Strawberry Shortcake

Today, after church, Quincy and I went to the store to pick up a few groceries for dinner. Upon entering the store, I spied some clamshell boxes of fresh strawberries. Instantly, I decided on what we'd have for dessert. I selected a box of the best berries in the display. As soon as Quincy saw the plump red beauties in my shopping cart, he started begging for just one strawberry. I told him, that we'd have them in our dessert. I told him we were going to have strawberry shortcake. He looked up at me and told me, "Mom! Strawberry Shortcake is a toy!"

Sweet Sixteen

My beautiful Daughter, Kaitlyn, turned 16 last week. I was between computers and have just now finally had time to share some of the pictures with you here. Her friends and I all worked together and in less than 24 hours, we created a fun, little surprise party for her.

Kaitlyn wears the silly birthday crown I made for her! She didn't wear it long because she said it made her ears stick out.

We gathered 'round the good stuff!

Kaitlyn and Siv met when they were in preschool at the tender age of two! They've been friends ever since. We invited Siv to Kait's third birthday party. In one of the pictures, you see Siv taking a big inhale because she is ready to blow out the candles. Kaitlyn was too slow and Siv got the candles. Kaitlyn turned around and glared at Siv. So what you see in this picture is a slightly hilarious re-enactment.

I made a few tissue paper flowers for decorations....Amanda decided they looked better on Kaitlyn's head!

Look at all those BEAUTFUL smiles!

We've Only Just Begun

When I started thinking about the possibility of getting married again, I started thinking about what kind of dress I might like to have. What style I wanted. I dreamed up my dress. I thought I might like to make my own dress. I wasn't sure of the fabrics, but I had a basic idea of the design lines.

One day, I was flipping through a knitting magazine. I saw an advertisement for a knitting book by Nicky Epstein. My heart skipped a beat! THAT WAS IT! IT WAS MY DRESS! I was thrilled! I discovered that the dress was crocheted. I've crocheted for a lot of years and have made a lot of afghans. So I knew I could crochet, but there was one little problem: I couldn't make sense of crochet patterns. I knew the basics, but despite that, reading and understanding crochet patterns would stump me every time. Since my sister is an avid crocheter, I asked her to take a look at the pattern and tell me if she thought it would be too difficult. She told me it looked pretty straightforward and she was certain I could handle it. I decided to go ahead and order my yarn.

I bought one hank of the yarn, took it home and made a few practice motifs. I was so happy!

I eagerly awaited the yarn's arrival. While I waited, I used the yarn to knit a scarf. Upon completion of that project, I decided I wasn't too thrilled with it as it was just a little too fuzzy for the look i wanted with my wedding dress. Alas, the word came that the yarn I ordered had been discontinued. I didn't panic. I was relieved, actually. I re-chose my yarn. I decided to use a yarn called Bahia. It's got a silkiness to it and a lovely sheen.

I found a quiet moment and started working on the pile of motifs I will need to sew together to make my very special dress.

I look at them and I smile. I feel happy in my bones. They're beautiful to see.....and to touch.

I've gotten mixed reviews. Some friends are supportive, some question my sanity....I'm thrilled with my choice. I am also happy to report that after practicing with a few little projects from patterns, I can read crochet patterns! I feel so accomplished! :)

I Miss This Space...

Due to computer issues, I am somewhat paralyzed as far as posting. I miss posting with photos. Photographs are such an important part of my blogging experience. I've been promised a new "bag of tools" and that tool kit is on its way ... to arrive soon. Hopefully, by the end of this month, I will be back up and running and posting like never before...including photos.

XOXO!
Ms. Java

A Tisket, A Tasket....

...two Kittehs in a basket!!

Moses and Jick-Jack-Tick-Tack-Rick-Rack-Jack lounge together in this basket. I never know what I will find when I visit the thrift store. My latest score was this cute little kitteh basket bed thing. The cats all LOVE it and rarely will you find it empty. Usually, there are two cats mooshed into it. It was worth every penny of the $2.99 I spent.

Heart Day

Today...:

...was peaceful.

...I made a list of all my W'sIP (...or is it WIP's?)

...was Valentine's Day

...I did NOT knit one single solitary stitch

...we ate a heart-shaped calzone...It's become a tradition!

...I finished up very late Christmas gifts.

...I baked cookies

...I cried

...I didn't take many photographs

...I threw out two bags of clutter.....YAY!

...My kids smiled because of something I did.

...I hugged each of my five beautiful children...

...I hope for a productive day tomorrow

Attitude of Gratitude

Today, I find myself grateful for so many things....here are a few:

• fresh flowers on my table
• skype ... it keeps me connected to my man
• intelligent fruit being delivered to my desktop soon
• a celebratory dinner menu for this evening to include a heart-shaped calzone
• a lovely covering of snow to create more cozy indoors

LuLu

After all these years of sewing...i think it's been 21 years now, I finally invested in a vintage dress form. I'd seen a dressform in an antiques store a little while ago that looked VERY similar to this one and that one still had the sticker on it that indicated that it was sold by Sears Roebuck & Co. around the 1950's. She is in fairly good condition. I was thinking of naming her LuLu. Why? I dunno! Seems like a good name....

LuLu is wearing my Just Enough Ruffles Scarf.

Self Portrait/Comfy Old Sneakers

• In real life, they're old, and faded red.
• They've seen a lot of miles, these Chucks!
• Long, dirty laces help keep them on my feet
• They go really well with my fun, red and pink striped knee-highs
• I wore them to my client meeting today.
• They made me smile...all the way to my core.
• I'm glad I know how to laugh

Friday Afternoon

I got to hang out with Amanda for a little bit on Friday. We went to Castle Rock and took in a few of the sights on Perry Street. It was a lovely little breath of fresh air. Of course, I had my camera with me.

When we got home, I baked a little cake for my anniversary celebration. I've lived in my little magic cottage for twenty years. When I struck the matches to light the candles, Quincy asked me, "So.....are we singing happy birthday to you? Or to me?"

Sucker For Love

Simple and sweet....

Today:

• I'm not feeling well...
• I snapped several photos for a photo project
• I used my sweet little heart mug from Anthropologie for the first time
• I was surprised by a little bit of snowfall overnight
• I wish my sweetie wasn't so far away
• I woke up early and laid in bed and read the new magazines I bought yesterday
• I called about a neat place i think would work well for our wedding site
• I wish for a window of time for a little nap

Special Delivery

It arrived today via FedEx...even more beautiful than the day I remember finding it at the jewelry store.

I strolled into the jewelry store that day for giggles and grins. There were several people crowded around the jewlery cases. I wanted to just peek at the bridal jewelry so I started at the far end. One of the store's sales associates came right over to me and asked if she could get anything out of the case for me. I looked into the display. There it was! The EXACT ring I'd imagined. A princess cut center stone flanked by sapphires.

I pointed to the ring under the glass. Renee unlocked the case and pulled the ring out and placed it in my reach. I took it from the display mount and placed it on my finger. It was a PERFECT fit. I just knew it was my ring. .... and now it really is!

Swiftly

Not a lot of words today. I just wanted to share this picture with you of my little helper curiously watching as my second hank of Berroco Lustra is wound into a ball.

Appreciation

Things for which I am grateful:

• Cats on my windowsill
• lots of quilts on my bed
• a sweetie who loves me dearly
• cold outside, cozy inside
• lots of yarn
• a stack of wonderful patterns
• payday is soon!

One World One Heart

UPDATE...The WINNER IS NANC! CONGRATULATIONS, NanC! I hope you enjoy your french press prize package!

Hey! Guess what?!?! It's that time again! That's right! A little birdie reminded me yesterday of this wonderful Blogging event called One World One Heart. It's designed to unite the blogging community.

Since I have this HUGE love for coffee, I wanted my giveaway to be centered around .... well .... COFFEE.... So! This is the gift package I have come up with and YOU can win it! All you have to do is leave me a comment with your name and a link to your blog (if you have one) and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! you MUST leave me a way to contact you should you be the lucky winner! I will select the winner on February 15th At 12:00 MT....so come on! I know you want to play along here! Jump on the magic carpet ride and fly around the world with us! It's as easy as leaving a comment!

Touchy Feely

I'd just finished my "Just Enough Ruffles" scarf by Laura Chau ... and no sooner laid it down, when Jack hopped upon it to snuggle into it. I can't say that I blame him one single bit. The yarn is Brown Sheep Company's Lanaloft and is surprisingly soft and of course it is warm. :) The pattern was a relatively quick knit and I absolutely LOVE the finished product. More photos of the scarf to follow.....

Many thanks to Jason who fixed my computer and helped me get back online....I was suffering withdrawals. I'm glad to be back!

xoxo

Ms. Java

A Little Celebration

Rachel celebrated a birthday last week. I've driven by this shop so many times. I was dying to try it...so I surprised her by stopping by. I was so curious to see the inside of this shop! Better yet...I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into some cake!


Do you see us in the reflection?


The decor is very girlie! The walls are very soft pink and .... well, Parisian! I loved it! It was very comfortable.

This is our cute little table. I absolutely loved how the sun streamed through the windows. I think Rachel did, too, because we both kept exclaiming, "This place is SOOOOO cute!" or..."Oh my GOSH! I JUST love this little shop!"

We each ordered the Chocolate Cherry cupcakes. The cake was perfectly moist and the density was perfect. The icing was delicious. The cherries were reported to have been imported from Italy. It was the perfect blend of yum. And just look at the adorable dishes!

Here is the birthday girl with her giftie from me...I wonder what it could be?

Why! It's MITTENS....handknit, in Rachel's favorite color of blue, of course!

YAY! She told me she really hoped she would get some mittens.

Rachel had never had french press coffee before. It was time she was shown the ropes. After letting the coffee steep for 5 minutes, she pressed them to the bottom of the carafe and filled her cup.

Not bad, eh?

We lingered for a while after our treats were gone.....and sipped sparkling mineral water
(another first for Rachel).

It was such a lovely afternoon for both of us. I was so glad to be part of Rachel's special day. Thank you for letting me share in your day! I hope your day was extra special, Rachel!

Wintery Blues

With sub-zero temperatures freezing our nosehairs together inside our nostrils and warm, woolen mittens merely slowing Jack Frost a bit, we quickly understood the meaning of the words arctic blast. But when the sun came out, I was awed by how a little amber glow could change the way things look.

New beginnings can be so many things. They can be sad, frightening or amazing. At the beginning of this new year, I am feeling a little bit of all of those things.

I feel sad for what was. I feel excited for what will be.

I will celebrate a milestone birthday this year and that as me thinking a lot about a lot!

In 2009, I:

• made three long roadtrips, alone, (well, with Quincy!)
• three of my five kids started Orthodontic treatment
• got my passport
• travelled to Canada with my long-time friend, Shelly and her parents
• got a new-to-me-car
• got engaged
• finished to flooring in my kitchen
• made several new quilts
• completed knitted bedcovers for my kids
• learned to knit socks
• scored some really cool thrifted items
• officially launched my Etsy site
• enjoyed several holiday events

Of course, these are not my only accomplishments...nor are they necessarily my greatest accomplishments. They are memorable. I look forward to this year and the new twists and turns I may encounter along the way. I know some will be HUGE! And some will be meaningless. I do hope they are memorable and that I learn something from each experience.

Thank you for reading!

XOXO!

Ms. Java