Embroidered baby hat

Our friends, Tony and Kristen, welcomed their third child, Caden Anthony last night. We got a call telling us of his arrival, so we decided to go see him at the hospital today. We brought gifts when the other two were born--flowers and Mountain Dew with Natalie and a small pocket knife with Tyler. I quickly put something together between last night and this morning, even putting the finishing touches on it on the way to the hospital today.

I made this bunny ear hat using blue knit material. I used McCall's pattern #3665 as a guide. I actually made the hat a bit smaller than the pattern because my first attempt just looked too big. Plus, I had not cut out the material on the grain so it wouldn't stretch right. So this second attempt came out much better. The picture above isn't the best quality because I was trying to take some pictures while the car was moving. The ones below are much better.

I really like the look of the "bunny ears" before they are tied into a knot.

Using some embroidery floss, I stitched a star and "little brother" on the hat. I used three strands of each color. Even though I didn't use a pattern, I'm glad it came out well with my first attempt at this. After making this one, I'd like to do more. It's a quick and easy handmade gift for a new baby in your life.

Before we arrived, we stopped at a sporting goods store. Q thought it would be fun to put in a fishing lore and a chocolate candy bar inside the hat. Tony and Kristen really liked the gifts. Caden is just adorable! He weighed in at a little more than eight pounds and has a lot of very blonde hair. I'm glad Q and I were able to go see him and his family today. It made our hearts smile.

The long-awaited date, part 2

After our treats at Ziggi's Coffee Shop in Longmont, we decided to walk around a bit more before heading down to Johnstown for the final event of our date. I took this photo of Q at the coffee shop. Isn't he handsome?

A few months ago, I baby sat for a friend in Fort Collins. She gave me a gift certificate to the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse for doing this favor for her. Q and I had never been to this place before, so we were really excited about it. I love musical theater and it had been a long time since I've been to a show. When we first arrived, we were seated at a cozy table. Then, we ordered our meal and ate as we listened to soft classical music in the background. The food was awesome! Q had prime rib and I had chicken cordon bleu. 

After the meal, the show began. We watched Phantom, The Musical Sensation by Maury Yeston (book by Arthur Kopit). It was well-done, but so different than Broadway's version. I saw that one on my senior trip in high school in New York City. Out of all the plays, musicals and operas I have seen, it is still my favorite. We did enjoy this one, too. Between the two acts, dessert was served if you wanted it. We passed up on it and had a cinnamon roll from Johnson's Corner on the way home. 

I was so glad we got to do this! We had a great time together, laughing, talking and enjoying some great music. I've already hinted to Q about possibly taking me to another one, perhaps on our anniversary or my birthday (both in May). They are showing My Fair Lady then, too--should be good! 

Another highlight I will add is that we saw some friends from Fort Collins. It was good to see them and catch up on things in their lives. I've been missing everyone there lately, so I'm glad God allowed me to see some of our dear friends from FRBC.

How have you been enjoying some family and/or "couple" time? It's good to get away (even if not too far), with those you love.

The long-awaited date, part 1

With the busyness of moving, unpacking, working and getting settled into our new ministry, Q and I did not have a summer vacation this year. So, we decided to do something during a day this fall that would be fun and relaxing for both of us.

After sleeping in yesterday morning, we ate our breakfast and read our Bibles. After this relaxing quiet time, we got ready for our date. We went to Santiago's, a Mexican restaurant in town. We each ate a burrito and Q had a few small cheese enchiladas.

Then, we drove to downtown Longmont and went to some neat shops. We spent most of our afternoon at a used bookstore. Notice anything different about my Q? Yup--he's got a beard now. He started growing it out before his hunting trip. Some guys like growing one out for the winter, but Q said that his is here to stay. I'm not quite used to it yet, especially cuz' it's still pricking my face when he kisses me! ;)

After our afternoon stroll around town, we stopped at Ziggi's Coffee House for some treats.

Q had some coffee while I enjoyed a scoop of chocolate gelato--yum! I'm not a coffee drinker, although I've tried it several times. Q said that someday when I grow up, I'll enjoy coffee, too. Flavored hot chocolate or an ice cold green tea are my favorite drink choices.

After taking a few pictures, Q got this shot of me! He was cracking me up, so I'm glad that my mouth wasn't open just then. You would have seen a lot of gelato coming down my face...

So, how did we enjoy our evening? Find out in part 2 of "the long-awaited date"!

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread

It's been three years since I last made this bread, and I don't know why I waited so long to do it again. It is absolutely delicious!

Baking with pumpkin is a great thing to do in the fall. I had some pumpkin puree' in the freezer, so I used that instead of buying canned pumpkin. This makes two regular loaves, so you can eat one now and freeze the other one. You'll have something ready when you have guests in your home or have a potluck to go to. You can also make three miniature loaves, then wrap them up decoratively and give them as gifts this holiday season. This is another awesome recipe from Taste of Home. Enjoy!

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread

3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour (half of the amount can be wheat flour)

3 cups sugar

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

4 eggs

1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin (or approximately 2 cups homemade puree)

2/3 cup water

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup sliced almonds, toasted (I didn't do this, but I'm sure it tastes great!)

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, water and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips and almonds.

Pour into two greased 9-inch x 5-inch x 3-inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 70-75 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Wrap the loaves in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

To use frozen bread: Thaw at room temperature. Yield: 2 loaves

D is for Daniel

Last night we resumed our Kids Bible Club after missing last week due to the snow storm. This week we did "D is for Daniel." 

Bible Time: I told the story of how Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. He continued to pray despite the law that said he couldn't. He remained courageous and steadfast in his love for God. To go along with the story, we learned Luke 18:1, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint."

Memory Verse Time: For a memory verse review game, we played the game where you hide something under a cup then move the three cups around the table. They had to keep their eyes on them to see where the sea creature toy was hidden. If they could say the verse, then they could guess where the toy was and keep it!

Craft time: We made these small magnet clocks as a reminder that "it's always time to pray!" I wrote that on one of the clock hands, and on the other was written the reference to the verse they learned. I prepped this craft by gluing a card stock circle shape onto a magnetic sheet and cutting around it. I did the same for the clock hands. I added another small magnet to the back of the hands for extra magnetic force. The kids decorated their clocks with markers. They enjoyed seeing where their clocks would stick. Here, it's shown sticking to a metal folding chair.

Snack time: Using rice cakes, peanut butter, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips, the kids made lion faces. Neither of them made it to look like a real lion, so I made one to show you all:

Isn't he cute? Oh, and he tasted great, too! Peanut butter and chocolate are a win-win combination!

Next week we'll learn about a man in the Bible whose name begins with the letter "E." Can you guess who he is? Hint: Think ravens.....

Kyla's Buttons

These past three days have been busy at the Johnson household. When you go from having no kids to adding an active two-year-old, your days are filled with adventure. Kyla's parents go to our church and we've been getting to know them since we've moved here. She arrived early in the morning each day and left in the afternoon. We did lots of stuff together, but one thing she really enjoyed were buttons....

Lots and lots of buttons!

We made this button necklace yesterday afternoon. We used white embroidery floss and put it through two holes in each button. She chose her colors and was so excited to wear this. In fact, she was wearing the necklace when she arrived today.

She kept playing with it all morning. Isn't she a cutie? I just love her big blue eyes!

While we were working on the necklace, I made her a set of button bobby pins. I used colors that matched yesterday's outfit--pink, yellow and orange. First, I wound pink ribbon around the top part of the pin and used hot glue to keep it in place. Then, I tied two strands of coordinating embroidery floss through two holes in each button. Finally, I glued the buttons on top. I tried putting them in her hair, but her "wigglyness" wouldn't allow me to. Oh well...

I showed her how to separate button colors into bowls yesterday, but instead, she decided to scatter them all over the floor. Today, I gave her two bowls and told her to just play with them--"no big messes, please." 

I had a great time with Kyla this week. I learned a lot! I know a little taste of how much time and energy mothers spend in taking care of their kids. It's a lot of work, but well worth it. I'm thankful for this job that came about, but more importantly for the time I was able to invest in helping Kyla and her family. It's more than a job; it's a ministry. I hope and pray that the Lord opens up more doors like this for me. And then someday, I pray that I can invest my time, talents and energy into my own children. We'll just wait and see.....

It's Coming....

It's been almost a year since I started my blog--I can't believe how time has flown! To celebrate, I'm having a giveaway next week! Thanks to all of you for encouraging me along this journey.

Stay tuned.....you don't want to miss it!