Current Craftings & Eatings

I realized that I am really bad at posting pictures of what I am sewing and what I have sewn. If you are friends with me on ravelry, then you will see lots of pictures of what I am crocheting. But I'm not putting it on the blog, because I am currently making lots and lots of Christmas gifts, and one of them might be for you! Anywho, I was sewing last night and thought I would take some pictures. My phone actually has a decent (for a phone) camera and that's what I use for ravelry pictures. Because I can take them and email them to myself and then just upload immediately. No cords necessary. So I'm doing that with sewing too!

Up first is a set of coasters and towels. This is for a couple who's colors are earthy.. the bridal shower is next Saturday. I may be making another set for a couple getting married in January. I really like how the color combo turned out. Oh and I'm using this tutorial.

And this??? well it is top secret... until after Christmas. but I will just leave you to wonder what I made and who it is for! :)

And if you wanted to know what we have been eating lately...

PW's Steak Bites (trying them out for a party... sooo good!)

Just learned to use the macro lens on my camera and I LOVE it!

Potato Bacon Chowder. Minor adjustments made to the original recipe, like I poured out some of the bacon grease before cooking the onions and celery in it. haha Great way to use up Milk (and potatoes!), but I'm sure it's terrible for us. Matt gave it two thumbs up!

NewlyWife

As some of you may already know, my cousin Emily and I are launching a new project called NewlyWife. There we will chronicle our experiences and interests, as well as creating a community, with topics ranging from cooking to budgeting and crafting to home decor. It's still a few months down the road, as it can take some time to put together. If you are interested on checking out the site, leave a comment with your email and we will add you to the launch list.

Thanks to her hubby for this great picture. Oh, and please excuse my horrible posture!

Flashback Saturday

So my friend Jessica, from the U of R, just sent me this picture circa 2005. It cracks me up. I am trying to figure out where it was. I know it was soph year, cuz that's when Laura and I did ballet (2nd semester). I still have that leotard, maybe not the shoes. I think the dorm is North, we were probably running around before class and showing off our sweet leotards. hahaha Why I only have one shoe on is beyond me. Mom - does this bring back any other flashbacks? Wanna scan and send me some old ballet pics (pretty please?)

Redlands Prebuild 6.20.2009

The week after our Bay Area prebuild, we had another build in Redlands. This one was much smaller (let's just say there were only 5 of us there at our 8 am starting time), but we got it done quickly. I really should have posted these about 5 months ago, but better late than never, right? Enjoy (oh yeah, and I'm too lazy to try and caption these) :)

Lauriana laughed at my cheer ribbons! haha

That's right, they love the A's chair!

Oakland Prebuild 6.13.2009

Back in June Matt & I led our first prebuild for Hands of Mercy. This was the first of 2 houses being built in honor of my grandpa, Papa. It was great to have the whole family together doing something for someone else. These houses are up at the Ranch in Mexico, they serve those who go out into the cities and serve others. Anywho, I already posted a bunch of pictures from our trip wandering around the City, but I hadn't posted prebuild pictures yet. So here are the few that I took!

Me & Linds doing the cut slips

Matt & Rick Carter doing layout Some Atwoods & Wests hammering the floor(?) together
Love this pic! Mike, Dan, & Josh (Warren in the background)

Lonnie making Matt take the lead (blue shirts?)
More family
2 aunts & a cousin!
2 cousins & an uncle (I love that Josh is just playing in the background)

Bella's Beanie

As some of you know, I became Twilight obsessed after reading the books last year. I finally saw the movie, once I bought it on dvd, and have re-read all the books! Although, will I see the next movie in theaters- I don't know. I guess I'm not that obsessed. Matt and I rarely see movies in the theater anymore, but maybe I can get a group of girls to go! Anywho, I've been trying to recreate Bella's beanie, from the movie. I found this pattern, but had to totally recreate it. I thought I would post my pattern here, so I can link to it on my Ravelry account. :)



Pattern (original by april draven, I have edited a bunch of stuff)

This is for standard yarn. No idea what that is called. but not the thick stuff - that's a whole nother pattern!

Hook size: H/8-5.00MM (I am going to try using an I next, to see if it works better)

Abbreviation meanings:
Rnd: round
Ch: chain
Dc: double crochet
Fpdc: Front post double crochet
Bpdc: Back post double crochet
Ss: slip stitch
Fpsc: Front Post single crochet
FO: Fasten off

Ch 1 or use magic circle, Ch 2
Rnd 1: 12 dc in ring, join with 1 ss, (ch 2 doesn’t count as a dc) (12)
Rnd 2: ch 2, * 2 fpdc around next dc, 2 dc in next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (24)
Rnd 3: ch 2, * 2 fpdc, 1 dc, 2 dc in next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (30)
Rnd 4: ch 2, * 2 fpdc, 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (36)
Rnd 5: ch 2, *2 fpdc, 3 dc, 2 dc around next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (42)
Rnd 6: ch 2, *2 fpdc, 4 dc, 2dc in next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (48)
Rnd 7: ch 2, *2 fpdc, 5 dc, 2dc in next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (54)
Rnd 8: ch 2, *2 fpdc, 6 bpdc, 2bpdc in next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (60)
Rnd 9: ch 2, *2 fpdc, 7 dc, 2dc in next dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (66)
Rnd 10 - 15: ch 2, *2fpdc, 9 dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (66)
Rnd 16: ch 2, * 2fpdc, 9bpdc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (66)
Rnd 17-22: ch 2, *2 fpdc, 9 dc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (66)"Cambria","serif";">Rnd 23: ch 2, * 2fpdc, 9 bpdc* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss (66)
Rnd 24: ch 1, *2fpsc, 9 ss* rep from * to * around, join with 1 ss, FO (66)

Lastly, a picture of me in the first beanie that I made!

Halvsies in a Tree

This post is like a month old. But I was waiting for that post about who Halvsies was. And now, he hasn't appeared. Sue (owner of his Mom, Belle) says he was probably stolen. They had 2 cute grey tabbys stolen when they were in Redlands. :( Anywho, we are going to get 2 kittens from her in a couple months (let's just say Belle didn't waste any time!) haha They will be kept under a much closer watch! We are sad, really sad, but need to let life go on. :(

Aywho, this is the old post, but it's funny. Can you see where our little kitten is?? The big problem was that he did not learn how to climb down from the trees. So our poor little kitten would be stuck in the trees, meowing (okay, whining) for us to come and get him. He disappeared for awhile during Brooke & Bryan's engagement party. I finally found him here. Can you see him?

Thankfully his daddy found him and he was able to go into the party where everyone adored him!

M & M

I'm only doing this for you, Jess. Someday I will pay you back, too! hahahaha

♥ What are your middle names?

Elise & Michael

♥How long have you been together?

Since September 5, 2006 (so that means we have 5 days on you guys, Jess)

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?

Since March 2005

♥ Who asked who out?

Well I don't know if there was ever an official asking. But I let him know we were dating by any other name, and he finally made it "official" by changing my name in his phone - something like my beautiful girlfriend

♥ Who made the first move?

Me. I put my number in his phone. Sneaky girl.

♥ How old are each of you?

me-22

him-27 in Nov

♥ Did you go to the same school?

Yes, Lindsey and I also went to ACA. haha no we didn't.

♥ Are you from the same home town?

Nope. I'm a Nor Cal girl and he's always lived in some city off the 10 freeway

♥ Who is the smartest?

That's not a nice question! haha I think we are both smart in different areas. But Matt will readily admit that he is not the math person!

♥ Who majored in what?

Me- Psychology

Matt - Graphic Design

♥ Who is the most sensitive?

Depends. I am more moody / emotional. But I think he's more sensitive (shh don't tell any guys)

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?

In N Out!

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?

Mexico. We're going to Canada with his fam in May, then Fiji (maybe) with mine in Oct. 2010 wil be fun!

♥ Who has the worst temper?

Depends on the day. haha

♥ How many children do you want?

3. or 2. or 4. hahaha

♥ Who does the cooking?

I do most of it. He does some tho.

♥ Who is more social?

I'm the social butterfly!

♥ Who is the neat-freak?

Our parents?

♥ Who is the most stubborn?

Me, probably me. Well, Matt has his moments too

♥ Who wakes up earlier?

Definitely Metthew

♥ Where was your first date?

I can't remember. I don't know if we had one. But if there was one it probably included in n out!

♥ Who has the bigger family?

Matthew as far as close family, I think I have a bigger extended family. It's more tight knit, at least.

♥ Do you get flowers often?

Nope

♥ How do you spend the holidays?

Switches every year. This year we will be here for Thanksgiving and in Nor Cal for Christmas

♥ Who is more jealous?

We try not to be jealous. It's not a good thing

♥ How long did it take to get serious?

Well Matt says he knew we were going to get married within a month of meeting me. It took me a few years to figure it out! haha But once we were officially dating - we knew

♥ Who eats more?

Metthew has a hollow leg. Or 2. haha

♥ What do you do for a living?

I'm an estimating assisant, right now. And he's a painter / graphic designer / construction worker.

♥ Who does the laundry?

We both do :)

♥ Who’s better with the computer?

He's a bit better.

♥ Who drives when you are together?

Him. Unless he's sick or tired.

♥ What is "your" song?

I don't think we have one!

I tag.... Bobbi, Leslie (you have to get started on these now that you are engaged!), Krista, & Jessica F

The Half Blood Prince

We have a new addition to our family, a little grey tabby from Mexico. The Half Blood Prince (because he's half Mexican and half American) joined our family in August. He came from our missionary friends in Mexico and made the trip North with his brother Griffin in the Fortuna excursion. We call him Halvsies for short (and Matt won't use the name Half Blood Prince because he doesn't like it haha). I was waiting to do this post until all of the pictures were together, but I can't wait anymore. This is partially a sad post because our beloved kitten has been missing since last Saturday. We are trying to tell ourselves that he is just wandering, but we think a neighbor may have stolen him. Sue (the missionary) says that males tend to wander, especially if they aren't fixed yet. We figured at 4 months he was too young to be fixed, and had not gotten that done yet. Matt made posters and we have been putting them up around the neighborhood. But it almost feels like a lost cause. I miss our little kitten so dearly, I never thought I would have gotten so attached. I am afraid we need to just give up and pray that he is with a nice family, but another part of me does not want to give up hope. Sue said that Belle (his Mama) is pregnant again, so we can have a kitten from her next litter. Matt said this is only going to happen if it's another male with white paws, just like our little baby. That being said. Here are some pictures of our wonderful kitten.

This is actually a picture of the toys I made him. He wasn't old enough to use the catnip ones yet!

I can't rotate this, but here he is only a few days after coming to our house

Sleeping in the bed that I made him. He did outgrow his little basket really fast though!

Playing outside while Matthew was watching

You need to stand on your head to see this in the right way. But here's a pic of me and our kitty

And another one

We caught him climbing on the outside of the screen door. He wanted in, because he loved people that much!

Killing his first lizard (he killed at least 3 more and numerous flies & crickets)

Typing messages to people on facebook

Biting Mommy's fingers

There are more pictures, but they are on my other computer. And I believe there are a few videos of him. More to come later!

Crusing on the I-5

I love visiting my parents and the Bay area. There is just something wonderful about cool weather and time with family that cannot be beat. The one major drawback is the 6 hour drive that it takes to get there. The last time we went, Kev & Linds joined us in the Avalon, which made the ride much better. I thought I would share this picture of the sunset with you. Ah, the sun setting over the 5, what a glorious sight! (my mom will make a comment about how I said the 5 and now just 5. trust me, it's a NorCal - SoCal thing!)

This is what I usually look like when I'm stuck behind the wheel. Paying attention to the road, but totally bored.

But the Starbucks does help! A treat that we usually save for these trips. And this was purchased with a bday giftcard from Joy. Thanks Joy! (actually I think it might have been Christmas... meaning it sat in our eating out envelope for 6 months!)

Hope you all enjoyed the little glimpse of our ride. And yes, that is my College World Series t-shirt that I'm sporting, go SeaOtters [Lions]!