Joanne Heim

The Saucy Noodle

Toben and I went on a date last night to The Saucy Noodle on University. We've driven past this restaurant for years--years and years and years--and have always wanted to eat there, but somehow never managed until this week.

The whole sign says, "If you don't like garlic, go home!"

Inside it's full of red-checkered covered tables, great old music, and flickering candles. Wonderful ambiance and so fun.

I had lasagna--something I've not eaten since having The Best Lasagna ever in Paris more than five years ago. It's just not been worth it to be disapointed. But this was good and is officially The Best Lasagna in America.

My pumpkins...

...are on a mission to take over the world--starting with my backyard.

Every morning, they've grown at least another foot and across the deck. I guess maybe the seed packet people knew what they were talking about when they said to plant them 8 to 10 feet apart. I guess the foot or so I spaced them wasn't quite enough! Oh well, live and learn...

At any rate, the probabillity of the Great Pumpkin visiting my little pumpkin patch this year is getting better each day!

Creative problem solving

I bought this pattern for Emma a while ago, and made it this afternoon.

It went smoothly until Emma tried it on. I put in the most beautiful zipper--on the first try!--and when she put it on the back gapped so much that there's no way she could wear it. So I ripped out the zipper (that perfect zipper on the first try!) and sewed the seam shut.

I tried adding elastic to bunch up the back to fit her, but it was still a little big and didn't look quite right. So then I put in two button holes in the back and added a drawstring. This worked pretty well...until she tried it on.

The drawstring tied in the back and with a button on the neck strap there was no possible way she could get it on or off by herself. And that meant that there was no way she'd be able to go potty. Not good.

I headed back downstairs and took out the button on the neck strap and replaced it with velcro. Then I pulled out the bodice lining and added two more button holes in the front for the drawstring and sewed the whole thing back together.

Phew.

But the result is that she can get it off and on all on her own. Much better!

(Look at her cute little wings back there!)

Sorry the light's not good in the pictures--we're having a thunder storm, only the second one this summer. My garden is very, very happy.

Tree skirt

Janna came over the other day to craft and hang out at the pool. We embellished some clothes that were too plain with some fun applique.

Here's what I came up with for fall:

The skirt came from the Banana Republic outlet last fall for about $4 and was a great, basic skirt but a little plain; the scraps came from my stash. I'm liking it a lot more now!

Presents for little girls

I mentioned that we went to a baby shower on Saturday. Our friends are adopting two little girls from Ethiopia--Noelle and Chloe. I made them matching dresses (well, same fabric, different patterns).

For Chloe:

McCall's 8812/view B (without the trim)

I found these little bike shorts at Target rather than making the bloomers that go with the dress. Without a little waist to measure, I figured the bloomers might not fit--and I seem to remember that the pattern makes really poofy bloomers. And the stripes look so cute with this fabric. I lined this dress with a plain pink fabric, and made covered buttons for the first time--so easy!

For Noelle:

McCall's 3591/view A

I absolutely love this pattern and think I'm going to have to go buy it in a bigger size for the girls. You can also shorten it to make a shirt. In a plain fabric it would be fun to add some trim, applique, or embroidery. I left these dresses plain though since the fabric has enough going on!

This pattern made up especially quick--two pieces, two side seams, elastic casings for the sleeves and neck, and a hem.

Bass Pro Shops

Took a little field trip this afternoon to Outdoor World/Bass Pro Shops...such fun! We'd visited one in Springfield, Missouri, a couple of summers ago. This one's not quite as big and didn't have as many boats. But we still spent almost three hours just wandering around.

There are stuffed animals (all real, except the eagle) everywhere and rock climbing and a fish feeding show and target practice (I killed the big ole rattlesnake!)--not to mention tackle boxes and camp stoves and waterskis! Totally fun way to spend an afternoon when it's too hot outside.

The pictures turned out a little dark, but you get the picture.

759 pages later...

Toben went to Barnes and Noble this morning and bought me a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And in between playing tennis, going to a baby shower, and eating meals, I've just finished.

Let's just say it's a real page turner...!

Old friends

We spent the afternoon and evening with some great friends--friends we haven't seen in years. They drove up from Colorado Springs and we spent the afternoon at the pool, and then made pizzas for dinner. The kids all played and ran around and had a ball.

I love it when you can pick up with friends as though no time has passed at all. We sat around the edge of the pool and caught up on life, learning more about what's been going on in all of our lives since we were last together. Though there have been hard things, it's good to hear that God is good in the midst of it all.

The best part was seeing Audrey and Olivia pick up right where they left off when they were five and we used to go to Taco Bell together every Sunday after church. They took one look at each other, hugged each other, and ran up to Audrey's room to catch up. So very fun to watch!

And I totally forgot about my camera the whole time. Darn.

I *heart* tennis

I've never thought of myself as particularly athletic--I didn't play sports in school, I'm not one to go running for exercise. But I love playing tennis (and the cute outfits that go with it!).

It's been years since I've played, but Toben and I started playing again earlier in the summer while we were in Missouri; now it's part of our everyday routine. We get up, get the girls some breakfast, and ride our bikes to the tennis courts.

We've progressed from just hitting balls back and forth to playing a set each morning. And I'm even winning. We're really evenly matched--today's last game went to deuce eight times before I scored a point.

The great closet clean up continues

Yesterday began what we've called The Great Closet Clean Up around here. We pulled everything out of Audrey's closet and dresser and from under her bed and tried on clothes, organized toys, folded tee shirts, and sorted socks. Sounds like fun, huh?

Today is Emma's turn. And then comes the basement.

I have to admit that I kind of like cleaning out closets. Audrey even said, "That was kind of fun, Mom" a couple of times. I think she's getting tired of me telling her to clean her room. Now that she knows where everything is and where everything goes I'm hoping this clean streak will last a while.

Today...

Today we spent the day in Breckenridge--this morning at Peak 8 doing the Apline Slide and riding the superchair to the top of the mountain for a little hike, this afternoon wandering through the shops. Plus dinner at Rasta Pasta (also worth the drive up!).

It is so unbelievably beautiful up here--wildflowers in high mountain meadows and gorgeous flowers in town. Think this is going to become a yearly summer tradition.

And finally, Toben bought me a bicycle today--my first since about age 13 (a brown/tan 10-speed). After we went to pick it up, he dropped me off in town and I rode back to the condo. It's so cool! I just need a basket and a bell...

(It's kind of hard to see in the picture, but it's GREEN and PINK with FLOWERS. How cool is that?!)

Yesterday

We drove up to Vail to have lunch at Sweet Basil (so very good--worth the trip up just for lunch!) before heading over to Breckenridge.

Audrey conquered the river:

And then the river conquered her!

Audrey was NOT happy. That's snow run-off in the river and it's COLD!

We also visited the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (after Audrey got on some dry clothes). We'd never been before and have decided we'll definitely go again.

Garden bounty, Nancy Drew, headbands, and Grace Kelly

We harvested from the garden for the first time yesterday. Cay you believe how big the zucchini are? Think there's some zucchini bread in my future...

Toben took me to see Nancy Drew yesterday. It's down to only one showing a day, so I figured we needed to go before it leaves the theater. It was fantastic! If you've not seen it yet, go. We didn't take the girls because I'd heard it was a little suspensful and it was the right decision. The movie was totally clean and Audrey would be fine to see it--on a small screen in daylight. But sitting in a dark theater with a big screen and watching Nancy crawl through dark passageways waiting for someone to pop out and get her would've been too much.

They left it open for another movie, so please, please, movie people--make another one!

Nancy's clothes were adorable ("I made them from some old patterns that belonged to my mother," she says) and I'm going to sew some button flowers on a cardigan or two for fall. And I bought a new headband today and see more in my future. Yep, definitely go see it--for Nancy's cute vintage wardrobe if nothing else!

Speaking of movies, our library has wonderful movies--for free! Last week I watched To Catch a Thief, which I love and have seen countless times, and High Society, a Grace Kelly film I'd not seen before. Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong. It was the last film she made before marrying Prince Ranier and become a princess. Lots of beautiful clothes there too.

We're off to Breckenridge for a mini vacation for the next few days...I'm taking my computer along for the girls to watch movies, but I'm not sure how much blogging will happen. More tomorrow...or when we get back!

Treasures from yesterday

Pictures as promised...

Gallon-sized bag chock full of seam binding--all different colors, all different sizes

Enamel pots with lids--I love the shapes of these so much and have yet to put them away because I like to just look at them and am not quite sure where they're going to go or what they'll hold

And--ta-dah!--my French folding laundry basket. I breezed right past it and Emily called me to come look at it. (It always helps to have a friend go along, so you can help each other shop!) Last month I made an offer on one and the woman wouldn't negotiate her price at all; this one was $20 less than the offer I made last time 'round!

Again, I'm not sure where it's going to live or what it's going to hold. But I LOVE it and am just waiting for inspiration to strike.

I didn't find anything for Emma's room, so Toben and I ran out in the afternoon and found this great bookcase to organize some of her treasures.

Ava's birthday booty

Last night was Ava's birthday party, so I can finally post pictures of what I made for my sweet little niece!

A tea-for-two set inspired by Claire Garland's Toys to Sew. Hers is made of felt with rick-rack; I decided to use some of my "hooray it's on clearance for only $2 a yard" fabric. This meant the edges had to be finished since it will unravel (unlike felt). I'd bought a bias tape tool a while back, and it worked great to make bias tape for some of the edges.

I also made some napkins and put it all in a little basket for her. Ava opened it up and immediately started pouring tea for herself. "More! More!" she kept saying. I think it was a hit.

I also made my first project from Bend the Rules Sewing--the swing swing smock.

I decided to modify the pattern a little and make it reversible. So instead of sewing the shoulder seams, I added fabric ties. Cute huh?

Here's the front:

...and the back:

On Ava this will be a little dress (worn with shorts underneath). It also fits Emma, so I think I'll make some for her for school--to go over t-shirts and jeans. And probably with pockets.

Girl time

Emily drove up yesterday afternoon and we spent some time at the pool, then Michelle drove up and we all went to Mimi's for dinner. Emily, Michelle, and I (and Jen and Sarah) all used to take ballet (well, Jen took tap) on Tuesday nights for a while years ago. When class was over at 9, we'd head to the Mimi's down the street for bacon and eggs. It was fun to have weekly girl time scheduled--and saved my sanity during the oh-my-goodness-I-have-two-little-kids-who-need-me-ALL-the-time phase of motherhood.

After dinner we ate the blackberry pie Emily made and brought, and then worked on Josh and Sarah's quilt while watching High School Musical. Emily and Dave don't have kids, so she's just not up on the Disney channel thing. But she was a great sport and listened to us sing along (yes, even Toben, who also loves HSM and knows every word to every song!).

We're off to the Paris Street Market here in an hour or so, then to Denver Fabrics. I'm hoping to find: some old drawers to line and put on wheels to go under Emma's bed; a French laundry basket for under $50 (probably NOT going to happen!); some sort of chest, cupboard, hutch--something, anything--for Emma's room to store all the little, little stuff she loves to collect.

Emma's normally a pretty neat kid--she loves to help me cook and clean and is a pro at folding laundry and sorting socks--but her room has been out of control and we desperately need some help. I'm fine with her having some of these things that she loves, but I'm tired of them being all over the floor. We've discovered that pretty boxes don't work for her--things go in the boxes, the lid goes on, and she never plays with them because she can't see them. So maybe a cupboard with open baskets or boxes to sort her treasures. Mmm...I'll let you know what I find.

A new day

Oh, I'm thankful for a new day with a fresh start every morning. Do you ever have those days that are just a struggle and you feel like the only way to make it better is just for it to be over so you can start again?

I had one of those days yesterday--not a bad day, really, but a day where I fought against a bad attitude that seemed to follow me no matter where I turned. Just when I felt like I'd turned it around, it struck again. By the time I went to bed last night every little thing was bothering me and my patience had totally run out.

But it's a new day with a clean slate.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him.
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:21-27

Paper bag books

My friend Jen made me a paper bag book for mother's day and I made this one the other day. Audrey and Emma are working on some too--a great project for kids and to use up little scraps of paper and old greeting cards.

Here's what you need:
3 paper lunch bags
hole punch
ribbon
glue stick
scrapbook paper scraps, old greeting cards
scissors, punches
goodies to tuck inside

Fold your paper bags in half and assemble them like a book. The front page edge should not open, the next page should be the open edge/top edge of the bag. So, stack them on top of each other like this:

<--bottom edge of bag :: top edge of bag (open edge)-->
<--top edge of bag :: bottom edge of bag-->
<--bottom edge of bag :: top edge of bag (open edge)-->

Punch two holes on the folded edge and tie with ribbon. Glue paper on the "pages" of the book and fill the pockets made by the open edge of the bag with flat goodies like a small pad of paper or square chocolates. You can also add buttons or anything else you'd like, keeping it all as flat as possible.

You could also use photographs, colored bags, quotations, stickers, or other cute scrapbooking stuff. It would be fun to do one with a theme and tuck gift cards inside the pockets.

Thanks, Jen, for the cute idea!

Blogging in the morning?

I am very definitely a morning person. (Even though I have been sleeping in this summer--not getting up until 6 or even 6:30!) Despite that, I've always blogged at night. It's the thing I do while the girls take their baths and brush their teeth.

But with our summer routine of spending all afternoon at the pool, the girls (and Toben and I) have been taking showers before dinner and blogging has been harder to do. Plus it's HOT at night and it's hard to think when I'm hot. (Nope, no air conditioning here, though I see it in our future!)

So I think I'll try blogging in the morning for a while. Everyone is sleeping in, the house is quiet, though I'm sitting outside on the deck at the stone table. There used to be a tree going through the deck, and the previous owners put a slab of stone on top of the trunk, making a fun table. Think this may be my new blogging spot...

Think I may need to plant some Johnny Jump Ups under there

Look how big my pumpkins are getting!

P.S. Happy birthday, Ava!

Summer sleepover

Oh, how I love summer. I know I'm probably starting to sound like a broken record, but I really, really love summer. Sleepovers on a Sunday night after swimming all afternoon at the pool...bliss!

Ava's spending the night and the girls are lined up on the couch with their stuffed animals watching Robin Hood--one of my favorite Disney movies. "Oo-da-lolly, oo-da-lolly golly what a day!"

Someone is turning two in just a couple of days, so I've been busy. I'd give you a peek, but want to keep the surprise until her party on Saturday. Pictures then...