little things by lisa

Lena's Plant

2012-02-17T07:17:00.001-06:00

We received this plant when Lena was born ... 15 months later, it's totally outgrown its home. Not to mention, there are 6 different varieties in this one pot!

It's time to replant. I scored these spring pots for $5 each (sale) at Hobby Lobby and I love them! They have a drainage hole in the bottom and are painted in such fun glossy colors.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to shop for potting soil in February despite the fact that the weather has been nice.

Once we have the soil, we'll be good to go! I'll update you on the plants once potting soil is found.

:-) So excited!

Cheese

2012-02-16T07:05:00.000-06:00

I've been feeding Lena scrambled eggs lately.

She likes them.

Valentine's day fun.

2012-02-15T13:07:00.003-06:00

We had a busy, yet fun day yesterday celebrating Valentine's Day.

(One of Lena's newest tricks ... lifting up shirts to look at your side. Even did it to a practical stranger!)

We both sent Valentines with Daddy in his lunch. He said it put a big smile on his face. Hers was a picture Valentine, a special from tinyprints.com, and mine was handmade from my magazine word collection. Attached was a small Dove milk chocolate heart. YUM!

Lena sent Valentines to the Grandmas and Grandpas and I also gave sweet little Valentines to my piano students along with huge heart-shaped sugar cookies. Each had their name written on them in their favorite color frosting. One little girl gave me a Valentine with Fun-Dip attached. YES! I love V-day candy.

Rockin' the nose wrinkle while I'm trying to actually shoot our Valentine's Day dinner table.

Oh, here it is. Yes, that is wine. No, I don't drink it. However, it makes AMAZING fondue. We got this fondue set for our wedding 4 years ago and haven't used it until yesterday!

I went hunting around looking for the canned fuel - 3 places and one phone call later, I finally found the right size (2.6oz). Thanks Ace Hardware! Unfortunately, the flame burned so hot through the rather thin metal that it was burning it within about 3 seconds. So, we really didn't need them at all. There goes an hour and a half of my day and 8 bucks. Oh well.

I found this recipe for the fondue and went to find the cheese at Target.

Instead of Emmental (Emmentaler) cheese, they had the recipe's substitute, Jarlsberg, and Gruyere.

source

Each kind of cheese was 8 ounces and $7.99 and $8.99 respectively, but then I spotted this:

source

It was Gruyere and Emmentaler cheeses together, already grated and mixed with cornstarch. I generally don't go for the pre-made/pre-grated packages but the price was right on this baby. So, I saved myself time and about half the money getting the pre-packaged stuff.

We used most of the directions on the recipe and combined it with the measurements on the back of the pkg and it turned out so yummy! I admit to be quite impressed with the packaged stuff. Combine that with a fancy salad and baguette chunks and you've got yourself a Valentine's day feast.

YUM!

:-)

How did you celebrate?

Sesame Street love

2012-02-14T06:46:00.003-06:00

Aw yay! My little Sesame Street baby boy jumper was featured on this blog! Their Sesame Street post was so cute! Go check it out ... my fav was the fuzzy Grover puzzle.

:-)

Such fun.

a snowy day {and probably our only one!}

2012-02-13T12:23:00.004-06:00

As most places in the US this winter, Kansas City has been unseasonably warm. Much to most people's happiness... but my husband's dismay.

I like ALL of the seasons because just when you think "okay, {insert season} has gone on long enough!" it's probably almost time for a change. That's why I struggled living in a place with only two seasons (wet and dry) and tell my husband in regards to his ever complaint versus warm weather, "Sure, we can move to Alaska, if you want a severely depressed wife!" I just like the changing seasons.

However, this year I've also missed winter. Not the dirty snow or the absolutely-freeze-your-butt-off cold temps, but just the fact that soon it will be spring. It's already been spring - like three times. Even the tree out back is confused and budding in February. So I'm not looking forward to spring as I do most winters and I have missed the beautiful falling snow. (Warm and cozy inside with a hot drink and wrapped in a blanket, of course.)

Last night we got our first inch of snow of the year and I have a feeling it will be our only. So, we took advantage of it and went outside to play for a whole 7.35 minutes. Still, it was fun.

Enjoy!

:-) What season is your favorite?

Shop Update! A few more little cute things

2012-02-11T10:18:00.000-06:00

Wow! Things have been "flying off the shelves" so-to-speak from my etsy shop. And I'm definitely not complaining about that - it's a great problem to have! Love it.

Although it does create the need to fill the shop back up, so Lena and I went thrifting the other day and found a few things. I need to go again, but it does take some better planning. (She fell asleep in the car and had wet through her pants - so obviously we need to 1. go in the afternoon and 2. take the diaper bag. Yeah, this mama needs to be more prepared.)

Anyway, here are a few things I've recently added to the shop!

Head on over to see the rest!

Sometimes...

2012-02-10T08:41:00.000-06:00

It's hard for me to live in a place where neighbors sound more like roommates on any given day. (Oh, how I'd love my own house. Dreaming of that day...)

I'm reminded of how much I love my little girl when she breaks out her wide cheesy smiles or looks at me with those big innocent eyes (even after spilling the dog's water three times).

I feel self-conscious when I remember that my pants don't fit and I still need to gain a good 15 lbs.

I am mildly dishonest when I pretend to my favorite hairdresser in Ohio that I'm actually not from somewhere 12 hours away.

I can't imagine a world without bedtime.

I'm surprised that I still love to put my hair in pink foam rollers and see the curls after a few hours.

I get a little too easily wrapped up in DIY blogs and projects.

I indulge in guilty pleasures like fruit snacks, dark chocolate, and salt and vinegar chips.

I wish all things in life were as wonderful as snuggling with my loves on a lazy morning.

Furniture fixings.

2012-02-09T09:19:00.001-06:00

Record player update: remember this baby I picked up last summer? It's currently in Ohio getting some or all of its water-damaged 1946 innards fixed. It also still looks like this on the outside, but I've decided on yellow and plan to paint and distress when she finds her way home.

Just last week, I found another chair! A lady was having a quick garage sale (yes, in February - the weather was too nice to resist!) and I scored it for $15. I should've offered lower, but I figured that it was a good deal anyway.

Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White here you come! Just after I figure out how to remove all of the upholstery ... those staples are a beast!! I plan to paint and repair the frame and then try my hand at reupholstery. A little more of a project that just a chair seat, but I'm ready for a challenge! Now the 60 degree weather just needs to come back.

After day 1, I'd removed all the piping and took off the back. The fabric is HIDEOUS orange velour from the 70s but the foam is in really good shape. I'm hoping to re-use it.

Any upholstery tips or suggestions? I'm thinking of using more inexpensive grain sacks as fabric. Love!!

Just hangin'.

2012-02-08T09:16:00.003-06:00

I've caught her in this pose several times lately. Framing her sweet little face with her hands. She even kicks her feet and (if she has her clunky shoes on) pounds the floor. Love it!

She's a busy little bee and mostly we've just been hanging out. :-) The weather is back to being winter-like around here, so inside we go. This is how our days look.

Shop: Good news and bad

2012-02-07T08:18:00.000-06:00

The good news: I sold the 70s strawberry jumpsuit!

The bad news: I sold the strawberry jumpsuit. *sigh. But, if I didn't want it to go, I shouldn't have listed it until after Lena wore it!!! Oh well.

************

January was an awesome month on Etsy.com. They made a huge deal about the holidays (the month of December) and I didn't sell a single thing. Then, right after Christmas my stuff started flying off the shelves! Well, figuratively anyway.

It's so much fun.

...Doing taxes on the money I earned, well, not so much fun. But who's thinking about that!?

:-)

15 month update!!

2012-02-06T11:32:00.001-06:00

At fifteen months, Lena ...

Stats: is 29" tall, weighs 20.5 lbs, is wearing 12 mo clothing (9 mo bottoms), has 9 teeth, sleeps 11-12 hours at night, takes one 1-2.5 hr nap, and is totally weaned!

Words: baby, mama, dada, ball, dog, hi, bye, this (her word of choice).

Food: ham, cheese, navy beans, lasagna/spaghetti, chicken/rice, milk, pineapple, pears, peaches, bread, crackers. No vegetables anymore! She just spits them out. ICK! Hoping that will change soon..

Loves to "talk" on the phone. Or the remote. Or a block. Or a credit card. (Whatever works.)

Doesn't watch much tv but loves watching the wheel on Wheel of Fortune. Mostly we read books - she's begun bringing the books she wants to read to us. And, we read them!

She loves to laugh at Jackson, of course. He jumps up to catch popcorn and she just laughs hilariously!

Still wearing her shoes like a champ.

15 month tricks: knocks on doors, opens and closes tv armoire doors, Indian call, bibs as capes, flies up and down stairs, points to her nose/ears/tongue on command, climbs furniture, and helps with chores. She "carries" Jackson's food to him.

And ... our last and final exciting bit of news ... she's walking!! FINALLY!

Here's our little snippet.

New shoes.

2012-02-04T10:04:00.004-06:00

In December we went back to the orthopedist for a look at Lena's foot problem. Remember the casts at three months? Well, I was desperately hoping we wouldn't have to have those again.

Well, instead, we got special shoes for the next 6-12 months. They aren't right/left specific and you buckle her feet in there pretty tightly to hold them in a straight position. She wears them about 18 hours a day and actually really likes them.

It took a few nights of little sleep for her to get used to them, but not she wears them like a pro! I even think she's gotten much more confident in cruising and standing alone with the wider base they provide.

So much better than casts (you can take them off!) but not exactly cute like her tiny red mary janes. Or pink converse. And she can't wear the sweet footie pjs at night. But, that's okay. We'll make it.

***********

I have an issue with finding and buying shoes. They just all seem so fad-dish. I like classic and chic, but never can decide! I really like comfortable shoes and don't do many heels because I'm so tall already ... but sometimes "comfortable shoes" just equals frumpy. (Did I mention that nice shoes also tend to cost money??!) But I came across these looking online for ankle boots and I was sold. So thanks to a great black Friday deal, these were my birthday present!!

(Find them here.)

I heart them so much.

Because I know so many people who have money for this...

2012-01-28T07:56:00.003-06:00

really? who would purchase something like this?

source

*************
in other news, we're sick with the nastiest stomach flu in a century, I think. i thought it might be food poisoning because it came on so fast and hit so hard on Thursday but Jeremy came home from class sick last night.

Boo on the flu.

a teeny tiny {vintage sweater} Lena update

2012-01-27T06:58:00.001-06:00

I don't want to say it too loud (as if that would make us revert) but, at 14-1/2 months, WE ARE WEANED!!!!! Lena refused to nurse a few nights ago, instead sucking on her pacifier as she went to sleep in the rocker. No milk since then!

I've been waiting for this "natural" transition like in the mornings (she was too distracted to be interested after awhile) instead of just stopping abruptly, and it worked! I didn't plan it this way but certain body parts were just tired and it was time even for her. Our transition was so gradual, I don't think she's even noticed.

I was holding out because she is such a late teether and sometimes nursing is all that would calm her down. But the last time she had a horrible teething night, nursing didn't help one bit. That was confirmation that it was time, indeed.

Party time! Haha. (I even know a girl who got a tattoo when her little girl was finally weaned... I'm pretty sure I'm not going there, but celebrating nonetheless!)

********

Here is Lena in a sweater I wore in the 80s. Love the little hood! (It's size 12 mos, but her tummy is almost too big!) Isn't she sweet?

She's practicing standing, but she still is absolutely refusing to walk! We are pushing her right and left, but she's not gonna do it until she's good and ready.

Silly girl.

(P.S. This was the best picture I snapped, unfortunately Jackson's hairy butt was in the way. Sigh.)

Despite not walking, she is getting into everything and more, going up and down the stairs and pushing her highchair around. And she popped 4 more teeth the other week, so now we're up to 8!! One more is coming in soon and I can't wait until teething time is over. Well, I can and I can't. I don't want to wish these precious 1 yr old days away, but the teething days/nights I could do without.

:-)

We'll be back for a real update at 15 months ... for now I'm having fun pulling out all the new 12 month clothing that fits!! Woot!

P.S. This week and next = not too many updates because Jeremy has the computer for his module class at the seminary. Hang in there - we'll be back in full swing after that!

Longing for Haiti...

2012-01-23T07:09:00.001-06:00

... just a few days ago my mom and I were talking about their upcoming trip to Haiti and everything in me just wants to pick up and go with them.

The 2 year anniversary of remembering the earthquake was only 10 days ago - Jan 12. (Read about our experience here, here, here and here.)

source

I'm making a book of important people for Lena and was using my best contacts to find and include a this picture of Elyse in it, but hadn't been able to access that picture. Then, I got it last week!

photo credit: M. Jensen

Then I read this post. And my heart is heavy for Haiti.

God, what can I do?

epic sewing fail.

2012-01-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

i usually like to celebrate my successes, but I'm sorry, this was an epic sewing fail (which had the potential to be. SO. cute!)

Here was my up-cycle materials:

Click here for my inspiration. So cute right?

And the epic fail.

(see the "bump"? horrible)

(bump from the front and bow sewn crooked.)

(the inside was too big for the outside = what a mess!)

(and i need a re-course in sewing zippers - yikes!!)

You'd have to see it in person to get the full effect, but it was an epic fail. One carefully thought through, wonderfully envisioned epic sewing fail.

Here's to not being too discouraged and trying again on something else! :-)

because our dog is weird.

2012-01-20T07:52:00.000-06:00

...and cracks us up.

ha!

Even girls like capes.

2012-01-19T07:41:00.001-06:00

She finds her bibs in the bottom drawer and then tries to wear them like a cape!

Love it.

even little girls like capes ... :-)

a baby gift

2012-01-18T09:28:00.000-06:00

For my best friend's little girl, who we just (very excitedly) met, I wanted to make something special.

I found the idea here and she found it on Pinterest. (Side note: I'm totally on pinterest and still don't really know my way around ... isn't that sad or what?)

Anyway, I loved it and it worked perfectly with a four letter name like Ella and I started with the above color of embroidery thread. However, about halfway through I realized that there was not going to be enough ... and quickly changed to an ombre type look. I actually really love it!

I finished up with a pretty yellow dandelion and re-stretched it across the hoop. It wasn't quite as straight as I'd hers - my stitches must've been different tensions and the fabric different - but I still think it turned out SO cute.

The back, however, is a different story.

So I used a piece of knit (that won't fray) to cover the back... and used another uncovered ring. (The yarn covered one was cute but made it difficult to get everything together without breaking.)

then trimmed the whole thing up! Pretty sweet, huh?

miss-chevious

2012-01-17T07:52:00.000-06:00

This girl is still into ev-er-y-thing. People say, "oh, you're gonna be in trouble when she starts walking!" but really? She's already into everything! How's walking going to make a difference?

She loves to play around with Jackson. He's so patient (most of the time) and lets her "play" with him. Sometime soon, Buddy, she's gonna play with you so much you'll be sick of it!

And then there's the stairs ... she LOVES to climb them. Over Christmas she learned how to go down the stairs and she's been doing it ever since. Thus, the baby gate (hardwood stairs are slippery! I found that out a few weeks ago myself...)

She also still LOVES Jackson's bowls, but we've found a little less food in her mouth as of late. Progress, one baby step at a time...

:-) cheers! Happy Tuesday.

We really can't get over...

2012-01-16T08:10:00.000-06:00

... just how fun she is.

She tickles our hearts and doesn't really even need to DO anything to do it!

:-) Thanks for sharing our joy.

experimenting with light

2012-01-14T09:26:00.001-06:00

one of my (unspoken) goals for the year is to be a little bit more risky and experiment with my photography. if it doesn't work, it's okay. if it turns out amazing, great!

here, I experimented with lighting. the sun was shining in my bedroom windows late in the day as Lena and I were playing upstairs. Here's what we got.

Nothing amazing, but maybe someday it will be. My favorite is the last one. :-)

Did you see my spoon?

2012-01-13T08:47:00.000-06:00

Because, I guess every piece of (clean) silverware wasn't up to her standard of clean.

Half made it into her mouth and all made it back for another washing. Ha! (Every time the dishwasher opens, she's there. It must be some kind of fun game.)

family pictures

2012-01-12T07:15:00.000-06:00

We took some family photos on Christmas. Here's what we came up with!

(everyone wanted to pose with the girl) with Uncle S and Auntie J

grammi and Lena

Grandpa and Lena

Great-grandma with Lena

Click the photo below for animation:

family photo: real versions :-)

hard to get a good one...

the best we could do.

yay! we had a good time together.

Christmas morning.

2012-01-11T06:46:00.002-06:00

I know the holidays are over, but here's a little picture recap of our Christmas morning.

super tired Lena.

"singing" with Uncle Ryan

gazing.

gifts!

Santa (a.k.a. Cooper)

what fun. :-)

the purse hanger - finally hung

2012-01-10T07:18:00.001-06:00

Remember my purse hanger?

Three months later, it's finally up. (*smiles) Yeah, it takes me awhile to do things around here, but after the busyness of Christmas, I feel more motivated ... like things aren't weighing so heavy, things don't HAVE to be done, therefore, it's much more fun to actually get them done! Ha. I'm weird, I know. Just go with it.

{And, just for the record, the ENTIRE three months Lena has been driving me crazy pulling things out of the diaper bag and my purse. That little girl can pull apart or get into just about anything these days!}

So over Christmas, I broke out my amazing and infamous can of (expensive!) Annie Sloan Chalk Paint called "Old White" and painted (and distressed) the backboard we needed to use. Since it would be holding weight we wanted it to be screwed into the wall studs. Unfortunately, I'd already made the hanger before we decided this. It was too small to do reach both studs, so I just extended it with a larger piece of walnut.

My dad taught me how to countersink the screws so it would be flat against the wall and we glued and screwed the boards together (from the back).

Then I broke out the trusty power tool (a.k.a. drill) and after measuring twice, I drilled the holes into the studs and countersunk the 2-1/2" wood screws. Yes, I did!

A big thank you to my dad for helping with this project and my husband for the use of his power tools and for marking the studs for me.

Love that they are off the floor and out of reach! For now at least...

:-)

Piano

2012-01-08T07:31:00.000-06:00

Lena can spot a keyboard from a mile away.

Do you think we have a little pianist on our hands?

I don't know, but regardless, a great opportunity has finally come my way. I've been looking for a way to give piano lessons again for the last several years but advertising has been an issue. Googling for a local piano teacher doesn't yield any results! And an ad on cr@igslist didn't really seem like the most legitimate option. I gave piano lessons in high school by word of mouth and small town flyers ... but how do you get word of mouth students unless you teach!?

Anyway, a local piano teacher (who also happens to be a pastor in our denomination) is moving and passed any of her other students on who wanted to continue lessons. I am starting with 3 students tomorrow! This is exciting and intimidating (10 years with no students is a long time!) - but I've done some homework and am going in with optimism and creativity. Hopefully that is enough.

Pray for me while I start this adventure ... 10 students is my goal for some (needed) income for us, wisdom as a teacher, and creativity working with young kids.

(photo credit: E. Allen)

With God, anything is possible!?

:-)

Tiny Reindeer

2012-01-07T07:33:00.000-06:00

just playin' around.

:-)

happy golden birthday! ( to me )

2012-01-06T07:28:00.000-06:00

I had a wonderful golden birthday this year. I turned 28 on November 28 and thought I was going to be waking up in a hotel after a not-so-good night's sleep and driving back to Kansas City on my birthday. But our car had other plans, so I did my hair, put on makeup and made homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast! Boy, were they yummy.

Silpada necklace courtesy of my FIL!

cheesecake and tea in Asian china

Jeremy gifted me with a whole afternoon of thrifting (found some incredible stuff!) and my MIL paid for a haircut from my favorite stylist in Ohio. Too bad she's in Ohio - I heart her!

I desperately tried to convince Jeremy all I wanted for my birthday was a beard shave, but ... that didn't happen. Regardless, I had a great day! Thanks to all who made that possible.

seeing G&G in O-HI-O

2012-01-05T07:22:00.000-06:00

In order to catch up to the new year, we'll have to back up to the holidays. We took the l-o-n-g trip to Ohio (long enough, but longer with a 1-yr old!) for Thanksgiving, but it was worth it. As usual.

Last time we went it was in August which meant no wonderful wood-burning stove. This time, the stove was burning non-stop and we spent most of our time in front of the fire.

Lena loved the attention, of course, and Grandma and Grandpa didn't mind giving it away one bit!

Here she is, reading with Grandma.

We found out that she loves stuffing. MMmmm!

She always had an audience when she ate.

She learned some new tricks.

And got lots of love!

(Here she is enjoying Grandpa's old rocking chair. He rocked in this when he was little too!)

Despite the extra week due to our horrible car trouble, we had a really good time. Thanks for letting us visit G&G!!! See you again soon!

New in the Shop: Valentines!

2012-01-04T08:16:00.003-06:00

I just completed several sets of Valentines for the shop! I love making these cards, but unfortunately, no one loves buying them.

However, I will prevail! Here's a few pictures of them.

And, I guess if they don't sell, you might be getting one!! I do love you, you know...

hehe. I'm at 20 completed sales and I'm thrilled with each one. Selling on etsy is so. much fun!

See you tomorrow!

Goals for the New Year

2012-01-03T19:02:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! We are back in session on the blog and I'm excited. I've got some fun posts.

Photo Credit: E. Allen

So, are you a list-maker? I write (or follow) a list probably every day. Mostly because I can't remember everything to begin with ... but lists are just so helpful! I've decided that, for me, "making goals" is like writing down a list of things I'm already in the works of doing or things that I already really want to do. Instead of setting a bunch of lofty goals of things I may or may not do, I want to just play off of what I'm already thinking about or doing and simply make a list to follow. Or keep me on track.

If you are a list-maker you know that wonderful feeling of making a list and crossing things off! Woo hoo! Love it.

So, here's my list for 2012. What's yours?

Continue to develop my personal style.

Try to understand my lack of motivation to exercise.

Organize the rooms of the house to my satisfaction (and when it's done, be satisfied!).

Write one significant letter/note a month.

Hold a holiday booth at the church Holiday Market (November).

Increase sales at my etsy shop.

See you soon!

More fun stuff!

2011-12-16T21:09:00.002-06:00

It really has been crazy around here. But, I did manage to sneak on a few more items for the shop before Christmas. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a sale!

Fun stuff like this...

Head on over to the SHOP and pick something out! (Or at least let me know what catches your eye.)

********

I promise, I will be back after the new year. But taking a break really has relieved some of the pressure I put on myself. My arsenal is getting fuller ... watch out! Pictures of the tiny girl ready to overwhelm you!

Shop Update! - 12/7/11

2011-12-07T19:58:00.001-06:00

Hey all! Just checking in with a shop update. Click HERE or click the button in the margin to go see the fun new stuff I've added!

I have a lot more to add, but for now I've listed a bunch of new fabrics like these.

And some sweet baby clothes like these:

Remember this one?! So CUTE!

So hop on over and show me some love!! :-)

P.S. We did get back a week later than expected, but all is well.

another little pearly white...

2011-12-01T18:05:00.001-06:00

... has joined the family after a 2 hour screaming fest in the middle of the night on Tuesday. We have been waiting and waiting. Rejoice!!

Also, this is day number 5 "stuck" in Ohio waiting on a very big car repair. But we're very thankful to still be at the Shunks with a warm wood-burner, good food, internet and family Looooove.

Still, we all are ready to be home. (I haven't even decorated for Christmas yet! Ahhh!) Bring it on. We're going to try to make the 14-hour trip back all in one go, but we'll see if we make it.

:-)

Our Newest Vintage treasure.

2011-11-24T07:19:00.001-06:00

Isn't this the cutest potty chair ever??

I asked Lena to model it for us.

She's a ham.

She's so excited to use it that she's going to get a drink right now! :-)

(haha, well, maybe someday here she'll use it.)

The day after Thanksgiving.

2011-11-24T07:17:00.001-06:00

Black Friday is all over the news. And the internet. And the commercials. Kind of like the elections, I can't wait for it to be over.

Not that I don't like a good deal, but like I said in this post, Americans are so obsessed with this day. And I hate it. Is saving a few bucks really worth the craziness? Is getting trampled by greedy, mean people a reason to go out? I just don't get it. And most of the people that I run in to say they wouldn't ever go out on BF, so I'm surprised that the crowds are insane like they are.

Anyway, all of that to say, before Thanksgiving dinner has digested in our stomachs, we're going insane for the next holiday.

It's completely opposite of the stillness and longing of Advent. Giving and getting as much as we can get instead of silent reflection. It feels so wrong to me. And it's really bothering me this season. (Can you tell?)

***************
In other news, Lena LOVED Thanksgiving dinner, especially the stuffing. She gobbled it down like no one's business! It was so fun to watch her eat what everyone else was eating.

Guessing game:

What's this all over Lena's face? (Clue: it's her new favorite food! If you know you can't give it away!)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This girl is crazy.

2011-11-19T13:01:00.001-06:00

:-) She keeps us on our toes, people!

(and, she's getting so fast that we have to use the flash! Ack.)

(can you guess where we went?? this is NOT an advertisement...)

Yes, we've still been dealing with major fussies, but overall, she's doing pretty well. Three nights this week she's slept from 8pm to 7:30am or more! Those nights are like heaven...

Fall wreath and a holiday confession

2011-11-10T08:07:00.001-06:00

Blog posts have been few around here. After the big "ONE" celebration, there hasn't been much to document except that my grandma passed last Tuesday, Nov 8. Her funeral was on Monday and we said goodbye. She is laid to rest next to her husband who's been gone for over almost 27 years. That's a long time.

After two funerals this fall and the holidays upon us, I feel like I'm trying to hurtle through space at top speed. So, to take some of the pressure off myself, I'll be blogging less until the beginning of 2012.

I realize this is not the way to up my blog following or have more traffic to my shop, but right now, it's what I need. Besides, I just need to spend time with family and giving meaningful gifts.

The positive of this is that I'm sure to have a full arsenal of DIY gifts and decor and little girl stories to blog about.

Thanks for your understanding. I'll pop in here and there, but for the most part, I need to recharge.

*********
Ahem. Back to the fall wreath.

So, my mom asked for a wreath and hanger - for Christmas - but since it's still fall, I was able to make it and give it to her early last week!

Here's the inspiration (hanging on my front door):

I got it at a specialty shoppe in St. Charles, MO several years ago, so there wasn't anyway I could buy her a duplicate. Instead, I'd do my best at making one myself. I went to my favorite craft store and grabbed a small vine wreath.

source

Then I went to the 50% off fall aisle. Christmas is taking over but there are a few sprigs of fall berries left. I grabbed two that I liked and planned to use ribbon I had leftover from mine.

Then, I went to work. With the more expensive sprig I planned to use all along. AND ... I hated how it was turning out. So, I turned to the other sprig (which, I just happened to have another of the exact one from a couple of years ago) and it was perfect. Down to the little curly cues.

(Excuse my lack of a more detailed picture. I meant to get a few close-ups before I wrapped it, but then I got too excited. Then, the funeral weekend was too crazy and I just couldn't get everything done - i.e. take close-up pictures. You'll just have to use your imagination for the details. It really does look great!)

Is it Thanksgiving or Christmas?

2011-11-10T08:06:00.002-06:00

For all of the American readers out there, Thanksgiving is in just a few weeks.

But ... according to the stores, you'd never know it. Literally the day after Halloween (or before in my favorite craft store) it's Christmas all of a sudden.

This image has been floating around the web in the last few days. Have you seen it? (according to the date, the picture is a couple years old, but still.)

source

It may be a ploy to get customers like me (who agree) to shop there after November 25 this year, but if solely by principle, I love it.

The consumeristic tendencies around Christmas here in America drive me nuts. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I really love the season, the songs, the decor, the fuzzy feelings ... I really do. But I also really love autumn, harvest and Thanksgiving.

It's been this way as long as I can remember, but our stores glossing over Thanksgiving to go straight to Christmas really bothers me.

Does it bother you?

Comment Question

2011-11-09T08:03:00.002-06:00

My sister said when she's tried to leave a comment, an Error message comes up.

Has this happened to you? Or kept you from leaving a comment?

Click the "Love it!" button at the end of this post to let me know (because obviously, you won't be able to comment!)

Thanks! :-)

birthday low-down.

2011-11-07T07:48:00.000-06:00

A few miscellaneous birthday details ...

this cupcake template

this ruffled streamers tutorial

this Hummingbird cake recipe

decor

smash cake!

oh what birthday fun!

2011-11-06T21:05:00.002-06:00

A little peek into our big girl's special day.

Fun with balloons before they were hung.

Sitting with Grammi in the birthday outfit. (Look familiar?)

She crawls like lightning.

Actually, a great orange blur. Most of my pictures look like this:

Getting Grandpa's attention.

"Hi Grandpa!"

She kept her flower on for 40 minutes!! Miracle.

Trick candles were all we had. (Forgot that detail...)
Cake time!

Ended the day with a green ring pop.

Mmm! What a fun-filled and exhausting day.
Thanks to all who made it possible! :-)

Lena: months 0-12

2011-11-05T09:11:00.000-05:00

Sweet Lena Claire Elyse in the past 12 months.

birthday

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

Which months do you see the most difference??

(My opinion is between 1-2 mos or 6-7 months.)

*******

At 1 year, Lena is:

- standing up on everything
- cruising just a little bit
- crawling up and over things
- getting into the dishwasher and refrigerator (when open)
- pointing at things and her "uh, uh" indicates what she wants.
- talking lots, but only distinguishable word is "dada" sometimes
- teases Jackson with his toys
- is fussy but still only has 2 teeth. do we need to have a prayer meeting over this, people!?

haha. j/k.

Happy 1st birthday sweet girl!

gettin' ready...

2011-11-04T09:17:00.001-05:00

... we're getting ready for the big O-N-E birthday around here! I'm cleaning like crazy, getting things together, finally NOT ignoring all the junk that's been sitting around for ages. My parents are coming into town, cake needs to be baked, supper needs to be made, and don't forget this little lady!

Gotta keep my eye on her!

dog cage fun

2011-11-03T11:03:00.000-05:00

seriously?

Because eating his food is not enough. :-)

birthday things

2011-11-02T08:54:00.000-05:00

birthday party coming right up! :-)

sneak peek at Saturday's festivities! :-)

pray

2011-10-31T11:27:00.003-05:00

my Grandma (my dad's mom) had a bad stroke over the weekend. it left her unable to move her left side and without the basic skill of swallowing. she's opted not to have a feeding/breathing tube which means that she probably won't survive the week. hospice has taken over and they will try to make her as comfortable as possible until she goes.

she has lots of grandchildren and great-grandkids (#17 is in the picture above! I venture to say she's the cutest one...) and all of her children came to visit this weekend.

but still, it's just a sad way to go. but what way isn't sad? ehhh. (for more of my thoughts on the reality of death, see HERE.)

please pray for our family and her peace until she passes.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T11:21:00.001-05:00

she wasn't much in the mood for pictures. i'll have to see if she'll be more picturesque a little later. but here is the Halloween tutu on for show! we are excited to give out some candy tonight - and eat some too. hehehe.

shop love 5: GRAND OPENING DAY!

2011-10-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today's the day! Click the button below or in the sidebar to visit my shop. If you stop by, please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

:-)

shop love 4: vintage patterns

2011-10-27T08:25:00.000-05:00

Usually the patterns I find at thrift stores and garage sales are the absolutely ugly shoulder pad styles of the 80s and 90s. Gross! I always was looking for patterns from the 50s, 60s and 70s but never seemed to score them. Until... I finally found a box of antique and vintage patterns at a sale that I just happened to stop at (I almost didn't!) in the neighborhood. Oh, how I wish more sales held beauties like this!

Another way to enjoy vintage clothing (when you can't find the same or don't want to pay for them) is to make your own from old patterns like these. Casey from Elegant Musings is one of those types of people. Oh, how I wish my sewing skills were better and time abounded! I'd be one elegant and vintage-inspired lady.

:-) But, for now, I'll do little by little and enjoy these patterns I happened upon one wonderful day...

shop love 3: vintage costume jewelry

2011-10-26T08:23:00.000-05:00

I adore vintage jewelry.

Maybe part of me just wants to be little again and play dress-up. In second grade I distinctly remember finishing my schoolwork and going to the reading corner and reading one specific book over and over. It was about a little girl in the "olden days" and how she got dressed in the morning. Underthings, petticoats, dress, apron. I wanted to be her. I wanted to live back then. I wanted to dress like her.

I still see pictures of classy ladies, especially from the 40s and 50s, and wish I could live then and have easy access to the clothing they wore. What fun! However, it was commonplace then - not magical - and I, obviously, wasn't born in that era for a reason. Something I can't change. In 50 years, someone might think the same about our time now. Who knows.

But, I just enjoy vintage jewelry and clothing so much that I hope my collection (and shop) allows other people who enjoy the same to snatch a special piece and just have fun with the magical in it.

shop love 2: tiny little vintage-lovers

2011-10-25T07:17:00.001-05:00

Well, "tiny little vintage lovers" isn't exactly accurate. To be truthful, the tiny ones have no choice, but mamas who love vintage tend to dress their little ones in vintage.

Interested in seeing other mamas who dress their kids in vintage?
See Smile and Wave,
Bleubird Vintage
or hart + sew.
cuz it's just so fun! (I'm sure there are lots of others, but those are some I read regularly.)

I think the thrill in vintage clothing, for me, is imagining its past life. Like when this polyester onesie was brand-new on the hanger. A new mommy tucking a tiny little baby boy into its mint-green goodness. His eyes staring up at her in contentment.

A little girl, wishing with all her might to don this hopscotch skirt and go to school with her big brother and sister.

Whatever the real story behind the past life of previously loved items, the fact remains. Little vintage things are just so darn cute! That's why I'm including them in the shop. I'm excited to show you them all!

the "chevron" wristlet turned houndstooth

2011-10-25T07:17:00.000-05:00

so i decided to try out a gift idea with my vintage (thrifted) houndstooth. boy am i ever glad i did!

how cute is this little wristlet!? i love the pop of orange inside and surprise (!) my handmade tags for my etsy shop. but i can't sell these wristlets because it's a pattern for personal use only. but, i did make it, so i'll put my tag in it, even if i can't sell them. :-)

i really wanted to make it a chevron wristlet but Hobby Lobby had NO striped cloth! Can you believe it!? appalling. Jo-Anns was too far a drive, so I went home to use the houndstooth.

oh well, i even tried my hand at putting a zipper in for the first time. (at least HL had those!)

not too bad if i say so myself!

and, as usual, it got Lena's stamp of approval.

Happy birthday Aunt Jenn! :-)

(sorry the sound is a little off... I didn't have time to reconfigure it...)

shop love: the art of the handwritten note

2011-10-24T20:18:00.005-05:00

this week, I'm going to feature some of my favorite items in my new shop with a little blurb every day leading up to GRAND OPENING day on Friday! (did I tell you I was excited?!)

Oh, I am.

************

the art of the handwritten note

I'm sure it isn't lost on you, but the art of the handwritten note is dying. a quick (yet rather painful to me) death to email, paperless billing, fb messages, the smart phone, the tablet ...

Oh, isn't there just something about receiving an unexpected note in the mail? If written with care, it tickles my heart and makes my day. And it doesn't happen very often, mind you. So, I try instead to be that person who sends. Not in order to get one in return (although I don't mind!), but just to make another's day. And to be a little different. Although, in honesty, I have to admit that since the events of 2010, the frequency of my random handwritten notes has lessened. However, I still highly value it.

As is evidenced by my love of antique and vintage things, I love to read old letters, find old cards and notes. The next generations won't be able to happen upon a stack of old love letters - they'll be hidden away somewhere in cyberspace in another's forgotten inbox. This, I think, is simply terrible.

True, I won't say there aren't any perks about keyboard and mouse communication. It's wonderfully nice to get a email chock-full of news from your best friend or a sincerely written note over fb. I love those too. I even find that I can express myself better by typing fast while I'm thinking it rather than penning it slowly. Some days it's just easier and makes much more sense to just send a little note over the computer (especially when I have limited time because of a certain little lady). There are people I never would've kept up with or known about their lives if the age of technology hadn't made it so.

So, don't get me wrong, I appreciate that.

But, there is something almost inexplicably different about giving and receiving heartfelt, handwritten text. It's more human, more connecting, more tangible. You can literally feel the note, see from where it came, appreciate the effort and time it took to compose. That humanity is something that technology, no matter how wonderful, will never be able to duplicate.

So, as technology continues to trend in this direction, I hope to pass on this dying art to my child, even if it is only sometimes utilized and under-appreciated. For, perhaps, someone might be blessed and the tangible care of others might be instilled.

a vintage strawberry jumpsuit: updated

2011-10-22T09:05:00.000-05:00

Remember this strawberry jumpsuit I got in the mail the other week?!

Well, it was missing some buttons. So I went strawberry button hunting. Sure these buttons would be too small, I got them home. Lo and behold, they were too big! Eh. So frustrating and sad. I really loved them. Perfect color, size, shape, not too modern, etc.

Then, a thought occurred to me: the belt serves no function, so why do the buttons need to!? So, I promptly sewed them right on. They are non-functional, but who cares!? They are so cute and the belt is now in tact.

One more item ready for the shop! If all goes well, the GRAND OPENING is set for next Friday, October 28!

Ah! So excited. (And, if this one doesn't sell, I'm keeping it at the back of Lena's closet...)

Halloween onesie to tutu dress

2011-10-21T08:24:00.000-05:00

So, like I said earlier this week, I'm not that into Halloween. I hate horror movies, and crazy masks and dark mazes freak me out. I like autumn and pumpkins and leaves and warm mugs of cider and snuggly blankets and romantic or intriguing movies.

But, dressing up is fun and I don't mind tasteful costuming for Halloween. ((Plus, who can say no to CANDY!)) There are some pretty fun and impressive costume ideas floating around the blogosphere like this, and this, and this!

This time, last year, Lena's auntie Jenn gave her a little Halloween onesie. She was supposed to come no later than October 30. Lena was a very naughty little girl and didn't come in time to wear it (sniff!) so I promised my sister that I'd do something with it for her first Halloween this year.

And, here it is! I cut off the bottom of the onesie. Luckily, it's a wide one, and she's still tiny, so it still fits her. Although the sleeves are transitionally 3/4 length now. And, if it's chilly, she'll just wear her cute little black shrug sweater with it.

Remember the NFL tutu? I just attached a lining and the onesie to another basic black tutu. Same tiered idea. Unfortunately, some of the layers didn't get caught in the main seams and I was up to my ears in frustration trying to get them all together.

It ended up WAY shorter than I intended, but she'll just wear black leggings underneath anyway. :-)

(so cute! the little ghosts even glow in the dark)

(here I adjusted the lighting so you could see the black layers.)

Linking up:

Despite the sewing frustrations, I live and learn. Especially with sewing.

{Birthday plans and posts coming soon!! Can't believe my little girl's gonna be 1!}

She stands! And a very important parenting lesson.

2011-10-20T09:48:00.001-05:00

and, apparently, climbs...

IMPORTANT PARENTING LESSON:

Lena was fussy the other day, but an early evening walk put her in a wonderful, wonderful mood. (This is fairly unusual on fussy days.)

J and I were trying to decide when to eat for dinner when I made the suggestion. He had brought home a bunch of jalapenos from the seminary from someone's garden. These weren't your wussy jalapenos... they were pretty spicy (the hot weather this summer did that) ... which we like, but they were REALLY spicy. I didn't know what I was going to use 30-40 tiny HOTjalapenos for with just us two. So we found an Emeril recipe on the internet for baked jalapeno poppers. I enlisted Jeremy's help in cutting and dredging and dipping and breading (it was quite the process) that night, and Lena was just playing really nicely.

Then, she's on the kitchen rug playing, and we're working around her and all of a sudden she is gagging.

And then SCREAMING. (Ironically, I was just saying how amazing she was acting...)

Then, I spotted the nasty culprit. She found the end of a cut jalapeno and popped it in her mouth! Everything goes into the chomper these days and I was trying to be so careful... but one of them must've gotten pushed onto the floor. You know with spicy stuff, the sting lasts for awhile, so she is screaming, crying, drooling buckets, trying to get the hot off. Jeremy is wiping out her mouth and her hands and trying to give her a drink ... poor baby. Her little chin was so red from the spicy drool. Oh my.

Lesson learned: DON'T feed babies jalapenos.

We all survived, but it was quite the night

Life these days.

2011-10-19T10:15:00.000-05:00

She is still teething. And getting into everything and more!! I still can't believe she's so mobile. It's amazing. From sitting and army crawling one day to crawling on all fours (fast!) and standing up.

I wouldn't say she's "cruising" yet, but it's coming and coming soon! Watch out world!

We've found her in some funny places. Here she is in the dog cage playing with a diaper she found:

zombie

2011-10-17T08:51:00.001-05:00

I'm not super into Halloween, but we snapped this picture and Jeremy said it was her Zombie Pose.

:-)

I did make a Halloween dress for her ... and I'll feature it this week!

Happy Monday, everyone from cloudy Kansas.

the pumpkin patch - 2011

2011-10-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

we made our (now) annual trip to the pumpkin patch and it was so fun!

2010

2011

She wasn't really too interested in her pumpkin, except ...

to taste it.

She also didn't really get the point of the Dracula face, but it's cute anyway! Haha.

And finally, our sweetie is just over 2 feet tall! Can't wait to measure her here again next year. :-)

Linking up:

Love her.

2011-10-13T07:43:00.000-05:00

My girl.

The sippy cup queen.

Mama said ... (v.2)

2011-10-12T08:47:00.005-05:00

... they'll be days like this.

Some days are just like this. When every last little thing is a tragedy. When she falls a million times, bumps her head, doesn't sleep, cries at the drop of a hat and when Mama scratches her nose. Hard. Lots of little accidents leading up to lots of crying and gnashing of teeth.

Oh wait, she doesn't have any teeth. Dang.

Thanks for bringing that up. Actually, I think she's still majorly teething and its days like yesterday prove it to be so. She is the slowest teether I've ever heard of! Poor dear suffers so. It's truly rough to be a baby sometimes... Thankfully she slept last night, so we are bound to have a better day.
Thank God for His new mercies in the morning!

(See the last "Mama said..." post here.)

silly faces

2011-10-10T07:43:00.000-05:00

oh, what fun we can have! i hope it will only get funner as the years go by.

11 months old and in the leaves.

2011-10-09T12:48:00.000-05:00

Just one month away from celebrating Lena's first birthday! Can you believe it!?

I can't wait to plan, have and take pictures of a little party! :-)

We had some autumn fun, despite the fact that it's still 85 degrees outside. Not exactly the fall weather we've been hoping for. About 20 degrees cooler would be perfect.

Purr-fect. *Sigh.

(and, halfway through, the headband comes off. not surprised at all. I tell her that's why people think she's a boy... She doesn't leave her hairbows in! It's not MY fault.)

Sweet endings.

At 11 months Lena:

- is crawling, fast!
- is talking lots, but no distinguishable words yet
- is teething like the dickens, but only those 2 still!
- had another little cold (makes the cold count 5, but no other issues!)
- crawls, sits, up on her knees, back to sit, crawls ... so mobile, it's amazing!
- is not standing up by herself or cruising yet, but it's coming.
- loves to stand at the door and look outside.
- gets so excited when mom or dad comes home.
- fusses when she doesn't get what she wants (or when what she wants gets taken away...)
- is still only 17.5 lbs. Tiny lady!
- loves to eat sweet potatoes (pureed and steamed), pears, cheese, Cheerios and whole wheat noodles.
- still nursing 4 times a day, but I hope to wean to cow's milk sometime after her 1st birthday.

Almost 1 ... can't believe it!

My vintage beauty hates the fussies.

2011-10-08T09:17:00.000-05:00

One moment:

And, the next moment:

please ignore the shiny white leg in this photo. thank you.

Gotta love them teeth. They make a girl Ca-RAZY!

(Literally, a snapshot of my life. Love her. Hate the fussies.)

A new purse hanger.

2011-10-07T21:09:00.002-05:00

So I've really needed an inside-the-door hanger since we moved in. Nothing felt right ... until Little Lady decided to start getting into everything. Love it how she motivates me!! Like when we got this. And when I made this.

So, diaper bag and purse pulled apart daily (well, almost), we're going to put up this:

The hangers I got at Hobby Lobby for 50% this week. (Score!) and even though the wood screws don't match their patina, I don't hate them as much as I thought I might. I used the colors and distressing technique I used for my sister's bachelorette sign (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the MADAME sign), but distressed almost all of the white off. And I love it! Even the weird wood filler part that I didn't know was there. It just brings a little character to it.

And, I'll let you know when we get it up.

LOVE!

Linking up at:

a mailed surprise

2011-10-05T08:08:00.000-05:00

The mail lady came by the other day and stuck a manilla package in our mailbox. It wasn't the usual junkmail, guys ... it was these two great 1970s vintage outfits for my shop! My MIL's friend had cleaned our her daughter's clothes from the 70s and sent me these.

I especially love the wide-leg strawberry zip jumpsuit. If that isn't 70s, what is!? :-) Too bad Lena isn't in 4T, otherwise I'd stick her in it and make her wear it for days on end. ha!

Too fun. Thanks C!

my new best friend.

2011-10-03T07:31:00.001-05:00

She is my new best friend.

Well, not really, but a friend let me borrow her to shoot my clothes for my Etsy shop (coming right along!!!!) and it's made all the difference. Photographing baby clothes 2D is okay, but for women's clothing you need some dimension! This dressform was a huge help.

Mom, I've decided I need one. Christmas? ;-)

And, here is my $15 flea market find. You'd have to see it in person to get the full effect, but it's a quality material, lined heavily (brand new with tags) Richilene floor length gown from the 70s and I love her! Cinched at the waist, pleated beautifully with fun sleeves ... my only complaint is that you could've made drapes from the same print 40 years ago. But, I still think it's fun.

$400 retail price 40 years ago from a high end store here in KC called Woolf Brothers. I think the flea market man would've asked a lot more if he'd remembered the details. But, he didn't! Ha!

*sigh* Where's the formal parties when I need one to wear this to?

~everywhere~

2011-10-02T08:15:00.000-05:00

our girl is everywhere the past few weeks! she crawls so fast and is into everything ... even things she's not supposed to be (dog food anyone?). she's up on her knees and reaching for things she shouldn't have. and she has a special penchant for electrical cords and electronics. yikes.

:-) here, she raced over to the fridge when i had it open and we snapped a few pictures of her exploring.

disclaimer: no babies choked on grapes during the making of this post. All grapes were removed promptly after laughing and snapping pictures.

this face...

2011-10-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

... is the face i see most often lately. instead of a smile, i get this:

ha! what a character.

visitors from Ohio

2011-09-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

my grandpa's funeral abruptly changed my blogging focus in the last weeks, but right before that all happened, we had special visitors from Ohio!!

Lena LOOOVED all of the attention.

(And we went flea-marketing and I found this great vintage dress, bnwt, originally $400!! can't wait to show pictures.)

Lena started getting up on all fours while they were here. And she started leaning more - especially when she knows she's getting attention.

So funny!

thanks for visiting Grandma and Uncle Ben!

standing at the window.

2011-09-29T11:45:00.002-05:00

what a big girl i have. :-)

somebody loves to look outside!! (snooping on the neighbors ... her father's specialty.)

an NFL tutu

2011-09-28T08:43:00.000-05:00

NFL season is upon us. Lovely for the men who watch it and boring for their lady friends who only watch because they love their men.

(Okay, I know some women love it, but I'm not a fan, so just go with it.)

Jeremy was born in Pittsburgh, so he's a Steelers fan. Luckily, there are several families at church who are also Steeler fans that we join on Sundays throughout the season to watch the games. OR talk. Or eat. Or something like that.

Some of Jeremy's family still lives in Pennsylvania (Steeler country) and his aunt has bought Lena several Steelers items. Much to his delight. And much to my dismay.

I mean, the girl already has too many people call her a boy when she's wearing GIRL clothes ... not to mention wearing unisex onesies!!

What?! I love the NFL. No, actually I love my husband. That's why I spent naptime the other day sewing up a skirt/tutu to go with Lena's "i-was-born-a-Steelers-fan" onesie. Four tiered layers: three of yellow tulle on one black tulle layer with a wide elastic waistband.

And I love it! So, she can wear it and I don't have to cringe every time I see her. Now... I just need some black leggings and a little yellow and black hairbow to go with it...

What do you think?

Are you a football fan?

on death

2011-09-27T10:32:00.000-05:00

my grandpa died 2-1/2 weeks ago. it was the day he came home from the hospital after having a scheduled open heart surgery (10 days before) to fix a fairly serious valve issue. that day my mom had called me to tell me she was out with her parents helping them settle in, that he looked puffy but she said, "I think he's gonna make it."

an hour later she called me to tell me that he'd collapsed and she had to do CPR on him. she didn't know if he was going to make it.

he didn't.

he was so strong and healthy. I mean, granted, he was almost 80, but he was energetic and still jogging and climbing ladders and on counters and gardening and always doing something. it was really sudden. i think that's why it was so hard to swallow.

and i didn't really want to go back home. to face the reality. not because i was particularly close to him but because i hate grief. and suffering. and pain. and death.

this is why i think that death wasn't supposed to be a part of the natural created order. sure, plants die, the ground winters over, and there's the food chain ... but i don't think that God created death. It's absolutely gut-wrenching to think about in any capacity and just seems so wrong.

so wrong...

when a husband loses his wife.

when a son is killed in action.

when a baby is lost at 13 or 39 weeks gestation.

when a toddler is hit by a drive-by.

You can't tell me this is "part of God's plan." Because I will never think it is. Because I don't think that life as it is is how He originally planned it. But, because of sin, we're stuck in this mess. And I don't think we're beyond redemption or that it's impossible to experience His goodness in the world, because that's not true either. But I don't think that death/grief/suffering is how he wanted His world to be.

but, we go on with our lives and deal with death in the best ways possible. feel what we need to feel, do what we need to do: cry, grieve, remember.

it was a nice funeral. (as "nice" as any funeral can be.) flowers were expedited from Hawaii as soon as their church found out. See, G&G were Hawaiians 9 months out of the year, so they dressed him in a Hawaiian shirt and lei, played Hawaiian music at the visitation, and displayed the gorgeous Hawaiian flowers (see above pic).

we got to see the family. an aunt and uncle i haven't seen in 15 years. my brother and sister.

but, really, i would've waited 'til Christmas to see them to avoid a funeral.

alas, it wasn't to be.

so, pray for my mom and her family if you pray and you think of them. and, someday, I believe that redemption will come to the world and all this confusing and heart-wrenching death crap will come to an end.

Maranatha.

eating. again.

2011-09-25T08:40:00.000-05:00

sometimes. we just can't help ourselves.

we snap pictures of her...

eating again.

dog food is not baby food.

2011-09-24T09:33:00.000-05:00

remember this post??

so my children decided to share a bowl of dog food together the other day. wasn't that nice??

this is what i found (AFTER I wiped off her face).

(insert gagging and retching sounds from me.)

Obviously, she'd swallowed a fair share after sucking on two pieces like candy. You might be asking, "where the heck were you?!" And I'd say, "In the kitchen, making dinner." And that this hadn't been a problem. At all. Except that one day she got into it, she'd pretty much left Jackson's food/water bowls alone.

No longer.

So, another note, just to complete the absolutely disgusting episode: dog food makes babies throw up.

I put Lena to bed as usual, she's been whiny, but she's teething so I didn't think anything of it. She cried out a couple of times but nothing too crazy, so we left her until the morning to sleep. Well, sometime during the night she'd thrown up ALL OVER her bed and then proceeded to roll herself in it for the hours after. She was dried and crusted and IT WAS DISGUSTING. Needless to say, she got a morning bath.

Remember, don't let kids eat dog food. YUCK!

my shop

2011-09-23T08:54:00.000-05:00

my shop is coming along! it is a lot of work to draft items to post on Etsy. I'm glad I started "early" although I wish I would've started sooner. Taking good photos, finding props, editing details, measuring, etc. takes a long time.

Anyone want to be my assistant? (Unfortunately Lena and Jackson aren't much help. So I do most of my work during naptime.)

My shop will feature mostly vintage baby clothing with a smattering of vintage housewares, vintage women's clothing and jewelry and a couple of handmade items.

My goal is to be up and running by the end of October ... my birthday (Nov) by the very latest.

I'll let you know when we're live!! So excited.

Vintage Hawaiian Dress Re-do

2011-09-22T16:41:00.003-05:00

I found this dress at the Salvation Army for a couple bucks. It's definitely vintage (thick polyester lovin'!) - and the tag clearly states "Honolulu, Hawaii". It's not exactly Hawaiian in the sense that I think of now, but isn't it a little crazy and really great? And, for the record, quite comfy too.

I decided that the length was a little unflattering, so I altered it above the knee. Unfortunately, even after measuring twice, I still altered it a little too short for my long lady legs. Hopefully a shorter gal will enjoy this from my Etsy shop (opening soon!).

What do you think? Isn't it fun?

(dress look familiar? click HERE to see where I used the rest of this fabric.)

avocados: messy

2011-09-21T08:41:00.003-05:00

pretty sure she needed a bath after eating lunch the other day.

pretty sure I just scrubbed her off with a washcloth. (much to her dismay!)

happy wednesday!!

p.s. it's almost fall! so excited. the weather is finally cooling off here...

a little bathroom facelift: shower curtain

2011-09-18T12:53:00.000-05:00

i decided that our bathroom needed a little help. our place is rented, the vent fan doesn't work well which means that the walls are slightly moldy. yuck, right?

well, we aren't going to put a bunch of money into fixing up our rented townhome, but i did decide that the decor needed help. first up, the shower curtain.

shower curtain: before

it was on our wedding registry 3 years ago. my first thought was: get a new one. but i don't have the money, don't need to spend the money and ours works just fine. the grommets are slightly rusty (why do they put metal on shower curtains? especially the liners? please, oh please, explain why.), it needs a good washing and just some pizazz added.

(insert: rosette tutorial.)

YES! Exactly what I needed. *sigh.

I had some extra linen that I re-used to make the rosettes. (I love the scrappy look of them. Linen unravels beautifully.) It previously was covering my vanity stool, but linen, because it stretches and wrinkles, is awful to use for upholstering. So I scored a new piece of great fabric for $1 and recovered my stool.

(Note to self: don't use linen for upholstering.)

I cut off those silly grommets and used the holes to mark out the spots to sew button holes.

This was the first time to use my automatic button-holer on my sewing machine and I LOVED it! I wanted to make button holes all day, but I tempered my desire and just made enough to rehang my curtain. It's a little shorter than it was... but...

I sewed on a ruffle to make up for some of the missing length. I love me some ruffles!! :-)
I actually hand-ruffled it and then sewed it on the wrong ways together. I had a ruffle mishap at the beginning that really wasn't working for me, so I went back to this way and it turned out so cute!

Shower curtain: After

(excuse the perspective - our bathroom is so tiny, it's almost impossible to photograph!)

More to come: Bathroom art!

another little vintage dress

2011-09-17T12:58:00.002-05:00

My grandpa died last week and we've been to Iowa and back in the last few days.

This was the little vintage dress Lena wore to the funeral. And, a little toy we found at a garage sale for 50 cents! Exactly what I wanted: wooden and from IKEA.

(Unfortunately, Jackson also likes this toy. The top has been chewed on several times. You can see the teeth marks...)

Vintage yellow dress: thrifted, white sweater with daisy buttons: gifted, purple leggings: gifted, ballerina socks: gifted.

Linking up to

fashion: Alexa Chung

2011-09-07T10:48:00.003-05:00

my new fashion muse: Alexa Chung. have you heard of her?

According to Wikipedia, she's an English tv presenter, model and contributing editor at British Vogue. And she's only 3 weeks older than me. If only my style matched hers ... I think I would be so satisfied with how I looked.

I'm generally not drawn to high fashion as it's not really accessible to the normal person ... me. I like to look, but that's about it. But, her style (at least in the InStyle shoot) is exactly what I love! A little vintage, a little funky, a little classic, a little modern. I can't explain it, but I heart her style! Click the link below to see more.

source

click HERE for more photos.

What do you think? Could I pull it off?

clap your hands!

2011-09-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

Lena loves to clap her hands (among other things.)

Sometimes when we wave at her (to try to get her to wave back) she "forgets" and starts clapping. SO sweet.

She's also really good at clapping MY hands. I'll try to get her to clap and it's like she says, "See Mama! You can do it!" Haha.

Oh, the little things.

We're clapping. What are you up to this week?

10 months old.

2011-09-05T13:28:00.002-05:00

today Lena is 10 months old! (she is wearing a tiny vintage polka-dot shirt with strawberries on the side. it's size 3-6 months, so the sleeves are slightly short...)

(she sees Daddy coming)

(at 10 months, Lena is waving, clapping, army-crawling and shaking her head "yes" and "no." she has only just started imitating us - knowingly. she is becoming so much more aware of people, places and things, she gets so excited to see Jackson and Daddy. she talks to herself often - our favorite joke is calling her our little German girl because she makes a great sound like "ICH!" she still is sleeping well, but the last few days we think she's been teething. only two teeth have poked through so far. can't believe her first birthday is right around the corner!)

linking up to Little Vintage Style v.21!

first floor: finally childproofed

2011-09-04T08:26:00.004-05:00

hey all! i finally, finally got the first (main) floor of our townhome childproofed. my last and final task after getting a new entertainment center to contain all of its cords was to find a way to contain all of the plastic bags, which had been previously stuck in a gap between the counter and refrigerator. tiny ladies and very tempting plastic bags DON'T MIX.

thus, i looked online and found this tutorial and proceeded to make one during naptime one day last week. here is hers:

and here is mine (made from scraps):

finally, childproofing success (at least until she starts to pull herself up).

rejoice!

her new perch.

2011-09-02T09:14:00.000-05:00

since she is mobile now and can get herself into trouble ...

this is her new perch during morning getting-ready-time. it's SO cute to see her entertaining herself! Love this girl.

Fashion: color blocking

2011-09-01T09:05:00.001-05:00

Lena was so in-style the other day. Color-blocked thanks to Carter's.

So I've seen the color-blocking fashion leaking into the style magazines

... and, frankly, I can't stand it!

source

It's so... 80s. I'm okay with leg-warmers for babies these days. But Wayfarers?

source

And COLOR color?

source

Yuck.

Some people like it, see this post at Colour Me Happy. Um, I love color. But COLOR color is kind of much. Reminds me too much of the eighties. I'm a 70s and before girl...

I've heard this over and over, but it's my turn now. It is SO weird when things from Your Time come back into style. Not weird, it's a little creepy.

source

I'm sticking with color mixed with neutrals thank you very much.

(What do you think? Color-blocking: yes or no?)

Carrot top?

2011-08-31T08:31:00.000-05:00

see any resemblences?

(via Google images)

Yeah, me either. :-)

great post from a bad missionary

2011-08-30T08:20:00.000-05:00

I *heart* Jamie The Very Worst Missionary.

Okay, I heart her but I really don't know her. I just really love her post over there from yesterday.

Don't read it though. She cusses a little bit.

Unless that's okay.*

Then read it.

It just might lift you.

*thoughts related to reading A Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown in Sunday School (compliments of my husband, the teacher.)

why I like Harry Potter

2011-08-29T09:22:00.001-05:00

(taken from http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/features/why_my_family_adopted_harry_potter1)

Why We Adopted Harry Potter

by John Granger, http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/

I first read a Harry Potter novel so I could explain to my older daughter why we don’t read junk like that. As father to seven children whom we educate at home, I decided we wouldn’t have anything to do with Harry after a coworker had recommended these stories (with no little enthusiasm!) about an English boy who goes to a school to learn witchcraft and wizardry.

We don’t watch television, so I was unaware of the controversy about the books in the Christian community, but I didn’t need much guidance to figure this out. The title of the first book included the word sorcerer, and this seemed sufficient to me to keep it out of my home. Alas, our pediatrician (and Baptist mother of four) gave a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to Hannah, then 12, and I was obliged to read it or just a few pages in order to point out its failings as literature and edifying reading. I mean, advocating witchcraft … as a Christian, this seemed a no-brainer.

I sat down with the beat-up paperback when the children were finally in bed and expected to be in bed myself in a few minutes. Instead, I was up the better part of the night enjoying the best story I had read in many years. The next day I told Hannah she could read Harry — in fact, I told her to start reading the book that day. I bought the other books in the series, apologized to my co-worker for disregarding her recommendation, and read the first chapters of the first book aloud that night to my other children.

What caused my aboutface on Harry? First, there isn’t any sorcery or invocational magic in Harry Potter (the American publisher changed the original title, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, because he felt Americans would not buy a book with philosophy in the title). Objections to the witchcraft in Harry Potter are unfounded because the incantational magic of literature has nothing to do with the occult.

As important for me, though, was the depth and evidently Christian meaning of the stories. I didn’t know then what I have learned since — that the author, J.K. Rowling, has an honors degree in classics from the University of Exeter and is Church of Scotland in her faith (Presbyterian). The author’s faith, intelligence, and classical training come shining through her stories. In the best tradition of English literature, which until very recently has been Christian literature written by Christians for Christians, Rowling instructs while delighting and baptizes the imagination.

I confess to being more than a little surprised when I learned that other readers had trouble seeing past the title to enjoy the delightful characters and drama. I realized then that I was able to see what the author was doing because I look through the same prescription eye glasses she does. Like Rowling, I love the Great Books, have an honors degree in classics, and I grew up in the Anglican communion (the American Episcopal Church). I could see the literary spellwork she was performing in these adventure-mystery tales because I could understand the literary references and formulas, recognize the Christian imagery and symbols, and translate the Latin spells.

I explained this to friends who encouraged me to write a book they could share with other friends who loved or hated Harry. This book has been published as Looking for God in Harry Potter. In it, I describe how and explain why the books have become so popular; the human heart is made by Christ for Christ — and our hearts, hardened as they may be, resonate with the Christian themes, artistry, and meaning of these books, all of which echo the great story of Our Lord’s Incarnation and Resurrection. Each book, for example, ends with Harry’s confrontation with evil — and Harry loses every single time and dies a figurative death. He is saved from death by love and a traditional symbol of Christ, and, in case you miss the reference, in the first book he rises after three days!

The most interesting thing about these books for me, however, isn’t the artistry and faith of the author, though I find them remarkable, to say the least. Father Don Peter Fleetwood of the Pontifical Council for Culture and many other literate Catholics have noted the Christian meaning and goodness of these books. What stays with me is the salutary effect these books have had on my children.

C. S. Lewis once explained the bad behavior of one of his child characters as being the unhappy result of the boy’s “not having read the right books,” namely, stories about knights in shining armor slaying dragons and rescuing fair maidens. My children love King Arthur and Robin Hood (especially the Howard Pyle versions) and our yard often has several of them acting out their favorite stories from these books as well as Harry Potter. I think my neighbors know all the spells in the books from hearing the Granger kids yell them across the lawn. “Expecto Patronum!”

I didn’t think much about this until the day I had to leave some papers with an unpleasant business associate. My 10-year-old daughter Sophia was with me in the van on the way to her violin lesson, and she could tell when we pulled into the business’s parking lot that I was uncomfortable about the man I was going to see, however brief our meeting would be. She asked me why I looked upset and I explained that I was just nervous about my errand, but that I would be right out to take her to her lesson.

She got out of the van with me, I assumed to rollerblade around the empty parking lot. No, she was determined to come in with me and skated up to the door. “Of course, I’m coming with you,” she said. “You know, Daddy, just like Harry Potter; friends don’t let friends face danger by themselves.”

My children are reading the right books. Entering the building with my daughter and comrade-in-arms, I had to think that the Harry Potter novels are some of the best.

—John Granger is an author, speaker, and teacher of the Great Books. He is the Harry Potter professor at Barnes & Noble University, where he teaches a course on how to teach children literature using Harry Potter. He is the author of Looking for God in Harry Potter. This article originally appeared in the December 2004 issue of Catholic Digest and at CatholicDigest.com.

tiny friends

2011-08-27T15:33:00.001-05:00

I love playdates. Not only do they get Lena out of the house, into new surroundings and make her much less fussy, they also get ME out of the house!

This is Lena and her little friend, K. She is only 6 months, but almost as big as Lena and army-crawling the same!! They go after the same toys, each others' binkies and sippy cups. Soon they'll have to learn how to share.

:-) Little friends are so fun.

ugly bug - summer's last garden update

2011-08-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

The other day, I let Jackson out to do his business in the backyard and glanced toward my tomato plants.

I almost missed this little booger, but with a double-take, I realized, "THAT is not a leaf. THAT is a big nasty caterpillar." I had a caterpillar run-in in Minnesota this summer, and since then they just freak me out. Willies up the neck type thing.

As I continued to examine my tomato plant, I thought to myself, "This nasty thing is eating my plant!"

Sure enough, after careful examination and some Google-sleuthing, I had a name for my pest: the hornworm. Gross!! Some "advice" included prying the green goop off your plants with tongs or tweezers or pliers, and squishing them under your shoe!!

Um, this thing was like 5inches long. There was no way I was squashing that thing under my shoe. I'd rather grab the tongs and fling him to kingdom come. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

When I went out to look for him again there were no more signs of tomato devastation and he was gone. Phew!

In other news, this tiny little pepper (about 3-inches) was one of two awful peppers I harvested from my garden this year. The tomatoes in the background are 4 of about 8 that have turned. So, it wasn't a wonderful year for peppers, beans or tomatoes, but the jalapenos and basil loved the heat wave!

So, another garden year gone. I'm a little discouraged. I think that Jeremy was right ... the soil in our backyard isn't the best. And conditions in the last several years just haven't been good for Kansas gardening.

How did your garden turn out? Should I try again next year?

Fashion: Plaid? Plaid!

2011-08-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

I normally really dislike plaid. But I could do this from Theory!

What do you think??

Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2011-08-24T10:17:00.000-05:00

Hi all!

Have any extra garden zucchini this year? No picture, but a great recipe from my MIL to share. I love making this because even Jeremy loves to eat it!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/2 c. butter (softened)
1-3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
1/2 c. sour milk (make it sour with 2 tsp. lemon juice)
1 t. vanilla

Cream the above, adding each ingredient as you go. (If you prefer less sugar or want to substitute the oil for applesauce, I'm sure it would turn out just as moist and yummy!)

Add:
2-1/2 c. flour
4 t. cocoa
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. cinnamon (or more if you like)
1/2 c. chocolate chips
2 c. zucchini

Mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Bake in a greased 8x8 pan at 325 degrees for 60-80 min.

ENJOY!

P.S. I'm loving the garden produce harvest right now. After the heat wave, we didn't have much except jalapenos and basil, but my mom's tomato crop in Iowa was amazing and she's shared several red beauties and lots of yellow squash with us.

fun new things

2011-08-24T09:02:00.001-05:00

Some fun new things have entered our lives in the last few days.

First of all, our need to childproof included finding a tv stand better suited to tiny little girls and curious fingers. Lena loves to find and pull on cords of all kinds. So with our corner tv stand, she was bound to pull the Wii or hard drive onto her head. (She'd already tried a few times).

I've actually looked on Craigslist several times for a different tv stands to no avail. When we made the decision some child-proofing in this area needed to happen, I hopped on Craigslist and found this beauty in about two minutes.

the best part?? it was free if we hauled it!

So I contacted the girl and she said that it was super heavy and we'd need an appliance dolly. Which meant that we'd need two men and a truck. Which meant that Jeremy needed to agree. Which meant we'd have to find another guy and borrow a truck. He was reluctant at first, but got on board and helped me get my dream tv armoire. Luckily, my parents were in town this weekend and my dear dad agreed to help Jeremy move it. Thanks a million, Dad and Jeremy!

It was termed "a beast", but with borrowed truck and dolly, our free cabinet made its way into our home - serving its purpose as TV hider and childproof cabinet well. It didn't fit very well into the corner, so we switched it to the entry and put my cedar chest and mirror in a temporary spot. I think it's okay here, although I'd really like to see this as extra seating and/or a comfy reading nook. Maybe complete with record player? We'll see.

In other new news, Lena has learned to wave this week!!

and, finally, last but definitely not least, my best friend, E, and her husband, M, welcomed their beautiful 7.2-pound sweet baby girl, Elliana Renae, into the world yesterday! (in Korea) Happy birthday to Ella and congratulations to all three of them!! I can't wait to meet this tiny girl in person...

peas: a wonderful dining experience

2011-08-19T07:22:00.000-05:00

This is how we eat our peas ... eat our peas ... eat our peas...

any drips off the spoon are immediately obliterated and thusly smeared.

a green facial anyone?

(the picture didn't capture it but there are peas in her hair as well...)

hands.

We've moved from Gerber puffs to soft carrots this week.

YUM!

And, this is her favorite way to drink from a sippy cup. I think it takes less effort laying down.

Happy Friday all!! Enjoy your weekend.

a friend from China

2011-08-18T11:04:00.000-05:00

My friend, Alison, came all the way from China to visit us and meet Lena this week - just like last year! Except this time I wasn't on bedrest and she brought her younger sister along. We had a good time baby-talking and playing Wheel of Fortune on the Wii. (because, yeah, we're cool like that!)

'Twas so great to see her. I even was motivated to clean my house before she came. Double score!! Thanks Alison! Woot!

the view from here

2011-08-16T14:41:00.000-05:00

happy August 16. this is the view from here.

Lena is scooting and moving all over the place! Baby-proofing needs to happen quickly ... except that it costs money! Ha! Well, the gates do at least. With 2 staircases and several things she doesn't need to be playing with (cords, lamps, etc. etc.) we have our work cut out for us.

She's been teething the last few days (boo) and is FU-SSY! But, we still love her, grumpy or glad.

Recipe: Greek Chicken with Olives & Feta

2011-08-15T12:47:00.000-05:00

Need a new recipe? This oh-so-good Greek Chicken with Olives and Feta might do it! Yum.

Ingredients:

Chicken breast strips
Kalamata olives, halved
Feta cheese, crumbled
Diced tomatoes
Oregano, salt, pepper
Fresh garlic
Olive Oil
Couscous

Heat oil in two separate skillets - one on medium and one on medium high. Dredge your chicken breast strips with oregano and salt and pepper. Place in hotter skillet. Sear on all sides. Mince garlic and cook in other skillet until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, more oregano, salt, pepper and olives. Bring to a simmer. Add chicken pieces and cover. Simmer on medium or medium low until chicken is cooked. Serve over fresh couscous and sprinkle with feta cheese (and fresh parsley, which I forgot).

YUM!