Backstitching!!!

For those of you that don't Cross-stitch backstitching is usually what happens when your project is all done and your doing the outlining to make parts of your project POP!

Well, I have completed all of the stitching and have started on the backstitching! I have decided that is one of the steps I don't like doing. Not sure why that is I could easily pass off this step but everything I've done that includes it makes it look awesome! 

So I guess I will just have to power through it and get it done. My goal is to be able to send Patrick's stocking to my mom so she will sew it up. (I'm not very successful on that part) I'm on track at this point  because I gave myself until the 1st of November. I'm ahead at this point. Yeah me!!!

Catching Up...

So when we moved to Texas we got Direct TV instead of cable (We saved money seriously). 

Well we got the DVR combo. So I have set recordings got to have my favorites right? Well, I started DVRing The Chew

ABC daily at 11:00-12:00. 

Well, let me just its changed my life. LOL We've actually made

a few of the recipes. 

Daphne Oz's Bacon Pancakes with Bourbon Sauce

Mario Batali's Black bean and egg breakfast Tacos 

So we spent the past 4 day weekend catching up. So I'm only 11 episodes behind. 

Seriously funny, there have been some episodes I've laughed so hard that I've ended up in tears.

Projects: New and Old

Old Projects:

Patrick's stocking:

So in our family we have a tradition on having cross-stitched stockings. Sad to say Abbie and Jb got theirs last year (yes if you know us that means they have been in the family for 8 and 9 years).

Progress before we packed up.

Patrick is going to get his a head of the curve only 4 years in the family. Needless to say it's coming along quickly. That is if I stick with it. We've had company and so I had to stick it up for a few.  

After unpacking.

Patrick's Blanket: Completed

So after I finished Abbie's blanket Patrick asked for one too. Well, I was tired of double knitting (seriously too hot in Texas to do that) so I went online and found videos to teach granny squares. 

Red heart yarn is what I had on hand so I went with that.

Patrick decided that he want four colors instead of three so he picked out the green. They turned out super pretty too. I love that I did it this way so when he needs it bigger all I have to do is pick another color and add a row and column.

My supplies: scissors, crochet hook H/8, needle to weave in ends.

Two of the four different squares.

So I decided to make a 9 square square. Each had 4 solid granny squares and 5 variegated square. So like in the picture Yellow - center, white - middle and Blue - outside. I rotated each color to be in the center, middle, and out side.

One completed square

My piles of completed squares.

So to make it easier to put together I crocheted a final border in black.

I goofed up. 

So the columns are suppose to be green, blue, yellow, white. Each row would have a solid square. Well when I was sewing them together I goofed and put the white-white and yellow-yellow on the same line.

Here's three rows complete

I took out the goofed up work and worked them in right so now you can see how it progressed to up the blanket.

Completed four rows. 

So once I completed it, I held it up to Patrick. Well lets just say I will probably be making some more rows in the future. But that's all good. I won't have as many to make. 

Super Slouch Hat: Completed

I don't have a picture of my hat completed. I got the pattern from here Super Slouch Hat Pattern

 (I hope the link works I've never done it before)

I decided that cooler weather was headed our way and since I have been going to water aerobics and loving it I needed a hat that would cover my wet hair. I love this hat. I would add one thing that helped me was a knitting maker. I slipped it on the beginning row every time I moved up.

Mermaid Tears Purse: Work in Progress

I don't have a picture of this work either. I came across Michael Sellick (I subscribe to Bernat's emails) He does videos on different stitches and what not and I had some yarn I hadn't figured out what to do with yet. Here's the link to the videos: Mermaid Tears Purse 

I'm using Berroco Pure Pima in Frost and Dutch Blue I did purchase my yarn from Royal Yarns but they no longer have the frost. 

I chained extra I wanted it a little wider and I'm using two colors. I really will get a picture up here. 

Pot Holders: Work in Progress

So I don't know what happen to all our pot holders (we may have thrown them out because they were falling a part) but at the moment we have three. Not so good when they get dirty or what not. 

Well as I was crocheting up the hat I notice that it would work up as a great pot holder. So I purchased two balls of Peaches & Creme color: 02600. It's a bright variegated yarn. (I love bright colors)

The next one I'm going to work up in a square. If I like that, I may start making them up for christmas presents or to sell at the yard sale we are having with some friends.

Laundry, laundry, laundry....

I don't know what it is about laundry but it is one of the one things besides (cleaning bathrooms) I dislike doing. Well, I don't mind do the washing and drying, its the folding and putting away I have a hard time following through with. I had four baskets to fold and put away. Yep have been stubbing my toes on them all week.

I also try to get the laundry done during the week, so that frees the weekends up with the family. This weekend is a four day, who knew Columbus day was a federal holiday. So the hubs has friday and monday off. Or would if he didn't have chapel duty friday night and sunday am. So, I'm on laundry duty today. Hopefully I will follow through and get them all put away.

Volcano Cake!

So this year I asked Patrick what kind of cake would he like for his birthday?

He excitedly said: "A VOLCANO CAKE!!!" 

I was thinking of doing one for him before he even said it. He has this fascination with Volcanoes. Whenever we go to Barnes & Noble or any store that has books we head to the book section (cheaper and education that getting toys for the kids). He loves the easy reader National Geographic books. 

I do not know how many times I've read The Volcano book but Patrick can tell you all about magma, lava, magma chambers and vents. I love it because he is learning science at such a young age.

So I started planning his Volcano cake. I bought rice crispies to make a base and then had the thought I wouldn't be able to store it in my refrigerator. So I didn't use them as a base.

I went with a chocolate (his pick) box cake. Used our bunt pan. And made up a couple batches of frosting from the Wilton Cake decorating class I took back in May.

Cake out of the pan.

I wasn't worried about it being pretty. I was going to be covering with frosting.

First batch of frosting. 

I used black and brown gel dye to get the right color for the lava rock.

The rock.

I wasn't sure how much darker I want so I stopped here. It turned out really well.

Rock portion down.

I had got this far before Swim aerobics. Have I told you I work better under pressure? 

The finish product. 

I didn't get pictures of just the lava before the candles. I used orange and red gel to get the lava color I liked. I decided to make it look like the lava flowed down to spell out happy birthday Patrick. 

Lava Flows and the Vent

The back side of the cake.

The lava!

Happy Birthday Patrick!

One happy boy with his Volcano Cake. 

Weekend Recap

I'm not sure if I've ever said what my husband actually does in the Army. No? Well here it goes. He's a Chaplain's Assistant. In times of peace (nondeployments) he is a secretary. In time of war

he is a body guard. But at all times he is an ear.

He doesn't counsel soldiers but he listens and sometimes all you need is an ear. I know because there are times I unload on him and he just looks at me like why? 

A soldier in his unit we left over a year ago said this about my husband: 

"Laura....Thank you for being a supportive wife to one of the greatest men I have ever had the chance to serve alongside in the military while states side and deployed. JB has been that pillar for me to lean on during my time as a medic with 5-20. He and I have seen all our fallen soldiers from 06-07, 09-10 more than I care to mention in numbers but I dont have enough fingers or toes. Mostly he kept me strong when I was at my weakest. The thing is JB did this not for just me but all his soldiers..... So much for one man to bare and it is not possible without loving support of others which top of that list is you. Thank you for sharing your husband. Also letting him buy a remote control truck so we could race........."

No awards, commendations mean much to me as a fellow soldier (a medic who's seen is fair share of stuff) recognizes what my husband does.

My husband has since been promoted and moved up to a high slot so he doesn't get to talk with as many soldiers as he use to (I know this frustrates him). But to me he is the greatest. 

Off of that side note, this weekend we had a marriage retreat. One of the job requirements of a Chaplain's assistant. It was on the 7 habits of Highly Effective Families for the army family. I have not had this material before and would be a great post deployment retreat for any soldier and family. 

It talked about stop, pause and think and then speak when you have an iceberg. It also says that you should find your goal and work towards it together. Which is a great concept to let go of the little things and look at the big picture. 

Well, I am off. Going to work on getting my photos organized I may decided to work on photobooks soon. Who knows. My parents are coming for a visit, they promised their Grandson for his birthday and sad to say that is a little over a week away. 

Slacking

I have definitely been slacking on here. I could blame it on the fact that since Memorial day we have moved in with friends, went of vacation, were in a wedding, moved out of friends home and into our own home, unpacking, and then had a 3 year old computer mishap (resulting in computer in the shop), school started and sickness. I do not know if that covers everything but I am not lost.

We are in year 2 in El Paso, TX. I love this place. I know love is a strong word but I do. In one month we had gone to the Zoo at least once if not twice a week. Found out some interesting information. They got a male tiger so they could breed the two female tigers. They open a giraffe encounter, you can pay $2 to feed the giraffes. They have such interesting tongues and actually wrap them around the lettuce. The female orangutang Ibu turned 19 and the male Butch were out in their exhibit together. Under close monitor.

Abs started school in a new school district and I have to say so far it seems so much better than El Paso Independent School District. She has two teacher Ms. Rico and Mrs. Hernandez.  She also is doing the Breakfast Club, so she has to be at school at 7:00 am, which is kind of nice.

We bought a house. I know I haven't updated the weekly photos, but we love it. Bought a hanging pot rack. We also after 10 years have a bedroom set. Love it!!!

On to Patrick, we had a rough couple weeks with him. He took detangling hair spray and sprayed it all over my keyboard on the laptop. Took 3 weeks to get that fix, luckily they could just replace the keyboard on my MacBook Pro. Now, he is recovering from croup/laryngitis. He was admitted for an over night stay at William Beaumont. Patrick pick my hubby as the one to stay with him overnight and he didn't get any rest. Lets just say, he's recovering nicely and back to his mischievous self.

I should be updating more often now... Upcoming a 4th birthday party, grandparents visit, and life.

Memorial Day!!

Most people are having bbqs and get togethers or even out shopping the sales.

But for the soldiers and their families have a different view of Memorial Day. We may or may not know those that have died for our country.

My hubby was extremely blessed to have returned from 3 deployments. There have been 25 men that have not come home.

I truly know what this holiday is about and am thankful I can spend it with my husband.

Busy

Haven't been on here much lately. We've been super busy, which pretty much is life. We've been taking weekly pictures of the progress of our house. We have wall paint, tile, and stucco. Super excited. 

We also are packing up our rental house, moving in with some friends, heading Home for my sister's wedding. Abbie is super excited, she learned she get a bouquet after she drops her petals.

My baby girl is turning 9 next week, not sure how I'm going to get through that one. My hubby tells both the kids they are not having anymore birthdays. 

We also have 1 1/2 weeks of school left. I am excited to be over, so I can turn off my alarm on my phone. It's not that I get to sleep in, it just means I won't have to hear it. 

Was doing to checking on Abbie's new school she will be moving to next year. We think she starts on July 30th. I think she gets longer breaks within the year. I think I need a class on how to read the calendar. 

I will posting more often, well I guess until we close on our house and unpack everything. 

Busy busy in the Edmisten household.

Easter

So this year I thought I'd make the kids baskets. Well, they ended up looking more like eggs. I wished I hadn't gotten a 48 hour GI bug because I need to paper mache Patrick's egg in white paper before adding the tissue paper. 

The Beginning

 I grade school I remember doing paper mache. Well its just as messy then as it is now. Found a recipe for the goop (my term), bought some balloons and a newspaper. I think the next time I'm going to skip the newspaper and go straight to the white paper.

Middle

 Before the end. Here I painted modge podge on the out side of the paper mached balloons. Wrapped them in tissue paper. 

End

 I liked how Abbie's pink popped better with the white background than Patrick's. If I  hadn't gotten the bug and didn't go anywhere except the bed to the bathroom, I would have gotten white paper on Patrick's. 

Filled

The loot!! 

Patrick trying it on as a hat.

I wondered how long it would take to get to be worn as a hat. I think this is mid-day Sunday. I love my little guy.

House Progress

So I meant to start this as a weekly photo update, which will start happening next Sunday.

Week 1

 Forms: they marked the house lines before they dug in the utilities.

Week 2

 Utilities laid. We have pipes and gas lines.

Week 3

 We have a cement pad. This is the view from the front

Week 3

The view from the back, so the backyard and garage. The wood piles are the preformed walls.  Maybe next week we will have walls.

Our realtor Mr. D said that it takes about 60 days after the cement is poured. We also went the mortgage company today and signed paper work. It's really real now.

Colors, colors and more colors

Well, its started since starting the home buying process, it finally feels real. We went by the lot and found out they laid out the forms. I believe the next step is trenching and laying our utilities. So from here we will be taking weekly pictures. Which will be fun. Can't wait.

We made appointments yesterday with Prewire. (they will be installing the surround sound wire and cable/phone jacks. We also found out that we also get two wired speakers for our patio out back. Which will be awesome since we have a system that will be able to support that.

Our next appointment was with ZIA homes where we got to pick our colors. Trust me it was difficult. The first thing the nice assistant told us to pick out was the tile. It was pretty funny. Jb and I picked out the same tile (which was the only thing we did really quick). It's a dark blue with gold, reds and grey flecks through out. It's was pretty. We also decided to go with the bigger tiles. 16 x 16. That way there won't be as many grout lines. Speaking of grout she then handed us a container of colored grout tiles. We ended up with with a dark blue/grey. Then came the carpet. Let me tell you, we went so far away from a light one. We went with grey. Oh man, I can't wait to see the tile and carpet together.

Next up? You guessed it the counter top and cabinets. We went with light for both. Oak Cherry Light with the cabinets and Rock and Roll (or something like that) with the counter tops. It was popping. I can't wait to see it all together.

Then we moved on to stucco and trim. Let me tell you if that was hard the stucco was the worse thing we had to choose. Go with light or dark stucco and the reverse for the trim and then we got to pick rock. I'm telling you if they would stick some of that on-line so we could see some things before hand it would have been great. So we were hemming and hawing our way through the sheet, when the assistant pulled out pictures. Thank god!!! We ended up picking a brown stucco and a light trim. We even got to pick what color our shingles and the poor roofers are going to be laying black shingles in June/July. I feel bad but didn't think green shingles would really go with the color we picked for stucco.

Then we moved into the house and picked wall and trim. We ended up with a light yellow for the wall. And like a light white/grey trim. It is going to pop. I didn't want it ended up all dark with our dark tiles and grey carpet. Oh man oh man, it's going to be great. I can't wait to get pictures up.

The arrival

You hear that knock at the door? 

Yes, its our surprise guests. Send the children to the door and what happens?

Our daughter looks through the blinds in the window and starts screaming. She was so excited to see Grandpa, oh and Grandma. 

Poor Patrick plugged his ears. Needless to say our surprise was a success and have been enjoying my parents visit. 

So far we have had a picnic at a park (its a tradition) and went Flower Girl Dress shopping. Abbie came away with a dress and some shoes. Lucky girl. I guess that means I have to start dress shopping. Yippie!!!

Surprises

My daughter called her Grandpa and left the cutest message:

'Grandpa this is Abbie, it's warm down here in Texas and The Lorax starts on Friday. Do you think you will be able to come down and go with us?'

Well, my dad called back and said he wouldn't be able to come this friday because he wasn't sure he could get the time off. 

Well, both of my parents got the time off and decided to surprise the kids and drive down. I can't wait to see my kids reactions.

They are both going to flip.

It was a Day!!!

Well, my friend Tiffany and I went to the Zumba class and the teacher called to cancel right before. So, I guess we will try for next week. That was a bummer.

I guess it lucked out in J.B.'s favor because that way he got to bed an hour earlier. He did not like waking up at 2:30, he did get up at 3:00. Oh and the amount of times Patrick ran in and out of our bedroom.

Patrick decided to brush his teeth except he thought it would be better to spread it all over the carpet. Oh, and did I tell you it was blue. I swear my kids do not want us to get our deposit back.

We did hit IHOP, it was international pancake day and we got free pancakes. I expected a weight but it was a ridiculous that a table of 6 that was seated right (I mean minutes) before us ordered, eat and paid before we even got our food. At least we had our drink orders we taken in a timely manner. Wish we had the kid that was covering the table next to ours.

Zumba

Ok, I have to say it happens after every child. I'm not sure why but its at the three mark that I tend to feel like I want to get back into shape. I need too. I am definitely over weight by my height, but I actually feel the need. Which is just odd over all. I mean, I spent 4 years in high school playing volleyball did a year of softball. In the last 10 years not felt like doing anything that resembles exercise.

So I decided to look up Zumba. I know its the latest craze but I need something that's soft impact, my knees have been acting up (not sure if its the weight or what) definitely something cardio. I found a class at a near by school that is free. I'm so excited to try it out tomorrow.

My hubby will be off tomorrow so he can watch our son for the time of the class if not I will have to bring him with me. Hopefully they will allow that or I can slam him in a stroller (hopefully).

So looking forward to see how it is tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

Projects

So I've set aside Patrick's stocking and decided to start up a blanket for him.

Where I stopped. Have the heal, backstitching and his name to complete.

I found Pintrest, not sure that is the best thing for me but so far I haven't gone over board. Yet anyways. When I was looking through site I found a site online online called Crochet school. Here is the link to the sight http://www.craftyminx.com/2011/11/crochet-school-.html/#

So I decided to watch her videos and in one was a granny square. So I decided to try it out. I want to try a hexagon blanket but I think that will be for another time. So I raided my stash of yarn. I had Red Heart Super Saver in Bright Yellow, White, Delft Blue and Patrick pick out the Green (his favorite color).

So I gathered my supplies, scissors, my purple crochet hook, yarn needle, and a recycled tomato can for my scraps of hard. I decided to take Dana from Craftyminx suggestion and weave in my ends as I go. That way I won't be spending days weaving in ends.

Here is just a sample of squares. I've decide to make each color in the center, middle and outside and just rotate. I've also decided to solid squares so I'll sew them together to make bigger squares. So I will have a row of Green, blue, white with the different solids across. So it will end up 4 by 4 once I'm all done. 

I decide to finish up all the solid squares first that way. I only need 12 of those and 20 of the mixed squares. I will post more pictures as I go. The nice thing about the squares is they hardly take any time. So this project shouldn't take much time. Well, we will see.

On the Ipod

One of my banes of existence is dishes. The house we are renting at the moment has a dishwasher but it doesn't run through. It fills with water makes all the appropriate noises for a dishwasher but doesn't drain or actually washes the dishes. So to make the task more enjoyable I jam out to music on my ipod. So, I was curious to see what are the number one songs in my playlist. I'm very surprised at the numbers

1. Apologize (ft. OneRepublic) by Timbaland with 580 plays
2. Leave Out all the Rest by Linkin Park with 310 plays
3. Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park with 290 plays
4. All the Right Moves by OneRepublic with 212 plays
5. Little Bit (ft. Lykke Li) by Drake with 187 plays
6. Party All the Time by Black Eyed Peas with 183 plays.

I have to say that I figured my favorite song from Pentatonix from the Sing Off would have more plays but they don't.

Life

So, I haven't been on here as much lately, well since we got back from our trip in November. So quick catch up.

Hubby got back safe and sound. (What a stress relief) Took a month of leave. I'm not sure he really needed the month, I know I didn't.

We went home for Christmas, let me tell you its always good and bad to head back home. Grandparents HAD to see the grandkids. It's always fun to watch them with them. Both sets since we can see both in one trip. Met my future brother-in-law, he is going to be a great addition to the family and can totally handle my sister.

We've been looking for a house, we decided that instead of renting, we are going to buy. Which has been fun. Will post pictures. Will post pictures of the last couple of months.

Hope everyone had a good holidays.