Reflections on Thanksgiving

It amazes me how quickly I can lose sight of how blessed I truly am.  Thanksgiving has given me a chance to step back and reflect.  Something that I would have done, but given the fact that I came down with a nasty GI bug that had made its way through the family, I had even more time to reflect. 

First, I am thankful for the fact that my body waited until after my two nights at work (Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving night) and Andy's 17 year class reunion to come down with the sickness.  It is weird how the body sometimes knows when the opportune times are to be sick, and this time mine listened! The bad thing is that my parents both came down with it too.  It was not a happy Saturday at the parent's house, but we did get to spend time together -- sleeping on the couches and running to the bathrooms!

Second -- I am so thankful for my husband and family.  My husband tolerates me working off shifts and holidays and gets to wrangle the kids during these things.  He also quickly scooped them up Saturday morning and entertained them all day Saturday and part of the day Sunday.  If you know our kids, you know that can be a long time without help being that our kids tend to be strong-willed and bull-headed.  Good qualities for later in life, but right now, it can be frustrating!!!!  Also -- my family tolerates my obsession for crafts and allows me the time to make those crafts.  So wonderful!

Third -- I am thankful for my jobs.  Both allow me to do what I enjoy -- taking care of patients and making quality improvements in an outpatient setting.  In these times, not everyone can say they are able to do what they enjoy. 

There is so much more I am thankful for, but I don't want to start rambling in some caffiene and food deprived state, so I will end now.  What did you realize you are thankful for this weekend?

Quick sewing project

So, my sister's birthday was in October. I actually got a reprieve on her gift because I knew she was coming back to PA in November. I really didn't think about her gift until a week or do ago but it wasn't hard to figure what to get her because she loves to entertain. Make her an apron and pair it with a new cookbook for entertaining!

I started searching the internet for a basic apron pattern and I found this one. 

It was actually an easy pattern to make.  It only required 1/2 yard of each of 2 coordinating fabrics.  I decided to go with fabrics that were a little Christmas-y in nature being that the holidays are coming up (plus, I think you have figured out by now that I have a bit of an obsession with Christmas).  Long story short, she seemed to really enjoy the apron and the cookbook.  So, if you are looking for a quick, handmade gift, an apron is always a good choice for those in your life that love to cook and entertain!!!

Please excuse the picture.  It was a quick shot taken with my phone prior to leaving to see my sister and give her the gift.  I'm still working on the organization and preparation/planning to not be rushed at the last minute, though I have to say I did finish the apron the day before we were going to be visiting, I just didn't think about taking the pictures!

The smell of fall...

So, I was driving to work tonight, windows down (thank you Indian Summer and 60 degree temperatures at 6:00 at night!) and it started to rain just a little. Then, this aroma entered the vehicle. It automatically relaxed me and put a smile on my face. It was the smell of fall. Rain mixed with fallen leaves with a hint of fireplace smoke thrown in for good measure. It is a smell that can’t be replicated or described if you don’t live in Western Pennsylvania or anywhere that experiences a true change of seasons. The smell is just – awesome. No other way to describe it.

Then I started thinking – the smell of fall, how wonderful of a gift would that be for someone who doesn’t live in Western Pennsylvania, or someone who used to and doesn’t get to experience seasons any more. So, then the wheels in my brain started turning. How do I turn the smell of fall in to a gift?

So far, I’ve got nothing. I thought about wet leaves in a Mason Jar with holes punched in the lid, but then I realized it would start to mold and get all yucky and that is definitely not the smell I am looking for. And, I really haven’t been able to come up with anything else...

What I have come up with is that I am so thankful I live in an area that I am able to experience this – as well as 68 degree weather and snow in the same week. I encourage anyone that hasn’t been here or that doesn’t know what I’m talking about to come to Western Pennsylvania to experience it. I know this isn’t a handmade gift per say, but bringing someone here to experience the smell of fall actually kind of is – a gift handmade by God!

Newly finished ideas

So, I have the joy of having a niece and nephew that have birthdays 2 days apart. They both turned 2 this year and I was racking my brain as to what to get them. Being the parent of a two year old myself, I knew that toys probably weren't needed. Clothes aren't always needed either.

So I thought and thought. I asked my husband his opinion and didn't get much of a response. So then it dawned on me. Pajamas! Who doesn't need pajamas? I know my kids always do.

So, being my crafty minded self, I thought, I can make pajama pants. Which I did using the pattern I mentioned a few weeks ago. Then I thought to myself, what can I make to go with the pajamas?

And then, by some stroke of genius, the idea popped in to my head -- what about a pillowcase and blanket? Surprisingly enough, a pillowcase was not that hard to do. I found basic inspiration from a few different sites but then put the fabric together in my own way. Do you think I could have taken pictures for a tutorial? Of course not. I do plan on making more though, so consider this notice of coming attractions.

The blanket I made was just a yard of flannel backed by a yard of fleece that I sewed right sides together then turned and topstitched. Easy peasy and it makes a perfect blanket for snuggling while watching a movie or to just throw in the car

I did manage to take a few pictures!

Kid in a candy store

That is how I felt at Wal-Mart on Monday at midnight. One of the joys of working night shift is that I tend to shop at odd hours. Monday night was one of them. I arrived around 10pm and the Halloween items had been collected to put on sale and something magical was happening. The Christmas trees were being built in the entry ways and the shelves were starting to be stocked with holiday gift items.

I texted my husband and told him I might be a while, to which he responded with laughter (if he only knew how hard it was not to buy little things to add to my handmade gift ideas!) I was able to refrain from buying too much - only a room spray actually.

Which then got me thinking. Why haven't I been buying room spray since having kids? I have been trying to find safe places to burn my candles which usually doesn't happen. This then leads to unburned candles or candles that are only burned a few times.

But now that I have found room spray, my house can smell like Christmas safely! Plus, it just feels more classy using room spray instead of air freshener. And who doesn't want to be classy?

Pants 'n 'at.

Ok, so I guess you only understand the title if you have a firm grasp of Pittsburghese...

We have pants!  Now, I know what you're thinking -- 'Really -- pants?  I would hope that you have always had pants' and yes, we have.  What I'm so excited about is that I finished 3 pair of fleece pants.  One pair for a birthday gift and matching pants for E and D for Christmas morning.  The pictures show the finished pair in brown and the cut out version of the matching ones for the kids.

Now I know, matching outfits -- really?  I was hesitant at first to think about having them match,but any more, what one has, the other one wants.  So, I thought matching pants would be perfect.  I also found a really cute idea (on Pinterest of course) to make a cute Christmas tree on a shirt using ribbon.  I thought this would be how I can make the outfit unique for each of them. 

The pattern that I have used is WONDERFUL.  It almost takes longer to cut the pants out than it does to sew them up.  I just bought some cute fleece at the store.  I really think I am going to make lots of these pants for the kiddos.  Especially because D is so tall, I can make the pants long enough for him to wear for a while.  Plus, he can pick out some fun fabrics which means he might actually wear them!  A link to the pattern can be found here.  The wonderful thing about this pattern is that it is printable and has sizes 3 months up to 5T. 

Now, I just need to find an adult fleece pant pattern and then we could all have matching pants!!!!!  BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Off to the grocery store

In an effort to be more frugal, we have been trying to make coffee at home an not go to various establishments to purchase pre-made coffee for the cost of a gallon of gas.  We have been doing really well, but my one weakness is flavored creamer.  I can't drink coffee without it and we usually have at least 2 bottles in the fridge. 

Well, on my trip to the grocery store this week, I forgot to grab some.  So, much to my chagrin, darling hubby used the last of the creamer this morning and I can't have my coffee.  One thing I forgot to mention is that I CAN'T FUNCTION WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE CUP OF COFFEE IN THE MORNING. 

Now that I have that out of my system, I decided to scour the Internet to see if any homemade coffee creamer recipes exist.  And, but of course, they do!  I found a great website that not only has great recipes for creamer, but a wonderful idea for the holidays.  Deliciously Organic has wonderful creamer recipes that sound yummy all year long! 

She also has a wonderful entertaining idea -- a coffee bar!  That immediately got me thinking about having family and friends over after a fun day playing in the leaves or snow.  Hot chocolate could be made for the kids, and the adults could enjoy different coffees and creamers to warm up with.  Or, if your family celebrates Christmas morning with a brunch like mine does, flavored creamers would be a great addition to the breakfast menu! 

Now, I have to pull myself together enough to head to the store to get the ingredients for the creamer.  Darn you coffee addiction!