tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86965866843730856072024-02-20T04:34:31.762-05:00Big L, Little LLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-30725385769752688702010-05-09T12:07:00.000-04:002010-05-09T12:07:34.521-04:00Happy Mothers Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a while since I updated, partly because I have a few projects going on and party because my computer was pronounced dead. It stopped turning on, which is always a bad sign, so Zack took it in to a shop and they called a few days later with the news. The motherboard, among other parts, was melted in places. Apparently they will no longer work when that happens. Thank goodness the hard drive was unharmed so for $20 it was made into an external and I still have access to everything I've saved in the past two years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The upside to this sadness is this, my Mother's Day surprise!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4RsRZA8h99k/S-baBX0VklI/AAAAAAAAAH0/c2g09w35o5U/s1600/Black+Betty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4RsRZA8h99k/S-baBX0VklI/AAAAAAAAAH0/c2g09w35o5U/s320/Black+Betty.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(disregard photo quality, I took it with my phone, in bed, where I still am at this moment)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I usually have an idea of what my presents from Zack will be so it's rare that he truly surprises me, but this was one of those times. So, at this moment I'm propped up in bed listening to BB King, eating Godiva for breakfast and listening to my kids play while Zack gets breakfast ready. I hope everyone else is enjoying their Mother's Day as much as I am!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-7474924609425328922010-04-15T11:41:00.000-04:002010-04-15T11:41:32.312-04:00Downtime - Whether I Like It Or Not!I'm feeling severely annoyed by a few things right now and feel the need to share! First, my bobbin case got a crack and won't allow me to sew. Second, I couldn't find one in town so I had to order it, and it's taking forever! I've got diapers to sew for a cousin's new baby, a top to make for Spring Top Week and a partially finished romper that's going in my Etsy shop. I get all anxious when my machine isn't at my disposal but it's much worse when I've got things on my to-do list! And finally, I'm all-of-a-sudden sick this morning (feels like another sinus infection?), and this is after a day and a half of severe and unexplained nausea. I'm going to the doctor later, hopefully to get a shot of some super powered antibiotics!<br />
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By taking Dramamine yesterday I was able to fight my nausea off long enough to grocery shop. I really had no choice, we had a freezer full of meat and nothing else! Here is my meal list for the next two weeks...<br />
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Spaghetti and Salads - Actually made this last night using a combo of beef, pork and veal, with herbs from my (not dead!) garden. Turned out so so good!<br />
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Shredded Pork Tacos - Zack's request this week. Pork is cooking in the crock pot as I type this. Making refried beans and maybe Spanish rice to go with it later.<br />
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Spanish Lasagna - To use leftover pork, layered with black beans, rice, tomatoes, cheese and tortillas.<br />
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Scallops - In garlic/white wine sauce over linguini. Easy, light and yummy meal!<br />
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Beef Stew - In biscuit bowls...the opposite of light and easy, but always yummy!<br />
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Grilled Chicken on Salads - To make up for all that pork and beef, lol.<br />
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Tuna Pasta Salad - Great for easy lunches the next day. <br />
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Tilapia - With lemon and dill, white rice and green beans.<br />
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Pork Loin Medallions - Cut to 1" thick and pounded flatter, with spicy mustard marinade. Will probably have brown rice with them.<br />
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Steaks/Other Meat on the Grill - Because we've got tons in the freezer and the weather is perfect for evenings outside!<br />
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That's my bare minimum of 10 meals for 2 weeks, the other 4 days will be leftovers, take-out or sandwiches. I'm now off to sit on the couch, lay down and then sit around some more!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-26699682862801370642010-04-05T21:11:00.000-04:002010-04-05T21:11:46.573-04:00Stressed No More!The Week of Nonstop Activity is officially over! Last night (after we got home from the third Easter Egg Hunt of the weekend!) I traced and cut a super easy, super plain, much needed dress for Lily and then finished it first thing this morning. I am not the most laid back of people and sewing is my go-to stress reliever, especially the easy mindless projects that go together quickly :-)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8otPbBvCM2FTmt0Uvmmh2RAPCvBaJUTqFHEuHy-f5dKZ3ZNDEL-RdUQrIeIDEJrhUpRCRry4W1cu1TZsPeK37hsp9tCNntGnwAkWhJMi_40iJfp4ag0x6CG96kAV1dVtz076wXc1mmrZ/s1600/DSCN0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8otPbBvCM2FTmt0Uvmmh2RAPCvBaJUTqFHEuHy-f5dKZ3ZNDEL-RdUQrIeIDEJrhUpRCRry4W1cu1TZsPeK37hsp9tCNntGnwAkWhJMi_40iJfp4ag0x6CG96kAV1dVtz076wXc1mmrZ/s320/DSCN0512.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a See & Sew that called for a zipper (commercial patterns are so zipper-dependent!), I'm not a fan of them so I substituted buttons. Now that I'm getting around to more spring sewing I'm wondering, at what age do girls stop wearing some kind of bloomer bottoms? And is there an alternative to the standard panty-style kind? All I can think of is pants, although my brain still may not be operating at full capacity! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Because the ball fell on the 1st I didn't grocery shop, much less plan any meals. It's a wonder my family hasn't all gone into cardiac arrest from all the junk we've eaten! I plan on catching up on all things domestic this week, at a very slow pace, so hopefully I'll get my next week's meals posted. In closing, I leave you with these...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeUM0IuNdn5lu8fRg3OG-SkjM8LPDhw6usN9gCArbBcD6FhiixTJua1MTL2iEj7tnE-lUMv4HwPkI0ql6VRUM18UGgTlb3skLuiSU-PRvd1jHlOZJGKhsLybNwsupa8TJXFchVLKuCUPi/s1600/12300_1416769987697_1486028050_31114847_1943060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeUM0IuNdn5lu8fRg3OG-SkjM8LPDhw6usN9gCArbBcD6FhiixTJua1MTL2iEj7tnE-lUMv4HwPkI0ql6VRUM18UGgTlb3skLuiSU-PRvd1jHlOZJGKhsLybNwsupa8TJXFchVLKuCUPi/s400/12300_1416769987697_1486028050_31114847_1943060_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">That's Zack and I on the far left. This was easily the best military ball I've been to! It was held in a historic building downtown that used to be an iron foundry and once the evening's festivities died down we all headed to another fine establishment down the street, where Zack and I happen to have gotten married! Here's us making the two block trip...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_t9gWkm2Bkd3OdP-4q6wkMdsfX8YSkmoRNkkUWET-b6deX5psv8d-1wSvXgk6f2owTSojF0xmegK36rALHi83xT9MP9NOx6EongalM_nUupLlo5Q-yVkQm_maII7Sq1U94hYs4gEV955/s1600/26804_1364716074119_1118150218_31063946_5119670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_t9gWkm2Bkd3OdP-4q6wkMdsfX8YSkmoRNkkUWET-b6deX5psv8d-1wSvXgk6f2owTSojF0xmegK36rALHi83xT9MP9NOx6EongalM_nUupLlo5Q-yVkQm_maII7Sq1U94hYs4gEV955/s320/26804_1364716074119_1118150218_31063946_5119670_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeom2-OZFnItjc8DGZxGxM5QH9C0YNJUoMT2JDJWkTQJOuniIV52CMkbVMzZlub7p6kvraB7bEwj7qXmgs1zLhhRAU-X00zjIHHFgOkULH6Y0e6rwXv-dS9PTgPLtgz3MZqC3jTEqx-5aR/s1600/26804_1364716034118_1118150218_31063945_7509119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeom2-OZFnItjc8DGZxGxM5QH9C0YNJUoMT2JDJWkTQJOuniIV52CMkbVMzZlub7p6kvraB7bEwj7qXmgs1zLhhRAU-X00zjIHHFgOkULH6Y0e6rwXv-dS9PTgPLtgz3MZqC3jTEqx-5aR/s320/26804_1364716034118_1118150218_31063945_7509119_n.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">SUCH a fun night!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-85723534299327444892010-03-29T11:42:00.001-04:002010-03-29T11:43:51.373-04:00Busiest Two Weeks All Year!I've got a small window of free time this morning so I'm posting an update before the chaos resumes. A week or so ago I finished this dress and slip:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I put it on Lily and while I was grabbing my camera she put my boots on.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After <a href="http://angie.a/">Angie.A</a> described the slips she made when her daughter was little I thought they'd be perfect under Lily's jumpers and pinafores. You can't see it under this particular dress but I tried the scallop edge for hemming the neck and arm holes and am definitely a fan, it looks sweet and eliminates the need for facings. I also got a romper finished but the bottom half is a little on the small side, pics to come once I fix that somehow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week was full of meetings, lunch get togethers, dress shopping and a hair appointment for an upcoming ball. We also planted our first garden! This week I've got today and tomorrow to prepare for Lily's birthday on Wednesday and a tea party with a friend and her daughter, then the ball on Thursday. I'm also on the entertainment/decorating committee so Wednesday afternoon I'll be helping to get the venue all fixed up. Oh yeah, and easter egg hunting and a rugby match Saturday, and finally Easter! Not a lot of free time but lots of fun :-) If I'm not back before Sunday, Happy Easter!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-74453845829250409452010-03-17T09:07:00.000-04:002010-03-17T09:07:34.658-04:00Nosy Food Lover Seeks Janine-Style RomperA cousin of mine made some pretty heavy duty New Years resolutions, the kind that involve changing the way she cooks, eats, buys food and spends her free time. She posts her progress on her blog and part of that is a weekly log of their family's dinners. I don't know if it's my nosy side coming out or if I'm just very into food, but I love reading her lists. Since I plan our meals every two weeks when I make my grocery list I thought I'd start sharing my meal plans here, for any other nosy food lovers out there. This week is half over so here is next week's list:<br />
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Scallops - With tomatoes and garlic, over angel hair<br />
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Guinness Pie - Zack's request this week, it's beef, bacon and potatoes cooked in Guinness until it's thick then baked in pie pastry. It's fattening, artery clogging goodness.<br />
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Tilapia - A quick, go-to meal around here, fish gets laid in a sheet pan on top of lemon and dill. Salt, pepper and olive oil go on top and it gets broiled for 4-5 minutes. I always make rice with it because Zack and Lily like theirs all mixed together.<br />
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Spaghetti Carbonara - An easy meal that uses ingredients we always have on hand<br />
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Pork Loin or Roast - Since blood oranges are in season I've been looking for <a href="http://foodpluspolitics.com/2008/01/11/blood-orange-pork-roast/">ways to use them</a>.<br />
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Some general info about my meal planning...<br />
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I plan 5 meals per week, the other 2 days we either eat out or have leftovers.<br />
My typical week always includes 1 red meat, 1 chicken and 1 fish, the other two could be more chicken or fish, seafood, turkey or pork, it depends on what sounds good and looks good at the store.<br />
I don't always plan side dishes, I rely on the staples of salad stuff, pasta, rice and usually potatoes.<br />
I take requests from Gunnar and Zack, which usually consist of chicken fried steak and lasagna.<br />
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Oh yeah, I spent yesterday in my sewing room and came out with my first ever ruffled slip, and a sweet dress to go over it. I love, <em>love</em> the full look of the dress with the slip, and the ruffle that shows at the bottom is so cute. I also made a romper for Lily, the kind some of us wore when we were kids. There may be a tutorial for that in the near future.<br />
Sidenote: If you watch Shear Genious then you're familiar with Janine and her adult rompers, which I'm coveting in a big way. Don't judge me, you either love them or you hate them. I neeeed one.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-34722568630416942952010-03-15T09:52:00.001-04:002010-03-15T09:59:04.574-04:00Inspired!I can't get enough of these classic and super sweet baby clothes, posted by <a href="http://jemimabean.blogspot.com/">angie.a (Jemima Bean).</a> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr5tdUlLuj0eT0E-wpMJ5j5cO_5J7TWyMg-5Io4_GHR-d0WS_JWXjzRfOPD42HJolFnJQTfZXUz1P_DLVQLszXdSvNOpXgXYa1G5g1yG_Q-pTqMdasqK6W32aLfSxTZgVRX4aVDGFrJaP/s1600-h/sweetbaby03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr5tdUlLuj0eT0E-wpMJ5j5cO_5J7TWyMg-5Io4_GHR-d0WS_JWXjzRfOPD42HJolFnJQTfZXUz1P_DLVQLszXdSvNOpXgXYa1G5g1yG_Q-pTqMdasqK6W32aLfSxTZgVRX4aVDGFrJaP/s200/sweetbaby03.jpg" vt="true" width="145" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Is that not just the sweetest romper? </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Today I'm heading to my <a href="http://www.sweettreasures.com/">favorite local shop</a>, they've got tons of patterns with this same classic and traditional look. I'm so done with winter and all its bulky clothes, time for some spring sewing!<br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-17278369262110202462010-03-11T10:21:00.000-05:002010-03-11T10:21:35.155-05:00Spring Sewing and Photo Anxiety<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A recent custom order:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was in such a rush to get the package out in the mail yesterday that I didn't take any actual finished pictures but I snapped a couple in the middle of sewing (the tops and bottoms are still pinned from the back) to get the buyer's approval before finishing and shipping. She wanted the eyelet pants in my Etsy shop made into some sort of overall for a 9 month old and a 5 year old to wear to a beach wedding. They turned out really cute and summery, I think Lily may need a pair!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a side note, after a conversation with a <a href="http://wimbittworld.wordpress.com/">cousin</a> about my lazy blogging habits I've narrowed the reason down to the pictures. They stress me out, finding good light, the right background, a good angle, showing the details of something I've made for everyone to see up close. I tend to overthink things, can you tell? In the future I'll work on that, and hopefully be a more diligent blogger :-)</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-8570489393820335232010-03-09T07:47:00.001-05:002010-03-09T07:47:46.930-05:00Something To Look Forward To!This morning I'm reading through some favorite blogs, because it's good reading and because they're almost all sewing related and they motivate me to get to work. It's what I do when I have an order or project waiting to be completed. Or started. Today I have two pairs of eyelet overalls to knock out and I will procrastinate no longer, <strike>because they need to go out in the mail tomorrow</strike> because Spring Top Week has been announced! Last year I made my first adult garment ever, and have worn it exactly one time since then:<br />
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I have noticed that I smile big and cheesy for every picture, no matter what the occasion is.<br />
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This top wasn't difficult to make, amazingly I didn't even have any issues with the fit. I can't remember what the pattern was, Simplicity something I think. However, I can't wear it unless someone is here to help me button the back so it's gotten pushed to the middle of my closet (where rejects get shoved together to make room for the things I wear often). I guess I could put it on and button the top and bottom buttons and then just ask the first person I see in public to help me out, somehow I think I'd get some strange looks (or strange advances?). <br />
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It's one year later and I'm still not sewing for myself but I do have one or two tops that I'm going to attempt to duplicate for the contest, and maybe I'll find a pattern while I'm fabric shopping. I keep thinking that a dressform would make this easier but I just bought a serger and can't justify another big sewing purchase, if we have enough duct tape maybe I'll get Zack to help me make that kind today. For now though, I'm getting my work out of the way so that I can start on the fun stuff!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-2438268765328586012010-02-24T17:50:00.002-05:002010-02-24T17:54:27.519-05:00I'm Back!I know, I've been a very absent blogger! There's just been so little time for creativity lately. You ever have a day where you're about 20 minutes behind schedule for every single thing? That's how the past two months have felt around here! I've finally got all of my big projects out of the way and the house in order, and like magic I immediately started getting more sewing done. Here's what I've been working on this week...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't take credit for the shirt but it was a sweet picture so I didn't crop :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A jumper and more ruffle pants, a custom order from a friend-of-a-friend. Once I put it together I liked the look of the eyelet with a full lining so much that I'm going to make it available in the shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdhpbZt9vKjlbLgDJ4lOLK9dY24hJHVaIQMlxete4oCRcKALneXqS7AMis2Z0opWVzNy5yv5zPBPkB15FXRGB5MhJ-6s84OuTr4kNP3AgnZjNNTN9WNFw5r15N-mFjtm1dG-GmDHI4x_b/s1600-h/DSCN0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdhpbZt9vKjlbLgDJ4lOLK9dY24hJHVaIQMlxete4oCRcKALneXqS7AMis2Z0opWVzNy5yv5zPBPkB15FXRGB5MhJ-6s84OuTr4kNP3AgnZjNNTN9WNFw5r15N-mFjtm1dG-GmDHI4x_b/s200/DSCN0348.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d2NpVkyE26chA490hDO9NkV9zO18PuMfIDgZMsVCFgWP47NsLQaJQxReknyUflQUxcoORbrVyrmwdmKEYc7N6QllxEhn2kSpUBZ0bTPRMozJMw4RhFvR1Tv-gJiFu1-3L0At5upLosy-/s1600-h/DSCN0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d2NpVkyE26chA490hDO9NkV9zO18PuMfIDgZMsVCFgWP47NsLQaJQxReknyUflQUxcoORbrVyrmwdmKEYc7N6QllxEhn2kSpUBZ0bTPRMozJMw4RhFvR1Tv-gJiFu1-3L0At5upLosy-/s200/DSCN0342.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Eyelet pants (already in the shop) with a halter top that buttons at the back of the neck (coming soon). Not that it's warm enough for her to wear either right now but it can't hurt to get a jump on Spring sewing.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">More pics and updates to come now that I've come out of hiding!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-46203176648160152672010-01-05T08:49:00.001-05:002010-01-07T21:26:29.535-05:00My Holiday Sewing, and Our New MarsupialsIt has been the busiest and most sleep deprived holiday season of my life, and I loved it. Back to school and work and reality today though, and I love that too! My house is in a state of limbo right now, we've moved Gunnar into the guest room while we paint his room, my sewing room is in a state of chaos until I replace my bookshelf with some better form of storage, and Christmas is still all around us, although slowly being packed up. One tree down, one to go. I didn't get much holiday sewing done for myself but I did knock out a challenging Etsy order, now on its way to the UK. They weren't for immediate wear so I had to take her boys' current sizes and measurements and upsize them by 6-9 months. A challenge when it comes to my own kids, not to mention someone else's! <br />
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On a non-sewing related note... About a week before Christmas my husband learned about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Glider">Sugar Gliders</a> and developed a full blown obsession with them. He researched them online and visited local pet shops, and constantly talked about them. In case you're like me and not up on new pet trends, they're tiny marsupials indigenous to Austrailia and Indonesia, and I was not on board with the idea of owning one. Being the sweet guy that he is, Zack waited until the day after my birthday before he brought one home, along with a giant cage and its various accessories. Once I saw her riding around in his pocket I started to come around and asked for my turn. She slept on my snuggie while I watched tv and ate apples out of my hand, and apparently I hogged her because the next thing I knew he was bringing her sister home, who is much less laid back. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He named her Pogo and I named my lazy girl Pippi Longstocking. They're cute in a strange way, and despite their resemblance to possums, and my deep seated fear/hatred of possums, I'm now a fan.<br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-4033318403586259572009-12-29T20:33:00.001-05:002009-12-29T20:36:33.610-05:00Happy December 29th!The holidays officially sucked every bit of energy and free time out of me, preventing me from posting about my family and our nice normal run-of-the-mill Christmas. Who needs more details about someone else's kids opening presents and saying sweet things and playing with the packaging all day anyway? It's now four days later and that means today is my birthday, and my 30th birthday at that. Zack cheauffered me around town to furniture stores, bed and bath stores, pet shops and other estrogen-rich environments. He made me breakfast, took me to lunch and wrangled the kids all day long. But the best part was getting home and finding this shirt in the mail:<br />
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He had it made on Zazzle, and even though he got me a super great and much needed camera, the shirt is what got me giddy. I did use my camera to take the picture though. A proper post will follow, although I can't guarantee that it will happen in this calendar year. <br />
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Best Holiday Wishes,<br />
LaurenLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-41750053985457749712009-12-13T09:14:00.000-05:002009-12-13T09:14:40.804-05:00Another Winner!Congratulations to Erin of <a href="http://www.dinnertimechimes.com/">http://www.dinnertimechimes.com/</a>! She wrote:<br />
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"I'm a blog follower and I love the Jumper in Red / Pink Floral"<br />
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Thank you to Erin, and to Tiffany at <a href="http://stealsdealsandheels.blogspot.com/">Steals, Deals and Heels</a> for hosting a great week of giveaways!<br />
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On another note, this year Zack picked out and brought home the Christmas tree we have downstairs. I am not exaggerating when I tell you it is the fattest tree I've ever had. Definitely not height-width proportionate. This tree has so much branch space that we had to buy double the lights we used on last year's tree and we needed lotttts more ornaments. I came up with a bird template for making some stuffed birds, which is one of my favorite things to put on our trees. The ones I made this year fill the space very well and show up really nicely on the tree. I made a few more sets for my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beginswithl">shop</a>, maybe you've got space to fill (or gifts to buy) too?<br />
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</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-73508911605848897652009-12-09T19:20:00.003-05:002009-12-09T19:35:34.895-05:00Something Old, Something New<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've developed a thing for old sewing machines and, as is the case with so many things in life, the more I get the more I want. I recently told my dad about my small collection and he said he'd be on the lookout, but he's less than reliable when it comes to, well, most things. So on our last visit I was shocked when he said he'd found an old machine, and he produced a Singer Featherweight in its original case. With original instructions and attachments, all bought for $5 at a yard sale. It's in desperate need of cleaning so I'm dropping it off in the next day or two for service and TLC, I can't wait to set up a permanent home for it in my sewing room.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's a 221 AD model, I checked the date <a href="http://www.singer-featherweight.com/siteone%20pages/dating.html">here</a> and it was made in June of 1935. Oh, and it runs! I wish I could drag myself out of bed earlier on weekends, clearly I need to start yard sale-ing.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So I posted yesterday about my babydoll plans and I'm proud to say that as of this afternoon the first one is finished. I used Emily Martin's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll?rsc=fav_Homepage_Homepage">pattern and tutorial</a> (I lengthened the whole thing a little) and I must say it was quite painless. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3vuZMlZLWgENU457trLzVs2Yq5ipspXmjAcCrqjwqJZN-C2aS4Fqj8nAkcadeobGBvfJ9mjFVtbywik2TtOBmcYXlL0zDl_yagCgTloJkfnGaVN03JSKXQhHRvhy65GyK-nQIfLXwM1q/s1600-h/DSCF3169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3vuZMlZLWgENU457trLzVs2Yq5ipspXmjAcCrqjwqJZN-C2aS4Fqj8nAkcadeobGBvfJ9mjFVtbywik2TtOBmcYXlL0zDl_yagCgTloJkfnGaVN03JSKXQhHRvhy65GyK-nQIfLXwM1q/s200/DSCF3169.JPG" /></a>I've never embroidered by hand or even cross stitched but I consulted a book and was able to stitch some eyes and a mouth (no good permanent ink on hand here), now I just need to improve my stuffing skills. After seeing how quickly this one went together I'm feeling more confident about making the next one as a Christmas gift, and I'll have plenty of time to properly accessorize her :-)<br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-50550896513399949852009-12-08T15:10:00.006-05:002009-12-08T15:35:59.111-05:00Let the Christmas Crafting Begin!<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<strong>** Don't forget to check out my next giveaway! **</strong><br />
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Do you know what this is? It's our Christmas tree, on its way inside after being picked up by my favorite man in the whole world:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather even looks wintery. Makes me giddy! I'm also excited to start on a couple of gifts, but a little intimidated. I've had multiple requests for tote bags so I'd like to make a few <em>really</em> good ones, something seriously gift-worthy. I'm just not a tote bag person myself and when I do use one it's the one I got free when I signed up for the Barnes and Noble discount card. I want to be able to cut a few at once and sew them all up assembly-line-style, I just need a really good all purpose pattern or tutorial. Any and all input is welcome here!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other project in the works is a babydoll for my daughter. I've never made any toys or babies or even softies so I did what I always do and Googled everything I could think of. I narrowed my possibilities down to a few and I'll share those, but first I must express how disturbing I found some of the handmade toys/dolls to be. Maybe it's me, maybe growing up in the Cabbage Patch generation warped my perception of normal. Either way, there are some very bizzarre dolls out there posing in some very life-like positions. Creeps me out.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On to the ones I do like...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From <a href="http://theblackapple.typepad.com/inside_a_black_apple/dolls/page/1/">Black Apple</a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The tutorial for these is on <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-show">Martha</a>, and so is a video with their creator, Emily. Her blog is full of super cute dolls that she makes, they have the best facial expressions. And accessories!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://oneredrobin.com/">One Red Robin</a>:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Another super cute face, this tutorial is <a href="http://www.softiemaking.com/2008/10/03/one-red-robin-ruby-doll/">here</a>.<br />
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I also like the idea of a classic old fashioned doll and I even started one by making the head to a <a href="http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/FreeProjectDollHeadDirections.html">Waldorf Doll</a>, but I can't get past the fact that it will require hair. My daughter is 18 months old, I still find crackers and raisins hidden on her person, a doll wig is going to become very gunky very fast. <br />
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So maybe I'll make a couple and give her the best one for Christmas. And again, any and all feedback from anyone who has made dolls/softies/totebags is most welcome!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-87115315180228583672009-12-07T08:18:00.001-05:002009-12-07T08:26:17.888-05:00The Lucky Commenter Is....<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://inspiringadventuresofalwaysinspired.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">AlwaysInspired</span></a>, <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">who wrote:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I get a huge smile on my face when I hear the theme song to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!"<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go see all of the crafty goodness going on over there, and make sure to catch Christmas Vacation this holiday season!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to everyone who played along and for the very sweet comments and well-wishes, I loved reading them everyday! I think holiday themed giveaways need to be a regular occurrence around here :-) <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you also to Zack, the official Giveaway Commissioner this time around. He loves movies, I love music, and we both love Christmas so this was a wonderful Very First Giveaway here at Big L, Little L. I hope everyone has had a wonderful and very lucky week in blogland!<br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-80881364713573113742009-12-02T07:28:00.000-05:002009-12-02T07:28:01.904-05:00Giveaway Day!Here we go! Thank you for visiting for my first giveaway, I hope you'll come back to see more of what's in the works around here! And thanks to Sew Mama Sew for organizing this HUGE giveaway! The winner will be chosen and announced on Sunday (Dec 6th), if it's you then you'll also have an email from me letting you know. And here is what you'll win:<br />
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A set of three door hangers (or anywhere hangers) for your home, or to re-gift to someone in need of holiday decor!<br />
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In keeping with the holiday theme, leave a comment on this post and include your favorite song to hear this time of year. It can be Christmas music, a movie theme, your cell phone ringtone or anything else that comes to mind, whatever you like to hear most. You can explain your choice or not, up to you. I'm not a fan of random so I'm giving my husband the task of choosing the winning reply. Good luck to everyone!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com92tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-37650610012844406152009-12-01T20:39:00.000-05:002009-12-01T20:39:56.088-05:00I Heart Cheap and EasyAlthough my accent doesn't always sound like it, I've lived in the south all my life. I've never gotten used to the heat or humidity during summers (a few years in Lousiana did help put all that into perspective though) and always looked forward to wearing jeans, boots, sweaters and hats. Now that I'm sewing for my kids I still look forward to winter clothes, here's the last top, finished this morning in time to hit the grocery store:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the back, which buttons at the neck:<br />
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Sorry for the attitude, we're still fighting colds and neither of us seems to have much patience for pictures.<br />
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<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fabric is Moda and I got it for $2/yard from the sale room at my favorite local shop, <a href="http://www.sweettreasures.com/">Sweet Treasures</a>. Something different from the usual kids prints, and easily paired with lots of colors. Lily seems to always be wearing a hat lately. I don't remember the pattern I used for this one but it was worth the hour it took to crochet, and at least it halfway matches.<br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also got the kids Christmas PJ's done and with those crossed off my list I can move on to some gifts and other Christmas sewing. Hope everyone else is enjoying their own crafts, or breaks from crafting, which can be a welcome thing this time of year. Don't forget about the giveaway posted yesterday!<br />
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</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-68757103483143583062009-11-28T07:50:00.001-05:002009-12-01T20:45:29.762-05:00Six Word Saturday<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong>Turkey'd Out, Bring on the Pizza</strong><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Don't get me wrong, Thanksgiving dinner was great, I'm just tired of smelling it everytime I open the fridge. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Zack brought the Christmas bins down from the attic yesterday and right now I'm resisting the urge to wake him up so he can put up the first tree. He was in Iraq for the last two Christmases so I'm sure that he just can't wait to break open the boxes and start untangling lights right? <br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-25348206044098882732009-11-27T17:46:00.000-05:002009-11-27T17:46:34.805-05:00Black Friday Announcement!I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that anyone who braved the public retail world came home with lots of deals, and in once piece (apparently even web traffic was crazy, Joanns site crashed at some point today!) <br />
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And what better way to commemorate Black Friday, and really kick off my blog in style, than to announce my first giveaway! Here's a peek at one of the items...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ek162meV75f5MTyU4cikGsZYEYQXB1Ij6djKfdnHg3pp6fod8v3ot2OZl6LYKKgDjGDE83mHaZ0Yzlzc9koEiIt54OH9PgcrmLiHa0tyoFGXTUjgiTxctBcsDymIKu9TLdWkpeFd5Sgc/s1600/Cream+Flower+Pocket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ek162meV75f5MTyU4cikGsZYEYQXB1Ij6djKfdnHg3pp6fod8v3ot2OZl6LYKKgDjGDE83mHaZ0Yzlzc9koEiIt54OH9PgcrmLiHa0tyoFGXTUjgiTxctBcsDymIKu9TLdWkpeFd5Sgc/s320/Cream+Flower+Pocket.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the second is still in the works, all I can say is that I'm deviating from my usual baby and kids crafting for this one. I had to make sure there's something for everyone!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll post official entry details for each of the two items complete with pics and details, so check back soon! In the meantime, go visit Tiffany at <a href="http://stealsdealsandheels.blogspot.com/">Steals, Deals and Heels</a> and watch for her announcement. Enjoy the rest of this holiday weekend!<br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8696586684373085607.post-75123775380430372672009-11-25T10:22:00.000-05:002009-11-25T10:22:23.914-05:00Welcome!Hello! I'm excited to be starting fresh in my new online home, and to be steadily working on my new Etsy shop. With the holidays in full swing around here I thought about waiting until the first of the year to start both of them, but why wait? It isn't like I won't have projects, thoughts, plans and ideas going through my head, and besides, tomorrow happens to be my favorite holiday all year so what better time to start sharing!<br />
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Today I'm headed into the kitchen to start baking for tomorrow. This year is a smaller Thanksgiving than I've ever had, with the four of us and just a few friends, but I'm learning that there is no such thing as a small feast. I may be cooking smaller quantities but I can't leave any of the dishes out! So today I'll get a head start by baking my pies and making the dough for the rolls, partly to avoid too much chaos tomorrow but mostly because I want two days of Thanksgiving smells :-)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05128899182019412987noreply@blogger.com1