Book Review: The Good Earth

I haven't read a really great book in a long time so when I find one, I like to share it. I read this book in less than a week, I couldn't put it down. My friend recommended this book after I had mentioned that I enjoyed "clean" cultural books. This book is a classic written by Pearl S. Buck. The plot is about rags to riches and the experiences and personal growth that comes from it. At times it made my blood boil because the main character worked so hard but the culture was collective and he was forced to give up his hard earned silver to his idle uncle. It was interesting to read about what became of his sons and the influence of riches in their behavior. It's a great read and I know my little review doesn't do it justice so if you have a spare minute, this book is well worth your time.

Nifty Thrifty: Nursing Pillow aka Boppy

I was planning on purchasing a Boppy but when I went to Wal-mart I was disappointed that they were $20.00. In my mind thats a bit pricey for a pillow. I thought I'd stop by Kmart and the Boppy was priced higher for $30.00. I found the Boppy pattern online for free and the only thing I had to purchase was the stuffing. I used scrap fabric from a previous project and a blanket handed down to me from a good friend.



It took about an hour to make this and the total cost was only $4.47! I was happy with the results:)



Next Project: I haven't decided yet but either a bed for our dog Skofeild (his birthday is this month too or a protective cover for my husbands new toy the Nook.

Derek's 29th Birthday

Fun flashback

This was taken on Derek's fouth birtday. Here he is with his brother Damion. I wish I had pictures of my birthdays when I was younger. My mom said that they couldn't afford a camera.


He requested tres leches for a birthday cake, it was the first time I made it and it turned out great.


Derek has been wanting a "Nook" for his birthday/he made it through his first year of medical school gift. He is an avid reader and the Nook is a portable E Reader. I can't wait to read my spanish books on it because I can look up words the E Reader dictionary on the bottom screen. Derek loves it because he can increase the font size and download books for a lot cheaper than purchasing them.

We had a great day, happy birthday honeybun!

My 28th Birthday

Freaky Flashback!

Do you ever wonder what you were thinking when you look at past photos? I do all the time, this picture was taken during my 5Th grade year in 1992. At the time I loved,loved these shorts and I wore them every chance I could. It never mattered if my shirt matched. As you can see, it had random things painted with fabric paint on it. The back side had a huge stop sign painted on it, I remember getting sarcastic comments from other students but I've always had my own sense of style. Surely I found this pair of shorts at a Saturday morning garage sale. I don't ever remember shopping at a normal department store when I was younger unless it was for shoes. My shoes were Birkenstock knock offs from Payless. I remember begging my mother on her payday (I don't know how I knew when her payday was) to buy them for me. I had on my plastic digital watch that I probably got as my prize from a McDonald's happy meal or a Cereal box. Don't I look like a hot mess? It's fun to look back, I've changed so much.

On June 2nd, I woke up to fresh blueberry muffins, a cheese omelet and toast. I'm happy to say that it's not a rare occasion that my husband cooks for me (he's been cooking a lot during my pregnancy). I'm glad he isn't one of those guys who only know how to whip up pre-made frozen, canned or boxed meals. He is quiet creative in the kitchen.

I had told Derek that there was no need to fret about finding a special present I already had the birthday present that I had been requesting since we first got married; A baby. He remembered that I wanted to plant an herb garden, so he surprised me with this.


Does specifically requesting a herb garden make me seem old? It's funny to think of the birthday gifts I requested in the past.

I planted the seeds right away...

"Faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow!" (I had to throw that phrase in because we've been singing it so much in Primary lately)


And it is growing! Check out our Basil, I'm so excited for all the Pesto we're going to make with this!

Later in the day we went out to Alderson and picnicked near the river, I would of taken pictures but the heat sapped out all desire. Derek made me Pesto (currently my favorite pasta dish) and stuffed mushrooms. Mmm...Mmm good, I did the foody dance it was so yummy!.

Nifty Thrifty: Baby Shoes

I wanted something durable for baby shoes so I stopped by a few thrift stores. I found some canvass fabric, about 3 yards for a dollar at the thrift store. These shoes were my first pair ever, they didn't turn out as nice as I would have liked but I'm sure improvement will come with time and experience. I gave this pair to my little friend Ossie Sorber, he's almost 1 year old and they were a little big. I need to make adjustments to the pattern so that I can make a pair that will fit out son.

Birds eye view
I used extra scrap fabric that I had purchased at Nancy's fabric store. My next pair I plan to use my serger so that the edges don't fray. I've been looking for other things that I can add such as buttons, various shapes would be nice but it's hit and miss when it comes to the thrift store.

Side view
If your interested in making these, the tutorial and pattern are on the Stardust shoes blog .

Next sewing project: Boppy (they typically cost $20 at Wal-mart but I can make it for about $7.

Anticipation

Derek has been anticipating his last day of school for weeks now. On Friday, he had his last exam and he has successfully, officially finished his first year of medical school! Only 3 more years until he graduates and another 4 years completing a residency, time has flown by and I know the remaining years will fly by as well.

I surprised him with balloons and his favorite candies. On Saturday we drove to Beckley (45 min) to celebrate at the Outback Steakhouse. Derek hasn't been eating much meat my entire pregnancy so we thought he deserved a steak. I ordered the pasta and we were both very pleased with our meal.

Derek will be starting his research with Dr. Bridges on Tuesday, June 1st. He will be conducting research detecting diabetes, the analase marker will determine who is more likely to be predisposed to diabetes. We both wish that we could travel back home to visit but with the baby due date coming up we will be spending the entire summer here. All of our friends will be visiting home...we are so envious that they get to see their families.

Speaking of baby, our Doctor continues to tell us that our baby is very large (even with the sugar free diet!). It's still too early to determine whether or not I need to be induced. I feel like my skin can't stretch any more than it has but every week I grow a little bigger. My energy has been sapped by the heat, this entire week has been in 90's. I feel like a beached wale...my body is collapsing under all the baby weight. It's official, my hands and feet are swollen. I'm really sad that I can't wear my wedding ring. I'd still be wearing it if my husband hadn't scared me into taking it off, he knows of people who have had to get their rings cut off due to severe swelling. I'm happy that my husband will be available to help more. The last time we went shopping at Wal-mart I lasted 30 minutes on my feet before I had to sit down. I feel like I do calf raises all day, my legs seem to always be throbbing with some sort of discomfort.

I treated myself to a pedicure, I thought it would help these swollen feet look a little better.

My swollen hands, my ring size was once 5 1/2 but this band is a size 7 (I used to wear it on my middle finger and it was still loose, not anymore!)
Your probably wondering, what's up with the ridiculously long nails? I'm always the first to tell my mom to cut her nails (I take after her when it comes to my hands) I'm just seeing how long they actually get before the baby gets here. I'll cut him once he arrives, I wouldn't want to scratch him:)

Latest profile picture taken today.

To those who visit, I apologize ahead of time. I typically sweep the floor at least once a day due to the pet hair that drives me nuts!...I have let that go. The office, I don't even try to maintain a clean space anymore...I have let that go. Our kitchen, I can't stand dirty dishes in the sink, counter space taken up by left out food and the kitchen table which has been converted into my sewing workspace. Fabric scraps, fur, crumbs are tossed about the floor...yes, I have let that go as well. Laundry gets washed and dried but often stays in the dryer for a couple days before I get around to folding it. I literally feel so sapped of energy that I barley manage to cook up meal (Derek has been doing most of the cooking even during his hectic schedule with school). I know I'm making myself out to sound like a lazy nag but its just been this way for the past couple of weeks. This week I set goals to wake up early enough to resume walking for at least 30 minutes a day. I have my husband as a work out buddy now too:)

Nifty Thrifty: Budgeting for baby

Last week I received this early birthday surprise in the mail! I was overjoyed when I opened the boxes, I didn't expect such a nice gift, Thanks mom:)



I couldn't wait to put my new machines to use so I found a few sewing blogs that have inspired me. See my blog list, under the title "Sewing, a talent I'm trying to develop." I found a great pattern for burp cloths on Jills blog.

I hit up the only two fabric stores in town, in search for the perfect fabric for my first sewing project. I was disappointed to learn that fabric is so expensive, especially for an armature sewer like myself. I took a sewing class in college so I know the basics, but I don't feel comfortable spending $5/per yard for fabric.

Yard sales are popular around here, I stopped by one and found a box full of nice fabric. I selected a few of the nicest fabrics, most were over 3 yards each! I only paid $1.00, what a bargain!! Later on this week I stopped by the thrift store near our home and found 1.5 yards of Polynesian print fabric for 50 cents and 3 receiving blankets for $1.00 each.

Here are the finished products! My next project: Baby shoes, I'm so excited!

I made 5 of the Polynesian print burp cloths.


I made 7 burp cloths with the used receiving blankets.