Hop Skip Jump Turn

I like to think that passersby joined in on this fun.

This was all little man's idea. "Much better than an old stinkin' hopscotch!"

Baby Quilt: The Reveal

My friends Judy and Dave are expecting their first bundle of joy. Since we are pretty close, I asked her if there was something that she would like me to make for her baby. She mentioned a heirloom type blanket or quilt that could be passed down from child to child.

Heirloom...no pressure, right?

My first thought was that in order to have an heirloom be an heirloom, it must start with something that carries meaning and history.

I asked Judy and Dave's sisters to send me something from each of their families that could be added to the quilt. I got a little blue knit outfit that Dave wore as a baby; a scarf worn by Dave's mother; a doily from Judy's mother; and a tatted doily made by Judy's grandmother. Four things that held meaning. A great start to an heirloom.

To add the love of Judy and Dave, I added a block with their hometowns. A tree for making roots and an owl because owls are cool. Some blocks with simple stitch textures added to the dimension of the blanquilt.

As you know I'm quite the procrastinator - this time I had a good reason - but nonetheless, I didn't have a box or bag to put this in and stopped at our grocery store at 11:30 pm. Wow...$6 for a bag? So, I made one. I know, I know...bags are easy, though. And fairly quick.

This was a fun project that I really enjoyed and learned a couple things from, too.

To Judy and Dave...I hope you make many memories with this blanquilt as you wrap your children and your love with it.

Spring Has Sprung

This Rhododendron was transplanted over a year ago and I believe this is the year he shows me his thanks.

This is what happens when you plant on top of other existing plants. I'm thinking of letting it all go, survival of the fittest, see what thrives.


Most people rake in the Fall. We do, but I leave a light coating of leaves in my back bed for fun. And for moments like this one where the new growth pierces through last years remnants.

I hope you are enjoying your spring arrivals.

Tweet Tweet Nest

1. Shred a couple paper grocery bags and other colorful pages from magazines (just for some dimension)
2. Add one part white glue, one part water and mix together.

3. Add shredded paper to glue water mixture and get the paper wet with glue.
4. Pack glued paper to bowl covered in plastic wrap.

5. Set out to dry for a couple days.

6. Photograph your creation.

7. ...both creations.

Full craft instructions found here at Alpha Mom Blog

O w/ K

I always knew my mom was having fun with her twin sister when I'd see this note on the dining room table.

Kay...you will be missed more than you ever know.

Retro Friday

Little blurry, but he has yarn in his hand...what could be better than that?

Have a great weekend.

It's Not a Sleepover...It's a Slumber Party

I was unaware that a sleepover means that you go to a different house and sleep there. A slumber party is when you stay up late in your pajamas in a tent.

So there, remember that! Words from a 3.5 year old.

This is the coolest tent I got from IKEA at least two years ago. Simple to set up and the boys love it.

Pictures like this make my mind wander to years in the future when these two are hanging out with girls in tents.

With door flaps.

Freezer Paper Fun

Freezer Paper Rocks! The plastic coating sticks to fabric when ironed. Before you iron it on, draw your design and cut it out. I used big scissors which weren't the best option, but I'm lazy, I had no idea where my cutting knife was.


We all got new t-shirts. I had a hand in all of them (go figure). They started out as Pokemon shirts, but Big Boy and I took a slightly different path. That's how we roll.

The boys shirts have a bit of glow in the dark fabric paint mixed into the gold and green and they glow in the dark. Little Man  told me he wants to live in the dark so that his shirt will always glow. Oh, it will glow, buddy!


And this, well, this is Grimer. Mr. Guz didn't want to do the work, but was very particular about the results. Please note that I did outline the eyes after this picture.

I was on the phone in my bedroom tonight and Mr. Guz came in and looked at his shirt. Took it into the light, looked again. Then returned it to the doorknob where it continues to dry completely. I think he is more excited about his shirt than the little boys.

That makes me happy.

Family Game Night aka Headache

Retro Friday

My super cool cousin was able to restore all our pictures from a crashed computer. So, in honor and appreciation of Chris, I'm going to show you all a never seen before picture from the same time of month in history.

This one is Sam (forgive my pictures, I've learned a lot since then) from March of 2004. The best part of looking at baby pictures is that you can see faces and expressions in photographs that you see now in your child, almost six years later.

Oh, that wrinkled scrunched up nose...I see you today!

Humunga Stache Durable Dog Toy

Humunga Stache Durable Dog Toy

I almost want to buy a dog so that he can have this toy.

How fun would this be?

All dogs should have mustaches.

Three Hours in the Life of a Three Year Old

8:23 AM: Little Man makes faces.

8:35: Second bag of Goldfish Crackers, as a chaser to the Jello Cup.

9:08: Playing "Mean Bat"

9:38: Puppet Show!


9:57: "Mom! I need to be a rock star."

10:10: The wristbands are cool, but to be a real rock star, one needs a headband.

10:41: Little bit of music is nice.

11:23: Race Car driver. Complete with flashing lights and a lot of noise.

(Insert pic of mom wishing it was bedtime!)

Plate of Cakes

Devils Food.

Carrie's Food.

I've been craving cupcakes for some time now. I made them happen today.

I'm also attempting to clear out my pantry of baking mixes. I'm moving on people. I'm baking from scratch again. It feels good and I've gained some confidence. Gluten free flours shouldn't be scary. I put them in cute containers, so I'm not afraid anymore.

My plate is from the fabulous VeganDish on Etsy. She was amazing with the shipping, fantastic to work with. I just love this plate. It is my Christmas cookie platter and everyone knows it now. Makes me feel important and special to be Gluten Free - not weird and demanding.

And yes, I did frost the cupcakes in my easy-no-mess frosting process. I heat the frosting in the microwave for 15 seconds or so. Enough to make it smooth, but not hot. Then I scoop into a baggie and clip the corner, and pipe away. Fast and easy and no mess.

Rip Cape

After months (or has it been years?) of making superhero capes out of my blankets and towels, I made "real" capes. My mom gave me this fabric and it's boldness and Christmas-ey-ness has kept it on the shelf.

Until yesterday.

Little Man came to me with a hand towel that he wanted to wear as a cape. Yes a hand towel. A pink one. That is another story, those pink towels.

So, I grabbed my scissors and went downstairs. Thinking that I'd just get him a piece of fabric and staple the Velcro to two corners and call it a day.

If you know me, you know that I rarely do things fast or half assed. Quarter Assed, I tore the fabric. No hems, no measuring, no matching thread. I tore out a rectangle, then clipped 1.5 inches in from each long side and stopped the tearing 2 inches from the top, forming the tie. I then ran a stitch to reinforce the tie (so it didn't tear right off) and made a couple pleats around the neckline for fit.
Then, I had to make one for Big Boy.

Then, I had to make a thumb cape for Big Boy.

Then, I had to make a thumb cape for Little Man.

What? Never seen the need for a thumb cape?

You must not be a "Cool Dude Super Hero".

Dragon Bread

We were invited to a "Mardi Gras-Valentine-Chinese New Year" party a couple weeks ago. Don't judge me on my picture posting delays! I wanted to be creative with bread. This is GLUTEN bread - the frozen kind. I wouldn't waste good expensive gluten free flours on a test.

My mom used to make a teddy bear out of the dough with raisins for belly button and eyes. That was my inspiration for this dragon. It was fun and apparently tasted great. The raisins popped out and got gross and plump (I like a dried raisin. We have some friends that love a plump wet raisin...ewww).

This is the before the oven photo where I used red food coloring mixed with a little water and brushed it on. The green were sugar sprinkles that bled more than I had hoped.


It was fun, though! Looks like I could use some new cookie sheets, right?

And since this is MY blog, I'd be remiss to not include some gluten free love. This is my attempt at Gluten Free Girls post on Olive Rosemary bread. I made it in the crock pot since I was traveling this day and wanted to be able to take it with me to finish baking. It worked out pretty well. I think next time, I'll put it on warm for an hour or so to let the yeast activate, then to high to finish baking.

This is the raw dough...I never got a picture of it baked!


I'm not a huge olive fan. I like them in tacos and on pizza, but that is about where I stop. But I made this and I'm glad that I did. It was great. It was like trying a new bread at a fancy bakery. The gluten eaters seemed to like it, but they were my Mother in Law and Brother in Law, and they may have just been trying to be nice.