Thursday Morning Pictures

Our little pumpkin patch is growing!

Lots of pumpkin flowers.

We have a pet. His name is Lucky Silver Diamond.

Breakfast time!

I can't believe how big this boy is getting!

Things That Make Me

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY!!

Scoring awesome deals on diapers so that I don't have to worry about buying at full price. By the way, Haden is 16 months old and only once in 16 months have I paid full price for diapers. I am very thankful for that!

A crayon roll for Kennedy

I've been wanting to make one for over a year.

She loves it!

A crayon roll for Aubrey

I finished the second one in half the time that it took to finish the first.

You can't really tell, but the solid purple is very sparkly. That girl loves sparkles!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME NOT SO HAPPY:



This is tough!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME VERY HAPPY!!

Sorry, no picture for the big finale BUT I have finally dropped to a new low in my weight loss journey (long term goal was 31 lbs by my 31st bday)! I've lost 12 lbs since the beginning of June. I'm ALMOST half way to my goal weight loss! In an effort to help me get there quicker I've pulled Jillian out of the back of the dvd cabinet. So while it makes me not so happy to hurt the way I am, I'm so excited to be almost half way to the goal!!!

Science Sunday {Apple Pie}

This is the 7th summer we've lived in this house. This is the 7th summer we've had apples growing on our own apple tree. This is the first summer I've utilized the apple tree!  We've had friends and family pick apples from our tree before and they've made pies, jelly, apple butter, apple sauce ... but this is the first year I've had a desire to do anything with the apples.

They are huge and very tasty!

The girls and I made an apple pie today (my very first apple pie!) using apples from our tree.

I'm starting to feel like a regular ol' country girl growing my own pumpkins and baking pies with fruit produced in my own yard! The thought of planting more next year is really starting to grow on me!

Science Sunday {Planting a Pumpkin Patch}

This summer has been such a whirlwind! We are winding down a bit now and everyone is ready to get back into a routine and start school again. I hadn't intended to break but we were kind of forced into one with all the activities going on this summer. It has been fun though!

For science this year we will continue some with Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day but we also plan to delve into the world of Botany a little deeper.

First up, planting a pumpkin patch! I found a pumpkin growing kit in Home Goods a month or so ago. We started our three types of seeds (Howard, White and Jack Be Little) in the greenhouse provided. I was very impressed with how quickly they sprouted.

We've toyed with the idea of having a raised garden bed the last few summers and it intimidated me enough to never actually get past the idea. This year it all fell together. We had the pumpkins started and my husband found a 2ish X 4ish box already put together. We put it out in sunny spot in the backyard, wrapped it in chicken wire (we have quite the bunny population!) and planted our pumpkins! They are doing really well and I'm looking forward to having a couple pumpkins in the fall! If this goes well we'll get a little more adventurous next year!

I Don't Always Procrastinate!

Some Days I Feel Like I'm Doing an OK Job

Most days I feel like a failure. But today was that rare day where I feel like I might be doing something right.

Umm, nevermind that mountain of laundry that needs to be put away. Let's focus on that sweet girl working on her kitty needle work.

And this sweet girl practicing her backstitch.

All while I started piecing the yo yos together.

 Sure the laundry needed to be put away and the dishes needed to be done. And pretty much my house is a wreck but I accomplished a couple things here today. I spent some time with my daughters working on something I'm passionate about and hoping that one day they will be, too. Kennedy said, "This sure is peaceful."

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Saving Memories

I actually started and finished a project this week!

I've been putting up Haden's outgrown clothes and equipment the last week or so. When I got down to the receiving blankets I knew we couldn't keep them all but I didn't want to get rid of them either. For one they're cute, and for another it reminds me of my sweet tiny boy who isn't so tiny anymore. Inspired by Hydee's Four Square Blanket, I decided to keep them.

Instead of one big piece of flannel for the back and 4 fat quarters of cotton for the front I used 1 big piece of cotton for the back and 4 flannel receiving blankets for the front.

I found an xlong twin sheet set on clearance at Target for $6. I picked the elastic out of the fitted sheet (I can use it later for something else!) and then cut the sheet 55x55.

I pieced the 4 receiving blankets together, patchwork style. They were a big wonky; stretched out from washing and swaddling, so I had to do some cutting and manipulating to get them close to even.

I then sewed the backing and the blankets right sides together, turned it, ironed it out and added a blanket stitch for the edging. I used crochet thread for the blanket stitch. I liked the texture of it, that is the only good reason I had for picking it.

I am so pleased with it! If you are looking for a great way to hang on to baby items this is the way to go! And, if you're looking for a great baby gift, I would recommend following Hydee's lead with the four square blanket! (You can find her tutorial here)

PS - I'm not the only one who likes the new blanket!