A weekend with Molly and Vivian

Dottie Angel and Ted and Agnes are two of my favorite blogs.  I long to have a friendship like Tif and Rachelle have.  I don't want to have to live so far away from that friend, but to have someone to having sewing projects with, who is just as quirky and off center as me, would be great.  We could teach each other patterns for fun little dresses and one of a kind outfits that maybe most people wouldn't really consider ever wearing.  I love reading Tif and Rachelle's blogs and see what crazy antics they are coming up with.  Currently they are working on a book together that has all kinds of wonderful Granny Chic-ness in it.  I cannot wait to get my hands on that book!!!!  I have Tif's book which I blogged about here.

Well, I may not have a friend who likes sewing and crafting, but I do have a niece who has a new found love for sewing.  Sewing anything.  And she and I have had a perfectly peachy weekend of sewing.  We haven't been together, she is about 3 hours away, but we have text on the phone all weekend our projects, accomplishments, failures and goals.  Sending each other pictures of finished projects and screw ups (my pictures being the screw ups, her's being the accomplishments).  When Kristina was here last weekend, we did some crafty loveliness together and I showed her my Dottie Angel book.  I also explained to her how much Dottie Angel loves her sewing machine, so much so that she even has a name for her, Miss Ethel.  Kristina thought that was just as precious as I did, and so, we both decided after spending a little more time with our dear machines, we would name our lovely sewing machines too.  Today, Kristina unveiled to me the name of her machine, Vivian.  It just so happens this is the same name as her amazing mom.  Come to find out, that is pretty much the reason she picked that name.  As she explained to me, her sewing machine is "feisty, yet loving and full of creation."  Well, I would never describe Viv as feisty, but I'm not her daughter, so that makes a difference, but loving and full of creation certainly describes my dear sister-in-law to a T.  So without further ado, may I present to you, Vivian.

My dear sewing machine is called Molly.  As I explained to Kristina, when I was pregnant with my children, I always said that if I had a daughter her name would be Molly.  Well 4 boys later, I still don't have a daughter, but I do have a sewing machine, and so she is Molly.  She is the most girly thing I own and so I thought it was fitting she would get my non-existent daughter's name, hahahaha.

This weekend, Kristina was texting me pictures of projects she was working on.  She just finds these little tutorials and away she goes.  She and Vivian just produce all kinds of lovely things.  Now understand, both Kristina and I are very new to sewing, me more new than she, so something as simple as a fabric bookmark make us pretty darn excited.  Today, we both attempted eye glass cases.  What an epic fail it was for me, and she had a bit of difficulty too with her first one, but she made a second one and it turned out just great.  We got this idea from this website.  I know it will look crazy simple to you seamstresses out there, but for Beanie and I, especially me, it was a challenge.  But, I was real proud of myself and stuck with it to the end and learned what to do different next time not to make it so tough on me.  So here is my work in progress on Molly.  Notice how I have the laptop right on my sewing table so I can follow the tutorial step by step.  Pretty pathetic huh?

So, I don't know exactly how this happened, but Kristina started her eye glass case a good hour of so after me, and finished a good hour or so before me.  What the heck?  Well, I guess it could be because I got side tracked and decided to make some Peach Hand Pies while in the middle of sewing, so I had to stop and go to the kitchen several times.  They turned out really good along with the two mixed berry and peach puff pastries I made with some left over puff pastry dough.

Now back to the sewing, here is how Kristina's turned out:

See how Kristina's has that nice contrasting trim up top, I could not get mine sewed correctly so there is no nice contrasting trim on mine.  And here is mine:

Oh well, my glasses do fit into it and until it falls apart, it will serve it's purpose just fine.  I went a little too heavy on the batting, which is why I think I had so much trouble sewing the top, but I know for certain my glasses will be comfy and safe in this ultra cushioned glass case:)

It was a lot of fun sewing a little then texting Kristina to ask her how she managed her glass case so easily.  It was almost as if we were sewing together again like last weekend.  It is so much fun having someone else who is just learning to sew and for the most part is teaching their self.  We want so BADLY to just be able to sew a piece of clothing, but I know for myself, I am a LONG way from doing that.  But in the mean time, I am having a wonderful time with Molly, and Beanie is loving her Vivian.  I now have a pillow cover, an eyeglass case and a fabric book marker under my belt.  WOOOO HOOOO, I am GOOD!!!!!!!  Hey, we all have to start somewhere right?  If any of you know of any great sewing blogs that have good tutorials for newbies, like me, please send me the links!!!

Oh and before I sign off for the night, I have some exciting news to share with those of you who don't follow me on Facebook.  I have a new job!!!!!  I applied for a teacher's assistant position at a daycare at one of our nearby Universities.  It is for the 2 year old classroom and as of this past Friday, I am now an employee of Shenandoah University and will get to spend 5 days a week with energetic 2 year olds who are certain to melt my heart.  I applied for this job over a month ago and  had just about given up hope when they emailed me on Wednesday and wanted me to come in for an interview.  Once all the paper work is done, I will be starting later in the week.  I am so looking forward to this new chapter in my life.  I will miss not being home all day with the gardens and the chickies, but I knew this day would come and I am happy about it.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Have a great week everyone and I hope you all find a little time to be creative and do what you LOVE!!!!!

XXOO

Debbie

Wickedly Warm Wonderful Weekend

The reason we were all together was to offer our love and support to my dear nephew Dane and his new wife Callie.  They were married this past Saturday, in temperatures reaching 106 degrees.  A beautiful wedding which was reflective of  Dane and Callie.  A ceremony outside, in the woods, next to a creek, surrounded by the people who love them the most.  My mom would have loved  how beautiful and simple it all was. 

It was the first time many of us had met any of Callie's family but it sure didn't seem that way.  I think the extreme heat made everyone just a little bit easier to get to know.  We were all sweating terribly and joking about the heat which seemed to just relax everyone a bit.  Southern Hospitality was at an all time high as Callie's parents opened up their home to all of us..  A beautiful home in the woods, with gorgeous gardens, a wonderful wrap around front porch, and my favorite, SHEEP!!! 

Spending time with my brother and sister-in-law was extra special.  They had prepared a lovely brunch for us once we had made the 3 1/2 hour drive to their home, before the wedding.  Country Ham biscuits, fresh fruit salad, cinnamon buns and of course sweet tea.  There was such a difference in the stress levels between my brother Stephen and my brother Danny, whose daughter was married in April.  I have decided I am truly the lucky one to have 4 sons and not any daughters.  The parents of the groom have it much easier that's for certain.  Mary and Stephen were so calm and just needed to make sure they showed up on time and that was it.  Quite a contrast to Danny who had a house full of girls trying to get ready minutes before the wedding, at his house in April.  However, both of my brothers handled their situations with grace and style.

One of the best parts of this wedding weekend was that my niece, Kristina, came to stay for the weekend so she could go to the wedding with us.  She arrived on Friday and the fun began.  It is a well known fact that I have 4 sons, no sisters and not a lot of female friends around.  So when I get a girl in the house with me for a weekend, it is promising to be a stellar weekend.  We cooked, we crafted, we sewed, we played with baby calves and we did some chicken therapy.  It was a PERFECT visit.  I taught Kristina to make my version of Lemonade, Shrimp Scampi, Cucumber Salad and homemade laundry detergent.  She in turn taught me how to make Milk Chocolate brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting and Envelope Pillow Covers and gave me a few other sewing secrets which will make my future projects much easier to accomplish.  She also has promised to teach me how to make my unruly curly hair straight, by just using a blow dryer and a brush rather than a flat iron.  If she can manage that, I owe her my life.  This week, when I am not in the veggie garden trying to salvage what the lack of rain and record breaking heat has not destroyed, I will be making pillow covers over and over again until I have it completely mastered.  I have an entire bolt of fabric I paid a ridiculously high price for 20 some years ago which I no longer like, so I will use that to perfect my skills.  Then I will go buy material I DO like, and start sewing pillow covers for my sofa, chairs and anything else that would look better with a  new pillow on it.



I hope you all had a great weekend and that the week ahead brings everyone cooler temps and maybe some rain:)  Enjoy these snapshots of the wonderful weekend we had.

Time to feed the Mamas and the Papa

Sylvester and Kristina bonding.

  Kristina letting Limpy nurse on her fingers.

Yes, calves need binkies too.

The reason the young always look so gorgeous.

They grab beauty sleep at every opportunity.

Our 3 1/2 hour drive to North Carolina for the wedding.

A last minute family snap shot before Dane leaves to go get dressed for the wedding.

One last hug before he is a married man:)

Beanie and I trying to stay cool on our way to the wedding..

My dream front porch.

This is Callie's parents home and it is amazing.

So homey and comfy and welcoming.

My new niece and my handsome nephew.

What was left of the Milk Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Brownies.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Our crafting weekend.

My pillow I made, the Cricut and the homemade card I made.

Beaning copying down my recipes and  next to her,

another 15 quarts of green beans Robby canned.

Oh how I hate goodbyes. 

We both agreed to have our picture taken even though we have

messy up-do hair.

I LOVE this kid!!!!!!!!!





No Boys Allowed

Sometimes it is really fun to leave the boys at home and just hang with the girls.  Eat food the boys may not want, talk about things boys don't want to talk about, take lots of pictures just because it's fun and making memories and new friends that you will remember forever.

That is exactly what Tuesday night was for me.  A little birthday get together for a new friend I had yet to meet.  My friend Harrigan had 2 friends from Harlem come visit, one for a month and one just for a few days.  The one who was here for just a few days had a birthday on Tuesday, and Harrigan was having a little celebration for her AND I was invited!!!  Another great opportunity to make new friends.

Irene is my new friend who had the birthday.  A wonderful soul with an amazing bright and shiny spirit.  What is even more cool is that we actually have a friend in common.  A super small world when someone from Harlem knows someone you know in Hoboken and you find out about it in your tiny little town of Edinburg.

We ate delicious food, drank Cava and Ginger-Mint Lemonade, watched a summer storm blow in, indulged in sinful cake with sinful frosting along with homemade Peach Ice Cream and talked about random things and laughed a lot.  A perfect evening for 6 amazing women. 

Boys are great but sometimes it is nice just to hang with the gals and be girls. 

Turner ham biscuits, olives, stuffed grape leaves, cucumber salad, watermelon and feta,
garden fresh cherry tomatoes and a tomato tart.

The birthday girl illuminated by candles and love.

A wonderful French Lemon cake with a sinfully, buttery-lemony frosting.

The birthday girl serving up her cake.

Looks like Marta is eyeing that cake!!!!

Great food, great conversation, great company and a few new friends= a perfect "no boys allowed"

evening.