Grosgrain: SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

via grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com

I want one of these!!!

Rika's Roadhouse

This past weekend officially brought fall with it. Saturday was cold and rainy, so hubby and I decided to get out of town for the day. We took a drive to Delta Junction, Alaska.  We found the sun for a while and picked up a 4-wheeler part we needed.  We also made a little discovery... Rika's Roadhouse. I'm not completely sure how we had never heard of this place, but it made for a nice little adventure.

 

The flowers were amazing.  I think sweet peas are my new favorites.

I have placed the rest of the pictures from our afternoon travels in my gallery. 

Photo Challenge: Woops!

The challenge for the week over at Mama and the Dudes is WOOPS! Everyone has those accidental shots stored away somewhere and now is the chance to use them for something.

This is actually one of my all time favorite photos.  I was outside goofing around with the dogs and just snapping away.  Tucker got in the way of one of my shots and this is how it turned out:~)

Here are a few more....

I didn't realize until after I took this picture that my camera was
focusing on the fence and not the chickens.  Thankfully I did realize
what was happening and corrected it, but I do kinda like the way this
one turned out.

This is another whale photo.  Well I guess its more of an after the
whale photo.  On another trip with my family we got to see humpbacks in
Valdez, AK. I wasn't quick enough with the camera and only managed to
catch the effect of the tail splash.

Last minute addition

At the last minute I decided that my baby shower gift was missing something and I found this pattern a while back over at Habitual.  So the morning before the baby shower I did a little sewing:~)

I made a few changes along the way, but the basics are the same.

 

Beautiful Baby Gifts

Over the weekend I whipped up a baby shower gift for a friend.  I made some super cute baby booties using Heather Bailey's bitty booties pattern and some felt I had.  I also made some burp cloths using organic cloth diapers and some really great fabric from Amy Butler and Michael Miller. Both were super easy and came together quickly.  The burp cloths also gave me a chance to play with my sewing machines decorative stitches. 

 

 

Cool Whip......

I have used a few recipes in the past few weeks that have called for cool whip. Lately I've been on an eat "real food" kick.  So I decided to make my own whipped cream/cool whip. Since I have never actually made it before I looked into others recipes and recommendations. While out looking I found this: Horrifying 12 day cool whip experiment.  After taking a good look at the pictures from this experiment my hubby and I decided to see for ourselves. 

On August 13, 2010 our cool whip looked like this....

 




  On August 25, 2010 our cool whip looked like this.....

 

Over the two week period our house got a tad bit warm which caused the cool whip to separate and fall little.  Other than that it firmed up and held its shape and never molded or soured.  The idea of putting something that doesn't seem to want to break down in my body just doesn't sound appealing.

So on to making my own:~)

Whipped Cream

1/2 pint of heavy whipping cream (I used Organic)

Vanilla

Sugar

1. Whip the heavy whipping cream until it starts to thicken. I used an electric mixer.

2. Add vanilla and sugar to taste.  I used a tsp of vanilla and about a tbsp of sugar.

3. Continue mixing your whipped cream until you reach your desired consistency.  

 

 

Trees

Challenge: TREES

My entry.....

These trees were victims of a forest fire.  I took this photo about 2 summers ago while 4-wheeling in White Mountain Recreation Park in Alaska. 

Here are a few more tree pictures:~)

 

 

  

Good Monday Morning!

“When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my
soul.” (Psalm 94:18-19)

Thanks to some very incredible women that God has placed in my life I had a much needed, wonderful, and renewing weekend.  I woke up this morning feeling better than I have in months.  I have finally realized some things that God has been patiently waiting for me to grasp.  I know that my road from here will still have its ups and downs, but I will continue on armed with new tools.

I have a few projects that I am working on right now that I will finish up through out the week. But, I figured I'd kick this NEW week off with a few parties:~)

I hope that everyone has a great Monday and a great week!

Photo Challenge: WOW

Mandey @ Mama and The Dudes has started doing a weekly Photo Challenge.  The subject for week three is something that made you go WOW!

My family and I went Halibut fishing in Seward, AK about 2 years ago.  It was a blast, but what we got to see while on the trip was something I will never, ever forget.........

It was absolutely amazing to see these animals in their natural habitat.  It was the highlight of the trip and most definitely a WOW moment for me:~) Here are a few more from that trip.

 

This one came up right next to the ship where I was standing and caught me off gaurd.  I almost didn't get the picture.

 

Yummy Yummy Goodness!

I am a dessert freak! Any excuse to order dessert or make dessert I'll find it.  The night just isn't complete without it.  I especially love brownies and ice cream. Brownies were made for vanilla ice cream.  Especially warm brownies.  So naturally when Betty Crocker started making those warm delights I was totally on board. But those puppies aren't exactly grocery budge friendly, economical, or healthy. 

 

source

Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this wonderful recipe the other day over at The Carter Family Table.

Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake....mmmmmmm!!!

1 egg

1/4 cup of confectioner's sugar

1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder

1 coffee mug

Mix 'em all to together and pop it in the microwave for 50-60 seconds.

Top with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate chips....whatever your heart desires.

Its still not exactly healthy...but its totally inexpensive, economical, and pretty fantastic. (Sorry I didn't get a better picture.)

Tutorial - Pleated Camera Strap Cover

I have been meaning to buy myself a new camera strap for a while now. There is just something about the standard black and yellow Nikon strap that just doesn't do it for me:~) But I keep finding other fancy things to spend my money on. So in the mean time I decided to make a cover for the strap I have.  I also decided to make my first official attempt at a tutorial.  I will apologize in advance for any mistakes or confusion:~)

  

 

Pleated Camera Strap Slip Cover

You will need:

1/2 yard of fabric 

1. Measure the width of your camera strap.  Double that measurement and add 1/2" for your seam allowance.  Mine ended up being 5".  Cut two strips. You will need the second one for a lining.  I originally did this without the lining and trying to pull the camera strap through was painful.  It just kept getting caught up on the back side of the pleats.

 

2. Lay out your first strip and begin adding pleats until your fabric strip is even with thick part of your camera strap.  Don't forget to leave room for finishing your ends.

 

3. Baste your pleats.  This will keep them where they belong for the next steps.

 

4. Finish the edge of your lining piece.  Make sure it is the same length as your top strip.

5. Lay both pieces right sides together.  Fold them in half length wise and pin.

*I forgot to take a picture of my second attempt with the lining. But this gives you an idea of what it should look like.*

 

6. Sew both pieces together.  I used a 1/4" seam.

7. Turn right side out and iron.

And Presto.....Camera Strap Cover!