princess balls and other things

Mike took Stella to a princess ball on Saturday. She had been planning her outfit for weeks, but at the last minute she chose her Belle dress instead. It lasted late into the night, and this is how I knew they were home: Stella's constant chatter suddenly filled the silent front hall. She didn't stop talking about it until her head hit the pillow. She was in her element.

We had a quick extended family photo session with Mike's family in a beautiful little pecan grove. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

And when Mabel lets me do her hair, it is the prettiest.

How was your weekend?

on a Thursday morning

Elliot had a bloody nose this morning, so we were awake before the sun had made an official appearance. After laying in bed for as long as he would let me, we were up, eating brownies for breakfast and playing at the sink in our "nannies". Why is it that no matter how many times I say underwear, he calls them panties? Silly, squishy, darling boy.

p.s. It's raining today. Raining!

today

I know, I know, too many instagram photos already! But really, they are just so easy and fun. And who wants to lug a big camera around, anyway?

My mom has been in town for the past week to visit and help send off my brother and his family. They are moving on Thursday. It was fun having them here while it lasted! (It only lasted 7 months. Sad face.) And now my dad is here, too. So we are just mostly sitting around, hugging, and talking about how awesome Mitt's speech was tonight.

Today: Stella was very thoughtful at lunch, I wore my summer pants, and the cheering section at Oliver's baseball game was very enthusiastic. All in all, a good day, I'd say.

How was yours?

I'm barefootstephco on instagram. Come find me!

week in review

Mike has been in Dallas all week on business, which means that I've been staying up way too late every night. Sewing, or watching stuff on Hulu (Have you seen Titanic? It's from the Downton Abbey people and it is good.), but mostly I've just been futzing around. I regret it as soon as my tired eyes are forced open by a certain little someone who likes to get up awfully early now that he is in his big bed.

Speaking of that little someone, my mom found this shirt for him the other day. It says "Daddy's Look-alike". Isn't that perfect?

This week, 43 years ago, my parents went on their first official date. I love that the theme of the dance was "Memories Yet to Come". That was certainly true for them. I'm so glad they found each other.

Last night I finished this pretty vintage reproduction dress for Mike's cousin and shipped it off to her today. I hope she likes it! They sure don't make dresses like they used to. Which is kind of a good thing. I would be happy if I never had to sew sleeve gussets again in my life. They are such a pain! But the rest of the dress was so fun to put together.

I snapped this picture of Mabel in our teeny office the other morning. She always checks her email first thing. I wonder where she got that?

Any fun plans this weekend? We're having another cousin sleepover before they move to Boston next week. Boo for cousins moving away. And it's supposed to be really hot here. Like 100 degrees hot. Boo for that, too. Wake me up in November, please.

my big boy

It's kind of a sad day when your little baby moves into a big boy bed.

But he was ready. It was time.

I am still slightly attached to that red crib.

I'm just not ready to give it up, so a headboard it will be.

So far, so good.
Sweet dreams, little Elliot.

baseball

We are smack dab in the middle of little league season. A few afternoons a week you will most likely find us spreading our rainbow quilt on the sidelines, cheering for our Oliver. His team hasn't won a game yet, but it sure is fun anyway.

cinnamon roll revelations

I've always been intimidated by cinnamon rolls. I thought I had to have the perfect recipe, and without it, I was lost. It was really quite dramatic, and so, sadly, I hardly ever made them. Think of the cinnamon rolls I have been missing all this time! But last week I had a revelation: cinnamon rolls aren't complicated. All you need is a good solid roll recipe + lots and lots of butter, sugar, and cinnamon.

I like to use Virginia Light Rolls. They are not too sweet, and are just the right texture to hold up to the gooey-ness inside. You can find the recipe down below.

For the Cinnamon Rolls:
Make your favorite roll dough. Once it is ready, divide the dough in half and roll it into two thin rectangles. Onto each rectangle, pour about 1/4 cup melted butter, about 1/2 cup sugar, and enough cinnamon to make the rectangle evenly brown. Then roll them up and cut into 1 inch slices. Place them in a pan (I use two 9 inch cake rounds), cover, and either let them rise for 45 minutes more, or stick them in the fridge overnight. In the morning, let them rest on the counter while you heat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are slightly golden on top. Then slather them with icing.

Don't worry too much about having exact butter, sugar, and cinnamon amounts. Just keep drizzling and sprinkling until you think you've gone too far.

Virginia Light Rolls
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
3 tablespoons honey
2 large eggs
6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons SAF yeast or 2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Place all ingredients into your bread machine and use the dough setting. When dough is complete, shape and let rise again for 45 minutes. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. (If you're not turning these into cinnamon rolls, brush the tops with melted butter before baking.)

Icing
1/2 bag of powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
dash salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients until it's the consistency you like. (You might need to add more or less milk.)

**Best when shared with a bunch of cousins after an epic sleepover.

life lately

My sister, Leslie, is the best for lots of reasons. One being that when she sees something she thinks you'd like, she sends it to you. Like this phone case. She is so thoughtful, and I love her.

This photo of little Mike kills me dead. I love it so. And, as if we needed it, it is more proof of my weak genes. I see so much of our kids in his face.

This still happens on a regular basis. Elliot thinks he's ready to wake up, but what he really wants is to hug on his chair for another hour or so. Sometimes I feel trapped. But mostly the weight of his little body on my chest, and his sleepy sweaty smell feel just like heaven.

What do you think about the half tuck? I sort of really like it.

Hello. Goodbye.

I like it when Mike and I accidentally coordinate our outfits. Yesterday it was navy and gray, my current favorite.

Things around here have been busy, but good. Lots of sewing. Lots of baseball. Lots of gorgeous weather. We're all kind of itchy for school to let out. One more month. I think we can make it.

What does your life look like lately?

I'm a sewing machine.

Whenever I sew something for someone else, I like to reward myself with a sewing project just for me. This pattern was a breeze (Simplicity 2147). No zippers, no sleeves, no buttons. Quick and easy, and so versatile. I think it'd make a darling blouse. I made a tunic this time, but I have plans for another, maybe a dress, soon.

Here's a little tip: Choose the pattern size one size smaller than your measurements call for. I am always glad when I do that.

girls in white dresses

I don't think I've ever been so busy with sewing projects. I am very grateful. It seems like we've had a lot of extra expenses popping up (like a front door to install, and a big boy bed for Elliot to purchase), and it feels good to be able to pay for them without altering our budget.

I finished these sweet dresses today for a pair of sisters. One sister is getting baptized next month, and the other will be blessed. I used a tissue weight white linen (one of my favorite fabrics; it makes an excellent ruffle), and lined them with a soft cotton. My favorite thing is that teeny little ruffled slip!

I used Butterick 3350 for the baptism dress. I've sewn it lots of times, and it is one of my favorite patterns. It lends itself so well to personalization. And Simplicity 5813 for the blessing dress.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is one of my favorite days of the whole year. I love the focus on Jesus Christ, on His sacrifice, and resurrection. I love spending time with my family, and hearing the inspired messages at church. I love singing the beautiful Easter hymns, and I really love eating the ham and funeral potatoes.

We had a wonderful day. I hope you did, too!

None Were With Him

I posted this last Easter, but I love Elder Holland's words so much that I am posting it here again. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.

Find another good Easter video here.

This is what happens when I drink Dr Pepper.

I rearrange furniture.

(And get really chatty. And stay up too late.)

quintessential summer dress

or candy striper? I can't quite decide. But either way, I think I love it.

I've sewn this dress a few times (Simplicity 2360), but this is the first time for myself. I chose a summery black seersucker. The pattern is pretty straightforward, but the flounce and neck binding require a little finesse, and might frustrate a beginning sewer. There are no buttonholes or zippers or sleeves to set, though, so it is a quick project.

I'm trying to be very deliberate with my wardrobe. Sewing is the best way for me to accomplish that, I think. It takes a lot of time to choose a pattern and fabric, not to mention the sewing and fitting. I'm not one for impulse purchases, so building my wardrobe this way feels right.

Do you sew? If not, do you wish you did? Would you be interested in taking lessons?

sunday

We spent most of Sunday at Mike's parents' house: watching Conference, reading the comics, sneaking candy from Nana's drawer, and hugging on the couch. It ended up being such a beautiful day outside. I had already decided that it was going to be too hot from now on, so a perfect spring day like that felt like a gift.

What was the highlight of your weekend?