Summer Reflections

This summer was filled with many fun activities! Liam is at the age now where he loves to go out and explore the world. We took a few trips to the zoo, the park, community pool, play dates with friends and walks around the neighborhood in his stroller. He loves being outdoors! Toddlers are busy,...but so much fun! The highlight of my summer every year is our county fair! Being a 4-H advocate (I was in the program 12 years) I have spent every summer at the fair since I was a baby. Of course, this means I purchase a week long pass! Liam loved every minute of it! It has become a family tradition to meet up there. My Uncle Ron and my Aunt Laurie were out from Georgia, my brother Caleb and his soon to be wife Amanda came out from Kansas. Of course my grandma, my two sisters and my other brother Luke were there as well. I thought I would share some of my favorite moments at the Fair this year! Tomorrow I hope to share some of my sewing/photo entries in the hobby barn.

Liam awoke every morning asking to go and see the "animals!"

Of course the "moo cows" were his absolute favorite!

The horses have always been mine!

My grandma loved taking him by the hand to show him all the fun!

He loved the carousel so much!

Of course spending time with family is always the highlight! My sister "Auntie Hannah" spent loads of time loving on each one of the kids.

My mom "Na Na"and sister Roslyn with her two little girlies.

Sitting with Pa Pa watching the country music band play.

Discovering new things together!

Dancing in the sunshine!

But most of all,...the best thing about this summer was all the memories we made!

Tuesday's Tunes

This song is on my top 10 list of summer songs this year! :) My husband and I saw these guys not long ago and still talk about how amazing they are live. Enjoy!!

Summer Treats

This summer seems to be buzzing on by. Spending as much time playing with Liam in the pool, taking walks around the neighborhood, trips to the park and playdates with friends as I can fit in. I don't know about you, but I am not about to heat up my kitchen on a sweltering hot summer day. (Especially because I don't have central air in my old colonial house) But at the same time, I don't want to eat out every night. The BBQ has been our friend! When I ran across this recipe via the blog world, I thought it was brilliant! A quick snack (or dessert after dinner) that can be mixed and made in the microwave. It's the Carrot Cake in a Jar!
Check it out! The recipe is located on Babble

What you’ll need:
1 box of carrot cake cake mix {+ ingredients to make}
cream cheese frosting
caramel sauce

What to do:
1. Mix cake batter according to package directions.

2. Spray a 4 ounce mason {canning} jar with cooking spray. Fill jar not quite half way with batter {do not overfill}. Place in microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds. At end of 30 seconds, cook for additional 30 seconds. CAREFULLY remove from microwave and allow to cool.

3. Frost with cream cheese frosting and drizzle caramel sauce on top.

Source: blogs.babble.com

Hope you are enjoying your summer! :)

I Need A Change

It dawned on me this past week that I am 29! I mean literally, a year away from being the BIG 30! OMG! Not that 30 is old,..just can't believe that I will no longer be in my 20's. I think I am in dire need of a little change. My husband says that I am perfect the way that I am and that there really is no need for a change. I love it that no matter what, he will always love the "me" that I am. But I am thinking of taking the plunge and changing up my hair!! Maybe some highlights or possibly fully blonde? I have been browsing pinterest for some inspiration,....

Photos: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Summer Fun

This past weekend was spent roasting marshmallows by the fire, sleeping in a tent and enjoying the company of friends. Our second visit already this summer to the great outdoors. Can't wait until our next camping adventure! What do you do for fun in the summer?

What inspires me today,...

Today the weather is just perfect for a summer picnic. I am dreaming of a day when we can relax and spend some time outdoors together. Life just seems to get too busy these days,..and we need to just spend quality time together. Hoping for a chance this holiday weekend. ::crossing fingers:: I <3 Summer!

Dreaming of this,....

no source



Pictures: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Tuesday's Tunes

This song is one of my picks for "best summer hit" (so far). I can't seem to get it out of my head! Her name is Eliza Doolittle singing "Money Box." Here she is:

The Picnic Dress (Tutorial)

With all my apron sewing,...I needed a break! I was feeling inspired by the warm summer sun and picnics out in the grass. My sister Roslyn is due with my 2nd niece any day now, and as a gift to her, I am planning on making the two "sisters" matching dresses. So I decided to start sharpening my dress making skills. :) So the picnic dress came to be.

Here is what I did!

Step 1: I found a tee-shirt dress at my local department store that would fit my niece Dakota. I traced the outline of both sides of the dress on brown paper. (without the little cuff sleeves) Cut the pattern pieces out and labeled them.

Step 2: I used the pattern to cut out both the front and back of the dress. Making sure to cut a slit in the back for easy access to take on and off. (Later attaching a small button and elastic to keep the back closed)




Step 3: I cut out a dip in the front of the dress because I decided to add a cute little bib style front with added buttons. This was a bit tricky,..but after a bit of measuring and re-cutting,...it turned out just right! I went ahead and took my pattern piece and cut out the bib. I then used that piece to cut out the white fabric. I made sure to make the bib another 1 inch bigger than the pattern, so that I would have enough fabric to attach it to the dress itself.


You can see that I ironed the front of the dress and made a very close top stitch around the seem to secure the white panel on the dress.

Step 4: Once the bib is finished,..I took white bias tape around the bottom and arms instead of hemming it. I love the red gingham fabric, but it needed something to mute the bright red. I think the white helped with that.





Step 5: I wish I owned a serger,..but I don't, so I went ahead and used my machine to sew the pieces together at the sides and shoulders. I then used my iron to carefully iron the seems open so that it would be comfortable on her (and not scratch at her shoulders).

Step 6: I attached by hand a small red button on the back and a little elastic loop to secure the back of the dress shut.

This is the final product,...Dakota's Picnic Dress! Pretty simple right? If you decide to make one, would love to see it! Go ahead and post a picture on my Face Book page!

New To The Shop!

Summer is officially here!! :) I don't know about you, but my calendar is filled up with fun activities! I love it! With everything going on around here,...I thought I would show you a bit of what I have been working on this past week.

You can find all of these aprons at my Etsy Shop: HERE

A Little Break

With all the fun that we had this weekend,... between the rib burn off that my husband participated in this weekend at our church (they lost by one vote) and the diaper party I hosted for my sister, I am a bit tired today. Thought I would take a break from sewing (just for today) and relax. To add to the amazing summer like weekend, I received word that Coldplay finally decided to release a single from their upcoming album (I have been waiting!). It's really good! Adding it to my ipod so I can enjoy listening to it over and over. Yeah, I am a bit obsessed with Coldplay. :)

Holiday Reflections

I have been super busy lately with TrendyMeg. Feeling so blessed. It was nice to have a little break to visit with friends and family over the Memorial Day weekend. Spent some time camping and then back home for holiday parades and BBQ. Here are some of the highlights.




Dancing/Marching with the band!


My beautiful niece Dakota.


Liam waved a lot that day!


Enjoying his first taste of a lolly pop!


Toddlers are so hard to photograph. One day I will get a good photo of the two of them (looking)...just wait,...someday I will! ::Crossing fingers::

Working on a fun project: "His and Hers" apron set for a future bride and groom! :) Will be posting about it later this week.