Oh goodness summer. I feel done with you in so many ways but cooking and you? Oh boy, we're struggling. Thankfully this week is finally comfortable without the AC, windows are wide open and I don't mind turning on that old gas stove every now and again. I'll conquer you yet!
Breakfasts::
Oatmeal with brown sugar, cream and berries
Cracklin' Oat Bran (I forgot how much I love this stuff, brings me back to college)
Lunches::
Ham (or Turkey) with monteray jack, heirloom tomatoes and red leaf lettuce
Greek Pasta Salad (leftover from dinner)
Minestrone, (leftover from dinner)
Dinners::
Greek Pasta Salad with Cheddar Wursts (for as much as I steer clear of over processed foods, I will never be without a good cheddar wurst a few times a summer...MMMMM!)
Minestrone, baguette and goat cheese
Ham and Cheese Omlettes with fruit salad
TJs pepperoni pizza and summer salad
Chicken Spaghetti and summer salad (leftover from this weekend, SOOOO good)
Black Bean and Pork Tenderloin chili (with corn and tortilla chips)
Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice and Peas (leftover from last weekend, frozen)
Desserts::
Summer Peach Cake with Whipped Cream (and yes, it's TOTALLY worth the effort)
Berry Cream Cheese Pie (I've made this with frozen mixed berries, and fresh black and blueberries, any way you slice it :o) it's DELICIOUS)
you know I had to with all that fresh picked orchard goodness
So the name of the game this week was stock up and freeze. Making big whole casseroles, large pasta salads and buckets of soup. Even in the summer heat it's the most economical way to cook and will stock Ian up for our week away next week. There's enough "summer" stuff in there to remind me of the season, but enough of my old standbys to keep it comfortable and easy in the kitchen. Ahhh, FINALLY!
Oh, total budget:: about $120 (I say about because we bought the produce at the orchard in addition to all those perennials and some of the extras at Target with a few other things and I have yet to do the exact math...still good!)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Life Lately
I've been avoiding writing this past week. I've felt pretty scattered and harried what with the imminent end of summer and all that that entails. For me? It entails crossing all those oh my gosh I forgot to do this before fall! things off our list and oh goodness both girls are in school this fall, SO much to prepare for list and finally the sweet Louise is turning two and I've vowed to make her every gift (and all those other end of summer birthdays) list. Oh my.
But this is how I work. Sometimes I need a day of two "off". To just play with the girls and immerse myself in the simple hard life of mamahood, then I can gear back up. Have 4 loads of laundry going while a peach cake is baking in the oven while 4 separate sewing projects are cut and sprawled on our tiny dining table while the girls are upstairs raucously giggling over the latest antics and pretend scheme. Ah. It's getting done.
Last week among all this fluster and flurry the girls and I found ourselves at the local movie theater for a $1 showing of Winnie the Pooh. It was delightful.
Well, not the movie so much. I fear those directors took a few too many artistic liberties with the classic characters, but the free refill popcorn and my girls close and snug and cool on a hot summer morning? That was pretty much perfect.
As hot and icky as this summer has been my stand out favorite memories are going to be picnic lunches with Ian. We almost never visit Ian at work. He works at the VA, kind of a lock down situation and it's not a very kid friendly place. I've run by a forgotten lunch or laptop occasionally, but save for that work is a very private place for Ian. With him sleeping at work every other night the girls and I miss him extra the next day. The girls ALWAYS beg for daddy all morning and it helps to have an occasion to look forward to. We pick up a fun lunch, we meet, we eat. The girls get their daddy fix and we all end the day satisfied. For all the turmoil this PhD has brought, daddy picnic lunches are surely a high point.
Then, perhaps from all this worry and fluster of mine, I got sick. A kind of silly cold that turned into something ickier. I was down and out for a night and a morning while my boy took over. Apparently all I really needed was a bunch of ginger ale and a 3 hour nap. By Sunday morning I was back and ready for some fun.
Ian and I decided to take a new weekend route. After the success (and expense!) of the book fair on Friday night...oh boy I should do a whole post on that!), we let the garage sales be and focused our energy on Sunday morning fun. Ian wanted a solo downtown date with Louise, just like he used to have with Ainsley and I was desperate for some orchard picking and Ainsley seemed the perfect companion. So we went our separate ways and I must say, we all 4 had a blast.
Ainsley and I ventured to Garden Patch Farms in Homer Glen. We'd been twice last year, once for raspberry picking and another for apples. This time we hit up blackberry and peach season and it was by far my favorite trip.
We had the berry rows to ourselves, even had to hold off on picking because the ripe juicy buggers were so abundant. Ainsley's face was purple with delight by the end of our trip. It was heaven.
I remember seeing the peach trees last year, after their harvest was over, SO bummed out that we'd missed it. This year? We capitalized and picked tons of juicy ripe now peaches and some others to mature on the counter. I made peach cake last night that was divine and am looking forward to another peach concoction in our very near future.
Then Ainsley slept on the way home so Ian took her to a friend's house for coffee in the afternoon while I gardened and Louise napped. Well, she didn't nap, so I brought my little garden helper down and she dug and dumped and watered until we were both spent. We showered and headed downstairs for a little calm time. Louise crawled up on the couch and I went into the kitchen to get us some water. When I walked back out, I found this.
So I turned on some Brahms and let my sleeping babe be. Later when she awoke too soon I cuddled her and we dozed together for the first time in months and months, with a cool summer breeze blowing through the quiet house.
This weekend was just what we all needed.
This morning woke a bit flustered and I realized Ainsley stashed all of our pool passes somewhere in the house and after retrieving three, the last is no where to be found. But we rallied as we tend to do, got errands done, even found the time to Mr Clean the fridge and splash in the backyard pool before lunch.
Deck lunches with fresh food are the best. Heirloom tomato and turkey sandwiches with those handpicked peaches and berries. We made smoothie popsicles with the leftover cut up fruit. What a treat for the afternoon.
Ah and the garden. Finally a bit tended to and revived after all that heat and sun. I'd completely let it go when the weeds kept growing and the sun kept beating and baking. I bought 8 new perennial plants at the orchard, actually READ up on how to care for them and am doing my darndest. I was tired of all that weedy green back there. It feels happy again, definitely a space we want to linger in and enjoy while we can.
For I know and have learned that while I feel SO done with summer, fall will be here all too soon and I'll wish I was where I am right now all over again.
Hoping for a wonderful Monday for you all!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Things Loved...Lately.
It's been a while, so I thought I'd share some favorites of late.
Panzanella
I have been hankering after a good tomato and bread salad for ages and now that tomatoes are ripe and abundant I was eager to take the plunge. In quite a stroke of serendipity I came across an American's Test Kitchen featering their own "best" of this classic summer salad. I made it. We LOVED it. The girls helped me make it, it's that simple, and I ate the leftovers from dinner for dessert last night.
Babble Wine
This TJs 6.99 bottle is my new favorite, this was even BEFORE I read the description in the store that informed me it has "afternotes of bacon fat". Umm, YES!
iPlay Swim Diaper
This is my second year using one of these instead of the disposables and I continue to be in absolute love. Especially for a family like us who's either at a splash pad or pool or sprinkler most every day this is far and away a more economical way to go. I simply rinse and line dry the diaper and throw it in with the wash at the end of the week. It's amazing!
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
I read this book last month at the cabin and it kind of changed my life. If you run AT ALL I can't imagine this book not doing the same for you. Fascinating, inspiring, amazing.
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
This nonfiction book was lent to me by a friend and I devoured it in about 3 days. Once I got over how embarrassed I was that I knew so little of the details of hurricane Katrina I was absolutely entranced. It was such a powerful story and I'm so glad I read it.
French Press Coffee
Ian and I have officially crossed over. After our tried and true Krups machine started making weird hissing noises and taking over 10 minutes to brew a half pot of coffee we decided it was time to make a switch. Having worked in a really good coffee shop in college we'd both gotten spoiled by the fresh amazing espresso and brew and it's been hard to find a good substiute at home. We both drink coffee black and grind our beans at home so the next natural step was roasting at home and a french press, right?
Well, the roasting is all Ian. A new coworker of his is quite the coffee aficionado and has introduced him to this "other side" of coffee making. I must say, the french press is definitely better than anything I've made in a conventional coffee maker. We got the $12 model from IKEA and have no complaints so far!
TJs cookies
Perhaps the thing I miss most during the summer months is the lack of slow roasting and baking. It's just too dang hot to have that oven on, period! But while I miss the process, I REALLY miss the product. It's been fun to have a seasonal excuse to peruse the store bought options out there. My current fave? TJs mini almond biscotti 2 (ok, maybe 3 or 4) of these and a cup of french press is my new naptime treat. Delicious.
Coffee Berry eye and lip balm by SKIN Organics
I've been on the search for a good eye cream lately that's not crazy expensive and mostly natural. I just wanted something kind of basic that would help with these lovely dark circles that motherhood has given me. I grabbed this stuff at whole foods a few months back and love it. I use it every night under my eyes and then swipe it across my lips. I love that it's multi purpose, smells great and leaves my eyes feeling refreshed and soft. Oh, and it's vegan, which I like too (in my products, not my diet :o).
Hmm, thisis fun. I have lots of things I've liked lately.
Teeny Tiny Tales by Sarah Hayes
This book is our latest library find and we're hooked. Louise, Ainlsye and I adore it equally, which is quite the feat these days. 5 cute short stories about 5 little woodland nymph friends. Love it.
Minnetonka Moccasins
I'm sure I've told you already but I LOVE these shoes. I look forward to buying the girls a new pair each summer for their fall slip on shoes. I know TOMS are big and I think they're adorable too, but a part of me is reluctant to buy into the trenc when I already face SO many wardrobe opinions and struggles with Ainsley. As long as she lets me put her in adorable well made minnesota mocassion leather? I'm going to do it. Oh, Louise too.
So many fun things lately.
Panzanella
I have been hankering after a good tomato and bread salad for ages and now that tomatoes are ripe and abundant I was eager to take the plunge. In quite a stroke of serendipity I came across an American's Test Kitchen featering their own "best" of this classic summer salad. I made it. We LOVED it. The girls helped me make it, it's that simple, and I ate the leftovers from dinner for dessert last night.
Babble Wine
This TJs 6.99 bottle is my new favorite, this was even BEFORE I read the description in the store that informed me it has "afternotes of bacon fat". Umm, YES!
iPlay Swim Diaper
This is my second year using one of these instead of the disposables and I continue to be in absolute love. Especially for a family like us who's either at a splash pad or pool or sprinkler most every day this is far and away a more economical way to go. I simply rinse and line dry the diaper and throw it in with the wash at the end of the week. It's amazing!
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
I read this book last month at the cabin and it kind of changed my life. If you run AT ALL I can't imagine this book not doing the same for you. Fascinating, inspiring, amazing.
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
This nonfiction book was lent to me by a friend and I devoured it in about 3 days. Once I got over how embarrassed I was that I knew so little of the details of hurricane Katrina I was absolutely entranced. It was such a powerful story and I'm so glad I read it.
French Press Coffee
Ian and I have officially crossed over. After our tried and true Krups machine started making weird hissing noises and taking over 10 minutes to brew a half pot of coffee we decided it was time to make a switch. Having worked in a really good coffee shop in college we'd both gotten spoiled by the fresh amazing espresso and brew and it's been hard to find a good substiute at home. We both drink coffee black and grind our beans at home so the next natural step was roasting at home and a french press, right?
Well, the roasting is all Ian. A new coworker of his is quite the coffee aficionado and has introduced him to this "other side" of coffee making. I must say, the french press is definitely better than anything I've made in a conventional coffee maker. We got the $12 model from IKEA and have no complaints so far!
TJs cookies
Perhaps the thing I miss most during the summer months is the lack of slow roasting and baking. It's just too dang hot to have that oven on, period! But while I miss the process, I REALLY miss the product. It's been fun to have a seasonal excuse to peruse the store bought options out there. My current fave? TJs mini almond biscotti 2 (ok, maybe 3 or 4) of these and a cup of french press is my new naptime treat. Delicious.
Coffee Berry eye and lip balm by SKIN Organics
I've been on the search for a good eye cream lately that's not crazy expensive and mostly natural. I just wanted something kind of basic that would help with these lovely dark circles that motherhood has given me. I grabbed this stuff at whole foods a few months back and love it. I use it every night under my eyes and then swipe it across my lips. I love that it's multi purpose, smells great and leaves my eyes feeling refreshed and soft. Oh, and it's vegan, which I like too (in my products, not my diet :o).
Hmm, thisis fun. I have lots of things I've liked lately.
Teeny Tiny Tales by Sarah Hayes
This book is our latest library find and we're hooked. Louise, Ainlsye and I adore it equally, which is quite the feat these days. 5 cute short stories about 5 little woodland nymph friends. Love it.
Minnetonka Moccasins
I'm sure I've told you already but I LOVE these shoes. I look forward to buying the girls a new pair each summer for their fall slip on shoes. I know TOMS are big and I think they're adorable too, but a part of me is reluctant to buy into the trenc when I already face SO many wardrobe opinions and struggles with Ainsley. As long as she lets me put her in adorable well made minnesota mocassion leather? I'm going to do it. Oh, Louise too.
I was even willing to let her go this year but she chose the "beautiful pretty brown" that's my girl!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
THE Find
Let me start by admitting wholeheartedly that my thrifting itch has gotten way out of control. This is not to say it's a bad thing, but when sale prices at Target look WAY TOO CRAZY EXPENSIVE you know you've crossed over to the other side.
Oh but the other side? it's good. It's filled with cheap dollar bin searching finding thrills, and all those empty handed trips are overwhelmingly made up for with the finds.
Today? I may have found THE find.
This particular find was found at a nice large moving sale. I'd seen an add in the local paper and figured any sale willing to spend money to advertise must have some goods, so we went. When I go to sales I am mostly looking for things for the girls and other little ones in our lives. Mint condition toys for gifts, good quality clothes and books. I of course keep my eyes out for nice household items and vintage linens, but these seem harder to come by. Oh but I'm getting away from myself. Back to the dolls.
A wonderful friend gave Ainsley two of these dolls about a year and a half ago. The dolls are the 8"
Madeline dolls, made by Eden. These dolls were only in production for a few years in the mid 90s and were then discontinued. Why? I have no clue. These dolls are adorable, SO well made and cute and a wonderful substitute for the more buxom barbie dolls. I was delighted with this gift and Ainsley plays with those two dolls and the clothes and accessories endlessly.
So when I walked into this sale and saw all five dolls (the two we own plus three I never knew existed) lined up neatly with stands sitting a top a tupperware box of clothes and accessories I honed in. I grabbed them immediately and searched for the seller to start negotiations. The seller went to get her daughter whose dolls they were "um, $5 for the clothes and a buck a doll?" I was all set with my $10 bill when the mom swooped in "oh no, you have to ask a bit more for those." Shoot! She knows what she has! Keep cool Becky, keep cool. "Ok, um $3 a doll? and $10 for the box? I only have a $20 and I was hoping to get those felt boards too...could I get them all for $20? "Sure! And we'll throw in the Madeline CD" Thanks, amazing! I'm so thrilled.
'
The girl went on to talk about her dolls. How she was so glad they were going to two new little girls. I nodded and smiled, happy too, and handed the loot off to Ian to hide them in the car before Ainsley saw them. Nothing like stocking up for Christmas in July!
But aside from the fact that these dolls are adorable and desirable to my girls and myself, they are really quite valuable. I had never looked up the worth of these dolls when we first got the two, but my friend kept reiterating "these are NICE. REALLY NICE. Take good care of them!" Turns out? ONE of these dolls, not mint, not in the box, is worth just under $100. We have the whole set of 5 and about 80% of the clothes and accessories that go with them. Ian about pooped his pants when I told him. He rushed out the door to go back and try and nab the last two dolls standing but of course they'd already found new homes.
Much to Ian's chagrin I reminded him that these dolls aren't for sale. These dolls are for Christmas morning for my two girls, for hours upon hours of imaginative play and delight. I simply cannot wait to see Ainsley's face, Louise's too. Now to find a spot in our house safe from both the girls AND Ian. Ahh, I love a good find.
Oh but the other side? it's good. It's filled with cheap dollar bin searching finding thrills, and all those empty handed trips are overwhelmingly made up for with the finds.
Today? I may have found THE find.
This particular find was found at a nice large moving sale. I'd seen an add in the local paper and figured any sale willing to spend money to advertise must have some goods, so we went. When I go to sales I am mostly looking for things for the girls and other little ones in our lives. Mint condition toys for gifts, good quality clothes and books. I of course keep my eyes out for nice household items and vintage linens, but these seem harder to come by. Oh but I'm getting away from myself. Back to the dolls.
A wonderful friend gave Ainsley two of these dolls about a year and a half ago. The dolls are the 8"
Madeline dolls, made by Eden. These dolls were only in production for a few years in the mid 90s and were then discontinued. Why? I have no clue. These dolls are adorable, SO well made and cute and a wonderful substitute for the more buxom barbie dolls. I was delighted with this gift and Ainsley plays with those two dolls and the clothes and accessories endlessly.
So when I walked into this sale and saw all five dolls (the two we own plus three I never knew existed) lined up neatly with stands sitting a top a tupperware box of clothes and accessories I honed in. I grabbed them immediately and searched for the seller to start negotiations. The seller went to get her daughter whose dolls they were "um, $5 for the clothes and a buck a doll?" I was all set with my $10 bill when the mom swooped in "oh no, you have to ask a bit more for those." Shoot! She knows what she has! Keep cool Becky, keep cool. "Ok, um $3 a doll? and $10 for the box? I only have a $20 and I was hoping to get those felt boards too...could I get them all for $20? "Sure! And we'll throw in the Madeline CD" Thanks, amazing! I'm so thrilled.
'
The girl went on to talk about her dolls. How she was so glad they were going to two new little girls. I nodded and smiled, happy too, and handed the loot off to Ian to hide them in the car before Ainsley saw them. Nothing like stocking up for Christmas in July!
But aside from the fact that these dolls are adorable and desirable to my girls and myself, they are really quite valuable. I had never looked up the worth of these dolls when we first got the two, but my friend kept reiterating "these are NICE. REALLY NICE. Take good care of them!" Turns out? ONE of these dolls, not mint, not in the box, is worth just under $100. We have the whole set of 5 and about 80% of the clothes and accessories that go with them. Ian about pooped his pants when I told him. He rushed out the door to go back and try and nab the last two dolls standing but of course they'd already found new homes.
Much to Ian's chagrin I reminded him that these dolls aren't for sale. These dolls are for Christmas morning for my two girls, for hours upon hours of imaginative play and delight. I simply cannot wait to see Ainsley's face, Louise's too. Now to find a spot in our house safe from both the girls AND Ian. Ahh, I love a good find.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Glad Bits
We just got back from a fun morning out at IKEA. Faced with another super hot day we got ready and decided to make the drive. I go about twice a year, to stock up on the few things that are really so good and cheap there (art paper and supplies, candles, kitchen odds and ends, and of course delicious swiss chocolate). We got there right when they opened and the girls had such a blast. This time we were also checking out bunk bed options (I KNOW!) Come this winter we hope to have our girls happily sharing a room and a bunk bed just seems the perfect motivation and space solution. They were pretty exhausted.
We ran around, played, purchased everything on our list (I didn't stray!) and made our way back inside for lunch. Ooh those meatballs. Worth the drive alone.
But now I'm exhausted. The girls appear to not be napping. The pool is closed because of a power outage. It's a solid 4.5 hours until Ian comes home AND tonight's a go back and sleep at work night for him. Oh boy.
So lets play the glad game again shall we? I'm SO glad I just restocked on amazing craft supplies and paper for super cheap.
I'm glad for air conditioning. Even if it's driving me BONKERS to be inside nearly every afternoon.
I'm glad for time to clean and reorganize (our basement has never looked so good).
I'm glad for all the excitement and motivation that I feel for new projects. Louise's birthday is just one month away! I best get cracking.
I'm so glad for my girls. They are getting so big and play together so well. I've even been told to leave sometimes while they're playing because "this is just for kids mom. I got this mom!" When did I become MOM? not mama? I guess I'm glad for that too.
But let's be real, I'm mostly really glad for that new french press I bought this morning and fresh home roasted coffee. It appears as though I'm going to need it.
We ran around, played, purchased everything on our list (I didn't stray!) and made our way back inside for lunch. Ooh those meatballs. Worth the drive alone.
But now I'm exhausted. The girls appear to not be napping. The pool is closed because of a power outage. It's a solid 4.5 hours until Ian comes home AND tonight's a go back and sleep at work night for him. Oh boy.
So lets play the glad game again shall we? I'm SO glad I just restocked on amazing craft supplies and paper for super cheap.
I'm glad for air conditioning. Even if it's driving me BONKERS to be inside nearly every afternoon.
I'm glad for time to clean and reorganize (our basement has never looked so good).
I'm glad for all the excitement and motivation that I feel for new projects. Louise's birthday is just one month away! I best get cracking.
I'm so glad for my girls. They are getting so big and play together so well. I've even been told to leave sometimes while they're playing because "this is just for kids mom. I got this mom!" When did I become MOM? not mama? I guess I'm glad for that too.
But let's be real, I'm mostly really glad for that new french press I bought this morning and fresh home roasted coffee. It appears as though I'm going to need it.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Meal Plan 7-23
Oye Vey. Last week I too a silent oath to photograph all of the food I made, you know, just to keep track and put some visuals with these posts. Well, this is as far as I got.
homemade pizza
fresh mozarella, basil and italian salami, and olive oil feta, spinach and black olives
zucchini pancakes with sour cream and bavarian sausages
At least I tried right?
To be truthful last week cooking was kind of rough. I'm kind of in a rut this summer with cooking. I'm really not a big griller, and it takes to long to get dinner on the table if I wait for Ian to get home to grill, but the other option is me standing over a hot stove in a sweltering kitchen. This lead to TWO take out nights for us last week (one was due to a time failure on my part, our chicken wild rice casserole was nowhere near done come 6pm). Still, it feels like a big old failure, so this week I set myself up for success with more realistic, flexible options.
Meals:
ring salad and fried chicken (Ian made his grandma's ring salad this weekend and we have TONS leftover)
chicken tikka masala with peas and basmati rice and garlic naan
homemade mac and cheese with peas and hot dogs
chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes (I know, two fried nights, but the cube steak was on sale! I HAD TO!!!)
spicy dr pepper pulled pork on homemade corn tortillas and a vegetable
TJs veggie stiry fry and pork potstickers
ooh, and as a special treat dessert I bought ingredients for a cream cheese berry pie :o)
I had to buy all of the meat this week as my freezer stock has been depleted and that coupled with two bottles of my new favorite wines from TJs brought the grand total up to $150, RIGHT on budget. No take out this week! We may be in for a creative weekend of cooking!
New Venture
Just last night Ian and I were discussing the whole opposites attract phenomenon. How most of the happy couples we know are so different, but work so well together. I chuckled a bit while we talked because clearly Ian and I fall into this happy but trying category. He says tomato and well, I say caprese salad!
That's not to say we don't rub off on each other, in fact I'm convinced that is why opposites work so well for each other. If it weren't for Ian I would never know how much I truly enjoy a little eastern european brass band every once in a while, or how somedays simply nothing can taste better than a trip to a good Indian buffet, or how when you're in a rut, finding a new hobby and immersing yourself completely is the ultimate and perfect cure.
While I may not get to eat Indian as much as I would like and simply can't stomach another Fanfare CD for at least a few more weeks thanks to our long road trip last month, I am surely right there with him, 4 feet deep immersed in my new obsession.
Of course I'm talking about sewing. AH! sewing. Recall this post? Well, 5+ months later I'm still right there, absolutely giddy with possibilities and delighted to the core. Sometimes I wax and wane with crafts. I'll think I've found my next big thing and it turns out to be fun for a moment but too much work to sustain. But this? hardly EVER feels like work. Even sewing for needs and gifts is actually more fun than just making things for fun. It's absolutely invigorating (can you tell?)
What re-lit the most recent fire was my latest sewing book purchase. Handmade Beginnings, by Anna Maria Horner is a book I've salivated over for months now. In addition to adorable baby toy and clothing patterns she even has a few cute and practical maternity options (you never know someday!). But the pattern that REALLY had me jonesing for a copy of my own was her quick change trousers.
These pants are absolute genius if you ask me. Not only are they ADORABLE (allowing 4 patterns to work together for ultimate cuteness?) they are extremely practical. They are 100% reversible and grow with your baby (or toddler). I will say I can REALLY tell I'm a sewer now because as much as I love the pattern I'm already making some tweaks and adjustments. The pattern only goes up to a 2T but they're BIG and I'm excited to rig up a pattern for Ainsley soon!
my first three pairs
Once I got going, it's been hard to stop. I've made some with particular little ones in mind and some because I was just too excited about all the cute pattern and fabric combinations!
Every single one of these pants were made with scraps and Ian's old work shirts. I love the juxtaposition of flannel and plaid with bright fabrics. That butt yoke is the perfect way to let my most favorite and precious fabrics shine.
Making ALL of these pants (6 pairs in all) at a time also allowed me to get into a real groove and find a system. I've learned that making at least two of everything I sew is the most economical use of my time, so why not try 6?
quick change trousers assembly line
This has all been leading me somewhere, and I'm still working out the destination. This is the first time that I've sewn for no one in particular, for the joy of it, for the sake of making something functional and beautiful. I'm excited to keep building up a bit of an inventory and see where that takes me. I'm not ready to make any great leaps just yet, but I feel on the verge of something pretty grand.
trousers and sundress for our friend Lily
It's so fun to be at a stage where I feel like I already have favorite go to patterns. Patterns that I'm comfortable enough with to make without instruction and even a bit of artistic licence. It's especially fun because I never in a million years saw myself as a sewer and now I can't imagine spending my precious free time any other way.
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