Our New Family Member

Kangaroo and Buddy - the bobble headed beagle. He's only 6 weeks old and seems to be adjusting to Kangaroo's caresses.

From My Dad's Front Porch

I went next door to my dad's house and visited for a little bit. I just happened to have my camera with me and I tried to play with some of the settings. Here is what I got!

Peach Blossoms

The hens

Gypsy

King of the Farmyard

I just thought this was an interesting shot.

When ya live so close to the water, you must watch out for gators!

A close up of the beautiful sunset tonight.

Another sunset shot.

The night photos are kind of challenging. I think I need to take a photo class or something to learn more about this type of photo settings.

Easter Dress Fabric Shopping

This afternoon, I had to take The Teen to get the hardware off of his chompers. Just look at this beautiful smile!!! You cannot imagine how many shots it took to get this photo. It finally took a threat from the orthodontist to get this grin. What a handsome teen!!!

Yeah, I know his eyes are half closed but I guess I settled for what I could get.

In order to kill 3 hours of orthodontist time, I left the Teen and went in search of fabric for my girls Easter dresses. I chose these beautiful cotton florals AND

This gorgeous polyester Taffeta. You can see that it has a grain to it. There was another word after "Taffeta" on the bolt but I can't remember what it was. It started with an "M" though!
Now, for the hard part. Choosing which fabric to make the Easter dress out of. Hmmmm.

Easter Dress Pattern Shopping

I went to Walmart today and did some looking around in what's left of their sewing department. Even though they've moved all the fabric out, the patterns were still available. I'm really upset about them getting rid of the sewing department. You have no idea! Some of that $1.00 a yard fabric is really cute! But alas, I'll have to find another source. In the meantime, I came home with the following patterns. I'm trying to find simple pull over stuff as I really don't want to take the time to mess with zippers or other fasteners.

Simplicity pattern #2711 - Isn't this cute? I especially like the pin tucks on the front.

Simplicity #3510 - Another cute pullover
Simplicity Pattern #5695 - Pullover
New Look Easy Pattern #6309 - Now this one does have a 14" zipper up the back.

However, I think I can modify it to pullover.
McCall's Easy Stitch N Save Pattern #M5908 - Also a pull over pattern

I'm leaning towards the first picture or the 2nd to last one for the Easter dress but the other patterns can be used for other outfits later. Wish me luck!!!

The Easter Dress experiment

On Friday, I did some more sewing. I finally finished this one for my Kangaroo.

She seems to like it.

Here's the flip side.

Then after daydreaming a bit about Easter dresses, I tried to do this with the same pillowcase pattern. I'm not too keen with the way it turned out. There's just no shape to it. It's made with a lavender cotton underdress and a chiffon sheer overlay.

During the sewing process, I began seeing a different dress in my mind. I just have to find a pattern. I'm thinking of doing something like this without the sleeves or collar.

So, what do you think?

Date Night: We Saw Dead People!

Naw, not really. DH and I were looking for something different to do for date night. Usually, it's dinner and a movie or something. I'd read about this production in a newspaper article last week and thought it looked interesting. Since my husband is a history buff, I decided to surprise him with this date activity.

I told him prior to leaving the house to dress comfy and be prepared to leave the house by 6:30 p.m. He gave me a strange look and replied, "Ooooookay?".

So, we hit the road and were on our way. About halfway to our destination, he asked where we were going. I responded by asking what he thought was the fastest route to the corner of Florida Blvd. and 22nd street. He turned and said, "That's the cemetery! What are we going to the cemetery for? I'm not spending the evening doing geocaching. If that's what you've got planned, let's do something else."

I was like, "The cemetery? Really? That's where it is? Now, just how is it that you KNOW the address to a cemetery!? What's the deal there?"

Now, I don't know if he had also previously read the same article I had, but I had a sneaky suspicion that he already knew what was up. However, he kept quiet, which was nice since I was trying to spring this surprise on him.

At approximately 7:15 or so, we finally arrived at our destination where the annual Magnolia's Memories was being played for the 7th year.

We were admitted to a "staging" area where attendees could browse book and CD vendors, enjoy a bowl of Shrimp and Corn soup, imbibe in a fine wine, and listen to some outstanding bluegrass music provided by Thibodeaux's Mosspickers.

The "staging" area is also where we waited to be angelically escorted into Baton Rouge's old Magnolia Cemetery which is where the major action of the August 5, 1862 Battle of Baton Rouge took place. Many of Baton Rouge's prominent citizens are buried in this fascinating place.

My sweet hubby patiently waits his turn to "cross over".

Once we were escorted to the other side (meaning the cemetery across the street from the "staging" area), we were greeted by Mr. Charles Rabenhorst. (Okay, so it isn't REALLY him but a local actor - Robert Wilson - who is portraying him). Mr. Rabenhorst regaled us with stories of how he came to the U.S. as a 14 y.o. boy, met and married his wife, and lived his life. He also enlightened us as to how he came into the funeral business.

When Mr. Rabenhorst finished his 15 minute monologue, we were then escorted by one of several individual musicians strategically placed throughout the cemetery. Each one played some sort of period instrument and a respectful melancholy tune.

At our next stop, we "met" siblings Henry and Sarah Morgan who grew up in Baton Rouge as children of Judge Thomas Gibbes Morgan. The family lived on Church Street which is now called 4th street. There is a historical marker located at the home site which is now the Chase Bank building (I think). Sarah also wrote a diary called "A Confederate Girl's Diary" in which she wrote about the Union troops garrisoned in Baton Rouge at the time.

We also "met" Cecil Morgan, who led the fight to bring about the impeachment of Huey P. Long as governor in 1929. We were entertained by the political bickerings of early Baton Rouge mayors James E. Elam, Henry Schorten, and Leon Jastremski. A funny moment happened when Schorten and Jastremski were loudly bickering and Elam interuppted them with, "Fellas, we don't have forever."

Schorten and Jastremski stopped bickering and slowly turned while gazing at their surroundings. They then turned their attention back to Elam and said sarcastically, "Really?"

A more recent honoree of the evening was Bill Long, a talented Baton Rouge photographer who was just getting his business started when his life was cut short by a heart attack.

Our final stop of the evening was at the tombstone of Joshua B. Hare. Captain Josh Hare was the first chief of police in Baton Rouge. He also holds the "honor" of being the first Baton Rouge police chief to be killed in the line of duty. He and his widow Clara, shared stories about their lives in Baton Rouge during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

After the Hares' dialogue, a string band approached as the Hare's walked off into the distance while holding hands. The musicians began playing a haunting tune called "You Will Be My Ain True Love".

We were then escorted out of the cemetery and hubby mentioned that he was hungry. It seems the Shrimp and Corn soup just wasn't enough dinner for him. Looking at the clock, we realized that most restaurants were probably closing. We chose to visit a Waffle House on the way home and rehashed the evening's events.

What a wonderful change of pace from our other date nights! Hubby even mentioned that it stirred up the history bug in him and now he has the urge to do some personal research! I think I might rent that movie, "All the King's Men" to watch this week. :D

Resturant Review: Santa Fe Cattle Co.

For the first time in my life, I was privileged to enjoy a lunch at the Santa Fe Cattle Co. restaurant located in Hammond, LA. I had driven past this place several times and kept telling myself that one day I will go in there. Today was that day.

This restaurant has a very relaxed and casual atmosphere with outstanding service. Our waitress was fast, friendly, and efficient. The decor was a mix of Cracker Barrel antiques and trailer trash kitsch including a Red Bull can mortared into the brick!






But the real reason we come to a restaurant is for the food. Right? If you're really hungry and just can't wait for the appetizers to be served, feel free to indulge in the pail of roasted peanuts strategically placed in the middle of the table. Don't even think of proper disposal of the shells. Just toss those suckers on the floor!

Not being in the mood for peanuts, I perused the menu for a bit, I ordered one of my favorite dishes....the chicken fried steak.

While we waited for the main dishes to get cooked and served, our waitress brought some yummy homemade soft yeast rolls to the table. Next to the rolls was a tiny little tub of cinnamon butter. I have never had cinnamon butter. Most restaurants I've been to in the past had honey butter or something else. But cinnamon butter? Yum Yum!!! I spread this stuff on the roll and it melted all over my fingers.

A few minutes later, the waitress reappeared and sat THIS down in front of me! Just look at the SIZE of that thing! Delish!!!


I would like to have had some veggies on the side as well. But, alas, what you see is what you get. However, the price wasn't bad at only $10 for the plate!!! I plan to return soon and will remember to order some veggies. I just know they'll be yummy, too (as well as good for me!).

Here we are posing with the Longhorn after we sufficiently stuffed ourselves to the gills.

If you get a chance, mosey on eastward from Baton Rouge and stop in Santa Fe for a real western treat.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

"Whatcha want fer yer birthday Mom?" I asked.

She replied, "A million dollars!"

"Yeah right. I'm just not that blessed. Sorry. Hey, pick a color!"

"What?"

"Pick a Color...one of the basic ones...like from an 8 count box of Crayons."

"Oh, okay. Well, Green! Money's green right?"

"Mom, I can't guarantee that I'll have money for you. Sorry. But I can guarantee that it will be green."

So, today, on my way home from church, I stopped by Dollar Tree and ran down each aisle collecting anything that looked green. I was happily surprised to find some chocolate bars wrapped in a million dollar wrapper!

What you see in the above picture is a feather duster, some cans of Green Beans, Mom's totes (for collecting stuff floating around in the car), and the candy bars dressed as a million bucks. In the basket is some hand sanitizer (green apple), a magnetic shopping list, a candle, kitchen sponges, snack cups, a small laundry rope, a manicure kit, and that's all I can think of. Oh, and of course, everything was the color green.

Then, we went to meet my mom, stepdad, and brother at the Santa Fe Cattle Co. restaurant. (By the way, I have a restaurant review for this place too. It was my first time there.)

As you can see from the following photo, my mom absolutely LOVED the green gift!

She ESPECIALLY loved the million dollar chocolate bars!

The couple shot!

A table shot (well, okay ... half a table).

An after lunch photo op!

My brother gave mom a bunch of roses too! Isn't he sweet?

Happy Birthday Mommy! May all your wishes come true!! I love you!!

Reversible Dresses

I spent my Saturday sewing these cute little dresses for my girlies. Dress #1 is the one I practiced on. They seem a little long for my taste but I'm planning to make some more and included different decorations. I'll make a few more with adjustments until I get one that I like.

Dress #1 - Side A

Dress #1 - Side B

Dress #2 - Side A

Dress #2 - Side B

My Birdie is just the cutest little model, isn't she?

Oops! I did it again!

I've neglected my blogging duties for a little too long. Therefore, I'm typing this nonsensical post to let you all know that I am still here. I've been a tad busy trying to figure out what to sew. I've been digging through fabric (thanks to my under bed diving the other day in search of poodle skirt materials) and re washing it all, ironing it, folding it, and imagining what it might turn into. Easter is coming up and my girls need new dresses.

That being said.....I'm still around. Just focusing on other things right now. Rest assured that there will be many posts of the finished product (and possibly some of the process) very soon!!!

Rockin' with Literacy - 50's Day

Last night at 7 p.m. I happened to go to my refridgerator to get a drink of juice. As I placed my hand on the door, I noticed a note that I had placed there last week. I had forgotten all about it. It was about tonight's Rockin' with Literacy Book Fair at my Little Bird's school. The children were encouraged to wear 50's garb instead of their uniforms to school.

After a brief panic attack, I dove under my bed for the box of fabric I have stored there. The creative juices started flowing and in less than 2 hours I had created a poodle skirt for my dahlin' girl.

Isn't she the cutest?

Here's a poodle closeup.

Am I good or what!!!!? Sometimes I amaze myself! :D