Toby Keith's

We took Chase out to dinner tonight and we wanted to try something new so we ended up at Toby Keith's...pretty much inappropriate for a 4 year old but we didn't know and surprisingly they had a great kids menu - Chase ate a TON!

- to sum it up -
...Waitresses in daisy dukes, cowboy boots, and teeny tops (pretty scantily clad)
...more TVs then you can count
...blaring country music
...huge bar with blue lights
...an amazing french dip
...and most importantly - fried twinkies!!!! (the first ones I've ever tried)

YUM...

Cute Feet

Chase's rockin new socks!

Barn Door

They finally installed the hardware for our barn door - the house is officially done. 

A New Form of Exercise

Yay! I got a bike! Went on a short ride - it was a lot of fun - although I should have worn sunglasses as to avoid the bug in the eye issue. I also got a lime green water bottle holder so fun. I feel like bike needs a name, any suggestions?

Thoughts of the Day

Batman and Robin

I would like to introduce you to our newest family members (Batman and Robin - at least those were their names last night).

Chase received two dwarf frogs as a birthday gift and we are so excited to have them.

Hopefully we are successful at keeping them alive =)

Big Snowy Owl

The Purl Bee posted a free pattern for this project. I can't wait to make one!

Chase's 4th Birthday

Happy Birthday Chase! I can't he is four years old!

Today was such a wonderful day, Chase is such an amazing little boy and we are so blessed to have him. I am still amazed by how much love you can feel for a child, Chase warms my heart every day, I don't think I could describe the love to someone who hasn't had children yet.

We did all sorts of fun things today...(although I think Chase would say his favorite part of the day was opening presents).

We started the day at the Farmer's market with balloons and waffles.

Next we went to Aquarium with one of Chase's buds. We started the trip with a 4D adventure roller coaster ride (hopefully we didn't scar Chase for life - he thought it was rather scary). Once we got inside the Aquarium everything else went well. Chase and his friend were so cute together - running through the place and pressing their faces against everything.

There were even mermaids in the tanks today!

Graham and I fed the sting rays which was really cool - they come up and put their mouths over your hand and suck the little fish right out of your fist. Chase did a lot of watching but no actual feeding.

My favorite thing at the Aquarium are the jellyfish - so pretty.

After the Aquarium the family came over for the usual gift giving and cake eating (we went with the Superhero theme again this year). It was fabulous! Tons of good food and Chase received the coolest gifts.

A fun night was had by all.

Here are the costume changes that we went through today.

Happy Birthday Chase - I hope they are all as amazing and this one. We love you so much! Love, Mom and Dad

(Now an exhausted Mommy has to go to bed!!!)

Almost 4...

Chase turns 4 tomorrow - I can't believe how big he is!

Boris got him these special M&Ms...so cute!

Fray Baby Quilt

I finished this delightful little project at my sewing get together last week but I haven't had time to blog it. This is the easiest / fastest baby quilt ever! Perfect for gifts.

The original project idea came from a quilt I bought from West Elm and it is the same idea but it is all gray (gray strips on gray fabric with a gray backing and binding). I thought that for a baby quilt it would be a lot more fun to use a funky fabric beneath that would show when the strips were washed.

I took two pieces of fabric (I used about a 36 x 40 inch piece for the top and slightly larger for the backing) and sandwiched them with cotton batting as if I were going to quilt them.

I cut 1.25 inch strips of white muslin and then I sewed them to the top of the quilt (quilting the project at the same time as the strips were sewn on). I sewed the strips right down the middle and I lined them up side by side without gaps between the strips.

Once you finish sewing on your strips you can square up your quilt and trim off the unused strip fabric. I did a machine binding (green polkadots how fun) - just make sure when you sew the binding on the strips lay flat and don't flop up and get stitched down and strange angles.

Wash the quilt and the edges will get nice and frayed and some of the strips will naturally fold themselves this way and that so you can see the "peek-a-boo" fabric beneath. You will have a lot of strings that need to be cut after you wash.

Happy quilting!

Knitting Needle Wall Art

I have been struggling with how to decorate my sewing room and I think I may have found the perfect thing!

You could use all sorts of fun funky fabrics and this is a great way to display them. It also fixes the whole knitting needle storage issue. There isn't any reason you couldn't use the same idea for sewing tools.

Here is the tutorial.

Recipes

Oh Pinterest how I love your recipes!

I found these cookies last night at Little Bitty Bakes and since I LOVE salt caramels I can't wait to make them!

Makes 2 ½ dozen cookies
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 package (3.4 oz) butterscotch instant pudding mix
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 30 soft caramel candies, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons sea salt

Heat the oven to 375°F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the egg, vanilla and milk; beat until mixed.

In a medium bowl, combine the baking soda, baking powder, pudding mix, and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.

Shape the cookie dough into one-inch balls. For each cookie, flatten one cookie dough ball in the palm of your hand; place a caramel candy in the center and wrap the cookie dough around the candy. Place cookies onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart; sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake 10 minutes or until the cookie edges are light golden brown. Sprinkle with additional sea salt immediately, if desired. Allow the cookies to cool 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks to cool completely.

I also found this recipe at Plain Chicken. I think I am going to make my own savory version tonight to go with dinner. I am thinking a garlic cream cheese spread, cheese, bacon. I want to try the cinnamon roll version but since I am making cookies for dinner tonight I will have to wait for another occasion.

Sparkly Fun

I saw this on Pinterest if I still wore earrings I would totally do this!

Paper Teacups

Check out this adorable project! I want to make one!!! I don't normally go for this kind of stuff (a bit too vintage / shabby chic / etc) for my modern tastes but for some reason I love these teacups. They would be fun to make for Easter / spring but what I am planning on doing is shrinking them down and making small versions that can be used as Christmas ornaments.

I Love Fall

I had a sewing get together this weekend and the ladies brought the cutest house warming / hostess gifts!  They were fun little fall surprises. 
 

Knit Cowl

 
The other day it was chilly out so I wore a scarf for the first time this season. Chase wanted one too so he wore a scarf that I had knit for him when he was a baby.

I realized that a cowl would make more sense for a running playing little boy so I knit this up. Very quick project...

I did a few garter stitch rows on each end to give it a finished look but you can't really see them when the cowl rolls.

I also made the cowl loose and oversized because there is nothing worse then a tight scarf or turtleneck.

 

Welcome Brody!

My BFF had her third baby on Thursday...so happy for her...both mom and baby are doing well. Welcome to the world little guy. Now my cold needs to go away so I can meet him.

Congrats Capricious - you are a wonderful mom and your children are lucky to have you.
 

UMARO

If only I were a patient knitter...

I would totally make a UMARO throw...

A Healthy Snack

 
One of my coworkers is always carrying around little bags of healthy snacks and she gave me one of the recipes.

Protein Muffins (Super fast to make - the kids could totally help)
- 1/2 Cup of Oatmeal (if you don't like whole oats you can grind them but I went with whole ones and I used regular Oatmeal not the quick stuff)
- 6 Egg Whites (I would consider slightly less egg - mine were pretty eggy)
- Cinnamon
- I doubled the batch and added pumpkin pie spice and I added 3 tablespoons of Splenda (if I do this again I would add way more Splenda)

Mix together, pour into a greased mini muffin pan and bake for 7 - 8 minutes at 350 degrees (or if you double the batch like I did a lot longer until they look solid and muffin-like). I forgot to grease my pan and it was a mistake (hence the mangled look) - I would definitely recommend spray pam or muffin paper baking cups.

I think these would be good with canned pumpkin mixed in or with blueberries or craisins or nuts or banana. I guess my coworker tried peanut butter - that could be good too.

Redefining The Term "Happy Hour"

Our first nap in weeks!!!  Oh yah (you can't imagine how excited I am about this)! Nothing like a much needed afternoon nap to bring a smile to a mom's face.
 

Dog Tricks

We went for a walk to the park and there was a man there swinging his dog...I had to get a photo of it!