First real snow of the season ...

Dedicated to my pile

Do you ever acquire a bunch of books, patterns, ideas, pins, etc and then never do any of it? I get a lot of pattern books from work and they end up piling up and never being used. It's a shame really. I get many of these before they are even released for sale. So really ... I could be making these fabulous creations before anyone else. Yet, there they sit ... waiting to be used. I've decided to dedicate this post to all the books and patterns that are laying around my house ... just waiting.

The Colette Sewing Handbook -- the latest addition to my collection. I've had this for at least a month.

Little Green Dresses -- I actually won this back in August, but all I've done is flip through it.

Growing Up Sew Liberated -- Another book that I received WAY before its release, but it still sits in the pile

Card Table Playhouse -- I've had this pattern since early summer, all I did was open it.

Which one should I attempt first? They've all been sitting for so long that I don't know what to choose first. I'm thinking something from Sew Liberated or the card table playhouse since both would make great winter boredom busters for my girls. Oh the choices!

1 down, 11 to go!

I can officially check one thing off my Twelve by 2012 list! We took a mini vacation this weekend. We visited my DH's uncle and aunt in Indianapolis. We spent Saturday at the Children's Museum and as usual had a blast.

A and J in the Egypt section

On Sunday we went downtown and walked along the canal. I had never been there before, but it was truly amazing!

Under the bridges there were murals from a variety of different artists.

A admiring the huge fish painted on the wall

The kids enjoyed looking at the paintings and of course feeding the ducks.


J feeding the ducks

We had an awesome time in Indy and can't wait to go back next spring or summer!

Homemade Holiday

Have you seen the super cute Homemade Holiday book from Ruche?! I'm in love ... so many cute ideas! Check it out!

[view it here]

Not just any ordinary caramel apple...

These are the best caramel apples EVER! Huge Granny Smith apples, covered in caramel and then milk or dark chocolate. And then you can have it topped off with nuts. It is simply heaven!

Do you see all the caramel and chocolate layered on that apple?! These fall must-haves can be found at DeBrand Fine Chocolates. And don't worry if there isn't a store near you because they ship! My co-worker just surprised us with a milk chocolate version and we split it among 6 people. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Are you still here reading this? Because you should be ordering one for yourself!


Images from DeBrand website

Twelve by 2012

I saw this over on August Empress who found it over on oh hello, friend and decided it was a cute idea. Plus why not make another to-do list!
 
1. Take a mini vacation (just get out of town for a couple of days) DONE!
2. Make one of my homemade apple pies (no pre-made anything goes into this bad boy -- it's the real deal!)
3. Organize the craft/computer/kid's play room
4. Treat myself to a few hours at the spa DONE!
5. Add a personal touch to every Christmas gift I give DONE!
6. Go on a date with my DH DONE!
7. Have movie night with the family, complete with Chinese take-out

8. Buy a Vogue and drool over the things I can't afford DONE!
9. Get a budget in place for next year so we can afford to replace the air conditioner and pay off my DH's truck, oh and probably do some redecorating!
10. Break J of her sucky (aka pacifier) habit
11. Exercise more often
12. Finish my strip quilt


What do you want to do before 2012?