Mia's and Bailey's matching outfits

This is Bailey's t-shirt and capri outfit.  I used Simplicity pattern #3743 for the capri's, then added white ribbon to add trim to the bottom of each pant leg.  I used the same fabric and ribbon to sew onto the front of the t-shirt and on the tops of the sleeves.  The pictures don't show this, but the narrow fabric that goes around the front of the shirt ties in the back, creating this empire-waist tee.

I borrowed this doll to make sure the outfit looked all right.  I used Simplicity pattern # 3895 to make this cute outfit.

This is Mia posing in her outfit with her American girl doll.  Since I saw her at Christmas, I got to see the look on her face when she opened up the gift.  She was ecstatic and couldn't wait to try everything on.

Isaiah's apron

Here is the first picture in my Christmas gift "showcase" for all the nephews and nieces.  This apron for nephew, Isaiah, was the first thing I completed.  I used two dish towels to create this one-of-a-kind gift.  I loved the cartoon chef on the white towel, so I kept it for the bottom part of the apron.  I used the burgandy towel to create the pockets and straps.  I used an embroidery stitch on the pockets as well as on the neck straps.  I hand-painted his name with black paint. The pockets are roomy enough for all the cooking tools I included with the apron.  I used my apron as a guide in making this, so I actually don't have any measurements for this.  This was a lot of fun to make and hope to do more like this in the future.  You can find lots of fun kitchen towels to make an apron for girls, or even a small one for an adult.

New Years Goals

At the beginning of each year, I like to sit down and write down goals for the new year.  Have you ever done this?  Some people call them resolutions, but I like to call the things I'd like to accomplish goals.  I make them realistic to achieve; some are things that I'd like to continue doing with the Lord's help.  On the top of my list, I wrote, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  (Philippians 4:13)  I know that without God, I can do nothing.

The first thing I do is come up with categories to write down my goals under.  My categories are the following:

spiritual

relationships

physical

financial

personal

community

Under each category, I wrote specific goals and how I'm going to accomplish them.  For example, under "spiritual", I wrote that I'd like to be a better witness, and a way to do that is by passing out tracts on a regular basis...at the store or where ever I may be.

It takes a while to do this, but it is refreshing to give the new year to the Lord.  I wrote down all my goals in my planner so that I can refer to it on a consistent basis to see how I'm doing.  I hope this is an encouragement to you as you ponder on what you'd like to improve on in your life and/or do new things this year.

We're back:)

We just returned home from our vacation in San Francisco. Q and I wished each other a happy new year at the Denver International Airport as we waited for our luggage.  We had a great time with family and friends....even had some time to work on some crafts with my niece, Mia.:) Today, I'm recovering from the trip, as well as the stomach flu.  I got sick on our last day there, and I'm hoping that the jelly toast that I just ate will settle in well.  I'll be posting some things soon from our trip, as well as pictures of the homemade Christmas gifts I made.:)  

Happy New Year!:)

Going on vacation....

I'm working on getting the last minute preparations done before my husband and I fly out to San Francisco tonight.  We're really excited to spend some time with family over the holidays.  I may not be able to blog while we're away, so I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season.  Hope your Christmas is filled with blessings and reflections on what Jesus Christ has done for us.  Until 2009....

Christmas Brunch Recipes

For the past few years, my family has had the tradition to have a Christmas Day Brunch.  My husband and I are leaving later on today to fly to San Francisco to spend the holidays with my side of the family.  My sister said to bring my brunch recipes again this year.  She and my mom also put something together, but I'll just include the two recipes that I usually make.

Egg Sausage Bake  

Use an 8x8 pan.  Serves 6.

6 slices of bread

1/2-3/4 lb. sausage

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

5 eggs

1 1/4-2/3 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard (optional)

Cook and drain sausage.  If not ground, chop it up.  While sausage is cooking, cube bread and place in greased pan.  Beat eggs, stir in milk and mustard, and set aside.  Sprinkle cooked sausage over bread.  Sprinkle cheese over sausage.  Pour egg mixture over cheese.  Cover pan and refrigerate overnight.  Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Cinnamon Apple Brunch Bake

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 can apple pie filling (21 oz.)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (12 oz.)

1/2 cup chopped nuts

In saucepan, melt butter, stir in brown sugar, pie filling, cinnamon and vanilla.  Spread half of apple mixture in 2-quart shallow baking dish.  Separate biscuits; cut each into quarters.  Arrange pieces, points up, over apple mixture.  Spoon remaining apple mixture over biscuits; sprinkle with nuts.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Serve warm.

Christmas Scrapbook of Memories

I received a fun ready-made scrapbook called, Christmas Scrapbook of Memories.  It is published by Integrity Publishers (Tommy Nelson, Inc.).  You can go here if you'd like to purchase it. Unfortunately, they don't have a picture of it at this time.

What I love about this book is that the layouts are already done for you.  There are places for you to write down certain memories and put your favorite pictures.  There's even a spot to put your own Christmas letter!  I like having the pages at the end that have pockets to put extra pictures and your favorite Christmas cards in.  The book has five sections--one section for each year of Christmas memories.  This will be our third Christmas together as a married couple, so it's filling up fast.  Every year I pull it out to look at the previous years' comments and pictures.  It is so much fun and refreshing to reflect on good times.