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Susie

Ten on Tuesday

1. I happened upon a box of decaf chai tea at the commissary a couple of months ago that I really like. I so enjoy a cup after the girls get in bed  in the evening (I always add honey in it) (do you want a tea bag? I’ll send you one to try).

2. One of my photo goals in 2012 is to get some of our European photos from our trip in 2008 out from my computer and onto my wall. I am thinking of three nice matchy, matchy frames for our front entryway OR 6 square canvas gallery wraps- what do you think?

3. Don’t you love when some of your favorite sites just appeal to you visually? This was my etsy page the other day. Swoon. I suppose it appeals to my Valentine Crafty side, too!

Screen Shot 2012-01-17 at 12.36.29 PM4. Lauren and I went rollerblading today. It takes her 3o minutes to go half a mile, but she is determined!

5. I am in need of a new chalkboard saying for our kitchen wall. Happy New Year’s is like SO three weeks ago.

6. A faraway friend recognized a mutual friend from a recent shoot of mine on my Catchlight Facebook page- I love how small the Air Force world can be sometimes!

7. Apparently, some Hollywood company is doing some filming on base this week, and what might have been mistaken for an earthquake or a sonic boom was (from my understanding) just some “Movie Magic.” How about that? Edwards is such an interesting place, the presence of Superman and all.

8. I have been thinking about starting up a book club for older kids or a literature circle of sorts- Sarah is desperately interested in being apart of one… hmm. Thinking about this.

9. I was able to get our knives sharpened at Jo-Ann’s yesterday. I can scratch that off my to-do list for the year! Such little things bring joy, let me tell you.

10. This past weekend was “Wacky Wig” night for Bunco League. Carol and I went as Thing 1 and Thing 2- what a riot! Snookie won for best wig. Snookie really worked it! Thank you, Brooke, for this awesome group shot (our local celebrity!):

_MG_7959-Edit406472_10150605311258582_545798581_10957654_209124521_nHappy Tuesday!

Crafty Mama Monday

Uncle Sam’s Quilt Blocks

I haven’t been very crafty this week, but I did manage to make two blocks for the EOSC Auction quilt that’s being put together by various spouses. There weren’t a lot of guidelines (as far as which fabric to use)- so I picked up an Americana fat quarter stack and got to work with those and some scraps I had on hand. I loved working these two blocks- the straight lines and easy piecing is right up my alley. Almost like pulling together a quick card- instant gratification!

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(pardon the iPhone picture, it’s late, I just wanted to share it quickly)

I think I’m in love with this quilt design and am thinking not only do I want to make a full patriotic quilt for myself, but I’m pretty excited to see this one come together in a few weeks. If you’re interested in an old-fashioned patriotic type quilt, here’s your link!

Lauren turned 5! (last month)

I’m just two days shy of my five-year-old being a month into her new age… nothing like the present to celebrate again on the blog!

The night before Lauren’s birthday, I decorated her bedroom door as such so she would have to break out of her room (idea from P!nterest!)- she LOVEd it so much that we kept up the streamers for two days and she crawled under the bottom layers so most of them would stay up (see collage below). She is too silly!

Lauren specially requested an ice skating Minnie Mouse wearing purple for her cake (vanilla, strawberry and red velvet, yum!) and she brought it to preschool to celebrate with her friends.  Her special day activity was ice skating with Aunt Becca- which we wound up doing on Christmas Eve- what a blast!  While everyone was out shopping, we enjoyed a quiet rink in Ontario!

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Lauren and I joined Bible study friends for a brunch on her real birthday, then Andy and I took her to Burger King for her special lunch. She was very pleased to also join Andy on the tandem trailer bike since she was big enough to follow along- seriously,  made. her. day. Maybe her year! She’s not quite riding without training wheels on her own bike, but riding long distances with Dad sure makes up for it.

She did especially well for her first ice skating trip- I think we have somer better photos on Andy’s camera, but worse than me taking pictures is me taking pictures on his camera because they go to HIS computer and get stuck in there. So, my iPhone photos will have to suffice.

It was a good birthday for our girl- she is such a beautiful little girl. I constantly see her being helpful- and going out of her way to help our family and her friends. I told her that God gave her that gift- it’s in her. She doesn’t try hard at it, her natural ability to serve others will be well received for many years, I’m sure. While my youngest turning 5 makes me a bit sad to have less and less little ones to cuddle and snuggle- it’s easy to know we are in  a season where our children are becoming more self-sufficient and independent in their own right. I pray that the Lord will continue to shine through this sweet girl. I love celebrating her life!

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Crafty Mama Monday

Catching up on some missed opportunities to post some recently sewn items- thought I’d just do one catch-up post. Some of these were created during December, some of these just in the past couple of weeks, but not necessarily deserving their own individual posts…

My favorite- the infinity scarf! Such an easy thing to make, a little tricky to follow along on instructions, but I think I’ve got it now. I would have made ten of these if I had the right amount of fabric on hand. I used Anna Maria Horner’s Innocent Crush voile fabric for this one here:

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I had fun making the following items for a few friends- some coffee cozy’s:

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Some quick table coasters (super quick with some charm packs on hand!):

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And some mini-lined totes made with my stash of fabric that I’ve been hoarding since my trip to NYC last spring:

Untitled-2I tell you what- I’m making a good effort to start and FINISH little sewing projects this year. I have noticed that I am really good at cutting out projects and some of them get stacked up “for later.” Well, folks, seems like later becomes six months from now! I have a skirt for Ashleigh that I need to finish or it’s going to be Lauren’s soon, if you know what I mean!

What’s on YOUR crafty agenda this week?

{12 on the 12th}

I have committed to participating in a photography challenge in 2012- it may be familiar to you as Take 12 on the 12th (of every month), but this year, my friend Elizabeth has jumpstarted a group through Ella Publishing to Take 12 in 2012! Because it has been quite awhile since I’ve committed to photo of the day type projects, I was a little remiss toward the second half of yesterday once our busy afternoon began! Thankfully, my iPhone usually is with me, so I caught the later hours with that. Also, there aren’t really rules on HOW to capture the day in 12 shots, just that you do. Here’s my Janaury {12 on the 12th} (with one borrowed from our full moon last weekend, since, well, apparently I came up one short). Well, there’s always next month!

mosaicf2cf4b0272819e28388d8560919ee0261065e316(l-r, top to bottom)

1. How does your morning begin? Ours does with a pot of french press coffee.

2. We had our new-to-us guitar delivered by 7am (gal selling it was on base then) and Ashleigh was elated to strum on her guitar before school. I love this shot- it captures such  sweet moment.

3. Lauren and her friend Ella made these darling paper hyacinth’s I saw on Pinterest!

4. Showing off my infinity scarf- I made it last week, LOVE it!

5. Ella and Lauren enjoying their snack during their weekly playmate :)

6. Lo and I spent what was left of our daytime hours playing Candyland. She always sets up all the players even if it’s just the two of us.

7. Andy let me know that  he has to go TDY to Hawaii in two weeks. So, I went to Starbucks to sulk. Sarah brought her book- she always does. She’s read 4 Warrior books this week along. I’m actually okay with him going, but it is a bit of a bummer to be working in the desert when he’ll be working in paradise (iPhone pic).

8. Spent some time reading the last pages of  this month’s book club book.

9. Our cats are always spying outside- I think they are scouting out some prospective birds to catch.

10. Andy and I ready to lead the Cubbies at AWANA at the Edwards Food Court (iPhone pic). We enjoyed Charley’s for dinner!

11. The older girls and I walked home from the Chapel after AWANA tonight- Lauren went home sick earlier int he evening.

12. This is a cheat photo from the full moon we enjoyed this month. It was a beautiful sight, and as far as I’m concerned, the January full moon can count as one of the 12 for the month :)

I’ll do better next month, promise.

Ten on Tuesday!

1. An hour ago, I was falling asleep reading stories with the girls, now I’m hopped up on hot tea and four Oreos. That might have been a slightly poor choice.

2. I bought some super comfy Hanes lounge pants last month at the BX- they were all of $5 and I believe the state of mind I was in at the time was ‘I’M COLD-’ I can’t believe how long I went without sweat pants because of the bad rep they get. Seriously folks, when husbandly is out of town, bring out the big pants! Warmth! Comfort! Relaxed!

3. Maybe I should have gone to bed, apparently I’m slightly loony now.

4. The girls were all really excited to go back to school on Monday- Lauren woo’d the loudest. That girl is going to LOVE going to school everysingleday, come fall.

5. I happened upon this really cool kids give-spend-share trifold today… I think I need to attempt to make one for the girls because they are so like me. Have cash = will spend. Not a good method to follow.

6. Has anyone had a problem with the Otter box case covering their flash on the new iPhone 4s? My friend Peris and I are having the same issue, but Andy’s flash works fine on his iPhone with cover on.

7. I’m meeting a bunch of ladies for dinner I graduated high school this weekend- it’s so fun to not have to wait for the BIG 20 year reunion (well, since it’s SO FAR away and all) (cough, cough, it’s only 4 years away).

8. This month’s book club read is How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway. I’m so excited to get off the computer soon and finish it up! Leave a note if you’d like me to mail it to you when I’m done, it’s a great read.

9. I bought an acoustic guitar today. I hope to play a few chords this year (I can see Andy rolling his eyes just like I learned to quilt last year).  :0) It’s really for Ashleigh and I got a good deal on it, though- can’t wait for Thursday!!

10. I am optimistic that my unfinished quilt will stop hanging over my head soon. I felt so organized this past weekend when I added some quick tags to know which layer was what the next time I work on it. I’m 5 sashes away from having a full top piece…. just another trip to the fabric store. Oh the joy!

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Happy Tuesday!

Crafty Mama Monday

Peppermint Forrest Apron

Last month, my Bunco group’s theme was “Candyland!” I thought and thought (and did some more thinking) (and maybe some Internet research) and came up with (what I thought was) a good plan: go as the Peppermint Forrest (go quick and check your kid’s Candyland game board- it’s there!).  After that, I searched for peppermint related items (apparently I am really good at Internet searches in my spare time) and found that Etsy was a GREAT source for peppermint trinkets.  Which led to a better plan: an apron.

I’m telling you, you’d think I have an apron for every season at this rate! Joann came to my rescue, as did Dollar Tree, where I also repurposed some candy cane ornaments and made my own peppermint dangly earrings. I could totally get into jewelry making, except I already have 42 hobbies and hardly any extra time to do them.

Here’s the funny thing- I was all ready to go to my Bunco themed Candyland when my future-brother-in-law, Levi, went and graduated college on the same day.  Can you say, change of plans?!

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Oh hey, congrats again, Levi!

No worries, my sub was able to wear this sweet apron in my place and I got to wear it for the duration of the holiday season!

Untitled-3Oops- did I forget to mention there were some stripey tights?! And Shannon’s red heels?! LOVEd them!

_MG_7486Susie related fact: I really don’t like to eat peppermint candy. Blech.

Close-up of the earrings (or as close as my 50mm could go at an arms reach away):

Untitled-4I wish I could take credit for this darling hairband, but it was purchased from this Etsy shop- super cute and great service, too!

_MG_7469Happy Crafting!

Ten on Tuesday

1. It’s a Happy New year around these parts! We’ve enjoyed some nice family time with Andy being home, had a couple of adventures, and have 5 more sleep-in days. I only have a mild guilt for having dissed my blog for nearly a month.

2. Last Friday, we ventured into Downtown L.A. where Andy had been longing to eat at the famous Philippe’s French Dip restaurant. It did not disappoint (for us, the girls prefer their sandwiches plain, no dip, thankyouverymuch).

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3. Then I took Andy into the Fabric District (or Garment District, I guess you call it what you go there for). Remember I had visited with a few girlfriends last February? I needed 6 more yards of this beautiful fabric that I got such a good deal on the first time around. Not such a great deal the second time around, BUT! Less than curtains would cost at Pottery Barn!

4. We also swung by the Santa Monica Pier- it was less than stellar weather, but (where I live) in the land of perpetual sunshine, a little grey and gloom and chill is almost a nice respite. Almost. A lot of Badger fans down there on Friday.

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5. I am finally (FINALLY!) getting around to watching the Harry Potter movies. It’s been so long since I read the first half of the collection, that I really can’t remember details and the movies seems to leave a lot out. New goal for 2012- read the Harry Potter books in succession. Sarah and Andy would be so proud!

6. I have been kicking up the speed in my running- and it’s actually showing! Yesterday, Andy took me out to do some speed running and I clocked 2 miles at 8:40 minute miles (I would have gone longer, but I had a long run the day before). It’s fun to make new running goals for myself. It think one of the things that intrigues me about running is the way you can compete with yourself.

7. The bad part of running out here  is that I have a healthy fear of wildlife. Even the jack rabbits that pop out of bushes startle me. I run and look for coyotes all the time. Andy hasn’t heard of any coyote attacks lately, so there’s that. Lately, I’ve been repeating 2 Timothy 1:7 as I run, “For he has not given you a spirit of fear (timidity), but of power and love and self-discipline.”

8. Oh my word- we celebrated a birthday in December! Lauren turned 5! She requested an ice skating Minnie Mouse wearing purple on her cake (thanks, Brooke!), and a special ice skating date with her Aunt Becca. It was a lovely day and I hope to share pictures soon.

9. We enjoyed celebrating the East Coast New Year’s with our small group this past weekend- it was potluck/game night and I was most excited that our team won at Gestures! I love game nights!

10. I had two small helpers last month for a 6-month-old shoot to test out my lighting. I didn’t thoroughly think out how I could hang those twinkle lights before using my backdrop stand, so now I have one lone nail placed randomly in our wall. It will probably live there the next 2 1/2 years. ha.

_MG_7559Untitled-1Here’s to a healthy and adventurous New Year, friends! Happy 2012!

Ten on Tuesday

1. I’ve been enjoying my self-imposed December break from working on clients’  photos. The downside is, I don’t even want to open Lightroom for my personal photos. Sigh.

2. While I was sitting in Bible Study this morning, I couldn’t help but notice that our leader was wearing a cable knot sweater. And I got sidetracked by dreaming up a use for those sleeves of hers and making them into leg warmer socks to peek out of my boot shafts. I can thank Pinterest for that distraction.

3. The girls and I worked on Christmas cards a little bit back in October and here it is, December 13th and I’m a little bit freaked out since I grossly underestimated what I had on hand.

4. I see glitter and patterned paper in my near future late nights.

5. Our Christmas tree toppled over a couple of times the first night we had it up thanks to our mischievous cats. Since then, Andy put some weights on the feet of it and it’s stayed put, but somehow the ornaments keep popping off. Hmm.

6. The girls are fully into “Can I wrap everything under the sun” mode and put it under the Christmas tree. The last roll of tape lasted less than 13 hours.

7. A couple of weeks ago, we joined our church and went to a family retreat at Forest Home. We so enjoyed our time in the mountains that we are hoping to get up there this next summer for their Family Camp option which is a week long. What fun that could be!

8. A big congrats to my future brother-in-law, Levi, for graduating CSUSB with a Communications degree this past Saturday. His cute fiancée and future bride (ooh- that’s my sister!) follows him in just 6 months! Woot!

9. Lauren wanted to have her preschool classmates over for a playmate/ party for the past 2 months so they all (finally!) joined us this past weekend for a small Polar Express party- complete with pajamas, the storytelling of said story and hot cocoa. She was so happy to have all her friends over to craft and play for a bit. I’m going to miss having a preschooler in the house…

10. While I’m catching up on the last few weeks around here… Andy was so lucky to be “voted” to be the Sugar Plum Fairy by his colleagues for his work’s holiday party. He was such a good sport about the whole thing- and embraced the wings and the wig and all. Here he is with a few other characters from the Research Lab :)

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A Very Thankful Heart.

So very blessed that both sides of our family could join us today to celebrate Thanksgiving. A full house and full tummies. Andy used his smoker to cook two turkeys and everything else we feasted on was just WONDERful. No, seriously.

_MG_7107-Edit“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

Totally can’t wait for next year’s celebration, too!

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