Thankfulness

To start off...I need to say that I actually had this post ready to go on Thanksgiving DAY! I swear. I've tweaked it a little since then, of course. But I guess the saying is true...nothing is free...and my "free" blog ran out of "free" picture room. Who wants to read a blog without pictures? Not you. Not me.

On to the post...with pictures!

This year I am thankful to have a great job even though I'm somewhat bitter about working some of the holidays, including Thanksgiving day and the two days following. It was quite possibly the worst three consecutive days of work since I've been a nurse. It was insane. I don't usually stress...or at least I don't show it...but I was about to blow my lid.

While I was working, Collin was flying around the mountains on his snowmobile. Not fair. Although, asking him to sit at home while I was gone for 15 hours a day isn't too fair either. But I was still thinking about what I'm thankful for and I'll share that now... :)

I am thankful for:

Family, first and foremost...and I miss them so much this year since I can't be with them...
especially this crowd of beauts. I just wanna squeeze 'em!

The best people in the world...

And the rest of my lovely family...(back in the day)...

My awesome cousins!

The love of my life...

My first child...

My precious baby nephew...

Collin's family...

Picture Heister's head poking up in the back...

My best friends...And all of my other wonderful friends who I don't get to see nearly enough!!

I am also thankful for my health and happiness and the health and happiness of my family, friends, and little Suk.

Collin and I had two Thanksgiving dinners...neither of them on Nov. 22nd. The Saturday before Thanksgiving we were invited to Thanksgiving dinner at our friends, Jake and Mari. This Sunday, Collin and I made our own Thanksgiving but subbed a whole turkey for a chicken which we roasted in the oven. Of course, stuffing, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, and some pecan and apple pie were included as well. It was awesome and we have left overs like you wouldn't believe for two people.

I hope you enjoyed the photos...I miss every single face! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful and I hope not to miss too many more "home" Thanksgiving get togethers!

What We've Been Up To

Welllll... It comes down to the fact that I am no longer very good at remembering to take pictures...let alone video.. ha, that's funny...I don't even know where our video camera IS at the moment...oops. I've been a really bad blogger. We've been doing things but I haven't been documenting proof for you. So I'll show what pictures I have and TELL you what we've/I've been doing... mmk.

I'm still in love with sewing but I've re-learned how to crochet and I think I love it equally as much...I assume like having two children whom you love equally? Except I know my parents love me more and my brother would agree...hehe! Ooooonly kidding GarBear.

I haven't sewed anything since my Cowgirl Peplum shirt but I do have plenty of plans in mind. Which leads me to my new book. It's called 'The Liberty Book of Home Sewing' and it is awesome!

It's full of adorable projects all across the board from aprons and robes, to pillows and pin cushions, to book covers and bags. Its pretty awesome and I'm excited.

That was a Joann Fabrics purchase...along with 9 skeins of yarn and three bundles of fabric. I could spend a million dollars in that place but since I can't, I spend hours browsing. Which is usually interrupted by a phone call from Collin asking where I've gone and I tell the truth but usually lie and say "Oh, no I'm definitely not still at Joann's...."

My most recent crochet projects have been an infinity scarf and a few beanie hats. I'm not too impressed with my scarf...still working on those skills...but the hats came out so well! I made one with a crocheted bow on the side and put this pic on facebook and it seemed to be a little hit.

One of my best friends from home just had a baby girl and told me that she absolutely loved my hat and wanted one for her baby. That day I whipped up a mini hat in the same yarn with a bow and then another adult sized hat with a bow and sent them back to PA.

Right now I'm working on a crocheted tote bag to hold my yarn skeins and hooks. After that I'm going to start on a flower scarf like this one...

lionbrand.com

Lots of other projects to come as well...

The other night, Collin and I went to the Nuggets vs. Heat game at the Pepsi Center. I'm not a big basketball fan but that game was actually fun. We met up with his friend/roommate from college and his younger brother before hand and had a few drinks at the packed sports bar across the street.

We also had our Thanksgiving dinner with friends on Saturday. It was soo yummy. They deep fried a turkey and had all of the fixins to go along with it and we all stuffed ourselves to the brim! I made two of Nana's pumpkin pies and a French Apple Cream Pie which is a basic apple pie with a cream cheese mixture poured over the top and thennn topped with a second crust. All of them were delicious!! Sorry, no pictures! :(

I swear I'm going to work on being a better picture taker! Until then...words will have to do! 

My very important plans for Friday...

The last few days of work have been taxing! Wheww! Time to relax and read!

Door Knobs & Curtains

While my parents were out here visiting, we went to a flea market (which ended up being a flop overall) and I bought two old door knobs for $5. It was actually one door knob...ya know one for each side of the door. I've had this idea to use door knobs as curtain tie backs but wasn't able to find any. I was really looking for glass knobs but these metal ones were the first that I came across so I got 'em.

They needed a little more work than I expected but master-maker-Mark had an idea on how to fix them up for my purpose... of course, we didn't have a welder or really any of the tools that he needed so he took them home to his workshop and tinkered away.

A week or so later he called to tell me that they were finished and that "they still turn like they would on the door." Weeee! So my dad shipped them out along with matching screws that he got for me and Collin and I screwed them to the window frame.

There ya have it. I think they look so cute!

On to my next project...crocheting my first scarf! I am SO slow but it's comin'!

Whatcha Cookin'?

Some yummy recipes I made this month... click on the recipe name or picture to take you to the actual recipe...


First up: Crock Pot Apple Butter 

William Sonoma apple peeler, courtesy of Allison

                            


Easy Pull Apart Sticky Buns... Probably our favorite out of the bunch!

                                               

And last up, Miso Soup with Udon Noodles
A note on this one: I used at least double the broth the recipe called for and I still should have added more.

No pictures to show but Collin also whipped up his delicious chili and we made italian sausage with peppers and onions too! I love fall cooking!