Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Good among all the bad

There has been a lot of bad news in the past few weeks.  From the Cleveland kidnapping victims being rescued (good and tragic all at the same time), the Texas fertilizer plant explosion, and yesterday's horrific tornado in Oklahoma, bad news is all around.  However, among all the bad, I feel like there is a constant good to counteract.

If you haven't seen the video of the woman finding her dog during her interview about how her home was destroyed and she lost everything, you should watch it.  It makes me want to hug Sophie and buy a strap-on carrier in the event we are ever in a tornado.  Might need to add that to my emergency kit...

watch the video here

And then there's the heartwarming story about Zach Sobiech from Stillwater, Minnesota, and his amazing story and legacy he left behind (he passed away yesterday).  I'm warning you, you're going to have misty eyes when you watch this.



Also, download his song Clouds.  It's beautiful.



So, my point is...no matter how much bad there is going on, there is still so much good.  And that gives me hope.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Time got away from me

I know they say time flies, but it really has these past few months. On top of all the craziness in my life, I threw in a little kitchen update to the mix that started this past Friday. Why not, right? I don't have the finishing details complete, but here is a photo sneak peek. I'll have the final photos this weekend.





Sunday, May 5, 2013

I'm an Aunt Again!

Kalli had the baby today.  Dylan June is her name and I love her to pieces already.  (Fun fact:  June is a family name.  It was Grandma Bev's mother's name.)  We were able to spend about 30 minutes at the hospital this morning before Josh had to go to a study group.  I can't wait to hold sweet Dylan again!  Also, I can't wait to spoil her with lots of candy from Dylan's Candy Bar...which reminds me of the theme I set for her baby shower.  It's meant to be.  (Note: I'll post photos from the baby shower when I get around to it; March and April were a blur.)




I Built A Snowman on May 3

On May 3, the Des Moines area received 3.4 inches of snow.  What the heck?  I guess it was a good thing, though, because it allowed me time to cross off one more thing on my 30 before 30 list: make a snowman.

Sophie was confused.  They mowed the lawn three days ago.

Not my best shoe selection

Sophie is so helpful at snowman making

Frosty the Snowman

Michigan Getaway

Back in April, a few friends from college met up in Sawyer, Michigan, for the weekend.  Both the company and the general area were fabulous.  Here are a few photos from the weekend.  The most important one, mind you, is the photo of a completed sandcastle.  It was my first time making one and number 16 on my 30 before 30 list.  Thanks, Michaun, for always being willing to help me cross things off my list (we worked on number eight of 30 last summer).  You're the best.  And thanks for being so photogenic.










No get-together is complete without food


I Made a Quilt

I've wanted to make a quilt for a long time, but I've never had the real motivation to actually complete one.  Here's the somewhat long story of how the quilt came to be.  Check off number 6 on my 30 before 30 list.  Done and done.

The quilt on the bed with a mini blanket

Front and back of the quilt

Started the project at 9:30 pm; finished at 2:00 am


About a month two months ago, Emily asked if I'd make some minky changing pads for her baby.  I purchased two yards of red, one yard of white, and two yards of green minky fabric from Jo-Ann Fabric to make the changing pads (the white was a remnant and sold at 75% off).  Since I had no idea how much fabric it would take to make the changing pad covers, I figured what I had would work and I'd go from there.  Thanks to my sister (and a few google searches with patterns), the changing pad covers turned out perfectly (we added a strip of elastic sewn between the long lengths in the center of the pad for extra slip-resistance).  The changing pads took about one yard each to make.  With the leftover fabric (and three yards total of flannel fabric), I pieced together the quilt as I went along.  Without any planning at all, the quilt folds in half lengthwise to fit perfectly in the crib.  The little white ties were a last-minute finishing touch that also ensures the quilt stays flat.  I love how both the quilt and changing pads turned out and really hope Emily does, too.

Minky changing pad cover - harder to make than it looks