Another bag

Very pretty and summery fabric...I love it!

A shirt I made for Julia...first elastic attempt!

Todays project...A skirt!

The skirt I made, the top I did not, but they go soooo well together! I love skirts, but I hate the ones that I have been finding in the stores lately, either too long, too short, too full, too flashy...this one is just right! I modified the pattern so it has no tucks, and no waistband
I love it!

A sundress for me...by me...

The pattern was for a floor length dress, but I modified and shortened it due to general con-census from my sister and mother that I do not look good in long dresses...I agree! I love this sundress, and it is my first zipper attempt! Like the keyhole effect in the back too.

Time: 4+ hrs cut to finish

MY FAVORITE BAG!!!! I made it and I love it!!!

The newest creation by me...

I love this shirt on, but feel that I definitely have a long way to go with my hemming stitches. I really like the way this stretch fabric drapes on the body, but it is very tricky for the novice sewer to cut and hem. I will get the hang of it...but man I am addicted! If I keep up like this I will have a new wardrobe in no time!

Time Consumption : 5 hrs plus cutting time
Enjoyment: Priceless!
Accomplishment: Immeasurable!

Look what I made with my sewing machine...

The shirt above took about 4 plus hours and I had the wonderful help of Jules and Mom...my first attempt, perhaps not the most flattering shirt in the world, but it looks exactly like the pattern and it is what it is... a smock top!

This I love and I did it all by myself...of course it took me about 6 hours to do it, but I did it all alone and I think it turned out amazingly well! I love it!!!!!

I am beyond psyched to have accomplished my first two items of clothing, and can't wait to make more! Thanks for looking~Laura

Holly Hobby To The Rescue!!!!

Over the past few months I have been shamed by my identical twin sister Julia and her craftiness, So I decided that I am going to have to pull out all of the stops to even come close to her amazing skills. I tired knitting, but I did not like it, I tried bootie making, but I screwed up like crazy...so feeling a bit like Goldie Locks and The Three Bears I decided to try my hand at something else! My mother used to sew for Jules and I when we were babies through when we were in middle school and up. She did an AMAZING job and had to do two of everything she made! She still has most of the things she made! So I thought I might try my hand at sewing hoping that even a fraction of my mothers talent was spawned on me! Being a very sick lady today I was not able to leave the house. But...Holly Hobby (also known as Julia) was going to Plattsburgh for some car repairs so I asked her to do me a favor...pick me up a sewing machine, and the various assortment of things needed for making things ie: patterns, fabrics, bobbins, thread, needles, pins, scissors, etc. I gave her $200.00 and knew she would do me proud!

Here is what she came home with...

The Brother CE-5000PRW Project Runway Limited Edition
Computerized Sewing Machine!!!!!!

It is the Cadillac of sewing machines and I am quite intimidated by it to be honest...I mean look at all of the stitches it can do!!!
She also bought 3 patterns for tank tops of various styles, bobbins, sewing kit (scissors, seam ripper, etc), seaming tape, elastic, threads, and a ton of fabric in assorted colors...all for $200.00
The woman can shop!!!! I am so excited and plan to try my hand at this amazing piece of machinery tomorrow if I am feeling better...screw it, I will use this tomorrow!

Oh...and she also gave me these GORGEOUS fetchings and matching hat that she MADE for me!!! I LOVE THEM!!!!!
Did I mention that she puts me to shame?

Jules and Mom, I love you both and thank you for inspiring me every day and every way!!!

Beautiful Oma Never Fails!

So, Mom called me today asking if she could bring a present down for the boys after their nap...little did I know the wonderful time that would ensue!

The boys had an absolute blast and I would like to thank Oma for her wonderful way with them! We all really appreciate the thought.
WE LOVE YOU!!!
Check out my YouTube channel for a video of the festivities!!!
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/samthehamsmom

Something new...thanks to Bre!

Bacon Cheeseburger Bun Packets

Here is my spin on the recipe...a bit more grown up...the original used velvetta cheese and an onion instead of the cheddar and swiss cheeses and the onion soup pkt I used!

Dough:
2 pkgs active dry yeast
2/3 c. warm water
2/3 c. warm milk
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c shortening
2 eggs
2 tsp salt
4 1/2- 5 c. flour

Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and blend together with a mixer. Sift in the salt and 3 c. of the flour until a smooth dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and gradually add the remaining flour. Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl and cover. Set aside in a warm place and let rise until doubled in size
( I let it rise for 1 1/2 hrs).

Filling:
1 pound bacon (diced)
2 pounds ground beef
1 pkg onion soup mix (dry)
8 ounces grated cheddar cheese
8 ounces grated swiss cheese

Cook the diced bacon and set aside on paper towels to drain off the grease (it was all I could do to not eat all of the bacon after it was cooked!). Brown the ground beef and drain off the grease as well. Combine the two in a large sauce pan and heat throughout. Add the onion soup pkt. and cheeses. Mix until well combined. Set aside until the dough is fully risen.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and cut into quarters. Roll each quarter out into a long rectangle (about 6 inches wide by 18-20 inches long). Cut into squares (about 6x6 in). Makes about 4-6 per quarter of the dough. Places the filling mixture by 1/4 -1/2 cup fulls into the center of each square and pull the corners up to the center and pinch together to make a little package. Place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet about 1 1/2 - 2 inches apart. Cook for 9-11 minutes (I did 11 min). Remove and serve immediately. Makes approx. 18-24 good sized pockets. They also reheat great! I put them in the microwave 1-3 at a time. Wrap each in a paper towel and cook for 1 min, then turn over and cook for another minute. The dough doesn't get tough and they almost taste as good as they did fresh! Serve with your choice of dipping sauces!

My friend Bre generously gave me a HUGE collection of A Taste of Home cooking magazines. I have been combing them over, looking for some new recipes to make for my family. I have to tell you...I was bowled over with what I found! There are over 100 plus recipes that I have fallen in love with, and can't wait to make. So Bre...you have inspired me to make something new and I want to thank you for that! Above is what I made for dinner...
Bacon Cheeseburger Buns and An Easy Salad
DE-LISH-IOUS!!!

I bought some new shirts

Ok, I know this is nothing Earth shattering, but it kind of is for me. I have purchased a few shirts recently, and none of them are T-shirts, long sleeved T-shirts, etc. I usually find a boring shirt that I like and then buy 4 of them in different colors, usually from Old Navy, or Gap, and of course on sale. I am that girl. I am not saying that I don't like the shirts that I have bought in the past, but they are soooooo boring! So I was inspired by spring and bought some new shirts from Kohls and TJ Maxx. I was very excited, can you tell?

"She wore an itsey bitsey teeny weeney..."

This is the very first bikini that I have bought since before we got married! I am so excited...I figure with my 10 + lbs lost I needed a new suit and I hope I can rock it! I am a paisley gal and I loved the pattern! Maybe if I get really brave, and get a tan I will post up a picture of me in it...
NAHHHHHHH!!!!!

A first for me...a feast!

I set my table

I made homemade dinner rolls

A snack platter

Homemade cabbage and apple salad

Homemade mashed potato bake

My first ever turkey!!!

Slightly overdone ham (was wonderful on the inside!)

We also had cranberry sauce, gravy from scratch, and brownies! It was delicious and I have never made an entire Turkey dinner by myself. I made this for my mother who loves turkey dinner, and I love her...so I made her a surprise dinner! I am a proud lady, but believe it or not...my favorite thing to make was the rolls! I am a true baker at heart!

Lookie here!

It worked!!! I planted the seeds on March 8th, and in only 18 short days I have 50 sprouts! I am sooooooo excited! I will keep posting the progress of my little Delphinium babies. So wonderful I can't stand it...I can't wait to plant them.

Italian Sausage Penne Pasta

1 pkg. Italian Style Sausage
1 Jar Spaghetti Sauce (of your choice)
Pasta style you prefer(Jules calls me the Penne Queen...it is my favorite)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the sausage in an oven proof casserole bowl large enough to hold all of the sausage links and the jar of sauce. Pour the sauce over all of the sausage links. Cover with tin foil and place in the oven for 1 hr. Test sausages with meat thermometer to ensure 180 degree temp. Set aside when fully cooked and boil water for pasta. Cook pasta according to directions and rinse. Place all together on a serving platter and as we say...
EN-YOY!!!

My newest aquisition!

My newest pair of Dansko shoes...called Merrie! Love them!

On my walk today I saw...

A wonderful smattering of beauty!

The Boathouse Restaurant

Couldn't they just write it out? Do they have to be so visual? GROSS

Keep out never looked so lovely!

This always makes me laugh! What a name for a mountain!!!

I love driveway pillars! There were many that caught my lens on the walk.

Isn't this gorgeous? I want it bad!!! If it wasn't cemented into place I would have stolen it!

This is to die for! What craftsmanship!!!

Love the twisted metal of this one

Serenity personified

I want to print this up and give it to J when we are in a fight!

My favorite of the day...in the thicket of it! LOL

Don't you just want to sit here and have a chat? Saw this down a stairway to an alley way

Growing sideways...never seen anything like this before!

Church steeple of the church where mom and dad were married

Un-utilized adorable cottage at the entrance to private property