Snow and Sun

While it lingers only in the shadowiest places in our yard, less than 3 days ago, our newly emerging green grass was covered with snow. I could say something cheeky about snow in late March, but living in Kansas quickly renders such comments redundant. For example, yesterday was about as picture perfect as a Spring day can be. Warm but not hot, sunny, breezy and delightful. Today we returned to our previously scheduled weather of grey, cloudy, VERY windy, and COLD. And being the nerd that I am, upon checking the weather, I found that this vascillating pattern of lovely and not-so-lovely weather continues indefinitely. I think living in North Carolina spoiled me quite a bit when it comes to expectations of blooming, bright, spring weather--in the appropriate months! Kansas does have a beautiful Spring, however, its advent is not as predictable as in the South. So, here I sit, wearing thick socks and three sweaters, looking like a very fat caterpillar, just waiting for that crystalline day when I can become a beautiful, if still round, butterfly in lovely spring frocks.

Today I mailed off a package to my mum. She and I trade things back and forth and it is always a bright spot to get an aptje in the mail. I hope she and Cissy enjoy the contents, even though I was lacking in colorful presents this time.

Yesterday we went on a few errands as a family. I love our leisurely Mondays. We stopped in at one of the local thrifts and I found a couple of treasures. Two lengths of fabric--perfect for making baby dresses, one sweet little romper, new with tags, and two really sweet table clothes, probably from the Fifties. I have been keeping my eyes peeled now that we know we are expecting a Miss Bee, but so far haven't hit the jackpot when it comes to lovely girly clothes. Thankfully, I have plenty of time, and lots of other people looking too! Not to mention I can always try my hand at sewing a few little frocks between now and then and I do have some lovely fabric for that purpose.

When I have a day with a little more light, I will take pictures of Miss Bee's bassinet. I found it on Craigslist and Russ picked it up on Friday. It is perfect and makes me smile whenever I look at it sitting at the foot of our bed. Also when the light improves I will have to post a few new belly pictures and maybe some of the vintage baby girl clothes I am working on mending! I inherited quite a few little petticoats and dresses that have been passed down on my Mom's side but they each need just a little attention.

But until then, I am going to work on the never ending laundry, do some baking and probably a bit of that mending I was talking about. Cheers!

A parenting experiment

To preface, for anyone who hasn't visited our little prairie cottage, we live in an 800 square feet, 100 year old house. It is the perfect beginning home for us and we love the huge fenced in backyard and the charm that comes from a well-built, if tiny and older home.

However, as Everett has gotten bigger, we have noticed the usable space and mess has grown as well. So last night we decided to start an experiment. In keeping with the new season, we will call it the "Spring Pick-up Project."

Everett has been exceptionally blessed with many, many, lovely and educational toys and games and books and more toys. And like many 2 1/2 year-olds, he doesn't always put away things before getting something new out. Even with assistance and persistance we have been having lots of trouble taking care of toys and cleaning up after playtime. So his dad and I decided that he will be given a certain group of toys every month, and everything else is going to be packed up in the attic. This way he doesn't have as many ways to spread his mess and he doesn't become overwhelmed when he has taken everything out.

This month he gets 5 of his farm animals, one of his barns, 6 toy cars (from the movie Cars of course), his set of wooden blocks (which unfortunately has over 200 pieces...) 3 stuffed animals and 2 wooden puzzles, as well as a figure-eight section of his wooden train track with trains. He helped to not only pick out the toys but also to put away the toys that were getting packed up! So far he seems quite happy with the arrangement, I hope it lasts.

In addition he has all of his outside toys, his crayons and coloring books, play-doh, and all his picture and reading books.

We certainly aren't depriving him but I hope that by limiting the choices, he is able to play without the manic need to dump everything out and to really enjoy the space that we have reclaimed.

I will keep you all posted on our progress, wish me luck.

Fairie wishes and little girl dreams

Yesterday morning, we all piled into the trusty Volvo wagon and drove to the doctors for our 20 week sonogram. While were were thrilled to learn that our baby is healthy and growing well, we were even more excited and suprised to find out we are having a little girl! She is long and skinny like her brother and has quite elegant fingers, which she sweetly waved at us. So without further ado, we introduce, Miss Beatrice Emily Essman.

Really Delicious cookies

As of yet, I haven't thought of a name for these cookies (which look rather lumpy and blah, but are quite yummy). But I thought I would share the recipe in case anyone else likes variations of oatmeal cookies.

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs powdered ginger
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup butter (don't even think of using margarine)
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 egg (room temp.)
1/4 honey

1 bag golden raisins
1 bag chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl mix thoroughly: softened butter (should not be melted or mushy, if you leave a fingerprint on top without denting the stick, it is perfect) sugar, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, egg.
In a separate bowl sift together the dry ingredients. Combine the dry and wet mixture using the bread beater attachment.

When completely mixed, stir in (by hand) raisins and pecans.

Place tbs. sized drops on baking sheet. I prefer the "air bake" type. Bake cookies for 11-12 minutes. They may not look done, but take them out and allow to cool. DO NOT OVER BAKE.

** amazing how including Spring flowers in the picture automatically makes the cookies look better!

Corned Beef and Cabbage

We celebrated St. Patrick's day with my grandparents Mowry over a very traditional dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and Irish soda bread. It was a lovely evening and everyone enjoyed the food (thank goodness!) Here is my lovely, and much tastier than it looks soda bread. It is so easy that I am sure it will grace our table on a regular basis.

My grandmother and grandfather and of course Russ.

The back of Evie's head and Grandmommy.
The table looked lovely, but unfortunately I didn't take any pre-dinner pictures! I did get to use my new-to-me crocheted tablecloth though. I love that Everett is about to throw his plate on the floor in this picture!

Backyard Shenanigans

Russ is making a puppy palace for the two little princesses. When finished we are going to paint it bright red with white trim, very traditional. Everett of course likes to help with any and all of Russ's projects and until today, the weather was scrumptious.

Everett of course is the official tester. It looks like he approves!

Everett also likes to pretend he has a camera like mommy's. And a good imagination is a necessity when using the "sure-shot t-ball stand 2009."

The other day the girls ganged up on Everett for a game of tug-o-war. Unfortunately, being puppies, they lost interest before he did, and before I could get any really good photos.

18 1/2 weeks

I am still getting the hang of the timer on my camera, but aside from the slightly forced look of the smiles, the pictures aren't bad. I figured it was time to update the belly pictures. So here it is in all its 18 1/2 week glory.
And a close-up.

in 3/4 profile.

Something lovely

For graduation, my parents gave me this vase. It is made by an artist from the Acoma pueblo, the oldest continuously inhabited place in the United States. I have asked Russ to make a special shelf for it, but it is temporarily ensconced on my bookshelf above my desk. I love looking at it each morning.

They grow up so fast

Phoebe is on the left and Penny on the right.
Penny

Phoebe.

Ready for Spring

Our Kansas weather has been typical for March thus far. One day it snows the next is balmy and delightful. All I can say is I am quite ready for warmth and sunny outside playtime. And of course, sundresses and sandals and pastel cardigans. My mom made this dress from the curtains that were hanging in the first house she and my dad lived in. The fabric is at least 50-60 years old and the dress is about 27 years old because she made it to wear the summer she was pregnant with me. It has held up remarkably well and aside from a few wear spots that I think I can fix, it is delightful. The sweater was a recent thrift find. Strangely enough, I have this sweater in black which I bought new from Banana Republic when I moved to Kansas. I replaced the tacky plastic buttons on the black sweater with cute vintage ones and intend to do the same on this pink one. I have a set of gorgeous irridescent grey mother-of-pearl buttons that will look splendid.

I intend to make a few more sundresses to weather the hottest days this summer, when I will be the most pregnant! These are my fabrics for my muslins. They were all thrifted for less than $2 each. The top one is practically a Fourth of July parade waiting to happen! The middle is probably a cotton/poly blend, but the color is just fantastic. And the bottom is a vintage sheet that I made a great wrap dress with, unfortunately the construction doesn't allow for a bra, so I will have to make a new version for this summer.

Here are my first three pseudo-maternity patterns. I think they can all be made to work for my growing belly. Any suggestions for fabric to dress? I think I want to make the dress on the right, the short view in eyelet for Easter--but only after I make a muslin. I have some gorgeous hand-dyed raw silk, in an true coral red that would look really pretty as the middle pattern--but again, a muslin is in order first.

Thanks to Anne, my bedroom is as pretty as a picture and ready for Spring too. I love switching out the curtains and linens when the seasons change.

A close up of my Scarlett O'Hara maternity dress.

For Nicole, Because she asked so sweetly

In all its flourescent teal glory, the amazing maternity dress from Planet Frump. Of course I should fill everyone else in on the providence of this delightful garment. My mother, who I consider my closest and dearest friend, has been sending me care-packages every month for quite awhile. Usually they are filled with funny, pretty, useful, or silly little presents for everyone in the family. This Friday, when I went to the post office, the March box had arrived. Everett and I hurried home to open our treasures. And what should I find betwixt the sweets and lovelies but this astonishing polyester creation. I vaguely remember my mother wearing it once about 16 years ago...Apparently, when she was pregnant with my little sister, my great-grandmother who lived in the Netherlands decided to send her a care-package. And this dress was the prize she unwrapped. It was never a particularly flattering dress--in fact I can think of few things less attractive than swaddling a growing midsection and the greater majority of a woman's pregnant body with teal polyester. But because it was a lovingly given present from Oma Lien, mom saved it--for 16 years to bequeath to me. Of course she sent it as a joke--and it is funny. Please enjoy

A few months worth of cuteness

Last week at this time it was a balmy 70 degrees with blue skies and sunshine. We had a lovely playdate and Everett and his friend Jackson had fun playing outside. It was a nice taste of spring. Soon the weather will warm up again, at least we hope so.

Jackson is checking the oil before Everett takes off. What a good friend.

This is Penelope at about 10 weeks old. They have already grown so much. When the sun comes out again, I will take some new pictures.

Everett is my number one taste-tester in the kitchen. The chocolate frosting was a success.

Quite the little cowboy! We may have to work on which way the shoe fits, but that is a lesson for another day.

We resorted to camera on top of TV console to snap a picture before we left for our Valentine's/Anniversary date. I wish we had taken a few more though--in a slightly more picturesque setting. They are so cute when they sleep. The puppy on the left is Penny and Phoebe is on the right.

Anymore they are too big for Everett to hold both at one time. But he does love to play with them.

And there are my handsome boys and pretty girls!

Journeyed far but now I have returned

Okay, well I didn't actually go anywhere--unless you count a day trip to Abilene, but I am back online! The short version (for anyone who hasn't heard it already)the internet options in our part of Kansas are a limited. Thus after multiple weeks without service, hours on hold with tech support, and still no answers, we decided back in January (maybe it was early February?) to cancel our contract. However, we didn't really have a plan for what to do next. So we waited and did lots of research into our limited options and finally decided that we would add wireless internet through our cell plan. So there you have it, we have internet capabilities again!

A brief rundown on exciting things that I might have blogged about if I had been online:

Russ suprised me with 2 tickets to see my darling, lovely, amazing, and wonderful friend Nicole in April. So on the 12th Everett and I will be embarking at an ungodly hour to arrive in Louisville around 10:30 am where we will play and relax for a whole week with Nicole and Victoria. I am so excited.

We got puppies. Two little lab-weimeraner sisters. They are about 3 months old now (we got them right before our anniversary. Their names are Penelope (called Penny) and Phoebe. Mostly they are pretty good.

Russ and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary! His mom watched Everett overnight and we pretended to be grownups.

I am no longer watching the other little boy. After a week of really bad days and a few almost breakdowns, Russ and I decided it would be better for him to be somewhere else. So life is resuming it's normal pace and I am loving having my sweet Everett back.

My diploma finally arrived, so apparently I actually did graduate after all.

We are about 18 weeks along mostly the nausea is gone but it has been replaced with other weird pregnancy symptoms. I see the doctor (hopefully) on Thursday, and we will schedule the next sonogram at that point. Hopefully we will know soon if we are having a sister or brother for Everett. Russ is still leaning towards a girl (he flip-flopped after a vivid dream) but I can't stop referring to the baby using masculine pronouns, so who knows.

Anne spoiled me with a huge care-package filled with beautiful sweetness and I re-decorated our bedroom for Spring. I may have been a bit premature in switching the linens, curtains, artwork and my closet out as the weather has again taken a turn for the colder climes. It isn't supposed to be above 50 for the next 10 days. As Everett says, "Oh bother."

I am sure that pictures will follow shortly. I just have to load and sort through the hundreds I have taken since last time!