Quilting: Two Left Feet

I am currently making a quilt for my good friend Zach.  He is getting married in the beginning of April, in NYC and I have been super stoked to create this quilt for him and his soon to be spouse.

I got the pattern from a  book that I love:  Dare to be Square by Boo Davis.  The patterns are cute, modern, and fun.  I have been very anxious to start one of her quilts.

I purchased my material from the Quilters Coop in Temecula, CA... a cute shop, but a bit on the pricey side.  I'll probably go back to my old staple... JoAnn Fabric and Crafts.

Today I started to piece the quilt top and let me tell you it has been chaotic!  The measurements are off, even though I thrice checked before I cut and things just aren't lining up.  And let me just say this is not my first time at the quilting rodeo!  This is probably my 15th quilt and I have never had so many issues with a quilt from the starting block.

At this point, I am just hoping that is comes out looking decent.  I really want this to be a great wedding gift.  I want them to be able to cherish it for ages.  But, it is really starting to stress me out.  Luckily, I have the week off from work... who knows what I would do if I were teaching all day!

Even though I am having problems with the measurements, I still love this book and will attempt to make a few more of Boo Davis' quilts.  Hopefully they will work out better.

What crafty things are you up to?

(I'll post photos of the quilt later)

Meeting The Pioneer Woman

I have always loved to cook.

I mean, I have been in the kitchen in some way since I was two.  Whether that was pouring in the chocolate chips or stirring the soup.  I enjoy cooking all types of dishes, but I especially love to bake.

One day, I was perusing the internet and I cam across The Pioneer Woman and I thought it was such an awesome site.  I soon became slightly obsessed with reading all of her blog posts and of course reading her recipes and trying some of them out myself.  I have since joined Tasty Kitchen and have shared some of my own recipes as well.

Cooking does so much for me, it is a way for me to calm down and a way for me to show love.  I always enjoy brining a special treat to an event or baking a pie for Christmas.

Because I find the Pioneer Woman so awesome, I was stoked to find out she was doing a book signing in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago.  I went straight to The Grove after work.  I sat in a ton of traffic and thought for sure that I would not make it in time for the signing.  Well, I got there around 6: 40 pm... and because The Pioneer Woman is so nice, she stayed until every last one of us had our books signed.  I of course forgot my copy of her cook book, but I did remember her book, 'Black Heels to Tractor Wheels'.  She was extremely nice and told me that she enjoyed my outfit.  I asked her about Rodeos, because I am trying to get my friends to go with me to one.

Ree said that Ranch Rodeos are the best.  So, I'll have to check one out sometime soon.

Here is a picture of us meeting:

Here is my signed Title Page:

I am so gad to have met her and I will continue to post recipes on Tasty Kitchen, but I will also be posting my recipes on this blog as well.  

I will also be posting picture of craft projects and quilts that I do as well.

Until next time!

Saying, 'See You Soon'

My good friend's husband is leaving in the morning from some port, in some state, to some where.  He is a Marine and will be away from his wife and two kids.  He will be gone for quite some time and his children are so sad to see him go. This is just another good time to realize that our military personnel and their families go through so much.  May we always keep them in mind.

I am excited to hang out with this family while he is gone.  His wife was an answer to a prayer.  I have been living in a town with my grandparents, because they live 5 minutes from the school I teach at.  However, that is where the greatness ends.  I know no one here and I am consistently bored and at 26 that is just not cool at all.

Yes, I devote time to volunteer work and hanging out with my best friends... but all of those options are at least an hour away.  As much as I love hanging out with my best friends, it is taxing always being the one to drive out and meet them.  They never want to drive out to me.  :(  I prayed to meet someone and that's when I befriended a co-worker at my school.  Her brother-in-law ran a boot camp type class at a local park.

So, I went to the  work out camp at the park and met my now good friend.  She is so welcoming, funny, kind, and shares the same religion.

I am happy to spend time with her and the kids.  I think I can be of help to her while she is trying to get everything a mom and dad does, done by herself.

So, to Mr. Marine, I say, "See you soon, be safe and I'll keep an eye out for your family!"

The Palm Springs Half Marathon

Boy am I tired!  Whew!  Today, my best friend Stacie and I ran the Palm Springs Half Marathon.  This was our second 1/2.  It was exciting to be out there at first, but that excitement has turned to pain.  Ha ha.  We both finished and had fun, but I am definitely going to be milking my knee for a few days.

One thing that got me threw the race was that there were a few cute Marines along the way!  Boy howdy!  They sure do get me every time!  Let's just say they look just as good running as they do in their uniform.  Ha ha.

Here is Me and Stacie before the race:

Here we are getting ready for the race:

Posing with our medals:

An up close view:

We have decided to try and run 50 half marathons by the time we are 50... only 48 more to go!

The USO (United Service Organization)

The USO is a great resource to those many men and women in uniform, also to their families.  I am lucky to be a volunteer at the Palm Springs USO in California.  I am always so happy to be of service to those who protect our freedoms.  My volunteering has nothing to do with my stance on the war, or previous wars, or wars to come.  I just truly believe that we must support other humans that put their lives on the line, daily.

What are your thoughts?  Do you think it is necessary to support military personnel?  Or do you find that they do not need that support?

Let me say, that when I offer them a place to sit, a snack, a smile, they are extremely grateful.  They are happy to have a moments peace in the USO lounge.  A time to rest their feet and perhaps their weary hearts.  And when I say goodbye to them  when their ride or flight has come, I thank them and without a shadow of a doubt they say, "No need to be thanked, I am happy to serve my country and the people in it."  Now that is something to be grateful for.

May your love for our country be renewed in you!

Please have a peaceful weekend!

Does it Show?

I am new to this whole blog thing, but I am excited to give it a try.  I have been dreaming about the blog world... thinking about what I can write about and show here.  Well, so far I have come up with nothing.  Luckily, I believe that the name of this blog will give me a lot of freedom.  Freedom of topics, ideas, etc.

One thing is for sure, I thought my first entry would be a lot longer.  Next time I won't wait to post just before I am heading to bed.

Please be kind as I navigate myself through this new world of the blog.

So, saddle up new friends, for I shall take you on a ride!

Let us read, bake, and create together!  I am sure it will be quite an adventure!

Until we meet again, sleep well.