Sophia's newest custom designed owl outfit by her favorite designer -mom

A few weeks ago I acquired a new serger. Usually, when I start sewing or serging I work nonstop.  However, this fun whimsical little outfit took me weeks to complete because I am still learning how to use all the new features on my new serger. This new model has so many features and possibilities that my old serger was not capable of doing. Each time I would start on another part of the

blouse or

skirt, I would read and decide which stitch

 I could practice.   

This project took awhile since I was learning these fancy rolled hems like this pictured below...

And the newest Wave Rolled Hem like pictured below

It was so much fun to try all these cool stitches on my machine.

I even had to pull out my old standard sewing machine and practice buttonholes which I haven't done in quite some time.  It was a bit of a fun challenge sewing buttonholes that would

accommodate owl shaped buttons.  My daughter loves the owl buttons.  

Below is a back view of the outfit displaying the owl buttons.

So as you can see, Sophia loves her new whimsical outfit that mommy made for her. Now, Kaylee wants one.  Maybe Kaylee's won't take as long as this one if I ever get around to starting it. 

O'Fallon Public Works Fair 2013

We went to the O'Fallon Public Works Fair and explored all the heavy equipment used by the city.

Sophia driving the big machines.

Kaylee driving.

Sophia about ready to scoop Kaylee up. 

Sophia scooping.

Hula hooping it up.

Kaylee hula hooping

Kaylee and Sophia posing for photos.

Container gardening on my deck

This year I have once again started my container gardening.  I truly enjoy walking out on the deck and obtaining vegetables for dinner.  I love to cut a fresh salad mix of vegetables and be able to eat it that night. You can almost eat a tasty salad without dressing when it is right off the vine or plant. Clip a bit of lettuce, basil, parsley, and add a bit of celery and carrots and you have a delicious salad.  I can't begin to explan how much more flavorful food is when it is fresh from the plant.  

To make a container garden, you need patience and very very large flower pots.  The bigger the pot the better for root space, growth, and water retention.  Pictured is my romaine lettuce.

Here is some loose leaf lettuce.

Spinach is a must because nutritionally you get the most bang for your buck.  We eat it in salads fresh as well as blend it into many others dishes I make. I even blend spinach in the blender for smoothies.

Sophia loves to cut veggies and bring them in for dinner.

Her newest favorite is chocolate mint leaves in ice water.  Sometimes, she just grabs a few leaves to chew on too.

Fresh parley, basil, and oregano are always a must for me.  I can't cook like my grandmother if I don't have spices.  Yummy!

D&D Summer Vegetable Garden May 19, 2013

The ADD garden is filled with onions, garlic, radishes, carrots, parsley, dill, and rosemary.

One of my best friends and I have planted a garden this summer.  We are utilizing square foot garden in some beds and what my friend Dana refers as the ADD bed.  Here are some photos of our garden in progress.  I  am so excited to share this fun hobby with my friend.  Not only does growing our own food encourage us to eat healthier, but it is also fun to sit and just chat while we get our hands dirty in the garden. 

Tomato plants, a bit if basil, and cucumbers.

The D & D Garden 2013

This year my friend Dana and I gave planted a garden together. We have many veggies planted and are excited about how this will turn out. So far things have been a bit slow getting started but we are hopeful at that our plants will produce.

Cauliflower, broccoli, beans ,and sweet potatoes.

Beets, garlic, onions, carrots, and strawberries.

Potatoes, peppers

Tomato plants, cucumber plants are comfortable in this bed.

Pillowcase dresses

I made these simple little pillowcase style dresses to practice using my new serger a few weeks ago. You can't really see the practice stitching I did because it is on the inside of the dresses. I love how simple these fun little dresses look and my girls love to wear them.

In this case my girls picked out their own fabrics at the fabric store. The only bad part was they had to wait a year for me to sew these because my old serger broke beyond repair last year. I certainly could have sewn them on my old classic sewing machine but a serger is a lot more fun and way faster.

My budding artist and doctor - Kaylee

Kaylee received a little paint with water Doc McStuffins coloring book. She started painting her masterpieces right away. She plays Doc McStuffins every day and fixes all the boo boos on her stuffed animals and babies. Not only does she fix boo boos but if you stop by our house, she will check your blood pressure, give you a shot, check your ears, eyes, and throat with her otoscope. Then, she will listen to your heartbeat with her stethoscope. It was cute when I took her for her three year old check-up and she told the pediatrician what his tools were called and how they were used.

Tiptoeing through the tulips and feeding Koi fish

It was a beautiful day so Kaylee and I went to the Lake St. Louis Garden Center. I was looking for vegetable plants for our garden. Little did I know we would find a whole lot more there than plants.

Kaylee loved smelling the gorgeous blooming tulips. She told me they smelled really nice. "Let's smell more of these pretty flowers momma!"

When we walked inside the shop the store clerk asked if Kaylee would enjoy feeding the Koi fish for her. Kaylee was so excited as the sweet clerk handed her a cup of fish food. She told Kaylee as long as mommy stood nearby it was okay to stand on the outdoor bench so she could reach and feed the fish. As pictured here, you can see Kaylee loved feeding the bugle mouthed Koi. She said," Fish come here. I feed you breakfast. One two three four five fish food". It made me smile to see her so happy caring for these little animals.

Birthday with family at Chuck E Cheese

Kaylee is such a sweet and funny little girl. She is so full of energy and life. I thought we should hold her third birthday somewhere she shouldn't be forced to sit down... chuck E Cheese met that criteria so we went as a family to the Ballwin Chuck E Cheese.