A little update

Hey everyone!~

I just wanted to do a little update, because it has been a while.

Things with us are going great. We have had several snow days (woohoo!!) that we have enjoyed. Winter is coming to an end, and while I love love love snow days, I am very ready for spring. I want to go straight from a snow day to green leaves and flowers. I know this is unrealistic, so I will deal with the mud and rain to get to the good stuff......I just can't wait for our awesome tree to bloom again!!! I will have to post a picture to see if anyone knows what kind of tree it is....I think it is a magnolia...maybe???

Kole seems to be doing better in school. He was getting bored at home from all the snow days, so he is glad to be back! He is such a smart kid. I am constantly amazed at how much he has learned this year, not only with his academics but also in social and listening skills! He tries so hard to be kind, sweet, and thoughtful (and when he forgets we gently remind him=). Sometimes I am amazed with how much he means to me and the HUGE love I feel for my little boy. Before being a mommy, I didn't know that this kind of love even existed. Gives ya a whole new perspective on your own parents=).

I am taking an online class this semester, my first one for my master's degree. I decided to go with a masters in Online Learning, so I would be able to teach online courses. I have always enjoyed school and probably would have gone to college forever if it were free.....but man!, masters courses are ALOT more work. I only have one class yet every evening is taken up with assignments. And to think I almost took two classes at once!!! I think this summer I will try to take two. We shall see.

Because of my online course, my Etsy shop has gotten little attention. I still check it everyday, but I haven't made anything new for a while. I am not really doing it to make money, just to have fun and be creative with a purpose (and if I actually do sell something, Ill just spend the money on more fabric=). If you haven't seen my shop yet, check it out!! There is a link on the side of my blog you can click on or you can go here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/prettypickle

So far I have pretty random things on there. Just experimenting. In my free time I have been working on a rag quilt for my friend who is expecting this summer. I figured if I started it now, I might get it done by summer. Here is a picture of it not assembled yet.

Each square, except for the first row and the last row, will have a letter of the alphabet on it. The 1st row and last, will have three letters in the middle of the row. Each letter has been cut out, (that took forever!) and the "a" is the only letter I have sewn on yet. Rag quilts are so soft and sweet, perfect for a baby. They are pretty easy too. Good for beginners. I cut 8 inch squares in several prints of flannel. Flannel is recommended for rag quilts because they fray nicely and are really soft. Then you sew three squares together, top facing up, middle facing up, and back facing down using a one inch seam allowance. Once all of the squares are "sandwiched" you begin sewing them together using a one inch seam allowance. The seams are on the outside so you can cut them. then you wash the whole thing and it frays and looks so shabby chic. Even the letters are cut around the seams so they look raggy.
I know that was confusing, but I will post pictures once I get more done.



Zach got me a dress form for valentines day! He sure knows the way to my heart! I haven't been able to use it yet though because the company forgot to send the base with it.....bummer. But that part is on the way. I will post those pictures when it comes too!

I am dreaming about spring and the garden. I got a ton of seed catalogs in the mail, so I have been going through them, comparing prices, making lists, and dreaming of this years garden.
We are going to do all raised beds this year because the one we had last year was so great! It actually produced most of the stuff I canned. I am also going as organic as possible with seed and plant choices, and I want half of the plants to be heirloom, se we can harvest the seeds and use them for the next year. We are going to do alot of beans, tomatoes, and banana peppers, because we love them! We have been eating our garden stuff all winter because I canned stuff, but I used the last of the tomatoes the other day!=( We still have beans and peppers in the pantry though. I am definately getting stringless beans this year too, because even though I was SURE that I stringed all of them last summer, when I open up an can for dinner it never fails I get one or two rough strings in there. I also goofed up with my peppers. I left the seeds in with them thinking I like them hot.....and they are sooooooo hot!!! And they got mushy. The kidn you get at the store have a little crunch to them, but mine just fall apart. I need to figure out how to keep them crisp. Anyone know???

Ok so I told you I was dreaming big about the garden. I just can't wait! Its so fun to produce something good for your family.
I think that's it for now kids. This is the most I have actually written on this blog in a while=). Sorry there aren't very many pictures, but theres not really been time to take a bunch.
Check back later for some quilt updates=)