hello

Well, I've been gone for a while due to 2 things: I was finishing a quilt (which I haven't taken a picture of yet, but will soon) AND I was gone for the weekend on a girl trip.

My mom, three sisters and I went to California (near where I used to live.) We did lots of fun things around there: Went to the Oakland temple, had a dinner prepared by my chef/neighbor Matthew, oohed and ahhed at Britex fabrics, walked around Muir woods, checked out Muir Beach, ate at the greatest Thai restaurant, had mud baths/massages/facials in Calistoga, hung out, went shopping, chatted, you know - all the girl stuff. I also got to see a few of my friends who still live in California at church. It was really nice. I haven't been back in four years!

Here are some pics from the trip.

Mom, Katie, Jamie

Emily sleeping in the car.

The redwoods at Muir Woods

A fern at Muir Woods (not a great picture, because it's a point and shoot)

First floor of Britex Fabrics (it's 3 floors of fabric and one floor of notions!)

Me and Matthew (best neighbor in the world.)

could it be?

Charlie has been wearing underwear all day so far. He just ran to the toilet and peed in it. No accidents yet today. He's been doing this for the past few days, with only a few accidents. I'm not sure if I should get excited or not. (How long will this really last?)

fine

Here is a picture of the skirt and blouse I made. (For all my fans). They are both linen and the skirt is a light khaki with a skinny cream stripe every 1/8 inch or so.

freckles

I never had freckles, and maybe that's why I never understood that book, Freckle Juice, where a kid tries to make some concoction that will make his freckles go away. I love Sam's little freckles. Every year he gets a few more, and I think they're adorable. I hope you can see them in this picture (sorry for the weird angle.)

such a bugger

Maybe part of the reason that Charlie is such a bugger sometimes is because he's so tired. He and Jack share a room and they stay up laughing or reading until Jack finally gets tired, which is usually around 10 pm or later. (Actually, I don't think Charlie really lasts that long, but he stays up pretty late for a 3 year old.) Anyway, the other day I sent him to his bed because he was being mean to everyone, but he was so quiet I went to check on him and found him like this. Pretty cute when he's asleep, isn't he?

cute guy

Luke is just so cute, I had to post a picture. After all, he is a baby, and then he's MY baby, so of course he's cute. He is so much cuter in real life and doesn't seem to be the most photogenic of babies, but oh well. He also has such a nice little happy personality. I hope it stays like that while he's 2, but I'm not holding out for that.

some sewing I forgot

I made a red and white hat like this for Jack a few years ago. Last week he asked me to make him a black one (are navy and black the same thing at your house?) Luckily I had some of this navy fabric, and also some red, so I made a new one for Jack, Charlie inherited the old red one, and Sam got a new red one with a blue inside (can't find the others for a picture right now).

ps - sorry Jack's face looks a little strange, I was too close taking the picture, at least you get the idea for the hat.

Yum

I just found this beautiful picture. And then I remembered that I made this lovely treat for Easter. And then I thought I'd share it all with you, because it was beautiful AND delicious. And yes, it was impossible to slice the oranges this thinly. Here is the recipe, in case you need to bring a lovely dessert somewhere sometime.

more blubbering

Yes, I'm overhearing the Biggest Loser again (as I have for the past few weeks since my last post about it). And those men cannot stop crying! They cry more than the Elmers! It's true.

sewing, sewing, and then some more sewing

I've been dying to have some new clothes lately. The last few times I've tried to make something, it didn't fit right, which is really frustrating after I've spent so much time making it. But I've been motivated by Alysha's constant-creative-clothes-making-abilities and figured I could at least try. SO - I bought a lot of fabric on Saturday, and so far have made a linen skirt and a blouse. They even fit! And they look cute! I'm really excited. If I get a little braver, I might post some pictures (but right now, I've still got too much baby fat.)

Also - I'm starting another quilt. No, this isn't one I'm finishing up from my list of unfinished things, it's a new one. I'm crazy, I know. I just can't stay on one project for too long, it drives me crazy. I will have some help on this and I will also post a picture of it when it's finished.