Vintage Board

Time for a new ironing board cover, don't you think? 

Don't judge me. It hasn't been a priority.

This is obviously the cover it came with, when we got it as a wedding present. It's had a good 13 year run. Ironing is not my thing, so it has mostly been used for quilting and other sewing projects. I would be very afraid to iron anything wearable on it at this point. It's defifnitely an eyesore whenever it's out. Lately it's been out quite a bit.

 I turned to my increasingly growing stash of vintage sheets (as it is my plan to make at least one quilt out of them).

Why not make a new cover? So here it is:

 Much better.

Now I might even iron hubby's non-wrinkle free shirts.

Thankful

Where does the time go?
I might have an idea. Soon after Halloween, we had our youngest boy's birthday. I made him a fish shaped cake, per his request. It's made from a 9 x 13 cake. I got the idea from Family Fun.

We then took a much needed family vacation.

After getting back into a mid November routine, I started sewing my oldest daughter's class dance costumes. (I should probably be working on them as I type, but while littlest girl is napping, youngest boy is eating lunch, a load of laundry and the dishwasher are going, after I've spent most of the morning straightening up and vacumming [including the stairs, I don't like vacumming stairs], I thought I'd take a short little break and post something, as it's been a while.
Here's my November table runner.  The pattern is in a Thimbleberries book.

Also made some throw pillows. (I use the same pillow forms, and switch the covers for each season. That way I don't have to store tons of pillows.)

Had to use up some apples, so I made this cake.

(Actually made 4, they're small). Quite easy and quick. I don't think my kids have a palate for the caramelized sugar. But, I do. I remember wanting this cake for my birthday once.

Some more thrifty fall finds:

Here's my only Thanksgiving cross stitch. I stitched it a couple of years ago. I used a pattern for the acorns, and the pumpkin, and came up with this:

Simple, and straight to the point. I do have a cute Thanksgiving pattern I've been meaning to do, but time does seem to fly my friends. Perhaps next year...

My favorite season is quickly passing me by. I am trully blessed. Good family, good friends, good health and good food. Happy Thanksgiving and turkey eating!

This was Halloween

This is my favorite soup. It's a carrot and squash soup, with acini pasta, topped with mozzarella cheese. Everyone likes it at our house! Even though we have it year round, I make this every Halloween. Something hot after trick or treating, and healthy before candy!
The last few weeks, some of my "spare" time was taken up by Halloween costumes. The robes weren't too time consuming. While I admit I do sometimes get hung up on the details, hubby reminds me, "It's just a costume, they're not going to be in the movie!" Every year though, I think, why do I do this? It's something they're going to wear for a few hours, in the dark.

Oldest son as "Harry Potter" (He has of course read all the books and seen all the movies, knows all the spells, can more than likely beat you at the Harry Potter Scene It Game, and can do a pretty good British accent! It's quite funny actually.

Oldest daughter as "Hermione Granger"

Youngest boy as "Ron Weasley"

Littlest girl as "Hedwig"

And then I remember: When my oldest daughter was two, she wore the Snow White costume I made her, for pretty much a whole year! It has holes in the skirt from wearing it while riding her scooter. When my youngest boy was two, I made him a superman costume, that he wore almost everyday for a whole year as well!

(I made him a top with the cape attached to it, and the pants were a separate piece. He would always put on the top. I finally had to put it away because it was getting too small for him)

My youngest girl is nearly two, and while I doubt she'll want to wear her "Hedwig" costume everyday, I enjoyed making it! It is definitely an original. No pattern, completely made up.

So why do I do it? Because there's great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction once they're done. The excitement and smile from the kids helps! (It couldn't possibly be the bucket-full of candy they envision. Could it?)

And while my husband still insists on thinking I'm insane, he also thinks the costumes are keepers! After all, how cool would it be if he still had his "Adam West" Batman costume his mom made him!

Rx in a Bowl.

I am currently getting over a cold (one of the downfalls of Autumn time). Soup and rest seem to be the best medicines. Rest is harder to come by in a house full of children, so a hot bowl of soup is the next best thing! The few that stop by my blog, are probably aware that I love Olive Garden. I've had their "Zuppa Toscana" recipe for quite a few years.

The recipe calls for Kale, which is not something I usually have on hand. So I substituted frozen spinach. The last time I made it, I had some of the "Hormel Little Sizzler" breakfast sausages that have bacon in them. Since I don't usually have bacon around either. I like bacon, but I don't like how the entire house takes on its aroma after you cook it, or how the stove becomes a complete greasy mess! The little breakfast sausages worked great. I defrosted them in the microwave and finished cooking them in the pot where I later added the rest of the ingredients. The perfect amount of bacon flavor, without the huge mess!

The amazing medicinal power of comfort foods. I think I'm feeling better already.

It's Official!

The last couple of weeks, I've been spending my "spare" time working on my kid's Halloween Costumes. They're going to be "Harry Potter" characters. So I decided they would look more official if I they had knit scarves.

I've only ever crocheted one blanket quite a few years ago. My grandma was an expert in these matters! She could make the most intricate dainty little collars, blankets, booties, and more. I wish I would have actually learned. But I guess simply making chains and practicing this technique along with her, has come in handy.

When hubby saw me crocheting the scarf, he said I was insane! I actually found it relaxing. A couple of days later. . .

Voila!

A few days after that . . .

A total of 3 scarves! After all, I have three "Hogwarts" wanna be students!

I decided they needed an "Official" patch. This is where insanity has started to set in . . .

Only two more to go!

Not to mention I still have to make the robes, and a little "Hedwig" Owl costume for littlest girl.

I'm officially insane!!

Apple Sunday

I have this frame in my family room. Rather than adding several more large frames to my storage, I decided I would use the same frame, and just switch the scenery to fit the season.

This was my Spring view:

If you think you might be having a dejavu moment...I have used this block before. It's a block from the last quilt I made and posted in May. (To see it click on this link: http://mycozycubby.blogspot.com/2009/05/labor-quilt.html ).

Here's the same block, yet again. Except this one is in my craft room all year long.What can I say? When I like something, I don't just stop at one. I guess it's another issue I have.

I took this "Apple Orchard" block, used fabric I already had, changed it a bit . . .

. . . and on a Sunday afternoon, changed the scenery from Spring (I totally skipped Summer, too many other projects) to Fall.
I intended to have done this for September, but I seem to be a month behind.
Where does the time go? Before I know it'll be time for the Christmas Tree! I better get back on track!

Check this out! On my last thrifty stop I found this plate that goes with the little plate I have for my fall decor! I was so excited!

Now if I could just find the rest of the set! . . .