Wordless Wednesday: Pumpkin Patch Edition

My New Hobby

For most of my life, if I wanted to be creative, I did so with words.  I wrote poetry and short stories and of course, this blog.  But over the past year, I've been trying out my creativity in different ways too.  I've picked up sewing, dove back into embroidery, and have tried my hand at yarn wreaths.

My new hobby?  Crocheting.

It is addicting.  And so very satisfying.  My first attempt--a scarf for Evie--didn't turn out so well.  I kept forgetting to count my stitches so the lines weren't at all even, and it was just an utter disaster.  But I refused to give up, so I tried a somewhat simpler pattern for a hat.  I think it turned out pretty cute.

Then I crocheted a flower to adorn it.  It was exactly what the hat needed.  Now it looks fabulous, if I do say so myself.  Because I'm super humble like that.

It's a good thing Christmas is right around the corner so I have an excuse to create a bunch of things.  My goal is to make most if not all our of Christmas gifts this year.  Personalized gifts made from the heart are always more fun than something mass-produced in the stores anyway.

For step-by-step instructions on how to make your own "darling hat" or "slinky flower", check out Crochet Geek's Youtube channel.  She makes it so easy to follow along, even for a complete novice like me.  She even has videos teaching you all the basic stitches you will need for her huge assortment of patterns. Someday I may even attempt her Angry Bird hat tutorial! 

My Life In This Moment

Wordless Wednesday: Blunt Card Edition

I hope these put a smile on your face.  Because they sure made me laugh!

Wordless Wednesday: Family Pictures Edition

While visiting in Wisconsin, we had a photo session with my family.  With my brother in the Army and Michael in the Air Force, we rarely are all in the same place at the same time.

Our Newest Addition

The other day I mentioned that it took us a few days to recuperate from our honeymoon slash short visit home to Wisconsin fun fest.  And I hinted that there was more than one reason for that.  Well, that reason entered our family the morning after we arrived back to Kansas.

Welcome our newest addition, Camber.  She's a nine week dachshund/shepherd mix (we think) that we adopted from the local Humane Society.  Isn't she the sweetest thing?

We've been tossing around the idea to get a dog for months now.  We've had two dogs in the past that we ended up finding new homes for, and we absolutely do not want that happening again.  We want a dog for keeps.  So we sat on it for awhile, and we finally decided the timing was perfect.  So in entered Camber.

She is the sweetest little dog ever.  Absolutely perfect for our family.  She doesn't whine in her kennel at night, she rarely has accidents in the house, and is playful but not overly so.  She is cuddly, and although she has a deep love for nipping at toes and chins, she gives lots of love too. 

I'm excited for the new dynamic she brings to our family.  Evie needs a playmate, and I need something additional to nurture.  Michael is along for the ride like usual, just adjusting himself to the higher level of estrogen in the house.

What do you think...is she a keeper?

Delayed Honeymoon, Part 3

After hiking two days in a row, Michael and I were too exhausted to hike again on our last day in Steamboat.  And when I say exhausted, really I mean we were so sore that we couldn't even walk right.  So we slept in late, overdosed on HGTV, and then finally forced ourselves from our hotel suite for lunch at the best place in town, Shack Cafe.  Best. Food. Ever.  So good.

And then we had a leisurely day walking through the Botanic Gardens and playing mini golf.  The day barely even deserves it's own blog post.  Except the Botanic Gardens were too pretty not to share a little of it with you.  So enjoy.