celebrate was with a quick, fun sewing project. I dearly love knitting, but I'll admit the speed of sewing projects is a big plus. Anywho, on to the sewing project. I found this fantastic Superhero Cape Tutorial on Pintrest and decided the kids must have them.
These were easy to make, even with my very basic sewing skills. The hardest part were the letters.

Even with the letters they probably only took me an hour or two to make. I love them!!! And so do the kids.
I made the capes real quick after supper and let the kids play with them until bedtime and then sewed on the letters. Levi decided they would be Super L Man and Super E Girl.
Seriously easy and cute to boot! I'm trying desperately to think of other kids in my life that need one. Josh W., expect one of these for your birthday.
Thanks for reading.

Keeping Warm

2012-01-19T08:09:00.003-06:00

Well, it's finally cold here. Perhaps the best thing about that is it's a good time to breakout all my hand knits. I made this great little keyhole scarf for Ellie. She didn't like it at first but I think it's grown on her.
She looks cute anyway. I noticed Levi's scarf is getting to small. I've put a new one for him on my mental to knit list. I'm hoping to finish it by next winter.
I made these cute slippers for my boss for Christmas. They look funny, not on feed, but are too small for me to model. It may have been awkward if I'd asked her if I could take a picture of them on her feet. So, you'll have to use your imagination as to how they look on. The picture is linked to the pattern. I modified it a little, but just out of laziness and personal preference. It's a great pattern.
Next I'm trying to finish a pillow for Ellie. It's never ending for some reason. I swear the damn pillow is growing. I can't wait to get it done so I can move on to something else. My crafters ADD is acting up.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-12-12T06:55:00.001-06:00

Menu for the Week Of: Dec. 12th
Monday	Pizza English Muffins
Tuesday	Grilled Chicken & 3 Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo

Wednesday	Leftovers
Thursday	Chicken Augrautin
Friday	Leftovers
Saturday	Easy Taco Soup
Sunday	Leftovers

Fell off the horse there for a week or two, but I'm back.
Thanks for reading!

Stitches

2011-11-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Seriously irritated with blogger for the random picture rotation and uploading order. I'm sorry everyone, I don't have any idea how to fix it, so we're all just going to have to deal.

Moving on, I completed my very first real sewing project the other day. I made these receiving blankets for a girl I went to high school with who recently had a baby boy. I think they turned out pretty good and I can't wait for someone else to have a baby so I can make more.
I received blankets just like this when I had Ellie and I LOVE them. They are big and comfy and multi-funcional. They have been swaddlers, play mats, super hero capes, nursing covers......
I love the cowboy print. So cute.
I also made Itty Bitty Mittens, b/c baby lives in Colorado and his hands might get cold.
These are my first mittens and the perfect intro. if you ask me. Very easy, b/c they don't have a thumb hole.
Cute and very soft and warm.
I finally finished the cross stitch I've been working on of Eliana's name. I think it turned out so pretty.
I always kind of forget about cross stitch until I get to working on a project and then all of a sudden I have thousands of ideas of things to cross stitch. Then, inevitably, I finish a project and forget it again for a while. ? I don't know.
I've decided these make good 2nd birthday presents, for some reason. I made Levi's for his 2nd birthday, finished Kaitlyn's for her 2nd birthday, and will officially give this one to Ellie for her 2nd birthday. So, I have to get on my nieces sometime before May.

Thanks for reading.

Craft Time

2011-11-07T06:52:00.004-06:00

Clothes Line
I got this great idea from Shonya (Thank You). You can see it on her blog: here. I just love it, fine motor, imagination, chore practice..... So fun. I had to giggle when I proposed this idea to Levi and he said, "We're pretending the dryer is broken."

He hung them, washed them and hung them again. Ellie loved them too, her job is apparently to hold them up to be pinned.
Button Fishing
I also made another quite book page. (Which hasn't actually made it into the quiet book yet) I got this fantastic idea here. This website is full of great quiet book pages. I'm so glad/thankful/blessed that there are wonderful creative people sharing all there wonderful creative ideas via their blogs.
(Stupid blogger...this picture was turned the right way and it rotated it for no apparent reason.) Anyway, button fishing was a big success at our house. Levi likes to pretend that the fish are swimming away and he has to catch them really fast by buttoning them on to the water(red felt).
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-11-07T06:37:00.002-06:00

Menu for the Week Of: Nov. 7th
Monday	Spicy Potato Soup
Tuesday	Cornbread Chicken
Wednesday	leftovers
Thursday	Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Friday	leftovers
Saturday	Spaghetti Bake
Sunday	leftovers

Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-10-31T07:19:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: Oct 31
Monday	Ham and Eggs
Tuesday	Leftovers
Wednesday	Homemade Pizza
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Chicken Alfredo
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Pigs in a Blanket

So last week was one of those just get through kind of weeks and we did not adhere to a menu. Sorry for the lack of post I was just trying to keep my head above water. I think we are successfully treading water now so back to the menus, until the next crisis anyway.
Thanks for reading.

Little Red Booties

2011-10-21T12:00:00.001-05:00

I made these cute booties for one of the Bunco girls' (who I'm pretty sure doesn't read my blog) baby shower. I really like them. If I'm completely honest, I like them a whole lot better in these pictures then I do in person. (Sunshine and fresh white paint really dresses them up.)
They are cute though and relatively easy. The pattern can be found for free here. I say relatively easy because they happen to require some of my weaker knitting skills: picking up stitches and weaving in ends.
I love that they aren't girlie at all. It is so hard to find knitting pattern that don't look just a little bit girlie. They don't scream masculine either, I just think they are perfectly unisex.
I have two more baby projects and then hopefully I can knit for adults for awhile.
Thanks for reading.

Carving Pumpkins

2011-10-20T16:20:00.001-05:00

Stupid blogger uploads pictures at random now and I'm to lazy to try and sort them out on this one. I have faith that you can all handle seeing the pictures out of order.

Here are our end results. Levi told me what he wanted on each pumpkin as I was drawing on them. That was my favorite part. It was so fun to have him describe what he wanted the face to look like. You can't see it very well, but his pumpkin (the one on the right) has claws on the side, because that makes it more scary.
Ellie loved helping clean the pumpkins out. She was not shy about getting in there to help. Winnie tried to eat the pumpkin guts, ewwww......
Levi hated cleaning out the pumpkins. We had to force him to take out one handful from each pumpkin. Then he immediately washed his hands after each handful.
Yay!! Jack-o-lanterns.
Thanks for reading

Halloween Rag Wreath

2011-10-19T07:02:00.003-05:00

I finally found a couple of evenings of free time to make something crafty and this is what I came up with. It's a Halloween rag wreath and I love it. Tying the rags on to the wreath form was more time consuming then I anticipated, but it was still a really quick, easy project.
It's pretty easy and self explanatory, but in the interest of giving credit where credit is due Here is the tutorial. The only tip I have is that if you make a small cut in the fabric where you want your cut to be you can just rip it the rest of the way and it will go in a straight line. Maybe everyone else already knew that, but I was pretty excited when I learned it. Saved me a LOT of cutting.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-10-17T07:02:00.002-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: Oct. 17th
Monday	Impossible Easy Taco Pie
Tuesday	Leftovers
Wednesday	Pumpkin Pancakes
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Cornbread Chicken
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Easy Spaghetti Pie

Thanks for reading.

Buddy Bear

2011-10-14T07:21:00.001-05:00

I made this cute cuddly bear for one of the Bunco girls. The pattern is from Lion Brand Yarn and can be found for free here. It's originally a bunny, I tried to modify the ears and make him a bear. I'm not sure how successful I was. His ears are wonky, but he is still very very soft and lovable.

The yarn is Bernat Baby Blanket. It's SO, SO soft and (bonus) washable.
I've made this pattern at least 3 times before and each time I have the same complaint: The head is too square. I must find a way to fix that. This yarn is bulkier then what I've used in the past and just highlights this problem.
Ellie loved him and would snatch him up every time he was within arms reach, I'm hoping that means this new baby will love him too. I think he will, the yarn is just so freaking soft. Seriously, if we had touch and feel computer screens you'd understand. It's nearly impossible not to snuggle this guy. He just begs to be rubbed up against your check.
Thanks for reading.

Lazy Mom's Quiet Book

2011-10-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

I love the idea of a quiet book, especially for Levi. (Who is NOT quiet in church) The problem is all the ones I was seeing involved sewing and elaborate construction. I'm honest enough with myself to know that Levi would be 13 before I ever got that done. (I'm so hoping, he'll grow out of needing a quiet book by then. Fingers crossed.) So, I took this idea I found on Pinterest for a super easy quiet book and ran with it. I think I managed to make it even easier. A laminator, scissors, card stock, and adhesive Velcro and you're in business. Here are my pages:
I let Levi decorate this page himself.

I'm planning to add more pages and I've also started one for Ellie, I'm pretty proud of it. Levi loved it and was very quiet at church while he was playing with it. (I wouldn't let him play with it until the part of church were quiet is necessary and then threatened to take it away if he was loud.) Steve thought the Velcro was too loud, but I think that's a more acceptable noise then my son's none stop jabber.
Thanks for reading

It Pays to Have Crafty Friends!

2011-10-10T07:13:00.005-05:00

Having crafty friends pays dividends.

They are a wealth of knowledge when you want to do crafty things
They always have awesomely random supplies on hand. (Seriously if I need a 2x4, burlap, hot glue sticks, bouncing glitter, Epsom salt, thumb tacks..... I know exactly who to call)
Their houses hold inspiration in every room
They never think you're crazy when they call and find you cutting fabric into 6" stripes at 11 pm
And the best reason of all is that they randomly gift you with their beautiful creations!

Andrea is awesome!! Thank you, made my day when you gave it to me and again when we hung it up Sat.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-10-10T06:56:00.002-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: Oct. 10th
Monday	Chicken Nacho Bake
Tuesday	Leftovers
Wednesday	Roast
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Soup with leftover Roast
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Chicken Crescent Rolls

Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-10-02T22:13:00.002-05:00

"Menu for the Week
Of: Oct. 3rd"
Monday Sweet Potato Waffles
Tuesday Leftovers
Wednesday Ham and Cheese Loaf
Thursday Leftovers
Friday Southwest Chicken
Saturday Leftovers
Sunday Tostada Casserole

Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-09-26T21:57:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: Sept. 25th
Monday	Football Game
Tuesday	Ham and Cheese Casserole
Wednesday	Ranch Chicken Stripes
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Chili Bake
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Sesame Chicken Bites

Thanks for reading.

Easy Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

2011-09-21T08:56:00.003-05:00

I made these very yummy pumpkin whoopie pies for Bunco last night and they were a big hit. I thought I would share the recipe here for anyone who is interested. I didn't add the orange food coloring of the jack-o-lantern faces, because I'm boring.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

PREP TIME 30 Min

TOTAL TIME 50 Min
SERVINGS 16

1: box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® spice cake mix

1: cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1/2: cup butter, softened

1/4: cup milk

1: egg

1: teaspoon Betty Crocker® orange gel food color

Filling

1/4: cup butter or margarine, softened

4: oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

1 1/2: cups powdered sugar

1/2: teaspoon maple extract

1: tube (4.25 oz) Betty Crocker® black decorating icing

1: tube (4.25 oz) Betty Crocker® green decorating icing

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat cookie ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Using (2 tablespoon-size) ice cream scoop, drop batter 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets. With damp hands, gently smooth out dough.
2 Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until set. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
3 In medium bowl, beat 1/4 cup butter and the cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until blended. Stir in maple extract.
4 For each pie, spread about 1 generous tablespoon filling on bottom of 1 cooled cookie. Top with second cookie, bottom side down; gently press cookies together.
5 Using black decorating icing, pipe jack-o’-lantern faces. Using green decorating icing, pipe jack-o’-lantern stems on tops of pies

My tip is that the size of the dough will be the size of the cookie. So unless you want huge whoopie pies I wouldn't do the Tbsp. they suggest.

This post has to have set some sort of record for the most uses of the word Whoopie in one blog post. So, Whoopie for me I'm a record breaker.
Thanks for reading.
P.S. the picture is a link to the original recipe, it's from Betty Crocker if you couldn't guess.

Menu Monday

2011-09-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: Sept 19th
Monday	Lemonade Chicken
Tuesday	Bunco (I don't care what they eat, I'm not cooking it)
Wednesday	Sloppy Joes
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Tacos
Saturday	Parmesan Bow tie Skillet
Sunday	Leftovers

Brace yourselves for some startling news, I actually made the Lemonade Chicken this morning. I'll have to let everyone know if it was worth the wait or not. I'm sure people are just sick of seeing it show up on the menu. I couldn't find the recipe online, if it's really good I'll share it later this week.
Thanks for reading

Jump

2011-09-13T09:28:00.002-05:00

This is Ellie's favorite book. I wish you all could see how incredibly cute she is carrying it around saying "dump, dump, dump!" Begging, no insisting, that you stop whatever you are doing and read it to her.

We got a little paperback of this book from Steve's parents and I think they got it and 5 other books free by sending in cereal box tops or something. It's already so battered from too much love. One of the pages is ripped, the cover has been taped back together.... It's a sad state of affairs. I don't think the book will last past their childhood so I wanted to memorialize it here so I won't forget how much joy this little book brought to my kids, especially Ellie.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-09-11T17:40:00.002-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: Sept. 12th
Monday	Homemade Pizza
Tuesday	Chicken quesadillas
Wednesday	Leftovers
Thursday	Spaghetti
Friday	Leftovers
Saturday	BBQ w/ Parmesan potatoes
Sunday	Ham and Cheese Loaf

Thanks for reading.

New Adventures: Sewing

2011-09-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've wanted to learn to sew for a long time now. I'm sure my mom has wanted me to learn to sew too. Considering that at least once a month I say, you could sew that for me right. Well I finally bit the bullet and decided to learn. I knit the top for this very cute little dress and stalled out on finishing it because I hadn't taken it to my mom to do the sewing yet. I decided it would be a perfect first project, since it was readily available. So, we got started.
I did all the sewing myself, under my mom's supervision and direction. I'm certainly no expert, but I think for a first project this looks really good.
I had trouble with the back, so please don't look to closely.
I'm excited to start sewing and can't wait to work on another project. I think knitting will always be my first love, but I like the speed with which you can finish larger projects in sewing.
If I had knit the entire dress it would have taken me weeks, if not months. (I don't get a lot of free time) With sewing I was able to do the skirt in an afternoon.
My model looks cute in anything, but this dress looks especially cute on her. For those interested, this is the Two Summer Sundress. Available as a free Ravelry download. I didn't really like the pattern very well. The button holes on the straps come out off center, which offends my OCD. The sewing instructions were far to vague for a novice like myself and I would have been totally lost without my mom, who just had me do it the way she would do it. And I'm not sure if it was me or the pattern but the sizing chart and I didn't get along. The end result is so cute that I might make it again, but I think I will use the pattern only as a general guideline.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-09-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: September 5
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Impossible Cheeseburger Pie
Wednesday	Chicken Taco Cups
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Banana Pancakes
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Easy to Stuff Manicotti

Happy Labor Day!
Thanks for reading.

New Adventures: School

2011-09-04T21:23:00.004-05:00

Well Levi started preschool last week. I'm still getting use to the idea. There are things I love about him going to school and then there are things I hate, mostly that it means he's not my baby any more.
The day before school actually started we went to his open house. He loved it and didn't want to leave.

They have this awesome loft that instantly captured Levi's imagination. He still talks about it almost everyday.
I had I hopes for the first day, I shouldn't have. Chilling on the couch before we left.

He was excited and wanted to go until we actually got to the school. Then he wanted me to stay and I felt like I was abandoning him for leaving. Mommy guilt hits and all new high.
Even so, I felt like he did very well with the drop off.

The whole first week was rough, involving me dragging him in and then dragging him out in the evening. I knew that he was having a good time during the day, he justed hates the drop off. This week there were a few days where he did really great and a few where he didn't. I'm just hoping that as we go forward the good will start to out number the bad.

This is the after the 1st day shoot. I think it sums things up pretty well.
Thanks for reading.

Pinterest Crafts

2011-08-30T11:23:00.002-05:00

I joined Pinterest over the weekend and I'm LOVING it! So many good ideas all in one place, a place to store good ideas I find for futures use. Why has no one ever told me about this before? I saw a friend on fb reference it and decided I needed to join.
Anywho, We did one of the craft projects I found there Sun. night. I thought I would share.
Steve and I were trying to make dinner and the kids were underfoot, so I took 2 min. (literally, I was so excited) and made this.

They're marshmallow shooters. The picture is a link, but they are pretty self explanatory to make. Cut bottom out of cup, top out of balloon and combine. So simple, so easy, hours of entertainment. Be careful with bigger objects they really get things moving, they could be used as a weapon.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-08-29T06:18:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: August 29
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Quick Pizza Casserole
Wednesday	Southwest Chicken
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Cheese Chicken and Broccoli
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Ham & Eggs

I did so good with links last week, now this week I can't find a link for any of these recipes. Can't win them all I suppose. Hope everyone has a great week.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-08-22T06:58:00.003-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: August 22
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Ham and Cheese Loaf
Wednesday	Chicken Nacho Bake
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Easy Spaghetti Pie
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Sesame Chicken Bites

Yay! Links for every recipe this week. I was going to say I'm so proud, but on second thought maybe that's a bad thing.
The truth is I don't know how many of these things will actually get made. Levi starts school Wed. and it's very likely I'll be to busy crying to cook. I'll work on my brave face.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-08-15T06:45:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: August 15
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Pizza English Muffins
Wednesday	Sweet & Sour Pork
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Cheesy Tortilla Roll Ups
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Garlic Chicken Breast

I love planning my menus way ahead of time, then when the week comes and I look at it. I'm always really excited to make what is on the menu. I'm already looking forward to the sweet and sour pork and the Garlic chicken. YUM! I hope everyone has a great week.
Thanks for reading.

Woobie

2011-08-11T13:28:00.000-05:00

I think Ellie's settled on a woobie of her very own. No more stealing big brother's lizard. She loves blankets so this isn't really a surprising choice. Conveniently we received two of them from Steve's grandma when Ellie was born, so we already have a back up.
I think it's kind of strange that both kids picked things from Steve's grandma. That lady is apparently in tune with my kids.
In case you can't tell from the pictures, it's a small (12"x6") lovey blanket, with the satin edges. Steve and I can't decide what to call it, Woobie, Lovey, Silky,..... I know Ellie will learn the word quickly and use it often so I feel all this pressure to pick something.

On a side note, now seems as good a time as any to highlight my daughters amazing vocabulary. Ellie say:

go
shoe
thank you
off
on
mama
dada
Winnie
I done
treasure
brother
Levi
bye bye
hello
hi
yellow
blue
green
no
more
cheese
poof
yum
duck
book
baby
cup
tomorrow
bath
various animal noises

There are other things, but I can't think of them right now. I'm pretty amazed by her. Levi is a great talker now (He used the word momentum last night. Steve and I are constantly ask each other where he learned these words.) , but he was very slow to start talking. I know I said it recently but again, this stage is so fun.
Thanks for reading.

Trouble Knitting

2011-08-10T12:45:00.000-05:00

I should have known there would be trouble. The pattern had the words embiggen and unvented in it, red flags should have gone up. Just so you all know this hat started as a baby hat for a NEWBORN. Keep that in mind. The pattern is worked from the top down so I was pretty far in when I realized the problem.
Not to mention I was really liking the way it looked. Very cute, love this yarn, so warm and cozy, great color.
What's a girl to do when you realize the baby hat you're making is HUGE? There is suppose to be another inch and a half of ribbing on the bottom that I thought would make it more of a ski mask, embiggening the problem.
I can't bear to frog things. It hurts me! All that hard work and just rip it out, No way!
So, look at Ellie's cute new hat. For all the problems it really is a very cute hat, just not the size I thought I was making.
It's going to be so warm for her.

What do you guys think, do I need to add a bow or a flower or something to girlie it up? I can't decide. I love the color but don't want to have to tell people that she's a girl all the time.
Just a brief and sad note, I did have to frog a dress I was making for Ellie, because it was coming out way to small. Boo! Que Serra and start again.
Thanks for reading.

What We Do

2011-08-09T14:56:00.000-05:00

Just in case anyone ever wondered how we spend our evenings:
We play superheroes.
We role around on blankets.
This is Ellie's favorite thing to do. (?) As soon as she wakes up or we get in the house she starts pulling blankets out and bringing them to me. Levi graciously plays along.
As long as she's happy I don't care that it makes no sense.
We build super Lego towers.
We play in the rain.
Levi couldn't believe I was letting him do this.
He kept saying, "I'm getting wet." In a aren't you going to stop me tone.

Oh, and then we play superheroes some more.

I'm going to miss this time in our lives so much. It's fun to have little kids constantly running around, laughing, making everything a game. Sure it's exhausting and Steve and I are at never before seen levels of sleep deprivations, but that just makes it all seem a little funnier, right?
Thanks for reading.

My Baby is 4

2011-08-09T08:17:00.001-05:00

I'm still a little in shock that my baby turned 4, and is going to start school in a couple of very short weeks. (tear) How on earth did that happen I feel like he was just born last week. Oh well, on to the party. We went with a racing theme this year.
I made an M&M mosaic cake which left me with lots of left over M&M's so I incorporated them everywhere I could think of.
I thought the cake turned out really well. (If you turn your head to the side you can see that it's in the shape of a 4. I had it turned correctly and blogger randomly rotated it.) I did however learn that M&Ms get soggy when on a cake for a couple of days. Steve thought they were good that way, I thought they were gross.

It didn't matter to Levi he loved it. We did cake on a break from the slip-n-slide. I love that slip-n-slide, I would leave it up all the time if it didn't completely kill the grass.
We really need to work on Levi's present opening skills. This is pretty much the look on his face in all the present pictures. I know it was hot and he wanted to get in the water, but really fake some enthusiasm son. This book by the way is my favorite thing Levi got. He LOVES It! It's a choose your own adventure book from discovery toys. We read it 20 times that night changing the story each time with the little cut outs. I got the girl version for my niece for her birthday and can't wait to give it to her.

Levi's big present was a bike. He's not exactly sold on the idea of riding a bike. I think he thinks it's a lot of work when you can just walk somewhere. I'm hoping he comes around.

Now it begins, he's a big boy, going to start school on me. I feel unprepared for him to be in school, he still seems like a baby to me. I bounce between excited and anxiety ridden about it. No stopping progress I suppose, unless of course they tell me he's to badly behaved to go to school. In which case we have a whole new set of problems to tackle. Wish us luck I have a feeling the next month or so is going to be high stress, at least for mommy.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-08-08T06:55:00.005-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: August 8
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Roast Beef with Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Wednesday	Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Mac & Cheese Chicken Skillet
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Lemonade Chicken

The Whipped Sweet Potatoes is one of my favorite recipes. I couldn't find the exact one I use, but the link is close. The only change is I use 2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice instead of any of the spices listed. Very easy and so good. They taste like pumpkin pie. Both of my kids love them. P.S. I don't use nearly as many marshmallows as the recipe calls for and sometimes leave them off entirely. The sweet potatoes are good enough you don't need them.
The Mac & Cheese Chicken Skillet is a sneaky way to get zucchini down your kids. If you peel the zucchini they'll never know it's in there.
I'm excited and apprehensive to try the Lemonade Chicken. I've had Lemon chicken before and it was amazing, but the recipe kind of scares me. One of those things where you're making it thinking, hmm.... these things don't sound like they should taste good together. Oh well, I'll cross my fingers and have a frozen pizza for back up.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-08-01T07:15:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: August 1
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Breakfast Pizza
Wednesday	Easy Chicken Parmesan
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Franks and Beans
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Mexican Casserole

That's right I put Franks and Beans on my menu. Laugh all you want that will probably be my kids favorite thing we eat all week.
Thanks for reading.

Baby Boy Knits

2011-07-27T08:02:00.002-05:00

Well, it's probably not a big secret that I don't really like baby boy knits. The "boy" patterns are still kind of girlie and it severely limits your color options. Having said that here are a couple of finished boy things that I love.
The affectionately named T-ball. (T for the last name of the lady I made it for. Don't make fun, but I felt so clever when I came up with that one.) I love this, it was pretty boring to knit, but the construction was really challenging and fun. If I ever convince any of you to start knitting this would be a great beginner project. The knitting is very simple and there is lots of it, great for practicing. And in the end you end up with something that looks hard to make.
Steve was unconvinced by my color choices, but I really like the way it turned out. To add a little something special to it I massacred a toy frog with a chime inside and put that inside the ball. So now it makes the cutest little noise when you shake it.
I'm so going to make this again. The only bad thing is that the knitting for it is very boring, and for me who knits slow and only for short stretches it seemed to take forever. I'm willing to overlook it.

This is the acorn hat. Which is the greatest shade of grayish baby blue ever. These pictures so don't do the hat justice. It's a much warmer color than it looks here and the texture on the hat is awesome. I tried and tried but couldn't quite capture it in the pictures.
This one is better, but still not an accurate representation. I liked this pattern a lot, it was fun to knit the pattern and it went super fast. Another one I can see making again.

Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-07-25T07:10:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of:
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Wedensday	Homemade Pizza
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Chicken Quesadillas
Saturday	Seasame Chicken Bites
Sunday	Spaghetti Bake

Back to reality this week. Boo! I suppose it had to happen sometime. Hope everyone has a great week.
Thanks for reading.

Family Pictures

2011-07-19T10:13:00.002-05:00

Check out our awesome family pictures from Miss Prissiness Photography. We are somewhere in the middle of her most recent blog post. Here
It was hot as hades that day, but I don't feel like you can tell in the pictures. I can't wait until we get the rest of them.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday er Tuesday

2011-07-19T10:08:00.002-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: July 18th
Monday	Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Tuesday	Leftovers
Wedensday	Quick Pizza Casserole
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Enchiladas
Saturday	BBQ for Levi's B-Day Party
Sunday	Dine out

Sorry I'm late this week. My sense of time is all messed up due to vacation. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.
Thanks for reading.

Slideways Lancaster's National

2011-07-11T20:20:00.004-05:00

Casey rented the Slideways Karting Center in Knoxville Sat. It was awesome I can't wait for the chance to do it again. Here are some of the highlights.
I have such a fun family. I love these boys!! Caleb and Jeff.
Casey and Troy.
Mike, who won the first round.

Steve leading the pack. His lead only lasted about 10 seconds, but he had a great time.

Jeff lead most of the way, I think Mike passed him 4 times but kept losing his spot to yellow flags.
Jeff, Mike, Casey, and Kelly.
Seriously entertaining! Molly and I raced with Caleb and Tyler later in the day, but thankfully there are no pictures. I wrecked some poor kid, but didn't wreck myself, which I consider a victory.

That night we went to double feature night at Knoxville, where Casey got the chance to meet one of his racing idols Doug Wolfgang. Wolf was there as part of the pit crew for his son Robby. This is one of my favorite parts of Sprint Car racing, the drivers are completely accessible. After the race everyone is welcome to walk over to the pits and meet them. It's an awesome experience. This and the amazing, chilling noise 410s make going around the track make Knoxville my favorite place to go racing. Sure you feel like a dirt ball going home, but a happy dirt ball.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-07-11T20:18:00.001-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: July 11th
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Vacation
Wednesday	Vacation
Thursday	?
Friday	Ham and Cheese Potato Casserole
Saturday	Pigs in a Blanket
Sunday	Leftovers

We're on vacation so things will be a little crazy to say the least. I have no idea what we'll be eating or even where we will be most days.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-07-04T17:42:00.002-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: July 4th
Monday	Party
Tuesday	Cheese-Topped Beef Bake
Wedensday	Leftovers
Thursday	Yogurt Waffles
Friday	Crescent Chicken Rolls
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	BBQ

Thanks for reading

Menu Monday

2011-06-27T20:52:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: June 27th
Monday	Roast Beef and Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Tuesday	Roast Beef Sandwiches
Wedensday	Lemonade Chicken
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Banana Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs
Saturday	Spaghetti
Sunday	Leftovers

Thanks for reading.

Good Bye Tonsils

2011-06-24T11:03:00.003-05:00

Poor little Levi had his tonsils out Monday. Despite all our attempts to prepare him I felt like he was traumatized. His surgery only lasted half an hour and went very well according to the Dr.
This is Levi in the recovery room. He was talking gibberish for 10 min or so. One of the first things he said that was intelligible was something about Andrea and his shoes. It was a pathetic site.
Because of how his IV we couldn't put a shirt on him all day. (In case you were wondering why he's topless in all these pictures.) Once we got to his room we let him open some presents. You can see he's real impressed.
Once we got him set up with a movie he was pretty comfortable and didn't really complain at all. You can see his poor hand in this picture. That's were they put the IV, which they then covered with a shield, and then wrapped in gauze because he scratched his eye with the plastic.
He reached amazing heights of laziness. In this picture I'm feeding him a Popsicle, he wouldn't even lick it, just hold out his tongue and wait for me to swipe the Popsicle across it.
Steve got a kick out of how he lounged with his hand behind his head the entire time. His lizard stayed with him the whole day, even during the surgery.
He seems to be perking up a little today and I can't wait for him to be all healed so we can move forward. I'm so hopeful that he will have fewer strep cases now.
Thanks for reading.

In Case You Didn't Notice

2011-06-22T16:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry I'm late posting this, but there will be no Menu Monday this week.
With Levi's surgery, he's mainly eating pudding and jello and the rest of us are just eating whatever happens to be laying around. I had cheese sticks for lunch today.
I'll be back next week with a new menu.
Thanks for reading.

He's Just Not That Into You

2011-06-17T07:17:00.005-05:00

Ellie loves her brother. LOVES him! She wants to be wherever he is, she wants whatever he has, she follows him around. If he ever stops moving long enough to lay down she moves as fast as her little legs will carry her over to him and plops herself right on top of him. She tries so hard to snuggle him while he tries to wriggle away from her. It's hilarious. I thought this love was pretty one sided until Tue. when we left Ellie at the sitters and took Levi to Columbia. As soon as his appointment was over he started asking to go get her. I thought it was so sweet, he really does love her.
I so hope that they'll be buddies growing up.
Thanks for reading.

Ephesians

2011-06-16T15:11:00.003-05:00

^{Ephesians 1
16} I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might
Thanks for reading.

Good Clean Fun

2011-06-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

I wish I was as easily entertained as my children. Give them a sink full of soapy water, some cups, and some spoons and they are entertained for hours.
They both had such a great time!

Ellie could just barely reach the water.
I love this stool!!!!! LOVE IT! I especially love that they can both fit on it.
They spent the whole evening at the sink. It made clean up really easy.
Thanks for reading.

Knit-Knit-Knitorious!

2011-06-13T07:15:00.004-05:00

One small step for yarn bombers, on giant leap for me!
Here is my very humble contribution to International Yarn Bombing Day
I'd never make it as a criminal. I don't even think yarn bombing is illegal and I was still sweating like crazy for the 5 min it took to put up my pompoms. I'm pretty sure the worst they could do to me is fine me for littering, but I felt like a bad ass anyway.
I love my pretty pink pompoms. I think the whole effect is very Dr. Seuss.
They are still up and I have my doubts as to whether anyone has actually noticed them or not.
Aren't they cute! Like little yarn apples!
So fun even if I'm not exactly a smooth criminal.
To see more (and more impressive) yarn bombings from Sat. click here.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-06-13T07:08:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: June 13
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Ravioli Lasagna
Wedensday	Crescent Sloppy Joes
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Roast Beef
Saturday	Leftovers
Sunday	Spaghetti

Thanks for reading

New to the Blog Roll

2011-06-10T10:38:00.002-05:00

I've added a few blogs recently and I thought I would share, just in case anyone else might enjoy them.

'Good Greetings and Good Eatings' This is my friend Kelty's blog. I worked with her at Hallmark when we lived in WA. She's started a business selling greeting cards and yummy sounding health food treats. I don't know how she would feel about having to ship them, since we live well out of her area, but I love her and wanted to support her by sharing just in case.

Truman Stitch 'n Bitch The name says it all. I recently, now that the semester is over, found that Truman has a knitting group that meets on Wed. evenings. I'm mostly adding this to my blog roll as a reminder to check into it once school is back in session. I'm sharing it b/c hope springs eternal that I will convince some of you to take up knitting.

Tom and Lorenzo Okay, guilty pleasure time. Tom and Lorenzo run a fashion blog, they comment on red carpets, magazine covers, runway shows,...... I discovered them while looking for some Project Runway information and was instantly hooked. They are witty, catty and dead on accurate. They say exactly what you're thinking, but are to polite to put into words. I love it! One word of warning they do tend to curse a lot. I'm not personally offended by it, but thought if I'm recommending it I should at least mention it.

The Adventures of Superhero Girl This is an online comic. I think it's pretty cute and funny. I of course love Superhero Girl's brief attempt at becoming a knitter, but I think none knitters would enjoy it too.

That's it. Enjoy!
Thanks for reading.

Party Pics

2011-06-09T07:00:00.006-05:00

I'm finally getting around to sharing pictures from Ellie's birthday party.
My Grandma Forsythe, my mom and I made her super cute polka dot cake. It was our first time working with fondant. I think that we did a pretty good job. We made the cake the night before and I was very excited in the morning when all the dots hadn't slid to the bottom of the cake.
Ellie got lots and lots of cute clothes and several awesome girlie toys.
She was pretty into the present opening.
I love that it looks like she's really reading the card with me in this one.

I loved this tea pot. It goes perfectly with the kitchen we got her for Christmas.

I think the baby with it's own binkie was her favorite, mainly b/c she likes sharing the binkie.
I was shocked at the enthusiasm with which Ellie attacked her birthday cupcake. I didn't think she would eat it and wasn't sure she would even touch it. I was SO wrong, she devoured that cupcake!
I love this picture of Kaitlyn and Levi swinging with Grandma and Grandpa Forsythe.
After the party we let Ellie play with her balloons and a good time was had by all. This is the only picture I got that wasn't blurry from frantic movement.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-06-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: June 6th
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Chili Bake
Wedensday	Pasta Primavera and Grilled Chicken
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Pork Chops with Shake and Bake
Saturday	Pork, Apple, Cheddar Meatballs w/ Eggnoodles (Thank you Sara for the recipe. Can't wait to try it.)
Sunday	Leftovers

Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday (On Tue.)

2011-05-31T07:25:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: May 30th
Monday	Chicken Cordon Blue Casserole
Tuesday	Leftovers
Wedensday	Spaghetti
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Seasame Chicken Bites
Saturday	Mexican Casserole
Sunday	Leftovers

Thanks for reading.

Ellie is 1!!

2011-05-25T07:09:00.003-05:00

Crazy how fast time can pass you by. My baby is 1 already!!
She's so much fun. I never knew that I wanted a girl until I had one. I'm so glad that God is smarter than me and knows exactly what I need in my life.
I think Ellie is your typical woman, she's generally very happy, but is quick tempered when things don't go her way.

Here she is helping with the party prep, unloading groceries.
She claps and points to things that she wants. She also says: Dada, Mama, hi, bye, bob (bottle), and Ellie Rae. In addition to the words she actually says she babbles a nonstop stream of the cutest sounds on earth. It's so funny, because with the facial expressions and hand gestures, you'd swear she was having a conversation with you. She really likes to look at books and catalogs and tell you all about them while pointing to the pictures. She's been know to throw herself on the floor and thrash around if you close the book before she's ready to be done.

She walks, but HATES to wear shoes. Shoes to Ellie are toys to be chewed on, they are not for your feet.

She loves Levi and Winnie and wants to be wherever they are, doing whatever they are doing.

She's precious and adorable and I feel beyond blessed to be her mom.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-05-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: May 23
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Walking Tacos
Wedensday	Lemonade Chicken
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Golden Burger Spirals
Saturday	Enchilladas
Sunday	Leftovers

Thanks for reading.

Silky Scarf

2011-05-18T08:29:00.005-05:00

Well, I feel like I'm in a new category of knitters. Now, I've knit with silk! Makes me feel fancy.
A friend of mine requested a scarf that was featured in Sally Goldenbaum's book Death by Cashmere. You can get the pattern here. I have to tell you I was apprehensive, it looked complicated and delicate and I'm not good with complicated or delicate.
My favorite part of the entire project was picking out the yarn. I've never knit with silk or anything else that is considered luxury yarn. I tried to pick so carefully. After said friend mentioned she wanted color variations, I finally landed on Mini Maiden from HandMaiden in the Paris colorway. You can get a skein here. It was love at first site. I just stared at the skein and occasionally stroked it for a week. So pretty, so soft, so fancy!!!
The pattern took a little trial and error, but wasn't as difficult as I originally thought. Again, I'm not good with delicate, so it was an adjustment working with lace stitches.
I don't know how people make doilies and delicate things like that. Lace knitting makes me feel like I'm trying to knit spaghetti noodles with buttered chopsticks. Luckily the pattern was pretty forgiving and my mistakes didn't really show. (Don't read that part Andrea, there are NO mistakes in your scarf.)
I think it turned out very pretty. One thing I really like about it is that you can stretch it out and make it very wide and shorter or you can stretch it down and make it very skinny and long. It looks completely different stretched out differently.
I'm not normally someone who likes the tassels on the ends of scarfs, but it really makes this scarf look much more finished and professional. I was surprised how much class the tassels added to the scarf.
I was so happy that I finished on time. I hate having to give people IOUs on their gifts.
Anyway, I hope she liked it and will get lots of use out of it.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-05-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: May 16
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Tostada Casserole
Wedensday	Pizza Casserole
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Ranch Oven Fried Chicken w/ Corn Relish
Saturday	Ham Steaks and Cheesy Potatoes
Sunday	Leftovers

Busy week, I don't know that I'll get to make any of this.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-05-09T07:07:00.003-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: May 9th
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Garlic Chicken Breast
Wedensday	Ham and Cheese Loaf
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Creamy Baked Ziti
Saturday	Crescent Chicken Rolls
Sunday	Leftovers

Thanks for reading.

Lacking Part 3

2011-05-06T08:38:00.000-05:00

Last one, I promise. Love this one too.
There is a Way by NewWorldSon

Thanks for reading/listening.

Lacking Part 2

2011-05-06T08:19:00.000-05:00

Another song that playlist doesn't have. Since I only have one memory cell left I can't waste it trying to remember what songs I need to keep looking to add to my blog. So consider this a post-it note to myself.
Francesca Battisteli - This Is The Stuff

Thanks for reading/listening.

Lacking Part 1

2011-05-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

The first in a series of songs that playlist is lacking. I've wanted to add this song to my blog for a while now, but playlist doesn't have it:(
I love this song! I really do want to be love lit on fire.
Inside by Jared Anderson

Menu Wednesday

2011-05-04T07:12:00.002-05:00

Finally got back on my computer so here's this weeks menu.

Menu for the Week Of: May 2nd
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Zesty Hamburger Soup (from the freezer)
Wedensday	Corn Bread Chicken Tenders
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Easy Spaghetti Pie
Saturday	Sweet Potato Waffles and Scrambled Eggs
Sunday	Leftovers

We have stuff going on every weekend in May so I switched one of the weekend days to leftovers.
Thanks for reading.

Technical Difficulties

2011-05-02T10:01:00.002-05:00

Sorry, no Menu Monday this Monday.
Steve is working on some one's computer for them and has unplugged/disconnected/removed our computer for the time being. I'm slightly panicked because not only can I not tell you what I'm making this week, but I can't look it up for myself to know what I'm cooking either. At this point we are just going to wing it. (Scary thought!)
I think we are having frozen pizza tonight.

Thanks for reading.

Melody Elefante

2011-04-28T09:36:00.004-05:00

Introducing Melody Elefante, big sister to Mardi Elefante. I named her Melody because she is made with Yarn Bee Melody Bulky Yarn and Elefante, because she uses the awesome Elefante pattern. Which you can find Here.
Since I used a bulk yarn she turned out quite a bit bigger than Mardi. I love her. I love that she's a bigger, more substantial toy for the same amount of work.
For some reason, despite my best efforts, it looks like she's looking off to the left. I tried to straighten it, but gave up and decided imperfections add charm. Right?
These pictures don't do the yarn justice. It is very bright and fun. I have leftovers that I think would make a really cute baby hat.
Look at that big ol' bum! So Cute!!
The seaming looks much better on this one. Proof that I'm learning.
This is the truest representation of color. Hope the recipient likes her.
Thanks for reading.

Easter Review

2011-04-27T07:06:00.004-05:00

We had a fantastic Easter weekend! Here are just a few of the highlights.
Levi's fist taste of cotton candy: He was not convinced it was something you should eat and is still very skeptical. I put a very small container in his basket and he's only eaten about 2 bites of it. I guess I'll have to make the sacrifice and finish it off for him.
Pajama time with Papa Dan: The kids and Papa Dan had a KU pj party Fri. night.
Bubble Gun: This $4 bubble gun is the love of Levi's life right now.
Remote Control: I got Ellie this play remote, hoping she would leave ours alone. No such luck.
Side note on the beautiful Miss Ellie she had a little language explosion over the weekend and now says uh-oh and bye-bye. She talks in the cutest little wispy voice. I love it. She sounds like Pebbles from the old Flintstones cartoons.
Easter Egg Dying: 2 things, 1. Levi thought that we were killing the eggs, because it's called dying. Makes sense right. He would say, "die eggs, die." 2. if you dip dyed Easter eggs in boiling water it takes the color off. Just FYI.
Easter Egg Hunt: Ellie hunted exactly one egg. I have to agree with her what more did she need, she had one to chew on.
Four Wheeler Rides: Isn't this part of everyone's Easter celebration? Caleb gave the little kids rides and Levi was in heaven.
I hope everyone had a great Easter.
Thanks for reading

Menu Monday

2011-04-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: April 25th
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Sweet and Sour Chicken
Wedensday	Walking Tacos
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Beef Stuffed Crescents
Saturday	Golden Burger Spirals
Sunday	Cornbread Chicken Tenders

You can pretty well take the weekend menus for the next 4 weeks and just toss them, because we have stuff going on every weekend. Come June I'm going to be exhausted.
Thanks for reading.

Happy Good Friday!

2011-04-22T07:10:00.003-05:00

Happy Good Friday everyone. And a Happy Easter too.
Christ is Risen!!!!

The Lyrics to He Lives keep coming to mind

I serve a risen Savior, Hes in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, Hes always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
A-long lifes narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
A-long lifes narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

Rejoice, Rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so living, so good and kind.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
A-long lifes narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart

This Hymn always makes me think of my Meme. I can still hear her singing it in my head:)

Here's a picture from our celebration, making Rice Crispy Eggs for the sitter's party.
Thanks for reading and have a blessed Easter.

White Fluffy Hat

2011-04-21T08:34:00.003-05:00

I made this hat for someone to donate to the hospital. The recipient picked out the yarn.
The yarn was very soft, but very splitty which made it a little frustrating.
I linked the pattern to this picture if anyone is interested. I thought it was a really cute pattern. This type of yarn doesn't show stitches off very well, but it has a really cute little moss stitch border at the bottom. I thought this added some texture and made the hat more fun then just a flat stockinette hat.
I added the pompom because I was worried that a plain white hat would be a little boring. I really like the way it looks. I need to work on my pompom attaching skills, but it looks really cute and won't fall off or anything.
Thanks for reading.

Knitters are Wacky! I Love That About Them.

2011-04-19T14:55:00.004-05:00

You come across some really strange patterns when searching Ravelry. Knitters are a little cooky. Case in point:

Mohawk hat. All of the pictures have a link to their source.
Then there is the knitted food. My favorites are:
S'mores
Jean Greenhowe's knitted buffet. This wonderful woman has design almost every food imaginable. Here is her knitted breakfast.

Knitter's love cozies! You name it and someone has probably made a cozy for it.
Apples, (Sadly the website listed for this beauty doesn't seem to work)
Eggs, TP, Kleenexes, Chapstick....... Seriously, you name it.

The next few are some of the most off the wall and therefore my favorite random knitting patterns.
Jayhawk finger puppet, who doesn't need one of those.
Barbie undies, for the modest Barbie owner.
Dissected Frog. I don't know why, probably better not to ask. You should really follow the link it's interesting. And by interesting I mean, strange, funny, and maybe slightly disturbing.
Barbie toilet/toilet paper cover. (Maybe I'll make this for Emma for her birthday.)
And finally, in the things you never knew you needed category, a knit uterus, complete with fallopian tubes. I do think this would make a fairly hilarious hysterectomy gift.

There you have it everyone, the weird, wacky, wonderful world of Ravelry exposed.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-04-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: April 18th
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Roast Beef and Deviled Eggs
Wedensday	Easy Spaghetti Pie
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Fiesta Chicken Taco Cups
Saturday	Ham and Cheese Potato Casserole
Sunday	Seasame Chicken Bites

I know already that this menu isn't going to work for this week, but I haven't figured out exactly what will get shifted. I didn't plan for my in-laws coming to town or Easter so things are going to be a little crazy.
Thanks for reading.

Turtle Trouble

2011-04-13T07:56:00.006-05:00

I finally finished Sheldon the Turtle for my co-workers baby. I'll be honest if I'd known how hard he was going to be I think I would have just made a hat. This is what I get for not reading through a pattern before I start it. On the bright side I learned several new skills while making Sheldon.
I knew I was going to be expanding my color work skills with the shell and I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was. I finished the shell back thinking the worst of the pattern was behind me.
Then I read that you are suppose to crochet a border around the underside part of the shell (I like to call them the turtle's underoos, b/c they look like little turtle underwear) before attaching it to the top part. Small snag, I don't know how to crochet. No problem, I spent two days watching Internet videos and dived in. Aside from making me feel like I had lost all ability to control my left hand (seriously could not make my hand hold the yarn in any sort of productive way) it wasn't so bad. It wasn't a pretty picture to watch, but I got it done and I even think it looks pretty darn good for my first crochet project anyway.
I was again confident that the worst was behind me. Then came the I-cord edging, that's that little green rolled edge at the edge of the shell. It attaches the top and bottom of the shell together, which makes it very important and unskipable. (believe me I tried to figure out a way around it) I did not think I was ever going to make it through, there was much screaming, cursing and even a few tears.
But, none of that matters now, because the end result is so cute.
It was so hard to turn him over to his rightful owner. I'm glad I didn't know how hard he was going in. I would have never tried it and I'm pretty happy about my new skill set. Since making Sheldon I've also tried a couple of crochet flowers, which I think would look super cute in Ellie's hair, if she ever gets any.

Thanks for reading.

Now What?

2011-04-12T07:45:00.003-05:00

I made these awesome fabric flowers with Andrea the other day. Now the question is......What do I do with them?
I'm thinking headbands,
I'm thinking t-shirt add-ons,
I'm thinking I need to buy my own glue gun!
I'm a craftoholic!
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-04-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: April 11th
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Taco Soup
Wedensday	Lemonade Chicken
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Homemade Pizza
Saturday	Sweet Potato Waffles and Scrambled Eggs
Sunday	Easy to Stuff Manicotti

I'm really hoping to actually make the easy to stuff manicotti this time. I think this is the thrid time it's been on the menu.
Thanks for reading.

Magic House

2011-04-10T14:22:00.000-05:00

I don't know how we managed to time our visit to the Magic House when they were having the Bob the Builder Exhibit, but it was awesome. Levi could have spent the whole day just on that.

The bean stock was his very favorite thing. Again he could have spent the whole day just climbing up and down.
I love my fearless son. I swelled with pride watching him climb past bigger kids on his way to the very top of the beanstalk.

Fun, fun day!! I figure we'll have to go once a year to the Magic House until the kids outgrow it. It's so interesting to see what thing is going to be Levi's favorite from year to year. Next year I figure Ellie will be old enough to really get into things, I can't wait.
Thanks for reading.

Waiting for the Boys

2011-04-07T07:24:00.003-05:00

My girls bonding while waiting for the boys to come back inside.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-04-03T21:19:00.002-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: April 4th
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Chicken Quesadillas
Wednesday	Sloppy Joes
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Eggplant Parmesan
Saturday	Taco Crescent Bake
Sunday	Chicken Florentine Lasagna

The Eggplant Parmesan recipe isn't exactly like the one I use but it is very close. The one I use has Parmesan mixed with the bread crumbs.
Thanks for reading

The Breakfast Scene

2011-03-29T07:20:00.001-05:00

Poor Levi gets no peace while eating his breakfast. He has a crowd of hangerons that try and climb up his chair. Ellie wants to be anywhere Levi is and Winnie is just hoping for scraps.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-03-28T07:39:00.002-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: March 28
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Wedensday	Chili Spaghetti With Hot Dogs
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Frozen Pizza
Saturday	Chicken Tetrazzini
Sunday	Hamburger Noodle Bake

That's right I actually put Frozen Pizza on my menu.
Thanks for reading.

Cute and Random

2011-03-25T07:02:00.004-05:00

Let me narrate the next couple of pictures for you.
Ahem
What's this Daddy, what's on these jammies?
HaHaHa..... That's funny Daddy! You really got me. KU jammies, hahahahahahaha......
And scene. Isn't that what everyone else hears when they look at those pictures?
Our houses littlest KU fan just got new jammies from Papa Dan. Just in time for KU's sweet sixteen game tonight.
I think she's practicing her cheering here. Do you hear the little Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk?

And... Behold a glimpse into my sons future.
He thought this was really funny. I'm guessing in a couple of years, when this is his reality, it will be far less amusing.
He looks awfully cute in them though.
Thanks for reading.

Gift Box

2011-03-24T06:29:00.003-05:00

Steve once read an article about a couple who would make notes about gifts that they would like and keep them in envelopes. Then, when an occasion came around that called for buying a gift they would pick something out of the other persons envelope to get them. That way they always got what they wanted, but never had to specifically ask for it and never knew exactly what they were getting. I've always thought it was a really cleaver idea and recently decided to take that idea and run with it.
I have no memory cells left. None! I often have great ideas for presents for people only to forget them by the time their birthday rolls around. So I decided that instead of just making notes for things that I would like and Steve making notes for things he would like, I would make notes for things that everyone I need to buy for would like. And the Gift Box was born.
I had two greeting card keepers so I converted one; making tabs for all the people that I regularly buy gifts for.
I'm loving this idea so far. I've already put several things in for myself and have ideas for most of the other people that have tabs, including a couple of things for Steve that I think he will like.
I can't wait to implement it and buy gifts. I think it will make birthdays and Christmas less stressful for me. Plus, it's so much more fun to buy gifts for people that you know they will actually like. I'm especially excited to buy Steve things out of his tab, and (okay) receive things out of my tab.
I'll have to let you all know how this little experiment goes.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Confessions

2011-03-22T10:55:00.004-05:00

First I want to say a HUGE thank you to the people that share there menu with me here. I Love it!! Lately the menu post have been my favorite post to work on b/c I can't wait to see if anyone will share their menu back. You better believe that some of the things on your menus will be showing up on my menus soon. Thanks again you make my day!

In the interest of full disclosure I feel like I should tell you that I rarely make all of the things on my weekly menu. I've been thinking for a while now that I might want to mention this, but hadn't made time to do so. A comment I got yesterday made me realize maybe it was time to share the truth about my menus.

When I plan my menus I do it a month or more at a time; and I don't do it for any week in particular. So every menu is constructed as if we were going to eat at home every night. Then reality hits and we go out to supper one night or we plan and impromptu shopping trip or I thought I had an ingredient that apparently I only bought in my imagination. Two weeks ago when the kids were sick I only made ONE of the things on my menu. Tonight I won't be making Ham and Cheese Crescent Sandwiches, because I will be partying at Bunco. (Steve always makes what he refers to as his and Levi's bachelor meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup on bunco night.) When things like that happen I just take the unused recipes and put them to the side and tack them on to my next menu planning session.
That's it my dirty little menu secret that I needed to share. I feel better, don't you?
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: March 21
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Macaroni Taco Bake
Wedensday	Ham and Cheese Crescent Sandwiches
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Sloppy Joes
Saturday	Chicken Florentine Lasagna
Sunday	Spaghetti

Thanks for reading.

Passing the Cabinet

2011-03-17T06:59:00.002-05:00

The empty kitchen cabinet has been passed down from Levi to Ellie. It's one of her favorite spots to play, I think it's the concentration of toys in one easy access location.
She hasn't managed to get her self all the way in the cabinet yet, but it's just a matter of time.
For now she loves pulling herself as far inside it as she can get and throwing everything in her path on the floor.
She's also started using kitchen chairs as walkers so that she can walk herself all around the kitchen. I honestly don't remember Levi being as mobile and fast as Ellie is. I'm sure he was, I know he used the same trick with the kitchen chairs, time has just revised my memories of chasing after him I'm sure.
Thanks for reading.

Looky!!

2011-03-15T14:08:00.004-05:00

So exciting! Mandie actually used my hat in a picture. It's silly I know, but I'm so proud, it's like it's my baby in the picture.

You can find the picture of one cute baby in one cute hat here.

Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-03-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Menu for the Week Of: March 14
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Turkey
Wedensday	Cheesburger Cups
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Impossibly Easy Turkey Ranch Pie
Saturday	Sweet Potato Waffles and Scrambled Eggs
Sunday	Zesty Hamburger Soup

Thanks for reading.

Mardi Elefante

2011-03-10T10:29:00.004-06:00

I finished my first real knitted toy about two weeks ago. (I'm not counting the bunnies as toys, because they don't have the same 3D effect as this does.) With sick kids and sick me I haven't had time to share pictures.
I named him Mardi Elefante because the yarn is Mardi Grey and the pattern is Elefante . I love him! He's WAY cuter in person then the pictures show.
I didn't feel like I got a good representation of the colors in the pictures. He's much more colorful then he looks in the pictures.
Mardi is also very soft and cuddly. I had to repeatedly tell Levi that he was for someone else and he couldn't play with him. And he asked me, "Mommy, why didn't you make it for me? Don't you like me?" Oh, he's learning to use guilt very effectively.
The pattern was fairly easy. Knitting in little bitty circles causes problems for me, I broke one of my needles on Mardi's head and had to wait a week to receive a replacement. It was a lesson in patience that I'm sure I failed. I also had some trouble sewing all the pieces together. I hate sewing and am terrible at it to boot. His head is a little wobbly, but I'm going to tell myself that just adds to his charm.
If anyone is interested this last picture is a link to the pattern. I'm hoping to deliver him today. I hope that the recipient likes him.
Thanks for reading.

Trouble Brewing

2011-03-09T12:42:00.003-06:00

Levi's beloved lizard has caught the eye of his very rascally sister. If Lizard is ever left on the floor she makes a B-Line for it. We've been working on sharing a lot lately but I think sharing Lizard maybe asking to much of him. He's distraught while she chews on it, but knows better then to rip it away from her. So he comes running to mommy and daddy, "Get it!, Get it!" Then when Lizard is safely back in his arms, "Can you wipe this off." Levi is completely disguised by drool. You would think someone poured acid on his things the way he reacts to it. Anyway, a storm is brewing at our house unless we can find a stuffty that Ellie likes better and fast.
Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-03-07T08:00:00.001-06:00

Menu for the Week Of: 03-07-2011
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Golden Burger Spirals
Wedensday	Crispy Parm. Chicken and Connie's Corn
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Taco Soup
Saturday	Easy to Stuff Manicotti
Sunday	Sweet and Sour Chicken

I linked the two recipies I could find online for everybody. The rest are kind of self explanitory anyway.

Thanks for reading.

Menu Monday

2011-02-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

In case anyone would be interested I'm going to start posting my weekly menu every Monday. I'm sectretly hoping for a I'll show you mine if you show me yours type reaction.


Menu for the Week Of: Feb. 28
Monday	Leftovers
Tuesday	Macaroni & Cheese Pizza
Wedensday	Ranch Chicken Strips & Sweet Potatoes
Thursday	Leftovers
Friday	Skillet Eggplant Parmigiana
Saturday	Scrambled Egg Sandwiches
Sunday	Cheesy Texan Skillet

Thanks for reading.

Getting Organized

2011-02-25T13:15:00.003-06:00

Okay, this post may be a little strange but it was the best way I could think of to get everything organized and in one place. I'm going to make one of these scarves for a very close friend and I wanted her to be able to see her options. I'm so, SO excited to work on this project. It's way outside my knitting comfort zone and I love it. It's more luxurious yarn and more delicate knitting. I'm anticipating a huge learning curve but it will be a lot of fun too.
So, let's get down to it.
Scarf Options:
The original Sea Silk Scarf from the book
Easy Lace Stole
Enja's Scarf/Stole
February Lace Scarf
Hattie's Rose Garden
Knotted Openwork Scarf
Lime Scarf
One Row Lace Scarf
Yo! It's a Scarf (I swear that's what the name of the pattern is)

With a little tweaking any of these yarns will work for any of these scarves.
I know there's a lot of them but I wanted lots of options.
Yarn Options:
Blue Sky Alpaca Silk
Debbie Bliss Andes
Louisa Harding Grace Wool and Silk
Louisa Harding Mulberry
Malabrigo Silky Merino
Rowan Classic Pure Silk
Cascade Yarn Heritage Silk
Jade Sapphire Silk Cashmere
Alchemy Sanctuary
Tilli Tomas Plie
Debbie Bliss Pure Silk
Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend

If none of these scarves or yarns trip your trigger I can always find more. The possibilities are literally endless.
Please feel free to leave opinions.
Thanks for reading.

Not So Mysterious

2011-02-24T12:43:00.003-06:00

A long time ago I set Ellie's turning 9 months old as the point where I would start weaning her. I have loved nursing my kids but it was real challenge to stick it out and make it to that 9 month mark. I pick 9 months because that would get her through most of the winter on breast milk. (I feel like Levi got sick a lot when I weaned him at 6 months. That was in Dec., so he may have gotten sick anyway, but...) Anyway, as the date approached I started to have second thoughts. First off, that's my bonding time with my baby, a time when only mommy will do. Secondly, Steve thinks I'm a hero for breastfeeding our kids, and who doesn't like that? Finally, I was concerned that I was making my decision based on what I wanted (I'm ready to be done. I'm ready to have the occasional drink and have caffeine and eat spicy foods and not worry about the affect that has on someone else.) and not necessarily what was best for Eliana. Friday night I was a little panicked about the decision, so I prayed. I asked God what I should do and for a sign to help lead me.
The next morning Ellie got her first tooth. Now, to you that may just be a tooth, but to me that sharp, jagged little tooth is a clear cut sign from above. Sometimes God works in not so mysterious ways.
Needless to say we've started the weaning process and she is doing great so far. I'm a little sad when I see daddy feeding her, her bedtime bottle, but I know it had to happen sooner or later and it's nice for the two of them to get some bonding time in too.
Thanks for reading.

Munchkins

2011-02-23T14:52:00.006-06:00

Some things are just so cute that I'm instantly compelled to make them even though I have no one to give them to and no use for them myself. This is the case with this incredibly adorable Munchkin hat designed by Neanner. Pattern Here
I added this hat to my queue and figured I would just go ahead and make it and find a home for it later. I was planning to start it once I finished all of my baby knitting. (Which is never ending by the way. As soon as I think I'm finished I find out someone new is pregnant. I'm not complaining, just commenting, I have very fertile friends apparently.) Then I got asked to make a couple as photo props and was thrilled to have a reason to make them.
So, without further ado:

The Girl Munchkin
The Boy Munchkin
I can't wait to see them on actual babies
They are so cute.
The pattern was pretty simple, but as you get fewer and fewer stitches toward the top it does get a little tight to work on. This was also my first time making Pompoms. I was a little nervous about them, I didn't want wimpy poms I wanted full, fluffy poms. I think they turned out pretty good, but I'll make them even a little fluffier in the future. I used the MADE Pompom tutorial found here for my poms. My tip if anyone decides to make them is, know when to say when. It's tempting to just keep trimming and trimming until your down to nothing. At some point you just have to decide it will never be perfectly even and stop.
Rest assured, if the hats actually make it into professional pictures I'll share a link for everyone to see.
Thanks for reading.

Incognito

2011-02-22T10:29:00.002-06:00

I took a break from all serious knitting and made this little ditty.
I knit it in 45 min.
I love it.
It's SO much fun!
I sort of want to make one for everyone I know.
But, then again, I'm sure this is much funnier to me than to anyone else.
Fingerstache pattern here.
Thanks for reading.

9 Month Pictures

2011-02-21T06:27:00.003-06:00

Unbelievably Ellie is 9 months old today. Excuse me while I have a little cry about that:(
She's getting so big so fast. Mommy is really unprepared for her to be a toddler and not a baby. She even got her first tooth yesterday. Slow down baby girl, slow down!
We did her little home photo session this weekend and here are some of my favorites. She's so incredibly cute and smiley all the pictures came out great.
This is Steve's favorite. I like the high kick and the yellow socks, but It's not my favorite.

This is the "mom are you about done" look.

I think this is my favorite. Look at that big girl standing up with only minimal support!
Can I just tell you how much I love this outfit! She looks like a mini Jackie O.

I call this one her serious business woman look. Doesn't she look like she should be on a real estate billboard?

This is my attempt at being artsy. I like it, but I'm not sure it will get printed.
I'm so excited to get her pictures professionally done in 3 months. Doing it ourselves saves money and is totally worth it, but I think it's a lot for fun when someone else takes them.
Thanks for reading.

No Girls Allowed

2011-02-18T15:13:00.002-06:00

Yesterday a boy at the Iowa state wrestling tournament defaulted because he refused to wrestle a girl.
I'm not mad at him for defaulting, I'm annoyed at his reason. He said in a statement that, "Wrestling is a combat sport and can be violent at times. As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner." To me this reads a little as, I don't want to hurt the little lady. I think I would have been more on his side if he had mentioned the inevitable inappropriate touching that would result in wrestling a girl. If you've ever watched a wrestling match you know their hands go Every. Where. and it would be impossible to wrestle competitively without some inappropriate touching. His dad says they believe in respecting women, but again goes back to the brutality of the sport rather than the contact. Either way I suppose, I am impressed that this high school sophomore (who had a decent shot at winning the state title) is sticking to his convictions when the pressure is on.
Steve wrestled in high school and he would really like it if Levi wrestled. When we saw on the news that two girls were going to be wrestling at the Iowa state tournament we had a discussion about it. He was very quickly in favor of the girls wrestling. If that is what those girls are passionate about they should be allowed to do it, was the first thing out of his mouth. I can't decide how I feel about it. The women's libber. in me thinks, of course girls should be able to wrestle and good for them. The mommy in me can't stand the thought of that being my baby girl on the mat. I'm secretly hoping that I don't ever have to make this decision.
Just airing out my thoughts.
If you want to read the story on ESPN you can find it here.
Thanks for reading.

Happy

2011-02-17T12:41:00.006-06:00

From Psalms 51:
10 "Create in me a clean heart, O' God and put a new and right spirit within me."
12 "Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

This just makes me happy. Just reading it makes me feel refreshed and joyous. I wanted to share it in the hopes that it would give someone else the same feeling.
Thanks for reading.

Worth It

2011-02-16T06:30:00.004-06:00

I don't really feel like we get our money's worth out of most of the stuff we buy for the kids. It's a little frustrating when you buy all these fabulous toys and the kids would rather play with my spatulas. I was thinking about the ones that really have been worth the money and thought I would share.

Books are always worth it in our house. Levi LOVES books. He could spend an entire evening picking out book after book to have you read to him. I love that time together so much. It's fun to have his undivided attention for a while. And (bonus) he's actually still while you are reading to him. All of our books are good but here are a couple that we got recently and are currently on heavy rotation.
Levi picked this book out at Hastings and I was skeptical but it was on sale for $2 so, I gave in. I'm so glad I did it's actually a really fun book. Louise goes on all kinds of crazy adventures, but always ends up missing the comfort of home. It also has several big words that Levi has now learned and latched onto.
Levi picked this one out too and I really think it's a must have if your kids like VeggieTales. There are probably 15 stories in here all beautifully illustrated and with corresponding Bible verses.
Both of the books are linked to Amazon.

Both of my kids loved the Exersaucer. I think it was worth every penny to have a place to put them down where they are well entertained while I cook or clean.
Levi's top bunk. We haven't even used the bottom bunk yet and these are totally worth it. Levi refers to his bed has his ship and he sails on it and fishes off the bow all the time.
Ellie's grow with me kitchen. Both kids love to play with it.
Levi's little people farm. He can make up some really great stories with his barn and silo. Ellie likes it too, she only wants to chew on the animals, but still....
And finally that $10 sleeping bad. I'm sure it's just me, but I can't believe how much entertainment they can both get out of it. Who would have thought?
I would really like to know what things you've bought that were totally worth it. I've already started making list for what to get everyone for birthdays and Christmas and would love new ideas.
Thanks for reading.

Best and Worst Dressed.......Westminster Edition

2011-02-15T13:42:00.004-06:00

I love watching the Westminster Dog Show. Steve and I judge the dogs, and talk about what kind of dogs we like. It's so fun to ewe and awe over the cute dogs and make fun of the not so cute ones. So, I thought I'd share with the rest of you some of my thoughts. Just for fun.
First the Best:
Beagles are my favorite dogs. I want one someday. My favorite feature is that they look like puppies even when they are full grown.
Boxers another of my favorites.
Malamute. Our neighbor has a malamute and she's gorgeous! She also behaves like an angel compared to Winnie.
Miniature Schnauzer. Steve loves this dog and really wants one. He loves a dog with a beard.
Dachshund. A sentimental favorite b/c Winnie is half dachshund.
Parson Russell Terrier. The other half of Winnie.
Pembroke Corgi. I want one of these too. Do you get the feeling that I'd have 10 dogs if I could?
Finally, Shiba Inu. Love those cute curling tails.

And now for the really fun part the Worst:
Beddington Terrier. This poor guy looks like some sort of deranged lamb.
Greyhounds. Greyhounds look like their little toothpick limbs could snap at any moment to me. Too skinny.
Komondor. I don't care for any dog with corded hair. I don't really know why but it seems gross.
Neapolitan Mastiff. What is wrong with this poor guy? Look at that face, it's not exactly a dog you could cuddle with, is it?
Poodles! I hate Poodles, and Miniature Poodles and Standard Poodles, any form of poodles. I don't understand why they always win. They look like prissy little dogs to me, yuck.
Pekingese. He looks like an Ewok. That's just way to much hair for such a little bitty dog.
And finally the Chinese Crested. Again, what did someone do to this poor thing? It looks like some sort of breeding experiment gone wrong. And the sad little dogs seem nervous (they shake all the time) and their teeth fall out. What breeder thought this was a good idea?
What is your favorite or least favorite breed?
All my pictures are from the AKC website.
Thanks for reading.

Roll Models

2011-02-14T06:28:00.002-06:00

I thought on this Valentine's Day I'd take a minute to thank the wonderful people who showed me what a good marriage should be.

My Parents got married straight out of high school. And by straight out of high school I mean my mom typed her wedding invitations in typing class Senior year. They have been married for 37 years and are great partners and friends.

My Grandparents have been married for close to 60 years. The way my grandpa tells it he proposed in 6th grade. My grandma is my guidepost for so many things and this is no exception. They are amazing together. I once overheard my grandma say at a family dinner, "Look at the mess we made Dad" to my Grandpa in reference to our family. I love this way of looking at things.

They've been great examples for a strong marriage and I can only hope that Steve and I will be able to provide an equally good example to our kids.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Thanks for reading.