Finally! Spring has sprung! Today it got up to 76 degrees. It was absolutely gorgeous. This morning, we spent some time cleaning up the churchyard. They were supposed to have childcare, so we took W with us, but the care provider was sick, so I basically watched W play while Mike worked on cleaning up the bushes along the road. After that, we headed up to Hopewell for the Green Market at their old train depot. W got to pet alpacas, chickens and baby ducks. He got to try out a tumbling apparatus that was sponsored by a local gym for kids. We ate delicious wood-fired pizza from the traveling wood-fired pizza kitchen (believe it!). After wonderful naps this afternoon, we prepared some delicious food to grill. Our neighbors Ethel and Matt are coming over to grill, so I'm out for now.
Oh, and I'm recovering from bronchitis. But I'm doing much better. At least my voice is back.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
New and improved
I have been in desperate need (want) of a new bag. I've really enjoyed carrying around my Vera Bradley tote that Mike got for my birthday a few years ago, but had fallen back into the habit of toting around my favorite (read: boring) Longchamp bag that I've been using since my senior year at Smith. While it is incredibly classic and practical, it is a bit dull, and I felt that I needed something a little cheerier to match this cheery time of year. Hence, my quest for a new, springy bag. I got my Vera Bradley catalog in the mail yesterday, something I always enjoy flipping through, as I admire the beautiful fabrics and styles. However, nothing in the past year has particularly grabbed my attention to the point of actually wanting to buy a new bag. Not so, this time. One of the new spring fabrics, Bali Blue, is absolutely gorgeous. It was lov
e at first sight. So off I went to The Papery, a fancy-schmancy boutique in Princeton that happens to sell VB wares. The bag that I thought I wanted turned out to be a wee bit large, so I settled on this one...
The best part about the whole thing? My MIL treated me to it! She called it my wedding anniversary present, which actually worked out fine, since I think Mike appreciated the fact that he didn't have to shell out the money for it.
e at first sight. So off I went to The Papery, a fancy-schmancy boutique in Princeton that happens to sell VB wares. The bag that I thought I wanted turned out to be a wee bit large, so I settled on this one...The best part about the whole thing? My MIL treated me to it! She called it my wedding anniversary present, which actually worked out fine, since I think Mike appreciated the fact that he didn't have to shell out the money for it.
Frolic time!
To raise money for mission projects, our church is holding FROLICS. I am hosting a sewing frolic in June. I am really excited about this opportunity to share my love of embroidery with others for a good cause. Here's my Frolic description:
Title of Frolic: A Stitchin' Time
Date of Frolic: Saturday, June 6, 2009
Time of Frolic: 9 am until noon
Description of Frolic: No matter what your sewing skills are, you can create an adorable hand-embroidered t-shirt for that special little boy or girl in your life. Carrie will take you through the process of personalizing a boring t-shirt step-by-step, from the use of stabilizer and iron-on patterns, to basic stitches (stem, split and satin) and finishing techniques. Carrie will provide a variety of kitschy Jenny Hart designs from which to choose, but if you have one of your own in mind, please feel free to bring it. You will be provided with a high-quality white t-shirt, stabilizer, embroidery floss, small embroidery hoop and a needle. Shirts range in size from 2T to 5T; please indicate which size you want when you sign up for the frolic. If you prefer a smaller size, or a onesie, please indicate as such when you sign up for the frolic. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Number of guests: maximum of 10, ages 12 and up
Cost per participant: $35 (price includes shirt, stabilizer, iron-on design of your choice, embroidery floss selection, embroidery hoop and needle)
Fun, huh? So I've submitted it to the person in charge of organizing the whole project, and there will be a book of all the options available for the church, as well as members of the community, starting next Sunday. The pastor, an avid woodworker, is hosting a woodworking workshop. Mike is signing up for that one. Since it isn't going to be held until October, that is going to be Mike's birthday present.
Title of Frolic: A Stitchin' Time
Date of Frolic: Saturday, June 6, 2009
Time of Frolic: 9 am until noon
Description of Frolic: No matter what your sewing skills are, you can create an adorable hand-embroidered t-shirt for that special little boy or girl in your life. Carrie will take you through the process of personalizing a boring t-shirt step-by-step, from the use of stabilizer and iron-on patterns, to basic stitches (stem, split and satin) and finishing techniques. Carrie will provide a variety of kitschy Jenny Hart designs from which to choose, but if you have one of your own in mind, please feel free to bring it. You will be provided with a high-quality white t-shirt, stabilizer, embroidery floss, small embroidery hoop and a needle. Shirts range in size from 2T to 5T; please indicate which size you want when you sign up for the frolic. If you prefer a smaller size, or a onesie, please indicate as such when you sign up for the frolic. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Number of guests: maximum of 10, ages 12 and up
Cost per participant: $35 (price includes shirt, stabilizer, iron-on design of your choice, embroidery floss selection, embroidery hoop and needle)
Fun, huh? So I've submitted it to the person in charge of organizing the whole project, and there will be a book of all the options available for the church, as well as members of the community, starting next Sunday. The pastor, an avid woodworker, is hosting a woodworking workshop. Mike is signing up for that one. Since it isn't going to be held until October, that is going to be Mike's birthday present.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Confession time
I have a confession to make: I watch American Idol. This is the first season that I've ever watched it.
Adam Lambert's performance of Gary Jules' arrangement of Tears for Fears' Mad World last night was eerily amazing.
And can I just say, I don't think Simon is a jerk. I think he practices that "Radical Honesty" thing by saying exactly what he thinks. Yes, sometimes it's harsh, but it's also usually accurate.
Adam Lambert's performance of Gary Jules' arrangement of Tears for Fears' Mad World last night was eerily amazing.
And can I just say, I don't think Simon is a jerk. I think he practices that "Radical Honesty" thing by saying exactly what he thinks. Yes, sometimes it's harsh, but it's also usually accurate.
Child labor
So I am getting my house in order for a visit from the in-laws... I've found that I get more done when W has a playmate, so the neighbor kid is over. I've put them both to work. W is dusting, and the neighbor kid is doing the Swiffer. I think I'll just put my feet up and read a book!
Monday, April 6, 2009
One month...?
Has it really been a whole month since I wrote something on this thing? ::checking calendar:: Yup, sure has. Life is going well; my best girlfriend in the entire world just found out she's expecting her second, and another dear friend/co-worker is expecting in July. Babies, babies everywhere!! To answer the question that everyone asks... no, not yet. Don't know when, or even if. I'm a big believer in things happening when they're supposed to happen... and it just ain't happening right now, folks!
I've completed several craft-y projects lately. Here's a sampling--
Here's a big floor pillow I put together for a friend's daughter's second birthday. The fabric is a really soft flannel with kitties and flowers on it. The trim is purple pom pom's.
This is a little girl's shirt that I embroidered for our school's Auction Night fundraiser
Here's the little boy shirt that I embroidered for Auction Night
Yup, I make seasonal kerchiefs for Maggie. Here's her Peanuts Easter Beagle one.
I embroidered this t-shirt for my best girlfriend's little boy for his second birthday. His party theme was ROBOTS, so I thought the shirt was very appropriate.
Ah, the Easter season. I got three little wooden eggs from the craft store and painted them. I primed them first, then painted them. Several layers of paint later, I used Polyurethane to give them a nice shine. I love the little chicks I nestled in with the eggs. They're so old-fashioned.
I'm working on a blanket for a friend's new baby boy down in MS. It is a trial-and-error thing, hence the delay in finishing it. I didn't expect it to be as involved as it's turned out to be!
And as for my gardening... My bulbs are a success! The dwarf iris came up a few weeks ago (see below) and the daffodils are in full bloom. I think we'll have tulips in a week or so. I have some hyacinth in a pot indoors and they are blooming and smell divine.
Below, you'll see one of the two Jiffy greenhouses W helped me prepare a few weeks ago. Each greenhouse has 72 peat pots. We filled all of them with seed. I'd say 90% of them have sprouted! I cannot believe it. It will be a few weeks before I can move them outside, as the nighttime temperatures still get pretty low, but we will have lots of good veggies growing, and pretty flowers too, this summer.
I've completed several craft-y projects lately. Here's a sampling--
Here's a big floor pillow I put together for a friend's daughter's second birthday. The fabric is a really soft flannel with kitties and flowers on it. The trim is purple pom pom's.
This is a little girl's shirt that I embroidered for our school's Auction Night fundraiser
Here's the little boy shirt that I embroidered for Auction Night
Yup, I make seasonal kerchiefs for Maggie. Here's her Peanuts Easter Beagle one.
I embroidered this t-shirt for my best girlfriend's little boy for his second birthday. His party theme was ROBOTS, so I thought the shirt was very appropriate.
Ah, the Easter season. I got three little wooden eggs from the craft store and painted them. I primed them first, then painted them. Several layers of paint later, I used Polyurethane to give them a nice shine. I love the little chicks I nestled in with the eggs. They're so old-fashioned.
I'm working on a blanket for a friend's new baby boy down in MS. It is a trial-and-error thing, hence the delay in finishing it. I didn't expect it to be as involved as it's turned out to be!
And as for my gardening... My bulbs are a success! The dwarf iris came up a few weeks ago (see below) and the daffodils are in full bloom. I think we'll have tulips in a week or so. I have some hyacinth in a pot indoors and they are blooming and smell divine.
Below, you'll see one of the two Jiffy greenhouses W helped me prepare a few weeks ago. Each greenhouse has 72 peat pots. We filled all of them with seed. I'd say 90% of them have sprouted! I cannot believe it. It will be a few weeks before I can move them outside, as the nighttime temperatures still get pretty low, but we will have lots of good veggies growing, and pretty flowers too, this summer.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Marching ahead...
...to March! I sort of fell off the Blogger-Train in February. I lead a fairly normal (read: dull) existence, so I don't always feel the need to share the mundane. This has been the case over the past few weeks. We've had some weird weather; 60 one day, six inches of snow two days later. Typical NJ "spring", or so I'm told. I am ready for Real Spring. My daffodil bulbs are coming up, which bodes well, so I can't complain too much.
I was laid out with a vicious stomach bug mid-way through this past week. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that I missed a day of work and Mike stayed home to take care of W. I was on the Saltine/Gatorade diet for over 24 hours, which, disappointingly, didn't do to trim my waistline. Oh well.
My mama comes to visit next Saturday. Her Spring Break and mine coincide, so she's
staying for several days. I haven't seen her since Christmas, so I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm doing a Lenten study of Genesis. It's really thought-provoking, and would be totally worth doing aside from Lent, as well. The focus is on renewal and grace, two things I think we could all benefit from. It's a pleasant way to wind down at the end of the day and work toward a peaceful night's sleep.
I was laid out with a vicious stomach bug mid-way through this past week. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that I missed a day of work and Mike stayed home to take care of W. I was on the Saltine/Gatorade diet for over 24 hours, which, disappointingly, didn't do to trim my waistline. Oh well.
My mama comes to visit next Saturday. Her Spring Break and mine coincide, so she's
staying for several days. I haven't seen her since Christmas, so I'm really looking forward to it.I'm doing a Lenten study of Genesis. It's really thought-provoking, and would be totally worth doing aside from Lent, as well. The focus is on renewal and grace, two things I think we could all benefit from. It's a pleasant way to wind down at the end of the day and work toward a peaceful night's sleep.
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