Fun Projects

A while back I mentioned that we were working on a bunch of projects for our little home. Well, here they are.We started in our bedroom and added some fun new things to make it more, well anything, since it was very boring before.

Next I made a changing table cover for Grace's changing table. Rob helped me engineer the flaps that keep the disposable pad in place.

I also made Grace a play quilt. Mostly I just wanted to figure out quilting (again) and try to machine quilt. It was really fun, and I think it turned out quite well.

And we re-arranged Grace's room and added a couple of things. I still have to make some tie-backs for the canopy so she can't get them, but it's looking a bit cuter than it did before.

Then I designed and Rob made me an earring holder so I can keep all of my earrings organized.
It's on hinges like a door so I can open it to get the backs off of them.
And finally, the crowning glory of our apartment (thank you Dave, Annette and the White Elephant):
The freaky squirrel that lives in the space between our double paned windows. He always scares me when I open up the curtains because I forget he's there. I think it's a sweet touch don't you? :)

California Fun

We had so much fun visiting my family in California last weekend.

Gracie raided Grandma's cupboards to find fun toys.

And a cute hat too!

Which was also fun to lick.

Grace was really glad that her Grandma felt better by the end of the weekend so she could play with her. They had lots of fun!

Grace thinks that her Grandpa is really, really funny.

Grace loves any sort of strings.

On Valentine's day we visited my grandparents' graves.

For a weekend that was supposed to be the rainiest of the season, we had some beautiful days.

Ma-ma-ma-ma

This is my most favorite baby phase so far. When Grace is sad or wants or needs something she says "ma ma ma ma" until I pick her up. Then she's fine. Now I now why that's the word for moms - it's the first thing babies say. :) It makes me feel so good.

Valentines Disaster

Since we were going to be in California for Valentine's Day, I decided to make a nice dinner for Rob on Wednesday evening. I started early so as to be ready and relaxed when he got home. I made lemon chicken and fried rice. All was going swimmingly until it was time to serve up. Then I found that the rice was burned and the chicken was raw. Oops. Big oops. We did our best to scrape the unburned rice. And we re-fried the chicken. Then I opened the bottle of sparkling pomegranate apple and KAPOW! it blew up. For no reason. Just what we needed. Apparently the best thing I do is deserts since the red velvet cupcakes were the only thing that was delicious without needing a touch-up. Despite my horrific cooking adventure we enjoyed the time we got to spend together, until we sat down and Grace woke up. De-lightful.

Visiting Baby Henry

We're having a fun time in California visiting my family and Rob's sister and hubby and new baby Henry. What a cute kid!

Grace was taking too much advantage of her dexterity, so she had to be restrained.

Sharing the LOVE

I'm sharing the love this Valentines by paying it forward to one of you, my bloggy friends! My niece Erin had this on her blog and I won (I think, as I was the first to post a comment) so here I am sharing the love with you!

Here are the rules:
1.Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?! (I have a few ideas, but I'll try to tailor the item to the posters who win)
2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward by creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your 3 friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember - It’s the spirit and the thought that count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the top three commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!

Happy Valentines!

Senior Discount

A while ago I was perusing the coupon inserts in my Sunday paper as I am wont to do when I came across this gem:


I thought about sending it to my parents or better yet, getting them a pair of them for their next anniversary (so they wouldn't have to fight over who got to wear the hat). Apparently I am very thoughtful in finding romantic and practical gifts. But then I decided not to (sorry Mom and Dad!). But it was just too good not to share with y'all. Do you think that if you were not senior discount age (but close enough to) and you wore this cap that the cashier would also make you show ID? If I were a cashier I'm not sure what I'd do. Probably a) pretend I didn't see the hat and ask for ID or b) if someone was willing to look that silly I should give him the discount no matter his age. That's a toughie! What would you do?

And don't forget to wear your senior pride!

Remind you of someone?

Rob saw this in Sunday's paper and laughed really hard because it reminded him of someone....

The Winter Has Frozen My Brain

Sorry guys, but apparently the winter has frozen my brain. I currently am completely void of any creativity and any that I might have had has been sucked up by projects around the house (pictures to come soon). Hopefully the spring thaw will free up some creativity. For now, some cute photos.Isn't she getting to be such a big girl? I can hardly believe it!

We finally found a jogging stroller and are loving using it!

Grace gets all cozyed down into the bundle me and enjoys looking at everything that she can see (so mostly the sky and trees).