my life in sweatpants

New development

2011-03-30T18:41:00.003-05:00

Yeah...so...haven't blogged since September.

Don't know what to say, really...other than something exciting happened in September that's left me looking like this:

Our new little baby boy is set to arrive early June. Which means that three of our three children have June birthday's, roughly a week separating each.

We love September.

Good Day for a Picnik

2010-09-29T21:18:00.006-05:00

I'm sure i'm the last person on this bandwagon (as usual) but I just discovered Picnik.

heck-to-the-yeah.

I have a measly 5.1 megapixel Sony Cybershot camera. It's 6 years old. I would LOVE a nice, new, fancy-schmancy DSLR camera...BUT...the one I love is, like, 3GRAND. So. Yeah.

Here's the thing...I'm uber-impressed with some of the pictures

I can get off my camera. I hate the flash...I nev

er use the flash...so I certainly have to have heaps of patience waiting for my subject to be perfectly still, but I can get a decent picture on my 'ole 5.1. Take that 13 MP!!

Picnik.com is even more reason for me to avoid buying a new camera. Dude...Picnik is, like, FREE PHOTOSHOP. (I lapse into surfer-speak when i'm excited).

Upload your pictures for free...edit them in fancy ways for free...can't beat that. AND if you want the super-fancy features, it's $24.06 for a years subscription. I could edit the crap outta my photo library in a year.

CASE IN POINT:

Before:

AFTER: (1960s and boost effect applied)

And again:

I'm totally digging the 1960s effect.

So...go check out picnik.com and prepare to spend hours upon hours justifying to yourself that buying a new camera is ludicrous.

What? That's just me? Really?

Pattern Review: Pink Fig Hippy Chick Skirt

2010-09-14T09:02:00.004-05:00

Late last month, the illustrious Melanie from Above All Fabric invited me to review a pattern for her (cue SQUEAL).

May I present Pink Fig's Hippy Chick Skirt:

I used Moda's Origin's line (yellow, brown, grey and green...are you kidding me? How can I refuse that?) Mine is the skirt on the right of the above pattern picture...the Bohemian version.

There's a lot of decorative stitching you can't see on the picture. Note: "Decorative Stitching" is just a fancy way of saying "you'll have to rewind your bobbin A BAZILLION TIMES."

The Bohemian skirt, as opposed to the Classic skirt (both are included in the pattern), leaves some of the edges raw so they'll fray after wear, which adds a little extra pizzaz to the skirt.

The pattern was easy to follow, even for a gal like me who tends to "guesstimate" as much as possible. And the skirt is VERY WEARABLE, due to the drop-waist that keeps the bulk of the gathers and ruffles below the waist/hip line.

Visit Melanie's fabulous fabric shop Above All Fabric here, where you can find this fabric, and this pattern.

The South Will Rise Again

2010-09-06T17:50:00.003-05:00

Tweaking

2010-09-04T12:05:00.004-05:00

please ignore the mess...I'm tweaking.

From the same belly

2010-09-03T08:42:00.010-05:00

If ever I need convincing that God is a creative being, I need look no further than my two kids. It's a very comforting thought for me, a creative individual, to revel in the fact that the Creator is, in fact and form, an artist. That He took such care and concern to be darned sure that each person on earth is an individual...unique and special.

My kids are proof of this.

That two kids from the same set of parents can turn out so radically different is bewildering to me.

My daughter is a free spirit, full of creative energy and whimsy. She's a lot like me, to be honest...to a fault sometimes. I've seen my "divergent thinking" rear it's (sometimes) ugly head many times with her. But like all creative types, I think the way her brain skips around will lead to an artistic life (which is even more reason for me to be praying for her future mate right now).

When she feels, she feels with her soul. And she feels with her entire body...she's transparent with her emotion, which I love. Joy is simply a way of life for her. Not that she's always joyful, but more often than not, she is.

She's never needed anyone to *do* for her. She's fiercely independent, and the one trait she inherited from my husband is her stubbornness.

Now, I was a stubborn child. But Marty? Marty has held the title of "Most Stubborn Person Alive" 29 years running. You simply do not tell him what to do, because the minute you try, he sets himself against the idea (despite whether it has value or not). Much of our "heated fellowship" (read: arguments) stem from this lovely trait.

Marty has a contender for the title in his very own daughter. Sometimes I see the way my mother-in-law looks at my daughter with a funny little smirk on her face. Like she's silently telling Marty "now you'll see the patience I had to develop to deal with you."

My daughter is a Daddy's Girl, unless she's hurt or throwing up, in which case I get to take the helm. Such is the plight of Mothers. I'm thinking that when she grows up she may find more of a need for me, perhaps to give her tips on how to control her creative spirit (or let it loose), but for now I mostly watch...waiting.

My son is an entirely opposite force of nature. While his sister is a furious storm of passion and action, he softly breezes in, relaxed and thoughtful. He has an innate need to make people feel better, whether with a hug or a ridiculous face. This child was given the gift of compassion at birth. It's shocking at times, and a human as small as he is has such capacity for emotion.

He is shy, and reserved. You can always tell when he's thinking about something, because it radiates from him. And he is always thinking, and analyzing. It's in this way that he is mostly like my husband, minus the stubborn streak. My husband has an engineer's brain. He can fix anything, figure out the way things work and succeeds at everything he tries to do. He's comfortable with his close friends and family, and lives in a world of black and white. My son is this way too. Where my daughter and I see life in myriads of grey's, the boys in our house are quite happy to sort all of life's issues into one of two piles: right and wrong.

It makes for an interesting house.

My son is all mine. A typical Mama's Boy, though he's been gravitating to my husband a lot lately (something i'm very thankful for). He's a lover, often hugging you without cause, telling you he loves you when he can't think of anything else to say, and never wants to be without a hand to hold.

And he's prone to whining. Help me Rhonda.

His heart is as big as his head. Which is saying a lot.

He watches very closely what his sister does, and learns from her. She is the center of his world: the only person who can cause him such great joy and frustration in the same breath. She's the only person he needs acceptance from.

The only quarrels in our house between the two are when she's stingy with it. It's an odd concept for her to grasp, as she doesn't need acceptance from anyone, for anything, which can make her a horrible encourager.

He astoundingly patient.

That two kids could be so different, and yet love each other the way they do is fantastic.

As a parent, the real fun began with two children...just watching them together is entertainment enough for me.

Because, they are ridiculous. Children in general are ridiculous; I just happen to think I got two of the MOST ridiculous created.

I mean...really?

Disney: In Pictures

2010-08-24T10:47:00.006-05:00

Love is a Many Splendored Thing

2010-08-20T09:11:00.005-05:00

I haven't loved a band like I love The Black Keys since Switchfoot.

And this is my new favorite music video of all time.

Disney Coma

2010-08-10T11:53:00.004-05:00

Posts on Disney shenanigans coming soon...

Girl Love: Eisley

2010-07-14T14:41:00.002-05:00

What do we think?

2010-07-05T21:39:00.002-05:00

I need a change...and something funky as I grow my hair out. What do we think of this:

And when it gets blissfully long:

I'm totally digging the rock shag look. Can I pull it off?

Fat Face and Bad Fashion

2010-06-30T10:40:00.005-05:00

With another pregnancy hopefully looming on the horizon, I'm reflecting on my past pregnancies. I've formulated my greatest tips to new expectant mothers based on my personal experience:

I don't care who you are...you will get "fat face" at some point during your pregnancy. If you're lucky it will hold off until the last month-or-so. If you aren't lucky (read: Me) "fat face" will set in right around the third day after conception. When your well-meaning husband looks at you and says "Honey, your face looks a little fat today," go ahead and make the OB appointment. And then confine your husband to the couch for 9 months for such a heartless comment.

Now, you may not be able to escape the "fat face," but there are some things you can do to lessen it's effect. For instance, avoid a haircut that hits right at your chin (as demonstrated in the above and below pictures). This is me pregnant with my first child...with full-on "fat face" and a nice, unflattering chin length bob. Lord. And I'm not even going to comment on my CRAZY SHORT bangs. I must've been real proud of my eyebrows and decided to showcase them along with about 10 inches of forehead above them.

It's also advisable to avoid clothes that make you look about 25 years older than you are. I may be 21 in the above picture...but I look like i'm pushing 38. Pushing 38 and wearing a tent. There could be a revival going on under there, you don't know.

Embrace the bump, ladies...pregnancy doesn't relegate you to ugly clothes and unflattering styles. Because...that bump will turn into this little chickadee soon enough..

When I was pregnant with my second child, I wizened up and embraced the opening of a local Target store. Liz Lange! If you can ignore yet another bang disaster, this time the lack thereof, you'll see that my "fat face" is back with a vengeance, yet the long hair lessens the atrocity.

Face is a little fatter below, as I had about a week until my due date, but is diffused by the long hair.

And yes, I was in the "freakishly pregnant" stage here. Dude. Pictures like these are so flippin' weird looking.

Here I am embracing the fitted shirt fashion...I'm embracing the belly. MUCH more flattering, in my opinion.

My final tip is more of a delivery tip: if you have the luxury of knowing when you will be delivering prepare with this thought in mind: People will be taking pictures of you, and those pictures will ALWAYS BE THERE. Like, forever.

Please note: there are no pictures of me after I had my daughter posted on here for a reason. You know the reason.

Here's the tip: before you head to the hospital for labor and delivery (or get down with the birthing center, or home birth) put on a little waterproof mascara and curl the lashes, and light eyeshadow if you are so inclined. I'm not a vain person at all, truly, nor am I the type of girl that can't leave the house without makeup on...but I'm so glad I did this before I had my son. I also hot-rolled my hair that morning so it would at least cooperate for the next two days in the hospital. Because, who really WANTS to use a shower at the hospital?

And I can actually look at the pictures of him, brand-new and warm and think "I remember exactly how that felt," instead of "What the eff is wrong with my face?"

You'll also love the comments from the Labor and Delivery nurses about how "you look great for just having had a baby, girlfriend!" (L&D nurses have a lingo, you know).

And just a quick picture of my wonderful, stupendous, fantastic doctor...I love you. I hope to see you soon. Thank you for letting me gain weight happily while I'm with child.

"Fat face" and bad fashion aside...pregnancy is a joy, full of new sensations and wondrous discoveries. (like HUGE breasts!)

...

Working on my next segment now:

Babies Who Resemble Senior Citizens

6 Years Ago Today

2010-06-24T11:20:00.002-05:00

6 years ago I was in the doctor's office for a normal visit, with 2 weeks left until my first child, a daughter, was due.

I still remember the horrible night I had the night before. Restlessness, racing heart rate, jittery.

Marty got a speeding ticket on his way to work, which was quite an accomplishment considering he works less than 1.5 miles from home.

What began as a weekly third-trimester checkup, ended up as delivery day due to my development of Pre-eclampsia. (Note to self: 1 Ron's chili-cheeseburger, 1 order of fries and a large tea everyday for 6 months will lead to Pre-eclampsia AND 60 lbs. Do not do this again.)

Delivery was easy. Three-push-and-she's-out kind of easy. I'm very thankful for this.

What was once a little bean of a baby...is now this:

I have no idea how that happened.

Spoils from the Vintage Tulsa Show

2010-06-23T11:18:00.002-05:00

I'm a BIG fan of the Vintage Tulsa Show in Bixby. Really good vendors, very little crap...outstanding set-ups. Very inspiring.

I'm always on the lookout for vintage linens...and totally scored with this FATNASTIC polka-dotted tablecloth.

Can I tell you how excited I am there is grey in it? For realsies. I love grey so much I want to ask it into my heart.

I also can't keep myself from buying nice, large, unstained hankies whenever I find one.

It's a sickness.

These hankies are destined to become some shirts for my teeny niece Hazel...

My favorite score? THESE FLIPPIN' ADORABLE, ALBEIT RIDICULOUSLY TINY, JUICE GLASSES. Ohhhh, I'm in love. Teeny glass love.

I also walked away with a nice vintage tape measure for my husband. The past times i've been to the show they've had a TON of vintage tools, which Marty goes ape for, but not this time.

Guess I have an excuse to go for next time, huh?

Yeah...like I need an excuse.

Check out the Vintage Tulsa Show online, and keep up to date on when they'll be back. It's totally worth it.

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

2010-06-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

Oh....pure love here, people. I've only just found the Grosgrain site...and am totally hooked on the "Frock by Friday" feature.

Now if I could only win this giveaway...my life would be complete.

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

A Fuller Plate

2010-05-27T14:52:00.004-05:00

In true "Julie" fashion...i've gone and added more to my plate.

You know...because I really REALLY need more to do, I'm aching for more to do with my oh-so-empty days.

Riiight.

So...I've opened another Etsy shop. Randomography. And it is as it sounds. It's the place for "everything else."

Like these paper flowers:

I LURVE this one...it feels very Anthropologie to me. And don't we all love Anthropologie?

You can find my new shop HERE. If my sewing keeps heading the way it is now...that might end up in the shop too.

And maybe some of my 1980s mix-tapes.

Or corkboards.

Or screenprinted bags.

...

Are you beginning to see how special my husband is for having married me?

Tulsa Flea Market Finds

2010-05-18T09:34:00.003-05:00

I hit up the Tulsa Flea Market on Saturday for the first time ever...and was pleasantly surprised. Marty took Ethan next door (the upper level of the Quiktrip Building at the Fairgrounds) to the Gun Show, and Hannah and I pilfered the flea market.

I got the goods...

I went in looking for linens to use in my sewing...and found a great tablecloth, and some freakin' awesome hankies. I'm a total sucker for hankies.

My favorite find? These nesting canisters circa 1960s...
There are four of them...and I'm totally in love. Vintage love. Hippie love. Love, love, love.

Not sure if I want to add these hankies to my daily rotation...or add them into a sewing project. We'll see.

The Tulsa Flea Market is every saturday, 8-5, in the Quiktrip building at the Fairgrounds. Free entry.

Sustenance

2010-05-05T22:28:00.003-05:00

On Understanding God

2010-05-03T23:10:00.008-05:00

Sunday morning swept me off my feet. I had the rug pulled out from underneath me, and I've yet to find my footing.

I've had brushes with tragedy my whole life. Somebody my Dad know's had something horrible happen to them...the person who used to live next to us is experiencing terrible circumstances...my old teacher and her struggles with cancer...etc. Never before had it been this personal.

One of my most dear friends (God thought it proper to give me a few) called me Sunday morning.

"Julia? I have bad news...we lost Aubrey."

My friend was 7 months pregnant, due on my birthday with a beautiful little girl (their first, after struggling to get pregnant for 5 years).

I remember getting another call from Courtney, my friend, months ago...a call to tell me the one thing I'd been waiting to hear from her for years.

"Julia? I've got something to tell you..."

Me: "ARE YOU???"

I was met by an overwhelming "Yes!" and joy rushed my heart with abandon. Tears sprung to my eyes and I beamed. Straight-out-of-my-chest beamed.

Courtney and her husband Sam had been trying to have a baby since the day they got married...5 years. Late last year they decided to undergo three rounds of AI treatments before they began the adoption process. On their second treatment they found success, and with it, hope.

Now, I think i'm a pretty alright mom. I care for my kids, and I think they enjoy me (when I'm holding chocolate). But Courtney and Sam? They are meant to be parents. They love deeper than any couple I've ever met...with every fiber in their beings.

And yet God kept her from conceiving for 5 years...or, He didn't make any grand gestures in her favor to give her a child. I don't understand it.

And, clearly, I'm not meant to. The anal, need-to-control-the-situation part of my psyche gets really pissed off by this notion.

On days like last Sunday, when Courtney told me that she hadn't felt Aubrey move the day before, and had headed to the doctor to make sure she was alright...I can't help but feel that God is a mean kid with a magnifying glass while we scramble around the anthill.

When she told me there was no heartbeat, and that she would have to deliver her sweet little girl, the girl we'd hoped, and prayed, and rejoiced over, I felt like we'd all been abandoned.

Why would a loving God do this? What point does it serve? What good is accomplished?

I think these are the questions people were asking when Christ was left to die on that cross. They didn't know there would be a resurrection in the days to come...they saw the injustice and pain of someone so undeserving of both.

I'm hoping for a resurrection on the horizon...something to validate all of this. I'm expecting it. I'm expecting God to show Himself in a mighty way and prove to me that this loss was necessary. And justified. He doesn't owe it to me...and yet I expect it.

In the meantime, after enduring 33 hours of labor to bring forth her precious Aubrey, Courtney and Sam get to bury their daughter on Wednesday morning. They'll buy an impossibly small casket and lay her in the ground with all the gentleness and care they've shown the past 6 months. And then they'll wait...wait until eternity to see her alive and vibrant.

I can take comfort in one thing...and one thing alone (at this point, anyway). That the only thing Aubrey will ever know is the comfort of the womb; the muffled, but soothing voices of her mom and dad; and an eternity in a place of no sorrow or struggle. God, at least, spared her the hurts that life brings.

I hope for Courtney a heart that will mend. Scarred in a huge way, but mended. That her arms will cradle a baby in the future. That she can smile again. And that she can look back on this, years down the road, and see with crystal clarity why she was allowed to endure this.

As for me, I continue to pray for peace. Peace and strength for the days ahead. And for understanding.

I just had to...

2010-04-28T10:45:00.002-05:00

Now, I know I said that all Feather by Feather posts would be contained to the blog I set up for it HERE, but I really couldn't help myself...I had had to share this little lady with all of y'all. er...the 6 of you who read this. (that's not bitterness you hear...just good 'ole feelings of failure).

Little miss Presley modeled the newest addition to the Feather by Feather line...Infant headbands! Completely impractical (unless your baby doesn't feel the need to grab at anything on their head with the strength of 10 grown men), but oh-so-stinkin-cute.

They'd make a great prop for pictures! Besides...they give me an excuse to make baby things. Hopefully I'll be making baby things for my own baby in the next year.

Ovaries...what are they good for?

This is Love

2010-04-27T19:55:00.002-05:00

I read this today from a Tweet...and it's all I can think of. 5 hours later...it's all I can think of.

This is a letter that Richard Feynman wrote to his wife Arline in 1946. She had been dead for 2 years.

For any men reading...this is how a woman wants to be loved. And women...this is the legacy of love we need to leave for our husbands and children. There is such truth in this letter; such a profoundly simple expression of the love we all crave.

The original posting is here. Thanks to Chase Reeves for tweeting this.

The letter:

To Arline Feynman, October 17, 1946

D'Arline,

I adore you, sweetheart ... It is such a terribly long time since I last wrote to you — almost two years but I know you'll excuse me because you understand how I am, stubborn and realistic; and I thought there was no sense to writing. But now I know my darling wife that it is right to do what I have delayed in doing, and what I have done so much in the past. I want to tell you I love you.

I find it hard to understand in my mind what it means to love you after you are dead — but I still want to comfort and take care of you — and I want you to love me and care for me. I want to have problems to discuss with you — I want to do little projects with you. I never thought until just now that we can do that. What should we do. We started to learn to make clothes together — or learn Chinese — or getting a movie projector.

Can't I do something now? No. I am alone without you and you were the "idea-woman" and general instigator of all our wild adventures. When you were sick you worried because you could not give me something that you wanted to and thought I needed. You needn't have worried.

Just as I told you then there was no real need because I loved you in so many ways so much. And now it is clearly even more true — you can give me nothing now yet I love you so that you stand in my way of loving anyone else — but I want to stand there.

I'll bet that you are surprised that I don't even have a girlfriend after two years. But you can't help it, darling, nor can I — I don't understand it, for I have met many girls ... and I don't want to remain alone — but in two or three meetings they all seem ashes. You only are left to me. You are real.

My darling wife, I do adore you. I love my wife. My wife is dead,

Rich.

PS Please excuse my not mailing this — but I don't know your new address.

Blog Love--New Dress a Day

2010-04-23T10:02:00.004-05:00

And now for a new segment here on My Life in Sweatpants. Blog Love Fridays. A new blog that i've fallen in love with every friday. Let's do this.

I can't even remember where I first found out about the fantastic New Dress A Day...but since that day my life has forever been changed. For reals. Since I've started on my path to becoming the worlds greatest seamstress (stop laughing), I've been totally sucked in to many sewing blogs. But let me tell you a secret...this one is my favorite.

This super-cool chic Marisa decided, after being inspired by Julie & Julia, that she'd embark on a fashion journey for one year. With 365 days, 365 dollars, and 365 items of clothing.

Check out some of my favorites...

Lemme break it down for you...she buys thrift store items, and refashions them to something FATNASTIC. My favorite part though...she's not doing anything super-complicated to these pieces...we're talking smart alterations and innovative re-purposing.

INSPIRATIONAL.

And she's frakin' adorable on top of it. Our local Goodwill has seen a rise in profits from me due to this blog.

Go check out New Dress A Day and just TRY to keep yourself from hitting the "Older Posts" button until you've reached the beginning.

Celebrity Look Alike Alert

2010-04-19T11:29:00.003-05:00

This is Justin Beiber...

This is my nephew Isaac:

I totally see it.

I've Arrived!!

2010-04-16T10:22:00.005-05:00

Allright...so...I've been blogging for over 2 years, and have been met with minimal success in terms of readership/comments/etc. However...i've been met with MAXIMUM success in regards to pure enjoyment of my soul, and friends willing to serve my literary ego. I'm enjoy it.

I was reading back over some old posts and comments today, having a good chuckle. I was particularly proud (humbly proud, of course) of my heightened level of snark on the day I posted about the great bird/cat conspiracy. I'm telling you...God stepped into my life that day and granted me some serious snark. I continue to thank Him for it, for it is my life's ambition to be considered funny by other humans (toddlers don't count). That sounded a lot less pathetic in my head.

As I was re-reading my comments (self-validation okay? what of it?) I saw this one that I hadn't seen before:

Oh Lord. Ohhhhhh Lord Almighty did I laugh and laugh and laugh. It reminded me of the great #FAIL of the internet-age: Tone.

SENSE THE TONE, PEOPLE.

I've totally been admonished by an anonymous commenter...my faith in question...as well as my parenting skills. THE TRIFECTA! Really...this person managed to hit all the main points of a judgemental comment IN ONE. I'm wholly impressed. Really.

I feel like i'm a legitimate blogger now. My brush with inane (anonymous) stupidity has elevated this little home-grown blog to epic proportions.

I've arrived.

Southerners are Weird

2010-04-15T14:18:00.002-05:00

I know I've been waxing poetic about Texas lately, what with my Bluebonnet post a few days ago. BUT...I had had had to post this.

Growing up in Houston, TX...there's a lot of differences between me and your standard Oklahoman. I drive at "Texas Speeds", am shocked that there isn't a mall on every corner, and i refer to every single carbonated beverage on the market as "Coke". As the above illustrated map indicates...it's a southern thing.

I remember the first time I felt alienated up here in Oklahoma. We were at Ron's, and our waitress asked us what kind of "Pop" we'd like.

Yikes.

I'm sure we looked at her like she'd grown a third head before we remembered out manners and politely placed our drink order. Not long after that, when we were, again, out eating...I remember asking another waitress "What kind of Coke do you have?" She seemed confused, and replied: "Um...regular and diet?"

You see, in Houston, when a waitress asks for your drink order, she says "What kind of Coke would you like? We have Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, and Coke." Of course, anyone in their right mind will order a Dr. Pepper...but that's another tale for another day.

Marty calls it "Pop". Most of my girlfriends call it "Pop". Hannah even called it "Pop" the other day. I had a full-body shudder when I heard it.

"Honey," I told her "you've inherited the Texas from me...so it's your duty to call it 'Coke.' If I hear that p-word come out of your mouth again, you're dis-inherited."

Just doin' my job.

Happiness

2010-04-13T10:36:00.002-05:00

Heather Ross' Mendocino line of fabrics is simply fatnastic. FAT-NASTIC.

I can't even describe the wash of euphoric feelings that come over me when I see them. It's surreal. And delightful.

Playing with iPhoto

2010-04-11T23:29:00.004-05:00

I've been taking my iPhoto editing options for a spin lately. I could tinker with saturation levels, and contrast all day (regardless of the fact that I have zero idea what those things actually mean).

This was Ethan on Easter...and I just really love the peach hues...it feels very Easter-y to me.

These were taken at my husband's grandmother's house. We call her Nanny. And I love her.

Her house backs up to the bayou...and I can't help but take some pictures of "the flats" when we're there.

I tinkered with exposure and contrast on this one...and I really really like it.

And the same picture with some funky greens going on. This one seems really ethereal to me...and it matches my office perfectly. Decorating on the cheap!

This might be my favorite self-portrait (you know, because there's such an expanse to choose from. I simply *adore* taking pictures of myself).

Just think what I could do with a better camera and Photoshop! *chills*

I miss it so baaaaad

2010-04-09T09:21:00.007-05:00

No, this is not a horticulture blog. I've simply got Spring fever. Spring FEE-VAH.

THIS is what I'm missing right now:

Beautiful, expansive fields of Oak trees and Texas Bluebonnets. Oh how I miss Texas.

Spring was always magical in Texas...not just because of the three-inch-thick coating of yellow pollen that would be covering your car in the morning, but also for the fantastic fields of Bluebonnets that would, seemingly, pop up out of nowhere. Or...if you are a Houstonian, the fantastic highway shoulders of Bluebonnets that would, seemingly, pop up out of nowhere. They do wonders to hide and disguise the shoes, hub-caps, and trash ! (I can love Houston and be snarky simultaneously. See that?)

I really really do love these flowers, though. My mom even tried to find some to put in my wedding bouquet...in January. Yeah. We were all so surprised when she couldn't find any.

Most of my childhood memories are tinged with the deep indigo blues and whites of the Bluebonnet. They were in the background of the start of me...framing the picture, their own little character in the story of my life. They are in the pictures of me as a toddler on a trip to San Jacinto, slightly older on an excursion to Washington on the Brazos, and as an adult on a return to San Antonio for my youngest brother-in-law's Basic Training graduation.

It comforts me to know that Texas will forever be with me...alive in me...even if it is by a trailing of precious little bluebonnets.

Those of you reading (oh, that's funny. People reading this? haaaa ha haaaaa! I actually had the gall to use the plural! haa hooo heehee *wiping tears from eyes*), that are NOT Texans are probably wondering why I haven't posted any adorable childhood pictures of myself clutching reams of Texas Bluebonnets, or wearing little halos of handmade bluebonnet wreaths.

Here's why:

In Texas, you are taught from an early age (read: birth) that picking a Texas Bluebonnet, the state flower, is illegal. Should a plucking occur you are sentenced to the gallows, or some equally disasterous fate. If you even THINK about it, you've got some seriously bad juju coming your way.

Even now, after living in Oklahoma for 10 years, I can't find it in myself to pick one. I even grew a whole planter full last summer with the intent of picking EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY ONE, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I even tell Hannah to keep her grubby little hands off...'cuz girl, you don't pick the Bluebonnet. It ain't right.

Present day: I just found out that it is not, in fact, illegal to pick a Bluebonnet. My world has been shaken, and I shall never be the same. This website explains it.

You might think, new found knowledge in hand, that I could go medieval on this field. Pick the holy-crap out of it...really make up for all those years I was lied to and denied my girly right of picking and frolicking (ok, I frolicked).

But I can't.

Yet.

Everything is Blooming Most Recklessly

2010-04-03T12:13:00.003-05:00

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr...."Spring is here, Spring is here, thank God Almighty, Spring is here!"

Wait...

That's not right...

The breath of Spring has blown right on through Oklahoma, alongside the horrid 30+ mph winds. Seriously ridiculous winds. Hailing from Houston where the wind DOESN'T blow...I'm wholly unprepared for these gusts.

I mean...give a friggin' break and let me enjoy this fantastic weather with a DRESS why dontcha?

Pistol Pete is in need of a serious paint job....poor guy. That's my next project.

Tulips...oh how I love Tulips. I bought 150 daffodil/tulip bulbs last September for super cheap at Lowe's (most had mold on them). I planted them and prayed prayed prayed that they would surface this spring. I'm notorious for killing things, and bulbs just seem like a big, fat leap of faith to me. You take this bulb, plant it, and then WAIT for, like, a million years to see if it will actually flower. Seeing as I have the patience level of a fruit fly, this was a bargain at best.

In February when I started to see little green nubs emerging from the soil my heart did a little happy dance...for real. I promptly commenced with counting the emerging nubs on a daily basis (ridiculous much?) and giving Marty the latest headcount over dinner each night.

Me: "20 babe. 20 BULBS ARE COMING UP OUT OF THE GROUND! BULBS I PLANTED!"

Him: "That's great"

Me: "BULBS I PLANTED WITH MY OWN 2 HANDS"

Him: "yeah...that's great"

Me: "20! Out of 150! That's not great...that's AMAZING!!"

Him: "yeah..amazing. We should alert the local news stations."

Me: "Funny...I thought you enjoyed sex? Apparently not."

So..as of now 143 bulbs are popping up through our nasty clay soil. SUCCESS!! And i've read that lilies/daffodils/tulips are a great investment, because they tend to at least double with each flowering. So next year our beds will be even more filled out and lovely.

Even our burning bushes (which I was 100% certain I had killed) are budding out in fantastic green leaves.

However...we did have a fatality...of the yew variety...

She's supposed to look like this...

Yikes. I'm totally reluctant to dig it up, though...as a few families of birds have begun nesting in it. The kids love that.

Emboldened by my bulb triumph's...i've added a member to the family.

An orchid. Uhhh yeah...one of the most intimidating species of flowers, the diva of the plant world, if you will, and I've convinced myself I can keep it alive and thriving. We'll see.

She really is just the perfect color of yellow for the new office, though. So I had to have her. I'll love her until she betrays me and then I'll drop her like a bad habit.

Healthy, huh?

I have horticulture issues that run deep and wide.

J Crew Love

2010-04-02T10:51:00.005-05:00

I'm sorry, but...I love this trend. At first I thought it was ridiculous, socks with high heels and nary a pant in sight...but now; I'm hopelessly in love.

There's something so sweet about it...kind of a nerdy sweet...but that's even better. Apparently, I'm very drawn to the whole "I don't know why I love that, but I totally do" look.

I'm not sure if I have the chutzpah to pull of this look (or attempt for that matter)...but I commend those who can and do pull-it-off with success.

Marty would have an absolute field day with it, I guarantee. When he saw me in my blazer with rolled up sleeves the other night (and my aviators), he queued up the Miami Vice theme song for my benefit. Nice.

What do you think about this trend? Love it? Hate it? Would you try it?

Coming soon to a Norman near you

2010-04-01T09:23:00.002-05:00

This event is the ONLY REASON i'll ever step foot in Norman voluntarily. I'm busy building up stock for this fantastic show held on April 25th, 11am-5:30pm. It's free...it's outdoors...and this year it coincides with the Norman Music Festival.

Good times people...good times, and FANTASTIC vendors. All of the Handmade nature. This is a great way to buy local, handmade goods...and support some of Oklahoma's greatest talent.

Check it out at the Dustbowl site.

Handmade Bash!

2010-03-31T12:29:00.002-05:00

Feather by Feather will be at this years Spring Bash in Dallas on May 1st! Yahoo!

2010-03-25T11:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I learned how to make my hair look like this: (albeit shorter)

Using a YouTube video. And it worked BRILLIANTLY! So there.

Just sharing the wealth. And proving that there isn't ANYTHING you can't learn to do on YouTube. Power to the people.

Bringing in the outdoors

2010-03-25T11:14:00.002-05:00

Awww...look how happy the Touch and the 'Berry are hanging out in their little patch of digital grass. I got this under $30 charging station at mxyplyzyk, this awesome online store with lots of cool kitschy things. Think Uncommon Goods+modern decor.

It's a great way to hide the obnoxious cords for my camera, phone, touch etc...all-the-while bringing a little loveliness to the top of my desk.

Yay for innovation!

Proof of Heaven

2010-03-22T16:42:00.005-05:00

If ever I need to remind myself of God's presence and movement in my life, there are a handful of places I can look. My husband, my kids, and (brace yourselves) my mother-in-law. This woman is one of my favorite people in the universe...a best friend for life...and a much-needed mother to me. She's a figure of grace and loveliness.

She single-handedly raised the four boys above...and they are four of the neatest guys I know (one in particular *wink*). Each one is ridiculously different save for one thing...they have a keen ability to love like their Mother...without compromise.

This one is my favorite...my dear husband. I was drawn to his wild spirit (and forearms) from the start. His boyish charm persists, and I know who it was that cultivated the protective, strong confidence that he exudes.

This makes me want 4 boys.

Clearly, my children love her...their "Mammie". She loves them like her own.

And she knows how to have a good time too...

Her comedic side was passed to this one...the youngest...wearing the fake mustache and sporting the "Olan Mills" pose...

And her love and devotion to her kids has clearly transferred to my husband...I can see it every day in the way he loves. With his whole heart.

I love love love my mother-in-law. All the way to the moon, and back.

And she love love loves me back. Anthropologie style. She bought me these a-dor-uh-ble during her trip to Connecticut last year...

And these just this past week on her most recent trip there. More measuring cups! (notice a trend? I have a thing for them...)

As well as these rockin' dishes I can use as desk organizers.

The woman's got taste.

My New Nephew

2010-03-14T13:10:00.001-05:00

Presenting William Benjamin...he's a keeper!

I'm totally there.

2010-03-11T10:01:00.000-06:00

Coming to Tulsa's Brady Theatre May 15th. I'm so there.

Beckoning Spring...

2010-03-04T16:03:00.004-06:00

I'm willing Spring to get here faster by making yet another outfit. This time from the Gap. The great thing about this outfit, is you probably have these essentials in your closet already...here we go...

Button-down plaid shirt (go to Goodwill to find one, they are such a great resource, especially the men's section)...

Cardigan. I live by cardigans. I love them so much I want to ask them into my heart.

Jean shorts. And can I get an AMEN for the nice mid-length?! Perhaps the fashion industry is finally realizing that seeing 90% of anyone's thigh is unflattering.

SKINNY BELT. I want and need a skinny belt in my life. This particular skinny belt is going to be worn OVER the shirt and cardigan, cinched just a hair above your belly button. I belt everything...it's almost ridiculous.

And how flippin' cute are these sandals? The straight embellished line on the front of the sandal will mimic the line of your leg, and end up lengthening you. And the lack of a tight ankle-wrapped strap will keep you from having the "fat ankle" that we all dread.

And paint them toenails...mercy.

I'm willing the weather to warm...more outfits to come!

My Old Lady

2010-03-04T10:53:00.003-06:00

Granny Hannah (courtesy of her "100th Day of School" celebration at school)

She's such a cute little old lady...note the hankie tucked into her sleeve.

Spring Dressing

2010-03-03T08:50:00.003-06:00

I got that fateful email from Jcrew this morning alerting me to the new styles that have been added to their Final Sale.

So this is the outfit I "bought":

Jeans with belt (ignore the shirt and shoes for this outfit)...

Fantastic blouse...seriously dreamy...

I'm swooning over this jacket...totally in love with putty right now...

And these killer heels...I'm a sucker for any heel with a bow.

So there...my homage to Spring. I'm totally in the mood, if the dang weather would simply cooperate. Spring, come soon!! (but not before I can get a pedi).

She

2010-02-09T22:16:00.002-06:00

I think this evening will be one of those moments in my life that I will look back on with perfect clarity and exclaim "THAT was the moment I first felt like a parent." I fully expect there to be more moments like this, and I imagine I've probably exclaimed this to myself before (i.e. birthing said child, caring for said child during sickness, etc). What resounds to me most, however...is that tonight I feel some cosmic shift happening in the lives of me, my husband, and my daughter.

Before tonight, I now realize, I was mostly caring for the basic needs of my child, as any parent does. I keep her well-fed, clothed, take care of her when she's sick, make sure she's prepared for school in the mornings. I love her deeply, and I know she feels it.

Her needs are changing.

We've gotten to a point in parenting where it is our job to cultivate. We've prepped the soil as best we could, laying a good foundation for out little seedling to take root...praying feverishly for strong, straight roots. Tonight was our first glimpse into the enemy forces aimed directly at our little one. We are wrought with the desire to protect this thing we've been given, this lovely creature of innocence; be we also know the damage that comes to a sheltered child.

So...how do you teach a child, namely a girl, to know she's beautiful? I can whisper it into her flowing, downy hair all day long, but will she hear me? What is it about girls, women, that need to hear this from others? How do I make her understand that regardless of what other people may say, she is a unique creation, stitched together by the Almighty Himself for no other reason than to know that she is loved, and that she is to love; that she is worth more than the sum of her parts.

It is true what they say: having a child is making the decision to have your heart go walking around outside of your body.

2010-01-19T23:33:00.000-06:00

Ugly Chic

2010-01-10T19:57:00.003-06:00

Many people may not know this about me, but I'm a total fashion fiend. Seriously...I love looking at the fantastic fashion spreads in Vogue, and reading oh-so-hip fashion blogs.

My husband recently read a Yahoo! news excerpt on the "10 Worst Fashion Trends of 2009". I can't remember all of them...but a few were harem pants (gag...might as well call them 'diaper pants'. Who was responsible for that one?), neon colors, and *gasp* Uggs.

This got me thinking...have you ever noticed how ugly some fashion trends really are? Not just shoulder pad or granny-floral-print ugly...but genuinely ugly. This past seasons runways were full of ugly...

Now, I understand that runways are meant to be somewhat abstract and artistic...but really...how man of the above pieces would look good on their own? Meh...not so much.

However...there have been some trends this year that simply do not make sense to me at all...but I love them. I cannot pull them off, but I love them, nonetheless. For instance...boyfriend jeans with high heels. Who put ill-fitting man jeans with amazonian high heels together and said "Kismet!" is beyond me...but I kinda, sorta want to kiss them for it. If you've picked up a JCrew catalogue lately, you've seen the following repeated ad nauseam.
It's just so fantastically mis-matched that it totally works. Looking through the multitude of JCrew catalogues I have, you see the "mis-matched" idea duplicated page-after-page in fantastic new ways! Oh and does JCrew ever love to belt stuff. Skinny belts, thick belts, ribbon belts. Seriously...if I had all the money in the world, the only place I'd shop would be JCrew. Forever and ever, amen.

Back to "Ugly Chic" however...the Yahoo! article mentioned Uggs. Yeah, so what? I've got a pair, and I love them. Did I buy them because I thought they were precious and beautiful and lovely? Nope. I know they make my size 9's look like 14's, and I don't care. They are freakin' warm, and I like them. I like the way they look...even though I know they are ugly. Hence..."Ugly Chic." In a world of beautiful shoes, Uggs are the ugly stepsister. They are the English Bulldog of the shoe world. It's kind of like that couple you see at the mall, you know...the one with the super-attractive guy and the 'what happened there?' girl? That girl is an Ugg. She's comfortable, but not cute. You totally know what I'm talking about.
Let's keep with the footwear trend and bring up my next piece of 'muy feo' footwear. Tom's shoes. I have two pair, and I adore them. I'd sleep in them if my husband would let me. Great cause, comfortable shoe, totally 100% ugly. These shoes remind me of ace bandages. And the toe looks like the side of a wrapped package with the ends tucked into one another. All that's missing is the tape.

But, do I shun these to the back of my closet as a "what was I thinking?" moment? Heck no...I'm wearing them as we speak and am plotting which color I want next. These feel good on my feet and darn it if I don't LOVE the way they look. I have simply determined them to be ugly, but fantastically so. They transport me into another fashion reality where I am an easy-going, whatever-I-have-on-works, I-know-they-are-ugly-but-I-can-pull-that-off kind of girl.

It must be said, however...that it is in total bad form to wear your Tom's to the point where your big toenail saws through the canvas and pokes out, leering at passerby's. Go buy another pair of the ugly things and retire those, please. *gag*
So...maybe we are all becoming so self-confident that we can wear determinedly ugly items, or previously considered ugly trends (like mis-matching), with ease and grace. I have a feeling our future holds great new achievements in the Ugly Chic movement. I look forward to it, as long as it is done well, and is, above all, original.

Unlike the following picture. "Uh, Ashley? The 80's called...it wants it's outfit back."

Are you Freakin' kidding me?!

2009-12-17T12:00:00.002-06:00

I'm in luhhhhh-ve. This years Deluxe mascot was a freakin' adorable sock monkey handcrafted by Fried Okra. He was black and white and cute all over. So...naturally...upon arriving at Deluxe, my son gravitated to one of these little sock-simians. The Blue/Green/Tan on on the right is Vince, Ethan's new little buddy.

(I'm sorry, but, how cute are their hiney's? And those tails...the tail just kills me).

And since I loved them so much and couldn't figure out how to explain to my husband why I had the urge to buy one for myself and sleep with it every night....

I bought the little argyle cutie for my little niece (also a cutie). Her name is Paige (the monkey, not the niece). The niece's name is Hazel. Hazel Eveline...how purty is that?!

And, no...I could not resist the opportunity for a cuteness-infused photoshoot.

Seriously...go buy one. Like, now. You can get them here.

Where did it go?!

2009-12-14T09:16:00.002-06:00

Looking for, pining for, desperate to know the latest styles and specials offered by Feather by Feather? Visit our new home here.

My Life in Sweatpants will be for family/fun updates now...any Feather by Feather features will be featured on the Feather by Feather blog. And follow Feather by Feather on Twitter (featherxfeather).

Thanks so much!

I think I have a problem...

2009-12-08T11:54:00.003-06:00

Hello...my name is Julia. I have a problem. It is two-fold.

One: I have a thing for birds.

Two: I have a thing for Pier 1. Really, cheapness in general...but especially chic cheapness.

Are you freakin' kidding me with these?

New Stuff!

2009-11-30T23:31:00.003-06:00

Cleopatra, bleached peacock feathers

Thisbe. Love the dark mahogany of this one.

Mustard Seed. Fun addition to the clips I already have.

Starveling. My new favorite. Stunning.

Mass Hysteria

2009-11-09T18:19:00.003-06:00

Oh my gosh. Oh...my...gosh. That above, my dears, is my Feather by Feather headbands featured on The Pioneer Woman's website today.

I'm beyond words at this point. So...

Feather by Feather on Pioneer Woman

Stinkin' Cute

2009-11-02T17:05:00.002-06:00

Allright, so...I have a little teeny tiny obsession with birds right now. Maybe it's because I spend my days up to my elbows in feathers. But...get me something with a bird on it and I'll be happy as a clam. If clams are, in fact, happy. Where do we get these ridiculous sayings, anyway? Someone research the background on that one and get right back to me.

I digress.

Look at these adorable bird salt and pepper shakers I found at Pier 1. I went in in search of two extra wine glasses for the upcoming book club dinner I'm hosting in a week, and came out with these. Note: please devote more than 10 minutes on a trip to Pier 1. You WILL get sidetracked, and you WON'T have enough time to find said wine glasses. Because, you know, they have a ka-gillion different wine glasses that are of equal beauty. And are cheap.

All was not lost however, seeing as these two little lovebirds came home with me.

I'm so happy right now.

And now a break from our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this...

2009-11-02T09:45:00.003-06:00

*swoon*

Randomography

2009-10-21T14:18:00.003-05:00

Hannah's first day of Kindergarten. I'm only, like, 4 months late posting these. You should know by now that one guideline for reading my blog is lowered expectations. Come on down here with the rest of us...it's lonely at the top.

What's your story, Pretzelman?

2009-10-19T22:58:00.000-05:00

This is how he rolls.

Vegas, Baby!

2009-09-24T08:44:00.002-05:00

Oh, what a summer it was! Complete with a fun-filled trip to Las Vegas for our Bi-Annual Piggies & Paws Retreat.

Now, let me get to the most important part...I had one goal, and one goal only, when it came to taking this Vegas trip. In-N-Out Burger. It was my hearts ambition. And I must say, I shall never be the same again. Like, ever.

I tear up a little looking at this picture, knowing the closest one of these suckers is a minimum of 12 hours away. Oh the humanity!

My dear, sweet friend Raylea and I manned up and DROVE the 17 hours to Vegas. Like...in a car. On the road. For 17 hours. And part of the hilarity is that though Raylea and I were friends before, we really hadn't been around each other for more than about an hour a month at our monthly meetings.

Lemme tell you...we are bonded for life now. She's one heckuva gal...and we easily fell into conversation (when we weren't on our sleeping rotation). Got a little lost in Amarillo, spent almost an hour in traffic behind a motor-billboard of a naked woman on the Strip...oh yeah. We experienced. She's my girl now.
Above is your dam picture. Please hold any dam questions 'till the comments portion of this post. Those are some dam tourists, some with dam cameras. Lots of them had dam giftbags with dam brochures inside. All-in-all it was a dam fine day.
On our way to the big "V" we stopped at this meteor crater in Arizona. It was around 8 am, with 50 mph winds (hence the "windblown" look). This is also the crater from the movie "Starman."
It was pretty spectacular. Here's a funny little tidbit that Raylea and I had a chuckle about. They sell season passes to this place. Anyone else think that's a little odd? I mean...it's not like they get new attractions at the big hole in the ground. Maybe they dress it up for Christmas?
There she is...my road buddy. Good times.

All-in-all Vegas was a bit of a disappointment for us. The lack of free time didn't give us enough time to discover the Strip during the daylight hours. But...we did have In-N-Out...TWICE! The second time was a huge surprise...we'd been out of Vegas for about an hour headed home...and were preparing to stop at McDonald's when we saw the beautiful In-N-Out sign on the horizon. "McDonald's be damned!" we both said joyfully!

It just goes to show...God is good, all the time. Especially when burgers are involved.

Hello Luvah

2009-09-17T12:27:00.003-05:00

Holy Crow, it's been a while since I've updated. Have you been pining for an update? Is this blog your sustenance for the day? Yeah, I didn't think so.

I'll get into what's been going on here in the next few posts...today I want to focus on the newest addition to our family...

The Mini. I love it. Hello there pretty little pet, I love you. And then I stroke it, and I pet it, and I massage it. Hehe I love it, I love my little naughty pet, you're naughty. (major points to the person who can name that movie quote).

She's wonderful, so sleek and fast. Oh SNAP, is she ever fast!

So, maybe it'll motivate me to update quicker. Maybe.

DustBowl Arts Market---Coming Soon

2009-07-31T10:46:00.004-05:00

http://dustbowlartsmarket.blogspot.com

Feather by Feather will be at this event...it's about the only thing that will get me onto OU campus! :)

Fine Piece of Man-Candy

2009-07-09T00:45:00.003-05:00

Umm...yeah.

Everyone needs a peacock headband

2009-06-17T18:58:00.008-05:00

I actually had a reason to dress up a few weekends ago when my husbands former co-worker got married in Broken Arrow.

I love to get dressed up...hence I love weddings.

I took my new dress, and new hairstyle for a drive.

Man...my calves look weird. I think I need a lesson in camera angles.

Flingin' Flangin' fun with Fondant!

2009-06-15T21:17:00.004-05:00

For my next cake-related entry...FONDANT! Now, fondant is notoriously bad-tasting, though lovely, so I don't use it as much as buttercream. Just can't beat the buttercream, baby.

This one was my first foray into fondant...for the Superbowl party we host every year. I actually made Marshmallow Fondant, which was SIGNIFICANTLY more tasty than the boxed stuff. And not too hard to make. The little guys are gumpaste.

Here's a close-up of one of the little players. I thought they were cute, although looking at them now they look like their arms were amputated at the wrist. How are they supposed to catch a football like that?

I made this cake for the annual Texas Independence Day party that my brother and his wife host every year. Easily the COOLEST party I've ever attended...I'm always bummed when I miss a year. This is my biggest fondant undertaking to date. Each layer is a different flavor, Red Velvet on top, Yellow in the middle, and Devil's Food on bottom. I cut the Texas topper out of gumpaste. I had FITS with the blue fondant on the bottom layer...it kept drying out on me while I was coloring it, and breaking into unattractive crumbles. I still have nightmares about it.

It's killing me a little each day

2009-06-12T17:18:00.002-05:00

I almost feel like crying when I look at this picture. My beautiful, wonderful Hannah. She'll be a striking woman when she grows into adulthood...poised with grace and confidence in the person Christ has molded and shaped her into. I can see it beginning now.

She's just about lost the "little girl" roundness to her cheeks.

And it's killing me.

Freakin' Amazing

2009-06-12T12:48:00.003-05:00

This is...no lie...one of the most amazing things i've ever seen. Ever. It's blows my mind.

Anthology of Cakes, Buttercream Baby

2009-06-11T17:05:00.005-05:00

Let me preface this post by saying that I LOVE baking cakes. I love baking in general, but cakes really take the cake. Ha! Any excuse I can get to make one, I jump on it. I've even offered to make cakes for friends free of charge, though no one has jumped on that bandwagon yet.

Now...even though Fondant covered cakes are some of the more beautiful confectionary creations known to man, you just can't beat buttercream, baby. So...these are some of buttercream cakes i've made.

This one was a devil's food cake with chocolate buttercream icing. It was our First Annual Colburn Super Bowl Bash. Lots of fun! I took the Wilton Football pan and doubled it. My hand was cramping to HECK from piping all of those stars. But so worth it.

I love this cake. Hannah's 2nd birthday party was Lady Bug themed, and I just can't help but smile when I look at this one. The cake is a from-scratch white cake out of the Southern Living cookbook. Divine. The little ladybug on the top of the cake is a cupcake. This was the first cake I'd ever made and decorated. Good memories there.

This monstrosity was Hannah's 4th Birthday cake from last year. She had a Princess party, so I thought Cinderella's castle was fitting. Thank GOODNESS for Wilton's cake set...It would not have been fun to make all of those steeples out of rice krispie treats and cover in fondant. The cake was the same white cake recipe from the Southern Living cookbook (yeah...it's that good), but this time I put raspberry jam in between each layer. SO GOOD!

Everything is buttercream, except for the little fondant flowers. Those were a real joy. :)

This bad boy was so much fun to make. Ethan's first birthday was a cookout (as has each subsequent birthday). We're so original. The top bun and bottom bun are pound cake, baked in a pyrex bowl to get them to curve. The actual Patty is one layer Devil's Food cake covered in chocolate icing. The lettuce, pickles, onions, and tomatoes are fondant. The mustard and Ketchup are icing.

And the side of fries are sugar cookies with red icing ketchup.

This one is the cake I made for my husbands grandmother Helen for her 75th birthday last year. We had about 75 of her friends come to her house and surprise her! It was a blast.

She is a fan of pink, so I ran with it. This is the tallest buttercream cake I'd made, and we had some SERIOUS leaning issues. But, like Duff himself even says on Ace of Cakes, every cake has a back. The "75" cake topper is gumpaste.

I saw pink for about a week after that.

I'm always looking for my next chance to make a cake. I've got some ideas floating around in my cake-crazed head!

Coming up next...FONDANT.

MQ Answer!

2009-06-10T23:20:00.005-05:00

I love this movie...one of my very favorite performances from both Ah-nuld and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Movie Quote!

2009-06-09T20:32:00.002-05:00

I'll be impressed if you get this one...knock yourself out!

"They call him the Sand Spider"

"Why?"

"Probably because it sounds scary."

Answer posted tomorrow!

Ethan's Birthday Bash

2009-06-09T13:08:00.004-05:00

Ethan turned 3 last Friday, and we rocked out at his party on Saturday. The poor kid doesn't have any friends...so it was a family affair.

Hannah was delighted to take control and "help" him open his gifts. It should be interesting to see how many presents she'll let him "help" with at her party in a few weeks.

I have to say, though...she's the most wonderful, considerate little girl I've ever met. She was genuinely trying to help the little guy out. And, as you can see, he didn't mind one bit.

I quelched my need to express myself through baked goods by making these cupcakes, complete with gumpaste guitars. It wasn't my first foray into the world of gumpaste, but it was my most detailed. They were yummy!

MQ Answer

2009-06-05T22:21:00.004-05:00

This movie makes me want a British accent. And it makes me laugh. In a British accent.

Snippets

2009-06-04T23:47:00.003-05:00

Movie Quote!

2009-06-04T13:21:00.001-05:00

Have at it...

"This is an occasion for genuinely tiny knickers"

It's official: He is a boy

2009-06-02T13:27:00.005-05:00

For those of you who are a friend to me on Facebook (add me, i'll love you back), or who follow me on Twitter (hartnhevn), you'll know that we had an eventful Sunday.

While swinging in the neighborhood, Ethan forgot that you must hold on to the swing at all times. He then proceeded to fly through the air and land face down on one of the wood beams that segregates the play area. Ouch.

I was at Target with my Mother-in-law buying birthday presents for the little man (he'll be 3 on Friday), when Marty called me and told me what happened. When we couldn't get the bleeding to stop, we decided to make a break for the ER behind our house.

Now, I didn't even think it was a possibility to stitch the inside of the lip, so it never would have occurred to me to take him to the ER...but Marty, being a boy at one point in his life, proceeded to tell me "Yeah...they can stitch a lip." Apparently most men know this.

So, about 3 hours later we left the ER with 4 stitches on the inside of his lip, 4 on the outside of his lip, and a loose front tooth. He even ripped that tiny piece of skin that connects the top lip to the top of the gums. But even through all of the IV placement, and stitches...the only thing he's complained about at all is that darned cut on his shin. Figures.

Don't you feel just a little sorry for him? (the boy knows how to work an audience.)

MQ Answer

2009-05-31T22:26:00.004-05:00

By far...my very favorite non-Pixar disney movie. I LURVE David Spade...so obviously, this movie is primo for me. I get so much more out of this movie than my kids do, I almost feel guilty.

I don't let them choose the movie anymore. Since this movie entered our house a week ago, it's all that enters our DVD.

And I don't feel any guilt at all.

So HA!

(and nice job Amy and Katie. Squeak squeaken squeak squeakity squeaker.)

Movie Quote!

2009-05-29T20:15:00.002-05:00

Yay! A new movie quote for your guessing pleasure!!!

"Ah, how shall I do it? Oh, I know. I'll turn him into a flea, a harmless little flea. And then I'll put that flea in a box, and then I'll put that box inside another box, and then I'll mail that box to myself, and when it arrives...HAHAHAAAA...I'll smash it with a hammer!!! It's brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, I tell you!"

Done Been Busy

2009-05-21T21:51:00.003-05:00

I love this time of year.

Sweet.

2009-05-19T10:58:00.002-05:00

Nuthin' like a teaser poster to really get me excited on a Tuesday morning.

MQ Answer

2009-05-19T10:53:00.005-05:00

John McClane is the thing dreams are made of. Hubba Hubba.

MQ....Weekend Edition

2009-05-01T12:20:00.001-05:00

Let's do this...answer will be posted on Monday...

"Now I know what a TV dinner feels like."

Me...some more Me...and a little more me. (blame Melinda)

2009-04-29T20:49:00.002-05:00

That funny lady, Melinda, from across the bloggy world at Bloggin' It From the 'Burbs is demanding that I tell you more about myself. I'm not sure if I like her anymore.

Let it begin...

What's your current obsession? Birds! in design, that is. I don't have much love for actual birds...you read about why here.

What's your weirdest obsession? Stuff in my toes! I've been a toe-picker since I was a kid...and apparently i've passed it to my kids, because both Ethan and Hannah will stop in the middle of a crowd to pick a blade of grass out from beneath their toes. How come neurotic is a genetic trait?

What are you wearing today? Uh...HULLO! SWEATPANTS!! You think the title is for kicks?

Why is today special? Marty's off! Yay!

What would you like to learn to do? The worm. You know, the break-dance move where you gyrate your body across the floor, thus imitating a worm? That would be sweet.

What's the last thing you bought? A new handheld vacuum. I killed our other one. Apparently 6 years of repeatedly sucking up everything known to man and rarely taking the time to empty it will do that. I blame my kids.

What are you listening to right now? America's Next Top Model. I'm a little ashamed of admitting that.

What's your favorite weather? Sunny, 65-70 (light sweater, jeans, and flip flop weather)

What's your most challenging goal right now? Losing this fat surrounding my stomach, and butt, and thighs. Funny how I have ample fat in my butt, but none in my bra. Figures.

What do you think about the person who tagged you? Melinda is HI-larious. Her pictures are lovely, her blogging is real without being dull, and she seems like a top-notch gal.

What's your favorite guilty pleasure? Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Eggs. It is a seriously good thing that those are only around at Easter time.

Favorite vacation spot? I bet it would be Disney World...but since we've actually not been as a family...I'll pick Colorado. I lurve Colorado. (even those tree-hugging liberals)

What would you like to have in your hands right now? My new little niece Hazel. And an iPod Touch. And a Mac Mini. and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Egg. (If I had little Hazel in my arms I totally wouldn't even be thinking of any of that other stuff. Except the egg. It is forever on my mind.)

What would you like to get rid of? The bumps in my carpet...we seriously need to have it stretched.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Well, I'm hungry, so James Coney Island in Houston, Tx. Oh sweet chili-cheese coney, how I love and miss you.

What language do you want to learn? I'd like to learn English well enough to beat my friend Trista at Scrabble on Facebook. (and I majored in it...not good, people).

What super power would you like to possess? The ability to create time. (I can already destroy it...I'm a chronic procrastinator)

What your favorite thing about the city you live in? I seriously never in a million years thought I'd say this...but...I like the small-town feel with the big-city advantages. I grew up in Houston, so I'm used to everything being very close. Owasso is close enough to be bearable...but I've learned to enjoy the quiet pace of life.

What's your favorite piece of clothing in your closet? My scarfs. I'm totally into the "wrap a scarf around your neck regardless of the weather" trend. It makes me feel sophisticated.

What's your dream job? Supreme Court Justice. It's been a dream of mine since High School.

If you had $150 now what would you spend it on? I'd save it towards my Mac Mini.

Do you admire anyone's style? I know I sound like a total copycat here...but Audrey Hepburn as well. I also love Coco Chanel and Reese Witherspoon.

Describe your personal style. I'm a jeans girl. I like jeans with flip flops in the spring/summer. Jeans with cute flats for Piggies&Paws galleries. Jeans with red high-heels for nights out (yeah, like that ever happens).

Who's fashion show would you want tickets to? Vera Wang. I've a weak spot for wedding dresses.

Who's closet would you like to raid? Reese Witherspoon!

What are you most proud of? My husband and kids.

If you could choose one person who had passed to have lunch with who would it be and why? My great aunt Vel. I just want to see her again.

RULES: If you're tagged...get to answering! Copy the questions and tag some of your friends just to tick them off!!

1. The Froggy Bottom Blog

2. Hautemama of 2

3. {let my lifesong sing}

4. Keeping up with the Wedemeyer's

5. Dawn's Diversions

I'm in a baby kinda mood

2009-04-29T11:08:00.001-05:00

Little Miss Hazel's arrival has put me into high spirits! And since I like to share the mood...

She's Heeereee!

2009-04-28T10:16:00.003-05:00

Everyone (or, like, the 5 of you who actually read this blog), I'd like to introduce you to my new favorite little niece. This girl is going to be getting a buttload of cute little shoes from her Aunt Julep!

Isn't she sweet? Hazel Eveline...born early this morning...8 lbs 14 oz.

*sigh* I think my ovaries just skipped a beat. Can't you just smell her head from here? And just look at the armpit fat...ughhhhh. That's my favorite fat on a baby. Oh, and the thigh fat....the thigh fat is the sole reason we even have two children. Once you squeeze it, you just never can fully recover.

That's my lovely sis-in-law Amy with little H.

And do you remember me telling you how cool my brother, Dennis, is? Well...here's more proof. When Isaac was born (the adorable boy below), Dennis designed shirts for everyone that said "I like Ike". We wore them at the hospital when he was born.

For Hazel...he really outdid himself. The shirt is below, on my ridiculously cute nephew...

Oh yes...I'm definitely a Hazel Nut. And I'm going to get my butt to Dallas asap to see her!

Potty Training a Boy: AKA "Adventures in Hilarity"

2009-04-19T22:52:00.006-05:00

So we've started really focusing on potty-training Ethan, who will be 3 in about a month-and-a-half. For the past few months we've been laying the ground work: talking about the poo and the pee a lot; making him tell us everytime he poo's or pee's in his diaper; and telling him that, even though he was allowed to poo and pee in his diaper, he is only allowed to do so IN the bathroom, because that is the ONLY room any of us poo or pee in. He's been very willing, surprisingly enough, and we often see him make a beeline for the bathroom, hear him do some grunting, and then return to the living room to say to all of us "I pee'd. Change me."

By golly, I think he's ready.

So tonight he was in "big-boy underwears" for a while. Spiderman ones. At one point in the evening, Marty looked Ethan in the eye and said:

"You better not pee on Spiderman. He'll get mad and fling his spidey-webs at you. (cue re-enactment of Spidey flinging webs from his wrists, complete with detailed sound-effects.)

And I tell you what...I haven't seen Ethan freaked out by a comment like that in a good while. He stared at Marty for a while, then down at the Spiderman graphic on his crotch, then back up at Marty.

"I-I-I-I not pee on Spiderman. I not. I no want his webs."

He then looks down and addresses his crotch..."No Pee...no webs."

MQ Answer

2009-04-17T11:09:00.003-05:00

Yesterday's quote is from...you guessed it...FINDING NEMO! And to truly get the effect of how funny this quote is...please enjoy the video below...

MQ...and this one's tough

2009-04-16T15:52:00.003-05:00

Allright...today's is a toughie...but it's one of my favorite things to say (just ask Marty).

Here we go...

"Manna from Heaven! Sweet nectar of life!!"

Good luck...you're gonna need it!

MQ Answer

2009-04-15T22:12:00.004-05:00

I just looooooove this movie. My dear friend Julia (when together we would hold two fingers by the upper right portion of our foreheads and say with excitement 'Jules Squared') loved this movie with a passion...and as we would watch it together, we'd QUOTE THE WHOLE MOVIE! I'm sure it drove everyone around us mad.

Such a great story...Netflix it if you haven't seen it.

MQ

2009-04-14T23:05:00.000-05:00

Today's quote:

"Have fun storming the castle!"

Now...Impress me!

MQ Answer

2009-04-13T23:20:00.004-05:00

Take your pick! The overwhelming number of answers were for Spiderman...which is correct! But, if you were thinking that MAYBE that quote could have come from somewhere else...You're also right! This quote has been in Spiderman, X-Men, and Bruce Almighty.

But who first said this quote?

Winston Churchill once said (in a minor, mostly unknown speech) "The price of greatness is responsibility." However, he isn't the originator of this quote. Want to know who is? He's a good friend of mine...smart guy, funny, imaginative...

Jesus said in Luke 12:48 "For to whom much is given, much shall be required."

That Jesus...man...talk about 'before-his-time'! I just love that guy.

MQ

2009-04-13T12:07:00.002-05:00

Today's movie quote is.....

"With great power, comes great responsibility"

Leave your answers in the comment section!

The Sign of the Cross

2009-04-12T00:15:00.002-05:00

*The following is from Charles Stanley's Pathways to His Presence Devotional series*

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

Crosses. We see them dangling from people's necklaces, on car bumpers, and printed on T-shirts and coffee cups. Crosses are everywhere. The Christian cross is such a familiar symbol that we can easily trivialize its significance. But it's what took place there--the death of Jesus--that lays the foundation for the Christian faith.

At the center of our faith is the cross. It is symbolic of the place where Jesus forever changed history, the place where our sin was forgiven. The cross and the death that occurred there bring life, joy, and hope. In Mark 10:45, Jesus said that He came to serve, not to be served. Jesus' death on the cross was the place in history where the debt for sin was paid in full. God demanded retribution for the sins of the world, and Jesus paid for them in one act with His own life.

For all the signs and wonders that Jesus did while He walked on earth, it was what He did hanging from the cross that brought about the beautiful gift of salvation, which isn't limited to just a few, but is available to all.

When we think upon the Cross, we should do so with great awe and reverence. It is the heartbeat of our faith, the place where our sins were paid in full by the most sacrificial act ever done by one man.

"Sweetly Broken" by Jeremy riddle

To the cross I look, and to the cross I cling

Of its suffering I do drink

Of its work I do sing

for on it my Savior both bruised and crushed

Showed that God is love

And God is just

At the cross You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees, and I am

Lost for words, so lost in love,

I'm sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life

Have I been given

Through Christ crucified

You've called me out of death

You've called me into life

And I was under Your wrath

Now though the cross I'm reconciled

At the cross you beckon me

Draw me gently to my knees, and I'm

Lost for words, so lost in love

Sweetly broken, Holy surrendered

In awe of the cross I must confess

How wondrous Your redeeming love and

How great is Your faithfulness

Good Friday

2009-04-10T13:54:00.002-05:00

"Thief"

Third Day

I am a thief, I am a murderer

Walking up this lonely hill

What have I done? I don't remember

No one knows just how I feel

and I know that my time is coming soon.

It's been so long, such a long time

since I've lived with peace and rest

Now I am here, my destination

I guess things work for the best

and I know that my time is coming soon

Who is this man? This man beside me

That they call the King of the Jews

They don't believe that He's the Messiah

But, somehow, I know it's true.

And they laugh at Him in mockery,

and beat Him till he bleeds,

They nail Him to the rugged cross,

And raise Him, they raise Him up next to me.

My time has come, I'm slowly fading

And I deserve what I receive

Jesus, when You are in Your kingdom,

Could you please remember me?

And He looks at me still holding on

and tears fall from His eyes

He says 'I tell the truth

Today, you will live with Me in paradise'

And I know that my time is coming soon

And I know that my time, my time is coming soon

And I know paradise...paradise is coming soon.

2 Reasons why I need a BB Gun NOW

2009-04-09T20:21:00.004-05:00

It's Killing time here at the Colburn Household. I am on the hunt for both feline and fowl...and blast if I won't shoot on sight.

During the winter I noticed that some filthy, stinkin' cat had been using the kids sailboat sandbox as a litter box. Just the other day I noticed that, apparently he has grown bored with the sand and has moved to crapping in my rubber mulch...MY EXPENSIVE RUBBER MULCH. I promptly went out and bought some cat food and laced it, ever so carefully, with rat poison.

Not really...but that only because I think pegging it with a BB gun would bring me worlds more satisfaction.

And then today, after torrential rains, hazardous winds, and hail...my hubs came and got me from the office (where I'd been working on prints) to show me this:

At first I didn't know what he was trying to show me...until I saw the suspicious substance peeking from underneath the lid of the grill.

What is that? Does that belong in a grill?

Closer inspection confirmed my fears:

In case anyone is keeping tabs...I now hate Cats and Birds. I now want to kill both the cat and the bird that are trying to domesticate in my space.

And you know what? I think it's some kind of conspiracy. The Cat, got with the bird (showing great personal restraint, of course) and told him to help in tormenting the human.

Cat: Hello bird...you smell awfully nice. (salivating). I've got a proposition for you.

Bird: (trembling in terror) Please don't eat me.

Cat: The human that lives in this house has a short fuse, and it's a riot to see her all red-faced when she sees the lovely piles I've made in her sandbox and nice mulch.

Bird: Please don't eat me.

Cat: You could help me with my evil plot to bring about her ultimate demise. Why don't you build your nest in the shiny silver object on the patio. She's been very excited about the warmer weather...she seems to enjoy cooking things on it. It would be such a wonderful surprise for her to see your nest built inside of it. Oh...and please poop as much as birdly possible to make the cleanup absolute hell.

ASPARAGUS: It's doesn't just make your pee stink...

2009-04-08T20:43:00.004-05:00

Much thanks to my bloggy friend Melinda over at Bloggin' it from the 'Burbs for posting about this EXCEPTIONAL idea last week of using asparagus in a less-than-traditional way. This was incredibly easy to do...and looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. And I do say so.

I couldn't hunt down a rectangular vase at the Walmarts (all of the renovations they are doing to ours is driving me CUH-RAZY!)...so I just used a plain-jane circular one. It doesn't work near as well as an angular one would...but it's alright.

I got some Gerber Daisy's (my fav), and Tulips while I was at the store; Asparagus is on sale for Easter, so Jackpot! And I used some stock ribbon I had in my office (it's a freakin' scrapbook store in there right now because of Mother's Day/Father's Day season for Piggies & Paws.)

You can get the instructions from Melinda's blog HERE. And...oddly enough...I just noticed that we used the same ribbon on our arrangements! Bizarro! What is the saying? Incredibly stylish rockin' moms with wonderful ideas and the ability to copy said ideas, think alike?! I THINK SO!!

Do it. Go gitcha some flowers and asparagus.

Goodbye, Goodbye, Walk away, it's time to say Goodbye

2009-04-06T23:06:00.002-05:00

So, I don't know if anyone caught the ER Finale last Thursday, but I've been so weepy about the whole darn thing that I haven't been able to post about it until now.

Well...not really. But nearly.

I've watched ER since the Pilot episode 15 years ago. 15 Years, people!! I was 11 when I first saw Carter, Benton, Lewis, Ross, Hathaway, and Greene. What a show that was! The excitement was palpable.

It really was the show with everything going for it. Spielberg was involved, Michael Crichton was the writer. And not to mention to of the most important words in the English language: George Clooney.

I consistently watched for the entire 15 years it was on the air. It had ups and downs after the original season...but I continued to watch. And now it's gone. And I'm sad.

What on earth am I going to do at 9pm on Thursday nights? It's like my standing date has suddenly upped and abandoned me. I've been left sitting at the table staring at an appetizer I can't possibly finish by myself. (I resort to food analogies when I get depressed).

Anyone else out there have an ER shaped hole in their chest?

(Psst...can anyone name the song/artist the title to this post belongs to? Serious cool points to anyone who can.)

MQ Answer

2009-04-05T13:14:00.003-05:00

Can you believe that The Little Mermaid is 20 years old this year?? I was 7 when this movie came out...and it is one of the few crisp and clear memories I have from my childhood. I remember EVERYTHING...especially the fact that my Dad cried in the last scene of the movie. You know...where Ariel kisses her Dad, King Triton, and says "I love you Daddy." Cue theatrical music.

He cried. And if you know my Dad...he is SO not a crier. Just not that type of man.

Neither is my Husband (though I've heard tell that he cried when he saw The Lion King. It's one of the few triumphs of my life.)

MQ

2009-04-02T22:25:00.001-05:00

What's this from?

"Now the snarfblatt dates back to prehysterical times when humans used to sit around and stare at each other all day. Got very boring. So they invented this snarfblatt to make fine music."

MQ Answer

2009-04-02T19:44:00.004-05:00

*sigh*

That's really all I can do when I think of this movie...*sigh*

I love every single thing about this movie. EVERYTHING.

If you haven't seen it...SEE IT NOW! Especially if you have a mom. So, like...that's everyone.

MQ

2009-04-01T20:31:00.002-05:00

And without further ado...Today's quote:

"They should name a gender after you. Looking at you doesn't do it, staring is the only way that makes sense. And trying not to blink so you don't miss anything. And all of that and you're YOU. I mean...Look, forgive me. It's just you are DROP DEAD, CRAZY GORGEOUS! So much so that I'm actually considering looking at you again before we finish up here."

MQ Answer

2009-04-01T20:04:00.004-05:00

Bama Leigh and Melinda had it right! The Usual Suspects was the movie quoted yesterday. My favorite movie of all time...I love everything about it! (well...maybe not the plethora of F-Bombs...but this movie is so good, it is incredibly easy for me to overlook them. )

If you haven't seen it, and you don't mind gratuitous language, and a little violence...Get it...and watch it. And then thank me later.

New quote coming soon...

MQ

2009-03-31T10:50:00.003-05:00

Now for today's movie quote:

"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that, poof, He's gone."

Good luck!

MQ Answer

2009-03-31T10:36:00.003-05:00

Yesterday's quote was from The Shadow. The movie that began my love affair with Alec Baldwin. (it was a short-lived affair, however...seeing as he is a little crazy. Freakin' hilarious, but crazy).

My brother and I went and saw this movie at the dollar theatre near our house in Houston in 1994. I think we saw it several times within the span of a week...but I may have it confused with the other gazillion movies we saw there.

Once, when we were watching The Three Muskateers at that same theatre, there was a stabbing outside in the lobby. You could see dribbles of blood on the floor leading out of the theatre. We both thought it was somewhat comical...seeing as we had just watched a movie with sword-fights galore.

*sigh* I love Houston.

Why I'm Here in the First Place

2009-03-29T23:02:00.003-05:00

One of the first reasons I decided it was time to enter the blogging world was due to the insistence of my writing professor at OSU my Junior and Senior years.

"Write!" Teresa said to me, "Write whenever you can! Start a blog. Something!"

So...I'm going to start doing short writing prompts on here to stimulate my writing-juices once again. I miss the creative release...and no amount of Piggies & Paws, or making headbands satiates that need.

I'd love to say that I'll do a prompt a week...but I'm no fool. It's hard for me to stick to schedules. So I'll just commit to doing it when I feel like doing it. How's that for non-committal? *smile*

So...I found this prompt on Writing Fix and really thought it was pretty rad...so here goes..

The Prompt:

"If life was a multiple choice test, what would be the first five questions on yours? Write the questions and their multiple choice answers."

My Response:

1. You're a newborn: what is the purpose of life?

a. to poop

b. to figure out this bottle thing

c. to get used to these giant nice-looking people who are always around, particularly the one they call "Dennis"

d. to enchant said giants with my gaseous smiles

2. You're a 6-year-old: what is the purpose of life?

a. to pick up dead birds, put them in your baby stroller, and act like they are your baby

b. to be mauled by fire-ants until your mom throws you in a mud-puddle

c. to swing, and swing, and swing

d. to race hot-wheels with your best friend Matthew

3. You're a 13-year-old: what is the purpose of life?

a. to hate life

b. to hate myself

c. to be perpetually awkward

d. go away

4. You're a 17-year-old: what is the purpose of life?

a. My life isn't my own: I live it for Christ

5. You're a 26-year-old: what is the purpose of life?

a. to love my husband more than myself

b. to serve my family

c. to be a Proverbs 31 woman

d. to raise my kids in the way of righteousness; encouraging, and loving them through every season of their lives.

e. all of the above

MQ answer, and New Quote

2009-03-29T22:42:00.005-05:00

Yesterday's quote, which had no takers, was from Tim Burton's masterpiece (and one of the films where I fell in love with Johnny Depp (I say film, because I was a HUGE 21 Jump street fan)) Edward Scissorhands.

I have a thing for unconventional love stories (Lars and the Real Girl, Twilight). And I REALLY have a thing for Tim Burton (and Danny Elfman...he has a healthy respect for the French Horn). I like 'em dark!

And now, for today's quote...

"The sun is shining...but the ice is slippery"

(somewhere, my brother's head is exploding) Good luck everyone!

Movie Quotes!

2009-03-28T11:56:00.003-05:00

Yesterday's movie quote is from one of my favorite comedies starring Jim Carrey. My tolerance for Jim is wavering: I hated Ace Ventura, and Dumb and Dumber. But I LOVED The Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and...Bruce Almighty.

Oddly enough...the reason I netflix'ed Bruce Almighty in the first place was because the pastor that does my Dad's Wednesday morning brunches each week included it in his message. I was wholly surprised...until I saw the movie. Sure there is some unGodly content...but man is there ever a lot of Godly content! They discuss Free Will, the love of God, Praying for God's Will...I could go on. And they discuss all of this with the grand interjections of Jim Carrey!! Haaa! Sweet Bliss!

So...check this movie out TODAY if you haven't seen it. You will not be disappointed! (well...you might be disappointed, I really have no way of knowing if you'll like it...you might prefer Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber. What do I know?)

AND NOW FOR TODAY'S MOVIE QUOTE:

"You see, before he came down here, it never snowed. And afterwards, it did. If he weren't up there now...I don't think it would be snowing. Sometimes you can still catch me dancing in it."

NO GOOGLING!!

Movie Quotes has returned! Yay!

2009-03-27T16:09:00.002-05:00

After a long hiatus...let us commence the return of Movie Quotes on My Life in Sweatpants.

The winners get...my respect and adoration! What a prize!!

Here we go...

"Is it my hair, Bill? Are my teeth not white enough? Or, like the great falls, is the bedrock of my life eroding beneath me? Eroding. eeeeeroding. eeeerroooooding."

Just leave your answer in the comments section, and I'll post the answer tomorrow! Yay for movies!