A Name for the Nursery.

   

I have been CRAZY busy with projects here. Too busy to sit and type up posts and some things I have been making are gifts and I can't share until the gifts have been given. So, here is a quick recap of a 10 month/10 minute project.

I took 10 months to get around to the project and then it only took me 10 minutes.

For each of my children I have purchased and decorated wooden letters spelling out their name. For my boys I had this done before they even arrived. For Miss Faye I'm just getting around to it. First, we took FOREVER picking her name out while I was pregnant. Then, she choose to come 3 weeks early...and well, 10 months and 10 minutes later.......

  Instead of painting the letters like I did for the boys, I used scrapbook paper and mod podge for Miss Faye's name. I pulled the main colors from her room and did each letter a different color. I also made a point to choose different "textures" to supply some visual interest.

Except for the spacing being off (too much space between the A and the Y), I love it!

The Harper Reversible Dress

I really have a thing for Sew Sweet Patterns. They have so many cute patterns out there! I made The Harper Reversible Dress and not only is it cute but it was super easy to make as well. I found this fabric at Jo Anne Fabrics (I really need to start paying attention to the designers for the fabrics). It is a soft cream background with the blue birds and yellow and blue flowers. I am just loving bird fabrics lately.

I love the pleats at the top, and then the classic A-Line silhouette is just perfect for a little girl. The sizing was perfect for this dress though. I was a bit upset that the directions said to get 1/2 yard of each fabric and that was not enough. When I went to cut out the pattern, the fabric was a good 3 inches too short and I needed to make another trip to the fabric store.

 

     

 For the reverse side I found a subtle yellow tone plaid.

 The best part....the model! It is soooo hard to get a clear shot of her. She is a mover and a shaker and this was the best I could do.

 And the back.

The Sabrina Dress

Here is the Sabrina Dress from Sew Sweet Patterns I love the material that I picked for the dress but I'm not completely satisfied with the fit. I made the 6 to 9 month size (Miss Faye was 9 months in these pictures) and it is HUGE on her (around, not in length). Usually, she is true to size...she is right below the 50th %. I love the dress though, so I will make it again with some alterations to the pattern first. I like how there is a button and loop in the back...I think I will just add another one to stop the gaping. I also like how the bodice is lined. I also like that I will just be able to add another "tier" to the skirt to make it longer. She will be able to wear this dress for a good couple of years (without having to make another one).

  

Here she is standing up. You can see how HUGE it is. The neck is just way too big and the dress falls off one shoulder all the time.  I may be able to add a pleat in the front to help with that. Maybe take the sides in a couple of inches as well. I followed the pattern exactly...the other patterns from Sew Sweet Patterns have fit beautifully. I'm quite disappointed that this one is just so 'off'.

A Little Firecracker!

Now that the festivities from the 4th of July are over I have a few minutes to sit down, think, and get a post up! Miss Faye celebrated the 4th in style of course. I picked up this great red and white fabric back in May. I love it and I knew right away that I would use it for 'something' for the 4th of July. I also still have about a 1/4 yard left for the future! I do not know the specifics for it though. I picked it up from Jo Anne Fabrics.

Throw in some blue....just a tiny bit at the waist and a 2.5 inch hem with some white top stitching....

....and Miss Faye becomes my Little Firecracker!

Here is an action shot. We were waiting for it to get dark enough for fireworks.

 

All three kids!

A Farm Share Sausage Soup

This summer we decided to get a share from a local farm; Troggs Hollow. It was a way to insure fresh veggies all summer. So far we have only had two weeks worth and being so early in the season it has been almost all greens. 

I have a sausage potato soup that I have been making for quite a few years now and I decided to spruce it up a bit with our veggie share. I use a smoked sausage in it but ham or bacon would be just as good. For this batch I used hakurei turnips, and dinosaur kale. I usually have homemade chicken/turkey stock but I'm out and need to make a fresh batch so I had to use some store bought this time. I also added 5 red potatoes. Onion is also good in this but I didn't have any this time.

  

Ingredients for Soup Including Fresh Hakurei Turnips and Dinosaur Kale

I start out by browning the sausage. Then, I cubed the turnips and potatoes and ripped the veins out of the kale. Since all parts of the turnips are edible I also coarsely chopped up the turnip greens.I add in the stock and make sure to scrape all the yummy bits up from the bottom of the pot. Next, I add in the potatoes and turnips. I add my seasoning at this point as well. I use thyme (fresh is best but I had to use dried this time), parsley, red pepper for a kick, and some black pepper. If salt is needed add it at the end. If you add it at this point it gets absorbed by the potatoes. I bring the pot to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Keep the simmer going for about 20 - 25 minutes or until the potatoes and turnips are fork tender. During the last 5 minutes of simmering time I added the kale to a separate skillet with some bacon drippings (you can use butter but Owen has dairy issues so I try to not use it here). I cook it for around 2-3 minutes and then add it to the pot of soup at the end. I pull out a serving for Owen (keeping it dairy free for him) then I add about a 1/4 c. of heavy cream. I bring it back up to a simmer but only for about 5 minutes (don't let it get back up to a rolling boil or the cream will separate).

  Serve as is and enjoy or top with some shredded cheese to melt in. This soup went over so well in our house that every last drop was eaten...none for left-overs! That is saying something since Hugh is such a picky eater.