14th-16th Finishes

14th

Another batch of burp cloths. Almost 30 to be exact. So I think it's only fair to count as a finish even though it's not my first time making them.

 ::Before::

::After::

15th

I saw this tutorial a while back. Thank goodness because I just adore those cute footed Carter character jammies. These were Zoe's & I knew if I fixed them Aris would be able to wear them eventually (if she ever grows;). It was such an easy fix & I kicked myself for not mending them sooner. Aris wanted to wear them now but I told her she will have to wait a year or two. I had a whole pile of mending to do. It had seriously been haunting me for months. Actually there were a few items that had been in that pile for over 3 years. How sad is that?!? So I sat down one night & fixed all but the things that needed buttons. I'll be heading to the store next week to match up & fix the last few items. It felt so good to accomplish this. I fixed over 20 items of clothing!

::Before:: 

::After::

16th

This rocker recover project was so much fun to do. This is for a dear friend of mine whom is expecting her 4th baby boy. the funnest part was going to the discount designer fabric store. All of their upholstery fabric is $12 or less! We spent a good hour looking around until we found something she loved that would not only work in the baby's room but also her living room afterward. She was super happy with the outcome & I enjoyed the challenge. The bottom cushion had to be taken apart to make sure the new cover fit properly. The pleats were a little tricky too. I had to rip it out once to make sure I matched it up properly. I'm so excited to have two chair recovers under my belt. It has given me the confidence to work on other furniture recover projects.

I should show you my list of things to do over the next few days, it kinda makes me week in the knees but I'm so excited to be making some really cute art for my cousins wedding. I'll also be taking pictures of the big day & her reception. So excited! Promise to share them all early next week.

Skate Night

 

If Zoe had her way we would go to the skate park every day. She often talks about waking up early so daddy can take her before he goes to work. Dean & I giggle at the cuteness of it all. With that being said she really would if she could. She's fearless too. I've never seen a 5 year old fall & get back up so effortlessly. All of our kids have strengths. This is Zoe'. Determined, unafraid, adventurous. 

Aris & her sweet ride. 

Oblio watching all the "Cool, cool, tricks!" as Zoe called them. 

It looks like she's falling but she crawls down on her tummy...... 

all the way to the bottom. My little goofball. 

Dean watching for a few minutes. He's so awesome about helping the girls when needed. I'm more than willing but the girls want Dean to help. Maybe I should just stick to taking the pictures, lol :)

Sloan giving her scooter a spin around the park.

Even my mom got in on the action. Go mom!

Looking forward to more of these skate park evenings. This particular evening we had it to ourselves for most of the time we were there. We couldn't have asked for a nicer evening. The sun was setting. Casting it's golden glow. Everything felt magical & nostalgic all at once. If there had been music playing you would have heard some Crosby Stills & Nash with a little Joni thrown in for good measure. I love evenings like these. The sun seems to set a little later every evening. Making it hard for the girls to go to bed when they actually need to. I'm soaking up these summer days. I know that in just a few short weeks not one but two of my little ones are going back to school. Zoe will start kindergarten & she can hardly wait. Sloan will be in 6th grade. How did that even happen? It will just be me, Aris, & Oblio at home. Times are a changing. Sometimes I get that twinge in my heart, like, is this really it? Is this how it's going to be? Omri is the last? In 4 years I will have all my kids in school? What will I do with myself!?!?!?!? Then a calmness comes over me & I know that it is what it is. Life has been so good. The Lord has blessed us with so much. I am sure when the time comes I will fill my days just as much as I do now, just different. I know there will be new challenges & exciting stages to experience as my children grow. As Dean & I grow. It is an odd feeling when you realize that you are getting older. It puts so many things into perspective. I only hope I fill my days with many more like this one. Because life is so short & I really probably could never get enough.

Who????

 The Bumma

pronounced like Boo-ma

aka my mom

otherwise known as the hardest worker ever

& the Nennan

pronounced like Nin-nin

aka my little sister

as in 17 years younger than me

That's who!

So happy to have them here.

Thank goodness for Famdamily!

First Salad

We are just starting to harvest some of the fruits of our labor. It was such a long cold spring but this week has hit us with upper 90* weather. We are soaking it up. Nevada weather can change so quickly. One day you could be wearing shorts & the next day it could snow. No joke.

I'm crossing my fingers that we will be blessed with an Indian Summer. It's only fair considering. 

  All our different lettuce & spinach are coming in so perfectly. It is such a treat to walk out into your backyard & pick what is needed to make a salad. The other night Dean made an amazing quiche with spinach from our garden. I think it tasted just a little yummier than if we had run to the store & bought it ;)

 We've had to move everything out of the greenhouse because of the heat, but we plan on continuing to grow our salads all through the fall & winter in the greenhouse. 

Summer's Salad

-Spring mix (any lettuce mix will do)

-fresh dill finely chopped

-fresh cilantro chopped

-cucumber cut up

-tomato diced

-dried cranberries (Craisins)

Mix all together & top with your favorite goat cheese or blue cheese. I added a light olive oil & vinaigrette  dressing but my mom used poppy seed dressing & thought it tasted delicious. I almost always add fresh cilantro to my salads but never thought to add fresh dill. It adds such a lovely hint of flavor & I will be adding it on a regular basis. Let me know if you try this salad. I'd love to know what your thoughts are on the fresh dill in the salad.

Eleven

Birthday Swim

Eleven years young Sloan. Although you are already talking about growing up faster than I want you to. Hammy burgers for dinner with Bumma, Nennan, & the rest of the famdamily. The waiters sang a cheesy happy birthday song to you while you blushed & the rest of us whooped & hollered. You got a karaoke game for your wii, a set of tiny furniture for your little Barbie babies & some tiny little LalaLoopsy sets (you like tiny things :). I am almost positive this will be the last year to buy you toys. I know this due to the embarrassed cry of "Mom!!!!!!!" when I mention toys in front of your friends. I guess it just isn't "cool" to play with toys anymore at your age. I am glad  you still do when no one else is around. I hope this eleventh year of your life proves to be a happy one. I hope that it's filled with less pain & wonderful friendship & learning experiences. Most of all I just want you to know how pleased I am with what a strong beautiful young woman you are turning into. I adore you sweet bologna. Happy Happy Birthday sweet girl!