Tuesday, March 18, 2014

With a spring in her step...

HELLO SUNSHINE!

It's official.  The sun is shining outside and it makes me want to dance.  I've had so much energy these last few shiny days.  You won't believe everything I've accomplished.


Look at the little garden we have in our backyard.  Well, right now it's DIRT.  But soon enough it'll be bursting with delicious fruits and veggies.







And……. these are seeds.  That's right.  Our vegetable garden is going to be spectacular!!  I even have a garden marker project on my mind.  I think I'll do it tomorrow.

Meanwhile, inside my house…..
















I stripped all the pillows in my house.  The decorative, fluffy, sofa pillows.  They've been the same for years and I'm ready for a change!  So I pulled off all the cover, ran by Hobby Lobby and grabbed pretty fabric.  This afternoon I whipped up all these pillow covers!  I started at 11:30 and was completely finished by 2:30.  (the solid pillow took the most time because of the trim)  But really, for less than $40 it was worth it.








 







This pillow, in particular, was inspired by Pottery Barn.




See?  Love pottery barn.  But I save my money to buy things there that are one of a kind.  If I can sew it or copy it….. it's just so satisfying!










I've also been doing a lot of cooking.  Since Ironman and I gave up "factory food" and now eat only whole food, I've been cooking much more.  So much more!  Which means I've had to clean up the kitchen much more.  WAY WAY MUCH MORE!  It's exhausting!  So I've learned to double up everything. It's just as easy to roast 2 chickens as it is to roast one.  So I double up.




Chicken Noodle Vegetable Soup.  I made enough for several lunches.  I don't want to have to stop during the day to prepare myself a quick meal.  Besides, this recipe is DELICIOUS


Ironman and I are eating whole foods nowadays.  Nothing made in a factory.  I've learned to read labels.  I do glance at the nutritional information, but nowadays I pay very close attention to the ingredients.  More than 5?  Or 6? ingredients?  It stays at the store.






Hello Spring!  I'm so glad you made it.

Friday, March 14, 2014

BOO!

Did I scare ya?

Ha!

It has been a looonngg time since I've posted to this blog.  I could say it's because I've been just so so busy.  Or I could blame it on the weather or the family  or commitments.  But the truth is, I just haven't been in the mood.  Plain and simple.   I just couldn't pile another commitment onto my day.  Whoops.  There I go blaming commitments.  Guess I gotta blame something!

So how the heck have ya been?

I've been b……whoops.  Almost said it.  Let's just say I've been thinking, creating, wondering, figuring and exploring.

Things I've been thinking:

*What has happened to that missing Malaysia flight?  Mysterious
*How can I organize my kitchen shelving so all those dishes can fit?  ALL THOSE DISHES!  Have I mentioned I love dishes? And glassware and serving ware.  Oh, and teacups.
When will somebody step up and stop the madness with Justin?  And Miley?
*A few weeks ago it was all over the internet that (gasp) Adele is only one year older than Taylor.  I got the drift that it was a "cut" to Swifty.  Well, let me say it's not ALWAYS good to look 10 years older than your age.  So I say Adele is the loser in this fight.  She looks like an old lady.  Not good.

Things I've been creating:

About 6 weeks ago I finally pulled out my embroidery machine.  Oh how I love Emmy.  That's what I call her.  Don't you name your mechanical children?  Martha (my sewing mating) and Emmy (my embroidery machine) have been catching up on each other's lives.  I've made napkins, curtains, pillow covers, and headbands.  All personalized.  By the way, want to change the look of a room in one day?  Pillow covers and curtains.  Bam.  You got yourself a whole new room.  And really, less than $100.

Things I've been wondering:

*Why do people enjoy decorating with burlap?

Things I've been figuring out:

*How to complete everything I want to do into one day.  Into a daily schedule.  Work out, tidy up, clean up, laundry, groceries, cooking, pay bills, garden, sew and STILL have enough energy at the end of the day to help with calculus, clean up some more, gather supplies for every……. should I go on?

And now to the exploring:

I'm planning a surprise birthday trip for my soon to be 16 year old.  She has no idea.  NO IDEA!  She knows that her brother and sister are going hiking for a week in Yosemite.   Sure, she was invited over and over again but had/has no interest in going with them.  So I decided to plan a little surprise.   One day before her Bro and Sis leave for their adventure, she and I are flying to…………..  stay tuned!!



So there you go.  I've been missing you all and thinking about you.  I'll do better keeping in touch.
Toodles