How do you do traditional, when you don't know the tradition?

So, it is the week to be thankful here in the states, and I am going to make a turkey. This will be the first time for me, I have convieniently dodged this chore for the last 8 years. The first couple of years I didn't celebrate, and then my husband was in Iraq. The next 4 years I spent at my mother in laws,I pulled the foreigner card, and got to do odds and ends ( like making shaped cookies).Last year my husband made the turkey. And so we come to this year, I will have to do it myself! And it isn't even for my kids, they are little and probably wouldn't remember. It is for me, I have come to like Thanksgiving, turkey,gravy and pie.
Well on thursday I will be bringing out the baster and stick my hand in the turkeys butt (oh I am sooo hoping there will be no guts in there!)
Wish me luck!


Eli's newest obsession is to put on my shoes and walk around in the house.

 James wearing his toy boxes.

 My craft table aka the kitchen table(lol) Working on some stars.

Just one of those days!

I woke up this morning feeling under the weather! I had kinnda suspected that I was a little sick, but ignored it.
Well today I couldn't ignore it anymore.. I was super tired! Well, can't call in sick. I tried to stay up best I could.. but I was not paying as good attention as usual. This resulted in brown sugar being poured on my carpet in the bedroom. So I grab the vacuum and start vacuuming, as I grab my attachment to get the corner I realize there is very little suction left! Uh oh.. I empty my vacuum, but still... can't get the last bit up! Well I need to clean the hose out, but its dark outside so I can't get to my garden hose and power spray ( my solution for most things lol) So now I have to try to get it up with a broom.. not fun.. Well I think I got most of it up. Tomorrows project: clean vacuum hose. Should be interesting.. Usually something I have my husband do. There are lots of things that I never thought I would add to my resume of things I can do. But after 3 deployments, countless marine corps schools and field trips I can say that I truly am more well rounded. I have learned how to clean horse stalls, change my car battery, jump start my car, avoid flooding (it happens more than one would think) pull a horse trailer and mow a lawn ( although most ppl would call it a patch with some grass on it).

Here are some mugs that I have been making ( they are going to be mug rugs!) from the bee in my bonnet row along.

Also finshed my pumpkin wall hanging (needs quilted though)

And I made another pillow cover to match the Eiffel tower pillow cases

 

 

 

Dear Mr President

Today is election day. It seems as though more people care this time. Don't get me wrong, I care. Still can't vote though ( haven't made the leap to become an American citizen) Although I would love to go on and on about how I want the economy to change, spending to decrease and export to increase, there is really only one thing I want.
Bring back ALL the troops. Not just part of them, that will just increase the danger for those still over there.
We have sacrificed so much, please let this be done with!

 My husband in Afghanistan seeing Eli for the first time 4 hrs after he was born

 

James and daddy

meeting Eli for the first time...

When you aim for superwoman and end up as cookie monster.

Last night was Halloween and I had great plans to be Super Woman. However I could not find my costume!! I had worn the shirt on sunday for a pumpkin carving party and apparently it just vanished! So with a Batman (James) and a Robin (Eli) I would have to be cookie monster. It was the only thing I could come up with about half an hour before we had to leave.
I found myself thinking about how true to life this scenario was, I always try to be superwoman but end up being more like cookie monster. I find that most everybody is chasing that superwoman ideal, the "I can do anything and have my hair done". And when we fall short we get discouraged. Not realizing that what we are striving for is impossible. Most women that I talk to say the same thing, I want to feel useful and make money. But at the same time they want time for their kids and a better education. Sure, sure this is all possible.. But not at the same time,, ( unless you want a heart attack).
Either way, my goal is to try to embrace my inner cookie monster and do the best I can do...

This week hasn't been as crafty as I would have liked it too.. A math quiz and a math test made sure of that,, And then ofcourse Halloween.
But I did manage to have time to make these!

Two Eiffel tower pillow cases, I have had these planned in my head for a long time lol.. But I had to order a fabric that would match because the blue didn't go with any of my million choices at home lol..

When inspiration strikes

 So last night as I was doing my math homework inspiration struck!... uh oh,, This could only mean one thing. I would be up way too late working on a project. My idea was this

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A tiny burlap basket for my living room.. I had some burlap that I bought to make my own reusable grocery bags.. But then I realized that the weave was not very tight so it might not work. Anyhow that made it so that I ended up with way too much burlap. Since I didn't want to make 70's wall paper I had to figure something else out and this is what I came up with.
I had a fabric from french general that did not go with my other stars, but I just loved it.

It is getting colder here, and fall has inspired me. I have been all into golden and orange.. This is very weird and out of character for me ( usually I like pink and pastels) But we went to the pumpkin patch this week. And the pumpkins had the loveliest orange color

 The boys had a blast! They love being outdoors and in the countryside.
I wish that we could live somewhere where they could run free.
Also in my quilting class we are making a log cabin wall hanging yay! I wasn't going to make it but I felt like it was just irresistable.. Love the colors!

Anyways, I am under toddler attack and will go back to playing cars now

A week with unfinished projects!

This week has been about trying to get things done. I have started a million things and not finished them. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have a lot of things almost done lol. Which is much better than having things not done at all. As for sewing I am almost done with an oven mitt,, This mitt is much harder than I had anticipated and has thrown me a lot of curve balls! James is almost potty trained. We almost have our new routine down ( since my husband left) I almost have an A in my math class (89.6% ) 0.4% away.. and my house is almost clean.. Well well maybe next week. I am making some log cabin blocks for a cute fall wall hanging, I just couldn't help myself! Next week my goal will be to finish things... But for now I am going to finish my hot chocolate and enjoy the quietness! The mariachi band that was playing loud at some neighbors are done ( or taking a break lol) And both boys are asleep... aaaah quiet!! :)

 

 hard hats! :) or as James likes to refer to them "fireman hats"

 My silly boy!

Some fabric letters that I made, we are learning the alphabet! James is doing great!

Monday!

Today has been a relaxed and calm day, the kiddos have been in daycare. I did some studying and then I started my crafting :) . I listened to some Adele, and made this new block for my sampler baby quilt. It is handpieced ( english paper piecing) my new favorite!

I also finished my stars with red background for my grandmothers christmas quilt :).. Now I only have 14 more tan ones to go ( it is going to be 2 lap sized quilts)

 

It was so relaxing to just sew, I feel refreshed and ready to get the kids :). James is growing up so fast and his abilities just blow my mind sometimes! He is taking his dads deployment fairly well compared to last time. We did get to webchat yesterday and that was awesome :). Eli was happy too!


Tonight I am going to do some more studying and then catch up on NCIS! Because tomorrow is a new episode!! yay
Well off to get the kids!