Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

I know. 
It's been a long time.

Like, a really, really, really long time.

I'm sorry. 
But, I'll make it up to you.  I promise.

(if that were a speech from a boyfriend, I don't think I'd buy it.  But, I'm hoping you do.)

Nutella Ice Box Pie

Went to the Texas State Fair yesterday. 

Fried Kraut Balls.
Chicken Fried Bacon.
Fried Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack.

Yup.  A little over-indulgent.

So when I made my Nutella Ice Box Pie tonight, don't worry.  It wasn't for me. 

I had my fair share yesterday.

The Pillow

It's Columbus Day.  That means, a day off work! 

So, I had no excuse not to bust out the sewing machine.

Mama's Pimento Cheese

I'll be honest. 

I don't really call anyone "Mama".  Not even my own mom.  She's just "Mom". 

But, this is my Mom's Pimento Cheese recipe.  "Mama" just sounded better. 

I get asked for this recipe all the time.  When people realize how amazingly simple it is, they can't believe it.

You'll never buy the pre-made stuff in the tub again.

Corn Peppadew Salsa

Peppadew. 

A little sweet.

A little spicy.

A little DELICIOUS!

The restaurant Tin Star has this utterly fantastic corn and peppadew salsa on their salsa bar.  When we're there, I can eat just that and chips as my meal. 

Don't judge me.

In fact, I want a Tin Star #9 taco right now.

Sorry.  Got sidetracked.

Magic Mop

I found a magic mop.  Like I rubbed a genie lamp and wished for a super-mop, and POOF!  There it was!

Well, it was something like that.

But, I HATE mopping.  I would rather dust, clean toilets, and fold clothes instead of mop. 

Until now.

Easy Baby Blanket

One of my dearest friends is expecting her second child in a few months.  So, when a group of us got together this weekend, I figured I could make a baby blanket for her new boy that's on the way. 

Without a pattern or directions, I just sorta made this up.  Not a total disaster.  Not a total success. 
But, hey, a girl's gotta start somewhere!

When I make another one, it'll hopefully be a little prettier....I'm still working on sewing a straight line!

Oh no! Risotto!

Risotto.  Ever eaten it?   Ever made it? 

When Cooper and I were in Scotland a few years ago, we ate a delicious mushroom risotto at a place called Greyfrier's Bobby bar.  While I'm not normally the biggest mushroom fan, I was totally sold on the whole risotto thing. 

I'd heard it was hard to make...not true at all!  You just have to babysit it a bit. 

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Can you tell that school has started? I can-it's been over a week since I've been able to post anything since I've been so super busy at school. 
No complaints, though! Lovin' my job so far! 

So, for my comeback post, how about some cupcakes?

Yum. Cupcakes.  CARROT cupcakes in fact.

Love is in the Air...

Love. 

It's a crazy/amazing/emotional/joyful/sometimes stressful/selfless/fantastic thing.

And, as of today, I've been able to have happy, married love for 3 years now! 

Happy Anniversary, honey! 

I figured I'd take a peek back on some of our fabulous wedding photos. 

They are amazing.  We love Cristina at Wisner Photo as a friend and photographer.  I look back at these and just get so happy.

It's Good to Know a Fisherman

Good friends to have:
1.  A lawyer
2.  A doctor or nurse
3.  A teacher (we have lots of those)
4.  A police or fireman
5.  Someone who owns a sno-cone stand
6.  A handy-man
7.  A fisherman



Crazy Woman

I've been cleaning like a crazy woman. 
I thought maybe it was because school is starting back soon, or it's keeping me busy while I wait for all the plumbers to finish working in our yard, or because I'm counting it as my workout for the day. 

Then it hit me.

No, I'm not cleaning for all those reasons....I have Billy the Exterminator and Hoarders to blame.  I've watched a ton of those episodes in the past two weeks....and it must be making me paranoid.  I suppose if that's what motivates me, it could be worse.

Oh, now back to the jewerly pouch.

Eyeglasses Case: Part Deux

If I am trying to remember something, I either have to write myself a Post-It Note or have to set it right in front of me, or I'll totally forget it.  Every evening, I have to put my school computer in the way of the back door, or I'll totally leave it at home! 

So, I made my mom the glasses case.  Met her for lunch yesterday.  Had it in my purse. 

Yup, totally forgot to give it to her.  Oops. 

Maybe that's a good thing.  I'm on my second try, and still need to work out some kinks. 
I'll try it again this weekend. 

Hey Good Lookin'

Whatcha Got Cookin'?

I know, no sewing involved here, but hey-a girl's gotta eat!
I don't think I've told you of my other obsession.  http://www.skinnytaste.com/! My friend from work told me about it and I've been hooked ever since.  Probably at least half of what I cook comes from this site.  And, it's Weight Watchers friendly, which is a bonus!

Eyeglasses Case: The Prototype

Well, it's my last free Monday.  Starting next week, it's training after training.  But, I cleaned out a closet, rescued the neighbor's dog from the street, and helped my husband fix up his newly renovated office.

So, for my last free Monday, it's been pretty productive.

I think my sister liked her apron and oil-cloth zipper pouches I gave her for her birthday.  Since then, my mom has requested I make her a pouch (you know I love pouches) for her glasses. 

I'd bought some quilt-ish (if that's a word) fabric last week, so I thought it'd be perfect.  They don't look so pretty, though.  I'll have to work on the design (and maybe my cutting skills) and then I'll post how to make them.

Until then, have a super week!

Oil Cloth Zipper Bags

I think I've developed a habit... and it involves a needle. 

No, I don't do drugs! Seriously... I'm a teacher for goodness sake! 

I realized these last 3 days have been mostly dedicated to sewing (and driving to places for the sewing).  Guess there could be worse things to do with  my free time! 

Look what I made this week!  An oil-cloth zipper pouch!  Cute, huh? 
Notice how I like pouches?  Corn Pouches.  Jewelry Pouches.  Zipper Pouches.

On My Own.... The Apron

I told you I would. We've only been hanging out a week or so-I couldn't lie to you already, could I?

I made the apron.  All on my own.  I figured before I went to my zipper pouch class this week I should make the apron from last week's class so my brain wouldn't be holding too much new info at once!

Let's see how I did it.

Materials:
1/2 yard of fabric
1/2 yard of coordinating fabric
1 yard of pretty ribbon

They're letting me use a zipper!

Hi again.  I've been out of town working for a few days, but now I'm back. 

I thought I should introduce you to my dog, Mackie.  He's a mess, but a cute mess.  When I got married, I adopted my husband's pile of clothes, and he says he got stuck with my dog.  I say it's a fair trade.  I mean, come on, he's cute.  (both husband and dog!)

Oh yeah, this blog is supposed to be about sewing.  So,

I'm taking another sewing class this week.  We are making an oil-cloth zipper pouch.  While I was looking at the materials list, I realized I needed a "zipper foot" for my machine.  Didn't know until now that I was supposed to have one, but apparently my machine didn't come with one.  So, guess I'll figure something out before class.  http://www.citycraftonline.com/

And, found another crafty-sewing-type blog that I'm liking. You may like too.  http://www.sillypearl.com/

P.S.
Sewing with the hiccups is not fun.

Yummy Corn Pouches

First, a pipe burst under our house, and the plumbers have now dug a 5 foot wide by 7 feet deep hole under our house. The water's been shut off (hence the paper plates below so I don't have to do dishes) so, I decided to put up another post to keep my mind off of the house falling into the hole that was once my pretty flower bed...

When I started this blog, I told my husband that I couldn't do an entire blog only about sewing and not include food somehow.  Cooking is one of my favorite things, so I have to talk about eating at some point!  He said it would "dilute" the blog.  I disagreed.  So...
The other night (while I was at my sewing class), Cooper made a friend and me dinner (I know, so sweet).  He made some yummy chicken and something I'd never had before: Corn Pouches!  He adapted the recipe from one he found on Stumble Upon and made it his own.  We've made them three nights in a row now!  Cooper's been adapting the recipe for a Mexican version, too.  

The Jewerly Pouch

My sister gave me a small fabric jewelry pouch a few Christmas' ago from Banana Republic.  Whenever I travel (which seems to be a lot), I always throw my earrings, necklaces, wedding ring, etc. into this pouch and into my suitcase so I don't have jewerly rolling around in my bag. 
After the apron class yesterday, I figured I could make one on my own.  While it's not perfect, I think after a little more practice I'll knock out the kinks. 

Here's how I did it.  (Bear with me)

First, I cut two congruent rectangles out of some fabric.  Mine were about 4 inches by 13 inches (I didn't measure, but a close guess). 

The Mini-Apron

I survived!  I only pricked my finger once with a pin, but other than that, everything turned out pretty swell!  It was a good class to start with and I feel like I can make another apron on my own this week.  I'll try and post pictures as I attempt another one in a few days.

Makes me wish I was an art teacher and not a math teacher; seems like an art teacher would get some good use out of an apron like this.  Guess it would hold some calculators and pencils, though!

The hubs had dinner made for me once I got home too; gotta love that!

First Day of (sewing) School

The lady at the fabric store said I was ambitious.  I'm wondering if "ambitious" is code for "unrealistic".  I hope not.  My first sewing class is tonight.  I'm making a mini-apron.  So, today at the fabric store, I didn't just buy enough materials for one mini-apron, but three (hence the "ambitious" comment).  If all goes well, everybody I know may be getting aprons for every birthday, holiday, or wedding from now on.

http://www.citycraftonline.com/

My First Machine

For my birthday, my mother and my husband purchased me my first sewing machine!  The "Baby Lock BL9" seemed like the perfect machine to see if sewing was really 'for me.'

I purchased it from a sewing shop in Plano, TX where a nice, elderly lady named Beth told me to "find the machine that I felt the most comfortable with."  I told her that I didn't even know where to start!  She helped me thread my first needle, and I decided that this was the machine for me.