Saturday, June 20, 2009

Meet Elizabeth

You know how it is, the first one's the hardest so you figure you might as well have another. Here is Elizabeth. I whipped her up today since it was such a rainy day (again). I'm beginning to think we shouldn't have joined the pool this summer.
Actually, the boys and I went to a kid's dinner theater today and saw Robin Hood. They really enjoyed themselves. It is so nice to be able to take them places. I see so many people who take their little ones out to events that just were not possible when my boys were young. I'm glad they don't feel the need to be "grown up" but still enjoy the simple things in life.

Well, Elizabeth and Brigid will be on their way to a new home on Monday. I have two little girl friends who I visit with every week at Nolan's piano lesson. I thought I'd give them these two dolls since I certainly don't need them around my house! Have a happy Saturday.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Up....the movie

I don't usually post twice in one day but I thought this movie needed it's own post. The boys and I went to see UP this week and were so delighted by it! It truly is one of the best movies we've seen in a long time. I laughed and I cried. There was action and adventure. It was fun. It had a message. There was no swearing, no sexuality, no bloody violence. We will see it again.

Our favorite character in the movie is the dog named Dug. Watch the clip to see why we love him so much. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. Take your kids, take your parents, take your grandparents and neighbors and the guy at the drive in window.

I guarantee you won't regret it.......SQUIRREL!

Brigid Update

Here is little Brigid on my ironing board. You can see I've added a few goodies to Brigid. She's got a little apron and a flower pin. Both items are removable. I saw the cutest little jacket here. It probably should be made with 100% wool felt which I don't really have much of anymore. I used 30% wool felt for Brigid since I found it at Joanne Fabric. I'd rather use 100% but it is so expensive and then I would have had to order it online and wait for it to arrive which went against my need to make a doll RIGHT THIS SECOND!

As you can see from the picture, I've also started a little quilt for Brigid. I'm hoping to finish it today. Everything for Brigid has come from my stash except the felt. I love using my stash.

In other news, Mike and I had a great time last night. I was able to see the new MacHeads store which is open for business today. It looks great but I told Mike what the store needs is an Apple logo quilt. He was for it. We saw Les Miserables which was just fantastic. The music to that show is so amazing. Mike and I also went out to dinner at a local brew pub. We have wanted to go for so long and finally got there last night. We were both somewhat disappointed. The only thing that was amazing was the beer. Since I don't drink beer my experience was less than stellar. The food was ok, we've had better. The wine was expensive. I've had just as good other places and less pricey. Like I said, the beer (according to Mike) was fantastic. So, he'll stop in for a brew with the guys now and again but for a dinning experience we'll travel elsewhere.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Brigid, the girl I never had

Here is little Brigid. She's been following me around the house this morning. Actually, since last night but only her parts were with me then. I was stuffing her extremities while watching episodes of Lost. Brigid was officially "born" about 15 minutes ago and like any proud mother I wanted to share her with the world. Maybe she'll help with the housework today?This is one of those projects I saw while cruising the blog world. I have quite a few blogs bookmarked and when I have a few minutes (or hours as the case may be) I like to see what people are up to. This year was so busy that I really didn't "keep up" with any blog so I've got lots of eye candy to catch up on this summer. I saw this post by Allsorts which led me to a really wonderful outreach called Craft Hope.Since one of my goals in life is to avoid collecting a lot of STUFF, giving away my projects is a great way for me to stay creative without hoarding my output. Whether I give little Brigid to Craft Hope or to some little girl in closer circles, I don't know. I do know that she won't be here for very long. I do think she needs a little quilt, though. Maybe even an apron.

I guess I should mention that I used this pattern by 60piggies. I'm constantly amazed by the creativity I find. I don't know what I'd do without a pattern, so I'm glad others are able to create them for me!!!

Well, I've got a busy day. Nathan and I started the morning off by visiting the Middle School he will be attending next year. As he put it, "I'll be a new kid again." I'm both sorry and glad about this. Sorry he (and his brother) have to change schools yet again but happy that the school will (hopefully) be a better fit for him. This afternoon one of Nathan's friends is coming over to visit and tonight Mike and I are going to see Les Miserable at our local theater. The boys are staying over at my parents. I'm not sure who's more excited, me or them! Needless to say, there is some cleaning to be done and dishes to be washed. Have a great Wednesday.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Summertime Joy

I have to say that I'm feeling happy. Here are a few of my current joys:

Sitting in our sunroom on a Friday morning before the house is awake. Mornings are my favorite time of day. It is just the kitties and me. This morning I had a bowl of yummy homemade granola (recipe follows) in one of my favorite bowls.
I can't get enough of homemade goodies now that I have some time to make them. This recipe was given to me when Nolan was two (he's 11 now). I just made it for the first time a few weeks ago and again on Wednesday. We love it.

Here's another fun favorite thing that makes me happy:

My mother-in-law was filling in one of her long-time neighbors about their impending move and the goings-on of all the kids (and in-law kids). When she told her about what I am doing, the neighbor gave her this book for me. She said she's been saving it until she found the right person to give it to. Well, needless to say I was thrilled. I love the whole book, especially the little pictures on the cover.
So, it is now evening and you can see how my day started. I spent quite a few hours cleaning out a room for my in-laws, took the kids to the Science Factory, took a load of boxes out of the in-law house with Mike and then out for dinner with my sweetie. It was a good day.

Here's the granola recipe:

5 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ (I've been using oat bran since I have some in the freezer)
1 1/2 cups coconut
1/2 cup sesame seeds (ok, these are expensive and I used my stash the first time and none the second time)
1 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts

Combine above in large pan.

3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

heat above in saucepan until sugar dissolves. DO NOT BOIL.
Pour over dry ingredients. Mix until blended. Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir often.
You can add 1 cup raisins after the granola cools. I don't really like raisins in my cereal so I leave them out. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh......

My first day of summer vacation. Glorious. It is a bright, shiny day. 8:59am and I've got a pan of warm granola cooling on the counter, the storm windows out and the screens in and that nasty desk drawer organized. Check, check and check. I've been waiting and waiting to do all those things for a while.

My summer to-do list is long but enjoyable. I do so love to get things organized and clean. We are planning a lazy-don't-go-too-far-away-from-home kind of summer. There are some household fixes on the list, some Spring-cleaning to finish (ok and start, too), some boys to take to the pool and a lot of friends to catch up with. I'm looking forward, forward, forward.

Have a great day!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Here's the picture I promised of the baptismal outfit I made for a friend's little boy who was baptized on Pentecost. He was baptized during Mass which I just love as it involves the whole church community. Matthew was a little older for his baptism and his mom couldn't find anything to fit and so asked if I would make something for him. I was honored to give him this gift. He looked wonderful with a little button down shirt and cross embroidered bib.

In other news, we attended the graduation party of my friend Amy's son last night. He is an amazing young man who has a bright future. It was odd to be around all those teenagers but I guess I'd better get used to it. It was good to be with friends. Amy and I got together last week for a little coffee. I was able to spend time with her girls as well. She has such a lovely family. It has been wonderful to sit and relax with good people. I'm looking forward to more of that soon.

Three more days of school until summer vacation. Not that I'm counting or anything.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

First Day of Summer Vacation

Today was the boys' first day of summer vacation. It is a chilly, rainy day. I arrived home at 4pm (no, I'm not on summer vacation yet) to find Nolan still in his robe. When I noted his attire he said:

"I'm just taking advantage of the day, Mom."

Oh, to be 11 again.
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