Lack of Stairs

This was the scene a week ago in our front yard. Bye bye crumbling, falling apart stairs. They definitely needed to go. Of course, you can't leave it up to boys to take before pictures of the awful stairs, so just imagine, they were not good. The past couple of winters have really lead to their deterioration. We knew they would have to be done, but all the warm weather, the freezing, the thawing, was just not good. So out went the stairs.
Two boys, happy like little kids, playing with machines! lol.
Jay even got to help out. I think he certainly realized how hard the job actually is. Thank goodness for Ian and all his help. If Jay had rented the bobcat and had to do it himself, there would still be rocks out front.
Now to build it back so we have stairs again. It does work wonders for keeping solicitors away. lol.

Potholder and Snackmat

Practicing my quilting skills. Made a little potholder, that turned out ok. The binding, bias tape, and I didn't really get along. That and my machine was not happy with it. Whatever it was, it turned out though. Great way to use up some scraps. The back is my favourite Anna Maria Horner fabric from the Innocent Crush line. Love it!

Then I made Audra a snackmat. She doesn't quite understand that it's like a place mat, but for snacks. Maybe some day she'll understand. She puts it right beside mine and puts her cup on it like Mom, so maybe she understands more then I give her credit for. The fabric is Little Apples, and so cute. I think the rest of it will be made into a sunhat for her. I love the little kids playing. The A (for Audra of course) is from the Kitchen Cookery line by Michael Miller, another line I love.

Yummy Goodness

So my famous pear pie. Every time I make it, it's always a hit. It's a guarded recipe, as it's not my own. It was a recipe given to me by one of my favourite chef's a very long time ago. It was his mom's and I never really got the story on how she came to make it. If it was her own, or from somewhere. Wish I kinda knew the story now.

And yay, all those pins, finally lead to me making something. Well, I've made lots of dinner dishes, but never any sweet stuff that I have pinned. These kabobs looked so good. Strawberries, marshmallows, and pound cake, drizzled with strawberry sauce. They were good and I think something I would definitely remake again.

27 Months

Oops. A little late on the post this month. This month seemed to fly. Definitely doesn't stop you from growing and getting bigger and more like a little girl, not my little baby anymore. But it's inevitable isn't it? Look how frigging cute your hair is. It's getting so long. Your dad wants you to get a haircut, but I want to wait. It's taken us forever to get cute little pigtails and bows and ponies, I want to wait a bit. Now that you actually let me do your hair, and it's finally long enough. Eventually.

You are so full of beans and so curious all the time. My goodness. You never cease to amaze us. The things you pick up is great. Words come out of no where and it's great trying to play detective and figure out what you are trying to say. We usually have to see where you are pointing to and that helps us a bit. You chatter all the time now, and even have started singing. It's cute hearing you sing Elmo. I am trying to teach you easier things to sing, but it's not going all that well.
We bought you a bike and it's the cutest thing ever. You kinda understand the pedals, or at least your left foot understands. The right occasionally sits on the pedal. You love being pushed around the court. It's sweet to see your dad chasing after you and the bike. You also got a little helmet, because that's what you do now (neither your dad or I ever had helmets! crazy to think that now!). And you love that helmet. We now have to hide it, or you will wear it in the house all the time. You silly goose. We really don't want you broadcasting that you are wearing a helmet all the time. You aren't one of those kids! lol. It does help when rough housing with Gwen though.

27 months. Wow, time sure flies. You are always the light at the end of a rough day. It's great coming home to someone so happy to see you. You now understand people leaving the house, and say bye, and of course want to wave in the window now. Dad always remembers now that we will be waving. Although if he doesn't leave in his truck, we certainly hear about it. "Dada, mom car. Dada mom car." I guess you associate the red car with mom and dad has a truck. lol. If one of us isn't home, you ask "momma/dada work?". It's cute. You love your books, and it always warms my heart. You have taken a liking to Curious George. And even though you should be sleeping, and not reading by light in the hallway, it does make a momma proud. It's wonderful seeing the world by your eyes sometimes. It makes you stop a bit, and enjoy this life that seems to pass so quickly sometimes.
Love you monkey child, and all your craziness. We keep smiling, and laughing, and shaking our heads. And as a side note, emu slippers can be washed in the washing machine, and they won't fall apart. Yay! I am sure the other night was only one of many "pee" accidents to happen. lol.
Love you so much!

Audra's Quilt

I never posted pictures of the quilt I made Audra. It was the first quilt I had ever made, and it is leaps and bounds away from being perfect. But for my first attempt, it at least came out looking like a blanket and that was the goal.
I fell in love with those charm packs, Hideaway. Can't remember whose line it was for Moda. But loved the little deer, the cute patterns, the swiss clocks and chalets, and the colours sold it for me.
I didn't do a traditional backing or binding. Being my first, I was unsure what I wanted, and ended up deciding on a blanket backing and soft silky binding. The more it gets washed, the better it seems to look. It fits perfectly on her little big girl bed. It will be a little small for the twin, but a great crib blanket or snuggling blanket for later on.

And of course, a little personal touch, so Audra knows who made it for her.

New Baby Presents

A cute little new baby girl got a few handmade gifts. Some flannel burp cloths, adapted from different versions til I found one that works well. I love how soft they get after lots of washing. A little bunting/banner with her name on it. For her door, above her crib, or wherever her mom deems cute. A little soft, knit hat. The wool was a great baby wool, so soft and cuddly.

It can be rolled up once or twice. It will probably be a bit big, so next time, I need to find a littler pattern, for a smaller head.