Handwork & This Week's Round Up

I always hate the day after a birthday, no matter whose birthday it was. After all the hype and excitement of the day before, the day after just seems so... boring. Haha.

We don't do much for the first birthday - I know that sounds terrible - since we (or I should probably clarify, I) figure they won't remember it much and yes I know birthdays at that age are more about mama than they are baby, but I just like spending time with my kids and having them around every day, not just on their birthdays. So I make a big deal for the one's who understand, and the babies just get snuggled as much as they usually do... maybe a little more. ;)

 The kids did spend all day telling him "Happy Birthday Munchie!", Auntie Rachel brought him Ritz crackers for his present (she knows him pretty well),  and we had a nice big dinner that included mashed potatoes, which are currently Munchie's favorite food. I thought about making him wear a birthday hat, but figured he wouldn't keep it on for very long.

We've been doing a little "Home Ec" this week...

 The big boys learned how to make their own eggs on Monday, and excitedly continued to do so on Tuesday and Wednesday as well. Aside from smashing the eggs a little too much, they can do it all by themselves with nothing but supervision and a little coaxing which makes me both extremely proud and a little sad at the same time...

And now it is Friday!

I am sitting here with a lovely iced coffee, I just pulled chocolate chip muffins out of the oven, and now it's time to show you what I've been working on.

For any of you who follow the Little Homestead facebook page, I posted this picture the other day with the intention of using it in starting an embroidery project.

Well I did! And here's how it's going.

I just love violas. They make me so happy! Ben says it's funny that I like the tiny little ones that nobody else likes - since apparently everyone likes the larger pansies - but I just love tiny little flowers. I think because they make me think of fairies and the tiny unseen world of what could be.

I just pulled the picture up on my computer, laid the fabric over the screen, and traced with a fabric pen. I really like the first set I got done. It's so cute and fun.

Yesterday I finished potting up my strawberry plants. I have 2 whole 1020 flats full of pots- 36 plants! I also potted up some more peppers. Today I will finish the rest of the peppers and the few herbs, probably start marigolds (and maybe some other stuff, even though I don't have room, because I'm addicted), and try to get outside to do some weeding and bed prepping.

I also need make bread today for the weekend. Busy busy!

What's going on at your place?
Happy Friday!
Meg

Random Wednesday

We have a lily in the backyard! It's our first lily of the year and I'm so excited.

My mom brought us two large containers of blueberries with the request of jam, so I made a batch of freezer jam last week. I'd never made freezer jam before, and while it doesn't have that deep lovely blue/purple color of cooked jam, it still tastes wonderful. Blueberries are so delicious.

We have a spaghetti squash coming in. I saw a bee pollinating flowers the other day and I stood and talked to him while he worked, telling him to keep doing a good job! Give us lots of squash and green beans! I did have a tiny green bean harvest the other day. About a handful to go with dinner.

It's been hot here the last few days and some of my lettuce was trying to bolt, so I harvested a few heads this morning.

Looks like I'm having salad for lunch! Any family members looking for lettuce need to come get some!

I went to clean the sink the other day and found this little stow away. I'm not sure how she got in the house, but it was a very cute surprise!

I figured I would show the progress I've made on my embroidery sampler. It's coming along. I've found that I really hate the cross stitch and that I really like satin stitch and stem stitch and french knots are fun.

This is my corn, which I'm terribly proud of. I didn't want to just fill it in, I wanted it to look like corn. So I tried out french knots and I think it turned out great.

It's been hot here and as much as I don't like the heat, it is making our plants very happy.

Have a wonderful Wednesday,
Meg

In Which I Attempt Embroidery

I think I'm getting bored with knitting. GASP! Actually, I'm just wanting to branch out and try different things. I've been doing only one thing for so long and I was thinking that it really would be good if I learned quilting and embroidery and such.

So Saturday I took a trip to the craft store and bought me a hoop, needles and embroidery thread. I tried looking up instructions and how to do things but I'm really just one of those "Jump in and do it" kinda girls, so that's what I did. I have done this once when I was really young, but I've slept since then so it was really just learning it like new.

I found this sampler on Sew Mama Sew! and figured I would start with it, having no other reason than I thought it was cute.

I found that I really like embroidering. It's still using thread and fiber, but in a completely different way. I think I could really get into this.

Happy Monday,
Meg