Today is Earth Day and Good Friday.  I thank God for the earth He created, and I pray we will be better stewards of His beauty.  But even more, I thank Him for Jesus and the hope and redemption we have through Him.  

My mother-in-law sent the kids this carton of plastic eggs yesterday.  Each egg has a small item in it and a Scripture reference that tells the Easter story.  I'll copy the list at the end of this post if you're interested in making a box for your kids or a Sunday School class.

Here Aevyn is holding the coins that represent the bribe Judas took.

The kids love looking through these.  I was surprised Aevyn could figure out the connection of almost every item.  Thanks, Grammy, for reminding us, amidst all the candy and eggs, of all that Jesus has done for us!  

May God's blessings be felt by your families this weekend!  Happy Easter!

#1 Donkey (sticker)- Jesus' entry into Jerusalem- Mt. 21:1-9

#2 Praying Hands- The Garden of Gethsemane- Mk. 14:32-42

#3 Three Coins- Judas' blood money- Mt. 26:14-16

#4 Leather Strip- Jesus' trial and 39 lashes- John 19:1-3

#5 Cross- Jesus' crucifixion- John 19:16-22

#6 Dice- Soldiers gambling for Jesus' robe- John 19:23-25

37 Gauze- Grave clothes- Matt 27:57-61

#8 Stone- Tomb with the stone rolled away- Matt 28:1-2

#9 Empty Egg- Jesus' resurrection from the dead- Matt 28:5-8

#10 Three Nails- Jesus' wounds from being on the cross- John 20:19-29

#11 Bible- God's Word-to tell others the story- Luke 24:46-50

#12 Cotton Ball- Jesus' ascension through a cloud- Luke 24:51-53 

Easter Pants... Finally!

Phew!!!  After making a pair of pants (more like 2 pairs, since they have a lining), I realized they were way too big!  It took me three hours to carefully rip the seams.  3 hours!  Time that could have been so much better spend... but, oh well!  I took the sides in, stitched them back up, and I love the final product!  

These are based on the pattern Dana shared on MADE.  I love how she breaks things down and makes it so simple and clear for the rest of us!  Pants were very daunting for me, and although for now I'll stick to little boys pants, I feel so much more confident!  

I had saved this old shirt of my husbands.  The shirt was quite threadbare in places, but he wore it all the time when we were dating and always looked so handsome in it!  I have kept it in my closet trying to think of a way to use some of the fabric.  And this was perfect: the cuffs of pants for my cool, preppy boy!

Initially, I thought I would just sew the rectangle of striped fabric to the inside of the linen, but after trying to figure out the details, I decided to make a lining.  (The linen was a little thin anyway!)  

Here's a close up of the bottom of the lining:

The two pairs of pants, ready to be sewn together!  

After finishing the pants for the second time, I saw these over at kojodesigns:

Looks like I'm not the only one who likes this combo!  

Here's to handsome boys and university stripes- both of which will never go out of style!

Friday Favorites

It's the weekend, yay!  Here are a few of the things I've been loving this week:

I love these belts over at Me Sew Crazy!  I'm thinking they would be very cute and preppy done in colorful fabric strips.  I might try to do something like that for my mom for Mother's Day.

I've perused the DIY web for necktie and bow-tie inspiration.  I'm using some scraps from a dress I had to hem to make a tie for William to wear on Easter.  I think the tutorial over at Prudent Baby is going to be the winner- looks adorable and I'm in need of a little simplicity!  (Bonus: Dad even said he'd accept a matching one for Easter!)

My last favorite this week is SKYPE!!!  Thanks for making it possible to connect to dear friends everywhere!  I've been talking to my best friend in Paris a lot lately and I'm very grateful for the technology that allows it.  Still not as good as curling up on a couch together, but it works in the meantime.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  I'm hosting a jewelry party tomorrow that should be full of laughs, yummy food, and a pretty sangria!  Whatever you do, enjoy each spring day!

A Little about Me

One of my friends posted this survey on her blog and who doesn't like talking about themselves?  

So, here are a few little tidbits about myself:

Making : too many things!  9 days until Easter...

Cooking : kielbasa and green beans... simple yet satisfying!

Drinking : British blend tea

Reading : in between books right now... any suggestions?

Wanting : to visit my best friend in Paris!

Looking : at summery sweaters on Ravelry.com

Playing : a lot of chutes and ladders lately!

Wasting : a pair of my son's underwear- there are some accidents I just won't try to clean!

Sewing : a dress for my daughter, a shirt for me, pants and a bowtie for the boy!

Wishing : on a star and a prayer...

Enjoying : the sound of someone mowing their lawn

Waiting : for August

Liking : the little weeds my kids give me each day

Wondering : where the time goes!

Loving : when Aevyn reads to me and William.

Hoping : to have a wonderful weekend.

Marvelling : at unconditional love <3

Needing : someone to make me lunch each day - sandwiches are not my fave!  

Smelling : hyacinths... mmm!  Makes me think of my grandmother on Easter day.

Wearing : my favorite earrings my friend brought back from Madagascar.

Following : Comfy Sews vs. Cozy Knits - can't tell you how much I love this!

Noticing : how dirty my walls are

Knowing : there is peace in doing the right thing, even when it's hard.

Thinking : about God's direction for my life...

Bookmarking : Cute summer dresses

Opening : a size 10 circular to cast on a new sweater!!!!!!!  woohoo!!

Giggling : while Aevyn tries to sound out 'aioli'.  Girl likes to read cookbooks!

Feeling : just fine.

Hope you have a wonderful day and take some time to reflect on the things that make you smile, make you ponder, and make you swoon!

Girly Skirt

This skirt was a collaboration between Sugarplum and me.  She picked the sequins and silky pink fabric, I made it something she would love to wear.  

It's perfect for curtsying,

and of course, twirling!

Aevyn wore it to ballet last week and loved the feel of it.  

I used the tutorial on MADE for the Circle Skirt.  I did two layers for extra frilly-ness.  I'd like to make a couple more with washable fabrics.   It seriously is so easy!

I'm working on another MADE pattern right now.  Hopefully I'll be posting it soon!

My New Favorite Thing

Aevyn's reading skills have really developed over the last few weeks!  She had been very tentative about reading because she only wanted to do it if she could do it perfectly.  If she doesn't feel confident in her ability to accomplish something well, she doesn't even want to try.  

However, lately, she's been ready alllll the time!  She reads a lot of the Stage 1 Early Readers, but we've used the BOB Books a lot in the past.  She reads to me, she reads to herself, and she reads to William.  This is the sweetest thing to me!  Look how spellbound he is!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Enjoy some good reads!  (Or have them read to you!)

A Sweater for Adelaide

On Saturday, April 2nd, my sweet little Adelaide turned one year old!  No, she is not my baby, but my honorary third child!  She belongs to my dear friend, Kate, who says I can share her!  You would want her to- she is such an adorable, cuddly thing!

Here is the sweater I knitted for her birthday.  It's based on the Baby Sophisticate sweater that I did a while back, but I did a rounded bottom, 3/4 length sleeves, and the edges are done in ribbing instead of garter stitch.  I don't normally go for variegated yarns, but I love these girly colors!

Addie's sweater!

Those eyes!  She didn't want to sit still enough to model, but nothing can hide that cuteness!

Here she is with her gorgeous mama, again trying to wiggle away!

Here's a fun movie of William teaching Addie to play the kazoo.  So, his birthday gift to her was her very own instrument!

Happy birthday, little Addie!  You are so special in our lives and I'm glad I get to watch you grow and learn each week!  (And I'm really glad I have a little one to knit for!)

Family Crest Shirt

Here is my submission for the I Am Momma Hear Me Roar Contest.  Sometimes my Scallywag likes to be something new, like a knight!  Part of my husband's family draws their lineage from an O-Reilly strand.  I love family traditions and this is a fun way to give your boy something to dress up with that is also very meaningful.  (And possible morbid, if your family has a crest like ours!)

 I used freezer paper and Tulip fabric paint for the design.
For my first step I cut out the lions and drips of blood.

After these parts were dried, I used another stencil that had the crest cut out.
I left the hand in and painted all the green.
After I removed the hand and painted it in, I went back and used a Sharpie for details and outlines.
The family name in Gaelic is stenciled on the sleeve.

Here's the finished product!  When my Scallywag saw it he said, "Yup, there are the two lions with the hand.  And there's BLOOD dripping from it!"  All boy, but he loves it!  

He's terrifying... really... what dragon could stand in the presence of such an intimidating face!

Ready for battle!

Here's my brave knight!  (This gave me a great excuse to teach him to call me Majesty!)

I can't wait to see the other ideas people came up with for their boys.  Each little kid inspires their own special style, with their own stories.  Enjoy your weekend!

My Birthday Boys!

My little scallywag, being the pirate that he is, commandeered his father's birthday.  He decided to come 2 weeks early to share March 18th for their birthdays!  This year is a big one for my hubby (30!) and the scallywag is turning 4.  Here are some pics of them on their birth date through the years:

2007

2008

2009

2010

Angry Birds bday- he loves the bomb!

This year!  Scallywag and me (and his bomb)!

I can't believe my baby is 4 years old!  Boy do I love that kid!  He's growing into such a loving, generous, FUNNY little person!

  

Happy Birthday to my favorite boys!!!

St. Patty's Day!

This is one of my favorite nights of the year to cook!  I love hearty food, good drinks, and the general spirit of the day.  And although I don't care for sauerkraut, there are plenty of other delicious, festive meals to make.

This year, my menu consists of brown bread,

Here's my recipe:

1 1/2 c flour                                        Heat oven to 425.  Stir together dry ingredients.  Mix milk and 

1 1/2 c whole wheat flour                   honey and add to flour mixture.  Turn onto floured surface and 

1/2 c quick oats                                   shape into 2 circles.  Place on greased baking sheet and bake for 

1/2 c wheat germ                                15 minutes.  Reduce temperature to 400 and bake for another 15

1 1/2 t baking soda                             minutes.  Enjoy with stew or smothered with butter and jam!

3/4 t salt

1 3/4 c buttermilk

2 T honey

Guinness Stew over mashed potatoes,

(here's the recipe I used from Food Network.)

and Pavlova with fresh whipped cream and kiwis!

We're also listening to Pandora all day on a station I made last year.  Use 'The Fenians' and enjoy the sounds!  A few of our favorites are 'Galway Girl', 'Big Strong Man', 'Road to Dublintown', and 'The Night Pat Murphy Died'.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!