Great Conversation Starters

We have mastered the art of small talk at our house. Really, you should use some of our examples at your next dinner party or social event. I guarantee you will make an impression (although it may not be the impression you want to leave) and you will not be forgotten (again, in ways you might rather HAVE forgotten)...But it's always worth a try if you are stuck without anything to say!

Small talk with a 2 and 4 year old 101:

Arguments:

Dear Son: "Excuse me, I tooted!"
Lala: "I tooty!!!"
Dear Son: "NO! I tooted!"
Lala: "I tooty too!"
Dear Son: "No you didn't!! I DID!!"
Lala: "No I tooty!"
ME: "Stop arguing about who tooted!"

On strength:

Dear Son: "I'm really strong"
Me: "Mmmmhmmm?"
Dear Son: "Yeah, I'm stronger than an elephant!"

Important life changing questions:

Dear Son: "How does God make dirt?"
Me: "Ummm...let me think about that and tell you later"

Dear Son: "How do ant's move?"
Me: "Ummm...ask Daddy."


More to follow, I'm sure.
-Megan

The one with a {winner}, some dancing princesses, and good baby smells.

{Theme music playing...} And now the winner of the cute little palm tree t-shirt is....

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Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

6
Timestamp: 2010-05-27 19:56:39 UTC
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(Forgive my lapse of brainpower, but what is UTC time anyways? And if asking that made me sound incredibly dumb, I blame it on pregnancy. Henceforth, anything I say that makes me sound lacking in the smart area will be blamed on this also.)


Comment number 6 is Anita from Castles Crowns and Cottages! Oh dear me. This wonderful lady's blog is FULL of beautiful whimsical images that just make the little princess inside of me dance. You have to go see her. Your little princess will dance too. And if you think you don't HAVE a little princess, you will discover that YES, you DO, and she's a better dancer than you would have thought.


Anita, I hope you enjoy my humble offering of this little t-shirt, and I'm sure you know a little hula princess that can wear it!


I had so much fun visiting the newborn baby pictured in my last post yesterday. Sigh. What a doll. How am I supposed to wait until September to hold MINE? And will this be my last? I do NOT handle pregnancy gracefully. Oh how I wish I did. I wish I were one of those women who either waltzed through pregnancy without a hitch, or who loved pregnancy in spite of it's discomforts.


I'm NOT. Not not not. First 19 weeks? Nausea, ALL THE TIME. Makes me grumpy the dwarf. Makes me feel like I can't live each day, they are all so hard. Second half? My hips give out. After 3pm walking is hard, sitting is hard, standing is hard. Blech. My hiney hurts. Normal things make my hips go crazy on me. Two nights ago I lunged after the dog as he tried to eat my sons dropped pizza, and the whole night and next day were spent sitting on my heating pad. (Not to mention the two days camped out on it after making Baby MnM's quilt...)



See? I'm such a complainer! But babies? Infants? Tiny sweet soft things that I can hold constantly and kiss and smell and hold some more?


HEAVEN.


Oh my babies. I love other peoples babies, yes, but nothing compares to your own precious newborn. The crying and up-all-night-ness doesn't really bother me. Now, don't misunderstand me. I get tired and have my mom moments. But my babies are worth every one. And every pregnancy discomfort.


But you see, if I have another one after this, 4 other people in the household will have to suffer with me. My dear husband who does the dishes and laundry and puts the kids to bed when I think I will die, my energetic little son who wants to play and doesn't get why mama gets grumpy, my sweet daughter who wants mommy time, and then this baby girl...


I'm not making any decisions right now or anytime soon! I just realize that this quite possibly could be my last newborn to snuggle and cherish from her first SECOND of life in this world. Oh little one, I will never put you down! My dishes will pile up (oh wait, they already do), my laundry will try to eat my house (ummm...isn't that what it is doing NOW??), and the dog hair will have to wait to be vacuumed from the carpet (ok, I'm so not even going there with that one...).


I can't wait to smell your head, and hold you close. For that first moment when they put you in my arms and I really meet YOU. I love your little kicks right now, that will only grow stronger as I grow bigger. (Would you mind NOT making me crave Mexican food anymore though? I'm turning into a balloon from all that sodium. Just askin...)


Your big brother tells me every couple of days about what he will teach you. Your big sister is not ever going to stop kissing you, she loves babies so much!



I didn't even know I was going here when I started this post. But I will end by saying, we can't wait to see you!!

Now you all need to go find an infant to smell.

Dreaming of baby bundles,
Megan

{New Life}

Today I was blessed to meet my dear friends new little one...

Precious new life, only hours old...

Welcome to the world little one! May the Lord bless each day of your life.

You are already more deeply loved than you will ever be able to fully grasp. Your parents are wonderful people who will cherish you every day and every moment they have with you. I am blessed to know them and you! (And your big sissy too.)

Love,

Megan

Kids Couture T-shirt Tutorial

And now for a Tutorial that you all have been waiting for...with baited breath I'm sure. ;) These instructions will work for for kids shirts, adults shirts, baby clothes, baby onesies, the possibilities are limitless! They make excellent, original gifts, and special clothing items for your own children or yourself.



How to make a Child's Boutique T-shirt:

Materials needed:

Iron on transfer paper, available at your local craft or fabric store.

Iron

Scissors

Thread (A matching or contrasting color for the top stitch, and white for the bobbin)

Fabric (or fabricS) of choice

Sewing Machine

Kids T, Onesie, or desired item to embellish (purse, blanket, ect...)



1) Take your transfer paper and choice of fabric, and iron the fabric onto the transfer paper. I usually cut a small piece of fabric and iron it on, just the size I need for my design. Don't accidentally move your iron OFF of the fabric, or the transfer paper will goo your iron. Icky.


2) I like to cut out the portion that I'm working with. Consider your design to determine the size of fabric needed.

3) Generally, anything you could make a basic outline of is easy to create. You can get more detailed and do something like an animal and layer on its eyes ect. Your choice. I copied the palm tree on this fabric free hand. I like to save the paper backing when I'm done as a future stencil in my stash of design ideas. Draw your design onto the paper backing on the prepped fabric.

4) Proceed to cut out your design

5) Eat your oatmeal (or preferred lunch) while you are working. Because the kids are napping and this is your chance to eat in peace. Plus if you are like me you enjoy doing a million things at once. And if you are like me, it's generally a compulsion that can't be ignored, even if it adds stress to your life, rather than relieves it. I'm referring to multitasking, not eating. Although eating is a compulsion not to be ignored either...

6) Design ready! PEEL OFF PAPER BACKING. Ah the mature voice of experience. I've forgotten this step while distracted or doing multiple shirts, and have ended up ironing longer than needed and wondering WHY the thing won't stick? Oh Duh. (Do you like that use of verbage? Duh? Takes you back to elementary school doesn't it. Again with the maturity here.) Duh duh duh. It can't stick, the paper is still there.

7) Lay out image onto shirt however you want to place it. Centered because you like precision? Go for it. To the side because you like things a little artsy? Sure! Upside down....well...just because you're weird? Why not. I'm not stopping you. Be you. I'm not judging.

8) Iron on according to the instructions on your transfer paper. Although generally I find mine need higher heat and the regular steam setting even if it isn't recommended. But do start by following the instructions first and working from there.

Now, you don't HAVE to do this next step, but don't be scared to try. If you take your time and are careful you CAN do this. If you don't sew your design it will begin to peel after only a few washes. It is worth the time and effort.

9)Top stitch the applique to give it that finished look, and also to hold down the applique during its many washes. If you are new to sewing, take your time, take it easy, and try to sew moderately close to the edges.

The edges will probably fray a tiny bit in the future, which actually looks very cute and vintage-y. If you HATE the thought of that, you can buy a little bottle of Fray-Check at your craft store, and use it around the edges to keep them from fraying at all.

And there you have it! Your own fancy little T! Wal-Mart is an excellent place to find plain t-shirts for a low price. I bought these white ones over a year and a half ago on clearance and got an amazing deal!

Don't forget about my GIVEAWAY for this shirt in a size 4T!! It closes Tuesday night. To enter, comment on the Giveaway post, and for an extra entry mention it when you blog and link to it! (And leave me a comment so that I know you did). =)

Happy creating to you!

=)

Megan

{Comfort through Grace}

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Grace: from the Greek word Charis

Definition
-grace
-that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
-good will, loving-kindness, favour
-of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
-what is due to grace
-the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
-the token or proof of grace, benefit
-a gift of grace
-benefit, bounty
-thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Comfort: Paraklesis

Definition
-a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)
-importation, supplication, entreaty
-exhortation, admonition, encouragement
-consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment
-thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter)
-persuasive discourse, stirring address
-instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father,

who Loved us and gave us eternal consolation, comfort, solace, and refreshment;

and good hope through good will, loving kindness, and favour;

give you solace and consolation, and comfort to your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Old Navy CUPONS!

Ok, I had to share. I just scored BIG TIME at Old Navy with online coupons I found. Most of the maternity clothes they have are not available in stores, so I always need to shop online. By the way, these aren't maternity coupons. They are good on it all! Surprisingly, I was able to combine coupon codes. SCORE!!

I found my codes here: http://www.retailmenot.com/view/oldnavy.com

And used these:
THANKYOU- $10 off when you use Old Navy card
MYCARD- Free Shipping over $100
ONCAMP15- 15% off a $75 or more purchase (Expires the 23rd of this month! Tomorrow!)

Go forth and score. And share with me if you do. I was overdue for a needed trip to ON, and saved myself the exasperation of doing it while pregnant with two kidlets. =)

This is me happy!

-Megan

{Quilting for Dummies...and a GiVeAwAy!}

Well, I made Baby MnM's quilt in a day and a half! I know, I'm amazed at myself also! I hope I didn't get everyone too excited at the mention of a quilt the other day, although it is BEAUTIFUL, and I L.O.V.E. it, it is a basic large block quilt. Definitely not an intricate pattern. But wonderful nonetheless!!!

The lovely women who work at Keepsake Cottage Fabrics took the time to generously figure out my dimensions and the size of blocks I would need for this quilt. Thanks to their efforts, I was able to cut, assemble, and create with ease. If they hadn't been such a help, I think it would have taken me MUCH longer. My brain and math (yes, even simple math at times) don't get along. Throw in pregnancy and two talkative children in the room? Forget about it!

I'll walk you through my very simple process of making this quilt, and you will see that even if you don't sew, you could do it too!!

And then I'll tell you about my GIVEAWAY!!! And NO. I'm not giving away the quilt. So don't get your hopes up. ;)

First, you figure out the size you want your quilt to be, and then do a breakdown of the size the squares should be, and how many for each row. Honestly, if you wanted to wing it, you could just cut a bunch of squares and assemble them, and when you are done figure out the size your backing and padding should be. But it's probably better to have some firm dimensions in mind. =)

As the ladies at CKF recommended, I drew out each square on the back of my selected fabric. Each one was measured to be 10 inches square.

I drew and cut them all out, and then laid them out to figure out how I wanted them in the finished quilt. I played with the color patterns a bit, and ended up with this-

(Please note: I highly recommend keeping any dogs, cats, or wild beasts locked up if you are laying your squares out on the floor. You will spare yourself exasperation and gnashing of teeth if you follow this important advice. I also recommend keeping your 2 year old near you in her highchair with snacks, so that said 2 year old does not decide to "Help" and thus become a tornado in the midst of your hard work. Please take said advice seriously.)

Then, I sewed each row. In the bottom corner of each row I wrote in pencil the row number, so that if something happened, I wouldn't get them mixed up. Each square was carefully sewn together. I then pressed the row, and also pressed the seams open-

Finally each row was sewn and pressed, and it was time to sew the rows together-

I carefully ironed each bit as it came together, ironing the seams open so it would sew and quilt nicely-

My fabric for the back is the pink palm tree pattern. I assembled the fabric and batting (wrong sides out) and sewed the whole think together, leaving a gap at one end so that I could turn the quilt. I then top-stitched around the entire thing, giving it a nice boarder, and also closing up the gap that I used for turning it-

I sewed rows along each seam of the squares, first lengthwise, then width wise, quilting it together. My squares didn't match up perfectly each time, so I just moved along the seam as needed.At the end of such a long project, it can be helpful to turn on an old movie. I (thanks to netflix) turned on "Tea for Two" with Dorris Day. It played in the background as I finished up. I highly recommend old movies (especially Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant) or Christmas movies as a stress reliever at the end of a long day, and while sewing or doing laundry. (Although in the instance of laundry, you might just end up sitting on the couch, with the same basket of laundry next to you and unfolded when "The End" scrolls across the screen...)

Towards the end of my project I had a craving for some cookies. We were out of chocolate chips, so I decided on chocolate cookies. I googled a recipe, and gave it a whirl. Honestly, I liked the dough best. I think the white chocolate chips ruined them, because they were WAY too sweet. And nothing really compares to gooey chocolate butter and sugar right out of the bowl anyways. Just sayin. I mean really, who here just wants to make cookies for the dough sometimes? I'm not the only one, am I?

And honestly? I needed some chocolate therapy. It was an emotionally rough day. Please, please don't send any sympathy to me though, if you think of it, please pray for my church family. Our Senior Pastor went to be with Jesus yesterday. He was a wonderful man, with a faith I hope to emulate. His son is our Associate Pastor (and now Senior Pastor) and his family are all friends of ours. I mention this because I covet your prayers for his wife and children.

Back to the finished product. I decided after a little soul therapy from that bowl of chocolate, to make a t-shirt for LaLa. You will see that in a moment. First, a few more glimpses of the quilt-

Hmm- I see a few threads that need snipping...

And now, for the t-shirt I made for Lala, and the reveal of the giveaway.

The model is cuter than the t-shirt, so she gets first dibs-

Now for the t, I'm sorry that this photo of it on is blurry!

And here is the shirt one more time-

Yes, quite a productive day.

{GIVEAWAY}

I'm giving away one t-shirt just like LaLa's in a size 4t! If you don't have a little one who will fit it or grow into it, it would make a very fun gift! The one she is wearing in her picture is 3t, and I chose it so it would be big, because it will shrink a little bit. Plus she won't out grow it right away!

To enter, leave me a comment! If you want to have a second entry, mention (and link to) my giveaway in your blog! In the past I offered extra entries for licking your elbow, but I'll let you off the hook this time. This giveaway will be open until Tuesday evening, May 25th.

Also, soon I will show you a little tutorial on making your own cute t-shirts for your kiddos. This tutorial will work for t-shirts, tank tops, onesies, or anything else you might want to embellish! It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO simple, and fun. Honestly, I feel like I'm giving some not-so-secret secret away, because I used to sell these on etsy. But really, you can find out how to do them anywhere. =) I want to share the wealth! Its designer for a buck! (Literally, if you find a t-shirt for a buck, and already have the supplies, it is!)

AND (this is getting really long...) I will post next week my Chicken Salad recipe, and my lemonaid-for-one recipe. (Meredith, there you have it! The salad, lemonaid, AND quilt! Hehe. And also some sewing ideas for that new little sewing machine!)

That said, I'm signing off. Enter my giveaway, and be of good cheer!

=)

Megan

{Chicken Salad and Addictive Fabric...but it all starts with a Pancake}

Our day began an hour earlier than usual, which seems to be the NEW usual. Sigh. The kids have been waking up early, and I have been unable to sleep anyways- a mix of insomnia and my round tummy being eternally uncomfortable. Come September it will return to normal, but until then...Sigh.

So, one sleep deprived Mommy, and two antsy kiddos equals-

And also-

The sun was shining beautifully, and a storm is supposed to be rolling in...So we headed out to my favorite fabric store EVER. I have been hunting all week for the bedding that I want to use in LaLa's room for her BIG GIRL BED! Ack! I ordered hers (you'll see it in a moment...) and decided to make a quilt for Baby MnM who is arriving in September.

Did I mention we found out the baby is a girl???

So, I purchased LaLa's bedding, and I decided to try to find some similar fabrics for the baby's quilt. They will be sharing a room. So we headed out to Country Village.

And saw this cocky rooster-


Did you see that wig he has? Hilarious.

Below is a little snapshot of what we did. Buy fabric. Chase rooster. Shop for fabric. Eat hot dog. Sit on merry-go-round horses. Enjoy sunshine.

Keepsake Cottage Fabrics is also how you spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Look it up. It's in the dictionary.


Here is the fabric I chose for the quilt-

YUMMY.

I L.O.V.E fabric. Oh yes. I find it addictive. It makes my mouth water. It calls to me.

I came home, put the kiddos down for a nap, and made myself lunch. I have been anticipating today's lunch since last night, when I made my mom's famous Chicken Salad. OOOOh yes. First I made some home made lemonaid, and threw in some fresh raspberries and a sliced strawberry-

Oh Chicken Salad, this photo does not do you justice.

At the grocery store they had these GIANT strawberries, and so the kids and I will be having some when they get up-


And I will be having this-

Ok, I PROMISE you all that a TWO coffee day is R.A.R.E. Promise. Cross my heart. But this week? It's just one of those weeks. Know what I mean?

Speaking of this week, my son's fever broke on Sunday, Praise God! He is healthy and well now. What a relief.

Do you all want the recipe for my chicken salad? Let me know, I'll post it if you do.

Now, about that quilt. I've never made a quilt before. Uh-oh. I am not the most patient person, so I don't get into very many projects that require exactness. Usually I just let the artist in me flow.

And? I plan to do it THIS WEEKEND. Yep. I'll post photos of my progress. Yikes! I want to be able to get more of the fabric for decorative pillows and such, and if I take all summer to do the quilt, I don't know if they will still have it all!

It looks like the storm is here, the wind is blowing, my power just flickered off and back on, and the kiddos are up!

I'm going to start figuring out that quilt...(And I might just eat some Chicken Salad for dinner too...)

=)

Megan

(P.S. If I ever seem food obsessive on my blog or when I comment on YOUR blog, I shall blame it on pregnancy. But really? I love food. FOOOOD. But you didn't hear that here.)

{Burger Maddness}

We love to BBQ burgers at our house! My husband things I make the perfect burger, and I always enjoy soaking up his praise about them.

Last nights burgers were especially yummy. My husband prepared TWO for himself in anticipation of the goodness.The problem is, our patties were a bit thicker this time (ok A LOT thicker) and he was only able to conquer 1 and 3/4's of his.

I usually use lettuce for a bun for mine, skipping the bread bun. I'm not cutting carbs, I just generally do it to narrow down calories a little...cause then I can have dessert. ;)

I know most of you probably have a favorite way of making your burgers, but I'll share my Top Secret recipe with you in case you want to try something different.

{Note my oh so precise measurements.}

Ingredients:

Ground beef- lowest fat I can get

Onion

BBQ sauce

Garlic powder

Salt

(you were expecting a more secret ingredient, weren't you?)

Assembly:

Dice onion very small.

Put ground beef in a bowl.

Squirt in a good amount of BBQ sauce, sprinkle in salt, and poof on the garlic powder.

Toss onion on top.

Work it all together really well. (EWWW. I don't enjoy this part at all. I've come a long ways tho. When we first got married I wouldn't TOUCH raw meat with my hands)

Shape into patties, and grill them up on the BBQ!

We topped off the meal with some baked french fries, and since Red Robin is super close to us, I asked my husband to pick up their special seasoning for our fries. Yummy! Although I have to admit, baked fries don't compare to FRIED french fries. Sigh. Oh well. Still good!

So there you have it! Now let me tell you the frustration I had making this post! My pictures wouldn't upload, even though I tried OVER, and OVER, and OVER. Agh!


Now I'll let you in on the going on's in our little house. My son has been sick since LAST Friday. It started with a high fever, and that's about all its been. Well, we took him into the walk in clinic on Tuesday, and the Dr. said it was an ear infection. I was shocked because he didn't say his ears hurt that whole weekend. He has had (I think) 4 ear infections in the past 4 or 5 months, and it's weirding me out! He has never EVER had an ear infection before this all began. He's 4.5, and this is all a new thing.

SO. We've been giving him the antibiotics since Tuesday, and his fever STILL keeps spiking really high when his fever-reducer wears off. If it doesn't stop by this afternoon, we're headed back in to the Dr. In the past we have seen a huge improvement within 24 hours of beginning his antibiotics. This lingering high fever is just weird.

I'll be letting you know how our son is doing when I find out.

How do YOU like to make your burgers???

A Tease of Summer

Summertime is in the air. It teases us. Glimpses, Sunny days, with cloudy rainy cold days sandwiched in between...

The flip flops are out, and on our feet on the days that permit it...

The playtoys beckon us...

And Tiny Pink Converse made for a two year old are sported with some capris...

Little ducks toddling in a row...

And those shoes again...so STINKING adorable...

Ah yes summertime. I know you are near. You will come in glory, and yet it will be brief here in the Northwest. But it will be glorious.

The seasons of our life are so reflective of those that surround us. Sometimes we seem to be stuck in an unending winter. Perhaps the winter is desolation, or sorrow. Or maybe a winter of calm, peace, and purity.

And then spring emerges. Hints of new life or new opportunities bud, and you can sense them coming. Life seems fresh. Perhaps you have glimpses of color between rainstorms.

Then comes summer. Oh summer. Glorious, warm, filled with delights. It comes like a burst of joy, an explosion in our hearts! It can be exhilarating.

Eventually summer melts into fall. In my life, I feel most energized in the fall. It delights me. The colors of the leaves, the crisp bite in the air, the warmth of the sun as the day progresses. Such memories formed in autumn in my heart...

All these seasons, ever changing. We struggle with wanting to capture one, and keep it forever, but it is not to be. Because these seasons in our life are what make it LIFE! Without a taste of winter, we could not fully appreciate the burst of summer. The delights of autumn. Without the sweltering heat of summer, we would not welcome the pristine white days of snow.

It is all beautiful, and it surrounds us. And if you look carefully, it all turns our hearts to the One who made it all...

Be blessed, whatever season you are in.

Lovingly,

Megan