Boot Lovin'

Two things I learned today while we were getting our craft on:

1. Sophie is having identity issues. With a tear in her voice - "Mommy, I thought I was an owl, but I wasn't." (life's full of disappointments, kid.)


2. Mads doesn't know her colors, but she sure can identify all the Disney princesses. It goes without saying that we are thrilled.

Check out these boots from Children's Place! I love them so much I wish they had them in my size. Okay, not really, but ... really.

We had snow today!

Can't wait to see everyone's handiwork tomorrow! It's Show it Off Saturday! (Still working on that name...)

Taggie Tag Tag

I've been tagged! (and it's about stinkin' time)

Talent you wish you had? to be able to cook. (somewhere out there my husband is nodding his head...)
What is your theme song? Thank You, Lord

Celebrity role model? they are all kind of hootchie-ish

Reality show you would most like to be on? Dancing With the Stars

Favorite book as a kid? Pippi Longstocking

Dream job? own a fabric store

Secret dream job? to sing in a bar band

Any confessions? I honked at someone in the Wal-Mart parking lot, today

Add a question. Okay, my question is - Which was worse in Jr. high: your hair or your wardrobe? this is a hard question for me, because I believe both of mine were flawless. I was totally rockin that perm and those tight-rolled jeans. (with the two-tone socks and the dexters and the shirt that turned colors when someone touched it... okay, I'll stop.)

Tag 5 - My local bloggies: Jamie, Amy S., Barrett, Marti Jo, Hannah. You're it!

p.s. Shouts to Ashy G. How cool are we for getting up at 5 to run? Aren't we glad we don't have to do it tomorrow?

Well, we went to church tonight. Do you know how long it's been since all 5 of us have been to church on a Wednesday night? I'll tell you, a long time. We have gotten really good at letting any little thing keep us home. (Okay, all the illness lately wasn't exactly a little thing, but you get the point.)
So, we'd been planning our Wednesday night attendance all week. Then today it dawned on me - Jeff has ministry meetings at 5:30. Which means this - I have to get all 3 girls fed, diapered (2 of them), and dressed (which is a fight, because my dear Sophie doesn't wear outfits, she wears concoctions) in time for church by myself. AND, they ate leftover chili for supper which means one more "outfit" change for the older 2. Genius, thy name is Danna.
Glad we went, though. We sang How Great is My God and Blessed Be Thy Name, two of my mom's cancer battle theme songs. Always a good reminder of how truly blessed my family is.

Also, thanks for all the nice e-mails and comments about the tutorial. I've decided that as soon as I finish the girls' Easter dresses (hopefully this week!), I will start it in earnest. Probably daily, so if there are any go-getters out there, you'll be able to smock by Easter. Maybe too late for Easter, but not too late for spring!

Tutorial Tuesday!

I know, I know, Danna give it up on the cutesy theme days already! :-) I've decided to do a smocking tutorial and share with you the little that I know about it. It's not a lot, but it will allow you to smock about 90% of the plates(patterns) out there. I'm going to go excruciatingly slow, because I am pretending that I am teaching myself! Even if your children are too old or don't wear smocked clothing, they make wonderful baby gifts! It's incredibly easy, just start early. (It's much more relaxing to do a little at a time while watching t.v., than to stare at a needle and thread for hours!)

Okay, Lesson 1: MATERIALS

You will need embroidery needles and embroidery(DMC) thread. Important because the needles have a longer eye than regular sewing needles. Both of these things are very inexpensive. Each color thead is about 25 cents. The pattern will tell you which colors to get. Some patterns call for many different colors. I, however, never go by the colors it calls for. I just make up my own color scheme.

Fabric - I have always used either gingham, batiste, or broadcloth. Usually broadcloth because it's cheapest. You will need to have the fabric pleated. You can ask around and usually find someone you know who has a pleater. If that's not an option, places that do tailoring or alterations will work or a local fabric store can give a recommendation.

Alright, that's all you need to begin: needles, thread, and pleated fabric. No embroidery hoop necessary. Next Tuesday's Lesson - threading the needle and the basic cable stitch!

For Women Only

Okay, if there are any random males out there who read this blog, you may want to turn away because we will be discussing nursing. Or, actually, the stopping of nursing. Yes, that's right, I just finished weaning my 4 month old. I tried not to, I even tried all kinds of weird home remedies trying to make it work and it just wouldn't. It's a true wean, though. It's been 48 hrs since I last nursed her and I have had no pain. Absolutely none. Those of you with children understand the significance of this.

So to take my mind off the enormous guilt I'm carrying around I decided to focus on the positive - I can eat! That's right folks, I've been pregnant or nursing for the better part of 4 years. Translation: restricted diet. So, to embrace this I drank 3 cups of coffee (that's right, 3!) and ate chili for lunch and supper. (and for the last hour or so, felt like I could vomit.) Now I feel guilty and nauseous.

Some good news - Carrie Owen Brown has started a Bible study blog! It's on Job. I think it's a fantastic idea. I know I sure can use more time in the Word...

This is what happens during naptime at our house. I was inspired by Kim (Mckinnis) to take a picture this time instead of the usual outburst of frustration. Oh, and Maddie was not wearing that when she lay down. That's, um, Eliza's dress.

It's amazing how disconnected you can get when you miss just 2 weeks at church. I had no idea what we were studying in Sunday school and there were two showers today that I didn't even know about until I read the bulletin.

It got me to thinking about those who are out a month, a few months, a year... if it's disorienting coming back after 2 weeks, I can't imagine how tough it is to try to return after "falling away"...

Story for the road- as my older 2 were sitting and eating their oh so healthy supper of popcorn chicken from Wal-mart, the worldly-wise 3-yr-old informs her younger sister that they were not eating chicken strips they were eating chicken berries. Ah, yummy. Exactly what part of the chicken do the berries come from?!?!?

A photo to haunt your dreams:

Here's something new for Saturdays. I tried to think up something clever to call it but , um, not feeling too clever today so let's just call it Show it off Saturday. Lame, I know.

The point is, I've got some really talented friends out there. Some are Crafties (Jamie, Barrett), some are scrapbookers (Gina), some are chefs (Sandi, Amy S., and evidently Chandra!). I'd like to see your stuff! I am a visual person and get inspiration from things that I see. (Plus, I am not one for original thought.)So if you've made something beautiful or yummy, please show it off. A redecorated room, a scrapbooking page, a new recipe - I'd really like to see them.

I am a craftie so here is my contribution for the week: ( I got my inspiration from Angry Chicken). It's a dress for Mads made from Amy Butler fabric and lined in cheetah print (Sophie's contribution!) This was my first attempt at sleeves. I'm still practicing.