Shoo Fly for my nephew

My little nephew was born last month and I sent him a quilt just after his birth. Their nursery was animal/jungle themed, so I was happy to find some cute fabric that seemed to coordinate with the theme. I did a basic shoo-fly block with a simple border and was pleased with the results. Here are some pics. The background fabric was a cute crayon print I found on my Lancaster trip.

In other quilting news, one of my fav local quilt shops had a "Cookies and Cocoa" open house today...what fun! Not only did they have delicious cookies, but everything was 25 or 30% off. This specific shop is about 30 min away and I don't get there often, so I stocked up! My wonderful husband stayed home with the kiddies while I went to a craft fair and then a quilt shop...what a guy!

It's Cookie Season Again!

It is that time of the year again...cookie season! Last year I had planned on making 12 different kinds, but I think I only got to 10 or 11. This year I have 15 kinds on my list and 5 kinds already done. I make them in advance and then freeze them in a chest freezer in our basement.

I make tins of cookies for the neighbors, send them into my husband's work and use them for holiday parties. Last year I sent them to my brother in Iraq. I am so happy that this year he will be home for Christmas!

Here are the kinds I planning on:

1. Chocolate Chip...DONE
2. Split Seconds
3. Venetians (Rainbow cookies) (my family's fav)
4. Oatmeal Butterscotch...DONE
5. Chocolate Revel Bars....DONE
6. Ricotta Cheese cookies
7. Chocolate Truffle Cookies
8. Orange Truffle Cookies
9. Turtle tassies
10. Spritz
11. Linzer cookies
12. Pecan Pie Bars (my brother's fav)
13. Thumbprints...DONE
14. 5 Layer Bars...DONE (Yummo! This was a Paula Deen recipe)
15 Mint Brownie Bites

Well...what do y'all think? Are there any type that you love to make that are not on my list????

I am not sure the freezer can hold them all...may have to cut down my list. :)

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I went for a long, COLD run today. I had planned on 9 miles and was able to complete it. My legs felt strong at the end...no pains at all. I should have taken a pic of me in my get-up....my husband thought that I looked crazy. Luckily, when the cold weather started to roll in a couple of weeks ago I went shopping for cold weather running gear. I even got one of these and it worked like a charm!!

On another note, I was listening to country music and singing along when my daughter asked me...."Mama...what is a badonkadonk?" It was just the cutest thing. She has the sweetest, high-pitched little girl voice and to hear her say "badonkadonk" just cracked me up.

One more thing, Sunday Baker is having another AWESOME giveaway...an adorable tote bag! Check out her site!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Friday Fav!

I pondered for a while over this week's Friday Fav. In light of recent events in our house, this week's Friday Fav is.......

My Carpet Cleaner!!!

I clean all of my carpets every 6 months. I have a thing for clean floors. Everyone has their "thing", and mine is clean floors. We are a "no shoes inside" house. My kids are so well trained that the moment they step on the door mat they take off their shoes...it's a good thing.

So...the 2 recent events that prompted this one are Bubby being sick with a cough so bad he vomits and Bubby removing his dirty diaper and trying to out a new one on himself. I swear, nothing gets vomit out of carpeting better than a good carpet cleaner with rotating brushes.

The other day Bubby was meant to be napping. When I opened his door to check on him, he was sitting on the floor. He had removed his poopy diaper and was attempting to put on a clean one. It was kinda cute, until I noticed the lovely brown marks that his little bare tooshie left on the carpet....yuck!!!

So...there you have it. If you have small children and carpets, you need a carpet cleaner (with rotating brushes!) :)

Have a great weekend!

A Big Boy Bed!

I was really hoping to keep Bubby in his crib until he was say....21 or so. Here he is sleeping in it...nice and cozy.



But...Bubby learned how to get out. Oh no!!!! He could scale that thing in seconds flat. So...we took the crib out and he slept here for a night or two...




See the purple pillow??? That belongs to MissyMiss. I made them each two pillows and that one belongs to her. For some reason Bubby is VERY attached to it and sleeps with it every night.

We did get Bubby a big boy bed. Here it is:

Just look at that little face!

He was so excited to have it. It took him some time to get used to sleeping there. For many a night he enjoyed the freedom of being able to get out of bed.

Once when he was supposed to be napping I found him naked with a tube of Desitin. To say he made a mess would be a huge understatement.

But, he seems to have gotten used to the bed and getting out has lost its luster...thank goodness!!

On another note, Sunday Baker is having a great giveaway! Check it out!

A Great Run and a Question...

Today I got out the door early for a long run. I grabbed my gloves and headband on the way out the door, just in case. Well...thank goodness I did! Man, was it COLD and WINDY!!! The thermometer said 41, but it was extremely windy, so it felt much colder than that. Sometimes the wind was so strong it took my breath away. But...I made my 8 mile run! I am amazed at how much easier it is getting. I felt great at the end...very strong.

O.k...here is the background for my question. I was trying on some item in Ann Taylor LOFT (my fav!!) There was a woman in the room next to me and her husband or boyfriend (I am not sure which) was waiting right outside for her. After she would try on each item she would go out and show him and he actually said things like "You are definitely getting that!" and "I really like that on you." and "I can get the other size for you." What the heck!?!???!?!?!?!? My husband does not come clothes shopping with me, which is a good thing. He does not believe in browsing. His philosophy is go straight to what you need, grab it, pay and leave. What are other people's husbands like? Like mine or like the guy outside the fitting room? I am very interested to know... :)

Friday Fav!

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O.k...time for another edition of "Friday Fav". This week's Friday Fav is.......

APRONS!!!

I realize that it is just completely domestic, but I LOVE aprons!! I just can't help myself...I see a cute apron and must have it! I love new aprons, vintage aprons, homemade aprons. I even have a book all about aprons. Here are some of my favorites:

I picked up this cute vintage one at a yard sale. I just love the pink and black combo.



I just got this one at a craft fair. I thought it was perfect for "cookie season". I could have just made it myself, but I wasn't sure I would finish it in time, so I just bought it.



I made this one myself! The pattern came from "The Apron book". I was so pleased with the results.




This one is really special to me. My mom handed it down to me. She used to wear it at the holidays...now I wear it at the holidays. It is nothing fancy, but one of my favorites.

There is a lady who makes the CUTEST aprons and sells them at a craft fair that is held here the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I go every year with my mom and daughter and whoever else joins us that year. I bought this one from her...it is just too cute!

I also got this one from her. Actually, I told my mom I liked it and she bought it and gave it to me for Christmas. It is reversible!

I also bought this one from her. I LOVE to bake, but am not a very good cook and always am hoping for takeout. :)

This is one of my daughter's aprons...isn't it the cutest?





I have hooks in my dining room to hang 4 aprons at a time. I rotate them whenever I get bored of the current aprons. (I must add a disclaimer here...I did not choose that wall paper. The people we bought the house from did. I am not a wall paper person. We are leaving it there for now, as we had other more important projects when we first moved in. At some point that will all come down)

Happy weekend!

My Trainer

I have been struggling to find something for cross training that also fits in with my stay-at-home mommy lifestyle. I don't belong to a gym, so I have to get a bit creative. I was complaining to my husband that it is too bad my little guy hates the bike seat we got for him, because I would love to get out on my bike more. My husband came home with a trainer for my bike today, essentially turning it into a stationary bike that I can do right in the family room or basement after the kids go to bed. Here it is:

I tried it out tonight and LOVE it! It was a great workout and will be perfect on my days off from running!

I must admit that yes, my bike is very dorky. From the kickstand, to the huge seat, to the bag on the front...it just screams dork. But, I have gotten to a point in my life where I just don't care...I love that bike! It is cute, has a very comfy seat and the bag on the front holds keys, phone, iPod, etc. My husband is a serious mountain biker and teases me about my bike mercilessly. I will never stop sticking up for me "baby bluey".

Beachrunner was tagged to list 7 interesting facts about himself. He encouraged all interested "homies" to do the same. Here are some fun facts about me:

1. I love cupcake stuff....cupcake sugar bowls, cupcake plates, cupcake hats, cupcake shirts for MissyMiss, etc. I cannot help myself when I see something with a cupcake on it.

2. I love to organize. My label maker is one of my favorite possessions. I get very excited when I stroll down the rubbermaid bin aisle of Target.

3. I am addicted to chocolate...seriously. I don't think a day goes by that I don't have chocolate. I simply cannot get enough.

4. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters...and we all get along. No one lives near each other...we are all spread out over the US and Canada. When we do all get together it is such an amazing time. After having 2 kids of my own, I have a new found respect and admiration for my mom. Some days I feel I can barely handle 2...how did she ever manage 5?

5. I have an awful crush on Bobby Flay...I just can't help it. Anyone else out there think that he is just adorable?!?! And....I recently found out he is a marathon runner!

6. I LOVE Christmas. A local radio station play nothing but Christmas music starting the day after Thanksgiving. They do "preview" weekends in November...so we listened to Christmas music all weekend...the kids loved it, it drove my husband crazy. I have already started watching Christmas movies. This weekend I will start with my baking and freezing...I just love Christmas!

7. In my high school yearbook I said that in 10 years I saw myself as a physical therapist and married with 2 kids...and I was right! I am currently taking time off from work until my youngest goes to kindergarten and then I will go back part-time. I think it is awesome that I am where I had hoped to be in life....and so very happy to be here.

Who Doesn't Love Tupperware??

Last night I had a Tupperware party and it was such fun! It was a great chance to have the girls over and chat and have coffee and desserts! Here is a picture of the desserts. I made: peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin bread, split second cookies, mini cheescakes and candy cookie cups. As soon as MissyMiss saw me taking a picture, she jumped right in.






See this delicious popcorn mix...I found it at Wal-Mart and it was yummo! It was toffee popcorn, chocolate drizzle and candy corn...perfect for a fall time party. That crystal bowl is one of my absolute favorites...I got it a garage sale for 5 dollars!




These are my famous "Split Second cookies". They are a family recipe. I have such wonderful memories of my mom making them every year for Christmas. I baked them the other night and my husband agreed that it smelled like Christmas in the house. I will post the recipe when I start my Christmas cookie posts...so stay tuned!





Below is my pumpkin bread. I bought the most adorable bread mold pan at Williams Sonoma...the pumpkin bread looks like pumpkins in a patch. It is not the best picture, but you get the idea. You can also see the Candy Cookie Cups in the picture. My sister-in-law made these and I loved them...I make them often and they are always a hit.






The Tupperware party was a hit! In addition to the food, I also had coffee and soda. I had bought Peppermint Mocha and Gingerbread creamers. The Gingerbread one was the favorite. I can't wait until the Tupperware comes in...I bought some canisters to organize my flour, sugar, etc. Hopefully I can get everything in order before Christmas cookie season is in full swing.

Snug as a Bug in a Rug!

Sometimes I am amazed at the ways my kids fall asleep. I found MissyMiss like this the other night. I debated moving her out of the pillowcase, but she looked so cozy in it. I immediately thought of what I say to her when I tuck her in...."Snug as a bug in a rug!"

A Great Run

Today I went out to my favorite paved trail for a run. It was a PERFECT running day....45 degrees and sunny! I was feeling so happy to be out. The trail I run is 4 miles out and back. I had been planning on 6 for today. I did the first 4 and then stopped at the car for a drink. Then I headed back out for the final 2. At about the half mile mark another runner caught up with me and started a conversation. He had run some marathons in the past but was no longer racing. It was great to have someone to talk to. I ended up running to the 1.5 mile mark with him and then turned around. It seemed kinda strange that he caught up with me and then ran alongside me for a few minutes before starting a conversation. It may have been that I didn't have my wedding band on...I hate running with jewelry. :) But, it was nice to have someone to talk to. :)
I ended up doing 7 miles and today and felt great...very strong and no aches. It was such a gorgeous day that as I ran I started to think how lucky I am.

I am lucky:
- to have woken up on such a beautiful fall day
- to have a wonderful husband who is happy to stay home with the kids while I run
- to be healthy and able to easily complete a 7 mile run
- to have a wonderful family and warm shower to come home to

Hope everyone had a good weekend!