Thursday, June 20, 2013

Chocolate Lasagna

Father's Day was the perfect excuse to try out this Chocolate Lasagna I've been wanting to make!  The daddy of my boys is also one stellar Dad, a lasagna-lover, and the usually-happy recipient of my cooking experiments.


Turns out you can make pasta like normal, but with added cocoa.  The fillings are a cream cheese/heavy cream mix and a cocoa/whipping cream/powdered sugar/vanilla mix. 
 Yummy!  Success!  And this pan is lasting forever!  I've been eating a piece for breakfast every morning all week...feels like college.
We love you Daddy!!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Just Keep Swimming

A friend from church asked me for advice on sewing with knits, and I realized I had so little experience with them.  So naturally, I thought, why not try making a swimsuit for a challenge.  Without a pattern.  Oh brother.  I bought a yard and a half in red, light blue, and gray, hopeful that by three attempts, I should be able to get it right.  First attempt:

I basically made it and then decided there was a better way to construct it, so I cut it up, and tried again.  Still, there were too many flaws for me to keep this red one around (gathers not parallel to the floor, imperfect hem, elastic too tight, etc.), so with a full disclosure of the imperfections, I sold it on eBay for $17 and pulled out the next color:
I liked this one a little more, but the vertical gathers on the bust made my own bust look a little too busty, so off to eBay it went, for $19.  Third try:


A look at the guts might give you an idea of how sewing with swimwear differs from general garment construction.  Stronger thread, stretch needles, stretch stitches and surging, elastic on the seams, and durable 4-way nylon/lycra knits.

 I may not necessarily be 100% proud of the result, but I am so satisfied with the good practice and experience I've gained!  I love projects that make me stretch!  Literally, haha.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Dad Day!

I think all of my siblings will agree that our Dad has instilled in us a lot of good work ethic habits, and we have him to thank for the things we have achieved and the people we have become.  Thank you, Dad, for your wise thoughts and unfailing good example!  You certainly have all three!
Happy Father's Day to the dad of my boys, too!  A chocolate lasagna is in the freezer!  Hopefully it is picture-worthy and I can share the recipe later!  It was definitely on my bucket list of things to make.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Superboy!

 Seeing Link with muscles and abs is just too funny to me!
From the way he loves to dress up in all of our clothes and accessories, you'd think he'd be all about this dress-up costume.
 Turns out "Superboy" prefers just a cape :)
PS--do you love our new couch and chair?!  It was high time to do a little "Craiglist Shuffle".  If you've ever been a guest on our previous futon, you might be just as happy as we are.

Friday, June 14, 2013

"See" What I Mean?


 
Man, sometimes life is hard and you have to eat chocolate for your job.  So many pounds of See's Candies chocolates that you have to invite friends over to help you eat them.  Good thing we were just moved into a different ward and I need to make new friendships and rekindle old ones.  Perfect timing, See's.  You are delicious.


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Scooooooper Bowl!

 
 
Dad's favorite: Milk and Cookies
Mom's favorite: Blueberry Shortbread
Lincoln's favorite: Rock n' Pop Swirl Sherbet
Parley's favorite: all of the above and everything else




Saturday, June 1, 2013

Wishwasher

 Parley is not a baby anymore.  He's a little man-child on a mission to tear apart the house!  He feeds himself with a fork, communicates very well, and can keep up with big brother on the playground.  We've agreed his voice is lower than Lincoln's, he's growing quite attached to his blankie, and he drools like a faucet.
 Gotta love the curly whispies in back!  I'm not letting Jay cut it til after our family summer reunions so he can show off his baby curls.