Local Thrift Finds

Since I don't know of any good flea markets locally, I sometimes browse KSL Classifieds. Around here they have greater offering than Craigs List. Here are some fun things I've found recently.Modern Table: $95 ( I want)
West Elm Coffee Table: $95
Microsuede Rocker: $150
Cream Madrid Chair
Black Chairs: $30
Saweeeet Orange Retro Chairs: $20 for both. I tried to buy these, but when you work full time and can't go see things until evening, you tend to be too late, as was the case with these. I would have painted the legs off-white.

Dipe-n-Wipe & Pee-Pee TeePees

It's baby season and I have another baby shower coming up (have you ever noticed that everyone you know has babies within a 6 month period? This time I'm one of them, hooray!). I still had plenty of fabric from my last diaper clutch changing pad, so I made another one, plus a little set of matching pee-pee teepees (to protect you from baby boy's little sprinkler during a change). I need to buy some wee diapers to wrap up in the changing pad clutch (which I've decided to call the Dipe-n-Wipe since it holds diapers and wipers). All are lined with a very soft chocolate brown flannel.

I still had some fabric to spare so I used Paula's bib pattern to make a bib for the next baby boy shower to come along. The back side of this is also chocolate brown flannel, good for wiping. All of these are machine washable, which is a must, right?

I Like Glass

I think this first set is my favorite. Who knows what plastics are leaking, so I want glass.
Wee-Go glass baby bottles (also available at Gap.com)
Sweet Pea glass bottles with Neoprene bottle covers.
Evenflo Cozy glass bottle with Sleeve.

Peasant Top Magic

So the cute gal at Presser Foot has made some very cute variations of this McCall's Peasant Top. I want one! Or two or three or four! Perhaps I will invest in this pattern, since these tops would work with my growing belly.

Pleated Petal Tank ANTHROPOLIFICATION GIVEAWAY!!!!

Pleated Petal Tank ANTHROPOLIFICATION GIVEAWAY!!!!

If you haven't been to Grograin lately, go now! Check out this adorable, amazing, Athropologic tank she's made. She's so amazing. She's my inspiration. I need to learn to sew like this!! It still blows my mind that she gives away these amazing creations.

Weekly Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli (Olive Garden)

This week's recipe is a yummy imitation of an Olive Garden soup. It's a pretty hearty soup though. My hubby doesn't like soup ("it's girl food") but he does love this. You can also prep this one in a crockpot, if you work all day like I do.photo courtesty of Wholesome Eve.

Pasta e Fagioli

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced (1 cup)

3 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)

1 large carrot, julienned (1 cup)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes

1 15oz can red kidney beans (with liquid)

1 15oz can great northern beans (with liquid)

1 15oz can tomato sauce

1 12oz can V-8 juice

1 T white vinegar

1 1/2 t salt

1 t oregano

1 t basil

1/2 t pepper

1/2 t thyme

1/2 lb ditali pasta

Brown ground beef over medium heat; drain off fat. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and saute for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients exceopt pasta and simmer for 1 hr. About 50 minutes into simmer time, cook the pasta for 10 min. or until al dente (slightly tough). Drain; Add pasta to soup and simmer 5-10 minutes.

Crockpot method: Brown ground beef and put in crockpot. Add all other ingredients except pasta and cook on low for 8 hours. Boil pasta and add to crockpot. Stir and serve.

Serves maybe 6 or 9 people?

Changing Pad Diaper Clutch

Remember this previous post about the cute diaper clutch? Well I've got a baby shower coming up for a neighbor of mine, so I decided to give it a go. Here's my version. I used soft flannel on the solid side with quilt batting between layers for a nice cushy surface for baby's bum. It was easy and quick.

Ryan's Big Spill (Caution: graphic images)

About two weeks ago we had a great sunny warm weekend that was perfect for a long bike ride. Ryan went with friend Jake to do about 110 miles around Utah Lake and back home again. At about mile 80 he got a little hungry and instead of stopping to get food out of his pack, he decided to just reach back while riding to try and get it out. Going about 25-30 mph he lost his balance with the reaching and hit the pavement, head/helmet first. And that's why you wear a helmet folks. The helmet was split and the arm and hip were hurting, but after a little rest he got back on his bike and rode a few more miles. Jake took another look at his arm and decided to call his wife to rescue them and get Ryan to the hospital.

Picture #1: the elbow in the hospital. This just doesn't look right. X-rays showed the end of his bone (the forearm) broke clean off and would need surgery to be pinned back on.

Picture #2-3: four days after the accident the bruising was getting good. This is the day before surgery. Inside of the arm and a shot from behind (of the arm).Picture# 4-5: a week after the surgery, the bruising continues. The first one is a close-up of the side of Ryan's leg (side of the thigh) which still has a swollen lump on it. The second one is the inside of the arm again. The flash washed it out a bit, but honestly, I didn't even know that skin could turn that color. It's the deepest solid purple-black I've ever seen.

Picture #6: the (future) scar & stitches from the surgery, about 6 inches long.