You are currently browsing the monthly archive for April 2009.
Yes, I dabble a little at the sewing machine.
A couple of years ago, I found this tutorial on craftster (link at the end of post) and thought it looked easy. It showed step-by-step instructions on how to make a little girl dress out of a button-up men’s shirt. It is genius, I loved the idea and of course, the pictures of the adorable little model helped too.
Anyway, my guys have plenty of aloha shirts gathered through the years, and most of them hang unworn in my closet. I thought they would make a perfect dress for Lai. I made this after deciding on a shirt (Tyler’s, worn once).
It’s short, but fits nicely and easily around her small frame.
This is the front of the shirt, and if you look closely you can see the front breast pocket still there at the top of the dress, under the right strap. I probably should’ve taken the time to take it out, but I like it, and how else would anyone believe this was once a shirt. I also think it adds character.
That was two years ago. Pre-blog. I would’ve liked to have a before picture to show, along with some progress shots, but being blogless back then, I didn’t even think of taking pictures. In fact, before yesterday, I forgot all about this dress. That is until I got home yesterday. Lai was wearing it, after rummaging through the clothes in my closet, she found this long-lost dress hanging hidden deep in the rack of her other dresses. I love this dress and how it turned out. Proud at my accomplishment. *taps self on back*
I so rock.
Tutorial here.
I think she needs another one. Don’t you?
-L
Look what Ty drew for Art Class:
He got an A.
Of course.
My baby.
sigh
-L
I’m always curious to see how others knit. I love that we can all have our own method and yet arrive at the same end. There are also different types of knitters. There are the process knitters, the ones who love the process of it, the rhythmic motion of the hands, the way it soothes and relaxes the mind and body, like meditation. Then there are the product knitters, the ones who knit to make things, to finish an item. I know I am the latter more than the first. I do enjoy knitting and it relaxes me, but what I gain more satisfaction from is the end product. Whether it is for me or someone else, I get this happy feeling when the knitted item can go on someone or something to be used for it’s intended purpose.
For me, the faster I knit the better. I have been honing my skills since starting knitting some five years ago. I’ve tweeked a few habits of mine to gain more speed and use less motion (please no carpal tunnel for me, thank you!)
So, the other day, I decided to record my way of knitting and post it here.
After watching this (again), I notice that I move my index fingers a lot. This will probably hurt me in the long run. In a post back in October (here) I posted a video of the “world’s fastest knitter”-Miriam Tegels. There, she gives tips on how to speed knit (the smaller the movements the better). I tried knitting like her and I got the hang of it after a while. But, I didn’t know how to purl like her. She doesn’t have a video on how she does her purls. So back to my way it went. Until I can see her purl, I’ll have to just continue doing it my way. Does anyone know if there’s a video out there of Miriam purling? Let me know. Thanks.
And if you are kind enough to do so, please post a video of how you knit and send me the link to it. I’d love to see it.
Happy knitting!
-L
Here’s what Nate and I brought home with us on our yard sale trip this past Saturday:
Cool brown boots (barely used from the lack of wear on the bottoms): $2
Framed Asian print (Koi fish!): $1
Pretty little (6X6) photo album: $1
Atari! plug and play (6 games), AND IT WORKS : $2
A promising-looking novel: $0.50
TWO reading lamps (THEY WORK): $1 each
X-men costume for my shopping partner (he’s been wearing this since Saturday) and IT WAS BRAND NEW ON THE HANGER WITH LABEL STILL ATTACHED! : $1
Dora chair (folds flat): $2
A really soft lamb that makes soothing noises: heartbeat, ocean waves, etc: $1
Baby girl loves Dora:
Other things I bought:
-4 sweaters for me (work clothes)$3 for all 4
-3 sets of playing cards: $0.25 each
-A really awesome large basket $1
-2′ x 4′ cork board: $2
-2 pairs of mary jane shoes (different styles):$1 each
-Office supplies:$0.25 each
2 paper trays, one silver, one black
2 file folder holders/dividers (don’t know the proper term for these) both black
1 small wire cup/holder (to hold paper clips)
-and a few items to be gifted.
Thrift shopping makes me so happy.
If you have some thrifty finds you are proud of, please share.
Everyone, esp me, loves a bargain!
Happy Thrifting!
-L
This past weekend was warm, sunny, and breezy. And full of activity.
Saturday, Nacho and I got up early (he’s my early bird baby) and headed out for some yard sale fun. He was a great shopping buddy. Patiently walking with me through 2 (TWO!) community yard sales. He even made sure to look out for items to buy for his brothers and sister. My sweet, considerate little angel. We scored some great deals, which I will share will you later this week.
Later, we went to Bubba’s flag football game.
-Blew bubbles:
-Played in the dirt:
-smiled for the camera
-Watched the game:
Big brother was on the side line helping out.
Bubba’s team won. Yay! Bubba scored TWO touchdowns (one via interception)
DH had to work that night so we went out for some Chinese food then headed home and relaxed the rest of the day.
Sunday:
-slept in.
-made breakfast (bacon and eggs)
-went to the Asian market with the kids and Gordo to buy rice, pancit noodles, coconut milk and treats for the kids
-bought a round of ice cream at the drive thru and parked at the lake to enjoy it in the breeze and sun.
-I went to knit at Starbucks with the “YarnOverCoffee” group.
-did 3 loads of laundry at Mom’s while we watched “Bride Wars” together* (our dryer is not working right now)
-ate dinner and got DH up for work
-knitted and cuddled with the sleeping babies while watching “Vicki Christina Barcelona” with Gordo.*
-and finally, in bed at midnight.
Whew.
No wonder I’m tired.
Tired but happy.
How was your weekend?
-L
* We’ve been watching lots of movies lately. I will be giving my reviews sporadically here on the blog. So look out for those this week. – *hugs*
It’s Friday.
I have my knitting.
I’m reading a new book.
And it is warm enough outside to wear a skirt and flip-flops.
I’ve been smiling all day…
God is so good.
Have a great weekend!
-L
This recipe was adapted from my SIL’s recipe, Sose’s recipe and a recipe I found online. I combined all three and came up with this version of mine. My family loves it. Especially DH. I have this dish as part of the rotating menu we have every month. I try to plan my menus for the whole week (dinners) so I won’t be making extra trips to the grocery store during the week. Plus, I don’t like going grocery shopping. Planning ahead only takes one Sunday trip to the store. This dish makes it on the menu just about once month. The quantity of this recipe usually leaves us with leftovers and this seems to taste better the day after (to me anyway).
You can cut the ingredients in half to make a smaller serving. You can also add other ingredients that you may like: chopped onions, garlic, bell peppers, a can of chili beans, RoTel, or even some jalapenos. The combinations are endless. You can try your own version of this easy recipe and include it in your menus. Your kids and husband will love you for it!
Tortilla Soup
Ingredients:
3 lbs. ground beef (or ground turkey)
2 cans black beans
2 cans red beans
1 can corn
2 cans diced tomato
2 packs Spanish rice
3 packets of taco seasoning
2 packets of ranch dip mix
1 tsp pepper
Toppings:
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Tortilla chips
In a large pot, brown ground beef and drain grease. Add 3 packets of taco seasoning and 3 cups water. Let simmer at med high for a couple of minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in both packs of Spanish rice and 3 cups water. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining ingredients (canned items can be slightly drained) to the pot and simmer at medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes or so. Turn off heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
Serve atop tortilla chips like nachos.
Or as a soup topped with crumbled chips.
Serves 8-12 people (with big appetites)
Enjoy
-L
The Time Traveler’s Wife.
I sailed through the last half of it in the last 24 hours. I couldn’t stop reading.
I’m sad that it’s over…
But guess what? It’s been made into a movie! The release date is in August THIS YEAR! I googled it and was a little surprised at the casting of the characters. Not what I pictured, but a good choice all the same… There’s no trailer out yet but here are some pictures:
Eric Bana as Henry and Rachel McAdams as Claire.
August.
The theme of this book. Waiting.
So I am.
-L
This past weekend, along with celebrating Ty’s birthday, we got to hang out with Lloyda (whom I haven’t seen since December) and her sister Matau (it’s been 20 years!).
On Friday I didn’t go to work (Bubba was sick, he was feeling better after lunch). Nacho, Lai, and I went with Mom to pick up her “special shoes” (I call them her ”moon shoes”). Took the kids to BK and then to the park to let DH and Bubb catch some much needed sleep. Got home in the afternoon, in time to take Ty to therapy and then DH and I took the kiddos to dinner at Applebee’s
Later that night, Lloyda and Matau came over. DH had to work so the rest of us just hung out and played dominoes and talked until 3 in the morning.
It was a very nice visit. The kids have really missed their Aunty Lloyda and warmly welcomed their new-to-them Aunty Tau.
Matau is older than Lloyda and is graduating with a nursing degree in 9 months. She was in Nashville for a nursing seminar/conference at Opryland. She got to stay at the Opryland Hotel with a few of her fellow students. Nashville impressed this Las Vegas resident, the beauty of the land. Until, of course, her allergies kicked in! I gave her some allergy medication Saturday morning and she was fine.
We took them to Bubba’s game on Saturday. Bubba scored the only touchdown! Yay! He did wonderfully!
Joleen met us there and from the park, we took Danny home to sleep, he had to work again that night 
Then off to the mall for birthday presents for the man-child.
We walked the whole mall stopping at every store that Ty fancied. He made out with 8 cool t-shirts (this boy LOVES graphic tees) and a pair of black high top Nikes. Mr. Picky couldn’t find jeans that met his requirements, so he didn’t get any. Oh, he now wears a men’s Large. !!! He’s gotten thicker since his surgery 2 months ago and now weighs 165!
Mmkay.
Joleen hung out with us until 8 and Lloyda spent another night with us watching movies. She went home Sunday night.
Well, that’s all folks.
Knitting:
Cast on another hat. This time in blue. The yellow scarf is almost done. It should’ve already been finished and sewn shut, but I blame the book. Yep, still reading that one. I can’t put it down.
Happy Tuesday!
-L
Playing with a new program. (Or is it called an app these days?)
Taking your digital photos and magically turning them into polaroids:
From this:
To this:
Here are some more:
So COOL, right? Can you tell I’m having too much fun with this? I’m really amazed at how my pics turn out. They REALLY look like polaroids. I remember having a couple of these cameras back in high school. I wonder where they are now? Hmmmmm….
I’ll be back later with a proper post. I’ve got some more to do.
-L
And, my all-time favorite:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BABY!
Love,
Mom
Jenna was sporting the scarf I knitted her yesterday:
This made me so happy. And proud. My knits out in public, on someone other than me. Doesn’t she look oh-so-cute? She rocks that scarf!
Now I REALLY want one too.
-L
Thanks to Gordon’s subtle nudging, I have picked up reading again.
I am LOVING this book.
For the past 3 nights, I have been cuddling up with this book before going to sleep. It’s been hard to put it down. It’s the reason why the knitting has come to a crawl.
Speaking of knitting, I ripped out the scarf and restarted it on bigger needles. The mitts? They’re at the bottom of the knitting bag, neglected. I’m not feeling it right now.
On a brighter note, I GOT NEW EARRINGS!
SO. PRETTY.
Happy Hump Day!
-L
“Do not start a new project”
“Do not start a new project”
“Do not start a new project”
I told you that I started a new hat, right? Well, it’s now in the UFO (unfinished object) pile. That pile is growing because I keep feeding it. Bad, bad Lette. You see, that hat, while it is pretty and yellow, it is NOT what I planned it to be. I messed up on the pattern and halfway through the thing, I noticed a different pattern developing. Ugh. I don’t have the heart to rip it out and fix it. Call it laziness, call it quitting, I don’t care. I will not finish it. Not right now anyway. So to make myself feel better, I started a new project.. or five. Yes, FIVE.
A yummy yellow loop scarf
Another pair of fingerless mitts.
TWO bows I am crocheting. No pic. Yet.
And some leaves to attach to the flowers I started a few weeks ago.
I have a problem.
I do not have a deadline, a couple of these things are for me, and the rest are for the non-existent store of mine. So maybe, I need a deadline. Then, maybe I’ll finish these things. Maybe.
What did we do Easter Sunday? We went to 10 am service at Bethel and loved the production! Had lunch out. Then to a filming at the yarn-shop (LYS). More on that later….
Anyway, our weekend was awesome. Wish you were here.
-L
A bad storm came through here last Friday (Good Friday). There was a half-mile-wide tornado that devasted the town where my hubby works, Murfreesboro. It took the lives of two people. A 22 yo mom and her 9-week-old infant. So sad. The good people of Murfreesboro and surrounding areas came out the day after the tornadoes to help clean up. Families lost their homes, businesses were ravaged, an all-around state of depression. So, please send up a prayer for these families and for the goodness of the people who are there helping. Thanks. I’ll be praying with you.
Images found here.
Blessings,
-L
This past Saturday was my dear FIL’s birthday.
Circa 1998
Happy Birthday!
3 John 1:2
-L
High school… Words escape me.
-L
