Baby Alpaca Infinity Scarf

So turns out I have been able to get A LOT of knitting done! I am thinking I am getting about 1 project done every 3 or so days. My last finished project was this scarf. I had purchased the yarn last fall & had planned to make it for winter, well I got busy making things for other people & just never did. I finally started it again this spring & I hated the pattern I was doing, so a few weeks ago I ripped it all out!

I decided to do a rib pattern instead & loved the outcome! I cannot wait to either wear it myself this fall/winter or give to my hubby or one of my lovely brother-in-laws (I think they would appreciate more than the hubby :0))

It is made with 100% Baby Alpaca which is a more expensive luxurious yarn. I think most people have a love/hate relationship with it. Why? Love – Because it is the softest yarn EVER & Hate – It sheds to say the least!

Details:
Yarn – 100% Baby Alpaca
3 Skeins (I lost the tag & can’t remember how many yards it was total…I am guessing in the 300’s)
Needle Size – 13 & on a 29 in. cord

Pattern: (I made it up myself)
Cast on approx 200 stitches, I think I had either 200 or 215, it didn’t really matter so I didn’t count again.
Join in the Round being careful not to twist, although if you get far enough in and it is twisted it will just offer a different look, not bad.
Purl 4 rows & Knit 4 rows until desired width.
**The edges will curl up slightly but that’s okay because it is still plenty big and poofy…

Enjoy the pictures!!

Here is the ribbing

A close up. Almost like you can see the softness!

It looks great just being worn loose!

And it also looks great chunky!

So this just shows the diversity of the scarf & that the color & yarn is gender neutral. Love you babe!!!!

I thought it would be cute with our baby boy laying on top of it as a photo prop as well. Big scarves are very diverse! :0)

This just shows how big it really is. It is big! And it is great!

Gia’s Rainbow Coat

A few months ago Nana (Debi) knit Oliver a rainbow coat that he had requested. At that time Gia was bitten by the jealous bug every time there was a “fitting” it was clear she wanted her own. So I decided that I would make her a coat :0)

There was a Trunk Show by Dye-namic Duo (Hand painted Fiber & Yarns) at Knit 4 Yarn Shop and they had the prettiest little girl color scheme yarn, I knew I had to make her a coat out of it! They had a sample knit up (in a different color) & it was darling. So I began the journey in May & finished earlier this week. This was made with small needles & more detailing than normal for me. The end product was everything I hoped!

Heres the info.

Yarn: 2 skeins Dye-namic Duo (434 yds each I used 1 and then a little of the 2nd)
3 Ply Fingering Weight
60% Superwash Merino, 30% Bamboo, 10% Nylon
Color: Pinata
Pattern: Sublime #640 The Little Vintage Smock
Size: 2-3

I did alter the pattern a smidge I made so the buttons continued down the whole coat instead of the “smock” look of just 3 at the top, just personally not my style.

I should note that while I love the end product of the coat it was hard for me to make. I tend to dress Gia in clothes that I like or things that I would wear. Sometimes I have to sit back and remember that she is a little girl and it’s okay to dress them like a little girl not a little adult. So that is why the colors are little girl like & the buttons are cute little hearts. That is just me sharing a little of a conviction as of late that my little girl doesn’t have to be trendy she just has to be a little girl!!

Enjoy the pictures!!!

Buttoned Up, Isn’t it darling?

Detailing on the Back. I loved the way the colors changed throughout.

I love that this gives a little casual look, it will be great for cool summer nights ahead, fall & spring

Oliver really wanted in a picture…Once he saw I was taking them without him he got a little mad, so this one is here to include him! :0)

Here are some of the Smock just hanging

The ribbing on the back, such a cute detail.

Buttons all the way down

The innocent little heart buttons, I let Gia help me pick them out. This also shows detailing on the front

Additional Detailing on the sleeve

Pre-Term Labor…Oy Oy Oy

So some of you may know some of you may not but this will be a blog on this pregnancy and especially the last few days. Wednesday, I was admitted to OSF (hospital), why? It is no secret to many of you that this pregnancy has kind of had me a little nervous not because I thought about miscarriage but I just had this never ending feeling about pre-term labor. I started getting Braxton Hicks (tightening of the belly) around 16 wks! Way earlier than the other two. I started to have actual contractions probably around 26 wks. and although they were never regular or that bad it was still a worry. I kept telling my doctors and they would say “you’re fine” or “you really don’t need to worry you are NOT at risk for pre-term labor” and I was like well okay, why would I be? So I just ignored the contractions.

About 3 weeks ago I woke up from a nap with regular contraction every 5 min. hard ones (no not like all out labor but non the less hard) I called the doc. and got a Nurse Practitioner (some may know how I feel about the ones in my office…I wont go into here :0)) She assured me it was nothing but I could head to OSF if I wanted..this was about 31 wks. They stopped after about 1 1/2 hrs & I did not go to OSF.

Wednesday 7.24 I woke up from laying down with the kids with bad contractions. I thought oh its because of this or that but none of that worked, I was plenty hydrated already and knew it wasn’t that. After laying on the couch for 45 min. and them not stopping only increasing I frantically start calling Dusty, no answer :0( He finally calls back and I am bawling “Why wouldn’t you answer your phone!!! I am having contractions” he rushed home we took the kids to Nana’s and drove quickly to OSF. My contractions were 2-4 min. apart lasting 1 min. & I was 34 wks 1 day. I was scared :0)

I was sent to Labor & Delivery in the Triage area where I was monitored & put on IV fluid. After 2 hours I was still contracting every 2 -4 min. and 3 bags of fluid later they finally decided it wasn’t because I was dehydrated! At this point I was admitted & put on full watch. Contractions didn’t stop & the doctor came in around 10:30 and put me on Nifedipine it is a blood pressure medicine that they put you on to stop contractions (I don’t have blood pressure issues) at that point contractions drastically started to stop. Note: this doesn’t stop contractions it merely slows them down & makes them not regular (currently I am still having contractions) I was also given 1 of my 2 steroid shots that were given to jump start baby’s lungs incase he did come or if he comes at say 37 wks his lungs will be like he is 39. The shot hurt like a …. well you can fill it in :0) It burned and gave about a 30 min. charlie-horse! OUCH! Yes I am a wuss.

To shorten it, slightly…I was monitored all day thursday & more non-stress tests, medicine & my second installment of steroids. I also had a cervical test done that is a swab and gets sent off to lab to see if any cells have developed from contractions and if this comes back positive it means you will dilate within 7 days. Negative means you won’t. Positive I would have had to stay at the hospital another week. Thankfully it came back negative!!! YAY! They say I have a cervix of steel – it doesn’t change, which is great for this case!

So what now? I am on full bed rest for 1 wk & 5 days or until 36 wks. I asked them what kind of bed rest this meant thinking I would still be able to do stuff…Nope. Full bed rest. I am allowed up to go potty & shower and that is about it. To give an example of why. Last night Kurt took me home & when I walked from the wheelchair to car I had a contraction. When I walked from the car to the house another one. This morning when the kids came in and layed and climbed over me another one. Just reminders to myself that I really can’t do ANYTHING! I will be on my medicine for no contractions for until 37 wks and bed rest until 36 wks.

I have some meals coming and some have offered to watch kids & even clean a little bit for me. Thank you for those offers they are very much appreciated & being used!

Hopefully that explains what is going on & is somewhat clear. Prayers are appreciated for patience, relaxation, joy in this trying time & most importantly a healthy baby!

Top Left: Non Stress Test being done on my Belly
Bottom Left: IV
Right: my view it was actually very nice!!!

Sad
Right: Knitting to pass bed rest time

Basement

So we embarked on a “re-model/finishing” journey this spring. It has taken awhile to get motivated but now with Baby #3 weeks away (1 1/2 months) well that sure puts some motivation out there.

It has been a very trying & tiring job! Dusty (and our budget) decided that he would do most of the work with some help from his Dad on what is code, what is not & etc.

The week of 4th of July he took off the whole week to solely work in the basement. Now I can say from having a hubby gone 12 days for work or weeks at a time traveling that it is FAR worse to have your husband home and not be able to help out than just gone. It took everything in me at times not to just throw my hands up & quit the whole thing.

I am an 8 1/2 month pregnant lady with a 3 1/2 yr old & a 2 yr old who is in the nesting phase. To say I am a little anal about how I like things in my home right now would be an understatement. While starting the plumbing Dusty had to cut out the concrete floor where the bathroom will be…we were warned about dry wall dust but NOT concrete dust. Needless to say we had dust all over the house immediately (the air was on!!) not to mention everything in the basement go filthy with the dust! My precious baby’s bassinet, all his toys, my Christmas décor…EVERYTHING! What a pain! Lesson learned.

Anyways, our plumbing is done, framing is pretty much done, electrical will start tonight or tomorrow & then hopefully dry wall in a few weeks…Here are some photos, I know they aren’t too exciting but it will be fun to go back and look at the progress…(for us anyways!)

Here is a picture of the bedroom

This will be the play room area. Where I am standing there will probably be a table for the kitchen area. It is an open space besides the bath & bedroom

This is where the kitchen area will be. Cabinets, fridge & microwave against the back wall. Under the stairs will be a closet.

And this will be where the couch & tv are!

Sequim Shawl

So I am going to start tracking my Funky Designs projects on my blog, this will give you an idea of what I make, what I can make & it will just be a good source to have where I keep pictures of all finished projects.

When I saw this Knit up in the pattern book I immediately fell in love! I loved everything about it! One great thing is, it is knit using size 11 needles!! Which means to all of you non-knitters that they are big & so is the yarn which = fast project. I have been working on a coat for Gia that uses size 2 & 6 needles so I was thrilled to start a fast project that was for me :0) So I took a break on her coat & started my Shawl & 2 wks later I was finished! (I went back & forth working on her coat & working on the shawl)

Details:
Yarn: Berroco Karma (6 skeins/balls)
Color: 3424 – Teal
Pattern book: #330
Wooden beads for detail

Here is the book the pattern can be found in. This is also why I fell in love with it!

I love it!

Just another shot

Here is a close up of the “washed” look of the yarn color along with the wooden beads

A side few..Very flattering!

So here is a picture of it from the front. It took a lot for me to post this… (I feel quite large here!)

Good Behavior Chart

Well the time is here! Oliver completed his good behavior chart. It was a great success in our house & we are already starting a new one!

How we did it was there were 40 slots that needed filled & each day he has an opportunity to fill 2 slots. He has a chance from the time he gets up until the time he takes a nap (during nap also) and then the second chance is from after nap until bedtime (including bedtime, he draws the picture in the morning if successful). He also gets 3 warnings for each opportunity, if he gets 3 X’s then he doesn’t get to draw a picture. He gets an X for (being mean, whinny, bossy, mouthy & etc.) if he doesn’t something horrible like scream at me (which has happened) he gets an automatic 3 X’s. {Aprox. 20 days took him 1 month}

So for his reward we went to Cony’s where he picked a BLUE ice cream cone (we never let him get cones…you will see why!) and then when we were there he added sprinkles to it also. His flavor Cotton Candy Ice Cream with Cotton Candy Sprinkles. Gia just got a child sized dish & it was PINK of course :0)

He is already planning his next trip to Cony’s for a successful chart, this time he says he is going to get a CHOCOLATE cone :0)

I strongly suggest this if you have any sort of behavior issue or problem in your house. It was worked great & he is already talking about the next time he gets his chart full!

“Mommy I want to make a silly face”

Waiting for ice cream…

Cotton Candy Ice Cream Cone with Cotton Candy Sprinkles

We had to eat our ice cream like this because we are slow….

A shot of our mess in progress

Enjoying his cone

Almost gone!

And this is what the floor looked like when we were done…I threw half mine away otherwise there would probably be a lot more white..

Menu Planning

I have gotten several inquiries on how I go about menu planning so here goes me trying to explain how I do this. This is what works for us so perhaps this isn’t the method for you but maybe it will motivate you?? The reason I do this is because 1. It saves money 2. We eat what we have (aren’t as wasteful) 3. Lots less stress having it all done a month ahead or days/weeks

First I go to http://moneysavingmom.com/downloads/meal-menu-planners
I download #10 which is a 4 week horizontal guide, that is just my preference here is a close up of what that looks like for everyday.

I usually print off 4 or 5 copies at once & just keep them in the back of my calendar/schedule book so that each month I can just pull one out without having to print it out each month.

Now that I have that printed off I begin to jot down meal ideas. I try to think of chicken, beef, hamburger, pork, pasta & breakfast ideas to keep the menu from being all chicken one week. Which before I started planning like this we would sometimes just have all chicken or all beef. So this helps keep everything “new”.

Then I set a day (but not officially) that I do ground beef, chicken, pasta, pork & etc. I also do this for breakfast & lunch so that we get some variation throughout the week instead of everyday at 11:30 I am not pulling out the PB & J or cheese crisp/quesadilla.

For breakfasts I do: Granola Bars, yogurt, cereal (2x), oatmeal, pancakes, something fun for Saturdays like: orange rolls, oven pancakes, french toast & then Sun. we normally always just do cereal

For lunch I do: Soft Pretzel & cheese, hot dogs, pb & j, left-overs, cheese/meat/crackers, cheese crisp & then on Saturday’s we normally do frozen pizza

Here is what it looks like once I complete the chart. This used to take me a few hours to come up with all the ideas and then sort it out but I have saved my past menu’s and so when I am in a crunch I just look at that and repeat ideas. Sometimes I ask Dusty for his imput but it normally isn’t anything I haven’t already come up with.

Lastly what I do to stick to my plan is I write it on my chalk board. This is just the side of my cabinet/pantry in my kitchen that we painted with chalk board paint. I love it because everyone (who can read :0)) knows what is going on. This also keeps me to my schedule instead of randomly eating out. So here is a photo of that.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Life Update

Yesterday was our 7 yr Anniversary!!! Doesn’t that seem crazy?? It is hard to believe that we have been married that long. Time flies when you’re having fun I suppose :0) To celebrate we went to Jim’s Bistro (in Peoria Heights) we had never been and it is pretty pricey so we saved it for a special time. It did not disappoint! Dusty had a salad, filet & yep FRENCH FRIES…and I had soup (tomato basil gorgonzola – AH-MAZ-ING) & a pork chop served on top of sauerkraut and with baked apples on top. It was delish! After dinner we headed to Target and we just browsed around While also purchasing some gifts for ourselves :0) We then headed to Fresh Market where we treated ourselves to picking out 1 or 2 items, it is such a fun store to walk around!! And lastly we went to get ice cream – first we tried the Kiwi something place in Metro Center and it was NASTY! so I opted for DQ instead. Thanks to Amanda for babysitting our kiddo’s and making the night possible!

This past weekend I went on a trip to Columbus, OH with Mom Funk & Linda. We went to TNNA (The National Needlearts Association). Basically it is a huge convention that offers classes, has a fashion show, personal buying opportunity & then “market”. We went for Market & everything else was just bonus. We left early Friday morning and got there in good time. We headed straight to a place called “The North Market” which is a food place & has tons of different yummy foods. Go there sometime. We checked in at the convention & then waited in line to do the “Yarn Sampling” where different vendors sell products at wholesale for a personal use, so if you wanted some yarn from a particular brand but not enough for the whole store this is when you did that. This was so much fun but I couldn’t help but feel slightly sad, there were SO many things I wanted & I left with NOTHING! I thought oh, to have lots of money! The next day I did get something I wanted though so don’t feel too bad :0) After that we went to a Fashion Show which was fun but SO COLD!!! It was neat to see what is trending & then see the totally weird stuff!!

Saturday was filled with just “Market” that is where you walk around a giant area that has 100’s of booths set up of different items but all Needle Art related (Knitting, Crochet, Needle Point, Yarn & etc) we went and checked out different brands, placed orders, dreamed of orders we wished we could make. It was a l-o-n-g day but fun! I should mention the reason we went is because Mom & Linda are part owners of a Knit shop (Knit 4 Together – in Dunlap) and they went on this trip to purchase new yarn for the store for fall & winter.

Sunday we got up leisurely & then went over to market & checked out some more booths, then we headed to The North Market grabbed some lunch & headed home!

Meanwhile my amazing hubby stayed home with the kids. They had a blast! Friday night they camped out in the back yard, Saturday they went to the Glen Oak Park & the Zoo, and Sun. they got up and went out to breakfast before church.

Before that was Father’s Day. We celebrated Dusty on Sat. by eating at Cony’s and then coming home & opening gifts. Sun. was spent at his parents house with the whole family home :0)

Sorry this was so long but I thought it would be better than 5 little posts! Enjoy the pictures!

Here was our stash of gifts.

My gifts: Barefoot Contessa book, Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds, Sweet Trail Mix & my craving —-BlowPoP’s!!

K-Cups Reg & Decaf & then these berry things…he likes them, I do not…good choice dear!

Gia in the Tent – She loved it!!!

Oliver in the tent – he also loved it!

More playing in the tent

Gia loves to play baseball!!!!

Daddy & little girl

Hello Blue Eyes!

Daddy with his 2 kids

Opening gifts

Gifts: The History Channels “The Bible” and 2 sets of sausages from Pottstown

Me & the kids, Oliver would hold the beef stick up to my nose and tell me I was Pinnochio

Papa & his Girl

Cousins eating dessert…this is how I found them all huddled under the tree :0)

Sugar Scrub

I first got this as a gift about a month ago & that very night I tried it & fell in LOVE! I am normally not big on “scrubs” but this one was so light & fresh. With my Sister-in-Laws Birthday coming up I knew this was the perfect gift! I knew/hoped she would love it & she did!

So here is what you need: Jar of sorts, a few cups of sugar & about a 1/4 a bottle of the Dawn Olay Hand Renewal (you can get about 4 out of one bottle!!!)

Pour in the Sugar!

Fill the jar about 3/4 full of sugar

Pour in the Soap

Then pour in the soap until you get the consistency you like.

Mix with a spoon is easier than by hand…Add more sugar or more soap depending on the texture you like.

I just used a spoon to stir it and then would try some to see if I liked the consistency.

Add a pretty little something:label, ribbon, sticker etc.

Add a cute little label and it is ready to go!

This makes the perfect little gift! As you can see it really doesn’t get much cheaper & easier to make a useful & thoughtful gift. I hope you try it out for yourself because it is wonderful!

Thanks Joanna blessing me with the gift in the first place!!

Strawberry Shortcake

So here is my Strawberry Shortcake post. I love this recipe so much! It is sooo delicious! It is dense & moist & sweet but not too sweet. It is easy to make & looks great!

A few notes: I would make this only the day of especially if it is for a potluck of sorts. I have found that it is best that very night still warm & after that it just really isn’t the same. So with that in mind if there are only 2 of you I would suggest making half a recipe.

Recipe to follow photos

Shortcake – I like the “plopped down” look

It makes 4 very generous shortcakes, you could easily get by with 6 & maybe 8 if you had a really big meal before hand.

I don’t use a food processor because I don’t have one so I use my Kitchen Aid

Marinating in Sugar

I think a cold Diet Pepsi as a beverage with it is the perfect pairing!

Yumm…Finished product

One for me one for my helper

My beloved…He requests this shortcake recipe always…he says “let’s have strawberry shortcake, but not the gross kind, the good kind that’s your recipe” :0)

Individual Strawberry Shortcakes
1 quart Strawberries, hulled & quartered
1/4 Cup Sugar, plus 3 T, plus 4 teaspoons
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 T Baking Powder
1/2 t Salt
8 T Butter, cold & cubed
2/3 Cup Half & Half, plus 1/4 C
Sweetened Whipped Cream
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In medium bowl, toss strawberries & 1/4 C sugar together and let set.

In mixer, mix flour, baking powder, salt & 3 T sugar. Then mix in cold butter cubes until a coarse meal is formed. Turn flour mixture into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Pour 2/3 C half & half and gently mix it in with a rubber spatula or fork, be careful not to over mix the dough or biscuits will be tough.

“Plop” biscuits down on to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of each biscuit with the remaining half & half & sprinkle each with 1 t Sugar. Bake in a preheated oven for 12-15 min. or until the biscuits have risen and are a light golden brown.

Remove from oven & let cool SLIGHTLY. Top with strawberries & whipped cream. Garnish with fresh mint & more strawberries.

Recipe adapted from: Paula Deen :0)