Flashback

I'm at my mom's to help make peach jam today so I thought I'd share a few pictures from her camera. I hardly ever get to see pictures of me and Jacob together as I usually take them!

I love how hard he's squeezing my face up to his. Makes for a lovely picture, don't you agree?

Me And My Boy

We went to the Apple Day Parade last weekend. Maybe it's just in our small town but it seems that parades are no longer full of floats and instead are full of political slogans and random cars with a magnetic poster slapped on the side.

We had fun, of course, especially when people start handing out candycandy and stickies. Jacob seems to think that all stickers go directly onto his stomach. I have no idea why.

Weekends seem to go by in a flash. I know I have mornings to play with the boy but there are only so many things you can do with a couple of hours. I'm grateful that I got so much time to be with him before I had to start working. Even more grateful that I get to work from home without having to ship him off too much. I'm working about 23 hours a week now, and I even got a raise this week. I love my job and I'm so happy to be able to have this opportunity. But I'm still a little sad when I think about just getting to stay home with him.

I'd like to take a little poll here. Jacob might be in need of a hair cut. His cute little curls are getting pretty long and sometimes his rat's nest of hair in the morning makes him look a lot like a homeless old man. What to do!

Shop Notes

I made this apron for a friend I went to college with. It took a lot of trial and error and many ripped seams to get the top part to look normal. It kept bunching on me and it looked horrible. I am happy with the final look, but I think I will stay away from two part bust panels.

I need a model so I can take pictures of the whole thing.

These pillow slips are made from fabric I found in the Goodwill bin. I like the old fashioned aspect they have.

I recently discovered how to make fabric baskets. I think this one is the perfect size to hold children's books.

Hello Fall

I'd say we've been busy, but I'm not sure that's technically true. We've been trying to be outside as much as possible. Mornings are a bit chilly now and I know it's going to be cold soon. Too cold to sit on the grass and watch Jacob ride his bike in the driveway and up the sidewalk. Soon we will be in jackets and warm boots instead of teeshirts and bare feet.

I really hate winter. If we could have an eternal fall, I'd be happy. Winter in this house is going to be cold. Even now, when it's 80 something degrees outside, my toes are already freezing in the afternoon when I sit at my desk. After work, I step outside into the full sun to warm my body. Winter means no more playing outside after work because it will be dark at 5.

But I do love a reason to wear these new argyle socks. Only $1 at Target. I got four pairs. Jacob seemed to think they belonged to him. His daddy did not agree. I have circle scarves in the making, as well as the desire to pull out my knitting. I have two pumpkins on my counter for pumpkin butter. Fall can be lovely.

Bargains of the Year

I decided to take a trip to town this afternoon. I needed some time to be by myself. I spend quite a lot of time with Jacobey and I rarely get to go shopping. Lack of money, needing to be at work by 1, and a busy toddler do not make shopping trips fun. So I drove to my mom's and dropped her off at her part time paperwork job before heading up to the Springs to visit Ross and Target. I wasn't sure how I was going to fill a couple of hours by myself at only two stores but it turns out that's not a problem. I just make it a point to look at everything in the store. Twice. You just never know when you will find a bargain!

My best score was a set of sheets for $3.48. They are the "College" brand, so the thread count is only 225 but I managed to get a pillowcase, Fitted Sheet, and Sheet for practically nothing a yard. I'm planning on using it to back my quilt, so I saved myself about $30 by getting it. Plus it's polka dots, and I'm not one to pass up polka dots.

I also can't pass up a pair of argyle socks and a pair of peacock socks for a buck each.

Unfortunately, I came home to a baby still napping. At 8 PM. NAPPING. So we will be up until about, oh, 2 AM, I'm sure. I guess I will just leave him with CS to deal with and go to bed at my normal time. So not my problem. But did you know that 4 hour naps make you want to run around in circles before shouting WOOHOO and throwing both arms in the air? Me either!

Apple A Day

We walked down the street from my mom's house to the apple shed on Sunday.

I'm pretty sure the first apple I ate cured me from my Pioneer Day Celebration (if you know what I mean.) We let Jacob and Jayden ride in the wagon at first, but then I remembered that 6 year-olds have functioning legs and made the big girl walk. I'd already pushed her and Jacob in the stroller so I was a little tired. And sweaty.

This farm does spray their apples, so while there were tons of lovely apples it's kind of a bummer to know they use chemicals.

Jayden offered to pull Jacob back to the store, so I let her. It lasted about 20 yards and she was done. But I left Gramma push the babies back home part of the way. It was downhill though, so she got the easy part.

When I took my farm booty home with me, I had 5 peaches and 4 apples to deal with. The peaches were on their last days so I sliced them up and put them in pie. I used this pie recipe, except I left the creme fraiche out. Partly because I didn't have a day to waste to make the creme fraiche and mostly because CS won't eat it if I do. But I love this recipe because it only calls for one pie crust and it has streusel! I also took a hint from these hand pies and added some bourbon to the peaches. I couldn't really tell it was there, but CS said he could.

We still need to get a box of peaches for jam but hopefully we have time for that! Maybe next year I will attempt to can more than just fruit jam. Maybe by then I will have a pretty little house with a pantry to store it all.

Keep dreaming, I know.

Parade

This month we celebrate Pioneer Day here in Fremont County. Did you know, a very long time ago, that they almost made Florence the capital of Colorado rather than Denver? I can't imagine what our part of the state would look like if Florence was no longer the small town. I think Denver is a little bit more picturesque and less desert like, so I would say they made the right choice!

CS, Jacob and I rode in the fire truck for the beginning of the parade and settled ourselves onto the tailgate of CS's truck for the rest of the show once we got back to the station. Jacob ditched us about halfway through to go ride on the 4-wheeler with CS's parents. I should have made him stay to keep me in candy. No one likes an adult to go out there and steal kid's candy. But no one cares when you have a baby with you.

We went to the park afterwards and spend most of the afternoon there. Jacob managed to charm one of the carnival vendors into letting him have balloons whenever he passed by. I let him by a squeaky mallet which he used to pound another child's head in a mock fight with an equally squeaky alien. CS managed to drive me crazy in the two blocks back to the car by incessantly banging it onto his body, the stroller and my legs.

CS and I managed to pawn the baby off on to my mom and we went out to the street dance for a bit. We met up with a few of the girls I hung out with back when I worked at the bar, but they left early. It wasn't nearly as much fun as I would have liked it to be, but at least we got to go out and act like normal adults for a few hours. Plus, when you only have $25 to go out with, you don't come home and get sick before bed and wake up feeling like a bus hit you. Good thing I have the tolerance of a 14 year old again.

Quilty

These are pretty terrible pictures of the quilt I am going to be working on soon. I have one extra fabric that isn't pictured, it was in the mail when I took these. But it's the same sofa print, just in green and blue.

I have cut all my strips out to make this quilt but I'm discovering that I have A LOT of strips. Enough strips to make two quilts. I'm lacking enough white at the moment but I can get more when I need it. However, I can't decide if I should make a monster sized quilt or two smaller ones. I would love to make one big enough to put on the bed this winter. But I'm reluctant to pay for the yardage I would need for the backing. I know I can use a sheet from Target for much cheaper, but I so love the design of this line. Although, the decision might be made for me, since I think Randi will soon be out. I have enough leftover fabric to do big blocks on the back with a solid, so I might go that route. Much cheaper!

But the thought of all the quilting I have ahead of me makes me a little hesitant. I'm already tired of meandering, plus my stitches seem to be looking raggedy and I hate taking them out and trying again. Maybe time to try some straight line quilting?

Mini Quilt

I was inspired by Randi's mini quilt that hangs beside her front door.

Hers is a little smaller than mine, and has a cute little dress in the corner.

But I'm terribly in love with the Tufted Tweets design and I couldn't bear to let the one and two inch scraps from my quilt blocks to go to waste.

So I stitched little pieces together, using the chain-piecing method (so easy and much less wasted thread!) to make myself my own wall quilt. I hung it above my new craft shelves much to CS's chagrin.

Now, if only I had enough white cotton to start my Tufted Tweets quilt! Maybe this weekend...

Life of the Party

When it's your birthday party, you can wear whatever you want. Including your cousin's beach cover-up.

You don't have to look at the camera because you are too busy with your new toy.

But you can look adorable and be happy all day without a nap.

Plus, for every year that goes by, you get the same amount of party girls in matching swimsuits!

The party was a lot of fun, and it seems like I did the least amount of work to pull it off. My co-worker brought the cake (banana cake with ganache, YUM!) and my mom grilled the food while I talked to everyone. Being a hostess does not come naturally to me. I always worry about people who don't know anyone and I try to be talking to as many people as possible so no one feels uncomfortable. There were only seven children and that was a nice number to have. Almost everyone left around dinnertime, but the few that stayed got to eat again and we had a fire! Sadly, the gas station was out of marshmellows and graham crackers so there were no S'mores like I was hoping when we decided on a fire. But at least the huge pile of sticks we have been collecting has burned up! One of our nosey neighbors tried to call the fire department on us but we heard the page that went out for us and CS called dispatch to let her know that there were already two firemen scene. Finally, the fire department pays off for us!

Jacob was awake from 8 AM until after 9PM but as soon as I put him in the car, he was out. We didn't even make it a mile before his little head drooped over. Party Success!

The Markus!

Jayden used to call the circus the markus. We thought she meant market so that's what we call the Farmer's market now.

This is where my piles of fabric went.

10 pretty new Market Bags, all ready to sell.

I might list a few on Etsy, but I'm going to try and sell them at the local U-Pick farm. The owner is a longtime friend of my family, so hopefully he's willing to let me leave a few there.

I don't think I could resist a few of these to take with me when I went apple picking!

Kie-Kie

I have one uncle who has been around for as long as I can remember. We have a long standing tradition of going to the zoo every spring. He's part of the Balloon Classic mornings on Labor Day, and almost always there for holiday dinners. We swap recipes, share new music discoveries, and discuss books, movies, art. He's a great uncle.

So it make me happy when Jacob thinks so too. Occasionally, Jacob releases the apron strings he has permanently attached to my body and remembers that other people can show him a good time. Jacob really liked eating toast at dinner on KieKie's lap and he really wanted to show him his touch and feel book afterwards.

Really, it's the little things!

Kenny has gone by many names. I called him Ninny, apparently. Kie-Kie is Jacob's version.

Shop Notes

I have a few things in the works. I actually finished them on Monday night, but I have to get pictures of the final objects up in the shop! For now, can you guess what I'm making?

Plums

This summer is going to be the summer of jam. I think peach jam and pumpkin butter are next on my list. I'm not nearly as dedicated as my friend Randi but at least I'm going to have something lovely on my toast all winter long.

After the fiasco of my apricot jam (refused to set) I was determined to only use the David Lebovitz gel test to make sure my plum jam didn't remain runny. I'm not sure if it will set as well as the cherry did but it's much better than the apricot. I prefer my jam to taste like fruit, not just sugar, so I refuse to use pectin because the box calls for at least a cup or two more of sugar than fruit.

Full Of Hot Air

Every Labor Day weekend, Colorado Springs has a hot air balloon launch. We have gone for years, waking up at 5 AM to see the balloons launch at dawn. It's an awesome experience watching the huge silky balloons slowly swell with warm air, the heat from the burner warming your face. The balloons usually launch in groups, one cluster of them float off into the sky while you watch the second wave unloading.

Sadly, this year it was too windy in the surrounding areas to launch the balloons safely. I have never been to the Classic when they didn't launch the balloons, so it was a bit shocking to go and not get to see them! Of course, this was the first year Jacob went and I was hoping to see him lose his baby mind over it.

It is was, he was not impressed. Getting up at 6 AM when you went to bed at 11:30 PM is not quite the life of a toddler. Especially when you have to get up and sit in a stroller, wrapped in a blanket and still shivering. He wanted his rocking chair and a cup of juice with his "Mover's" episodes.

Next year, baby duck. Next year!

Instead of watching the balloons, we went to breakfast and a quick stop at the Farmer's Market, where Jacob happened upon a playground hidden from view and full of little blonde boys in grey shirts. Luckily, he was in a bright red Curious George shirt and the messiest bedhead to be found.

He went to bed at 6:30 this evening. I drove home from Gramma's house and he passed out in the first 5 minutes. When I took him out of the carseat, he was already drooling. A trip to the neighbors didn't wake him up. Daddy tickling his neck didn't work. Changing his diaper and putting his pajamas on made him sad but as soon as I picked him up, he drooled on my neck and slumped on my shoulder. I'm sure I'm in for a 5 AM wakeup, but we'll make it through!

TWO!

Jacob turned two today. He celebrated by getting a little cold yesterday, so he slept in until 9 this morning. He didn't take a nap until 4:30 and is currently sleeping!

September 3rd, 2008

Soapy Birthday Boy, 1~ September 2009

Sweet faced boy. August 2010.

Eating basil for breakfast. August 2010.

I never thought having a baby boy would be as sweet and rewarding as Jacob has been to me. My little mama's boy is the best part of my day. Even when he insists on doing everything by himself, even when he's not big enough to do it! He's saying so many things, I can't even keep track. But the best part is that now I'm able to write down the things he says!

Right now, I have to go wake the little prince and take him out for "keem!" to celebrate the last two years. Here's to many more, little boy.

See? Pane?

We took Jacob to the airport yesterday. We were really on our way to Walmart, but as we drove past the end of the runway, a small plane flew right over our heads. It was probably a student, learning how to land and take off, as they had just landed minutes before flying over us. We pulled into a parking lot and waited for them to fly by again. We let Jacob out of his car seat, and he hung onto the side mirror, his whole body outside the car, shouting with glee. "SEE, MAMA!" PANE! SEE?"

He sees planes all the time, even the far away, spots in the sky. We live near a Army training area, so there are loud planes overhead frequently. He stands outside, head tipped back, scanning the sky for the source of the noise he knows is an airplane. Then he makes sure that we know that he knows what it is.

One of his favorite toys right now is a "copper" that Gramma got him. It's really a helicopter, and right now, it's somewhere in his crib with him while he sleeps. His other favorite toy is a "mo'cycle" but that can't stay in his crib because it lights up and plays a horrible Miami Vice sounding clip. But he has fallen asleep with it clutched in his hand since he got it. What is it about boys and trucks, cars, planes and "mo'cycles"!

Sunshine

My mom got me these beautiful sunflowers for my birthday!

She's good like that.

Happy Birthday To ME!

Today is (was) my 27th birthday. Ever since I turned 25 and had Jacob, I have kind of forgotten my age. I frequently forget how old I am. It's certainly not on purpose. I look young enough that I'll never lie about my age. I will still look 30 when I'm 45! Score!

I have never been one for lists of goals I should accomplish by a certain age, especially since I have a knack for saying "I won't ever..." and a year later, I'm letting Jacob watch DVDs in the car on a thirty minute drive from home.

So here are somethings I would like to do this year!

Make another quilt. Specifically, this one.

Potty train Jacob.

Make enough grocery bags that I can stop using the plastic ones at the store.

Sew a skirt for me!

Get married.

Get pregnant again.

Go to Las Vegas in December with some friends.

Make homemade marshmellows.

Pay off one of my credit cards.

Have date night once a month with CS.

Create a photo wall of pictures I have taken. Make sure all of them are framed.

Have family photos taken.

Finally read the book I won about learning how to use my fancy camera.

Create enough that my Etsy store has more than two pages of items for sale.

Try to sell more Market bags at the local You Pick Farm (Happy Apple, Penrose CO).

Own a serger.

Run a 5K.

Cook outside the box. I've been very boring and predictable lately.

Try and see movies in the theatre more. Maybe combine this with date night?

Start writing stories again. I'm very caught up in creating with fabric but I would like to write down some of the stories in my head before I lose them.

Teach Jacob his ABC's.

Go to the hot springs in the middle of winter. It's so luxurious to sit in a river in your swimsuit when snow is falling down around you.

Talk to all my grandparents on the phone more.

Write letters to my college BFF every week.

Insist on a One Hour Limit of TV Time for Jacob. It's very hard to do this when I am working! I know! So bad!

Go see a play. A good one, in Denver.

Create awesome, matching costumes for me, CS, and Jacob.

That's all I have for now. I wouldn't call it a Mighty Life List, but it's a start. My real life list is much shorter and full of trips to places across the ocean.