Pie, Picnic, Playground

Growing up my Memere was always cooking. She watched Julia Child and Jacques Pepin. She thought she was in heaven when the Food Network was added to the cable channels. She was somewhat of a foodie and taught me most of what I know about cooking. She also taught me how to improvise when things didn't go quite according to plan in the kitchen. That last one came in handy when I made an apple pie last Sunday.

A few things didn't go along with my plans. First, Papa Bear put the butter back in the fridge that I took out to make the crust. I improvised by using shortening instead. Then I peeled all of the apples by hand, when I remembered while peeling the last one that my Mother-in-Law bought me an apple peeler that works great. Finally, the crust wasn't browning like it should (since I used shortening instead of butter) so I turned the broiler on to brown it up a bit. I got sidetracked with dinner and burnt half of it. Despite all these silly things the not burned half was delicious.

This week I started putting together some baby booties. They were supposed to be finished for yesterday so that my Mom-in-Law could sell them at the local Chili Chowder Fest. I got them all ready Thursday night to sew on Friday. Friday was very busy and I didn't have the time to finish them. I'm considering listing them on etsy when I finish them. Well the ones I don't keep for Little Sister Bear that is.

Speaking of Little Sister Bear, she's got to have the most amazing eyes ever and be the messiest eater I've seen yet. She's so independent when it comes to eating and insists on feeding herself. She has quite a personality and is such a happy baby.

Yesterday the Nicey Jane picnic blanket got some more action. We took the kids to a local park, had our picnic and then went to the playground. Big Sister Bear and Nephew Bear had a wicked good time, especially on the slides. Little Sister Bear had her first playground swing experience.

I can't even describe how fulfilled I feel just watching the cubs running, playing and exploring. A feeling of being completely content as they roam freely and happily, knowing their imaginations are bursting with possibility.

I've got a few things in the wings waiting to be done so hopefully I'll be posting a bit more often in the near future. Until then...hakuna matata.

Sunday Stash on a Tuesday

As you might have guessed I missed posting my Sunday Stash on Sunday this week. I was very busy this weekend and come Sunday night I was just too tired.

Saturday night we had some good friends over for dinner. I made a delicious feast of mussels (steamed in Sam Adams Summer Ale), avocado chicken burgers, couscous and salad. After dinner I had my first martini and it was amazing. Our guests brought some very tasty brownies that went well with our cocktails. I love cooking for people and having dinner parties. I find it very gratifying.

Sunday we went to a baby shower for a friend of mine who I've known since high school. The blanket and booties that I made were well received. I hope the baby who is expected sometime next month likes them as much as I do.

the coloring is off a little due to the position of the sun

reversible booties

Finally, here is the original reason for this post, this weeks Sunday Stash. This week I've posted my Christmas stash. Now I know it's not even September but, I'm starting a few projects for the holidays early for two reasons: 1. I don't want to leave them to the last minute and be stressed out about it...and... 2. I'm going to need to spread out my projects in order to work on the wedding quilt and other projects simultaneously.

Last but not least...a few totally unrelated but super cute pictures of Little Sister Bear.

Sunday Stash and a Monster

I've recently joined the Sunday Stash flickr group. I'm always browsing around on flickr looking for inspiration and drooling over all the lovely fabrics. So I figured why not share some of my stash too? Who knows, maybe someone will end up drooling over something in my stash. I discovered the group browsing around on sewing blogs.

In preparation I've been organizing my stash. Although, my first post was on a Thursday, I'm going to make this into a regimen for me and try to post every Sunday from now on. We'll see how many I can do in a row. This Sunday, the 1st, will be week #1 of the challenge.

Nicey Jane and Amy Butler

A little update since my last post. The new Mommy loved the baby booties so much she's asked if I would make her more! And she adored the fabric since her family used to run a cider mill. I'm heading to Jo Ann's for some more elastic and some fleece this weekend. I'm hoping to get cracking on the booties and Papa Bear's camera bag soon.

This weekend also brings a 1st birthday. Our friends' daughter is turning 1 and she's having a party Saturday. I made her a cuddly monster plushie. The design was my own and I just adore it. She's the perfect size for snuggling. I love her dangly arms and legs which are ideal for carrying her around. When Big Sister Bear saw the little monster she exclaimed, "WOOBY!", and put her arms out for it. Introducing my little monster:

Listmania

Things can get pretty crazy around the bear den. With 2 cubs under 2 there can be many distractions each day. Therefore, I do whatever I can to stay organized. I am a list maker. I make lists almost everyday and for almost everything. So in order to stay on course with my sewing projects, true to form, I made a list.

Project List:

• mini quilt
• Christmas stockings for all residents of the Bear Den
• 2 dresses for each of the cubs
• a Clever Little Cape for my clever little Nephew Bear
• camera bag for Papa Bear
• crayon organizer
• make-up brush holder
• king size wedding quilt
• baby shower gift
• baby booties
• sewing machine cover

Due to my recent fabric binge I am self imposing a fabric purchasing ban until my list is finished. This is with the exception of purchases for the wedding quilt since it requires a lot more fabric.

This weekend brought a visit from Nana and Grand Paul on Saturday. Nana had some fun dressing Little Sister Bear up as a little biker baby. Then on Sunday we had a visit from Memere and Grand Bill. Memere brought us some delicious sweet corn from the Ocean State and some squash from her garden.

We also did some visiting this weekend. We went to go meet a sweet new baby girl that was born to good friends that met through Papa Bear and I. I sewed up these baby booties for her.

I found this pattern and the tutorial was very easy to follow. They are the perfect size for newborns and they stay on those constantly wiggling little footsies. I also love that they are reversible. I can't wait to up-size the pattern and make some for Little Sister Bear. Papa Bear laughed at me when I told him I wanted to make her a pair for everyday of the week.