Summer Fun

Well, it's definitely been an interesting summer. That's the time we're all supposed to relax, but for most of us, it's completely jam packed with summer camps, vacations, family get togethers, and lots of travel. For me, it's also packed with lots of work. I have a wonderful job that allows me to work from home, but I also have my busiest time of the year in spring and summer. Oh well.

So please forgive me if my posts this time of year are few and far between. I am still here. I am still creating and I will post things as I get time. Like now, for example.

How have your summers been so far? It looks like it actually might be a warm summer for us so I'm hoping that I will have a LOT of tomatoes this year (none from last year). My herbs are happy and I think my son's beans are growing. We're not quite sure yet what he planted so it will be a surprise.

I finished up two quilts for the little people a few weeks ago. These were started back in November and I quickly realized that I was not going to find the time to work on them. They were not finished for Christmas I can tell you that much. Knowing me, they have lots of appliqué and I tried some hand quilting out which I now love. I will share these lovelies with you when I can get them outside for a photograph.


In July we have some birthdays and two vacations but I will try not to stay away too long. I also have some appliqué patterns in the works so I will be getting those out to you all too.

See you soon!

What I WAS Going to Do and What I Actually Did

Well, I had so much fun with the commenters and the comments on the last giveaway, that I decided to participate in this giveaway that was supposed to happen this week.


Oh well.


I was busy having fun over the weekend. I hope you all had a great weekend as well.


Maybe soon I'll do another giveaway for the heck of it.

Project: How to Get Dinner on the Table

I've always felt that it is extremely important to involve children in the purchasing, preparing and serving of family meals. We love to shop together and I ask them questions about various fruits or vegetables (i.e. find the most red apple! Which one is softer?) and have them choose some. I try to involve them as much as I can with prep work, however, our kitchen is just too small sometimes to have both children at our tiny counter right next to the boiling water or bubbling oil. Eek.

So, sometimes we work at the kitchen table but lately, the little people have enjoyed bothering mom the most. It's their recreational sport. Only when I decide to start dinner. Only then. And when someone calls on the phone, or an adult tries to speak to me. Or when I go to the bathroom...

Anyway.

I decided on the spur of the moment to get out my craft rice. I have been making some scented eye pillows lately (recipes and pattern from this book), and had a big bag of uber cheap rice in my closet. So, out came the sheet cake pan, some spoons and cups et voilá! Forty-five minutes of cooking time with only two sweep ups back in the pan.


The last spill was really colossal (courtesy of Little Ms. A) and as they tried to sweep up the grains, they ended up sweeping the rice in all directions. What was I to do? As always, I put them to work.


I think the thing I like most about the above picture is her pacifier. She's not supposed to have it during the day but, meh, I picked my battles that day.


And THAT'S how Mama got dinner on the table. Well, it worked this one time anyway.