Finished Quilt

After being shown this Youtube video, I was blown away! It's like doing origami with fabric! I absolutely HAD to try it, and with Christmas coming it was the perfect excuse.

 It took a bit of finagling trying to figure out how to get the diamonds between the different blocks when piecing them together. I love the gradient with the chevron I used for those corner stones.  (Can I call them cornderstones?)  I ended up taking the 4 finished blocks, and using them like I would the four pieces of fabric.  With all the twisting you do, I was holding my breath each time I put another four together!

 And the red square, let be honest, could I make something without throwing in at least a little red?

My Happiness Project

This past summer, I have fallen in love with the book "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. She realized that though she has everything she really needs and has a great life, she isn't has happy as she could be. One of my favorite comments that she makes is that she doesn't want to change herself, but better accept herself and find more fulfillment in the world around her. Similar to Ben Franklin who identified thirteen virtues which he wanted to cultivate-temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility--Gretchen Rubin broke down her life into twelve different categories with concrete goals of things she wants to work on to make her life fuller, more meaningful, and as a result-happier.

Being far too caught up with school, work, dating, and just life in general I enjoyed reading the book last year, but never followed through with actually implementing much of it! What better time to try again than the new year, right?

Family Tree

It's taken far too long, but I've finally finished it!  I finally finished painting the tree on Mom's wall!  I absolutely love the pictures we chose, they're more of the fun, old pictures that we don't usually usually display: the little blue trailer, Grandma and Grandpa having a snowball fight, Mom and Dad waiting to get their wedding certificate signed are some of my favorites. 

 It was more complicated than I though it would be, being over a stairwell.  After figuring out how to build out the stairs with cinder blocks, it was much easier.  Regardless, I refuse to pain over a stairwell again!  

Decorating my Kitchen

I've been having fun decorating a new apartment.  

 I haven't had curtains in four years!  It's exciting stuff...

Lucky in Love-Scratch Cards

Who doesn't love scratching off the silver boxes on lottery tickets or gift cards to see the message underneath, it's at least one of my favorite things. Thanks to Pinterest, I learned how to make those. It's one of the easiest things and I loved making these cards.

All you do is write your message, laminate it or they said covering it in packaging tape works just as well. Then, mix two parts metallic paint with one part dish soap. I had to do two or three layers to cover the writing, but I'm so happy with how these turned out. It works so well!

Valentine's Cookies

With several phone calls to my sister, I love these sugar cookies that I made, the love letter ones especially which I think are perfect for a missionary.

The pink ones are actually peanut butter cookies. After I made the dough i added a two caps of red food coloring and rolled them in red and white coarse sugar. The hugs instead of kisses, were put in the middle half way through baking. I found if I put them in at the beginning the chocolate melts too much.

Chunky Chicken Soup

This recipe is so good and really easy to make. I've become a big fan of the Pioneer Woman blog, (thanks Bri!), and it's one of her recipes. I've never cooked with parsnips before, and I'm not sure I like the taste, at least not how strong it is in this recipe. I probably would make this again with one less, and add more celery to give it more structure and change in texture. I loved it though!

Ingredients

• 1 whole Chicken
• 1 whole Bay Leaf
• 64 ounces, fluid Unsalted (or Low Sodium) Chicken Broth (you May Use Half Broth And Half Water If Desired.)
• 1 whole Large Onion, Chopped
• 3 whole Ribs Of Celery, Sliced
• 3 whole Carrots, Peeled And Chopped
• 3 whole Parsnips, Peeled And Chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Ground Black Pepper

Preparation Instructions

Place all ingredients but the pepper into a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until chicken is done, vegetables are tender, and soup flavor is divine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve in a bowl, then sprinkle black pepper over the top.

*Note: Adjust broth levels and/or vegetable amounts as needed.