Smile, My Life is that Interesting...

Okay, so Shannon over at luvinthemommyhood started this and well I'm gonna finish it!  Then go grocery shopping :)

* i'm longing to make "a patchwork quilt slip cover for my couches" right now. And by right now I mean yesterday! I can honestly say that I've thought of doing this before but never have and now that I've seen someone else do it I want it too!  Problem...I have 1 sofa sleeper couch and 2 (yes two) love seats (though not in the same room) and I can't have them feeling left out :)  Mayhaps this will be a goal for 2013?

* i want to try "knitting" with some "quivut" yarn.

* i wish i could sew with "Rockin' Romance" fabric.

* i dream of making "my whole wardrobe".  Really I do.  Jeans, khakis, skirts, tops, sweaters and of course dresses...lifetime goal here. 

* i keep track of my ideas by "thinking about them constantly".  No really, I rarely sketch or write out ideas I just keep them locked away in my cute little brain.  Some of you might think that's crazy or that you'd forget.  I'll be honest I WISH I could forget stuff.  A great memory can be a curse...I mean do I really have to remember that the first time I met my husband he beat me thouroughly at tether ball?  Or that I'm often the first person to notice and comment on the fact that you have lipstick on your teeth?  Yes, all that and more is in my brain (I could even quote to you from memory the due dates, actual arrival dates, birth weights and what they lost in the first couple days of ALL FIVE of my kids)

* i'm inspired by "life".  Not just the everything around me sense but the nitty gritty life as we live it.  I'm inspired when I see people standing in line at the grocery store, when I'm washing the dishes or even when I'm sleeping (I wake up with the greatest ideas sometimes).  I'm inspired to make life not just functional and livable but beautiful as well.  I want others to see the beauty in the messes of life.

* i would love to meet "too many people" in person.  I have made so many friends through the introwebs that I would love to meet them in person, specifically Shannon, Becca, Kristy and then there's friends I've met through facebook and I'd love to meet them too :)

* my favorite fiber is "wool".  Seriously can you go wrong with wool?  I didn't think so :)

* i like to sew with "knits".   Ohmygosh, favorite thing to work with.  I love how everything turns out, how you don't have to hem and well I just love it in general.

* my favorite color is "ORANGE".  Enough said.

* i rock at "baby making".  Let your mind wander if you will but I had to enter in something funny but exessively true :)

* i would like to learn how to make "the most of my photography".

* i like to listen to "classical music" while i "drive the kids places". Don't get me wrong here I listen to all kinds of music but classical (though I know that word incompasses a lot of music) is the most easy flowing music and the kids and I are always calmer when it's on in the suburban

* i bring my "party self" everywhere.  I am a self-proclaimed party in a person.  Go ahead, invite me to a party and I promise you'll see the truth in this statement :)

* my favorite thing to "sew" is "women's dresses".  My dream is to make custom dresses for women.  I'm not into making patterns, sewing for everyone's kids but I love to make dresses and I would love to make dresses for other women.

* my favorite thing to "knit" are "cowls".

* my crafting space is "controlled chaos".  Yet I know where just about everything is.  The moment I can't find something is the moment I start cleaning up.

* if i had my own crafting room it would have "floor to celing walls of fabric so that I can see and feel what I have".  I can't stress it enough when I say I do not live in boxes.  I hate that I have to store my lovely fabric in shelves where I never see them.  If I see something I want to create.  What I would love is to be able to have all of my fabrics out and hanging organized by color :)  Someday!

* i sew with "a kenmore".  It's old, has only one presser foot and works like a dream.  Knits have never had it so good.  I got it from my husband's aunt when my Brother stopped working just before Christmas...she's prolly never going to get it back ;)

* i like to "repeat" "the cute things my kids say".  Yeah, I'm pretty much a sucker for all the adorbsible things my kids say.  Right now on the radar is Vinny's explaination of the alphabet "Momma, Teacher says we have to learn all our letters because it will be in every word we learn to read this year!"  i.die!

* i can never get enough "hugs from my love".  True story.  I love my husband and love it when he takes me in his arms and tells me I'm his whole world :)

* i adore "writing". Yup, I love to write.  I write fiction, non-fiction if two letters make a word then I'm there!

* i also enjoy "letter writing" and "fancy lettering".  Yeah, I'm kinda addicted to making pretty envelopes.  For all my thank you notes I have now started mailing them the old fashioned way and prettifying them up (yes I just made up a word, deal with it).  I love getting cards in the mail and you should too...it sure beats bills ;)

* i like to fill my shelves with "pictures".  I love having pictures on the walls, shelves, cupboards...well maybe not yet.  Pictures of family or cards that I have recieved.  Usually my shelves are full of stuff but if I had my druthers I'd have candles and photographs on every open shelf!

* i create the best when i'm "dressed up like I mean it".  I ABHOR sweat pants, yoga pants are acceptable for short periods of time but to be completely honest if I'm frumpy my thoughts are frumpy and I hit a crazy road block to creativity.  If I really want to make something I dress up, hair, make-up, shoes and usually a dress (though I do have the most adorable pair of jeans I stole for $3).  Really, I hate being frumpy so much that I make myself knit skirts for post partum because I can only handle being in jammies for about 12 hours :)

* i am currently excited for "my little girl to start preschool". Yes it is true, my little princess starts preschool on Monday and I am beyond excited for her and for me.  For 1/2 a day 4 days a week it'll just be me and the beebs (Thaddeus)...I'm already planning quiet time for him and craft time for me.  Can you say HEAVEN?  Plus, it doesn't hurt that she is excited too.  She's filling out pretend forms for school, talking about her teaching and squealing with delight everytime we pass the preschool.  I'm really hoping she makes a best friend in her class this year.  We live in a small town and she could easily meet that bestie that will follow her through high school...maybe even college.  You all remember those friends right?

* right now i am "test pattern".   Hush hush...

* i love to watch "nothing" while creating.  I actually can't create and craft, kinda like chewing gum and walking.  Don't get me wrong I will knit and watch tv and movies (so long as they aren't action thrillers) but I don't usually sew or create much while watching shows.  Mostly because I get too drawn into the shows that I forget to move my hands.  However if you want to know my fave shows right now they are "Once Upon a Time" "Sherlock" "  Downton Abbey" and I am super excited for "Elementary" that starts this week!

* my guilty pleasure when it comes to creating is "thrift store splurges".  Um, yeah I really can't say no in thrift shops, reguardless of how many oversized t-shirts I have at home I really really really need another one at $1!

* my current favorite music crush to listen to while creating is "Sara Barielles Radio on Pandora or Rend Collective Experiment Radio on Pandora".  I ADORE Pandora!!!  I love that I don't have to listen to just one particular artist but can listen to similar artists too.  I get introduced to a ton of new music and my play lists in Spotify keep growing ;)

Well, now you know all about me...I want to know all about you.  Feel free to copy and paste this into your blog and answer the questions as you would (not me, obviously I already know me).

Buffy

and then there was scrap yarn...

It's true my sweater no longer looks like a hat for a giant but now an actual sweater with sleeves...

well maybe not sleeves exactly but at least there are stitches on scrap yarn marking wear sleeves will one day be :)

Since this is a top down I decided to try it on, make sure it wasn't too big or worse too small.  Drumroll...

It fits!  I have to say that I am entirely happy that I chose to knit the 36/38 size instead of the 40/42 because it's obvious that the 40 would have been too big. 

I'm gonna have to get some measurements and see when I want to start the waist shaping, that's probably the only modification that I'll be making, I'll put the decreases for my waist where, well my actual waist is :)

This past Sunday I took the some of the kids to the park (Husband was sick)...

I got to knit a little while I was there

It was awesome.

Well there you have it scrap yarn, parks and sleeves!  And oh yes, a giveaway as promised.  Nothing too spectacular, just an apron...

I saw this fabric and it cried to me to make it into an apron, so I obligied :)  I think it's perfect for summer and will be great on the dark, long winter day's to help brighten your kitchen and lighten the workload of cooking :) 

So just leave a comment below, if you need help thinking of something to say you could tell a joke, write a limmerick, or even give me a math problem to work on :)  Just be nice and in a couple weeks I'll pick a lucky winner at random.  (please for my sake and yours leave someway to be contacted via email or if your name links to your email that works too)

Hope you have a day that's sunny side up and get knitting :)


*Disclaimer*  I just want to clear the air in that I'm giving this apron away for fun and for no other reason.  I love to make things and give them away and I love making new friends :)

To Wendylicious

Source Cute As A Fox

You know it is my intention to make you all wish to be my very best friend so that I'll do an entire blog post dedicated to you.  I mean really, who doesn't love it when life is all about them?  I know I'll be checking my inbox for the overflow of bestie love from you know ;)

All silliness aside tomorrow marks an auspicious occasion...my lovely friend Wendy has a birthday.  I will be nice and leave the year she marks off this post, however I want to wish her as much happiness as I possibly can in a blog post :)

If you need a proper introduction Wendy is the girl to give it.  Seriously, every.single.time she introduces me to someone new I feel like this...

Source by heleneee

She really knows how to make you feel on top of the world :)
Also she is an amazing writer....

Source mme.bookling on Flickr

I love how she sees the little details that I miss and that her imagination is only comparable to a 5 year old...it's that AMAZING!

She loves books almost as much as me...

Source by samantha lamb on Flickr

She love tea...

Source pinterest via Kimberly S

though she does love coffee too...

Source whole latte love

Honestly I could go on forever and still not tell you all the reasons I love her.  Truth be told some days I envy her for while we share some similar interests she has characteristics and abilities that I would love to have.  We've been friends for a while and I plan on being friends for much longer and every year she becomes more of a sister than just a friend to me.

Happy Birthday my Wonderful Friend!  

{{hugs}}

Buffy

PS You're gonna love your gift :)

Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

via pinterest original source annies-eats.net

So almost exactly one month ago my blogging pal Shannon posted this picture on her weekend wishes.  She very subtly asked me to make them for her, but gluten free of course.  Well, me being a fabulously wonderful friend (humble too, I might add) I started to make the recipe gluten free.  I started with the original recipe from Annie's Eats, but it just didn't turn out right :(  So I thought and thought and dreamed and sewed (what you didn't know that sewing is a big part of creating a recipe?) and then the other day I got the idea to check some of the recipes I already had.  I found this delicious sounding recipe that was perfect for tweaking!  So Shannon...here you go:

Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Latte Pumpkin Cupcakes
recipe adapted from Applesauce Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting found in The Complete Cooking Light Cookbook

1 cup Sorghum Flour
1 cup White Rice Flour
1/2 cup Cornstarch
1/2 cup Potato Starch Flour (note: you could use a whole cup of cornstarch or switch out the potato starch for tapioca)
1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 1/2 teaspoons guar gum (again, you could use an entire tablespoon of xanthan gum)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine (stick)
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (I used fresh, but you could use canned)
1/4 cup apple butter
2 tablespoons instant coffee grounds
2 large egg whites
1 large egg

Makes: I made 18 cupcakes and a small 8 inch circular cake...so you could easily make 24-30 cupcakes with this recipe.

I find it easier and faster to gather all my ingredients and measure them before starting the mixing process.  You'll also want to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit  and line your cupcake tins with paper liners.

Mix dry ingredients together (flours, soda, xanthan gum, guar gum, & spices), set aside.

Cream butter and sugar together.  This takes about 3-5 minutes at medium speed so while the mixer is going microwave the apple butter for 20-30 seconds.  Then add the instant coffee grounds to the warm apple butter, mix well.

When butter and sugar are well blended add pumpkin puree, egg whites, egg and apple butter mixture.  Beat well.

Add flour mixture in slowly, beating until well blended.

Batter will look like this.  Spoon batter into prepared cupcake pans.  Bake for 15 minutes.

Allow cupcakes to cool.  Then frost if desired.

I used a cream cheese frosting and sprinkled a little cinnamon on top for looks and flavor.

Now all that is left to do is enjoy them!  Or better yet, invite a friend over for coffee, knitting and a tasty cupcake.  Shannon, your cupcake is waiting!

{{hugs}}
Buffy

You might see a few more recipes on here the next couple of weeks.  I've been busy baking and I love to share what I make.  Is there a recipe you'd like gluten free?  Let me know and I'll see if I can recreate it for you!

Vinny Turned FIVE!!!!!

Yesterday was Vincent's birthday.  I can hardly believe that my baby is five!  Seriously where did the time go?  Vinny is my middle baby and  a miracle child too.  You see when he was 2 weeks old (exactly) he was admitted to the hospital with a high fever almost 104 degrees Fahrenheit and after a urine test, blood draw and spinal tap we learned he had septis or as the nice dr's explained to me he had become sick on his own waste.  By the time we got to the hospital the infection had spread to his blood and we spent the next four days in peds getting IV antibiotics that had to be given every 8 hours...precisely...over an entire hour.

They discharged us with a pic line that went from his ankle to his heart and Husband and I had to administer IV antibiotics for him for 14 days.  The poor thing was so sick, his immune system compromised that he developed thrush, a series of ear infections and then at 6 weeks he scared us again with a high fever and back to the ER we went.  Fortunately he had only developed an viral upper respiratory infection so no more drugs that time, but they watched him for a day and sent us home.

I wish I could say that this was the worst part but it was only the beginning.  My 8 pound 12 ounce boy wasn't even 9.5 pounds at 2 months.  Soon it became obvious that something was wrong.  By four months of age we were going into the dr's office for weight checks every week.  We were feeding him 40+ ounce of formula a day and no. weight. gain.  It was horrible.

He was constantly sick.  Totally lethargic sleeping 14-18 hours a day.  Diarrhea in every. single. diaper.  People accused us of starving him.  People were afraid that we were making him sick.  I was watching my baby slowly slip lower and lower on the growth chart.  If he got a cold in the morning I could see he lost weight by lunchtime.  He had no fat, no reserves and was one sick baby.  A sick baby that only I, Husband and the Doctor knew about.

Up until Vincent was born I always wondered what I would do if my child got sick and it seemed like nothing was working.  Would I just stand by and let the medical doctors do their practice thing or would I fight?  Would I try anything?  What would my child's illness stir within me?  I knew in my heart of heart's despite crippling blows to my ego as a 'good' mother that I was a WONDERFUL momma and the momma God designed for Vincent.  I knew he was sick, Husband knew he was sick, the Dr knew something was wrong.  So we fought.

At six months I went into one of our weight check appointments and just told the Dr it was time for reinforcements.  We needed specialists.  I left with two referrals one to the cardiologist and one to the Feeding and Growth Clinic.  The first appointment was with the cardiologist which was total bust, well not completely we were able to rule out heart problems so that was good.  So onto the Feeding and Growth clinic.

I went into the appointment uncertain.  I had heard both good and bad reviews from people, but they were my last hope.  I saw a speech therapist and then a dietitian and after explaining Vinny's  medical history...lack of growth, continual illness and my unwavering conviction that something was wrong with my son the dietitian whom I swear was an angel looked right at me and said "We want to admit him to the hospital."  I'm not a crying person so I didn't burst into tears but I wanted to hug her.

The dietitian went on to explain that he wasn't at death's door but that they were admitting him as a Failure to Thrive patient.  She kindly explained that this was in no way a reflection on me as a parent because I was being a great mom by seeking help for my child, for fighting for him.  They had lots of tests they needed to run and while I could do it outpatient it would take months to get everything coordinated.

We spent a week in the hospital.  We saw every specialist you could think of and therapists too.  He was poked, prodded and scanned.  The hardest test by far was the one for Cystic Fibrosis...not because it was a difficult test but because I knew what the prognosis was...incurable.  We finally left with the diagnosis of Mild Malabsorption and he was put on a new formula that was 'partially digested' really it means that they had separated the proteins and enzymes and whatnot so that it was absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and not just the small & large intestine.  He gained weight and we left cautiously optimistic.

We had a decent summer.  He was growing s-l-o-w-l-y.  Then just before September we hit a bump...Vinny lost weight.  The dr called Vinny's Gastrointerologist aka gut doctor.  We saw our doc Friday morning and I got a call from the gut doctor's office that afternoon for an appointment on Monday!  That is crazy fast scheduling, not sure what our doc said, not sure I want to know, but I'm so glad he did.

We had a short consult, scheduled an Upper GI biopsy to check for Celiac Disease.  The doctor wasn't super encouraging but at least he was willing to do more tests.

Just before his first birthday I went into to find out the results of the biopsy and Praise the Lord he had Celiac!  Now it might sound cruel to be thankful your child has a disease but when you're fearful of cancer, Crohn's or other incurable illness.  Celiac isn't curable now but it is managed by a gluten free diet...a diet change that saves your life is better than cancer and infinitely better than not knowing.  Honestly, if the doctor said nothing was wrong I wasn't sure how I was going to continue to go grocery shopping.  Sooner or later somebody was going to call CPS on us.  An answer is what we needed.

Life is infinitely better with this crazy boy, and if it's okay to admit it I think 5 is the best age for boys.  They're still young enough to think you'r the best but big enough to take care of basic needs.  I can't imagine my life without him and I'm so fortunate to live in an age where a  Momma can fight for her baby's health and find out the problem.

So happy birthday my little man with a big heart!  Momma loves you with all of hers!

{{hugs}}
Buffy

This Morning

After a completely overwhelming couple of days this past weekend I decided that I needed to do something to help myself cope with all the responsibilities I have as Momma to five, all the obligations I have from commitments I've made, Christmas gifts to make not to mention all the things I want to do.  I'll spare you the list as you might find yourself depressed too ;)  Still the only solution I could think of was...sleep less or as I phrased it to myself, get up early.

So for the last 3 days and most likely the rest of my life, I'll be getting up early.  I'm not a tremendous morning person but there is something to be said about getting up early, before Husband and the kiddos so that I can start my day on the right foot and not feel like I'm a foot short and a screw loose.  This morning however I suddenly realized that it was getting lighter, meaning the sun was coming up.  In that instant I went for the camera...which wasn't where I thought it was but I found it nevertheless and was able to snap these pics real quick.

Then I thought since everyone (literally everyone, I get stopped at the supermarket for this) asks me how I do it?  You know, handle five kids between the ages of 16 months and 8 years.  I decided I'd show a small picture of it.

Yes that is my morning coffee, it was as I said in my head "A Wendy mug coffee day."  Wendy, is a dear friend who gave me that mug for Christmas a couple years ago and I love it for days when I need a lot of coffee...it's like a Venti size at Starbucks, very big!  Remember this is only day 3 of the new schedule, I was mildly tired.

I have this wonderful notebook that I keep my routines written in, the menu, goal lists and such.  I don't let it get too cluttered but it really helps me stay sane.  I start my days eating breakfast (this morning peach cobbler) and make out my to do list for the day.  I write out whatever meetings/appointments are on the schedule and I check the menu to see if there is meat to defrost or if the meal will require an extra step.  For example yesterday I made pasta for the lasagna which is an extra step that I have to plan and prepare for.

It's what works for me...this week at least.  But the final, and most important part is this...

Spending a little time in the Word makes everyday go by better.  The sunrise made me think of Psalms 139 and I just had to post a little pic of my Bible.

{{hugs}}
Buffy

How do you start your day?  Are you like me, trying out a new routine or do you have yours down pat?  Are you adjusting well to the Fall schedule?  Today's a fairly slow day so let's chat...I'll go make more coffee :)

It's Her Birthday!

Source

I'm interrupting this week's Mayhem of Messiness (hey I think I like that title better) for a celebratory post in honor of my best friend Terri.  I know she says that birthday's lose their charm with each passing year however to me she is the exact same age today as she was the day I met her!

timeless....Source

She is to me the Epitome of a godly woman and I love that her whole life breathes Praise to our Heavenly Father.  For as long as I have known her I have always hoped that one day I might be half as wonderful as her.  She is incredibly blessed with a loving husband, 6 kids, one grandson with TWO more grandbabies on the way!  I love watching her interact with her children as it is a great picture into what might be in store for me and my boys.

Source & Source

Secretly I hope that one day one of my boys will either marry her daughter or perhaps one of her grandchildren, but that of course is in the Lord's hands.

Source & Source

Terri is the person responsible for my yarn and knitting addiction and I love her more for it.  Honestly I'm not sure what my life would be like if it weren't for knitting and I know that there are a lot of friends and people I never would have met if it weren't for her.  I value her hospitality, kindness and servant's heart.  She is always willing to lift up requests to the Lord and if you're ever blessed to be next to her when she prays you'll fight the urge to look to find Jesus standing in the room.

Source

So Terri, I know you're reading this cause I'm going to tell you I posted this, thanks for everything and many blessings on your day!  A very Happy Birthday I wish you with all of my heart!

{{hugs}}
Buffy

Everyone's a Winner!

Source Sam Dubeau

Okay, so I just couldn't let fate choose a winner from my How To Post A Comment giveaway.  I have plenty of things to pass onto my friends and I hope you appreciate it and not feel cheated of being the winner.


Also, I felt especially hopeful when I read LauraWilson25's comment in that she might win.  So here are the prizes:

For LauraWilson25:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

Last week Laura was having a rough day so I thought these lovely small silk flowers would cheer her up!  Congrats Laura, hopefully you and your daughter will find many ways to enjoy these lovely roses.

For MichellePaige:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

I know that Michelle loves ribbon and can never have too much!  Can't wait to see what you create with this Michelle :)

For Sara:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

For my cousin Sara who needs the boost to get started with stamps!  Here's a few for just about every occasion!

For Anth:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

Anth, thank you so much for you lovely comment!  I hope you love yarn as much as I do and that you'll find a way to use this fun yarn!

and finally for Peggy:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

Some fabulous vintage (and not so vintage ie Winnie the Pooh) lace pieces!  Not sure why but these called your name to me Peggy!

Isn't it great to be a winner?  I'll be sending out emails to you all and hope to have everything posted by next week!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I promise next friday I'll do a Fearless Friday Post!

{{hugs}}
Buffy

So what are you going to do for the weekend?  Have any great plans?  Are you all excited to be winners?  I am so happy to be able to share with my friends!!!