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| She was so mad. |
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| But she sure looked ready for movie night in Daddy's shirt! |
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| ...for about 3 seconds. Then she tried to chew it off. |
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Obi is a Daddy's Girl
Debbie the Dolphin
So, this is the 6th and last sea creature for my friend's pay-it-forward gifts. :) 2 people down, 2 to go! I'm a little disappointed that it didn't turn out like the pattern--mostly, it should have been fatter, which means either I didn't count the stitches right or I didn't stuff it enough. Thankfully, I bought the pattern so I can try another one again soon...it was SO fast to make! Seriously. Two hours tops. Without further ado, here's Debbie the Dolphin:
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| All done! |
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I Have a Life...I Promise!
It's amazing how quickly your life, routine, goals, relationships, health, and everything else important to you can change. :) Having Cerene (my sister) and Caida (my niece) here is WONDERFUL, and the changes we've had are GOOD, but the adjusting to the change itself is wearing me out--and left me with no time to cook anything fancy or do any real crafting! Once I get used to things as they are, I'll probably post a lot more.
Here's the typical run-down of my weekdays now:
6:30 Get up, eat breakfast
7:00 Get Paul up, check emails/blog/facebook/etc.
7:45-8:15 Take Paul to work
8:15-9:00 Make sure the girls are up, take Obi out, and get everything ready for Caida's schooling
9:00-9:30 Aerobics at the church with Cerene and Caida
10-2 Homeschool Caida
2-5:45 Clean, play with Caida, walk the dog, have friends over, visit with family, do lesson plans, read scriptures, plan primary lessons, run errands, job hunt, pack and prep the move, etc. MAYBE I'll sneak some crafting in here sometime soon!
5:45-6:15 Pick up Paul
6:15-7:15ish Make and eat dinner
7:15-8:00 Relax and hang with family until Caida goes to sleep.
8:00-whenever "Grown up time" with Cerene and Paul--I DID teach her how to follow a crochet pattern, and yesterday we got 3/4 done with her first ever turtle! Last night, because of storms and tension, I had a big headache, and went to bed early. I suppose I could do some crafting then, too...and all those things from 2-5:45 that I didn't get done yet.
I know what many of you are thinking--just wait 'til you have your own kids, Celeste, and several of them, and a job, and a house that needs fixed, etc. But, in my defense, at least when you bear children you have 9 months to prepare for a major life change. We had 7 hours. :) I actually really love my new schedule, it's just the abruptness of it all that is taking its toll and making me feel frazzled.
It IS fun, though. I feel healthier already, and I know I wouldn't go to aerobics without Cerene, or worry as much about not sneaking sugary snacks if it weren't for Caida always around and wanting some, too. I love those two! I have hardly watched Netflix all week. Obi has been SO GOOD with the new transitions, it's almost like she's a new dog...almost. :) Hopefully once the weather gets nicer (please, no more nights of storm sirens going off every 20 minutes!) then we can go swimming and take long walks and enjoy the sunshine and really get our SUMMER on! And Paul and I can really appreciate date nights now that we don't have each other all to ourselves already every day and night. And that is where we are at in the Fernandez home. :)
Here's the typical run-down of my weekdays now:
6:30 Get up, eat breakfast
7:00 Get Paul up, check emails/blog/facebook/etc.
7:45-8:15 Take Paul to work
8:15-9:00 Make sure the girls are up, take Obi out, and get everything ready for Caida's schooling
9:00-9:30 Aerobics at the church with Cerene and Caida
10-2 Homeschool Caida
2-5:45 Clean, play with Caida, walk the dog, have friends over, visit with family, do lesson plans, read scriptures, plan primary lessons, run errands, job hunt, pack and prep the move, etc. MAYBE I'll sneak some crafting in here sometime soon!
5:45-6:15 Pick up Paul
6:15-7:15ish Make and eat dinner
7:15-8:00 Relax and hang with family until Caida goes to sleep.
8:00-whenever "Grown up time" with Cerene and Paul--I DID teach her how to follow a crochet pattern, and yesterday we got 3/4 done with her first ever turtle! Last night, because of storms and tension, I had a big headache, and went to bed early. I suppose I could do some crafting then, too...and all those things from 2-5:45 that I didn't get done yet.
I know what many of you are thinking--just wait 'til you have your own kids, Celeste, and several of them, and a job, and a house that needs fixed, etc. But, in my defense, at least when you bear children you have 9 months to prepare for a major life change. We had 7 hours. :) I actually really love my new schedule, it's just the abruptness of it all that is taking its toll and making me feel frazzled.
It IS fun, though. I feel healthier already, and I know I wouldn't go to aerobics without Cerene, or worry as much about not sneaking sugary snacks if it weren't for Caida always around and wanting some, too. I love those two! I have hardly watched Netflix all week. Obi has been SO GOOD with the new transitions, it's almost like she's a new dog...almost. :) Hopefully once the weather gets nicer (please, no more nights of storm sirens going off every 20 minutes!) then we can go swimming and take long walks and enjoy the sunshine and really get our SUMMER on! And Paul and I can really appreciate date nights now that we don't have each other all to ourselves already every day and night. And that is where we are at in the Fernandez home. :)
Why I Believe Wednesday: Girls Camp
I know it's Thursday, but my week is a little off...better late than never, right? :)
I L.O.V.E.D. young women's camp (camp for 12-18 year-old girls through church) every summer. It. Was. The. Highlight. Especially once I was a counselor, I went a little crazy planning fun activities and spiritual lessons--in fact, being an EFY counselor was pretty similar in that regard. Feeling the spirit wasn't always the focus of every activity when I was younger, but by the time I grew up the Stake had really pushed hard to make it not only a time of survival/first aid/hiking training but also a week where you felt the Spirit everywhere. Yes, there were silly camp songs, and weird camp crafts, always the drama between different youth and/or adults, and playing spoons or phase 10 while munching on "forbidden" snacks. All of that was precious, too. :)
I loved in particular the year that the adults and youth leaders put on a real-life walk-through of Lehi's dream. I was one of the guides, dressed in white and silent, while we led the girls through the mists of darkness, across gulfs, and past the great and spacious building, all while their friends pleaded with them to just let go of the iron rod and help them up. They begged and reached out to them, and it was a hard lesson to teach because you could just see the conflict in their eyes. Of course they wanted to help their friends, as we all should--just not if it means you have to pull away from the Lord and what you believe to do it. That building of people mocking also made quite an impact on me. I haven't been openly teased much in my life, but I sure can understand the pressure--sometimes more intellectual than social--to take your eyes off the prize. Then, when we ended up at the tree of life, and we shared hugs with friends and sisters and sang songs that invited the Spirit, you can't help but cry. I know, cliche, crying at girls' camp--but it does happen, and there's nothing wrong with that. :)
That's just one moment, of course--I remember being a first-year youth leader and my best friend and I had all these ideas about what we were going to do and how things were going to be...and then we found out we were in charge of two sisters with moderate physical and mental disabilities. What a tender thing it was to lead them, to see how wonderful being wrong about your ideas can be. Their sweet smiles, and easy laughter, and always giving out flowers, touched me. There was also the year that my friends and sister and I were on the music committee, and we were charged to rewrite the lyrics to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to make it about young women's. The four of us sat down and easily wrote the words--too easily for them to really be just ours. Another time, we sat in the woods and opened a meeting with the Stake President with the song "Joseph Smith's First Prayer," and as the verses drew to a close the birds and wind itself were still and you could just feel the spirit there, quiet, powerful, and true.
Nothing helps you believe more than feeling the Spirit testify of Christ. While I don't have any great and singular story to tell about girls' camp, I love the memories and the friendships I made there, and I love most of all that I always came away from that too-short four days with a renewed desire to keep close to the Lord and to do His will. Especially at a difficult time in my life, learning the temporal and spiritual survival skills and then getting to teach them to others really shaped a large part of who I am and what I know today. I just know that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are real. They live, in bodies of flesh and bone, and love us more than we can really ever understand in this lifetime. But I love that they provide moments like those--choice human experiences--that help us along the way. That is why I believe.
I L.O.V.E.D. young women's camp (camp for 12-18 year-old girls through church) every summer. It. Was. The. Highlight. Especially once I was a counselor, I went a little crazy planning fun activities and spiritual lessons--in fact, being an EFY counselor was pretty similar in that regard. Feeling the spirit wasn't always the focus of every activity when I was younger, but by the time I grew up the Stake had really pushed hard to make it not only a time of survival/first aid/hiking training but also a week where you felt the Spirit everywhere. Yes, there were silly camp songs, and weird camp crafts, always the drama between different youth and/or adults, and playing spoons or phase 10 while munching on "forbidden" snacks. All of that was precious, too. :)
I loved in particular the year that the adults and youth leaders put on a real-life walk-through of Lehi's dream. I was one of the guides, dressed in white and silent, while we led the girls through the mists of darkness, across gulfs, and past the great and spacious building, all while their friends pleaded with them to just let go of the iron rod and help them up. They begged and reached out to them, and it was a hard lesson to teach because you could just see the conflict in their eyes. Of course they wanted to help their friends, as we all should--just not if it means you have to pull away from the Lord and what you believe to do it. That building of people mocking also made quite an impact on me. I haven't been openly teased much in my life, but I sure can understand the pressure--sometimes more intellectual than social--to take your eyes off the prize. Then, when we ended up at the tree of life, and we shared hugs with friends and sisters and sang songs that invited the Spirit, you can't help but cry. I know, cliche, crying at girls' camp--but it does happen, and there's nothing wrong with that. :)
That's just one moment, of course--I remember being a first-year youth leader and my best friend and I had all these ideas about what we were going to do and how things were going to be...and then we found out we were in charge of two sisters with moderate physical and mental disabilities. What a tender thing it was to lead them, to see how wonderful being wrong about your ideas can be. Their sweet smiles, and easy laughter, and always giving out flowers, touched me. There was also the year that my friends and sister and I were on the music committee, and we were charged to rewrite the lyrics to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to make it about young women's. The four of us sat down and easily wrote the words--too easily for them to really be just ours. Another time, we sat in the woods and opened a meeting with the Stake President with the song "Joseph Smith's First Prayer," and as the verses drew to a close the birds and wind itself were still and you could just feel the spirit there, quiet, powerful, and true.
Nothing helps you believe more than feeling the Spirit testify of Christ. While I don't have any great and singular story to tell about girls' camp, I love the memories and the friendships I made there, and I love most of all that I always came away from that too-short four days with a renewed desire to keep close to the Lord and to do His will. Especially at a difficult time in my life, learning the temporal and spiritual survival skills and then getting to teach them to others really shaped a large part of who I am and what I know today. I just know that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are real. They live, in bodies of flesh and bone, and love us more than we can really ever understand in this lifetime. But I love that they provide moments like those--choice human experiences--that help us along the way. That is why I believe.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Kids Say the Darndest Things
So, for lunch Caida insisted that she make the sandwiches. I'm all about letting kids do the very most they can without my interference, so I let her. Ham, cheese, and spinach. Yum.
As we were enjoying our sandwiches together, she decided that it was a mistake to have put the heel of the bread on her sandwich, and the top part of the crust that was covered in oats was gross and needed to be thrown onto my plate. In a rather polite voice, I told her that that wasn't very nice.
In a tone that I *know* came from mimicking her mother, she turned her chair to me and said in a stern and lecturing voice, "Celeste, I made this awesome sandwich for you, so you don't get to talk to me like that. Just enjoy your sandwich."
Trying to keep in a smirk, I told her that I wasn't being rude or disrespectful (which she can be at times), just that I didn't want her to throw her food onto my plate.
She asked me, again in that lecturing tone, "Well, how would YOU like it if I threw my bread onto YOUR plate?"
...ummm....
I told her, "You did!"
Sheepishly, "Oh yeah."
Then we giggled.
As we were enjoying our sandwiches together, she decided that it was a mistake to have put the heel of the bread on her sandwich, and the top part of the crust that was covered in oats was gross and needed to be thrown onto my plate. In a rather polite voice, I told her that that wasn't very nice.
In a tone that I *know* came from mimicking her mother, she turned her chair to me and said in a stern and lecturing voice, "Celeste, I made this awesome sandwich for you, so you don't get to talk to me like that. Just enjoy your sandwich."
Trying to keep in a smirk, I told her that I wasn't being rude or disrespectful (which she can be at times), just that I didn't want her to throw her food onto my plate.
She asked me, again in that lecturing tone, "Well, how would YOU like it if I threw my bread onto YOUR plate?"
...ummm....
I told her, "You did!"
Sheepishly, "Oh yeah."
Then we giggled.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Homeschooling!
So, my sister and her daughter are living with us for a while! It's been fun to spend so much time with family and we're excited to have them stay as long as they need. Also, because Caida missed some of kindergarten due to her seizures as well as Cerene's commitment to have Caida study all summer long so she doesn't get even more behind, now I get to put my degree to use and homeschool Caida during the week! I've been giddy with excitement planning lesson plans again, even if it has been a rushed process. :)
Here are a few things that, personally, I think make homeschooling (or study time after school) a little smoother:
(1) A personal study center.
Not only is this center (made from half a trifold display board) portable, but everything from it detaches thanks to my good friend Mr. Velcro and a few 7/8" brass cup hooks (reinforced with hot glue)! I love that she'll have everything she needs (pencils, safety scissors, sight words, etc.), as well as some things to reference (I still want to put up a 100s chart and a moveable clock, etc.). Also, I have space to add things like a calculator, extra flash cards on those extra hooks, etc. as she gets older. TIP: use hot glue to cover the poky parts of the hooks if you use them, and make sure the SOFT side of velcro is on your actual materials so when they take them away and use them your kiddos don't get scratched!
(2) A special place for everything school-related.
I'm still figuring this space out, but in a day I think I did a fine job. :) I used a 2-shelf end table, and on top I have a file folder for each day's worksheets. Underneath, in a wooden bin, I have MY supplies and things we'll need during the week, and her backpack and extra books rest against another bookshelf, like so:
Then I added my felt dice, and a large whiteboard with magnetic letters. (In my opinion, with children 2nd grade and lower, at least, a magnetic letter work center is a MUST...the numbers aren't awful, but the letters are SO VERSATILE and key to all word work. Have AT LEAST 3 sets of magnetic letters, but more than that if you're working on sentences...I have 5 which is enough to spell each person's name.)
Linking up HERE.
Here are a few things that, personally, I think make homeschooling (or study time after school) a little smoother:
(1) A personal study center.
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| Sorry it's fuzzy, I don't know why it did that! |
(2) A special place for everything school-related.
(3) A routine! Schedules are important in all schooling, but especially homeschooling. Especially if, like Caida at the moment, their routines are all over the place already...or if you're usually their fun aunt instead of their teacher. I break the four hours (10-2, with a 45 minute lunch/recess in the middle) into 15-minute lessons, and we pretty much do the same things every day (not EXACTLY the same, but I mean we start with her sight words, move on to magnet letters, do some worksheets, play a game, read a book, read independently, eat...you get the idea). Here's what our week looks like (I thrive on the grid lesson planning system, though with older kids it ends up being two pages) :
I'm sure I'll post more about Caida later. :) Right now I'm just enjoying being a teacher again, even if it is just to one adorable kiddo. :)
Linking up HERE.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Crocheted Starfish
This is another original pattern. :) I'm kinda proud. Look how cute this starfish is!
So here is the pattern. Use it however you want. :)
If you have any questions, just ask. I'm still new to writing out these patterns, so there could very possibly be a mistake or something unclear. Enjoy!
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| I needed something yellow to round out the color palette here. This is more the color he actually is. :) |
Sc=single crochet; hdc=half double crochet; dc=double crochet; tr=triple crochet; st=stitch; ss=slip stitch; ch=chain; inc=increase (2 sc in a stitch);
The first part of this pattern is worked in a spiral, so don’t join unless indicated.
Starfish (make 2):
Row 1: 5 sc in magic circle. Pull tight. (5)
Row 2: Inc each stitch around (10)
Row 3: Inc each stitch around (20)
Row 4: (leg) *Ch 8. In 2nd ch from hook, sc. 2 hdc. 2 dc. 2 tr. Back at base circle, skip 3 st from where leg began, ss into next ch (so leg is anchored beginning to end over 5 st. )*
Repeat * 4 more times.
Secure legs to base by ss each st. (The ridge that forms will be inside) Fasten off, tuck tails in.
Assembling:
Put starfish together, with ridges inside facing each other. Pull a new piece of yarn through both stars at the base of a leg.
Sew together 3 of the 5 legs by sc around, making sure you’re matching stitch for stitch (this gives the border), and stuffing each leg as you go. Stuff center after 3 legs are finished, and each of the two remaining legs after you’ve finished one side of them.
Finish off, weave in tails, and add any facial features you want (I used felt and hot glue, it’s easier for me).
Baby Seal! (ORIGINAL pattern!)
Here's my baby seal!
Look how it is so tiny next to the others...that's because it's a baby. :)
It fits in the palm of my hand.
Yeah, I know, it's not that complicated, but it IS adorable and easy! :) I saw a picture of something kinda similar and thought it was cute enough to try and copy...well, it turned out a little different, but that's what makes it my own, right? My second-ever original amigurumi pattern (first was the cookies).
So, without further ado, here is my baby seal!
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| Top view |
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| Look at that face! |
Look how it is so tiny next to the others...that's because it's a baby. :)
It fits in the palm of my hand.
Yeah, I know, it's not that complicated, but it IS adorable and easy! :) I saw a picture of something kinda similar and thought it was cute enough to try and copy...well, it turned out a little different, but that's what makes it my own, right? My second-ever original amigurumi pattern (first was the cookies).
So, without further ado, here is my baby seal!
Sc=single crochets; st=stitch; ss=slip stitch; ch=chain; inc=increase (2 sc in a stitch); dec=decrease (pull yarn thru st, then pull yarn thru next st, yarn over [y/o] and pull thru all 3 loops); *=what to be repeated
This pattern is worked in a spiral, so mark the ends of each round to keep track.
Head/Body
Row 1: In Magic Circle, 8 sc. Pull circle tight. (8)
Row 2: 2 sc in each st around. (16)
Row 3: *sc, inc* repeat around (24)
Row 4: *2 sc, inc* repeat around (32)
Rows 5-10: 32 sc (no inc or dec)
Row 11: *2 sc, dec* repeat around (24)
Row 12: sc around (24)
Row 13: *sc, dec* repeat around (16)
Row 14: sc around (16)
Row 15: dec around (8)
STUFF
Row 16: sc around (8)
Row 17: dec around (4)
Row 18: ss in st across, pull tight and fasten off. Weave in tails.
Tail/Flippers (make 4)
Row 1: In magic circle, ch 3. Pull tight. Turn (3)
2: Inc each stitch (6), JOIN with ss into 1st st.
3: Inc each stitch (12). JOIN.
4:6 sc, 3 dec (9) Fasten off.
Weave tail thru each of the 9 stitches, pull tightly. Fasten off, weave in tail.
Sew/Attach 2 to back (above the nub) of body for tail, side-by-side. Sew/attach 1 to each side of seal body, with point towards the front, for flippers.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Crocheted Purse
This is why I need to learn how to make my own patterns. I found this purse online:
I think it would be adorable to make for a friend of mine, especially with the ribboned flapper hat I want to make her, too...
...but I can't find a good pattern for anything like this purse anywhere online! So after hours of searching online I found this one:
It's awfully cute, too, and the pattern is there, free, and I'd like to learn that bobble stitch...but I like the shape of the first one better (and the vertical instead of horizontal stripes). Maybe I'll play around a while and end up making my own pattern? Or maybe I'll just make that second one, minus the straps...we'll see! I still have a dolphin to make before I start worrying about it...
...but I can't find a good pattern for anything like this purse anywhere online! So after hours of searching online I found this one:
Sally the Seahorse
This adorable seahorse was EASY and only took me about 3-4 hours to complete all together.
You can get the pattern for free from Mausica's Magical Menagerie, HERE. I loved the spiky fins and how it looked more like a stuffed toy for kids than anything too realistic. :) I seriously looked all over and half of them were UGLY! I could make a million of these, especially since it used so little yarn. Also, FYI, using the yarn I usually use for these kinds of crafts (Red Heart acrylic 4-ply yarns, the cheap kind from Walmart) and a size H hook, it actually ended up being almost 7 inches tall, which is almost twice as tall as the pattern said. But that was perfect for me, because look how it blends with the other cute toys!
I could do this all day...oh, wait! I have! :)
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| Close-up of the head... |
You can get the pattern for free from Mausica's Magical Menagerie, HERE. I loved the spiky fins and how it looked more like a stuffed toy for kids than anything too realistic. :) I seriously looked all over and half of them were UGLY! I could make a million of these, especially since it used so little yarn. Also, FYI, using the yarn I usually use for these kinds of crafts (Red Heart acrylic 4-ply yarns, the cheap kind from Walmart) and a size H hook, it actually ended up being almost 7 inches tall, which is almost twice as tall as the pattern said. But that was perfect for me, because look how it blends with the other cute toys!
I could do this all day...oh, wait! I have! :)
Freddie the Fish
Here's Freddie, the Rainbow Fish.
I made his body yesterday, and added the fins and tail this morning. I got the pattern for free from Apocalypse Knits, HERE. It wasn't as easy as the octopus, mostly because there weren't any thread counts after each row and I'm too lazy to do the math myself...but it wasn't bad. It was also about twice the size I thought it was...it's probably almost a foot long from nose to tail! I should probably invest in a different sized hook one of these days (I only have an H!). Oh well. He's still pretty dang cute, and he'll blend in nicely with the other toys I'm making for my friend.
One thing I did to make it easier (because I hate switching out colors unless I absolutely have to): I used the Red Heart variegated yarn Primary instead of doing different colors, and I'm overall happy with the result. He's so rainbowy. :)
One neat thing about making all these toys, I'm learning a few new stitches, like the magic ring (used for almost all amigurumi toys) and the popcorn stitch (which I used to make THIS). And I'm really learning how to make the yarn take shape however I want it to--like, if you want to increase a circle in a flat way, you do one thing, but if you want it to start taking a "tube" shape, you do something else...hopefully, once I learn a little more I'll be able to start making my own toys, sans pattern. That way I can look at something and more or less make it, whatever size I want. :)
I made his body yesterday, and added the fins and tail this morning. I got the pattern for free from Apocalypse Knits, HERE. It wasn't as easy as the octopus, mostly because there weren't any thread counts after each row and I'm too lazy to do the math myself...but it wasn't bad. It was also about twice the size I thought it was...it's probably almost a foot long from nose to tail! I should probably invest in a different sized hook one of these days (I only have an H!). Oh well. He's still pretty dang cute, and he'll blend in nicely with the other toys I'm making for my friend.
One thing I did to make it easier (because I hate switching out colors unless I absolutely have to): I used the Red Heart variegated yarn Primary instead of doing different colors, and I'm overall happy with the result. He's so rainbowy. :)
One neat thing about making all these toys, I'm learning a few new stitches, like the magic ring (used for almost all amigurumi toys) and the popcorn stitch (which I used to make THIS). And I'm really learning how to make the yarn take shape however I want it to--like, if you want to increase a circle in a flat way, you do one thing, but if you want it to start taking a "tube" shape, you do something else...hopefully, once I learn a little more I'll be able to start making my own toys, sans pattern. That way I can look at something and more or less make it, whatever size I want. :)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Ollie the Octopus
This is Ollie. I made her today as part of a pay-it-forward gift for a friend.
I LOVE her and want a million of her, and I don't even care anything about octopi. You can get the pattern for FREE from The Kansas Hooker, HERE.
I'm probably going to spend much of next week making her a few ocean creatures for my friend...she loves dolphins, but making that didn't seem like it would take much time and after that checkers set I want each gift to be something really special. :) I know for sure I'm making her a cutesy blue dolphin, pink seahorse, and a rainbow fish, all of which are chunky and cartoony and adorable...we'll see if anything else comes up. :)
I LOVE her and want a million of her, and I don't even care anything about octopi. You can get the pattern for FREE from The Kansas Hooker, HERE.
I'm probably going to spend much of next week making her a few ocean creatures for my friend...she loves dolphins, but making that didn't seem like it would take much time and after that checkers set I want each gift to be something really special. :) I know for sure I'm making her a cutesy blue dolphin, pink seahorse, and a rainbow fish, all of which are chunky and cartoony and adorable...we'll see if anything else comes up. :)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Easy Crocheted Cookie
COOKIE OUTSIDES (make 2, with black for chocolate cookies or yellow/gold for vanilla)
1. Chain 4, join.
2. Chain 1, pull up.
3. Round 1: 6 single crochets in center of circle, join.
4. Chain 2, pull up.
5. Round 2: 2 double crochets in each single crochets (12 stitches), join. Fasten off.
FROSTING (make 1)
1. Chain 8, join.
2. Chain 1, pull up.
3. Make 12 double crochets in center of circle, join. Fasten off.
Sew the outsides to the inside, working around the entire cookie (that's what makes the "ridge" outside).
See? EASY. And quick. I know, because I had to make 24 of them. ;)
Linking up HERE.
Pay It Forward Gift #1!
You remember these?
Well, I finished my project a little earlier than I had planned (probably because I did almost nothing today but crochet...), so I get to show you what I did with them!
Drumroll, please...
Tada!
It's a crocheted cookie checkers set, for my friend Mary and her family. (She's got two girls and a third kid on the way.) I love how it turned out, and I'm proud of myself for sticking with it even though it took longer than an evening to complete. :) I want to play it myself! But, alas, I must ship it off to be enjoyed by the proper owner. :)
Well, I finished my project a little earlier than I had planned (probably because I did almost nothing today but crochet...), so I get to show you what I did with them!
Drumroll, please...
Tada!
It's a crocheted cookie checkers set, for my friend Mary and her family. (She's got two girls and a third kid on the way.) I love how it turned out, and I'm proud of myself for sticking with it even though it took longer than an evening to complete. :) I want to play it myself! But, alas, I must ship it off to be enjoyed by the proper owner. :)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Why I Believe Wednesday: The Little Things
I know the last few weeks as I've shared some testimony-boosting experiences, I've mostly shared some of the bigger moments in my life. But I want to be clear that, for the most part, those experiences are rare. Much more often, and, honestly, much more powerfully, it is the little things that help increase my testimony of the Savior and His gospel. This post is dedicated to all of those small and simple things that, drop by drop, add oil to the lamp, even if they are moments that I don't really remember afterwards.
There are moments when I really hear the message behind the hymns we sing, and either a part of my heart is warmed or a part of my brain gets clearer. I know it's the Spirit testifying to me of the truthfulness of those words.
There are moments when the beauty of something natural--a sunset, or stars, or a field of flowers--is so breathtaking that I instantly offer up a quick little "thank you" to Heavenly Father, and I feel like even though He created the whole entire universe, He hears me and knows my name and cares.
There are moments when we are teaching our primary kiddos and one of them will say something amazing and profound and I am struck by how absolutely simple the gospel is, and I will be impressed with this young, vibrant, curious generation and catch a glimpse of the future of the Church.
There are moments when I'm studying my scriptures and the answer that I've been searching for just jumps right off the page, and even though they were written for everyone I feel like the prophet wrote that verse with me and my circumstances in mind.
There are moments when I'm with my family, especially Paul, and I feel so much love and happiness inside of me that I think I may actually burst, and through that love I feel the love of God.
There are moments when I'm pondering the mysteries of life and the Plan of Salvation suddenly becomes so clear and logical in my mind that I don't know how I could ever doubt it.
There are moments when I lose sight of myself and my problems and go to work serving someone else, and suddenly my load is a little lighter, and I catch a glimpse of the kind of person I want to be.
It's said that "by their fruits ye shall know them," meaning the true followers of Christ. We all have a million little moments every day that shape us as people, and I know that when I have my priorities straight, those moment bring me closer to my Savior. When I do the little things, I can see the fruits and know that they are good. Conversely, when I don't do those things, I suffer. I love the logic of the gospel, and I love the moments when it defies logic. I love how broad a scope it can have, and yet how concerned with the individual He is. I love that by small and simple things, great things come to pass. Those "primary answers" really do apply to everything and they really do matter--just look at the things I'm doing when I feel the Spirit...going to church, singing hymns, studying my scriptures, saying prayers, serving people...
The Lord loves us in all the big things, but I think He loves us even more in all the little things. It takes a true Friend to be there for you all day, every day, in good and bad times, and to speak to you as much as you'll listen. He is my Best Friend ever, even when I don't deserve it or am not as good a friend back. And that is why I believe.
There are moments when I really hear the message behind the hymns we sing, and either a part of my heart is warmed or a part of my brain gets clearer. I know it's the Spirit testifying to me of the truthfulness of those words.
There are moments when the beauty of something natural--a sunset, or stars, or a field of flowers--is so breathtaking that I instantly offer up a quick little "thank you" to Heavenly Father, and I feel like even though He created the whole entire universe, He hears me and knows my name and cares.
There are moments when we are teaching our primary kiddos and one of them will say something amazing and profound and I am struck by how absolutely simple the gospel is, and I will be impressed with this young, vibrant, curious generation and catch a glimpse of the future of the Church.
There are moments when I'm studying my scriptures and the answer that I've been searching for just jumps right off the page, and even though they were written for everyone I feel like the prophet wrote that verse with me and my circumstances in mind.
There are moments when I'm with my family, especially Paul, and I feel so much love and happiness inside of me that I think I may actually burst, and through that love I feel the love of God.
There are moments when I'm pondering the mysteries of life and the Plan of Salvation suddenly becomes so clear and logical in my mind that I don't know how I could ever doubt it.
There are moments when I lose sight of myself and my problems and go to work serving someone else, and suddenly my load is a little lighter, and I catch a glimpse of the kind of person I want to be.
It's said that "by their fruits ye shall know them," meaning the true followers of Christ. We all have a million little moments every day that shape us as people, and I know that when I have my priorities straight, those moment bring me closer to my Savior. When I do the little things, I can see the fruits and know that they are good. Conversely, when I don't do those things, I suffer. I love the logic of the gospel, and I love the moments when it defies logic. I love how broad a scope it can have, and yet how concerned with the individual He is. I love that by small and simple things, great things come to pass. Those "primary answers" really do apply to everything and they really do matter--just look at the things I'm doing when I feel the Spirit...going to church, singing hymns, studying my scriptures, saying prayers, serving people...
The Lord loves us in all the big things, but I think He loves us even more in all the little things. It takes a true Friend to be there for you all day, every day, in good and bad times, and to speak to you as much as you'll listen. He is my Best Friend ever, even when I don't deserve it or am not as good a friend back. And that is why I believe.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Not-Quite-Cupcakes
This was our dinner last night. :)
It was actually based on a recipe from, you guessed it, FamilyFun.go.com. They're not REALLY cupcakes...they're meatloaf and mashed potatoes!
They are SO easy and fun...not as easy as actual meatloaf and potatoes, but still pretty easy. And worth it just for the look on Paul's face!
Not-Quite-Cupcakes (makes 12)
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and line a 12-cup muffin tin with FOIL muffin liners (you can get a pack of 30 at Hobby Lobby for less than $2)...don't use plain paper liners, they won't work!!!
2. Make your meatloaf mix however you like (for about a pound of beef)--some days I just add ketchup, bread crumbs, and onions to a pound of ground beef, while other days I get a little more adventurous and add things like onion soup mix to the meat. Yesterday, I was feeling a little like chocolate, so I loosely followed the directions for the meat here--it includes barbeque sauce, cocoa powder, and molasses, among other things! I also added wheat germ and oats along with bread crumbs. This part is totally up to you. :)
3. Spoon some of the meat mixture into each foil liner--fill them about 3/4 full.
4. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until cooked through.
5. Meanwhile, make about 3 cups of mashed potatoes. (It's easier here if you use a boxed mix...this part was difficult for me to gauge, as I always use real and whole potatoes and I had to peel them this time around...plus, I always make too much. But better too much than too little!) Separate into three or four bowls, add food coloring, and stir to make pastel colors.
6. When the meatloaf cupcakes are done, let them sit a while and cool off (not 'til cold, but until the meat hardens up a bit). If you try to move them while they're still really warm, you'll (A) poke holes in the foil liners, and (B) probably mash the whole thing up. Trust me, I learned that the hard way. You CAN drain them first...that might help.
7. Spread a generous spoonful of mashed potatoes on each "cupcake," et voila, you're done!
Even with our huge appetites, these dozen were plenty, and we brought some over to my mom to surprise her. :) I had anticipated we'd want more than we did, so I have LOTS of meat and potatoes leftover...tonight, I'll probably put them all into a "pie."
Happy eating! Linking up HERE.
It was actually based on a recipe from, you guessed it, FamilyFun.go.com. They're not REALLY cupcakes...they're meatloaf and mashed potatoes!
They are SO easy and fun...not as easy as actual meatloaf and potatoes, but still pretty easy. And worth it just for the look on Paul's face!
Not-Quite-Cupcakes (makes 12)
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and line a 12-cup muffin tin with FOIL muffin liners (you can get a pack of 30 at Hobby Lobby for less than $2)...don't use plain paper liners, they won't work!!!
2. Make your meatloaf mix however you like (for about a pound of beef)--some days I just add ketchup, bread crumbs, and onions to a pound of ground beef, while other days I get a little more adventurous and add things like onion soup mix to the meat. Yesterday, I was feeling a little like chocolate, so I loosely followed the directions for the meat here--it includes barbeque sauce, cocoa powder, and molasses, among other things! I also added wheat germ and oats along with bread crumbs. This part is totally up to you. :)
3. Spoon some of the meat mixture into each foil liner--fill them about 3/4 full.
4. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until cooked through.
5. Meanwhile, make about 3 cups of mashed potatoes. (It's easier here if you use a boxed mix...this part was difficult for me to gauge, as I always use real and whole potatoes and I had to peel them this time around...plus, I always make too much. But better too much than too little!) Separate into three or four bowls, add food coloring, and stir to make pastel colors.
6. When the meatloaf cupcakes are done, let them sit a while and cool off (not 'til cold, but until the meat hardens up a bit). If you try to move them while they're still really warm, you'll (A) poke holes in the foil liners, and (B) probably mash the whole thing up. Trust me, I learned that the hard way. You CAN drain them first...that might help.
7. Spread a generous spoonful of mashed potatoes on each "cupcake," et voila, you're done!
Even with our huge appetites, these dozen were plenty, and we brought some over to my mom to surprise her. :) I had anticipated we'd want more than we did, so I have LOTS of meat and potatoes leftover...tonight, I'll probably put them all into a "pie."
Happy eating! Linking up HERE.
A Sneak Peak...
This is what I'm working on at the moment.
Even crocheting for significant portions of the day, every day, I think I won't be finished with the WHOLE project until the weekend...
And in the meantime, I'm finding it VERY, VERY HARD not to go out and buy a dozen boxes of Oreos! In fact, I may go there in a very short while and buy...one or two. :)
But it'll all be worth it in the end!
Even crocheting for significant portions of the day, every day, I think I won't be finished with the WHOLE project until the weekend...
And in the meantime, I'm finding it VERY, VERY HARD not to go out and buy a dozen boxes of Oreos! In fact, I may go there in a very short while and buy...one or two. :)
But it'll all be worth it in the end!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Charissa's Graduation!
Here are just some photos from Charissa's graduation from Purdue yesterday!
Congrats again, Charissa! :)
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| We watched her graduation on the TV...and we caught her! (Which wasn't easy, since it only showed her on the bottom left of the screen...) |
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| Charissa and Caida |
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| Charissa, Caida, and Mom |
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| Adding Brittany and Tanner |
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| Adding Grandma Karen |
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| Adding Cerene (far left) and me in the back...on my tiptoes so you can see me! |
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| Grandpa Hall, Mom, Charissa, and Caida |
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| Sisters! (And men.) Cerene and James, Charissa, me and Paul. |
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