Trying to learn to sew

I am so amazed by my friends that can sew, and I know I can teach myself to do it as well, and heck, it has to be a lot faster than knitting! Today I set out to make Adelaide a dress. I kind of cheated, as I took this dress that I bought for myself at Target a few years ago, and altered it. I love the dress, but just never wore it because it didn't fit me right. Now I will get to see it more....on Adelaide!! So I basically just cut it in half in both directions, sewed the hem and one side together, and then moved the straps around and shrunk them. I know I'm a cheater, but I think the dress turned out pretty good. Let's just hope it gets warm enough for her to wear it a few times before it's too small for her!

2 Years and counting

It's been two years since Myles and I tied the knot in Northern Ireland. I love being married, and think that marrying Myles was the best thing I've ever done. He is the man of my dreams, and my soul mate. I love him so much. Here are some of the sillier pictures from our wedding day.





These guys were at the house where we stayed. They are the reason that I can't eat beef.

Here was the main house where everyone else but us stayed

This was the next day at one of my favorite places on earth, the harbor in Ballintoy.

Daddy and his pooh bear =)

The BEST tomatoe soup ever!

I just made this soup and it turned out just like it is at the restaurant. It's so yummy, and easy to make. I doubled the recipe, and only used half the butter, and it's still amazing. I recommend it when you need lots of vitamin C, or just when you want some easy good homemade soup. Let me know if you like it!

ELEPHANTS TOMATO ORANGE SOUP

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup heavy cream

In a saucepan, melt butter; add onion and saute until translucent. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, baking soda and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Puree in a food processor or blender; strain through a sieve or food mill.
Return to saucepan and stir in orange juice. At this point, the soup can be refrigerated until ready to serve.
At serving time, add the whipping cream and heat gently, stirring constantly, bringing to a simmer and adjust seasonings if necessary. Extra cream maybe drizzled on top of the soup immediately before serving for decorative effect.

Justin and Julie

My baby cousin Justin and his girlfriend Julie drove all the way up to visit us. He's not a baby anymore, but I remember when he was, and I'll always think of him that way I guess. It was a great adventure to come up, and I tried to show them all I could in the one day we had. We drove up to the waterfalls and then all around the city. I think they had fun. We didn't care what we were doing, we were just glad to have some time together.

Bug's expressions

He likes it when the sun comes out too.

Closer look at the flowers

Spring is here!

Photo's never seem to be able to show how beautiful it is here in the Springtime. All of the trees in the city are blooming. It's hard to see some of them here because of the white cherry blossoms, they get lost. I love it because when there is a breeze it makes the flower petals fall and it's like it's raining flowers. It makes the yard seem magical.



Here is the Cherry tree next to our house. We climb on the roof to get the cherries!


Myles planted some really pretty dogwood bushes in front of the house. This will all look better in a few weeks once more things get their leaves on them.

Sunshine girl

Sunny Sunday at the park

We went to my FAVORITE park here in our city. I love it because it's where two rivers come together, so there are big rivers on both sides of the park, with beaches, and then this big grass in the middle. To get to it you have to walk through the forest and down the trails. It makes you feel like you are really out in nature, even though you are still right in town. I love living here, and I love the warm weather. Thank goodness winter is on her way out!



And this is how we cooled off at the end of the day:)

On the road again - or shall I say in the air again

This was Adelaide's forth flight already! She did so good of course. We waited to check in outside in the sun. It gets pretty warm under our moby wrap, but I feel a lot safer with her strapped to me when we are in busy public places. It was a very busy trip, and it's always so nice to come home. Especially now that Spring is here and all of the trees in our neighborhood and yard are in full bloom. I'll have to add pictures of that soon =)

Punkie's first Easter

We were at Grandpa Jerry and Granny Joan's house for Easter, and I must say it was one of the best Easter's that I've had in a long time! We got to relax, take nice walks, and eat amazing food that Joan made the whole time we were there. We even got baskets, and Myles won the Easter Egg hunt (growing up with the Easter Bunny gave him lots of practice!) We saved the egg coloring for next year when Adelaide will be old enough to join in, but there was plenty of candy to go around.




Here is Myles showing off all the eggs he found.

And me showing off the ruffles on Adelaide's tights!



She wouldn't let go of the easter basket.