Homemade is the BEST!

I have been feeling the need to learn to sew lately. My mom has always been a fabulous sewer, but I never took the time to learn and have never been super interested in learning. My mom knew that someday, that interest would come and she was right! She even saved her old (but awesome) sewing machine to give to me when the time was right. Well, now I have my own sewing machine and I have already completed 2 projects. Let me present them to you:

This is my first project. Makenna had a nightgown that my mom made for her earlier this year that she just loves. She has worn it so much! So, I decided to give her a little variety to her sleep wear and make her another one. She chose out the fabric herself (which is very cute, but hard to see in the picture) and she wanted this one LONG! So, we made it long and she loves it. I totally enjoyed myself! There is just something so satisfying about making something with your own hands, and taking a few yards of fabric and making it into something beautiful and loved!

Here is my second project:

This is a dish towell. It started out as just a plain white flour sack dish towell. I traced the cute chicken pattern on and stitched it. Then I chose out some cute, funky fabric, and sewed them on. It was actually a little more difficult than I made it sound, but I learned alot about sewing with this project and I just love seeing my little towel hanging on my oven.

Here is a close up of the stitchery

Here it is hanging with my cute towel from Crate and Barrel, the inspiration for the colors.

The last project, I cannot claim as my own. Connor had the assignment to create a monster for Halloween. He came up with this out-landish idea, and I just couldn't think of how it could be done. In comes Super-dad to save the day. Brett is so creative and can think of ways to create anything your little mind can imagine. Here is a close-up of Connor's monster, "Captain Sharp Sword."

Captain Sharp Sword's head is made out of a shrunken apple, complete with raisin eyes, and rice for teeth. His body is made from paper mache, with "blood-red" buttons, and a blue sapphire gem for a belt buckle. (Connor's own words). He's got a hook for his right hand and a sword in his left. Brett even made it so he could stand up on his own (with help from a metal hanger). Isn't it awesome?

I am so glad that the kids have such a great father to help them with these kind of projects! I'm so thankful that after working all day, he still has enough in him to come home and save the day! Thanks, babe!

Fall Break

Isn't this one of the cutest, cheesy faces you've ever seen?

We had the wonderful opportunity to go up to a cabin with some great friends for UEA. Can I just say that we all had an awesome time? All of us, except Brett. He was totally sick the whole time. I felt so bad for him. He finally ended up going home so he could be miserable all by his lonesome in our own home. I can't say that I don't blame him. Other than Brett being sick, the weekend was wonderful. We had the BEST WEATHER! IT was beautiful! Warm temps, and sunny skies! The company was great too! I wish I would have taken pictures of the cabin, because it really is a cool place. Tons and tons of room, a great kitchen and lots of toys! As you can see the kids had a great time rinding on 4-wheelers. I was nervous about this at first, but once the kids got the hang of it, I was fine. By the time we left, they were practically pro's and their little thumbs were sore from pushing down the throttle so much! Thanks to our friends for such a great weekend!

Kenna having fun on the swings

Connor zooming away on the 4-wheeler


McKay ready to rock and roll!

Me being a nervous mom, running along-side/behind Makenna

Green Tomatoes

Ever wonder what to do with green tomatoes from your garden? Well, I have the solution for you....I have a few solutions for you. These have been tried and they seriously are so good.

So good, that they have already been eaten and are gone.

I have no pictures for your viewing pleasure. Sorry.

But, here are the recipes. First,

Delicious Green Tomato Bread

3 eggs
1 C. oil
2 C. sugar
2 C. Green Tomato Puree (small amount of water if needed)
1 T Vanilla
3 C. Flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C. chopped walnuts (optional)- I didn't add
1 C. raisins (optional)- I did add

Mix eggs, oil, and sugar. Add green tomato puree and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and add to other ingredients. Add nuts and /or raisins if desired. Grease and Flour two 9x5 loaf pans. Divide batter evenly and pour into pans. Bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes.

This makes a very pleasant sweet bread that has a mild citrus-like "tang" to it. We especially liked it topped with our raspberry/peach jam. Great way to use those green tomatoes!!! No, the loaf doesn't end up green...it's a lovely golden yellow. Two spoons way up!

Fried Green Tomatoes

1 lb green tomatoes (4 medium)
3 Tbs flour
3 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbs sugar *
2 tsp (or so) salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 egg
2 Tbs water
1 1/4 cups bread crumbs
*If less tart tomato flavor is desired, sprinkle slices lightly with a little extra sugar.

Combine flour, cheese, sugar, salt and pepper, set aside. Beat egg and water, set aside. Cut tomatoes in 1/4 inch slices. Dip green tomato slice in flour mixture to coat both sides. Dip in egg, then into bread crumbs to coat thoroughly. Allow slices to dry slightly while heating enough oil to cover bottom of frying pan. Fry until browned, turning once.

Not the healthiest of treats, but SO GOOD!! You have to have these at least once a season!

Let me know if you try these. Trust me on the bread! It's worth it!

I Am Proud!

The other day Connor found a $10 bill on the playground. Yes, $10! My first thought was, "what kind of kid carries $10 in his pocket?" Anyway, I asked Connor what happened after he found the money. He said, at first he wanted to keep it and no one would know about it. But then he said, "I knew I needed to be honest." So, he went to go turn it into the office. At Connor's school they have a rule that if you go inside the school during reccess for whatever reason, you take a buddy with you. So, Connor tried to find someone to go with him. All his friends were trying to get him to keep the money! They wouldn't go in with him! Finally, someone agreed. The lady in the front office said that if no one came in to claim the money 1 week, Connor could have it. So, the countdown was on! The next Monday, Connor went in to see if anyone had claimed the money, and no one had! The secretary proudly presented him with the $10 bill and said, "I'm proud of you Connor! Even some adults would have a hard time doing what you did. Thank you for being honest!"

I couldn't agree more. This was a proud-mom moment. It's so nice to catch them doing something good!

From the Mouth of babes

Last night we were saying family prayer. Connor was the voice for the family and said,

"We're thankful that we can belong to a family and that we're not just little squirts by ourselves..."

So funny.

How many times have you had to stifle a laugh during prayer time?

Hillarious!

For all you Twilight fans, this is super funny. Just don't mind the white-boy rapping voice....except that does add to the funny-ness of it...

From the Mouth of babes

The other day we were driving along in the car and Connor said, "Mom, not to be rude, but when you and dad bought this car, was it all you could afford?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing from my 8 year old! I said, "What do you mean?" And he said, "Well, I really want a car where I can like lay down and stretch out my legs." (Never-you-mind that this boy has the whole back seat of the van to him self and has plenty space back there). I said, "Well, cars weren't really made for laying down in. We usually just sit in cars." I was trying to talk logic with him now. I asked, "So, where DO we lay down?" He replied, "Our beds, maybe a couch." I said, "That's right, not usually cars. If you have a motor home, you can lay down in the bed that is IN the motor home." Then, wanting to defend our family van and our purchase, I started naming all the really cool things our van has and then I stopped myself. Even if our van was falling apart, the paint job rusty, and just an all out clunker, but still got us from point A to point B, I would want him to be grateful for a car. Grateful for a vehicle. Grateful that we can come and go as we please in comfort!

I am thankful for my van and I hope my kids are learning to be grateful for the many blessings we have that we so often take for granted.