kidding around

I actually finished this skirt about 4 weeks ago and only had to hem it- it’s taken me this long! As always, I learn every time I sew- I love that and kind of dislike it as well.

The pattern was found at my local thrift for a quarter and it fits my Elisabeth perfectly. I am envisioning one more for the summer with a fun freezer paper stencil and then some definite “fall-ish” skirts, but we are not talking or thinking fall. Although the stores sure are pushing out all the summer merchandise. Weird. Are there really that many people that buy ahead?

Happy Weekend!

PS- Is that thread bothering anyone? It is me, I thought for a moment to re-shoot the skirt but then quickly talked myself into not being a perfectionist.

That good old midwestern humidity has really helped my garden thrive! This past week, I planted some more seeds in my plots and found they had germinated after 3 days! How satisfying and exciting!

We had a family dinner on Tuesday night and I was totally proud to pick most of our salad fresh out of the garden. Just to imagine that less than 3 weeks ago I planted tiny seeds in my newly built garden plots. The kids are really thrilled to see our garden’s progress and I’ll even find them picking lettuce and munching on the tender leaves.

(approximately 4 weeks ago)

Last week I felt that my plants and seedlings were mature enough to spread mulch. Si and I had great fun spreading out “cocoa shell” mulch and the fragrance was wonderful! I felt like I was in a chocolate factory! In the process, we discovered a baby rabbit- I think having my vegetables in a raised plot helps with rabbit nibbling.
(present state of humble garden)


(before, 6 weeks ago)

Since I am posting about growth, I had to share this shot of my nieces and nephews on my side of the family. My sister was here for a short night- on her way to Washington State and I was so glad to have orchestrated this shot. Jane wasn’t digging it, but we understand. A long day for a 2.5 year old- she still is so cute! ANYWAY, for those of you who KNOW my family personally, can you believe how they have grown? Oh my!

I’ve been in an extreme funk as of late-

juggling summer fun+kids activities+no time to sew= funk

I’m hoping to change that soon. Thanks for bearing with me and reading my rambling posts. Also, I love your comments and STINK at replying. Please know I totally love and thrive hearing from ALL of you! I do- I really, really do!

This weekend (and week) was certainly busy at Moveable Feast. I thought some of you would enjoy shots of a wedding we catered at a nearby farm/park district property.

The work that goes into an event like this is amazing. I am always in awe of the details, strategic planning and obvious creativity.

The team that created the space was my sister’s good friend, RJA design. They did the dinner tables and overall feel of the event and it was totally breathtaking!

Pretty great, huh? Hopefully, the years to come for the new couple will only get better!

My sister and her husband are proposing a cookbook to a publisher today. They asked me to take some photos for their pitch and I had a ball. I spent about 3 hours yesterday shooting about 200 photos.

It was totally gratifying to upload them to Walgreens and pick them up as I was off to have dinner with them…now that is technology working for you. (The print job was actually really good, for an instant need sort of thing)

The sewing machine hasn’t been humming a lot lately. I’m not sure how the days fly by so quickly, but they do and I intend to enjoy each hour of our long summer days. I know there will be plenty of days in July when the heat will be unbearable and we will be indoors in the much loathed (but happy to have!) air conditioning.

Last night I hosted book club. The above shot is the makings of an icebox cake, which was a huge hit. Make it this weekend. Seriously. We drizzled chocolate sauce on the plate before placing the slice and that was pretty spectacular (thanks Ellie for the idea!).

And to make things easy on me I just made a spread of cheese and crudite. It was really good, fun and easy. Wish I did this sort of entertaining regularly…I’m afraid the guest list wouldn’t be too long. Oh well.

Have a good Wednesday (or Thursday)!

Yesterday was not only Father’s Day, but our 12th wedding anniversary. We spent most of the day with the air on, eating good cheese, drinking French cider, and dealing with kids in and out of the house (we did manage to go out on Friday). It has been really hot and humid- very reminiscent of our day in 1995…in fact I think that’s all what people remember of our wedding is the 95+ heat and extreme humidity.

A good day to reflect on what my sweet husband and I have created in the past 12 years. 3 kids, 1 cross-country move, multiple pets, and a solid friendship…

…nothing better than that…we look so young!

I made my yearly shirt for Nathan and also thought my Dad would like it for Father’s Day as well. Because really, what else would you want?!

Hurrah for freezer paper stencils!

I’ve been tagged by my pal Allison.

7 randoms things about me:

1. Every night before going to sleep, I ask my husband if he will make sure he locks all the doors. Even if I have checked them…If I forget to ask him and I am in bed all snug and he is still awake, I still need to get up and ask him.

2. I prefer a huge bowl of vegetables over fruit. I’ll eat any kind of vegetable, but the texture of most fruit makes me sort of gag. I am totally ashamed by this and it’s a big deal for me to admit this to the world. Oh- give me a fruit pie and I will forget my bias, but not quite the healthy choice, huh?

3. I could listen to the same CD weeks on end. Changing disks or radio stations drives me crazy.

4. Remember watching Schoolhouse Rock on Saturday mornings? This isn’t anything about me, but my Uncle did a number of the illustrations.

I didn’t really understand what this really meant as a 5 year old, but it was really fun as I grew older to see his name flash on the screen. Now, when my kids watch the DVD they are impressed with our family celebrity.

5. At stop lights, I add up the numbers on people’s license plates. Not just once, but in different combinations making sure I come up with the correct sum. OCD?

6. I’m the driver in the family. My husband doesn’t care if I drive when our family goes somewhere- in fact, I drive all of the time. Not because he is a bad driver, but because I totally like to strategize my route and keep busy. He, on the other hand navigates and keeps me entertained and just relaxes (something I don’t do well).

I think there is a good trade off here. His manhood is not being stripped away and my femininity isn’t when he cooks dinner. We work well together.

7. I love love love to get 7-9 hours of sleep at night! I also prefer to get up at the crack of dawn and enjoy the calm.

So what’s up with all of the random photos? I got my furniture I mentioned last Friday. I love it! This past week has been crazy with tearing up my whole house. I moved my sewing space to a smaller space (photos to come), I cleaned out the photo closet to make room for my sewing space, cleaned under couches and closets…just for my cool loveseat and chair. I feel like we moved- so much work!

I’m supposed to tag someone with this list, but I have never been good at being “it”. So- if you would like to play, let me know and I would love to read your list! Hopefully I haven’t scared people off- this list is a funny reflection of me.

The other day was my sister’s birthday. I knew I wanted to make her something and I KNEW it had to be something similar to this… I thought I would bring out the freezer paper and intermingle a simple geometric shape with some stitching and applique (freezer paper, again!).

As with every project, I always wished I had a bit more time- but I do like it! She did too. Yes!

I like to keep a fairly orderly house. It doesn’t need to be spic and span, but shoes in the right place and purposeful piles is the sort of environment I like to create.

Obviously letting my kids have fun is important, but it’s when little messes are left that get me agitated. How do you raise children that aren’t surprised that laundry needs to be put away or they can help make lunch? You give them chores!

I knew this summer was going to be full of outdoor fun and a relaxed routine, but I needed to create some order with my 3 kids and my “more-home-during-the summer” teacher husband (although he is keeping busy with work!). I feel a bit outnumbered when I am scurrying around and the rest are kicking back.

Controlling? Nope! My almost 9 year old and 6 year old are at the ripe age of working and earning money!

I gave my system a week, and guess what? It’s working. I created a very simple chart with some pretty easy chores. A few of my goals was to create a natural summer routine, responsibility, and pride.

A few things that are emphasized:
* out of bed, dressed, breakfast, a.m. chores done by 9:00am.

* no computer, DVDs or TV until the afternoon (not a big deal, especially when the weather is nice).

* instead of my nagging, I created another chart. if the kids forget to put away their shoes, instead of me barking orders they need to check their chart to see if there are any marks. once they have “made right” they can scratch it out. if they don’t do it, they lose money at the end of the week.

* another detail of my chart is “bad attitude”, if they are being a sass or fighting with one another I just give them an X on their chart. if they get 5 in one day there are some major consequences. pretty nice when I am in public and I just mention an X- they straighten up!

I know some of this chart business may be nonsense for some of you- I don’t know how long it will last, I know we will always be changing it and making it work from week to week (that’s why keeping it simple is key), but I can say that I have not put away their laundry for 2 weeks and it’s great!

Oh, and another big thing is for them to learn how to manage money. They each have a set of 3 cans. You guessed it- they are all marked “give”, “spend”, and “save”. They have written down what they are saving for so that they are not obsessing over the possibilities (and I don’t have the majority of our conversations about when we are shopping!).

Hey- I have been enjoying reading everyone’s thoughts on chores, money, and family responsibilities! I have resisted paying my kids for their chores and that is why I only give them 10cents a chore…big spender, I know! Like I mentioned, my goal was to teach them pride and responsibility- they are getting it and thankfully the money thing is sort of a bonus and not a motivating factor.