Thursday, February 24, 2011

Recent Sewing

I've been sewing a little bit lately... ok, let's be honest. When am I not sewing? At completely random times throughout the day, I find myself sneaking into the sewing room (also the guest room) and making progress here and there on a project. When it's complete, booyah! I made something. And it is wearable, too. Even better!


I had tops for my two daughters that I fully intended to put applique's on. For whatever reason they ended up being dresses. Easy way to use up scrap fabric. The bigger dress has a tie that ties around the front, rocking the oriental look.






Are you tilting your head, saying "what does this skirt look like? The picture is too close." Yes I know, but hubby hasn't been home to take pictures of my creations this month. I had to hold out the point and shoot camera for this one. It's from the Amy Butler pattern I use to make the plaid skirt out of. This is an awesome pattern. My only gripe about this skirt is that I failed to look at where the large flower was placed on the last two tiers of the skirt. But that's minute, really. Love it. Now I just need some Springtime, please!


Once again, no one to take the picture for me... this is a stretch sweater knit that I banded with elastic and called it a day. Very easy to make, took less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I'm looking forward to wearing this one a lot!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Me Time



I have the most wonderful husband in the world, who understands that I need at least a few hours to myself each week to do whatever I dang well please. In the past I would run errands, but this didn't leave me refreshed. So, recently I've been going to a local coffee shop and reading, journaling, and trying not to eavesdrop on the person next to me (I'm easily distracted). I've started to look forward to my "date with me" each week. It's been truly wonderful, reflective, and rejuvenating.

The beginnings of Black Bean Soup, mmmmm

Life

Who among me feels the stress of the pace of our society? That never settle, over-committed, shop till you drop, never say die mentality. It's very American, isn't it? Something we've always prided ourselves in. We're a nation made of people who can do anything, dang it! But what is this doing to us? The relationships we value most?

My husband is a pediatric resident in his last year, which means our life has been terribly inconsistent. Each month, for the past 7 years, his schedule has changed. So the schedule for the family changes. And his time-commitments in each rotation increases or decreases along with the responsibilities.

No one warned me how much this would affect our family. How much it would affect me.

Yesterday, my husband collapsed on the bed following a 30 hour shift in the NICU. Eventually he woke and over a Valentine dinner (he lovingly prepared for me), he told me about twins born at 25 weeks into a 40 week pregnancy. Wee babies, designed by a loving Father, arrived in the world too soon. Each child is now laying in the NICU, ill-equipped to breathe as their lungs pulsate with electronic breaths that cannot be taken on their own.

How thankful it made me for two term pregnancies and for my two beautiful healthy girls. Thankful for a caring husband who works tirelessly in the hospital and in his home to care for the people God put in his life. Gratitude is good for the soul.

Lately I've been thinking more about what it means to "slow down." To care for the things of our home in a timely manner, so that I don't face stress because I have to rush to be done with them. To sit and reflect in order to process the good God is doing in my life. To get lost staring out my window at the snow or the sun or the sky. To relax.



LOOK at this photography!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I Just Might be in Trouble..

So this morning my Eldest and I decided to get breakfast started while Daddy slept. Dangerous thing to do, leaving two chocolate lovers to decide on breakfast. Thank goodness there are chocolate-lovers who have gone before us, writing recipe books to document their findings. Eldest Daughter and I selected a recipe from Veganomicon: Chocolate Chip Brownie Waffles. Mmmmmm.

What???

Who says you can't have chocolate for breakfast? I mean, they're waffles, after all. And isn't that breakfast food?

They were fantastic! So good that I am going to all the trouble to type out the recipe for you to try.


Chocolate Chip Brownie Waffles
Veganomicon - Moskowitz & Romero

Measure these into your sifter:

2 c white flour

2/3 c cocoa

1 T baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt


Mix these in an extra large bowl:

1-3/4 c soymilk (I used almond milk because it's what I had)

1/4 c water

1/2 c soy yogurt (I used mashed firm tofu because it's what I had)

1/3 c oil

2/3 c sugar

1-1/2 t vanilla


Sift in the dry stuff, then blend with a whisk. When it’s almost mixed, blend in:

1 c vegan semisweet chocolate chips, coarsely chopped

1/3 c chopped walnuts


Ladle the batter onto your preheated (well oiled!) waffle iron. We didn't use much syrup but added a few strawberries, bananas, and whipped cream (not vegan, but whatever).

Enjoy!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Oh my!

Does anyone else come home frazzled after a kids party? Or is it just me? I just returned from a childrens Valentine Party and I am totally overwhelmed. I mean, I feel like I could use a serious break! My eldest has returned home totally buzzed on sugar and energy of being surrounded by 25 other kids (all under the age of 3) and my youngest seems to respond like me. Her eyes are in that perpetual state of wide-eyed surprise.

A while back I read a book called The Highly Sensitive Child, in hopes to understand my almost 4 year old better. What I didn't expect was to learn something about myself! There are several ways in which I am sensitive and it can be downright painful for me to consider. 1. I can only take so much noise. Be it a concert or my children, at some point I reach a cap and have to exit the situation pronto. This makes kiddie parties and even playgroups really tough for me. 2. I attempt to keep things on the calm level, because that's what I can take. So I look like a control freak, but really I'm just trying to keep things to a managable level before my sensitivities are overloaded and I go running from the room. I've never ever liked huge parties, even if they were for me. I could get up on stage and sing in front of a huge room full of people, but if I had to get off the stage and mingle with them, that's enough to make my heart start beating fast and my hands to get all clammy.

And I think to myself "I've been done in by a kids party." Geez.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Is there such a thing?


So about three weeks ago a friend of mine looked at my fridge and said "wow, your fridge looks really healthy." I chuckled. Does it??

This got me thinking. While we don't eat typical SAD (Standard American Diet), we don't adhere to just one of the "natural-y" ways of eating. I've read several books - so many that hubby can't keep up with them all, haha. From vegan, to raw, to macrobiotics, to clean food, to nutritarian, to body ecology... there have been many a diet change in our home in the past three or so years. A common thread in all books/articles/videos that I have viewed is this: eat more (green) veggies, legumes/beans, nuts, fruits, and it 'em raw if you can. Eat less refined or pre-made anything - cookies, crackers, sugary treats. And less dairy and meat. Seriously, they all say this.

Sometimes it seems profound and other times it seems too simple. And why oh why is it so difficult to do?

As for my fridge, is it healthy? Hm...

Randomness

We are thinking about getting some sort of bike thing when we move (coming up in June/July). I want to get an xtracycle or a madsen. You can attach seats on the back for two kiddos.

Here's the xtracycle



Here's the Madsen (and you can fit 4 kids in it, with buckles!)


I realize there is a grown woman wearing this star head band, but I think I'm going to make one for my girls...


This is the skirt I'm working on now for the Spring (this pattern). I can't stand winter any more and am now sewing ahead. Shouldn't you sew a season ahead anyway?

I am totally digging this set of bowls. Handmade pottery nesting bowls from etsy. Mmmmmm.



I've had these hemp Simple shoes for over a year now and I love them (I'm pretty picky about my shoes). Simple makes great shoes!
I've had these shoes for over a year now and I simply love them. Simple makes great shoes!