kidding around

More circled-felt ornaments! I suspect these will be popular and easy for our party. I may just be insane and already have the zillion circles already cut. Am I nuts? All I need is a few good movies to get me through.

After reading this post some time ago, I have been wanting to make re-usable sandwich/snack bags. This past school year, I was very aware of the sandwich bags that left this house. Although I like to say we reduced our usage, I do think we could do better.

I know school is not starting for another 5 weeks, but man, summer is speeding by and I feel a little out of control…and did you see Target? Back to school supplies! Ellie’s eyes were as big as saucers when she was checking out the notebooks. I would love to make a bunch for this upcoming school year. Not only wraps for sandwiches, but maybe pouches for pretzels and cookies. Thankfully my kids are pretty used to me sending them to school with food in other things besides plastic bags.

ANYWAY, what are your thoughts on using PVC/vinyl coated fabric? I have read this site’s information…I’m not overly nutty about that sort of stuff (maybe I should be). But I am nutty about wasting water, using a trillion plastic bags, and leaving lights on…

Okay, thanks for your help. On with summer living!

Currently, my favorite meal to make is this delicious pizza…homemade crust, pesto made with basil from my garden, goat cheese, red onion and a nice topping of arugula (also from my garden) with a bit of olive oil…be sure to add the arugula AFTER baking the pizza.

Summer is speeding by, isn’t it?

I need to take a break this week.

My week of made gifts will be hopefully next week. Sorry for mentioning something and then totally fizzling, but life has taken over and I just don’t have it in me. Thanks for all the enthusiasm and sweet comments- love them. always.

A trip to the city was a thrill for the Shackelford family. It was just what we needed- a day away from the everyday and a reminder that we live near one of the coolest cities in the country. One of the greatest gems, in my opinion, is the Art Institute of Chicago. It is full of famous art that I doubt is taken for granted, given the crowds we endured on Saturday.

A train ride was fun for the kids- a little long, a car ride would be much faster, but the gas we saved was worth the time. Plus, arriving at the station and being apart of the bustle is so fun and something I want my kids to experience.

As always, it’s fun to discuss art with children. This has always been a long time interest of mine and my kids did not disappoint. Especially when they were questioning a lot of the Modern Art. My husband and I explained the art processes of most artists and showed them specific examples of our explanations…I think we got through! Since Nathan is an art teacher and brings his students to the museum fairly regularly he was also our personal GPS system- perfect.

Of course looking at the many antiquities always blows me away. The kids picked up on my enthusiasm- hurrah.

A trip to nearby Millenium Park was also a treat. Simon was smittened by “Cloud Gate” the famous sculpture that so many love to visit and photograph.

Guess what I learned?

Family outings are so much easier now! No more strollers, diapers, diaper bag, nursing baby, stash of snacks/sippy cups or…here’s the big one…a napping child that needs to take a nap or a meltdown will surely ruin the day! Yes!

I realized that this has been my life for 9.5 years and it is so nice to be in a different stage. Sure, I liked that time and now I am dealing with bickering kids, rolling of the eyes and general sassiness…I think I’m ready!

Yesterday was the first day of Spring Break. We are one of the lucky ones and sticking around the house for the week (I swear more people LEAVE than stay). I don’t blame people for leaving, the winter we have had is making me seriously consider that Spring will be non-existent.

So although some VERY UNWELCOMED activity was occurring yesterday OUTSIDE, I decided to bake it up.

It was good therapy. Did I mention that sugar has been off my list as a major food group? I gave in- it was either impulsively booking tickets to Mexico or a slice of cake to get me out of my state of mind.

By the way, my little etsy shop will open next week. All my “dots” are complete, there are some photography issues being worked on…so check here and I’ll give the heads up. Sorry for all the unbroken promises…it’s kind of like the weather. It says SPRING on the calendar, but man, I have to remind myself we are celebrating Easter on Sunday and not Thanksgiving.

As I was dutifully changing 3 bed’s worth of sheets yesterday morning, I heard the first of this season’s Cardinal chirps. I immediately sunk into my bed and happily mimicked my favorite winged friend…I was quickly brought back to reality with hungry kids, but nevertheless I was taken to a very happy place. Thank you sir, for your happy song.

I love February (well, not REALLY) with the slight signs of a changing season. I’m anticipating a Robin sighting in a week or 2…What have you noticed?

Here’s to new week. Hopefully I will get to my dressmaking!

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.

This week has certainly slid by and I figure its the warm, sunny weather that has occupied my time. I love it. But I also love sewing and there is so much I want to make! Especially since this morning I did some sandal shopping for the kids and just browsed for me. There are some cute things out there- but I have decided to make myself whatever I want…and what I NEED (like running shoes) will have to wait. I was really overwhelmed with all the sales and the huge amounts of clothes just waiting to be consumed or put on clearance.

ANYWAY, when I was posting regularly with my “loot” for China, a reader commented about a project she and her daughter were initiating. Her daughter is going to Africa and would like to give all the girls she is visiting a skirt. I immediately knew I wanted to help and the above images are from my week’s project. I love each one and want to keep them- this is a good thing, I am so excited to send my skirts off knowing that they are what I would want Ellie or Peppy to wear.

I also had a clearer joy of how it feels to give up some time and personal projects for a greater effort. This made me think of everyone who gives of their time freely. It has also been a nice meditative time to think of the world, my family, challenges I am facing, and of course the little girl that will be wearing my skirt.

Happy weekend!

Please don’t think I sound like a broken record, but I am totally blown away by all of you!! Next week’s mail will definitely be a big bore, that is for sure.

Check out today’s loot!