love is the answer

Halloween

 

 

 

J H Stepp Orchard

What a perfect fall day with people I love.  I couldn't have improved this day, even if I tried.  We picked pumpkins, apples and had a nice little picnic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Dad's Visit

Well, I really have not blogged in a very long time...I apologize for being so slack!  It really is the summers fault.  It makes me lack structure and energy some how.
Anyways, my father came to visit last week and we had a wonderful time.  It had been awhile since we hung out like this, so it is a week I will treasure.

This last picture is my favorite...mainly because there is a whole story behind it.  My father and I were hiking and having a really sweet and bonding kind of conversation.  I decided that we should take a picture to remember the moment.  So we waited for someone to come by on the trail to take a picture of us together.  Well, along comes this woman who actually refuses to do it.  Her reasoning?  Well according to her because of the fact she lives in Asheville, doesn't mean she needs to take pictures of other people.  She's sick of it and informed us of this as she quickly whisked by.  We literally were baffled and quiet for what seemed like a minute.  So I found a high rock, fumbled around with the timer and ran into this picture while we were cracking up about the whole thing.  Miss you Pa!

Our First Family Camping Trip

So we bought a tent and some basic camping supplies and decided to take the kids camping.  We only went for one night and we LOVED it!  It was so much fun.  We roasted hot dogs for dinner and made some mac n cheese.  For dessert, we had smores.  In the morning we had chocolate chip pancakes and scrambled eggs.  We hung out, played Cadoo in the tent and basically laughed and had a good time.  My only issue was that since the camp grounds were close together it was hard to keep the kids quiet.  In the summer, we are a late night family so next time I think we'll need some more space.

Pitching the tent for practice at home:

 

 

Camping:

 

 

 

 

Me stoking the fire, I almost didn't post this one but it was way to funny not to.

 

 

On our way out, we finished things up with some ice cream.

 

 

After this camping trip we were super inspired so we drove up to Tennessee to scope out our next camp site.  We stopped along the way at an overlook where we had fun playing.

 

 

Madison wanted to do a little photo shoot of me.  This girls got talent.  I'm kinda jealous!

 

 

 

 

and, on a completely different note, check out my latest sewing:

 

 

The 4th of July

We went to Greenlife to buy some dinner picnic stuff and headed out to see some fireworks.  This year was a bit emotional for me.  I deeply missed my family and friends and even got a bit teary during the fireworks.  We did have fun though.

Lilyfied!

Lily and my sister came to visit for 8 days.  It was such a blessing to get to spend all that time together.  Basically we chilled out.  Nothing too major, the time together was excitement enough.  Wish they were still here.  Tyler especially enjoyed Lily. He couldn't stop kissing, hugging and touching this cute little cousin of his.

Sharing Raisins

Sewing

I can't get enough.  I keep trying different sewing projects in hopes of a successful ending.  Here are two that came out decent.  This has brought me a lot of joy, and a bunch of frustration.  I feel like I can't learn fast enough.

Here is my grocery bag dispenser:

and (i actually attached a zipper)  my zippered pouch.  I embroidered and letter stamped this.

Front:

Back:

Lining.  By the way, I used the tutorial here for this.

I guess I was in a Fall mood or something.

A few things going on around here. 

I was super sick last week with strep throat.  For four days this was my location.

Madison was even sick for her birthday.  She got the strep from me.  In my fevered daze, I somehow managed to bake cupcakes.  We had to cancel her birthday sleepover and everything.  Poor Hash.  Well she turned 11 and like many parents say, I can't believe shes grown so fast!

Don't worry, we're gonna make it up to her. 

The fire pit has had a couple of uses lately.
First, Madison wanted to have a ceremonial summer burning of her school work.






Then, last night, we had a weenie roast.  We followed it up with smores ofcorse.  Willy bought this nifty little hot dog roasting contraption.





Here are some little knomes the kids painted.  Thanks Taya for sending them!



I came up with a little invention for paint palettes.  The top of a small plastic bin.  Works like a charm!



Willy has been making his own recipe for lemon pasta almost every night.  It is really good.  He gets on these kicks where he can eat the same thing every single night.  Well last night, Tyler decided to help him out and set up all the ingredients for him.



Lastly, some chocolate chips cookies.  I've made them so many times that I know the recipe by heart...they are just so comforting.  Don't you just love when there's a full jar of something yummy?

I'm SEW Obsessed!!!

I finally got a sewing machine this past Sunday.  I have no clue how to sew but I figured getting the sewing machine would get me more inspired to learn.  Well with a couple lessons from my friend and neurotically watching youtube 'how to sew videos', I've been able to create.  I decided to buy a cotton sheet at Goodwill, which was only two dollars, so I could have some material to practice with.  Well, I have amazed myself and made two things with this sheet.

First off, we have my summery sleeveless blouse.  It is not constructed perfectly but none the less,I cut a pattern and put it together.

My second creation, a fabric basket, was made by following this tutorial.  This one came out awesome!  The only thing I wish I would have done is make the handles shorter.  I have visions of a larger version of this for storage, etc..

I want more!  I just love to sew!  The process is so comforting and many of the sounds and smells connect me to my Grandmother. 

Schoooooooools Out For Summer!!

Not my most craftiest moment, but it worked out great!  Today was the kids last day of school.  I made a newspaper banner for the kids to run through when they got home.  Oh yeah, and I sprayed them with a hose while they did it.  Sometimes it is so fun to be a Mom!

The sign says: ENTER SUMMER!