Hoodie for Callie

Another knit for Callie girl:

I knit this one in the 18 month size so she can hopefully wear it this winter and into the spring of next year. I loved how quickly this one knit up. It was a very simple pattern with very little seaming and picking up of stitches.

Pattern found here [via Ravelry]

One reason...

...to wake up early on a Saturday morning:

Lovely hydrangeas from the Farmer's Market :)

2010 KY State Fair

No doubt, there's something for everyone at the Kentucky State Fair. We went last Saturday and spent a good part of the day walking around seeing the sights, eating the food, and trying to ignore the manure smell.

Donut Burger? Yes, they do exist! Look at that line Beth! Callie enjoyed the ducklings, the cows, and napping. Braden bought himself some cigars and liked looking at the tobacco plants. And I enjoyed looking at all the crafts, baked goods, and photography. I think I am officially inspired to enter something next year.

Sweaky Clean

Daddy/Daughter moment :)

Ty: Army Bound

Today is Ty's Birthday. He's 23. He left for Basic Training with the Army 2 weeks ago. He's had a busy summer with graduating Police Academy, getting married, and preparing for Basic. I am so proud of him and can't wait to see what is in store for him and Krystal.

Right before he left, Callie and I went home to St. Louis hang out since we most likely won't see him until March 2011 some time. Ty loves his neice, and she loves him back. Their favorite things to do together are swim and watch Baby Einstein videos on YouTube.This may be the last "line-up" picture for a while:

backyard fun

She did her thing:

I did mine:Good day.Sweater pattern via Ravelry.

Happy Friday!

Iced Vanilla Latte

I've been on a caffeine kick lately. During the summertime heat I like my caffeine to come in the form of the frozen variety...mocha, java chip, green tea, etc. But recently I've switched it up and have tried iced coffees and iced lattes. They do just the trick and have less calories and help me resist the urge to get that extra whipped topping that adds another 70!

image via

Today though, I made my own iced vanilla latte! Saves money and tastes (almost) just as good.

*6 oz. double strength coffee, cooled.
Note: I make my coffee with a french press so I put
4 tablespoons of coffee grounds in 6 oz. boiling water.
(For the caffeine deprived: 6 oz. = 3/4 cup)
*1 1/2 cups milk
*1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*1 tablespoon sugar
*ice

Stir all ingredients together, drink, and enjoy!

What's for lunch?

Don't let that smile fool you! Meals usually aren't quite so cute!

She does loves her Puffs and anything that is from my plate:...but when it comes to the baby food...not a pretty picture!

So far the only baby food that I don't have to force her to eat is sweet potatoes! Haha!
Guess she's trying to teach me to share! :)

INSANITY!

Momma! Shaun T is calling your name!!!
After I had Callie, I waited my 6 weeks to get the "ok" from my doctor to resume working out. I then began to do Slim in 6 and "Boot Camp" at the SBTS gym. Then once it warmed up (and I got my beloved jogging stroller) I began walking and running until it got too unbearably hot out...then I slacked...gained a few pounds and needed a boost in the workout department.
Now my newest workout program is INSANITY!!!!!!!!!

I'm on day 7 of the program and have acquired a love-hate relationship with it...today I love it because it's an "off" day! Haha! :)
But really, working out this extreme has really changed alot in my day:
I am on more of a schedule because it requires me to be more productive during Callie's naps.
I have more energy, which is always good.
I am eating alot healthier with lean meats, and way more fresh fruit and veggies, etc.
If I'm brave enough, when it's all over...I'll post my results.

The Everything Bag

Hot off my sewing machine is Amy Butler's "The Everything Bag".This pattern was the most difficult thing I have sewn in my limited experience, but it was well worth the time and effort I put into it. This picture (although blurry) gives you an idea of how roomy it is with 2 pockets lining each inside panel:

Amy Butler pattern from her book "Little Stitches for Little Ones"

9 Months!

THE quilt

It's DONE! When I first started working on this quilt back in February, I had the help from some older ladies at our church who met every Tuesday afternoon to work on various crafts (sewing, knitting, crocheting)...but we stopped getting together once summer hit.I had only gotten so far as to cutting my squares and had just started sewing them together... so by the time it came to putting it all together, I was on my own...and I just kinda winged it. I supposed I could have asked one of the ladies the next step, but I was too impatient to finish...and it ended up being fine. Patchwork quilts aren't supposed to be perfect anyways, right? :)If I ever make another quilt like this again, I'm definitely going to need a Rotary cutter and one of those clear measuring boards thingys.

Little mittens...

...for little Callie hands.Used up the leftover yarn from this sweater.
Super easy (since they're thumbless) and knitted up in less than an hour.

Knitting is so much more fun now that there's a baby involved. I've begun to explore the world of patterns beyond the typical scarves and such. It's a bonus that baby items are so quick to make, since they're so small. :)

Pattern found here via Ravelry.

Cincy/Columbus trip

Our anniversary trip was a success! We had a great time exploring both Cincinnati (which we have visited several times previously) and Columbus, OH. Callie is (thankfully!) a really good traveler...otherwise we would probably not have been able to do as much as we did. I think she's used to it by now though with the number of times she's been to St. Louis, MO and back. Here's the breakdown:

Day 1: Drove from Louisville, KY to Cincinnati, OH. Checked into the hotel then had dinner at Brother's Bar & Grill. It was located right on the riverfront and we both had some great burgers. After that we walked around Newport on the Levee and across the pedestrian bridge called People Purple Bridge. The bridge was pretty neat and had a couple of bars set up on it with seating and live music. After that we went back to the hotel and took Callie for a swim in the pool.

Day 2: After breakfast and checkout we drove from Cincinnati, OH to Columbus, OH.
Went to IKEA!!! Later we had burgers (we love burgers!) at 5 Guys Burgers & Fries and walked around outdoor Easton Town Center. This place was pretty awesome...lots of shopping, food, drinks, movie theater, etc. Here's a picture to give you an idea of how nice this place was:Day 3: We had lunch at Z Pizza...Braden totally didn't want to eat here because all of the ingredients were "organic" and vegan/gluten free options...he thought "healthy" pizza would be gross...we tried it anyways and the verdict was two thumbs up! Next we took a walk and explored North High Street which had lots of restaurants and shopping and also Goodale Park:

Dinner at Northstar Cafe, and off to the hotel pool again! :)
Day 4: Drove from Columbus, OH to Louisville, KY.

The End. :)