Too busy. . .

Whew been to busy to post.

First of all, I was sewing right along on a fast and easy jacket, when all the sudden my machine came to a screeching halt. Had gotten thread all up in the bobbin case. I got it all cleared out and still wasn't working. Then I changed needles and all kinds of things, and it still wasn't working. That was a week ago on Tuesday. I worked on it all day on Wednesday and still couldn't get it to work. Ended up going with Amber to Spangles with one of her friends, and then went to a yogurt bar. We have a ton of self serve yogurt bars around here. That was my first time at one. It was really fun, and yummy! Had pumpkin pie, blueberry muffin, english toffee, tarro, and red velvet cake flavored yogurt myself, and every one was yummy! Then I called the man I bought the sewing machine from on Thursday and he talked me through a few things and it still was acting weird. So he said I would need to bring it in, but I just didn't think we had the gas to take it that far. It's two hours each way! So I decided to pack it with us to the black Friday sales.

Vince's parents sent us some money to get the girls a new TV from the black Friday sales. We started at Walmart at 8pm. Got Lela a TV, and myself a lap top, whew that helped since Lela broke mine a few weeks ago. So now I can finally get email again. Then came home went to bed, and got up bright and early and went to Joann's, got a ton of flannel and some fleece. Lots of night gowns in my future. Then I went to our local fabric store and bought some knit from her. She only really sells knits, and her's are cheaper and so much better then what the chains sell. And I got my free gift for shopping locally as well. I had them look at my machine but they couldn't figure it out either. So they sent me to a local sewing machine shop. Which I am really happy they did cause I had been wondering which shop would be good, as my grandma never did find a "good" sewing machine shop. Any way the man, Lynn, looked at it and figured out I didn't have the new needle in tight enough. Odd since it wasn't working before I changed needles as well. But, oh well it's fixed now! Then I put a used bernina on Lay away. I just couldn't resist. I had been wanting a bernina as well. Wish I had been to that shop in the first place! Oh well, every one loves the machine I have as well and always goes on and on about what a good machine it is. Now all I want is a Elna so I can have some decorative stitches and I'll be set with the machines I want thus far. Came home and went out to eat with Nick and Megan. 

Saturday started out horrible, I had a awful head ache, I had to take pain medication and a hot bath to just make it tolerable, I was in so much pain I was nauseated. By, mid afternoon I was tired, but drug myself with every one else to see the new Muppet movie. I am glad I did. It was hilarious, sweet and clean, every one loved it. We also met Darla's little cousin's, Ella, Marshal and another little boy I can't remember's name there, and their mother. Then we came home and we had a anniversary party for Nick and Megan, grandma and grandpa came out to celebrate with us. And we had at least 10 cakes! haha Of course the one Grandma Delores made still tasted the best! Had sparking apple cider, and used Eldon's grandma's glasses to serve it in. They are probably at least a 100 years old and really pretty. Eldon's grandma, who they called Mamma Dunn, was 105 when she died and I was only about 6 or 7 years old at the time. So over 30 years ago....so I'm sure the glasses are well over 100 years old really.

Sunday started out great, I zipped through finishing my jacket, made a mock turtleneck and a skirt in just those couple of days. Then we went upstairs to eat dinner with the family Sunday evening and after dinner the Rat Terrier attacked Belle, and bit her in the face! Without any provocation at all. Thankfully both Darla and my dad were home. They used plastic surgery liquid stitches and put her face back together, and Monday she went in and had a tetanus shot. But, today it was looking infected so she had to go on a antibiotic as well. UHG! We are praying the poor baby heals soon and well. It was so scary, when I heard the dog and Belle and couldn't see what was happening it made my heart stop and I was scared to death of what I would see or that the dog was going to kill her. Thankfully it's just two small bites, but still is so scary and AWFUL! The dog went to the humane society where hopefully they can find a good home for it that the people can handle her better. Our family was not a good fit for her. Vince and I just can't stand that this happened to her. 

While I was at the sewing machine shop on Friday Lynn said that the foot I had on there wasn't good for sewing. So I went back yesterday, because I was in the neighborhood for a eye exam, again my old local eye doctor, I just love. The one I had in NYC was rude and yelled and screamed at me the whole time that I wasn't making choices (1 or 2) fast enough and then wanted me to buy 400 dollar glasses, which I never did cause I was afraid with all the screaming and rushing me through I wasn't picking the right choices, and would have the wrong prescription in the end! Now I will finally have new glasses, and for a fraction of what I was going to pay in NYC, and nicer frames to boot. So went back to the sewing machine store, where I met Don, and got a different foot and also picked up a Jersey Knit needle, I wonder now though if I should of gotten the stretch needle. Hmmm. I think I will go back on Thursday and buy some stretch needles as well. They were 25 percent off. So now would be a good time to pick them up. I also went back to Needle Nook causes I wanted to give her business first for needles and machine feet but she doesn't sell them. However, she is still having black Friday sale's so I couldn't resist and bought more fabric! lol I am going to have a NICE meeting and casual wardrobe for pennies! I can't wait to finish my first suit. However, with what I stitched up on Saturday and Sunday I need to retrace the patterns smaller sizes. I made the outfit too big. But, it was mainly with fabric I got at Walmart for 20 cents a yard so not a big deal! I did make the shirt though with a knit from Needle Nook. While it's VERY soft and comfy, it also stretches a lot. I don't think I will make outerwear with that kind of knit again. I will make a slip with it though, and maybe a nightgown. Hmmm, should of bought more today for a slip. Hmmm, that's ok I will buy more on Thursday as I'm going back then any way. That will make a really warm slip! Even though I bought flannel for that too! haha Will be a good layering piece no matter how you dice it.  But, from now on my outerwear I will be sure to choose fabrics with more body, so it doesn't stretch out so easily. Belle had a lot of fun at Needle Nook too, she loves playing with all their Melissa and Doug toys, and eating popcorn. I just love local stores I must say again, they are so nice to the kids and have it set up so well for them.

After all that we went to dinner at Ah-So, and had some wonderful Korean food. And of course again, have I said it enough, I love mom and pop local businesses, she remembered us and was so sweet to us. Actually gave Lela and Belle's meals to us for free. We were going to have them eat off our plates, and she brought out their own plates put them on the table and said for the babies. Lela ate ALL her's, and Belle was mighty happy with hers as well. Her son was visiting as well, which coincidentally had moved to Queens the same time I did and moved back here the same time as me. How ironic! I've been eating there since I was Belle's age, and love being able to take the kids to the same places, with the same people I grew up with. 

Then we went to my mom's house to show her Belle, and my uncle Doug came over to see us too. They all felt so badly for Belle too. It was so sad. But, thankfully it's looking a lot better then it did! But, still just hate that this happened to her. Poor baby was already afraid of animals and now it's going to be even worse. Hopefully things will get better soon, and she will not remember much of this. 

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .beautifully perfect weather days.

I am thinking. . .I can't wait to get all my sewing projects done! So excited!

I am thankful for. . .my beautiful children.

I am remembering. . .Sunday night.

I am hoping. . .Belle's face will heal safely and not be too scarred.

I am creating. . .Skirts, and blouses.

On my mind. . .Belle. . .

Noticing that. . .I'm addicted to fabric!

From the kitchen. . .split pea and ham soup.

One of my favorite things. . .locally owned shops.

What I am reading. . .sewing message boards.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . . 

Sick, Time for Soup

Belle got the stomach bug again yesterday. UHG. We had to miss meeting cause she started vomiting at 4 pm and didn't stop till well into the wee hours of the morning. Vince and I were tag teaming giving her bath after bath. Thankfully so far none of the rest of us have gotten it yet. And now we have clean sheets and clean blankets on the bed. lol Not to mention we had only had the ones she vomited on for a day. It's a good thing I am making new night gowns as well as I went through those quickly during all that! At least she had a lot of PJ's and Darla gave her a few more when she started running out at the end of the night. I usually go and get her pedialite but none of us felt like going to the store last night so we gave her EmergenC and it worked great. It is full of electrolytes as well. I think part of her problem was gas cause after she drink some EmergenC she let out a HUGE burp and then has not had any problems since. Today she's eating pizza, and cookies, and drinking milk again and has been better all day with exception to a runny nose. It also got right down frigid last night! And the warmest blanket was in the washer from one of the vomiting incidents. UHG. At least we got it back on tonight. Whew. We even had snow today!

RJ is still doing great nursing as well. I am so proud of him.

Monday I made cabbage, bean, and ham soup for the first time. My mom used to make it often but I have never made it. It must of been a hit as it was completely gobbled up. Lela asked for seconds! So that's for sure going down as a do again! I'm working on doing at least one soup a week and testing and seeing what the family likes so we can keep it in rotation and what they don't like so much. This was a winner, and almost free to make! And for 50 cents I added corn bread as a side. So very very cost effective. Was able to feed the WHOLE family of almost 20 for less then 10 dollars!

Looking in the kitchen tonight, I decided to ask Vince to bring in my wire racks I think I can get them in the corner with the dinette. It will help organize more of the non-perishables a lot I think.

So far I haven't made any money at all with the Ad-Sense, I'm hoping to make at least a little bit. Hmph! Oh well.

Outside my window. . .my favorite time of year, crisp autumn days.

I am thinking. . .I would like to get more time in service soon.

I am thankful for. . .A helpful husband.

I am remembering. . .how fun sewing is.

I am hoping. . .Belle's stomach bug subsides tomorrow.

I am creating. . .hoping a healthy baby boy.

On my mind. . .teaching our children to be servants of God.

Noticing that. . .that Belle and Lela are getting so big!

From the kitchen. . .home made pizza, and no bake cookies.

One of my favorite things. . .nursing a new baby.

What I am reading. . .LLL message board.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . . 

Grandma Oveela and Belle

Gown

I'm almost done with another flannel nursing night gown. But, when I got to the sleeves I didn't like the lace I had picked out for it, so hurried myself over to Needle Nook Fabrics, and bought some smaller lace. I also bought some sweater knit off the remnant table to try to make a ultimate mother cover. I thought I would make a turtle neck, but now I'm thinking I may go back to Anne after I trace out the pattern and ask her to help me make a shawl neck line instead cause she told me a while back she would help me do that. It's a really fluffy soft fabric, Anne really likes it and said it will make a really really comfortable and warm sweater and that I would like it a lot. I wish she had more fabric like it, it seems so cuddly. She also said it was easy to sew. My kind of fabric! haha I also meant to buy some local honey comb lotion from Anne, for a 5 dollar or less gift exchange I have coming up in a few months, but completely forgot! Uhg, I guess I will have to try to remember when I go back to have Anne help me with the shawl collar.

Then we went to Aldi's and bought some food stuff, and a pumpkin pie. I baked it and wish it would cool faster, I want a slice! haha I also got a ham, that should last us for several meals, I plan on making soup at least twice with it, and having some sandwiches as well. I also got more seasonal creamer at Walmart, the pumpkin pie spice and the peppermint. They were out of the pumpkin pie spice creamer at Aldi's but I want to try it since it's like half the price, same with the peppermint creamer. Oh well. I can't wait to have a yummy cup of my Dunkin Donut's coffee with the seasonal creamer and a slice of pumpkin pie!

After that Vince said he wanted to Chinese food, so we went to a buffet that is always on commercials here but we never go to. I went there years and years ago, way over a decade ago just not recently. But, they have a VERY funny commercial. It's red necks, and just hilarious considering it's a chinese buffet ran by Chinese people! Any way, getting to the point, I was so glad we went there. Ming's has been my family's favorite Mandarin restaurant since I was a baby. But, Grandma Ming died some years back, and sadly so did a lot of the recipes. I got used to the new chef's eggrolls, and rice, (which were pitiful compared to Grandma's!) but then when I moved back here and I went with my dad we were both VERY disappointed when they got yet another new chef that changed our very favorite main dish. It was called sweet and sour chicken.  However, it was much different then any other sweet and sour chicken from other "Chinese" restaurants, it was NOT the traditional red sauce, but rather a orange colored sauce with a citrus flavor and chunks of pineapple in it. It was not very sweet like the red sauce that is at most chinese restaurants, but more "fruity" then sugar sweet. Any way, so sad that the new chef at Ming's changed to that traditional red sauce you can get EVERY where! So I just hadn't gone back and had started just eating more Korean food from Ah-So. Even though she had stopped making my favorite dish as well, she said the lollipop chicken was getting too hard for her to make with her arthritis hands, but was so shocked I was old enough to have kids. lol Funny, her and Mike Ming always seem to remember me no matter how long it's been since I've been in. That's what I love about family restaurants. But, any way back to the point, the buffet had Grandma Ming's sweet and sour chicken! They called it "Orange" chicken though. I can't believe, I haven't ever found that "sauce" any where else, oh I've had a lot of sweet sauces at Chinese restaurants, sesame, general tso's etc etc. But, never have found Ming's sauce ever any where else. I was so shocked but so happy! They also had a lot of other good foods as well. So I guess it's our new place now. Plus it was cheaper then most the others around here by about 4 dollars a person, which is pretty big. So yup found our new place. Funny thing to be happy about I know. But, I limit myself to how often I have that kind of chicken, and I had been mourning the loss of grandma and all her recipes, and then the extra kick of her chicken being gone too. UHG. I still miss her eggrolls though, never have found any seasoned exactly like hers, hers were perfect. Awe well! I got my chicken back and am very happy! lol haha

Back to the machine. . .

I've started working on making more nursing night gowns, so far I'm pretty happy with how this one is coming along. I'm hoping to make a few more soon. Along with a few wrap carriers for RJ. Right now on the sewing table is two gowns though, and next I'm going to trace and give a shot at making a faux turtleneck. I have plenty of 20 cents a yard walmart knit to practice with! haha

Have my LLL meeting tonight, looking forward to getting out of the house a bit for that. I finally figured out how to make the no bake cookies with less sugar, just cook them a extra 30 seconds and I get the same texture as full sugar ones! Whoo hoo!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .dreary and rainy.

I am thinking. . .dinner was really good tonight.

I am thankful for. . .all my friends, and especially the support I get at LLL meetings.

I am remembering. . .my sister in law and brother and can't wait for them to have their first baby.

I am hoping. . .that Vince gets a better paying job some day soon.

I am creating. . .another nursing night gown, I also want to make some turtle necks too soon though.

On my mind. . .cleaning my sewing area, so I can get to work.

Noticing that. . .my energy is back up to almost normal. This next year will be fun!

From the kitchen. . .home made potato soup. mmmm it was delicious! I need to take a photo.

One of my favorite things. . .my cutco knives. boy did they make, making dinner so much easier and faster. LOVE them!

What I am reading. . .LLL message boards.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . . 

Little Lela-Newburge Assembly Hall

EARTHQUAKE! ! !

The other night I felt a the earth move, under my bed! I thought I must of drink too much coffee. Since I haven't had coffee since being pregnant with Raphael. But, the grocery store had pumpkin spice creamer out in the dairy, and I just had to try it. It was awesome! I drink a ton of coffee that day feeding my pumpkin spice addiction. So I thought oh my goodness, I'm having a stroke! I better lay off the coffee. Then a few minutes later two of my friends posted on facebook that we had just had a earthquake. It was supposedly a 5.2. WOW. Then again tonight we had another small one, but I was bathing Raphael and trying to feed him at the same time and didn't notice it. However Caleb did, and yelled to ask me if I felt it. Nope......not this time. UHG!

Lela also knocked my laptop off the table that day on accident. Ever since it has not been working right. I can't get my email at all. And most of my programs no longer work. I'm barely able to even get online. Hoping we can get a new desk top for Vince and then I may inherit his laptop. I don't know yet though, we'll see. To be quite honest I'm shocked with all the kids around us all the time that this is the first pc to bite the dust due to one of them.

Been trying to get caught up on laundry, almost there for what's in the house........then there is bags in the barn that really need to get gone through and done too. *sigh* It seems to never end.

I'm trying to save some money and make soup at least once a week. Last week we had chicken noodle soup, the week before that we had chili. This week we are having steak house potato soup, and next week white bean, ham and cabbage soup is on the menu. One of my friends though just today posted a picture of chicken enchilada soup, that is for sure going on the menu! If I don't get the ham in time next week, that may be exactly what we will be having since I have every thing for it in the house already! His pictures of his food look amazing too! I can't believe how great they look. I wish I could photograph my food as well as he does. grrr.

Well as you may or may not of noticed, I have added Ad Sense to my blog. I hope it is not too bothersome to any one, but I really need a little extra dough. This could maybe help me get some fabric money for clothes and sewing and such. Hopefully it will work out for me. Sorry if any one gets upset about it. We'll just try it out and see how it goes, if it is too annoying I will probably end up removing it. But, hopefully it won't be too bad and I will actually get some money out of the deal, who knows.

Chilly weather has came. . .

I've been making no bake peanut butter cookies a lot lately trying to figure out how little sugar I can use and still make them. I tried to quarter the amount and while it was sweet enough the texture wasn't right. So tonight I am trying it with half.......still isn't really as firm as I would like I don't think....hmmm will see how they are by morning.

Poor Vince keeps hurting himself, burned his arm the other night, and then last night he broke a toe by dropping a drawer on it, and tonight he burned his arm again! UHG!

Made Chicken Noodle soup and brown and serve rolls tonight, mmmm it was good. We had a cold front come in so it was extra good on a chilly evening. Plus Lela has been begging for chicken noodle soup forever now. Next week I am going to try to make steak house potato soup, I've made it before but not for as many people as I will next week.

It's so chilly I think I'm going to buy some fleece next week and make a really really warm moby wrap for RJ. Will probably make a second one for my niece or nephew that is due in May. I'm thinking charcoal fleece with a asian brocade pocket. hmmmm. . .

Oh and Quick Trip got their pumpkin cappuccino in, mmm it was really good half pumpkin and half toffee flavored.

We also have a new Yoder Meats that was supposed to open today, but I forgot to go and check it out. Hoping to go there soon. We are hoping that they are selling the haulless Amish popcorn, we really really like it.