someday

I think that someday I will have a house with steps that curve around like these. But then I also dream of a timber frame house, or maybe a roman villa type house... I think actually, I will have three or four houses. that should work out.
  Isn't it fun to dream and make plans? When I come down out of the clouds I find that I really like a small house that reminds me that I should not be spending my time filling it with more 'stuff'.
 We are so blessed to live in a house of our own with such a nice big yard and on a quite street where we can ride our bikes.
 Someday, I will still be thankful for the gift each day is.

Aprons!

This week we had a Christmas party. We did a white elephant for one of the activity's.
I had a pattern for the basic shape of the aprons. But you could just measure yourself to make a custom apron.
To make the aprons I cut out 2 apron shaped pieces of fabric. Then I cute out 2 straps of over 60" long and 2" wide and 2 straps about 4" long and 2" wide. I ironed all the straps so all the raw edges were turned in and sewed them closed. I attached the long straps to the top and the short ones I folded to make a loop and attached them at the side waist. Them I sewed the two apron pieces right side together with the straps on the inside. I sew the top and side of the apron then turn it right side out and top stitch the bottom closed. tada. if you want you could add pockets at this time.
I also made matching pot holders for the white elephant gift. It was a fun project to put together and it only took a few hours.

Day 36 - E day

We've been pretty busy this week. both yesterday and today we had friends over for the afternoons.
I sewed some PJ pants for Molly today. They were super easy to do because I had a pattern out to cute them out then I found some of mine that I was going to get ride of and I ended up just cutting them down to fit Molly. They are a little wider leg than I wanted for her but oh well.
We had enchilada's tonight for supper for E day. They were good. the last time I tried to make them they were not so good.
We have a well out back of our house because this house was built before this area was part of the city. A few years ago the house was hooked up to city water but the well was left back there and the man we bought it from said that he used it for watering his grass. But, after we bought the house we found that the well did not work at all. Apparently we had left the water hydrant wide open after looking at it some time because this morning when I went out water was coming out full blast. And I sang praises to my God who gives gifts to His children.

Now we are five

Heidi had a great birthday.

Happy girl with all her new things. The kids were chewing gum dawn till dusk for a few days. since she had two packs of gum to share with them. We have also done lots of coloring, mostly with colored pencils.

Blessed

Philippians 4:19 +20
And my God will meet all your needs
according to his glorious riches
in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory
for ever and ever. Amen.

Last night I was feeling rather stressed about where I will stay when I am radioactive. And I was stressed about how everything would work. But my God saw my need and cared for it.
Derek called our preacher from church to ask for people to call and check on me in the upcoming weeks. Tom said that would be no problem and that one of the elders and his wife had volunteered their home for me to stay in while I was undergoing the treatment! Volunteered! No body asked them to share their home they saw the need and offered their services.

:)

This is my favorite winter hat. I am really glad I have it too because it really seems that winter has no plans for leaving any time soon.
We got at least 12 more inches of snow last night.
we have a beautiful winter wonderland out there.
Thanks for the pretty hat.

My fun fast gift

Derek decided he needed to give his sarg. a gift so I quick put this together. I was so excited about it that I came right over here to share it with you! I made some powdered hot chocolate mix: 3/4 c. sugar (divided) 1 vanilla bean 1 c cocoa powder 1 T ground cinnamon 1/3 c dry milk powder Put 2 T of sugar and vanilla bean in a blender and blend until a fine powder. Combine remaining sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and dry milk in a bag, add vanilla sugar and mix well. transfer powder mixture to an airtight container. To serve mix 1/4 c powder with 8 oz. hot water.
I put the hot chocolate powder in a 1/2 pint jam jar and tied a red ribbon with instructions for making drink and a cinnamon stick to the top. Than I made some chocolate syrup: 1/2 c heavy cream 1 c chocolate chips 1 c light corn syrup 1 T vanilla In a sauce pan over medium heat bring cream to a boil. Add chocolate and blend until smooth. Add corn syrup and vanilla. Remove from heat. let cool than pour into jar with tight fitting lid. store in the refrigerator. to serve combine 3 T syrup with 8 oz hot milk.

Derek had found the Jack Daniels flavored coffee at the dollar spot in Target last week. I had a basket on hand that I stuck holiday tissue into. I had made some candy the other day that I wrapped up in some green serene wrap and tied with a red ribbon. I used one of the mugs we had on hand and added tissue and the coffee to it. I also wrapped up some mini marshmallows and some doughnuts I made this morning. Then added the candy cane for decor.

My Fisherman

I just wanted to tell you something about Derek. :) he really likes to go fishing but he doesn't just fish when he's out, he makes things too. the picture of my poor baby who dived off a picnic table is so you can see my necklace. Derek made it when we were on a camping fishing trip a couple of years ago. He made it from fishing line and some sort of stick he found in the north woods of MN. This summer Lars broke it and I lost the beads for it. This month Derek found some bamboo and dried it then made this new one for me. He is so cool. I like him a lot. :)