Break the Cycle

If it weren't for Judy's challenge at Patchwork Times - I probably wouldn't even have found the time to sit at my machine this week. But last night I realized I didn't have much new to show for design wall Monday's challenge - so I sewed up a few borders for the baby blanket that needs to be finished ASAP. Last I heard they had gone to the hospital in early labor - she is 36 weeks - so I'm assuming they probably tried to stop it ... but just in case - I need to get this finished. Anyway - this is one set of borders

Most people that know me well, know I'm Muslim. I don't promote it - it is a very personal choice. I chose not to wear the hijab for personal reasons - and I don't require my daughters to wear it either - that is a choice for them to make as they get older. But when we attend prayer, we all wear hijab - I think they are very beautiful either way. At the end of Ramadan each year there is a 3 day holiday called Eid. As a Muslim family in a Christian country - it is harder on the kids - because most of their friends do not celebrate the same holidays. I do try and make the holiday special for them. This year after morning prayer and dd's softball game, we went to the boardwalk. While only intending to have lunch out - we were lucky enough to witness an airshow, play on the beach in beautiful September weather, and then even hit the amusement park. The kids rode the log flume and bumper cars, and had a spectacular time. The next day (yesterday), the Islamic Society of Nort...

Ahhhh - end of summer at the Jersey shore - means putting up some of the veggies that make living in the garden state so worthwhile (in addition to the beach of course!) I've always either canned or frozen my veggies. Canning - no problems. Read the book, bought the equipment, made jellies and jams, but didn't like the way the veggies came out (squishy). So I freeze my veggies. Usually just wash and freeze (peppers I slice so they take up less space). Green beans, wax beans, most kinds of beans - I blanche (boil for 3 minutes, ice bath for 3 minutes) then freeze. Been doing that for years - today I read a tip on the internet - and wondered "Why didn't I think of that?" You know when you freeze veggies in regular zip lock freezer bags - even though you squeeze as much air as you can out of them bags, there is always air left. Today I tried the "straw method". Put my veggies in - squeezed as much air out as possible (without squishing the veggies...

Me and Cousin Jim My husband travels often - I'm pretty used to it. This time around, I was having a harder time of it. I think he knew - although I know I didn't outwardly show it - it's just something that soulmates sense. Anyway - he left yesterday afternoon for the airport, and about 15 minutes before he was due to leave, my FAVORITE COUSIN pulled in the driveway. He's from Michigan - where we used to go on our yearly one-week family vacation as children. I've had my own family up that way twice, the last time when Leenah (dd#2) was just 6 months old. My husband once football tackled a two foot long dog fish there - and was left with an impressive scar on his knees - just because he thought it was a "good eating kind of fish" (it wasn't). Anyway - Cousin Jim's arrival made the departure of my husband much, much easier. No tears were shed, and although my heart still misses him, I'm O.K. We had a wonderful visit with Cousin Jim. He ...

OK, OK - no design wall, and this week, the design table was still covered with textbooks, so I had to take my picture of the design floor. I just love this challenge that Judy from Patchwork Times posts each Monday - it makes me FIND THE TIME to sit down and sew over the weekend. This weekend I pulled some batiks and just started throwing some blocks together. I wanted something cheery to chase away all that rain. It must have worked because the rain is certainly out this morning. Of course, rainy weekends also means baking - banana chocolate chip muffins and bread for the kids - and 1 point cupcakes for mom - the recipe - mix one box of Angel Food cake mix and one large can of crushed pineapple - and bake - spray the pan first ! That's it. Makes anywhere from 24-36 cupcakes depending on how large you like them.

I can't believe how big my "little man" has grown. He has the same teacher he had last year (I guess I was very persuasive!) His bus ride is no where near as long this year - so it looks like it'll be a good year for us. I did apply to be homeroom mom - last year no one else did, so I won by default - usually there is a lottery drawing. Hoping I do get to be homeroom mom again, because I just love being able to visit and attend all his parties. The neighbors threw away 2 perfectly good guitars (course, I'm not sure they actually work, but with the imagination of a 6yo ... they are fine!) It made waiting for the bus that first day of school fun !~

Woke up this morning and realized I had nothing to show for Design Wall Monday hosted by Judy at Patchwork Times. So, while dh was watching the U.S. Open - I steadily stitched away until I had the binding completely hand sewn on my buttefly quilt. It does still need a label - but be assured that will be attached before the quilt is folded and packed away until it needs to be gifted.