tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31537451513278304642024-03-14T03:04:12.855-04:00Look with Your Hands"When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' then get busy and find out how to do it." ~ Theodore Roosevelt.
This little blog shows you how one person did / does a lot of different things... many of them unrelated to the next. If you have any suggestions or ideas, share, like I did!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-8089722756492338052012-07-23T14:05:00.002-04:002012-07-23T14:05:41.401-04:00Eloise Birthday Party<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope everyone has been having a lovely July!! I know I have. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This past weekend, I helped a co-worker with her sweet daughter's birthday party. She turned six and loves <a href="http://www.eloisewebsite.com/" target="_blank">Eloise</a>, so we Googled other Eloise birthday parties we had seen online, and used that inspiration with a few touches of our own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the favors, a candy bar seemed just the thing for this party. (Note the runner -- it's just pink and white polka-dot wrapping paper. Cute and budget-friendly!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From left-to-right, there were Rice Krispies treats made with pink marshmallows. To make wrapping them easier, I suggested lollipop sticks, and they were tied with pink and black curling ribbon. That's my <a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2011/06/cake-pedestal.html" target="_blank">pretty little cake pedestal</a> underneath. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next (and possibly my favorite) was the cotton candy tower. I found the mason jars (12 for $7.99) and the cotton candy at local grocery stores. After filling each jar, I covered the top with a small square of pink-and-white polka dot wrapping paper, then tied with zebra-print ribbon. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The tower itself was all Jayson's doing. He's creative, too!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The cake was made by someone she knows who produces things like this from her kitchen. Isn't it awesome?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWObKcHXdHw/UA2L_dTXzdI/AAAAAAAABDM/ZztpZPGRCKE/s1600/candy+bar+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWObKcHXdHw/UA2L_dTXzdI/AAAAAAAABDM/ZztpZPGRCKE/s320/candy+bar+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also put pink and black gumballs in little bowls. (The birthday girl thought the black ones were olives!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next came my signature <a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2011/04/looking-for-unique-but-inexpensive.html" target="_blank">candy bags</a>. We selected things like Flying Saucers, Tootsie Rolls, Good n' Plenty, Gummy Watermelons, etc. Anything pink, anything black. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTlgJ7ybqKU/UA2MA97GmNI/AAAAAAAABDk/NfU5GdtxczA/s1600/candy+bar+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTlgJ7ybqKU/UA2MA97GmNI/AAAAAAAABDk/NfU5GdtxczA/s200/candy+bar+7.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noJyyIFWhJE/UA2MCl9CxEI/AAAAAAAABD8/snDUw9X-rl0/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noJyyIFWhJE/UA2MCl9CxEI/AAAAAAAABD8/snDUw9X-rl0/s200/photo+4.JPG" width="155" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally, iced animal crackers (made exactly like the candy bags.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the actual favor bags, I took white bags from the dollar store (2 for a buck, if you can believe it!). They're rather large because I knew they would have to carry mason jars. I cut small slits on either side, and tied the curling ribbon through it. The little labels I printed right from my computer onto scrapbook paper.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AP5BWVOKmAA/UA2MAsFaciI/AAAAAAAABDc/WG4T3vsouCI/s1600/candy+bar+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AP5BWVOKmAA/UA2MAsFaciI/AAAAAAAABDc/WG4T3vsouCI/s320/candy+bar+6.JPG" width="233" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For decorations, we used streamers and balloons (which I think are highly underrated), along with some tissue paper pompoms I made myself. I used a Martha Stewart idea (though I tweaked it a little.) Seriously, these things are awesome. I will post a tutorial entirely for them another time, but for right now, just "ooh" and "ahh" at them in the pictures. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I made a little banner for over the candy bar. (<a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2011/06/party-banner.html" target="_blank">Here</a> is my tutorial on how to make one.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5yyKwC7pi4/UA2L8xDggmI/AAAAAAAABCc/9wE0999Zfxs/s1600/Decorations+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5yyKwC7pi4/UA2L8xDggmI/AAAAAAAABCc/9wE0999Zfxs/s320/Decorations+3.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A close-up of one of the pompoms. Isn't it adorable?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>(Decorations Total: less than $30. What!!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For a game, she had an Eloise picture blown up, and they played 'pin the bow on Eloise' (a cute little switch on the classic pin-the-tail.)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And finally, a picture of the hat I purchased at the dollar store and dressed up as a gift to the birthday girl. She was stylin', let me tell you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What parties have you been to lately?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-36566741842960914432012-07-05T15:24:00.001-04:002012-07-05T15:42:29.535-04:00Red, White & Blue Jello Salad<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hey there! I hope everyone had a lovely 4th! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cM0XICDIwU/T_XpwvH2QfI/AAAAAAAABBU/6WMSYAWsxOE/s1600/jello+salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cM0XICDIwU/T_XpwvH2QfI/AAAAAAAABBU/6WMSYAWsxOE/s320/jello+salad.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is something of a cheating post. The recipe isn't original (*hangs head in shame*) but it's really great. If you want to use it yourself, <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Red--White--n--Blue-Salad" target="_blank">here</a> is where I found it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The only difference between this recipe and mine was that I substituted strawberry for the raspberry because I already had fresh ones cut.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The only note I would add to this recipe, which specifies that it's 'quick', is that it's <i>not </i>actually all that quick. The individual jello layers are, granted, VERY fast and easy, but waiting for the layers to harden took a long time. Each one needed closer to 2 hours than 1. I think the next time I make it I'll use little ice cream bowls instead of a one large bowl, which should cut down the time significantly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And it is absolutely <i><u>delicious!</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What desserts did you make for the 4th?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-23443704538621572232012-07-02T13:47:00.001-04:002012-07-02T13:47:16.860-04:00Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hello, hello! I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend, but if not, you get a do-over right in the middle of the week this time. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've had to watch what I eat lately, as I learned last week that I have gestational diabetes. At first I thought it would be the pits because the fun of pregnant eating would disappear, but quite the opposite, actually. It's opened me up to a world of creativity; after all, it's just a game of proportions (and monitoring... I admit the monitoring is not really all that fun.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I made this for dinner last week. It's a really simple idea, just thrown together quickly, but it was quite delicious. I used things I already had (basically a bunch of leftovers), so I have no idea what quantities I used of what. I'll do my best to guess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Chicken breast, cubed (I only used 1 breast)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Fresh asparagus, cut or broken into bite-size pieces</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Half n' half (approximately 1/8 cup)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Grated Parmesan cheese (approximately 1/8 cup)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Lemon pepper seasoning (to taste)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. Penne pasta, cooked (I used 1/4 of a box because it was all I had, but the proportion was perfect)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Method:</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a medium-to-large saucepan, cook the chicken in the olive oil. Once it is cooked completely, add the asparagus until it softens to taste (I like a little crunch.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add the half n' half, cheese, pasta and seasoning. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mix together and simmer until it thickens to taste. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve immediately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How easy is that? Jayson said he might like it better with tomatoes or something, which is an excellent idea, if I happen to have leftover tomatoes next time. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What easy 'mix-together-what-I-have' recipes do you like? Please share! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-40743437870228954992012-06-18T15:21:00.013-04:002012-06-28T14:39:50.448-04:00Blueberry French Toast Casserole<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Happy Monday! </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-gBY9n8lvk/T-yjTCuzmYI/AAAAAAAAA-g/8I7pyxzXBQM/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-gBY9n8lvk/T-yjTCuzmYI/AAAAAAAAA-g/8I7pyxzXBQM/s1600/6.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am happy to report that I FINALLY, after several months with almost nothing, have something useful for you... a new recipe!! I first tasted something like this at my aunt's house weekend before last, and it was so amazing I did some research and came up with a recipe all my own. This is perfect if you're making breakfast or brunch for a group of people, because it's phenomenal and it doesn't require a lot of work on the day. You prepare it the evening before, and toss it in the oven approximately an hour before you need it. Done.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I made this for four people, and we had probably two servings left over, which was very exciting for our dog. So tailor my measurements according to your own needs.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. 12 slices of bread, de-crusted and cubed</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FxjN3mLXbvk/T-yjeyjSQeI/AAAAAAAAA-4/Y9FtG5fL444/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FxjN3mLXbvk/T-yjeyjSQeI/AAAAAAAAA-4/Y9FtG5fL444/s1600/3.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. 8 oz. of cream cheese</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. 4 eggs</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Milk (I didn't measure, sorry)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Cinnamon (approximately 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Maple syrup (approximately 1/8 cup)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. 1 cup blueberries (washed and divided into 1/4 and 3/4 cup portions)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. 1 cup sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. 1 cup water</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. 2 tablespoons corn starch</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11. 1 tablespoon butter</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Method:</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">CASSEROLE:</span></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grease the bottom of an 8x8 pan. Spread the bread cubes.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Evenly dot the cream cheese and 1/4 cup blueberries around the bread.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">** Note - The next time I make this, I plan to thaw the cream cheese and whisk it into the egg/milk/cinnamon mixture below because the bread wasn't consistently coated.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whisk the eggs, milk and cinnamon together. Evenly spread over the bread.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">** Note - most recipes I studied added the syrup to this mixture. I completely forgot about it, so I drizzled a little bit on the next morning. Still very delicious.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cover and refrigerate overnight.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVbtUEck-LI/T-yjehGC9lI/AAAAAAAAA-w/PGYqURe-xHs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVbtUEck-LI/T-yjehGC9lI/AAAAAAAAA-w/PGYqURe-xHs/s1600/2.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next morning, bake (covered) at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Uncover, stir, and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the egg mixture in the center is completely cooked.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">GLAZE:</span></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5y29woBMOoE/T-yjf6j-d4I/AAAAAAAAA_I/IkeWE5-1KM4/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5y29woBMOoE/T-yjf6j-d4I/AAAAAAAAA_I/IkeWE5-1KM4/s1600/5.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a small to medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar and cornstarch and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the 3/4 cup of blueberries and reduce to simmer. Stir occasionally (blueberries will start to break and the sauce will become dark.) <em>{I also pressed some of the blueberries to make the juice come out more.}</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once the sauce is thick, add the butter and stir until dissolved.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drizzle over the casserole.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The unanimous vote (even from the guest who did not like blueberries) was that it is wonderful. I highly recommend you try it!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As always, comment with any questions (so other readers can see the answers as well.) I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-33221197194728368172012-06-12T11:51:00.000-04:002012-06-12T11:51:00.235-04:00Catch Up<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wow, a month with no posting? What's worse is that I haven't even <em>thought</em> about posting lately, and therefore haven't been taking any pictures of anything I've been doing. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In my defense, it's been a crazy month. I had my annual ladies' tea (huge success!), a client wedding, a trip to Columbus for my cousin's wedding, a surprise birthday party for a friend, an awesome camping trip with some besties, Jayson's 30th birthday party (which comes with 4 days of deep-cleaning my house,) an extended visit from my mommy, fire pit dates with friends, and catch-up coffee dates with some girlfriends. I also cheered a dear friend in her first 5k, bossed my husband with some landscape reorganizing, and discovered a new love of sundresses.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm officially 6 months pregnant now, and because of my awful first trimester, I'm still not up to my pre-pregnancy weight. I am close, but haven't quite arrived there yet. {And don't worry. I'm not under some fantasy that it won't catch up to me; I'm sure it will.} </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did I mention yet that it's a boy? And he kicks like no child in history has ever kicked (though my mother says that my sister came close.) Even my doctor was shocked: "Oh! He's a mover, isn't he?" He likes his personal space. If I cramp him at all, he kicks until I stretch out. If I lay on my side, he kicks the side against the bed until I move. Jayson was listening for his heartbeat last week, and our son kicked him in the ear. <em>Hard</em>. Jayson's been a little afraid to listen for it since. Can't say I blame him.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If I had been doing what I should've been, I might've taken pictures of some of our Iron Chef Camper recipes (can I just tell you that it was the best year yet??) But I did not, I'm afraid. I have no pictures to share from anything over the last month. I realized with dismay that I haven't photographically docoumented anything lately. My phone is full of pictures that made me laugh and nothing else. *sigh*</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyways, I thought I'd put up a short post to let you know what's been happening, and why I haven't been around. Truly, I've been very busy. It's the busiest month I've had in a very long time, and life doesn't show signs of slowing down until next month after my husband's family reunion. But I did get a new recipe for a Blueberry French Toast casserole, and I'm thinking of squeezing in a girlfriends' breakfast just so I can make it. If I remember, I'll take pictures and post it here for you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What has your last month been like?? Do share!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">P.S. As you may know, my favorite blog is </span><a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Posie Gets Cozy</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. If you have a second, check out </span><a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2012/05/may-colors.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">this story</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> she wrote about her neighbor growing up. I loved it, but I can't put my finger on why. </span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-23861093435931531382012-05-14T15:27:00.000-04:002012-05-14T15:27:42.421-04:00Quick Quilt<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hey, all! May is halfway over, can you believe it?! I so want to enjoy this time in my life, savor each day, enjoy each little kick my son gives me as if to say, "Hey, mommy, just so you know, I'm here." It's a struggle to find that balance, isn't it? Looking to the future, but staying in the moment. I succeed more often than I fail, but I still fail. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you know if you've read my blog before, I'm a quilter. If you have not read my blog before, it should be noted that I am not by any means some sort of professional quilter. I quilt for me, and for special people in my life, and that's pretty much it. I have no grand dreams of someday seeing my masterpieces in some quilting show. The dedication required to get someone to that point just doesn't exist in me. I come up with designs on a whim, and being impatient by nature, I want the finished product <em>now.</em> Spending more than a week or two on a single quilt is horribly boring for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HtlBE6eAndk/T7FZBKZxjCI/AAAAAAAAA58/0_cVjCfzJpc/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="198px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HtlBE6eAndk/T7FZBKZxjCI/AAAAAAAAA58/0_cVjCfzJpc/s200/009.JPG" width="200px" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In any event, I do enjoy making quilts for friends, and this is my go-to pattern for giveaway quilts because it's fun, lovely, easily customized, and something you can just snuggle underneath. I had wanted to make a pattern that you could easily download and duplicate, but instead I took a photograph of my original design that could serve the same purpose. If you would like to make this quilt and have questions, please either comment or email and I'd be delighted to help you however I can.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmQDUDR1RDA/T7FZQIRGeQI/AAAAAAAAA6s/aH1RtlcusDs/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="200px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmQDUDR1RDA/T7FZQIRGeQI/AAAAAAAAA6s/aH1RtlcusDs/s200/034.JPG" width="150px" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This version of my pattern was for a sweet friend who had surgery recently. Food and flowers are nice, but I like quilts because it's something they can keep even after their recovery time as a reminder that friendship is always around them. When I asked her what her favorite colors were, she gave me almost a dozen answers. I selected a few that worked together, and Jayson helped me pick these fabrics. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All basic quilting fabrics, with the exception of the fleece backing. The last quilt I made for myself had a fleece back, and I love it so much that I plan to use it from now on. So soft, so warm, and I think you can get away with no batting inside because the fleece is thick enough.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And now, the quilting process as documented by my photographs:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dUmNj4ick2A/T7FY8UYoJoI/AAAAAAAAA5s/aYxFLWNW9qA/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="160px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dUmNj4ick2A/T7FY8UYoJoI/AAAAAAAAA5s/aYxFLWNW9qA/s200/006.JPG" width="200px" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fgv8zb84Z0/T7FY9_jDYdI/AAAAAAAAA50/zz-ooGkpm4s/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="150px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fgv8zb84Z0/T7FY9_jDYdI/AAAAAAAAA50/zz-ooGkpm4s/s200/007.JPG" width="200px" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9OKWG1N4cc/T7FZHUIc9kI/AAAAAAAAA6M/S4rjYPe72Wc/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="150px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9OKWG1N4cc/T7FZHUIc9kI/AAAAAAAAA6M/S4rjYPe72Wc/s200/016.JPG" width="200px" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No, I don't have man hands. Those are Jayson's... he helps me </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">tie my quilts because he's the greatest husband in the world.</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I may be something of a rusher, but it took me a total of 5 evenings to complete, one each for cutting, sewing squares, layout, piecing the top together, and edge. It's such a nice gift to give to someone, and it's really not that time-consuming to do. Please feel free to use my pattern for yourself, or for someone special to you. And p</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">lease comment if something isn't clear. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Enjoy May before it runs off, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-2636486174881498122012-04-30T15:57:00.000-04:002012-04-30T15:57:19.205-04:00Baby Fabric<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A very happy Monday to all!!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've been absent without any explanation, I know, but hopefully you all know by now that I have an excuse. We learned last week that we are having a BOY, and I'm still in shock! I <em>really</em> thought it was a girl! He's an energetic little boy, too... he kicks his mother non-stop (especially at night.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyways, I thought it was about time I shared the fabric I'll be using for my son's quilt, since I think I promised to show you over a month ago. We picked this before we knew what our baby would be, but because I had in the back of my mind that it was a girl, we also selected ribbons to go with the fabric. Which I will not be using now.</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1CwqvAgCJA/T57sGZwkP7I/AAAAAAAAA5g/4NUz4kh-e84/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1CwqvAgCJA/T57sGZwkP7I/AAAAAAAAA5g/4NUz4kh-e84/s320/031.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The large fabric is extremely soft fleece, and this will be the back of the quilt. I think I need at least one more fabric for the front - perhaps a brown, perhaps a tan. Definitely not more polka dots; even though we tried to pick unisex fabric, it now looks somewhat feminine to me. Darn it.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I also have a quilt pattern to share, which I made a few weeks ago for a good friend, but first I have to put it into a format that can be easily downloaded. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the meantime, I hope everyone has a lovely week!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-3874149746743596222012-04-05T12:16:00.001-04:002012-04-05T15:02:59.408-04:00Vicarious Cherry Blossoms<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love the time of year when things start blossoming. It makes my energy level blossom, too, and I start to look forward to the months ahead: months of long evenings, warm days, cooking out, and flip flops. <em>Delicious.</em></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some of my favorite blogs have been posting about cherry blossoms lately, and I just stare and stare at their photographs until I can imagine myself in them. Where I live, you might see the occasional cherry tree, but I love that some places are just <em>covered </em>in blossoms this time of year. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are some for you to vicariously enjoy, too. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.amyatlas.com/2012/03/cherry-blossoms-guest-dessert-feature/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cherry Blossoms Guest Dessert Feature </span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- Amy Atlas Events</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://suchprettythings.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/03/cherry-blossom-picnic-2012.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Annual Cherry Blossom Picnic</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> - Such Pretty Things</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.pinkandgreenpup.com/2012/04/cherry-blossoms_04.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cherry Blossoms</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> - The Preppy Pink and Green Puppy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWqe-q6e8ws/T33FH5srEdI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/RIjKZiaGr1E/s1600/Cherry+Blossoms+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWqe-q6e8ws/T33FH5srEdI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/RIjKZiaGr1E/s320/Cherry+Blossoms+2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Newark_cherry_blossoms.jpg" target="_blank">Found here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What a delightful time to celebrate new life! I hope you all have a lovely Easter.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-84178844567779752342012-03-12T15:31:00.002-04:002012-03-12T15:33:36.119-04:00Maternity Clothes<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hey, Readers!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, now that you know the main reason why my blogging has been sadly inconsistent of late, I can start sharing the things I've been interested in / working on lately. For example, I purchased fabric for the baby's things two weeks ago, but I wasn't going to share that before anyone knew the baby was coming. I'll show you later this week, hopefully. :-)</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I just started my 2nd trimester, and so far, it's been <em>woooooooonderful</em>. I had a horrible first trimester in terms of illness, apparently far worse than most women have (the possible exceptions being those poor ladies who wind up in the hospital.) I had food allergies, bronchitis, morning sickness (though mine was morning, afternoon, evening, night, pre-dawn, etc...) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I managed to turn couch lounging into a competitive sport: between the cat, the dog, and me, who could stay in one place the longest? {The cat is the universal champion, I'm sorry to say.}</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm actually already showing, even at only three months! (This is mostly because I'm tiny, and the baby has nowhere to go but out.) Since I'll be in them soon, I've been looking at maternity clothes. What is with stores thinking that pregnant woman have no sense of style? I'm not a fashion expert by any means, but seriously, there is no way I'd be caught dead in some of these tacky things. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll be 8 months pregnant in August, which means that my summer will look like a glider in front of an air conditioner, and me in sundresses and flip flops everywhere I go. So I turned to Google.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I found some cute maternity clothes that could be good for most occasions... what do you think?</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcZSjx5ZL4c/T15NRApn8FI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/vEgyOr2e4PM/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcZSjx5ZL4c/T15NRApn8FI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/vEgyOr2e4PM/s200/003.jpg" width="200px" yda="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sycfQxEmdS8/T15NWKaVpDI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/94bdizjuaRA/s1600/234679830552014176_ccTghP7q_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sycfQxEmdS8/T15NWKaVpDI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/94bdizjuaRA/s200/234679830552014176_ccTghP7q_c.jpg" width="163px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4sUUgt-QOms/T15NXA-lxGI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2cChJv02KhY/s1600/gap-smocked-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4sUUgt-QOms/T15NXA-lxGI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2cChJv02KhY/s200/gap-smocked-dress.jpg" width="95px" yda="true" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxV4sgyn6dI/T15NY0LiisI/AAAAAAAAA4o/n-wYzb5Qqv4/s1600/Sundress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxV4sgyn6dI/T15NY0LiisI/AAAAAAAAA4o/n-wYzb5Qqv4/s200/Sundress.jpg" width="93px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyyG2RagIJY/T15NZl7qU9I/AAAAAAAAA4w/hw7WBve3ZR4/s1600/Where-to-Find-Cheap-Maternity-Clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyyG2RagIJY/T15NZl7qU9I/AAAAAAAAA4w/hw7WBve3ZR4/s200/Where-to-Find-Cheap-Maternity-Clothes.jpg" width="155px" yda="true" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq5wIpF5_x0/T15NaD5nbxI/AAAAAAAAA44/2h8kN-ZiQtM/s1600/wrap-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq5wIpF5_x0/T15NaD5nbxI/AAAAAAAAA44/2h8kN-ZiQtM/s200/wrap-dress.jpg" width="100px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think more stores should sell things like this. No matter how awful you feel, at least you'd look fabulous. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gotta go! Lots to do. I hope you have a lovely Monday! :-)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-15809236311837518612012-03-08T11:41:00.001-05:002012-03-08T12:21:51.209-05:00An Announcement...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngoXszkZDBE/T1jhCDyz51I/AAAAAAAAA4I/kB0EKqVkEyw/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngoXszkZDBE/T1jhCDyz51I/AAAAAAAAA4I/kB0EKqVkEyw/s200/018.JPG" width="200px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So... we have an announcement. And since I put it on Facebook this morning, it's official. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Those of you close to us have already been rejoicing at this miracle since we learned of it (and yes, you may now tell all those people you've been wanting to tell for weeks!!) And for those of you just finding out, I'll tell you our story so you will understand.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We've been married for almost six years now, and several years ago we learned we couldn't have children. At first, it was a little surreal, but as we started to live with it daily, it became part of who we were. We love children - both of us. At the time, we were teaching the little ones (the Rainbows) at church together. It was heartwarming to be able to love on them and send them home, but also a little bittersweet to watch each other, week after week, and see what great parents we could have made. It was a little frustrating to have people constantly asking us when we were starting our family. Most people didn't know we couldn't, and so we just smiled. We did have some friends who were a little insensitive (one friend actually told me, when I asked her to stop bringing it up, that she just 'couldn't help it'.) But it's part of the process - grieving for what might've been. And we did grieve. Daily.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then, after months and months of discussion, we arrived at the next logical conclusion: we would adopt! And suddenly, we had joy again. We started the process (which, seriously, is WAY scarier than having a child of your own!!) We attended seminars, gathered stacks (mountains, really) of paperwork, and began budgeting for the costs. We started re-arranging things in the house so there would be a bedroom for a child, and were altogether very excited at what would now be coming. We began to love and pray for whatever child God would give us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But God had other plans. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our church has a missions convention each October, and the very last service was absolutely amazing (even before we learned the impact it had on us.) The missionary, Austin Jones, was from Alaska, and his message was so powerful, so full of faith. At the end of the message, he had those in the room who needed healing line up, and as he prayed, miracles happened. I mean, I SAW them happen. I was last in line, and I was waiting for prayer for my neck (an old injury from a car accident 10+ years ago.) Jayson was waiting with me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When he got to us, he didn't ask why I was there. He didn’t need to; he already knew that I couldn't have children. And I burst into tears. After he prayed for me, and as we were sitting down, he called after us, "Don't adopt just yet." </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The next week, we were scheduled to attend a Focus on the Family adoption seminar. We decided that we would still go, not because we didn't have faith, but because we hope to adopt whether we have natural children or not. But we ended up unable to attend because of a freak snowstorm and a stomach bug (ok, ok, we get the idea... don't adopt yet.) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then we launched into the Christmas season, and talks about adoption and children were put on hold temporarily.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Right before New Year’s, I met a very special woman for coffee, and during the course of our conversation, we learned that neither of us could have children. And she shared something so precious with me. She pointed out that, in the Bible, there are seven women mentioned who cannot have children, and six of the seven wind up blessed with a miracle child anyway. “That is my promise,” she told me. I wrapped my faith around that thought and tucked it away in my heart. <em>{Side note - I did not say who you are because I wasn’t sure you would wish me to, but if you’re ok with it, let me know and I’ll make sure to give you credit, my sweet friend. Your words will probably be just as precious to others as they were to me.}</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A few days later, on January 8th, our Pastor was sharing with the congregation some healing testimonies from the service that Austin had led. I turned to Jayson and whispered, "You know, he prayed for us, too." So on the way home that day, we picked up an EPT two-pack. I had no symptoms at all, and we really had no reason to suspect I was pregnant, except for what we had heard that day. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And right in the middle of the day, with no symptoms, and without having to wait at all, we saw a clear, distinct plus sign. Oh, twice (yes, I used them both.) We stared at each other in amazement. This woman who can’t have children is pregnant with her first child.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know that the traditional wait time to share the news is something like 3 months, but we agreed that, since Little Jayne is a miracle, we would tell people we trusted immediately so they could be praying. So we started sharing much sooner than normal (like, at 4 weeks.) And so far, Little Jayne is growing strong and healthy (and I’m now 12 weeks, in case you’re wondering.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What will happen, I can’t possibly know. Will I carry this baby to full term? Will (s)he be born healthy, happy, and perfect? I can only pray that (s)he will be, but whatever comes, (s)he is a miracle right now. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hope that this testimony encourages you. Whether you believe in the power of prayer or not, trust me: it’s real. I dare you to try it for yourself. :-)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Special thanks to Austin for letting God work miracles through his ministry!! </span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-87036580125430882272012-02-23T16:02:00.004-05:002012-02-23T16:17:12.453-05:00Post 100<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hard to believe... I've made it to my 100th post!</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've been thinking long and hard about what to write about on this momentous occasion. As you know, I'm still recovering these days, so unfortunately I don't have any big ideas or tutorials ready to share. I've been saving a post about my wedding quilt, which I made 6 years ago, but I think that's more appropriate for my anniversary. Personal stories have been sneaking into my posts a bit too much lately, anyway (not on purpose, but it just so happens that my personal life is a subject I'm well-versed in.)</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So... how to celebrate?</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It occurred to me that one of the best ways to celebrate LwYH's 100th post would be to salute the blogs that inspire me. There are many, of course (some I follow more faithfully than others), and some of them you yourself may have visited on occasion. I've decided to put only my top five favorites to save your eyes.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">5. </span><a href="http://ohhappyday.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh Happy Day!</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">* This delightful little blog is run by the lovely and talented Jordan, originally from San Fransisco and currently living in Paris. Her blog is so fresh and fun - full of party ideas, fashion suggestions, and all-around creativity. I am constantly scouring her blog for new ideas. I also love the occasional photographs of Paris. (</span><a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2011/08/dont-quit-your-day-job/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> is my personal favorite.)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. </span><a href="http://strawberry-chic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Strawberry Chic</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">* I love the ideas that Andrea shares on this blog. I've actually used some in my blog before (her </span><a href="http://strawberry-chic.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-tuesday-glass-cake-stand.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">diy cake stands</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> were perfect for my cake decorating party last summer.) She shares many different ideas for home decor, diy projects, thrifty shopping, and party planning (of course!)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. </span><a href="http://blog.amyatlas.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Amy Atlas Designs</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">* Amy Atlas is the creator of the universally popular "candy bar" that many of us have seen and enjoyed at parties in the past few years. She shares photographs from event planners all over the world, as well as giving helpful party-planning advice periodically. Because there are so many creative people connected to the blog, she often posts several times per day (which means that I often miss some of her posts). But I have definitely been inspired by her blog many times!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. </span><a href="http://suchprettythings.typepad.com/my_weblog/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Such Pretty Things</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">* Jessica's beautiful blog was the reason I was inspired to start my own. She is so creative, and constantly drawn to make lovely things lovelier. She has shared so many charming things, including her own party ideas, vintage collections, and shopping adventures, and I have used her tutorials more times than I can count. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, my number one favorite blog...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. </span><a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Posie Gets Cozy</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">* We should all have an Alicia in our life. Alicia and (sometimes) her husband Andy post here, showing us glimpses of their domestic adventure, taking us on walks, sharing moments of their romance and beauty through her wonderful photography. She's the kind of person you wish lived next door to you, though, through her blog, it almost feels like she does. I always feel my day is complete if Alicia has shared a bit of hers. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'd like to thank the wonderful ladies who faithfully post on these blogs... you are an inspiration to me. If you are reading this, make time to check these out. They really are terrific!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy 100th Post to me. :-)</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-13167111277996275642012-02-20T10:21:00.003-05:002012-02-20T10:30:12.963-05:00Festival of Ice, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, I have successfully survived my first big event since my illness a couple of months ago. I have to admit, I was dreading it in a way... I really didn't have faith in my ability to physically pull it off. But with the help of my fabulous husband, we did it!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our town does an annual Festival of Ice, and the entire community comes together to participate. The theme this year was 'Frozen Games,' (a salute to the Olymics) with a London twist. Our church participates by sponsoring a "warming center," a free event where families can enjoy games, hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, snacks, face-painting, and crafts. We don't go half-way with our decorating, either (the part I'm involved with.) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At each game station, children earned 'medals' made from chocolate coins and crepe paper, so we set up a photo corner for them to show their prizes off. Using a photo I found on the internet (hurrah for Google!!), Jayson and I painted an <em>impression</em> of Big Ben. {Fortunately, it photographs much better than it actually looks in person.} My father-in-law made the gold/silver/bronze stand, and we had additional medals on hand as props for the photos.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRy0jF6N5qE/T0JhSRo2jHI/AAAAAAAAA3A/PvNR_mRS-zk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRy0jF6N5qE/T0JhSRo2jHI/AAAAAAAAA3A/PvNR_mRS-zk/s200/2.jpg" width="116px" yda="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjqybaPXm1k/T0JhT0q7PgI/AAAAAAAAA3I/vHZ3rwtxBXY/s1600/Josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjqybaPXm1k/T0JhT0q7PgI/AAAAAAAAA3I/vHZ3rwtxBXY/s200/Josh.jpg" width="150px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsrxLB7Yrao/T0JhV_VTpFI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/eHC77tfH9MI/s1600/Louise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsrxLB7Yrao/T0JhV_VTpFI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/eHC77tfH9MI/s200/Louise.jpg" width="146px" yda="true" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmXn8Q7-meM/T0JhX50sd9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/ZFF-vaKrg5o/s1600/Remi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmXn8Q7-meM/T0JhX50sd9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/ZFF-vaKrg5o/s200/Remi.jpg" width="149px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Elsewhere in the Warming Center, we had a 'torch' (made from a stovepipe, paint can, fan, angel food cake pan, and crepe paper), Olympic rings (made from hula hoops and spray paint) <em>{both made by Jayson}</em> ...</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qeFCKwCQgzs/T0JhaGuXK3I/AAAAAAAAA3g/LcyWURHBkrY/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qeFCKwCQgzs/T0JhaGuXK3I/AAAAAAAAA3g/LcyWURHBkrY/s200/008.JPG" width="150px" yda="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0r5lZ-wi92Q/T0Jhjw3wBuI/AAAAAAAAA4A/CQARih6Kp5U/s1600/Rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0r5lZ-wi92Q/T0Jhjw3wBuI/AAAAAAAAA4A/CQARih6Kp5U/s320/Rings.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, what has become our signature Warming Center decoration, hundreds of helium balloons dotting our ceiling. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW7juhVAhbE/T0JhcCVwNdI/AAAAAAAAA3o/V86VR-_xnis/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW7juhVAhbE/T0JhcCVwNdI/AAAAAAAAA3o/V86VR-_xnis/s200/009.JPG" width="200px" yda="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IGOzs4F07A/T0Jhele_xXI/AAAAAAAAA3w/Jgzzv96DrMU/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IGOzs4F07A/T0Jhele_xXI/AAAAAAAAA3w/Jgzzv96DrMU/s200/010.JPG" width="150px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Strangely, I forgot to take any photographs of the ice sculptures, which is a shame because some of them were very cool. There was even an ice torch, which was lit for a short time.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All-in-all, a successful event! On to the next. :-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-38237709060831124212012-02-16T10:29:00.000-05:002012-02-16T10:29:39.993-05:00Converstion Hearts<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, it has been nearly four weeks since I even thought about posting here, and almost two months since I actually posted something useful (last two were Instagram posts, if you can remember that far back.) I would like to say I'm back, but I can't make any promises as to how consistently, since I'm still unwell (<em>still?! yes, still</em>.) I'm thankful for modern medicine and old-fashioned prayer (though my new medicine has me dozing off in odd {and frequently embarassing, though funny} places...) Simple tasks are still exhausting me, but I'm approaching things with more gusto. And I'm <em>eating</em> again, which is helping immensely. Can't express how thankful I am for Jayson, who has been waiting on me hand-and-foot, and for my job, which has let me work part-time indefinitely until I'm well enough for full-time again. Also thankful for some very dear friends and family (you know who you are) who have stepped up to take care of things I couldn't. I am on the road to recovery and will be myself again before long. :-)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, as Maxine says, a very heartwarming thing happens in the middle of February every year: all the candy goes on clearance. I'm a candy-lover, myself, and my husband is a bargain-lover. Which means that we have a brand new stash of candy that would put Willy Wonka to shame. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My personal favorites are the conversation hearts because of the things they put on them. (Nothing says romance quite like "Tweet Me.") They also remind me of a sweet/corny/silly thing I did for my wedding. Around this time six years ago, my mother purchased pounds and pounds of candy hearts, literally tens of thousands, and together, we spent <em>hours</em> over several days pulling out all the hearts that said 'Marry Me.' On my wedding day, I had my brother-in-law give several gifts to my soon-to-be-husband, including the box of special conversation hearts. {Insert 'awww' here.} </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It wasn't until we returned from our honeymoon that I found out he hadn't even opened the box. I was horrified. (It's hilarious now... but that night, I felt like bursting into tears.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And every year since then, he pulls out the 'Marry Me' hearts for me. :-) (I think it's his way of telling me he's still sorry.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik9iU9t1Ws8/Tz0ftNqNCLI/AAAAAAAAA24/0q213UNTXYI/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik9iU9t1Ws8/Tz0ftNqNCLI/AAAAAAAAA24/0q213UNTXYI/s200/034.JPG" width="200px" yda="true" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What are your Valentine's memories?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-46043437329392103912012-01-20T15:44:00.000-05:002012-01-20T15:44:44.079-05:00Instagram 2<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hey, everyone! Happy Friday!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm sorry for my unexplained, unexpected, and rather extended absence. It's nothing personal... I've just been very, very ill. But thank God for my superhero husband who has stepped up to take over the mundane tasks of life (like cooking, laundry, making sure I actually eat, etc.) Today is the first day in almost two weeks I finally felt a little more like myself, although I'm trying not to overdo it. I felt a peculiar sensation this afternoon... <em>hunger! </em> I trotted down to Subway and helped myself to a bowl of vegetable garden something-or-other. And... took a picture through Instagram (since you <em>obviously</em> wanted to see it!) :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-URooxKMjhn0/TxnRYilRK7I/AAAAAAAAA2g/wl20SrEWkmg/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" nfa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-URooxKMjhn0/TxnRYilRK7I/AAAAAAAAA2g/wl20SrEWkmg/s200/005.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBtqcY5V9EM/TxnRZ-c25NI/AAAAAAAAA2o/LKsCAoR9ybg/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MfFdO8a1TI/TxnRaoIyxKI/AAAAAAAAA2w/JpRHxkxMgLg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since I have nothing else to blog about right now, here are two more Instagram photos I've taken recently. Still experimenting with the 'fuzzy' effect (what's it called?) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBtqcY5V9EM/TxnRZ-c25NI/AAAAAAAAA2o/LKsCAoR9ybg/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBtqcY5V9EM/TxnRZ-c25NI/AAAAAAAAA2o/LKsCAoR9ybg/s200/004.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MfFdO8a1TI/TxnRaoIyxKI/AAAAAAAAA2w/JpRHxkxMgLg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MfFdO8a1TI/TxnRaoIyxKI/AAAAAAAAA2w/JpRHxkxMgLg/s200/006.JPG" width="200px" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don't know why, but this one with the shoes is among my favorites. It's kindof boring, I admit, but there's just something about it that bespeaks comfort... you know, "kicking your shoes off" and all that. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hopefully I'll have <em>real</em> blogging before long. I hope all of you are well!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-40348469114945927772012-01-13T13:54:00.001-05:002012-01-13T14:07:06.108-05:00Instagram<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hey there! How has everyone's week been?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mine's been a little crazy. Running all over, making plans and changes, etc. But somewhere in all that I had time to download a new app - Instagram. Anyone familiar? I love it! It takes an average picture taken by someone with absolutely no skill and makes it into something special. Professional? No way, but certainly special. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are some of my ordinary pictures, through Instagram:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEuhDqwgJgc/TxB8XbZSwMI/AAAAAAAAA1g/7NxKVv2Bcfw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEuhDqwgJgc/TxB8XbZSwMI/AAAAAAAAA1g/7NxKVv2Bcfw/s200/006.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34eEI6kD_xg/TxB8Y_uu3_I/AAAAAAAAA1o/7lkUO-4mmEA/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34eEI6kD_xg/TxB8Y_uu3_I/AAAAAAAAA1o/7lkUO-4mmEA/s200/007.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2zie8eI6Yc/TxB8aAUjF0I/AAAAAAAAA1w/fEjCPDI2r_U/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2zie8eI6Yc/TxB8aAUjF0I/AAAAAAAAA1w/fEjCPDI2r_U/s200/012.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3rumJHr_Vk/TxB8b1VloAI/AAAAAAAAA14/Z2XW8jZTULQ/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3rumJHr_Vk/TxB8b1VloAI/AAAAAAAAA14/Z2XW8jZTULQ/s200/013.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIF4uA_akoQ/TxCAyfOFK3I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/mAxi5ErRJNM/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIF4uA_akoQ/TxCAyfOFK3I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/mAxi5ErRJNM/s200/034.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dp0qd6YwLZU/TxB8d5sm5aI/AAAAAAAAA2A/VbyWmlYJJYY/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dp0qd6YwLZU/TxB8d5sm5aI/AAAAAAAAA2A/VbyWmlYJJYY/s200/014.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ad22kVDR3dQ/TxB8faNcZ2I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/2eJjVIhrUsA/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ad22kVDR3dQ/TxB8faNcZ2I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/2eJjVIhrUsA/s200/033.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Still playing around with some features, looking for interesting 'Instagram' moments. But I love how some of these turned out already!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Are you an Instagram fan?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSaJ8bUjcTs/TxB8eptznkI/AAAAAAAAA2I/MgKhG3UKPz8/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-25583811659241038202012-01-07T08:00:00.023-05:002012-01-07T08:00:08.400-05:00Log Cabin Quilt (Finished)<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, it's definitely a record for me... I've never finished a quilt this fast before. It is lovely, warm, and our little family has been finding plenty of excuses to snuggle together underneath it. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-wScA6sEQ8/TwchyuS8MOI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/knoRTq3itTo/s1600/2065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-wScA6sEQ8/TwchyuS8MOI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/knoRTq3itTo/s400/2065.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8r9UPIlewU/TwchiEZGu6I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/JSf56l37aMg/s1600/1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8r9UPIlewU/TwchiEZGu6I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/JSf56l37aMg/s200/1-2.jpg" width="200px" /></a><img border="0" height="145px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b97oEI2QC9Q/TwchxQcrgLI/AAAAAAAAA1I/exKB32DzxQc/s200/079-2.jpg" width="200px" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our children are very snuggly...</span> </em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1KNAAPnz-g/TwchtjyGo5I/AAAAAAAAA04/_A8h8QFU1rg/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1KNAAPnz-g/TwchtjyGo5I/AAAAAAAAA04/_A8h8QFU1rg/s200/059.JPG" width="150px" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1KNAAPnz-g/TwchtjyGo5I/AAAAAAAAA04/_A8h8QFU1rg/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_3qoKlIf5U/TwchwJN3zcI/AAAAAAAAA1A/vdWvqOh4AoQ/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_3qoKlIf5U/TwchwJN3zcI/AAAAAAAAA1A/vdWvqOh4AoQ/s200/061.JPG" width="150px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Blanket stitch on the edge</em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQsWLG7GZrs/Twchnm77GEI/AAAAAAAAA0w/fZ_4GA_Z8wE/s200/4.jpg" width="150px" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Au048ape_uY/Twchkafy5VI/AAAAAAAAA0g/SRM41r2350c/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Au048ape_uY/Twchkafy5VI/AAAAAAAAA0g/SRM41r2350c/s200/2.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wweEv0EcYlw/Twck1HJYV0I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/_kNGrbmUYYI/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wweEv0EcYlw/Twck1HJYV0I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/_kNGrbmUYYI/s200/3.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Frustrated with this part, but </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>not enough so to re-do it. </em></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Enjoy your weekend!!</span></span></div><br />
~ Sarah<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>PS: In case you'd like to view the process, here are the previous posts on this quilt: </em></span><a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2011/08/log-cabin-quilt-sneak-peak.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Part 1</em></span></a><em>, </em><a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2011/08/log-cabin-quilt-sneak-peak-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Part 2</em></span></a><em>, </em><a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2012/01/log-cabin-quilt-part-3.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Part 3</em></span></a><em>, </em><a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2012/01/log-cabin-quilt-part-4.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Part 4</em></span></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-71326386612672483532012-01-06T10:04:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:05:42.632-05:00Crochet / Knitting Needle Case<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Friday!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I made something on a complete whim last night. I hadn't been planning to make it, and even when I started it I wasn't very confident of the outcome. But it turned out to be fantastic! If I had a shop, I'd sell these. They're practical and very, very easy. A little over an hour from conception to completion, I think.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you may (or may not) know, I've recently started knitting and crocheting. At first I threw everything (yarn and needles) into a tote, since I didn't really know if I would like either activity, but now that I'm turning it from an experiment into a hobby, I thought it was time to make some sort of system for it all, so I wouldn't have to go digging for a needle every time.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I came up with this needle case:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLrRVNvD8ew/TwcMpyQ9k4I/AAAAAAAAAz4/QSpznLzaup0/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLrRVNvD8ew/TwcMpyQ9k4I/AAAAAAAAAz4/QSpznLzaup0/s320/073.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have some large knitting needles already and plan to buy even larger ones at some point. So, to be safe, I made it 12" tall and 14" wide.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To start, I cut two fabrics into long pieces: 15" x 25", and sewed them together, exactly like I would sew a pillow. <em>(Lay the fabrics with the 'good' side facing each other, and sew the edges together all the way around, leaving a 2-3" gap in one corner. Turn right-side out through the gap.)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I folded the bottom of the case (which becomes the pocket) so that it was 4" deep, and the top so that the edge of the flap reached the edge of the pocket. I ironed both creases. I sewed a simple stitch all the way around the case (1/8" from the edge), sewing together the sides of the pocket (don't sew the sides of the top flap together.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf6Rjn7lpUw/TwcMoLSPllI/AAAAAAAAAzw/Y6bnW19b-c0/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf6Rjn7lpUw/TwcMoLSPllI/AAAAAAAAAzw/Y6bnW19b-c0/s320/072.JPG" width="320px" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To make the needle 'sleeves', I put a bunch of straight seams into the bottom pocket, anywhere from 1/4" to 1", depending on the size needles I had. Since I plan to buy many more over the years, I left a large gap in the middle of the case where I can add sleeves as I please.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNEIGUu0Anw/TwcMt027-8I/AAAAAAAAA0I/zdxoEycoadM/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNEIGUu0Anw/TwcMt027-8I/AAAAAAAAA0I/zdxoEycoadM/s200/075.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgLYmfEpdbU/TwcMsAai89I/AAAAAAAAA0A/scE2aMprOI4/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgLYmfEpdbU/TwcMsAai89I/AAAAAAAAA0A/scE2aMprOI4/s200/074.JPG" width="150px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, I added a tie onto the case. If I were to make it again, I'd probably choose a strip of velcro, or a ribbon, or some kind of snap or button, but for this first one, I made a long fabric strip and sewed it on the back. To determine where the strip would go, I folded the case up, with the needles inside, and rolled it left-to-right, then pinned the tie approximately where I thought it should go <em>(it's a very scientific method, you see.)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiHwB559p34/TwcMlJWTppI/AAAAAAAAAzo/5ddg1hxUPXc/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiHwB559p34/TwcMlJWTppI/AAAAAAAAAzo/5ddg1hxUPXc/s200/071.JPG" width="150px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's certainly not elaborate, but it will absolutely work for my needs. If you plan to make one, you can, of course, tailor it to your specific needs. If you only crochet, for example, and use standard needles, you may want to make it much smaller, perhaps only 6" tall. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TDcgh3yVzFw/TwcMvsUVX-I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/ekKPZ5nKRr4/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TDcgh3yVzFw/TwcMvsUVX-I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/ekKPZ5nKRr4/s200/076.JPG" width="150px" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">What do you think of my spontaneous project? :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-69675804973400777982012-01-05T09:00:00.011-05:002012-01-05T12:50:17.999-05:00Log Cabin Quilt Part 4<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I tried to work on the binding (the very last part!) for my </span><a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2012/01/log-cabin-quilt-part-3.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">log cabin quilt</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> the other night, but I had a furry little obstacle...</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYw2gFxrziI/TwR378kUyEI/AAAAAAAAAyc/nvh9TeXCrCg/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYw2gFxrziI/TwR378kUyEI/AAAAAAAAAyc/nvh9TeXCrCg/s320/047.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...so I gave up and watched a movie instead. ;)</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdN9nZBLpMY/TwR393kbxVI/AAAAAAAAAyk/mHcEhZBLm5k/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdN9nZBLpMY/TwR393kbxVI/AAAAAAAAAyk/mHcEhZBLm5k/s320/049.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the fur?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm doing a blanket stitch, but it seems I'm going to have to hide somewhere to finish (my car, perhaps?); otherwise Gracie appears out of nowhere, like a ninja, and decides that my lap and the quilt belong to her. I suppose they kinda do. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">By the way -- the fleece and the extra batting worked; it's really, REALLY warm!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-38125666907114727392012-01-04T09:58:00.002-05:002012-01-04T10:25:53.187-05:00Cajun Pasta<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Wednesday! Is everyone's schedule back to normal? It feels like Christmas was months ago already, doesn't it? Maybe it's just me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I haven't shared a recipe in a really long time, so I thought I'd share this one. If you're looking for something tasty and easy, with a touch of kick, this is for you - Cajun Pasta! I made it up last night, and I'm exceptionally proud of it. As always, I didn't measure anything, so I'll guess the amounts I used to make enough for 3-4 people.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What you will need:</span></div><ol><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chicken breasts (2)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5h_enSLSZqo/TwRmdv3WU_I/AAAAAAAAAw8/oAzGWXFM-f0/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5h_enSLSZqo/TwRmdv3WU_I/AAAAAAAAAw8/oAzGWXFM-f0/s200/038.JPG" width="150px" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cajun seasoning </span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 teaspoon Basil </span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or fresh garlic)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oil (I used olive)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 box of pasta (I used whole wheat penne)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">handful of sun-dried tomatoes</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">handful of diced onions</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 pint heavy cream</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">cheese to taste (Anything that will grate or shred; we used sharp provalone)</span></div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Method:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cook your pasta separately (if you're using whole wheat, it will probably take a tad longer than regular pasta.) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a large saucepan, combine your oil, garlic, basil, and some of your Cajun seasoning to taste; mix. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add the chicken. <em>(*note - we cut the chicken into smaller pieces as it cooked, and continually sprinkled additional Cajun seasoning on as we turned it.) </em>When your chicken is nearly finished, add your chopped onions and sun-dried tomatoes.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zANZYTX63eI/TwRnnY2vtUI/AAAAAAAAAxw/x2ohmyq0I1E/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zANZYTX63eI/TwRnnY2vtUI/AAAAAAAAAxw/x2ohmyq0I1E/s200/035.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faker8gxhQw/TwRnpO6wcUI/AAAAAAAAAx4/N6hI_jjraVM/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faker8gxhQw/TwRnpO6wcUI/AAAAAAAAAx4/N6hI_jjraVM/s200/037.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add the cheese and heavy cream; stir. </span><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPo-B_KxVSE/TwRnqEsTl-I/AAAAAAAAAyA/X8zQn2BXugI/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPo-B_KxVSE/TwRnqEsTl-I/AAAAAAAAAyA/X8zQn2BXugI/s200/039.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ8hWtT_03Y/TwRnruSiNSI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Xv1jD6kOtbE/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ8hWtT_03Y/TwRnruSiNSI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Xv1jD6kOtbE/s200/040.JPG" width="200px" /></a> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cover and simmer for approximately 5 minutes. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add pasta and stir.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YuxU5D9dnE/TwRntTMpExI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/nWDAMeZbimY/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YuxU5D9dnE/TwRntTMpExI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/nWDAMeZbimY/s320/042.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jayson gave this recipe a 9.5 out of 10 <em>(I probably would've earned that extra half-point if it wasn't quite so spicy -- he has a sensitive tongue.) </em>Nevertheless, it's going to be added to our regular pasta rotation!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5h_enSLSZqo/TwRmdv3WU_I/AAAAAAAAAw8/oAzGWXFM-f0/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>PS -- Did you note the name of my seasoning?? It reminds me of </em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jky4Ysw6FT8" target="_blank"><em>this</em></a><em> clip by the comedian Tim Hawkins. </em></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-45739293525066752462012-01-03T10:15:00.001-05:002012-01-03T10:24:46.571-05:00Log Cabin Quilt Part 3<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy new year to all! I hate to jump the gun on wishing people a happy new year, so I continually wish everyone a happy old year until midnight has come. But now that we're actually three days into the new year, I can express that I hope it will be happy and joyous for you all.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am pleased to be able to brag that my year began beautifully. Pizza with family, snuggling on the couch with Jayson, Remi and Gracie, watching good movies, quilting, and receiving a free coffee voucher for the long wait (which we didn't even notice.) <em>Side note: why do customers berate the poor workers when they're backed up and things aren't very speedy? It's beyond me. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the drive-through - we could see an intersection near two large department stores and laughed continually at irate drivers. We exchanged random thoughts about nonsense and sang along with the radio. When the time came to receive our coffee, it had passed altogether too quickly, and the worker at the window kept apologizing profusely. We exchanged a bewildered look, assured him we had no idea what he was talking about, and wound up with a voucher anyway. He insisted that we accept simply for being his nicest customers that day.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, back to the part where I mentioned quilting. I've been itching for a break in my projects so that I could once again turn my attention to my </span><a href="http://lookwithyourhands2.blogspot.com/2011/08/log-cabin-quilt-sneak-peak-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">log cabin quilt </span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">from earlier this year, and I'm pleased that I finally found one. I finished piecing the squares together in a single afternoon, and I'm very happy with the result:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6kaKMw_RXsU/TwMXrD4e4sI/AAAAAAAAAwI/pxcldqQWjfs/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6kaKMw_RXsU/TwMXrD4e4sI/AAAAAAAAAwI/pxcldqQWjfs/s320/031.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A close-up of one section:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmFguS6evkc/TwMXsgsYkoI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/vSQ3cN0-9dY/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmFguS6evkc/TwMXsgsYkoI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/vSQ3cN0-9dY/s320/034.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now it's time for my least favorite part - the quilt sandwich. It's not that quilting is odious to me, but I never do it properly -- there are always puckers and things that need to be re-done. I chose a thick, tan fleece as the backing, since I plan for this to be more practical than anything else, and doubled up on the batting so it would be thick and very, very warm. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I chose to tie this quilt, partly because I think it's a good look for this style, and partly because I'm anxious to have it done, and tying is a fast shortcut.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY8bqS6gams/TwMXu8P_z9I/AAAAAAAAAwY/EFZHTXBsuGw/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY8bqS6gams/TwMXu8P_z9I/AAAAAAAAAwY/EFZHTXBsuGw/s200/038.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBNY9yZlNS8/TwMXwyz_LhI/AAAAAAAAAwg/E85dtRngWxo/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBNY9yZlNS8/TwMXwyz_LhI/AAAAAAAAAwg/E85dtRngWxo/s200/040.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I found that it was very difficult to keep Gracie and Remington off of my project, so in the end I gave up and worked around them. ;)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAC7tEXKnVg/TwMYF2KtG4I/AAAAAAAAAwo/GJasS6g4Ipg/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAC7tEXKnVg/TwMYF2KtG4I/AAAAAAAAAwo/GJasS6g4Ipg/s200/045.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AAJotqm-kp0/TwMYHNQjgoI/AAAAAAAAAww/FKpNuAIVyxI/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AAJotqm-kp0/TwMYHNQjgoI/AAAAAAAAAww/FKpNuAIVyxI/s200/057.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I finished tying last night, and if I manage to finish the border tonight (*insert laugh here*) it will be ready for use. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-65284813778296576432011-12-29T15:50:00.001-05:002011-12-29T16:09:20.099-05:00Quilted Christmas Tree Skirt (Inspiration)<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's four days after Christmas, and I know that the Blogging M.O. is to start talking about New Year's, but every Christmas has the same effect on me: I start thinking about NEXT Christmas. Somehow, sitting amidst flying wrapping paper, children 'ooh-ing' and 'ahh-ing', family singing carols, and dogs jumping into piles of ripped paper, I can much more easily think of the perfect gift.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm always more ambitious in my planning when Christmas is so far away, probably because I think I have so much time ahead of me to finish getting ready (like, a year.) This year, a particularly brilliant idea occurred to me as we sat around my mother-in-law's tree and I gazed at the old quilt wrapped around the tree base: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"She needs a tree skirt!"</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the first inconspicuous opportunity, I brought up the idea to my sister-in-law, who also quilts, and we agreed to make that our present to her next year. Since she raised two boys, it's particularly fun to give her girly gifts, as they seem more special coming from her daughters-in-law. We intend to make her tree skirt extra-special by quilting a family tree onto it with all of our names (and room for more, of course.) <em>(gosh, I hope she still hasn't found my blog.) :)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyways. I Googled combinations of words like "quilted family tree," "family tree Christmas tree skirt," etc, etc., and I found some amazing ideas. Thought I'd share some of my favorites. Opinions, please????</span></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ4NBuXvAlA/TvzRBVzusuI/AAAAAAAAAvc/NV-A9mt5xxI/s1600/Tree+Skirt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ4NBuXvAlA/TvzRBVzusuI/AAAAAAAAAvc/NV-A9mt5xxI/s320/Tree+Skirt+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.suzy-qs.com/Custom-Christmas-Stockings.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzccAOMTOko/TvzRCHJ2dgI/AAAAAAAAAvk/dBG5i2PWRVY/s1600/Tree+Skirt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzccAOMTOko/TvzRCHJ2dgI/AAAAAAAAAvk/dBG5i2PWRVY/s320/Tree+Skirt+2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.suzy-qs.com/Custom-Christmas-Stockings.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBaMLcIXiHI/TvzRDbeDvNI/AAAAAAAAAvs/SivTalVknos/s1600/Tree+Skirt+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBaMLcIXiHI/TvzRDbeDvNI/AAAAAAAAAvs/SivTalVknos/s320/Tree+Skirt+3.jpg" width="256px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/relentlesstoil/4361454234/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHQbn9niW4s/TvzRFdjif3I/AAAAAAAAAv8/1W6sUd7Cx1M/s1600/Tree+Skirt+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHQbn9niW4s/TvzRFdjif3I/AAAAAAAAAv8/1W6sUd7Cx1M/s320/Tree+Skirt+5.jpg" width="275px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patchwork Pottery (I think...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKXmLFbTyCY/TvzREFPeECI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Uc2l4RSFMuM/s1600/Tree+Skirt+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKXmLFbTyCY/TvzREFPeECI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Uc2l4RSFMuM/s1600/Tree+Skirt+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://teamquiltsy.blogspot.com/2010/10/family-tree-quilt-personalized.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are aspects of all of these that I really liked, but I believe my favorite may be the last one. I'm a sucker for curly-cues. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Have a safe and wonderful New Year!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">PS -- Don't forget to leave opinions!!</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-29091431080037111692011-12-25T09:00:00.000-05:002011-12-25T09:00:01.866-05:00Merry Christmas 2011<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">May you enjoy a wonderful Christmas this year!</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lhS8QlBSUY/TvSO4CwixJI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/9PGxhyzOUmo/s1600/Merry+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lhS8QlBSUY/TvSO4CwixJI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/9PGxhyzOUmo/s1600/Merry+Christmas.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-70104912574888536252011-12-22T10:09:00.001-05:002011-12-22T10:12:42.412-05:00Dollar Store Spa Baskets<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Three days until Christmas!! On a scale of happy and merry to panic, where are you in your preparations? I'm not quite finished, but it doesn't seem to be bothering me as much this year as in Christmases past. I must be dialed in to that peace on earth thing. ;)</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We had our Christmas party for our church girls' group last night, and it went alright. Anarchy and chaos, especially with my lost voice, but still a good time. The club that I teach has between 10-12 girls every week, and we wanted to give them something special for Christmas. Special, but not too expensive (let's face it... $10 per girl for 12 girls adds up very quickly!) So we came up with these spa baskets. Perfect, really, since two months ago we had a spa night, and the girls loved it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOp8GvtgmPM/TvNGzJ9r05I/AAAAAAAAAu8/8qCWlgmmTUM/s1600/012+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOp8GvtgmPM/TvNGzJ9r05I/AAAAAAAAAu8/8qCWlgmmTUM/s200/012+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200px" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Most of the items in the baskets were from the dollar store (manicure set, lotion, bath roses, loofahs, and beauty blotters.) We did find good deals on nail polish and lip glosses at Party City, and in the end, we spent roughly $6 per girl, and the baskets were far nicer than anything we found online or in the other stores. I wrapped them in tissue paper, then cellophane, so they looked much more professional than they actually were (oops - forgot to take a picture of the wrapped baskets.)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I tried to make the baskets color-themed (like blue and pink, or pink and purple, etc), and then the girls traded the items they received with each other for the colors they wanted. They all loved them (one girl said, "Yes! I got lady things!") What great gift ideas do you have that are also budget-friendly?</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTKCQLURqTA/TvNG1PlhFNI/AAAAAAAAAvE/Cljw3NXdPQM/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTKCQLURqTA/TvNG1PlhFNI/AAAAAAAAAvE/Cljw3NXdPQM/s320/012.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy December 22nd!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-29945323951318091112011-12-15T15:24:00.002-05:002011-12-15T15:42:05.859-05:00A Magical Hallway<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Everyone knows that feeling... you walk into a room that makes your eyes light up, your breath catch, and childhood come flooding back, even for a brief moment. Two nights ago, we went to the <a href="http://www.dietrichtheater.com/" target="_blank">Dietrich Theater</a> (a/k/a the Wyoming County Cultural Center) for their annual gift to the community, a free showing of "It's a Wonderful Life." And as we walked in... just <em>look </em>at what we saw!</span></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znVGD4i3j6Q/TupVY5-F2dI/AAAAAAAAAug/cXH-RktwCLY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znVGD4i3j6Q/TupVY5-F2dI/AAAAAAAAAug/cXH-RktwCLY/s400/004.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <u>spectacular</u> display of lights, ribbons, and ornaments!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's impossible to get the magical feeling from a photograph, but perhaps you can tell a little. It was a very simple idea... ornaments dangling from ribbons tied to strands of Christmas light. Absolutely delightful!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8H70xRAr2w/TupVaxEWbYI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Rjmm9t-mDGI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8H70xRAr2w/TupVaxEWbYI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Rjmm9t-mDGI/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course, the movie was magical, too... as always. I never fail to cry at the very end. :-)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jZeDHTqy1c/TupVcZVEnbI/AAAAAAAAAuw/UibVmTkOsuY/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jZeDHTqy1c/TupVcZVEnbI/AAAAAAAAAuw/UibVmTkOsuY/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">May you experience something magical this Christmas, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3153745151327830464.post-42576417931870482672011-12-13T11:12:00.002-05:002011-12-13T11:20:58.681-05:00A Dozen Roses & an Empty Attic<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Tuesday (Monday?) I'm getting the days mixed up this week... probably because I took Monday off, and therefore had an extra Saturday. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTfQmA2NL9Y/Tud5OT4hCOI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/FIfrsVy2zcs/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTfQmA2NL9Y/Tud5OT4hCOI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/FIfrsVy2zcs/s200/037.JPG" width="200px" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A wonderful event happened this weekend. Some of the girls at our church completed all of the requirements to be 'crowned' (which is a ceremony in which we celebrate the wonderful work they've done and they receive tiaras while wearing beautiful dresses.) And, as with all things, I never do a ceremony half-way. I agreed to do the church decorations so that I could make sure the background was fabulous, there were slideshows of the girls growing up (which brought tears to many eyes), and a lovely time of fellowship afterwards, complete with custom cupcakes made by my amazingly talented friend, Katie.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then, a surprise. There were six girls in all, and at the end of the ceremony, they each gave myself and the other club leader two roses, so that we both received a dozen. I was moved almost to tears at their thoughtfulness. Aren't the roses beautiful?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7llHtfRUXg/Tud5P4NtopI/AAAAAAAAAuY/bd7UFEsp66A/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7llHtfRUXg/Tud5P4NtopI/AAAAAAAAAuY/bd7UFEsp66A/s320/043.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been concentrating on so many things for the crowning lately that many of my posts have been rather useless other than to remind you that I'm still here. But a project is still underway -- remember all those months ago I announced that we were remodeling my <a href="http://a%20room%20of%20one's%20own/" target="_blank">STUDIO</a>?? Well, the garage idea wound up being a bust... there was just no way to make it work. But we've turned our attention to our full attic. It's a waste of space right now, being used only for one or two storage boxes. So Jayson asked if I wanted it. {Perhaps he's tired of tripping over boxes in the hallway in the middle of the night... boxes that won't fit in the current studio.} I've asked for the new studio as my Christmas present, and he seems to think that this is a possibility. Pictures to follow, of course.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love to all of you!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~ Sarah</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132747024319736191noreply@blogger.com0