I do still sew...sometimes

I attended a baby shower last night, so I decided to make some baby things for the baby boy. It was a bit more difficult than I expected because I do not have a whole bunch of boyish fabric in my stash.

The results:





more pictures here
along with pictures from our cruise
and I got a new toy today, can't wait to try it out!

so these pictures kinda look like crap, sorry!

Happenings at my house

Piper and Finley have formed a "club" and their anthem is:

"Rub a dub dub, welcome to our club! YYEEEAAA HUMANS!"

and Piper tells me that " 'they' call us humans because we're not animals."

and munching on some pretzels that are "exquisite" and "divine" Piper informs her sister:

"Do you want to know where I learned words like that, Finley? Well, when you're in the club longer you'll learn all kinds of words."

"Do you enjoy this club, Finley?"

indeed.

summer vacation

new pictures over in my flickr from vacation and summer

summer anthem

When Mac Was Swimming
The Innocence Mission

when mac was swimming,
I was running late
walking around New Orleans
looking for a birthday cake.
it was a great surprise to him so many people came.


nobody knows, darling,
nobody knows how they are loved
don't worry, my darling
the sun is coming up.

let's get up early now
dive clear into the day
let's get out of the car with open arms
not wait to be embraced
the flowers that bloomed, the things that happened since the day you came


nobody knows, darling
nobody knows how they are loved
don't worry, my darling
the sun is coming up

nobody knows, darling
nobody knows how they are loved
don't worry, my darling
the sun is coming up



nobody knows, darling
nobody knows how they are loved
don't worry, my darling
the sun is coming up

For Noah and Tiffany

Now we feel no rain, for each of us will be a shelter to the other.
Now we feel no cold, for each of us will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no loneliness, for each of us will be a companion to the other.
We are two bodies, but there is one life before us and one home.
When evening falls, I'll look up and there you will be.
I'll take your hand; you'll take mine and we'll turn together
to look at the road we traveled to reach this: the hour of our happiness.
It stretches behind us, even as the future lies ahead.
A long and winding road, whose every turning means discovery.
Old hopes, new laughter, shared fears.
The adventure has just begun.


Congratulations!

Guess who's coming to dinner...

We are hosting an, ahem, "Dinner Party" tomorrow night so I thought I would make it difficult and make all new things that I've never cooked before and if you know me, then you know that this is how it always goes and then I don't feel like eating it because I don't know if it's edible, but I digress...

Menu:

Chips and salsa
watermelon
cucumber, cantaloupe and summer squash salad

Reshmi Kebabs
grilled veggies (onion, peppers, zucchini)
corn on the cob with chili-lime cilantro dressing
roasted corn and basmati rice salad

Strawberry shortcake with homemade whip cream (this is an old standby because it's my FAVORITE!)
Homemade ice cream

Beer
White wine Sangria
water
mint iced tea

Phew! My dilemma (isn't there always at least one) is that there are various vegetarians in the crowd so I wanted to please them as well as the carnivores, so there you have it, what do you think?

We go to the library A LOT during the summer, especially because they have these free shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays and today was one of those shows, "Mr. Brian and the Boppets." He was so great but it was funny because he was singing "Twinkle, twinkle" and messing up the words to be funny and it was just totally getting Piper pissed off for real. She would look at me and glare and be like, "Come on, like he doesn't know it's 'like a diamond in the sky?' Seriously, this is so stupid." That's my girl, calling it like it is.

Finley's texture day at school

The girls and their teachers. Finley was sad about it being the last day (or she just didn't want anyone touching her, whatever.)

Piper's texture day at school

Piper speak

Me: "Hey Piper, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Piper: "I want to be a Shannon when I grow up."

"If You Really Want To Know, Look In The Shannon."

go here and type in your name to get your very own "slogan"

funny

"Poppin' Fresh Piper"

"Puts the Finley in Britain"
"If you like a lot of Jason on your biscuit, join our club"

cry baby

My feelings got hurt today to the point of tears. Then I realized it had been a while since I had had a good cry which evoked more tears and then I remembered that I didn't have anyone to talk to when I got home and the lonely tears started. I guess I was just really ripe today because really I was probably being overly sensitive and don't you just love it when people talk all around something but then don't give you the whole story? kind of like what I'm doing now?

It's ok, though, because I am going to Sunday school with Piper Jolie tomorrow because I have been invited for some muffins and everything looks brighter on the other side of a belly full of muffin and a heart full from time with my sweet girl. Gotta keep filling my cup.

Then, we'll go to the farmer's market for some fresh veggies to make veggie fried rice for dinner. And there will also be a craft for the girls and a swim in the afternoon, as there is every day lately - my girls - they're fishes.

And I have found my favorite version of the ABC's. When you get over there find the "You are my Sunshine" link then listen to the "Alphabet Dub", you will not be disappointed. Then poke around some more and listen to a few other songs. Really. If you have not heard Elizabeth Mitchell, go there and listen to her children's music. I listen to it even when I'm by myself.

You know what I love? When I am the working parent in Piper's preschool and I get to work the art room and I get to write down the kids descriptions of their paintings or drawings, their stories. It makes me remember what it is like to feel wonderment.

I think I might cry. miss you.

girls are THEEEE best

radically gnarly

This looks pretty much totally awesome.

ps- are you sick of me using the old skool surfer lingo

because I am like totally bitchin

It has been very warm here the past couple of days and that gets me thinking about summer, my favorite time of the year. We are busy doing something or traveling almost every weekend form now until school starts next fall and that makes me a bit anxious but also excited. Between us we have a surfing trip to Nicaragua, a camping trip, a family vacation, a Disney cruise, a bachelor and bachelorette party weekend, a wedding, a high school reunion, and maybe a long weekend get away minus the kiddos. Phew! I'm tired just thinking about all that stuff, but a good kind of tired, like when you've been at the beach all day and are crispy and salty and tired.

Some more randomness...

The girls finished their "refresher" swimming lessons. So they won't drown and that's important.



And look here, I made a pillow. I was feeling like our living room was dark and depressing, so I put up the blinds on our massively tall entry window and made a cheery pillow. You can see more pictures here. I have another one pieced and ready to be quilted and put together in my to-do pile. When I showed it to Jason before it was put together he said it was "girly." I was kind of inspired by my bike and it makes me want a new sofa. Maybe something like this or this or this. And maybe a chair because you know, that's my daughter's name, so that means I have to get it.

Don't you hate it when you are in Target (not the one you usually go to and far from home) and you find the picture frames you've been looking for and in the right size and there are enough (I needed four) but you resist buying them because well, that wasn't what you were there to buy and so then you go to the Target closer to your house to buy those exact frames and because your Target is just a regular Target and not the SUPER Target (do you think it gives the little Target a complex?) they have NONE of the frames that you need. sucks.

I am trying to do things in my house to spruce it up without spending any money or spending very little. It's hard (whining). The backyard is almost finished (finally!). The last part of the yard and the only part that needs grass is currently being prepped for said grass and Jason thinks he is going to build a playset for the girls. Me? I asked him if it would be finished before they can drive?

oh, and I kinda want another baby. BUT, i really should hold off on getting knocked up until after the previously mentioned bachelorette party weekend that will be an entire weekend of acting like I'm a college student on spring break although without the sleeping around and venereal diseases. Seriously, what all does a college spring break involve?

Where is this going? Jason and I saw Disturbia this weekend and i was worried when I saw that it was rated PG-13 and I was right to be worried because the audience was filled with teeny-boppers that are so obnoxious. I like to believe I wasn't like that and I also would like to cut them some slack, however, when one set of girls is talking so loud you want to say "use our inside voice" and the other side is a couple practically humping each other, it is difficult to stay patient. Especially when the movie bites.

I do have this, this, and this to watch at home through netflix, which I love.

We went to the zoo last week and as I pulled into the parking lot I noticed that it had been invaded by about 25 school buses. Great, I thought, because there was no way i was going to turn around after driving 30 minutes and promising the girls (I was not about to put up with the crying and whining that would surely follow had I declared, "the zoo is full.") so we (I) labored on and find out that it was a "very special arts" festival. All of the 25 school buses were special needs kids. Now, I think it is totally awesome that they had this whole day planned out for these kids, there were art stations set up all over the zoo and music and dancing and yada yada yada, but, fir me it was a difficult day because there was definitely not enough supervision and we kind of got trampled over. All Piper really wanted to do was pet the giraffes and she got to do that so the day was a success.

Speaking of giraffes, well, not really, but does anyone have trouble with sunglasses? I have not found a pair that I can wear without getting a headache...not just a headache, but a migraine that makes me nauseous. Any suggestions? I seriously spent like $275 on 2 pairs i thought were going to be the answer to all my problems, only to take them back a week later. bummer.

Next, I made this for dinner last night and it is so good. This is what we're having tonight. I am trying to get us on a more vegetarian type diet in which we only eat meat like twice a week. It's a good thing my girls LOVE fruits and veggies, and pizza counts as vegetarian, right?

Guess I'm ill, with diarrhea of the mouth, or keyboard as the case may be.

The tribe spoke

The "survivor" couples shower was awesome. totally radical.

We had 4 challenges and most everyone participated which made it so much more fun.
Challenge #1 - tug of war across the pool - had the least amount of participants and I think that was because you fell in the pool if you lost.
Challenge #2 - Lay an egg - each couple had to put an egg between their backs and safely get it on the ground without it cracking. This game was fantastic! Very interesting positions were attempted and everyone tried at least once.
Challenge #3 - a trivia game of questions about the soon-to-be-married couple.
Challenge #4 - the food challenge. As I was preparing the food, i made sure that everyone saw me opening the dog food so they were totally grossed out and worried that I was feeding them the recalled stuff.. What they didn't know is that i switched it out with some kind of beef stew (I'm so sneaky). So they had to eat that, cooked chicken hearts, and fishlets, which are some kind of various fish pieces that are kosher. i saw it on the grocery aisle and figured it looked gross enough. It was funny how everyone thought the dog food tasted just like "vegetable soup" and we had success in making someone throw up...it was the fishlets that did it.

Now, the main factor in getting everyone to participate was the beer. Give them enough beer and they really will do anything. Another highlight was the camcorder i set up as the "confessional" so everyone could give the couple advice or well wishes. Again, with the beer, it turned into something unforgettable. If I can figure out how to get a video on this...

Outwit Outlast Outplay Out-PARTY!

I don't even want to talk about the last few weeks.

What I do want to talk about is this party that I'm giving on Saturday. It is a "His and Hers" couples shower for my brother-in-law and his fiance who happens to be one of my best childhood friends. The theme is "Survivor", so I figure we need an eating challenge, a trivia challenge (trivia about Noah and Tiff) and a physical challenge. I am also setting up a "confessional" where each couple can give Noah and Tiff advice or well wishes.

Anyway, ideas anyone?
Please?

Oh, and is dog food, the wet kind, edible...for like, people?

And just because they're goofy: my family. We went to the beach the other evening after dinner...one of my favorite things to do together.







seriously, a little help with the survivor stuff, ok?

Fo' shizzle

1. My real name?
Shannon

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (first 4 or 5 letters of real name plus izzle)
Shanizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (fav color and fav animal):
Green Dog

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, and childhood street):
Kaitlyn Park

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name:
Dowshgrim

6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
Blue Water

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of you dads middle name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, last letter of your moms middle
nAME]
Awtrise

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (grandmother and grandfather)
Emma Godfrey

9. YOUR GOTH NAME (black, and the name of a pet):
Black Wingnut

10. YOUR PORN STAR NAME (One of your pets names, and a street you've lived on)
Talulah Whetherbine

Plans

Spring Break 07!!!

Potty Training 07!!!

Before I start on that...

This weekend, instead of a "date night", Jason and I had a "date afternoon" and you'll never guess what we did...we took an airbrushing on canvas class at a local gallery. It was AWESOME. Of course, Jason's project is better than mine, but he usually is better at this stuff than I am. It was so so fun and so fun to do it together.

Our weekend was so busy. The rundown:

Friday day - It was my work day at labschool and then Piper went to a friends house while Finley had swim lessons. Jason took off from work a bit early and after Finley's nap we rode our bikes over to pick up Piper. Then we rode our bikes to the park and played and then it was back home to wash up for dinner out with my parents because (lucky them) they left for vacation this week.
night- Mom's Night Out, and what a night out it was. I hadn't stayed out that late or had done those type of things in a long time. And was I feeling it on Saturday morning and my stomach is still wrecked today.

Saturday: morning- Fin had her last swim lesson, woo-hoo! Then, it was off to my least favorite place besides the dentist - Walmart - to buy our canvas for the airbrushing class. Our parent educator for labschool said the other night, "If you ever want to feel good about your parenting skills, just go to Walmart."
afternoon - airbrushing 101. Jason did a tiki and I did some hibiscus. The teacher was awesome and i highly recommend the gallery. They have workshops pretty much every weekend, and programs for kids during the week, Piper will learn out print-making next month.

Jason and I picked up pizza on the way home because we needed a quick dinner so we could go to
night - The FAIR!!! the girls had a great time, rides were ridden, ice cream was eaten, and dropped on the ground, and wiped off and eaten some more. Jason went on a ride with his sister and came off terrified. I won't ride the crazy rides because those things aren't required to be inspected, I just don't trust them. I went on one ride with the girls, "The Crazy Bus" and Friday night was haunting me. nice

Sunday: we skipped church and went down south to Joann's because I had a bunch on gift cards to spend from Christmas and I wanted to get some crafts for the girls for this week. Jason dropped me off so I could do the bulk of my fabric shopping alone (thanks honey!) and took the girls a bunch of places.

My brother came over for dinner last night (which was not good - grill broke, baked potatoes not baked enough) and then finally to bed.

But the fun does not stop there.

Plans for SPRING BREAK 07!

Monday: laundry, cleaning, play dough making, errands to run, solar blanket to buy, college to apply, pottying to train. Then to the park and dinner with friends.

Tuesday: BEACH, potty training

Wednesday: SEA WORLD, potty training (ha!)

Thursday: not sure yet but we will be potty training

Friday: BEACH and a playdate along with potty training

And so it is that time in her life when Finley will start using the toilet. She is ready, I am ready. The problem is that with each of these milestones, I am further and further away from that baby stage and I'm not sure that I am looking forward to doing that baby stages thing all over again. hhmm.

ooo! The paper I ordered for invitation for the his and hers shower I'm giving for my good friend and my brother-in-law just came so that will be something else to do this week - Designing the invites! Woo-hoo! Did you know that my brother-in-law is marrying one of my best friends from childhood and still today? We met at labschool and we will be sisters!

ok, this post is so random. I'll try to get a shot of our "airbrushing."

Happy Birthday Grandma!

It has been quite some time since I posted about anything that I've made, but maybe that's because I haven't really had time to make anything. I finally took the Bernina's virginity.

Jason's Mom's birthday is the day after mine or this past Friday and we went over to visit and deliver her gift this afternoon. Some of her favorite things: A bamboo tray with a handmade quilted mat, a Le Creuset tea pot, a handmade tea pot cozy, a vintage Buffalo China cup and saucer, some locally made Hibiscus tea, some local honey and a wooden honey stirrer thingy, and a mix cd that I made just for her including:

1. These are Days – 10,000 Maniacs
2. Joy to the World – Three Dog Night
3. City of Blinding Lights – U2
4. Trouble Me – 10,000 Maniacs
5. Cecilia – Simon & Garfunkle
6. Beautiful – G.Love
7. Never Going Back Again – Fleetwood Mac
8. Bubble Toes – Jack Johnson
9. Falling Over Evening – Six Parts Seven
10. Fields of Gold - Sting
11. Stars – The Weepies
12. My Own Two Hands – Ben Harper and Jack Johnson
13. Satisfy my Soul – Bob Marley
14. Satellite – Dave Matthews Band
15. Pink Moon – Nick Drake
16. Free Fallin’ – Stevie Nicks
17. Wildflowers – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
18. Living in Twilight – The Weepies


This weekend we went to a quilt show at the local community college. There were some beautiful quilts and lots of vendors as well, my favorite being the one who sold all vintage fabric and vintage feedsack but at rather steep prices and whiny little girls I was too overwhelmed to pick out and purchase anything. The downside to the show was all the older cranky ladies that dominated the room. It was very discouraging that these women had such bad attitudes because there art is one that is so important to preserve and pass on and personally I had no desire to spend anymore time there than I had to, but that is a whole other can of worms to talk about. Also, I was disappointed that there weren't any modern designed quilts or modern fabric used in any of the traditional quilts. The quilts were beautiful but in my opinion, a bit boring.

The highlight of the day was happening upon a little shop in the small downtown. It is owned and run by a young couple with a bitty baby. They have completely restored the building (the husband is a general contractor by trade) which was originally a hardware store. It took them 4 years and they live above the shop and the shop was AMAZING! I honestly felt like a fool all tripping over myself about how excited I was to find this jewel. I'm sure the guy thought I was a little looney, but whatever. They sell everything vintage at almost thrift store prices. They sell everything that I look for in the thrift stores and can't find. I ended up with a smock type apron, some jumbo yellow ric-rac, and some bias tape. I will return, I just hope that they are still in business by the time I get down there again. It was inspiring and now I feel stupid, like "if you like it so much, why don't you marry it?"

oh, and now I am 28 as of last Thursday. And I got a haircut and my toes are pretty.

feeling sad

It has been a difficult weekend/day today.

I miss my friend.

You Are My Flower You are my flower, that's blooming in the mountain for me You are my flower, that's blooming there for me The grass is just as green, the sky is just as blue The day is just as bright, the birds are singing too The air is just as pure, the sunlight just as free And nature seems to say, it's all for you and me When summertime is gone and snow begins to fall You can sing this song and say to one and all So wear a happy smile and life will be worthwhile Forget your tears but don't forget to smile