take two, or the housedress redefined

I'm not going to show you what I wore around the house yesterday. Let me just say that it was neither cute nor flattering. I think the Portfolio tunic is a much better option. I made mine from a soft pink linen blend (I used the same fabric for a maternity tunic here.) It's kind of stretchy and crinkly and I just love the way it feels.

I don't know if the pattern makers had a modern housedress in mind when they designed this pattern, but that's what it says to me and I sure do love it. The good news is that I no longer have to be embarrassed to step outside and get the mail. :)

Portfolio Dress in Chambray

I love a good pattern. This one (Simplicity 2245 by lisette) is excellent. It is such a smart design. It sews together well, is comfortable, easy to wear, and has pockets! I really like it as a dress, but I think I am going to love it as a tunic best of all. I'm making one this week in a pale pink linen. It will definitely be my summer uniform.

Some notes: I know I am short, but I must have a short torso, too, because I needed to take an inch and a half out of the bodice and add it to the bottom of the skirt instead. The back seam seemed a bit blousy, so I took it in at my waist just a bit. I definitely recommend making a quick muslin test of any pattern first, to see if there are any changes you need to make to the fit. And I like to sew one size smaller than the pattern recommends for my measurements.

I wore it to church yesterday. Luckily I didn't have to nurse Elliot while we were there. It's not quite built for that. :)

Are you sewing this week?

scenes from this morning

The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. The windows are open. It's going to be a good day.

p.s. Mabel is growing out her bangs.

It must be spring.

Because my wisteria is blooming. And Arizona smells like orange blossoms. And I'm tired of wearing jeans. And I've started applying sunscreen. And Oliver had his first little league game tonight.

This week I have been cleaning out closets and cupboards. (I was trying to be like Sarah, but filled fewer than ten bags before I ran out of steam.) I took my bags to the DI and it felt good. Along the way I've been wiping down my baseboards. Dirty baseboards are probably my least favorite thing. A vinegar and water mix has been just the trick.

A trip to the fabric store is on my list for tomorrow. I like sewing, but I really love it when I am in the mood to do it, you know? There are a few dresses I'd like to make. After five desert summers, I've learned that a dress is the best way to survive the summer heat.

Happy spring!

We spent the week recovering.

Disneyland seemed like a good place to do it.

We chatted with princesses, played with cousins, visited my grandparents, ate at Ruby's, and enjoyed the California air. I don't know what it is, but there is something so completely pleasant about that air.

We had so much fun! The best news is that Stella is her old self again, feistiness and all, and we couldn't be happier about it. It was worth waiting in the princess line just to see that little half smile.

Disneyland isn't the most magical place when you are only ten months old, but Elliot was a good sport.

We ate dinner on my grammy's porch and my kids played with the toys I used to play with when I was little. I love my grandparents' house. It is one of my most favorite places to be.

As fun as Disneyland was, every five minutes or so, Oliver and Mabel would ask if their cousins were home from school yet. They couldn't wait to get back to their house and play. Thank you for having us, Matthew and Katie!

We had the best time.

She's home.

Yay.

She snuggled with Nana on the couch for a few minutes and is now taking a nice long nap. She's feeling much better. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I think she is going to be all right.

p.s. Two years ago this month, Stella was in the hospital with a fractured femur. I'm feeling very grateful that this time we got to bring her home without a big huge cast.

scenes from the hospital

It's been a rough few days around here. Stella was sent to the hospital on Thursday to treat dehydration and a bacterial infection that won't go away. She is in good spirits, but is still not feeling her best. So, we are awaiting test results and a possible new diagnosis.

Being in the hospital is the pits, but handmade get well cards, new toys, visits from Mabel, Oliver and Elliot, and a daddy who is willing to spend his nights on that teeny couch make it a little bit better.

There he is.

We're feeling out of sorts.

Some of us aren't feeling very hot today. Especially my Stella. Oh Stella. She has not been feeling like herself for weeks now. So while she is (hopefully) napping her fever away, Elliot and I are busy doing nothing. I keep trying to snap a few pictures of him, but he is too fast for my camera, and there is a big blur where his handsome little face should be. I haven't given up. I know there are people (ok, just Leslie and my mom) who would like to see him. All ten months (!) and six teeth of him.

p.s. Oliver and Mabel are feeling fine. Thank goodness. I sent them off to school this morning. And Mike has to go to work, whether he feels well or not. Poor guy.

p.p.s. I was tired of wearing a pony tail. So I gave this a try. I think it's a winner.

Have you heard the news?

Liesl, the brilliant lady behind my favorite sewing patterns for children, has teamed up with Simplicity to create lisette, a line of patterns for women. Hooray! I ordered my first pattern about a minute after I heard the news.

I'm thinking it is going to be my new summer uniform. Like a modern and flattering version of a house dress that I can actually wear out of the house. It gets hot here in the summer. So hot that you don't want anything extra touching your skin. I need something that is easy to wear. A modest, casual, pretty dress or tunic (I think I'll make both) is just the ticket.

my secret recipe

Half Tangelo half Arizona Sweet.

It's like drinking pure sweet sunshine.

Chickens are the new dog.

You should get some.

They'll eat all of your weeds and bugs, and anything else you want to give them, too. Like yogurt that's about to expire. Or stale bread. Or squishy apples. Or vegetables your kids won't eat. And they'll love you for it. They'll run to meet you when you step outside and will follow you anywhere. They put themselves to bed. They look really silly when they run. They are good with children. And they give you eggs! Delicious, miraculous, beautiful eggs.

At first, I thought we would keep them in their coop all of the time. But it wasn't long before we let them roam free in the yard. They are settling in nicely, and we are now getting 6 or 7 eggs a day.

Just don't go out back without your shoes on.