Archive for the ‘mama life’ Category

I’ve lost my voice. It’s been a long time coming. But I can’t seem to find my writing voice anywhere. I suffered quite a set back this past couple of weeks. We had a loss in our family and then, due to stress, set off a bulging disc in my neck that is pinching a nerve. Severe pain. Severe.

I wish I had more to talk about. More to share. Life goes on. Even when you’re not participating. Right now I’m just trying to get my groove back, as a friend so eloquently stated.

I’m sorry I can’t be a better friend right now to all of you. Cheering on your crafty/mommy/womanly endeavors. Know that although I may be silent in the blog world I am still thinking of all of you. Until I find my voice again, au revoir.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m on Facebook. Yes, I’m 33 years old and I have fallen for Facebook. And, sad but true, I look at everyone’s profile pictures… all cute and sassy and think to myself, I want a fun picture.

Although I do not recommend this at all, I was driving down the road. Okay, at stop lights and kept taking my picture with my phone. In an attempt to get my very own cute Facebook picture.

So let me show you what I came up with.

Failed. Miserably. Every time. Not cute. Not sassy.

If anyone else is on Facebook, let me know and I’ll look you up.

Loving the apple recipes! Keep them coming!! Also, fixed the link to the actual apple pie recipe I made. Sorry about that.

Happy Humpday y’all!

Central Texas is not known for producing apples. In fact, I can’t find a pick-your-own apple orchard anywhere. So I will just have to watch all of you northern types, who actually have four distinct seasons and rain, and oogle over your baskets of apples. In the meantime, I stock up on the wonderful varieties that the supermarket brings in this time of year. Make my lists of appleicious recipes. And force fall into Texas.

With all of the apples, the first item on the list was to make an apple pie. So I googled ‘apple pie recipe’ came up with this FANTASTIC recipe. It is one of the best apple pie recipes I’ve ever tried. Yummy! Add these items to your shopping list and make it now. Okay, tomorrow. Or even next weekend. But you have to make this pie. And don’t forget the Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. That combination will knock your socks off. If you don’t have Blue Bell, you’re going to have to make your own. Just kidding!

Do you have any apple recipes to share? I’d love to collect them and put them on my blog in a post. Send me a link or comment with your favorite apple recipe by Friday. Can’t wait to try them all!

He said it was going to rain. The weatherman that is. A shower for five minutes this morning does not, in my book, constitute rain. Whatsoever. The grass is all brown. Most plants have dried up. And Lake Travis is beginning to look like Lake Havasu. Boy do I sound like Debbie Downer today.

Speaking of the lake, we spent a lot of time down there this weekend fishing and throwing rocks. And can I tell you that Makena’s little princess pole catches more fish than any pole we bring down there?!? Granted they are little perch, but a caught fish makes everyone happy. Anyhow, we’re not fishing for dinner. We’d starve.

On another note, why do people flip me off with my kids in the car? I was thinking about painting a huge sign on my back windshield that says ‘Keep your finger to yourself. My kids are in the car.’ How do you think that’d go over? Yeah, I figured as much. Fun to think about anyway.

Happy Monday friends!

So I’ve decided that if they were to give out a lazy blogger award that I would be the perfect recipient. Yep. There’s been very little blogging. Very little blog reading. I do apologize.

There has been lots of living. Sometimes I struggle with the balance of blogs. I start going down my list of must read blogs and just can’t stop. Before you know it, I’ve been on the computer all day. Made a list of projects that overwhelm me before I begin. And wonder where the day went.

So I promise to start blogging regularly. I actually have a project I’ve been working on that I can’t wait to tell you about. It is fall and there is just too much bloggy goodness going around to stay away for too long.

Yesterday while Makena was in school, Keegan and I ventured out to find some fall decor at Hobby Lobby to cheer up the place a bit. I spent an hour and a half there trying to decide between the 10,000 pumpkins available. I even called a friend in desperation to help me. Got home and got the piano decorated just in time for the cool weather. Actually it’s still in the 90’s here but we can pretend can’t we?!?

While we’ve been doing all of this living, a trip to San Antonio was in order to see the family. I think it’s still too hot to go to Sea World. Maybe in a couple of weeks. We did go to cousin Connor’s baseball game. I actually caught a quick shot of Makena with her cousins watching the game. They probably only watched the game for two seconds. The rest of the time running around, eating Ring Pops and trying to catch a frog. Then trying to bring said frog home.

Watching six-year-olds play baseball just melt my heart. It won’t be long before it gets serious. But for now, they are just happy to be there. My kind of sport.

What has it been? Three weeks? Oh yes… about that. So my lovely Mac died. In the middle of picture uploads I got a blank screen. With a question mark. Flashing. Called tech support and they told me that since my warranty was up, they could charge me $60 to give me advice. I said, ‘thanks but no thanks.’ There are plans to get it fixed. But in the meantime I dug out my dinosaur of a Dell from the depths of my closet to use. Not a Mac. But it works. So I’m happy.

Goggles were on clearance at Target. Hehehe… The kids, in their pajamas, set up their chairs to watch daddy change his tire. And of course they had to wear their new goggles.

So what have we been up to for the past three weeks? Well… I was baptized! Woohoo! My sister Alison had her baby girl. We survived Hurricane Ike. Without a drop of rain. Makena has been loving school. She was even the ‘line leader.’ Oh yes, that’s a big deal in pre-school! Keegan has been snotty/wheezy so the nebulizer has been out and running.

Today both of the kids are sick and we’re laying low. Maybe I’ll do some laundry. Maybe not. Glad to be back friends. I hope to catch up with everyone as soon as I can. I miss your blogs and your friendship.

Did you know that the Gipsy Kings are real gypsys?  Well I didn’t either.  And that they are singing in their gypsy dialect, not spanish, not english, not french.  How cool is that?!?  We saw them live in concert last night with a few thousand of our closest friends and not a soul in the venue had one clue what they were saying.  Graciously, they spoke broken spanish between songs to help us along.  I have never seen a crowd more invigorated and alive.  It was an incredible concert by an unbelievable band.  Two thumbs way up!

In crafting news, I got out the mod podge yesterday and began working on a small suitcase.  I’ve seen this idea around a couple of places and decided to give it a go myself.  I used a Bambi book from the 1970’s.  I was able to do the front side yesterday, let it dry, and will finish the back today.  It’s a cute little vintage Samsonite case with a fabric handle.  I’m guessing they were used as weekend bags.

Speaking of the weekend!  Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful birthday wishes yesterday.  Each and every one was appreciated and cherished.  You really know how to make a girl’s day when she’s home alone with two kids.  All.  Day.  Long.

Makena had a wonderful time on her first day of school.  The teacher reported that she actually barrelled over the other kids to help clean up the toys.  Now if we could only work on that at home.  When I told her that she was going to school today she replied “again?”  I think she thought it was a one time affair.  I think going twice a week is going to blow her mind.  She did request cheese in her lunch box today because all of the other kids have cheese.  Good to know.

I managed to scrounge up a picture of the burp cloths I made for my sister and a friend who is expecting.  The fabric was generously donated by my life-guru Sarah.  Because my stash is less than sufficient.  Thank you Sarah.  I owe you my first born.  They are all just so lovely and perfect.

Today, while Makena is in school I promise some crafting.  This is a pseudo craft blog after all right?!?

Something to think about.  I’m considering changing my name.  I’m just not feeling the chikaustin so much anymore.  Does anyone have any ideas?  I’ve been spinning this around in my head and am not getting anywhere.  I would love some suggestions from you crafty types!

This morning I woke up to handmade paper chains draped across the dining room. Hand drawn cards from my babes. And pancakes with whip cream and sprinkles. Which means one thing, today is my birthday. Thirty three years ago today I came screaming into this world and haven’t stopped yet.

Since having my babes, we haven’t made a big fuss about my birthday. It’s just another year. But this year, Miles gathered the troops and had a crafting session last night with construction paper. I was sent to bed around 7 pm and told not go to come out. Well. If you insist.

Makena’s card depicted our entire family with a receding hairline. We all look like my grandpa. A chef’s hat was made. Masks were created and worn. A good old fashioned handmade birthday party. My favorite type.

And look what I got for my birthday! My own pair of chucks!!! I haven’t had a pair since seventh grade when I had off-white high tops that I would fold down and wear with alternating socks. Pink and green. Green and pink. With three swatches. White leggings. Big bangs. And braces. Fashion icon I tell ya.

Hope you all have a good one too!

Today friends I am doing the Hokey Pokey. Not in the literal sense, but in the I’m moving every which way sense. “And you turn yourself around, that’s what it’s all about.” Clap, clap, clap. Cleaning the house. Gearing up for a family filled weekend to celebrate sweet Keegan’s second birthday.

Here is a picture of my birthday boy at 5 months on our trip to Whistler, B.C. to play in the snow. My how time flies.

Spraying my homemade cleaners all around the house and it now smells like lavender and tea tree. Quite the nice alternative to bleach.

Today I’ll be scrubbing, laundering, cleaning and sewing. Yes, you got that right. I’m going to throw in some sewing while I’m doing the Hokey Pokey. Why not.

Last year I made Keegan a crown for his birthday but my sweet boy’s head grew so fast it needs a little alteration.

No time to dilly dally, I must get on my way before blogland sucks me in and I spend all day on the computer.

Happy Friday!

There is something about making something by hand. Something I can’t quite put my finger on, that creates such satisfaction. Maybe it’s the time spent. Maybe it’s the love. Maybe it’s the test of non-immediate gratification. Maybe it’s the test of my patience. But there is something about it that keeps me coming back for more.

Like this little baby hat that I started a couple of weeks ago. Then decided it had too many holes and ripped it apart only to start over again. Definitely a test of my patience. You know I’m wanting to learn to be more still. To take the time just to be. It’s been a recurrent theme on my blog. The need to be still.

And with this week being the last week before preschool starts for Makena and a few days before Keegan’s birthday party, that feeling to flee arrives like a steam train. The need to run. The need to go. The need to get things done. But no. I’m going to stay put. Continue reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a book I have fallen in love with for so many ‘patience’ reasons. Work on a little present for Keegan’s birthday. And simply spend time with my kids.

It actually rained last night. Let me rephrase that, it poured like God opened the floodgates. All night long. We woke up this morning to a fog in the hills that reminded me so much of our trips to the Pacific Northwest. And it’s supposed to rain all week. A great excuse to stay at home and just be. Just my babes and me. (Ha! That rhymed. That’s funny.)