Drawing: At "The Secrets in the Sauce"

I was doing my daily blog checks and came across this blog "The Secrets in the Sauce" what a great blog! I have enjoyed reading through many of the posts.

One post in particular is for a drawing and for the Sweet, Funky, and Vintage Shop. I headed over to the shop to see what they had and their items were adorable!! Click here to find more info on this drawing. While you're there check out some of their other posts!

Blonde Brownies....MMMMM

Don't these look YUMMY?!? You can find the recipe here!

It's Finished!! **UPDATED**

Remember that fabric I shared with you all early this month this one?!? A's fall jumper is done! I finished my first sewing project from a pattern (okay I have made a few pairs of pants and other simple things) this was by far the hardest thing I have sewn. Now that I know how to do I know I would do much better the second time around. It's a bit big (she will probably be able to wear it next fall also). But A will for sure wear this jumper! The front looks GREAT the back....well it's not the greatest but it's my first and I'm happy with it. I had to take it apart numerous times!

I used the Simplicity easy-to-sew pattern # 5936


And a cute action shot:

I learned in this project:

• to better sew a zipper
• to be careful about lining peices up (less they have to be taken apart at least a million times)
• to better use bias tape
• to do pleats
• to do arm wholes (and not be intimidated

I will for sure try this jumper again (maybe not right away as I have other goals to complete).

**UPDATE** I'm going to update my post! I was a bit bothered by the back of the jumper (the seam that matches the top to the bottom) it didn't match up all that well and while I would of had her wear it anyways I realized that it bothered me more than I thought so I did a little fixing (or adding). I love making these fabric flowers (they are easy and look nice added to any garment). I have even made them for A's hair. The tutorial for this fabric flower can be seen on Cindy's Blog Sew Blessed (a blog I read often and enjoy)! I check quite often!


The finished front:


My next goal maybe to finish A's quilt for her big girl bed. All I have left to do is the a few more squares and put it together and machine quilt it. I'm hoping to get it done soon...maybe I'm thinking my sewing machine is getting a bit rusty it may need a good tune up...of course do you "tune up" a machine that cost $70, 3 years ago?!? I have to say for as cheap as it was I love it and it has even let me learn how to sew and has seen many projects!! :)

So either look for A's finished quilt -or- I am going to learn to crochet one of these days!!

Home & Finished a Goal

We made it home!
You may ask yourself why the picture of the cellphone.


We realized last night how much we really appreciate our cellphone. Not only b/c it makes calls in times of distress but also because it works great for a flashlight! After driving 5 hours in the car we were about 15 minutes from our house and we got a flat tire. We had to pull everything out of the trunk to get out the spare and the jack. It was 10:45 pm and raining! We got everything ready and long and behold we didn't have a flashlight. However, we learned quickly that the cellphone makes a great flashlight. So in the rain and lit by the back light of my phone David was able to change the tire. When we got home we walked in the door and realized that the power was out. Sooo out came the cellphone again (the flashlight was not put back where it was suppose to be) we were able to find a lighter and light candles...all in all it was a busy and creative night.

Enough about the trip home, how about some projects?!? Well today after unpacking the car this morning and putting things away. I was able to finish 2 very much needed diapers. I made these out of a couple of old shirts of mine. I'm happy with the way they turned out and I am doubly happy because they have a great stretch to them!!! Hopefully they will fit for a bit longer. If any of you are in dire need of wanting to sew diapers you know where to find me! :) I am in need of some larger ones!


Have a great day!

Out of the Loop

I have to apologize to my readers (all 5 of you). :) I have been a very bad blogger this week. I am watching an in-home daycare for a friend who is away on vacation and it ended up being a lot more work than I expected. I leave at 6:20 am and return home at 5:30 pm. By the time I get home I don't have time to do much of anything or think (as I am wiped). I will be watching them Monday-Thursday of next week also. I'll try and get a post up on Friday, but I need to get A in for her 18 month check up and then later that day we are leaving to go to WI for my sister's wedding. We will be back the following Tuesday (as David has classes on Wednesday).

Well I'm off as I have one very crabby and tired little girl. She doesn't like getting up at 6:20am when her mornings usually start at 8:30 am...Mommy likes the 8:30 am morning wake-up time better also (as I usually blog at this time and clean house a little)!! :)

New Recipes

My goal for the next couple of weeks is to try and make a few new recipes. I have been kind of stuck in a rutt for a while (since I've been married). While we do have variety it's kind of the same ole same ole (tacos, lasagna, spagetti, stack-a-dinner, hamburgers, pizza, pork chops, and venison) these are the main ones we do.

I have been wanting to branch out and try some new recipes. My problem with so many recipes is it calls for all of these expensive ingredients. So I have been looking for some that do not cost very much and here is one that I have found and we tried today.

Fettuccine Alfredo:
Prep Time: 5 Min. Total: 20 Min.

Ingredients:
8 ounces fettuccine, uncooked
1 1/4 cups chicken broth (not quite a whole can)
4 teaspoons of flour
1/3 cup of cream cheese
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (divided)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoon fresh parsley (I used dried and used 1/2 the amount)

Cook pasta as directed on package
Meanwhile, combine broth and flour in medium saucepan. Stir in cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of the parmesan cheese, and the nutmeg and pepper, cook 2 minutes stirring constantly with wire whisk until mixture boils and thickens.
Drain pasta. Toss with sauce. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and parsley.

Optional: 1/8 teaspoon of garlic
Makes 4 servings (1 cup each)

I also fried up some chicken to go with it (just cut it into strips and fry it in a pan with a little cooking oil).

We also had garlic toast with it.

Over all it was a good recipe, I will definetly add the garlic next time and might add a few more spices. It's super easy to make and taste good. Give it a try sometime! A even enjoyed it!

Fall Fabrics

I love fall...the colors, the smell, the weather. Fall is definitely my favorite season! Along with all of this comes cooler weather. I purchased some fabric today to make Annika some warmer jumpers for church. I went to Walmart this morning and found some fabric on sale (the rust and the light green) it was $1 per yard. You can't go wrong with that. The other ones were a little bit more expensive, but I didn't buy as much (they are more for accent). Now that I have this material I need to figure out what pattern to use to make a few jumpers.

I have enough fabric for 2 jumpers (possibly 4 I may have to make some for a friend's little girl). :)

Any Suggestions?? Feel free to leave me a comment! :)

A's Fancy Dress

Here is the dress that was made for A for my sister's wedding coming up in less than 4 weeks. Noticed I say "was made" (not made by me). I asked a lady in my church if she would be willing to help me sew this dress for A. She said with 4 boys and no dresses to sew she would LOVE to. Well after all was said and done, she sewed the whole thing. :) Thanks for the "help" Sara! It turned out great!
And a close up of the shoes ($2.50 from Once Upon a Child) and the headband she might be wearing (if she keeps it on). :)

And because it turned out so good, here is a picture of Sara cutting out the fabric (less you think we bought it). :)

A and T "helping" us out (pardon A's outfit she was needed for sizing so she's just in her diaper and cover). Oh and the one lonely shoe...I think that belongs to J (Sara's other son). :) Then it was time for a quick snack! A and T sitting and having a snack. They were sooo good that day! The both look a little confused (although their mouths are full of crackers). :)