Waiting

After what feels like a very long time of waiting, doors seem to be opening again. Opportunities presenting themselves that before I never would have really even dreamed of. No big things. Just small chances. Maybe more windows then doors but I will take it. My creativity seems to be more willing to be tapped into lately. I am enjoying my Smash books immensely and manages to come up with a decent doll pattern though I still feel the urge to tweak it. I found a fun tutorial online and used it to make some fun Easter baskets for friends. Nothing big, but maybe, just maybe steps toward something bigger.

A New Pattern for Goose Beary.

I am working on a new pattern for my shop. I am attempting to branch off from just Waldorf dolls. A few weeks ago I worked on some peg dollies. Sunday and Monday were spent working on some wool felt dollies. Then last night I decided to draft up a pattern for a simple, bright rag doll. I was pretty pleased with how my first draft came out on paper!

Here is what is looks like sewn up. What do you all think? Do I adjust the pattern so she is wider? or simple adjust the face circle so it's smaller, or does it look ok? I am so excited about this dolly. I love putting fabrics together and this allows me to do just that.

Spring has Sprung

It has been crazy warm here for March. We have broken 80 degrees on more than one occasion. While I am thoroughly enjoying the early spring I am a bit worried about that this means for Summer time in Central VA. But we will cross that bridge in a month or two. For now I am very much enjoying the warm weather.
Like the plants, and like my mother, I am happiest in the sun. Fall and winter have their certain charms, and I truly love baking bread and working on quilts while the leave change. However, I come alive when the weather turns warm.

I am rediscovering old loves. My sewing machine is getting used again, and I am writing with a desire and enjoyment that has been missing for a very, very long time. I have been updating at my other blog Grace and Manna, journaling, and even working on a writing project that I am not quite ready to share about just yet!

I am also discovering some new pass times like mixed media journals Smash books are my newest love! You as you can see over at my Pinterest boards. I am also starting a garden this year.

I thought I would share some before and after and sprouts in progress pictures with you all.

The plot before I started working on it.

The plot now!

My first ever attempt at starting seeds!

A few weeks later I actually have some sprouts!

So what has the first few days of spring brought for you all?

My Weekly Five

Weekly Five:

 

1) Went out with a friend last week and bought a ton of seeds and potting soil and now have an area of little seeds sitting in egg cartons on the out side of my window sill. I am a little nervous that I am not seeing any sprouts yet. Hope I didn't do something wrong!

2) 3 weeks on Weight Watchers and I am finally starting to see some loss. Lost 4 lb so far and celebrated with a new book! :)

3) I got my hair colored for spring. It didn't turn out nearly as light as I wanted and I am thinking I may just skip the "fashion" color for a while.

4) We tilled up a big spot in our front yard. Still needs a lot of work but it should be ready by the time I get sprouts (if that actually does happen)

5) We have had some amazingly beautiful weather lately that makes me content and restless all at the same time. I have been drinking crazy amounts of raspberry tea and reading and mixed media journal lately in attempt to satiate my need for something.

Rainy, Restful Wed.

It a pretty dreary day here to far. Gray and wet, though surprising not overly cold. High today is actually 68! Looks like spring is on it's way and I am more than ok with that. After a highly productive Monday and Tuesday we are are slow getting going this morning. Truth be told the girls and I are still lazing around in bed and Abi is actually still asleep after a rough night. At some point I need to get up and do some stuff to get ready for MOPS tomorrow. Also hoping to get some sewing done. I picked up some amazing yarn on vacation and I can't wait to use it!

 I finally got around to making myself a dolly before vacation. She is 6 inches and itty bitty. I am in love with her. I will definately be making some this size for Easter.

Happy Hump Day and Happy Leap Year!

Kitchen Therapy

We got back in town from vacation late Sunday night and jumped back into life first thing Monday morning. Yesterday was actually my first day back into regular routine since the miscarriage. It actually went smoother than I expected. I spent the morning do laundry, grocery shopping, and dealing with FAMIS and Medicaid over the phone and through faxes. Surprisingly it went rather smoothly and every one I talked to was very kind and helpful.

In the afternoon I engaged in some serious kitchen therapy. Cooking, baking, bread making, even decorating my Kitchen aide mixer! Nothing soothes me quite like the kitchen. One of the things I made was buffalo chicken hot pockets. I normally use this as a left over re-purpose, but Josh asked for them so I went a head and made the dip and bread solely for this purpose. I've had a couple people ask about it so I thought I would share the recipie here.

Filling

Ingredients:
1 can chicken (large size) (This is the first place you can use left overs. Instead of buying chicken use left over rotisserie chicken or really any left over chicken that doesn't have to strong a flavor and isn't in a sauce)
1 8 oz. brick cream cheese
1/2 c blue cheese dressing (we use ranch since I can't stand blue cheese)
1/4 c cayenne pepper sauce
1 pkg. shredded cheddar cheese. 

Directions: 
Melt cream cheese over medium-low heat. Once creamy, add blue cheese, hot sauce, and chicken.
Remove from heat, fold in 1/2 pkg. of shredded cheese.
Pour into square 8x8 oven-safe dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F until cheese is melted and bubbly. (You can also just dump it all into a crock pot)

Bread
For the bread I use my go to bread recipe which can be found HERE. But you can really use any dinner roll dough.

Assemble
Once your dip is made stick it in the fridge to cool. You want to be sure the dip is pretty solid as it makes it easier to work with. (I often make a double batch of dip and use the left overs for the hot pockets).

Make bread according to directions. Once is has risen once, grab small balls off and flatten into circles. Put a scoop of filling in the middle and wrap dough around it. Make desired amount of pockets. Put in warm place to rise till roughly double. Bake at 350 till top of rolls are brown. (Time will vary depending on size of rolls.)
 

Vacation

A few pictures from our week long getaway with Josh's parents. We weren't sure we were going to make it after the misscairage. But the doctor gave the all clear and it has been a great chance to get away for a while. We spent a few days in Gatlinburg, Tn. Now we are up in Ohio visiting his sister. All in all a good trip. More pictures coming next week!