:: INDEPENDENCE ::


In a few short hours we're headed to Boise for a visit with my brother's family. We're going camping near McCall - where I lived from age 1 to 5 - and to play in the Payette Lake on the beach. Burrr.... mountain lake water. Cohen will love it.


I made Piper some head gear the size of the National Firework show using this tutorial. I swore I'd never put giant bows and flowers on her sweet little head, but what better way is there to show America how much you love her than dressing up your kid in Americana fashion?

Have a safe and happy weekend. I am just so excited to be going somewhere.

:: I HAVE NOT PERFECTED TIME MANAGEMENT ::


I just can't fit it all in anymore. I'm putting this HORRIBLE picture of myself up so I'll find the time to blog and push it toward the bottom of the page. This picture was taken at the Mule Deer Foundation Dinner just 2 weeks before Piper graced us with her presence. I won a vest this year... not a gun. Take a look at my wrist. YIKES! The swelling makes it look like I am wearing a rubberband. I have a few more things to do before I can download all 1 billion pics from my camera and edit them. I'll get back on the ball. NO ONE wants to look at this photo very long.

:: A GIFT FOR HOLLY ::

When my family moved to St. Anthony, Idaho, in 1988 I met two girls in my neighborhood right away. Holly and Annie introduced me to a whole new world of Barbies and making movies. Fun times. The best part about our friendship is, we're still friends. We lose touch for a few years, but then we pick up just like no time has lapsed at all. Don't you just love friends like that? Anyway, Holly is having her first baby at the end of July, and I was able to attend her shower last month while she was in town.


I bought this Michael Miller/Robert Kauffman (I can't remember which) fabric when FabricBliss.com was closing out. I held on to it for a little while not wanting to cut into any of those precious little birds (you all have a piece), but when I heard Holly was having a girl, I knew this would be a perfect quilt for her. I was so tempted to keep it for myself. It is so cute and I wish I had more. Does anyone know where I could find it? Does it look familiar to you?

My latest crafting obsession is making barrettes for little girls. I wish Piper had more hair. Right now I am just clipping them to her headbands. I'm sure they look silly to others, but I think they are darling on her round little head. I'm not really into the giant satellite dish flowers on little babies, but I love the little ones.

I also threw in a few flannel burp cloths because you can never EVER have too many of those laying around. I do a load of burp cloths, bibs, and blankets every other day because Piper is a spitter/drooler. I thought Cohen was a slobber monster, but Piper wins hands down.

:: TEACHER GIFTS ::


I did decide to do gifts for Cohen's teachers. I wish I would have put a little more thought into it.I just made them earrings and gave them some jam.


If you live in Salt Lake City and have a 4 year-old, go down to the Granite School district offices and request these two ladies. They are FANTASTIC!

On a side note, after receiving a pair of earrings and matching bracelet as a thank you for making a bag, I've decided I need to learn to make jewelry better. I used to be really into it and wore about 20 necklaces and bracelets at a time. I had so many that I had to wear that number so I could wear them all. Then one day, I took most of them apart and put the beads back in my supply box. That was end the end of it.

:: LISTED MIA ::

In the words of Rancid, I'm "listed MIA" for a little while. I'm taking a break from most things in my life to just sort stuff out. Nothing is wrong... I just haven't been blogging for awhile. (Due to the fact that I've taken 300+ photos and they are all still on the camera). I've been sewing a lot to get my mind off of stuff. I'm looking for a pattern. Have any of you sewers out there seen a pattern that is similar to the dress in the photo above? Isn't it darling? Let me know. This dress is by the children's designer Misha Lulu. I LOVE IT, but I don't want to spend $59 on it. Ya' know... true to Utah mentality and my blog name "I can make it."

:: 2 SHORT MONTHS ::

2 months and 4 days old
13 lbs 5 oz
24 inches long
16.25 inch head
That's my 95% gal!

:: LAZY SUMMER DAYS ARE ALREADY HERE ::

Now that Cohen has finished preschool (a post on that is coming soon...maybe...I did make teacher gifts and they were well received.), we're sitting in our PJs a little longer in the morning. Our air conditioning is not working so we're hot. Cohen has taken to wearing no shirt. He doesn't understand why I don't. I'm not about to explain it to him either. I'm not quite into the routine of having two kids yet. I feel like I do a lot of laundry and dishes. Not much else. We'll get there.

:: TEACHER GIFTS ::


Cohen's last day of preschool is May 20th. That is only three more days to figure out how we're going to spend our summer vacation. But first things first...teacher gifts. Give me your opinion on this topic. Are they necessary? I don't remember giving my teacher anything at the end of the year. I mean, my presence was a gift within itself. :-) I don't know what to do. I made them market bags for Christmas. What have you done for your children's teachers? Maybe some of my jam stash?

:: MY BIKE GOT STOLEN LAST YEAR ::

So I need a new one... Wouldn't you love to have one of these? Enter this contest and you just might get one.

:: A SMILE & A GREAT MAN ::


I am not writing this post so that you'll feel sorry for me, or be jealous of my patient and caring husband. I am mostly writing it for my own records. I've mentioned in the past few weeks that Piper has been SUPER cranky. Nothing would soothe her. I would feed her, then change her, then leave the house because she'd fall asleep in the car. It was getting old and Mike and I were waring down quickly. On Wednesday Piper's cry changed for the worst. At first I was so annoyed, but then I began getting concern. On Thursday I woke up with a horrible sore throat. At my 6-week postpartum visit I had my doctor do a strep test mostly because I was 100% sure it wasn't. Of all of the sore throats I've had in my 30 years, never has it been strep. I was correct. The test came back negative.

Later in the day I was really tired and starting to feel cruddy. Late that night, my temperature was over 104 degrees to I took myself to a walk-in. Again they conducted a strep test and it came back positive. Booooooooooooo! I had exposed myself to all sorts of folks that day and I felt really bad about it. When I got home Piper was screaming in agony (one point for Mike). It was horrible but I was so sick that I just took an Ibuprofen and headed for a nap. Finally Mike patiently got her to go to sleep and then put Cohen to bed (two points for Mike). Then he went to see Star Trek with his brothers. Not 10 minutes after he walked in the door (at 1:30 am) Piper started screaming again and my fever was back up. He paced the floor with her until 8:00 am until I was feeling better enough to get myself up (three points). He called in sick to work so he could stay home and take Cohen to his Kindergarten orientation (four and five points). Good man!

Piper screamed between 20 minute cat naps. I made an appointment for her to see her pediatrician at 2:10 pm. Mike took her (six points). He poked and prodded and tested and could tell something was definitely wrong, but he couldn't determine what. The doctor sent them to the hospital for blood work (7 points). While we waited for the results, Mike made dinner (8 points) and then took Cohen to the park (9 points), but not before calming Piper down and putting her to sleep (10 points). The doctor called and said the blood work came back fine but that if her temperature went over 100.4 degrees we needed to call him.

Friday night I was feeling a bit better so I let Mike sleep the first half of the night. At 3:00 am I had not been able to get much sleep and started getting a fever again, so Mike woke up (11 points) and stayed up with Piper until 7:00 am (12 points). He took her temperature and it was over the point so I called the doctor. He told us to take her to Primary Children's Hospital to get a spinal tap and some other respiratory tests to rule out meningitis and RSV. Sick kids go to PCH so I was a nervous wreck. Mike took her again (13 points) because I didn't know if I was contagious or what. He watched her get the same tests again (14 points) and waited patiently in the hospital room holding her and waited for the results. Luckily, she just has a bacterial infection was was treated with antibiotics and was then released. She has slept most of the afternoon, but woke up for about 2 hours and didn't cry once. She did have a fever so Mike went to the store to get some Ibuprofen (15 points) but she was smiley and happy.

While I enjoyed a happy Piper, Mike left again to get his mother's Mothers Day gift (16 points-he gets a point for this because I usually make/buy it instead) and stopped at Arby's to bring home dinner (17 points) on the way home. Now he is playing Zelda with Cohen (18 points) while I sit and type this (19 points) and talk to my sisters (20 points). I feel so lucky to have a happy baby and such a fantastic man. I feel like I need to change the celebration to Mike day tomorrow to make sure he knows how well appreciated he is.

For those of you that hung in there and read this entire post... you get points, too. Troopers!

:: I DON'T THINK I PRODUCED A BECKHAM ::

Cohen finished his first attempt at organized sports this year with indoor soccer. We put him on a team that was coached by his friend's parents. His favorite buddy, Sam, was also on the team, making it easier to talk him into going.


Most of the time he covered his ears because he thought the refs whistle was too loud. It was funny to watch him walk around clueless with his ears covered. I guess every team has to have one of those kids.

While the game was being played, he enjoyed his time on the bench the most. I think his absolute favorite part of the game was doing the cheer, slapping high-5, and then getting a treat. He really just loved being part of the team and he had a good time going out every Saturday. Plus, getting a trophy meant he was the best player right? So, maybe it is a good thing that he can't Bend it Like Beckham... it lessens his chance of being an underwear model. Aye Crarumba!

:: A LITTLE PRAYER ::

For those of you who know our friends, Adam and Lindsey Smyth, please keep them in your prayers. Their twin girls were born 10 weeks early and have to hang out in the NICU for awhile. I know all will be well, but I cannot imagine having to leave my babies at the hospital.

:: A BLESSING ::


We had the opportunity to bless Piper in church on Sunday. She looked so darling wearing her "vintage" dress from 1978. My mom made it for me and I wore it when I was blessed. Mike gave her a beautiful blessing that encouraged her to be courageous and strong and to stand up for what she believes in. His words were beautiful. I especially appreciated that he blessed her to be open-minded and supportive of others. I think when raised in an actively religious environment, one tends to become closed off from other beliefs and look down on others that do not share the same values. I am thankful for my parents who taught me to be understanding yet firm when faced with spiritual challenges, and most importantly to love everyone. And... now I step off my soap box.


These silly little booties were also part of her blessing get up. I guess my Great Aunt Lavera (what a name) started making these booties for the new babies in the family. I don't know if my Grandma Seegmiller (my Mom's mom) made any or not, but she did make these little pom-poms. My Aunt MaryAnn (my Mom's older sister) continued in making a pair of booties for each family. These are the first pair of booties that she made and the last set of pom-poms my Grandmother made. I think it is pretty awesome and was honored to have Piper wearing them (they weren't finished in time for Cohen's blessing).


Now on to the party after church. I think I went a little overboard with the spread, but I couldn't help it. Who knows if I'll ever have another one. I made cookies with "teal" (read: cookie monster blue) frosting and covered them with pink and brown sprinkles.

I pulled out any pink container I could find and turned it into a serving device. I also found the matching plates, forks, and napkins for 25% off at XPEDX.


Adding her birth information to the water bottles and filling little candy cups with pink and aqua Jelly Bellys and mints, added just enough to color to tie the whole thing together.


We had a great time and it was fun to hang out with our family for the afternoon. Piper is a sweet baby... a bit fussy... but so fantastic. We're just so lucky to have her in our family. I hope she can look back at these pictures of her blessing day when she is a teenager and hates me. I'll probably have to look back at them and remember how much I loved her, too.

:: I NEED A NAP ::

Image found here

I wish this was a picture of Piper. She isn't sleeping much. Her little body is having some trouble on the inside. I want to fix her. I think this is the hardest part of being a parent. I am getting ready for weekend company. We are blessing the babe this Sunday and having the family over for dinner after (20+ people crammed in our apartment - reason #750 to get a house). I've gone a little overboard with the pink theme. I can't help it...it is all so cute. I'll try to remember to get some photos of all of my hair-brained ideas. It is the lack of sleep that is making me crazy. Have a nice restful weekend.

:: I WANT THAT ::

Mike just might get this for Father's Day...

Image: PantryPress Inc.

Or this lovely print...

Click to link over to Cameron Moll's site...

And... I would really like this one...

Image: TRMACKSTUDIO

You know... if I had a few extra bucks to spend on artwork and such.

:: KNIT THESE SOCKS ::


Are you sick of Piper pics yet? She is now 4 weeks old. The novelty of having her around is wearing off and the fatigue has officially set in. I am not saying that I don't want her around. I AM SO GLAD SHE IS HERE. I'm just not taking pictures of every little thing she does (read: sleep) anymore. She's almost sleeping all night, and only wakes up about 2:00 am for a food and then usually goes right back to sleep. That is a baby worth keeping around.

But I really wanted to talk about these socks. Sue made them for me with a matching hat. I love them and it makes me realize I just need to sit and learn to finish making socks (read: I've made 7/8ths of one adult sock. I haven't taken the time to learn to finish the toe) so I can make her, and all of my friends with kids, a whole bunch of em'. Fortunately for all of us SLC punks, Unwind offers a baby sock knitting class almost every week. Supposedly these babies only take about 2 hours total. Maybe next week...

:: A LITTLE TOO RIPE ::


I bought a bunch of strawberries (for .99 cents an lb) with good intentions to eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. HOWEVER, all 4 packages had a rotten berry hidden in the middle, therefor making the entire batch a little too soft for my preference.


Then the next day, my pal Jodie brought me some delicious home made bread (you can see it in the back)...


So I made some freezer jam. Easy peasy. This is project #6, I think. I am going to make a whole freezer full of jam this summer to give as neighbor gifts this Christmas. I got the idea from my MIL. She delivers jam with hot rolls every year. Makes me wish I lived next door.

:: A GREAT GIFT IDEA ::


I got these great pacifiers from the Coffeys. I think this is such a fantastic gift idea and that is why I am sharing. Piper got the sparkley girly version in pink, clear, and purple. They match every outfit. LOVE IT. I'm thinking I'll probably save my pennies for the diamond one. Oh brother.

:: EASTER ::


As much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't as much into the true meaning of Easter as I was into the candy and baskets. Bad... I know.


Two reasons for this mentality:

1. Easter has the best candy... HANDS DOWN! While I was pregnant, I had such horrible heartburn whenever I ate sugar so I backed off. I have almost put myself in a sugar coma eating the delicious candy this season. However, because I have lost 20 lbs since Piper was born (and if I may brag, I only gained 9 lbs during this pregnancy) I want to keep with the flow. So, after this candy is gone, all candy must be gone. Boo! But I am on a roll.


2. I have two cute kids and they looked cute in their new Easter clothing. Piper made her debut at church this Sunday, and how fun is it to dress a daughter up??? Loved it! I even made Mike dress up like an Easter egg yesterday, but he sure looked great.


Next year I'll be more spiritually minded. I promise.

:: 2 WEEKS + 2 DAYS ::


I'm feeling like I've got this "mother-of-2" thing down... almost. It is nice that Cohen's Spring Break coincided with being a new mom, because I have had a hard time getting out of the house before noon. The poor kid would be late for school every day, if he even made it. There are a few things I need to work on, but I am not going to beat myself up. For example, today I got out of the shower and he was sitting on the couch playing Zelda, drinking a Diet Pepsi, and eating a bag of Dorritos. It was only 9:30 am and I don't let my child drink caffeinated soda at all. Oh well. I can't always win.

I have not downloaded any new pics from my camera because I just haven't. I do want to share some new pictures of Piper. She had changed immensely and is just too cute! She is starting to look so much like Mike's side of the family. She's a pretty good baby. She is only waking up 2 times each night. Mike takes the earlier one and I do the second feeding. Unfortunately, she stays awake for my shift and I feel like that sludge at the bottom of a coffee pot for the first few hours of the day. But I can't complain. Mike gets up in the night... what a rock star! I just love that man.


I am so excited for Easter. I have all of the new springy clothing purchased (I've passed up those cute little Easter dresses for many years and now I get to get all indulgent) and all of the candy purchased (read: it is now 1/2 eaten and I need to replenish or Cohen is going to think the Easter Bunny is lame!) and all is well. We're going to an egg hunt at a friend's house and I'll probably be making our own little Easter dinner on Sunday. Mike's mom has shingles (poor gal) and we spent a few days with my family during Conference (and bummed some free dinner) so I think we're on our own.

I think that is all, really. Some of you wanted to hear my birth story. If you don't, you can stop reading now. If you are interested... read on friends. I'm going to do it in a time line because Cohen is now begging for the computer.

Monday 3/23
9:10 am - Took Cohen to school
10:30 am - Took Great Grandma to the doctor
12:10 pm - picked Cohen up from school
1:00 pm - started noticing contractions
2:00 pm - timed contractions and they were 5 minutes apart
3:00 pm - called Mike and told him to get on the train and get home
4:15 pm - dropped Cohen off at Nanny's (Mike's mom)
4:30 pm - checked into the hospital
5:00 pm - dilated to a 3+ and 80% effaced
6:15 pm - no change - the nurses made walk the halls for 1 hour
7:30 pm - dilated to a 3+ and about 90% effaced
7:31 pm - nurses said they would probably send me home
7:32 pm - asked if I could stay for one more hour
8:30 pm - dilated to a 5 and almost 100% effaced (I got to stay)
9:00 pm - was admitted and did all of the paper work
9:30 pm - called the parents and in-laws to update them


10:00 pm - dilated to a 6 - sweet relief - aka Epidural was administered
10:30 pm - my water broke all by itself. WAY TO GO!
11:00 pm - dilated to a 9 - signed a lot of new paper work because I was attempting a VBAC (vaginal birth after cessarian)
Tuesday 3/24
12:00 am - dilated to a 10 - met the on call doctor (she was fantastic and laughed at all of my stupid jokes)
12:10 am - started pushing
12:57 am - Piper was born


It was fantastic. I am so glad that I opted to do a VBAC. Recovery has been great. I feel fantastic. I am so glad that I have so many great friends and family that have stopped by to visit, brought us meals, taken Cohen to play for a few hours, and cleaned my house. I love you all!

:: SHE'S HERE ::


I don't have the awake-ness to write much, but I thought I'd share a picture of my sweet new baby girl. Piper Mae was born 3/24 at 12:57 am. Labor was a breeze and I was able to have a VBAC. WAHOO! We just got home from the hospital. Cohen thinks she's pretty cute and always wants to burp her and get her bottle. Thanks for all of the induction tips. I didn't have to use any of them. I went into labor on my own. I dilated without Pitocin. My water broke by itself. I'm so proud of my body.

:: DUE DATE #2 ::

My due date has been changed three times in the last 9 months. At my first appointment they weren't sure, so they sent me for an "invasive" (without going into too much information) ultrasound. The date the gal gave me was April 4th. About three weeks later at my appointment, my doctor did a bedside ultrasound and said, "I think this baby is due closer to March 23rd." Then when I did the big 20 week gender ultrasound, a different doctor said, "I am saying you are due to deliver around March 28th."

Due Date #1 - April 4th
Due Date #2 - March 23rd
Due Date #3 - March 28th

So, although I tell people that I am due "the end of March" I can't help but keep March 23rd in my mind. It is March 23rd and here I sit. Because most of you know that weekend trips to Wendover used to pay my rent, wanna make a bet?

Here are some facts to base your wagers on...

I am trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cessarian) so I must go into labor on my own.
They cannot induce me with pitocin.
I have an appointment tomorrow (Tuesday) to strip my membranes (whatever that is).
I have an appointment scheduled for March 30th (if I haven't had the baby) to discuss a possible C-section. (cross your fingers that we don't have to discuss it.)
I'm already a little dilated and effaced.
I tend to break down when I get miserable.

There you go. Also, please leave me with any of your "old wives tales" about inducing labor. I will not drink castor oil.

:: NOW YOU KNOW ::

****20 YEARS AGO (1989)****

1) How old were you? - 10
2) Who were you dating? - No dating but I probably loved Kory Hill and Curtis Browning
3) Where did you go to school? – Central Elementary
4) Where did you live? - St. Anthony, ID
5) Where did you hang out? – Adriana's or Annie's or Holly's house or down by the river
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? - no - but Adrian, Annie, and Holly all had some sweet ones. :)
7) Who were your best friends? - Adriana Forsberg, Annie Zundel, and Holly Riedelbach
8) What did you want to be when you grew up? - An architect
9) Where did you want to go to school? - I just wanted to be in Jr. High
10) What kind of car did you drive? – a sweet tenspeed

****15 YEARS AGO (1994)****

1) How old were you? - 15
2) Who were you dating? – I was still in love with Kory and Curtis in the back of my mind. I probably like Kevin Holgate by then. (I can't believe I'm admitting this)
3) Where did you work? - Pizza Villa, before it became Big J's.
4) Where did you live? – St. Anthony, ID
5) Where did you hang out? - Twin Bridges and Fun Farm
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? - nope
7) Who were your best friends? - Adriana, Ris, Julie, Annie, and Holly
8) How many tattoos did you have? - Just a face full of acne
9) How many piercings did you have? - One in each ear.
10) What kind of car did you drive? - Pontiac LeMans with a lot of stickers on it
11) Had you been to a real party? – Sure, I guess.
12) Had you had your heart broken? - My poor teenage heart was broken every day that I didn't talk to whomever I was smitten with. AHHH!
13) Were you Single/taken/Married/Divor

ced? – Single
14) Any Kids? – Just my cat Cloudy

***10 YEARS AGO (1999)***
1) How old were you? - 20
2) Who were you dating? – My snowboard
3) Where did you work? – The 400 south Bagelry
4) Where did you live? – SLC Punk
5) Where did you hang out? – At my Aunt Sally's house, my ghetto house downtown where I lived with Julie Miller and Aaron Clark, or in the mountains, SLC concert venues
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? - glasses
7) Who were your best friends? – I've always had the same favorites, but I was mostly hanging out with Julie, Aaron, and random Ricks College kids that needed a place to crash in SLC
8) How many tattoos did you have? - I finally got that Battleship tattoo on my butt that year... just kidding... but I did pay for $60 of Aaron's and I don't think he every paid me back.
9) What kind of car did you have? – Same ol' Pontiac LeMans, with even more stickers
10) How many piercings did you have? - Four in each ear
11) Had you been to a real party? – Are you kidding? The Pink Dress Party 1999 knocked everyone's socks off
12) Had your heart broken? - Yes, it was very broken at that time.
13) Were you Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? - Single - hence the broken heart
14) Any Kids? – Cloudy had just died, but Julie had a pallet of wheat grass on our kitchen counter we had to take care of.

****TODAY (2009)****
1) Age? - 30
2) Where do you work? – For CaroneFitness and for Cohen
3) Where do you live? SLC, UT
5) Who are your closest friends? – Mike, my family, Lindsey, the book club gals, the knitting gals, the sewing gals, and all you Mormon culture rejects from Ricks that I still keep in contact with
6) Do you talk to your old friends? – Mostly through Facebook, Email, and blogging.
7) How many piercings do you have? – One in each ear.
8) How many tattoos? - Still None
9) What kind of car do you have? – Mazda 626 lemon.
10) Has your heart been broken? Yes, but it is fine now
11) Are you single/taken/married/divorced? - Married
12) How many kids? – 1 son and 37 weeks of a baby girl fetus most likely to be named Piper

:: A WEEKEND AWAY ::


Remember these gals that I wrote about a while ago?


Here we are now... 12 years and 16 kids later. Well, 20 kids because 4 of us are pregnant. HOLY SMOKES! Between us we'll have 20 kids in July. I guess we took the Lord's commandment to "multiple and replenish" quite seriously, didn't we?

We stayed at Little America here in SLC. We ate at fantastic restaurants. We gossiped and laughed about old times. We didn't get much sleep. We shopped. Most of all we had a great time.


Angie, Braxton, Ris, and I went through the Draper Temple open house one morning. It was cold, but I don't know why Ris was shivering. She lives in -30 degree wintered Canada. :-) If you are in SLC, take advantage of this tour, LDS or not. I think tours end the second weekend in March. It is beautiful... and you get cookies at the end.

I love these gals. I hadn't seen any of them in 2 years and it was so nice to pick up right where we left off the last time. I can't wait until our next weekend away.

:: PROJECTS 3 & 4 & 5 ::

I'm back. I finally had a few moments to clear the pics from my camera and get them on here. I have not printed a single picture since I got my digital camera 2 years ago. One of my "50 Projects" this year is to get those photos printed! I just want to photoshop each one and make them better before I print them and it is just taking way too long. I just have a little point and shoot. I want a digital SLR so badly and was hoping to spend part of our tax return on one. However, our tax return wouldn't even buy us a little point and shoot (I'm totally bummed) so I guess the upgrade will be put off for another day. I digress.

While cleaning off the memory card, I found there was not a single photo of Project #3. Boo! It was cute, too. I made a bag for Mardi. She asked me in SEPTEMBER. I'm so busy (read: lazy). I cut all of the pieces out right before Halloween, but didn't sew it until Tanya and I got together for our January sewing group. I am so lame. (Have I mentioned our little sewing group? It is fun. It is Tanya, Rusti, Liz and I. We try to get together once a month and work on our lingering projects. It is a great motivator to get stuff done.) Tanya can vouch that I finished it. It was a simple messenger bag, made of the best blue/brown geometric fabric I could find. I finally gave it to Mardi last Sunday and was able to cross it off my list.


Project #4 was started in November. My friend Terra asked me to make her a scarf in a really simple color. I started a cable pattern on a cream yarn but I hated the yarn I chose. It just wasn't working. Browsing a book I found this really cute pattern called "Feather and Fan" that I wanted to try. I consulted my yarn gurus and decided on the Berroco Cuzco yarn called Blue Smoke. It turned out so lovely that I almost kept it for myself.


The photos don't do it justice. I was weaving in the ends just as Terra and I were planning our last outing together. I guess I work best under pressure. They moved to Alaska on Saturday. (Boo hoo!) More on the Binghams... as a side note... It is really hard to find good friends like them. You like them, they like you. Husbands have stuff to talk about. Your kids like each other, I liked her kids, she liked mine. You know the low-maintenance kind. Anyway, good luck in AK, Binghams. I am glad you have a nice new scarf to keep you warm in the great white north.

Back to the project. The pattern is easy and I'd like to share it with you.
Use whatever needle size your yarn choice suggests.
Cast on 24 stitches (or any multiple of 12)
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K2tog 2 times, YO 4 times, K2tog 4 times, YO 4 times, K2tog 2 times
Row 4: Knit
Repeat this pattern until you get the desired length. It is so easy and has a stunning outcome.

So Project #5 is titled "Make Room for Debbie". "Debbie" is our baby that won't be named Debbie, but that is what Cohen calls her. So far we've completed cleaned out Cohen's bedroom and closet and I've consolidated 3 craft areas into one. Last night Mike set up our GINORMOUS new bookshelf to consolidate our 3 mismatched bookcases into. We even went to look at a house this morning (which we won't make an offer on). We're moving in the right direction as to finding more space. I'm calling this project complete because if "Debbie" came tomorrow, she'd have a place to sleep in Cohen's room, or my own.

:: MY BLOG IS LAME ::


I have even completed Project 3-5 on my list, taken pictures, and have them ready to share with you... plus rearranged the entire house (thanks Mike) due to my OCD with clutter lately (read: nesting). BUT, sitting down to blog, after sitting down for hours to work just hasn't seemed to fulfilling lately. While I have immersed myself in my projects, Cohen has found ways to entertain himself. He's such a good kid. I hope "Debbie" (that is what Cohen wants to name this little pea - actually, more like a banana right now) inherits his good nature.

Happy Valentines Day... tomorrow. Mike and I aren't much for V-day and for that I am thankful. We're going to have our friend Terra and her kids over for dinner tomorrow because her family is moving to Alaska in 10 short days. We need all of the Bingham time we can get because AK is FAR AWAY.

Since I am not giving Mike a gift, I'll give you one. This is one delicious sugar cookie recipe that my buddy Annie gave me. I don't like to make sugar cookies, but I sure like to eat them! This recipe is easy, though, and they are the soft kind that won't go hard for days. YUMMY!

Sugar Cookie Recipe
Add the following ingredients and blend until well mixed:

2 C white sugar
1 C Softened Butter
4 lg eggs (if small eggs use 5)
1 tsp lemon juice
1 C Buttermilk
1 tsp Baking Powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp soda

Then add in 5-6 cups flour to make soft dough.

Roll out on floured surface, about ¼ inch thick. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until cooked through completely. Cookies do not brown.

Butter Frosting

1 cube butter, softened
4 c powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp vanilla (adjust for taste)
Add in small increments, up to ¼ c milk for consistency

Adios muchachos! I hope you all get the lovin' you deserve this wonderful 3-day weekend.

:: NESTING & EDITING ::

I have been working A LOT and cleaning out corners A LOT and haven't done much else. I'm looking forward to a weekend off with my buddies from high school. Then I'll be back to my normal life. Until the kidlet is born. Only 8 more weeks until I get to meet that little one.


This photo has nothing to do with anything, except that it is crazy how much my youngest brother looks just like my Pops. Nice moostaches, boys.

:: THIS IS RAD ::


Architecture in Helsinki - Like It Or Not from helsinkids on Vimeo.

Architecture in Helsinki is one of my favorite bands in the ENTIRE world. My ol' pal Gary Brown introduced me to them while I was still working at 1-800-Patches (Gary... I miss you mostly for your music suggestions). Anyway, they have the best tunes - I love them while at the gym - and the best music videos. The one above is a little crafty.

If you ever have a change to go to an AIH show, it is truly a masterpiece. Seriously, these kids rock the house and have the most amazing stage presence. They each play about 50 different instruments throughout the show, almost never ending with the same instrument that they started the song with. AMAZING! Anyway, enjoy the video. I wish I could embroider like that.

Oh PS... I'm not being very crafty this week. I've been working a lot (for pay) and that cuts down on my crafting time. I'll resume soon.

:: YO DIGGITY ::

I want to start every post like this. I was only a day late, but you can go enter to win some fine yarn and supplies (courtesy of me) over at Petit Elefant. It would be great to send it off to someone I know. Even if you don't knit, enter anyway. It would make a great gift (ahem) to someone who does.

:: MY FAVORITE KID ::


It is only 9:00 am. We've watched Bakugan and Christmas with the Joker (old Batman cartoons from my childhood). We've had breakfast. He played Bakugan while I checked my email. We've played with and cleaned up the play-dough. He dressed up as Batman. Now he's getting his pirate ship and island out for the next round while I write this blog. Wow - we've only been awake since 7:30. I'm ready for a nap and he wants to go to the zoo.

:: WANT A NEW PRINTER? ::

I sure do! MommyCoddle is giving one away!

I also want a digital SLR, so if you find one laying around or something send it my way. :)

:: MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008 ::

So, I just wanted to share the two highlights of our Christmas celebrations. I can't determine which is funnier. So, watch the videos and you decide.

The Sessions...
This is Pops and Grandma Dough-knee (my parents) performing a song from High School Musical on the Wii. Notice Pops making up his own words and Bean (my 7-YO HSM-obsessed niece, Rebekah) trying to get him to do it correctly.

The Van Wagoners (actually Latteiers)...
This is the Nativity Scene performed by the 5 great-grandkids that were in attendance. Cohen was actually Joseph, although he wanted to be a Sheep -aka Shepherd- and Mike's brothers kept trying to get him to "baaa". We are irreverent.



*Disclaimer* Yes, that is me in the background of both of the videos laughing.

:: PROJECT #2 - PETIT ELEFANT KNITTING TUTORIALS ::


Whew... I've been in a frenzy this last week getting all of the loose ends tied up for the knitting tutorials and patterns that I'll be posting Petit Elefant all of this week. Today I just made a list of basic knitting items that you'll need to know to complete the projects.

Here is the schedule:
Monday - Knitting Basics
Tuesday - Leg Warmers
Wednesday - Cap
Thursday - Sweater (plus blocking and crocheting the edges)
Friday (I think) - a GIVE AWAY of all of the products needed to create these items.

HAPPY KNITTING!

:: PROJECT #1 - PANTRY CLEAN OUT ::


Nothing like starting the New Year off with not only one but THREE clean closets. Yesterday I went through the laundry/scrapbook closet and organized my ever growing stash of paper and glitter and Cohen's crafting stuff. This morning we got up early (thanks Cohen) and started breaking down Christmas right away. I purged and got my Christmas decor down to only three big Tupperware bins so it will all fit in our entry way closet. I cleaned off all of my Primary stuff from the shelves in there and made more room for games/puzzles/flashlights.


As I was folding laundry in my bedroom (read: lying on the bed looking at the ceiling), I heard Mike (I love his Christmas Beard this year) rustling in the pantry. I went to the kitchen to see what he was doing and he had pulled out everything from our pantry and was on his hands and knees mopping the floor. I decided to help since this was one of the 50 projects on my list. The goal was to fit all of the junk - pictured in the first picture - into our little pantry.

The above picture is the 1/2 way point. Our pantry shelves have so much height to them, that a lot of space was being wasted. I didn't want to invest in a permanent solution, since this is an apartment that I pray we won't live in forever. I bought these shoe racks at IKEA for $10 a piece to utilize our shelf space. We can now stack our cans three high without all of the toppling over.


Another handy and cheap organizational tool is using an old CD holder to keep all of the flavor packets and mixes organized.

A utility hanger (KMart for $5.99) and a plastic bag holder (IKEA for $0.99) keeps everything off of the floor.

VOILA! Here it is all done. After getting rid of a lot of expired food and seeing what we really have in there, I've come to realize we need to get more food storage that we'll actually eat. But that will be a project for another day.

:: IF I MAY BRAG ::

Well, I think this is the first time in my life I've actually accomplished what I said I would as a New Year's Resolution. Last January (2008), I decided I would read 50 novels this year. I finished another book today which brings my total to 68 total. WAHOO! Now, I understand a lot of these books were young adult novels, but they still count. There is just too much smut in a lot of adult fiction. I'm learning how to weed them out and who to trust as sources (as a general rule, NOT Oprah!).

As I was going back over my list of books, I realized I don't remember many of the stories (just the really good ones). I'm grateful that I have recovered my love of reading. I'm also grateful that I have actually conquered a goal that I set out to accomplish. Mike made the statement that maybe I should only make resolutions that involve something I enjoy (ie. not dieting or mopping the floor). Does that take the purpose out of resolutions? I don't think so. I still have to push to accomplish things I like.

Which brings me to Resolution 2009. I've decided that my "Work-in-Progress" pile is WAY too big. My "To Do" list is WAY too long. I have so many 1/2 finished projects haunting me that I need to get them out of my head. In the spirit of "I Can Make it", this year I am going to complete 50 usefull projects. They will range from sewing to knitting to organizing to refinishing furniture. Stuff that needs to be done that I have been putting off. I purposefully wrote that I am going to "complete" these projects. I have 7 projects currently started that I must finish first (UGH!) before I can start counting new ones. I'll keep a running total on my side bar just as I did with books. I'm also going to be offering tutorials of things that I think you might like to do. We all win.

Good luck with your resolutions. Have a safe night tonight. As for me, project #1 starts tomorrow. Wahoo!

:: HAPPY HOLIDAYS ::


We're on our way to Las Vegas for Christmas and a cousin's wedding. I'll be back next week to let you in on a little secret about my 2009 New Year's resolution. Woo!

PS. Yes. I know what holiday is only 2 days away. This photo was taken last week at the Zoo while waiting for the "12 Days of Christmas" light show to start. Maybe I'll make him a Santa costume next.