Weekend Bargains

On Saturday – Hubby, Little Guy and I went looking for garage sales. It was a lovely day and we found several. Little Guy found some new train books for 25¢each. We got a medicine cabinet for my bathroom for $4, and Dan found a few things he can re-sell on eBay.

The biggest bargain though, was a stack of boy’s clothes for which we spent a whopping $2 total. So for less than the cost of a Mocha Latte, we came home with all of the following (all in excellent condition):

• GAP Winter Coat size 4T

• Reebok warm-up jacket size 3T

• Timberland heavy-duty hooded sweatshirt size 4T

• Garanimals spring jacket size 4T

• GAP camouflage cargo pants size 3T

• Carhartt jeans size 3T

• Levi’s jeans size 3T

Little Guy is currently wearing 2T, so these won’t come into play for a while yet, but I’m always excited to find a great bargain – regardless of size. An added benefit, is that I’ll forget about these until it’s time to dig out the 3T or 4T tub and then I’ll have a fun surprise all over again.

The Singer Has Lost Her Voice

I have made lofty crafting plans lately…maybe too lofty, as my sewing machine has decided to go on strike. When it first started to chew through my bobbin thread, I assumed I’d wound the bobbin incorrectly (though I’ve been doing it for a good ten years and never had this problem before). Anyway, I wound and then re-wound my bobbins, reset all of my dials and knobs, tested different weights of fabric. Nothing helped, and this makes my heart sad.

I’ve had this machine since my Dad picked it up for me at a garage sale ten or eleven years ago for the awesome price of $3. The lady selling it had once been a dress maker by trade, and this was one of her many machines. A sturdy Singer Stylist, my second-hand machine has more options and features than I’ll ever use. She’s been tough and dependable up till now, and I really hope she can be repaired. I know I could go buy a new machine, but honestly the computerized models produced today scare me a little. Maybe a lot. Ha ha

So, I’m now doing a bit of research to determine where I can go locally to get my dear friend repaired. I wouldn’t trust “her” with just anyone after all.

Yes, I know it’s just a machine; but we’ve been through a lot together over the years and I am hoping we have a bright future ahead. If I have to break down and buy a new machine, so be it. One way or the other, I’m determined to get everything on my list (and project table) done by Christmas.

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama to share one moment.... via a single photo – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember…”

Knights, Pirates & Maidens… Oh My!

This weekend we found ourselves feeling a bit stir-crazy, but with nothing specific to do. We turned to the internet to see if there were any local events which sounded interesting. There wasn’t much to choose from.


We decided to go outside of our comfort zone a bit, and settled on a Renaissance Faire (a first for each of us). We didn’t have any idea what to expect. In my mind, I was thinking there would just be a bunch of tents, maybe a bon-fire and a lot of folks dressed like Sir Lancelot or Robin Hood. My mental image wasn’t wrong, but it was incomplete. We did see tents. We did see a fire. We did meet Robin Hood (he even gave Little Guy a piece of his ‘treasure’).

In addition to those things, we also saw a joust, a blacksmith, a “prisoner” in stocks, several Pirates & Musketeers, a fencing demonstration, many merchants selling things like kilts and leather mugs, and assorted tasty treats – most with a Renaissance twist.

All of this activity was nestled into a small, but surprisingly detailed village. Men and women in costume were everywhere. Some were dressed as more traditional Renaissance figures (Knights, Maidens & Royalty). Others were dressed as Highlanders, Monks or Magicians. Then there was an unexpected “Lord of the Rings” contingent – complete with Elves and Fairies. Somehow this mish-mosh of role playing adults meshed well.

All in all, it was fun. We ate good food (Hubby had Bangers & Mash, Little Guy ate “Ye Olde Pizza” and I had stew). We were entertained with various shows and displays. It was a lovely day weather-wise and all in all, a success.

Though I don’t expect we’ll start dressing up anytime soon, I do expect we’ll go back next year.

Family Fun

When I got home from work last night, Little Guy came barreling into my arms – a wiggling chatterbox showering his Mama with hugs and kisses. Once he’d made his way back to the ground, he lead me by the hand into the family room where Hubby and he had been playing catch. LG wanted me to join in the fun, so I did.


After an early dinner, we pulled out the play-doh and came up with all sorts of creations. We made faces, fish, cars, a cow and a train. Little Guy squealed with delight as each object took a shape he recognized. He added a pile of little play-doh balls to the mix and carefully “cut” into each of them with his little plastic fork. He would have liked to play like that all night, but after a while we lured him away with the promise of a wagon ride.

Once we convinced him to ride in his little red wagon and let Daddy do the pulling, we were off. We went on a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, enjoying the sights and sounds of an emerging Autumn. The sun was warm, but it was nicely countered by a gentle breeze. Little Guy pointed at airplanes overhead, waved at passing motorists and urged his Daddy to go faster. Once home, it was time for a bath, followed by a stack of books to read and songs to sing. We closed the evening with a sweet bedtime prayer. Little Guy easily drifted off to dreamland – a happy (and tired) little boy indeed.

He slept like a little angel – and so did we. No matter what curve balls life may throw my way, quality time spent with my special guys does wonders for this Mama!

What I'll Be Doing Today

I've been cutting blocks...and am now ready to start some quilting (after a long break from it).  I have two baby quilts and a twin size one that I need to finish.  The baby quilts will be my first priority since the babies have both arrived and time is slipping by...

Yes, those are cows... most of the prints for this series of quilts I'm making are "cowboy" related.  Should be lots of fun.

Once I get started, I tend to obsess till a project is done...so hopefully I'll have something finished to show you next week!

Playing "School"

Little Guy has recently shown quite an interest in learning. Learning about everything. He’s just soaking up new information like a tiny little sponge. I want to encourage him, but he’s only two – so I certainly don’t want to overwhelm him with anything overly structured. I think small children should be having a fun time enjoying childhood while they can.

That being said, we’ve begun to play “school” when he’s in the mood. I’ve set up an area where he can color and draw (two of his favorite pastimes). On the wall above his little table, I’ve hung a number poster and another with the alphabet on it. Whenever he shows interest, we go to that corner and I bring out coloring books or flashcards or drawing paper and paints. We read books and sing songs… whatever seems interesting at the time, and holds his attention. When he gets bored, or wants to play with his train or whatever – he does. We can always resume if/when he wants to.

For now I am trying to reinforce the things he already knows pretty well: colors, shapes, animals, that sort of thing. If he continues to enjoy learning in this manner, I’ll move to other subjects as he’s ready for them.

Right now, it’s really all about encouraging in our Little Guy a sense of curiosity and (hopefully) a love of learning. And as an added bonus for me, I get to spend some really special quality time with Little Guy as he explores his world.

I love watching the feeling of accomplishment on his little face when he masters something new (or at least makes a valiant effort to do so)! That and his exuberant little cries of, “I Did IT! I Did IT!” makes my heart happy.