Tie-Dyed Eggs... as in the ties you wear

We found a new hip way to color eggs this year, thanks to an email from Parenting Magazine. First, you find old ties, scarfs, or blouses; they must be 100% silk in order to work. Cut the silk into squares that can fit over the eggs. Wrap the eggs tightly in the silk and use a twisty-tie or string to keep it tight. Then do the same thing with another material, like a pillowcase or a t-shirt. Next you boil the eggs in water with 1/4 cup of vinegar. Boil for 20 minutes and then un-wrap when they are cool enough to touch. The idea is that the pattern will transfer to the shell.

The ones I saw on the internet worked a lot better but I guess these are okay for the first time.

And here is my little Easter bunny... oh so cute!

Express From Australia

We received--- wait, first, I must comment on how much I LOVE Google Chrome (new search engine) it spell checks for you constantly. It just told me how to spell receive correctly... and again. Now I can stop dumbing down my writing for fear of mis-spelling! Okay, back to my post... We received a package in the mail today from the other side of the globe. My brother, Trevor, who is serving an LDS mission there, finally sent me the pet wombat I've been telling him to send! He even put some gum leaves in the box to give the little fella something to eat on his long journey over.

He's way cute and Kharisma loves him already. Just look at that face of excitement.

Uh oh, this picture gives it away... you can see his tag... he's just a stuffed animal.

Say it With Pictures

I'm the type of person that needs to be creating something at all times in order to feel sane. I NEED to create. Accomplishing projects is pretty much the best feeling ever. This means just about anything if you really think about it. Some projects take longer than others, such as creating a baby, that's about nine months but when that "project" is out, wow, what a feeling. Then on to the next project, raising a little person... so that's a life-time project. Other things I create don't take that long but I'm just trying to stress the fact that I'm a creator. I take on too many projects at once, of course, so it really does feel good to finish something. Cooking, knitting, sewing, folding laundry, doing the dishes, decorating, painting... and many more projects are on my list... some that I have to do in order to "create" my home, so really, many of you out there are the same way. This post is pretty much a picture list of some of my latest completed projects. And some are Ben's... he's a creative person as well, in his own special way.

Over spring break we went with some friends to a little shop called Wild @ Art. They have tons of ceramics that you get to pick from and then paint. They then fire it up in the oven for you and a week later you get to pick it up. Ben chose to paint a cute little Piggy Bank for Kharisma. He is so proud of his work...

Cute little pig...

Side views...

And just when you think Ben is such a cute dad for making such a cute little pink and purple pig for his baby girl....



You see this:


Yes, that is what you think it is. A stab wound.
Complete with blood splatters that were creatively made with
a toothbrush. I told you he was creative...
in his own special way.


But just look at the eyes on this thing.

Adorable.
Right?




I painted a very innocent gravy boat and matching plate.

It was super fun and I can't wait to go back and do it again. Painting is such a peaceful outlet for me; I should do it more often.

Next, this project I didn't so much make, mostly just found and put together.

I found this ridiculously cute lamp shade at a antique store. It took me awhile but I

finally found the perfect lamp for it, at WalMart. I love mixing the old with the new. This

will go in Kharisma's room.

A new found project of mine: baking. I've never really liked baking as much as cooking because it just seemed to take a long time. True, still does, but I finally baked a cake from scratch. It took me about five hours... it was really messy... Delicious though. Poor little Kharisma was such a trooper. She sat in her high chair for about two hours. I kept putting food on her tray to keep her happy. This cake had so many steps. It's chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache, chocolate glaze, chocolate shavings/curls, and chocolate truffles. Ben doesn't even like chocolate. It turned out well, I ate too much and tried to get everyone that came to my house to eat some as well. I plan on making it again for Easter, this was just a practice run. Ben told me the pictures don't do it justice... apparently it looked better in real life.

Yeah, those truffle eggs... luster dust. That's right. I painted on a thin

layer of pearly luster dust. Fancy. I know.

And now, another Ben project. This one has been in the works before Kharisma was even conceived. He's pretty much a big nerd so this project may only make sense to other big nerds. He made Kharisma a mobile to hang above her crib. Cute, yes. But, (and there always is with his projects) it is the Kreb's Cycle. (You can't see it with this font color but if you click on the words Kreb Cycle it will take you to a link that explains what that is.) I do remember learning this in my biology class but it surely did not inspire me to create this:

I'm just glad he finally finished it.

Last, my favorite project of all. We re-finished an old sewing table! I say we because both Ben and I worked on it. Another analysis of the type of person I am: I always see the potential. I usually look at things and immediately assess what I can do to it to improve it. This happens in many areas... buying a house, for instance, was a time that this trait of mine was sort of a downfall. We spent the three years we were in our cute-little-old house improving and remodeling. However, we did make a profit on it when we sold it but it was also a pretty stressful three years. My mom recently pointed out that this trait can also be seen in me by looking back on my dating years in high school... always finding the "projects". I fail to agree completely on this, but, whatever. So, when my eyes fell upon this table in the local thrift store I was hooked... head over heels in love with it. My dear friend was with me and failed to see what the big deal was, but I don't blame her, it was quite ugly and dirty in the store but in my mind I could already see what I was going to do with it. I'm sad a didn't take a "before" picture so just imagine this table dirty, lighter in color, wooden handles on the drawers, a plain front and not shiny. And now...


TA DAA!!

Beautiful! At least I think it is. I should have staged the picture a little better... taken out the trash can on the side and my green cutting mat behind it but you get the idea.

It folds out for optimal sewing space. And, the sewing machine fits nicely inside...

Originally there was an old sewing machine attached to the table that folded down inside but we took it off and Ben made a piece of wood to take it's place.

I bought these sweet new knobs for the drawers. I tried to find some antique ones but they are pretty impossible to find... I went to four different shops (and found my cute lamp shade) and just ended up going to Home Depot.

I attached this cute panel on the front just using scrapbook paper. I don't really like that you can see the nails but I'm not going to complain because Ben finished this while I was in Utah so I was just excited to see it done!

There you have it. My recently completed projects. Feels good to have these done, especially because I have about fifty more waiting to go...

So I think that it is fitting to end this post with:

To be continued...

Aagh! I Can't Keep Up

So, I thought having a blog would be fun and easy but apparently I really suck at it. I like reading everyone else's blogs but never take the time to update mine. I was going to play catch-up but I think I'm too far behind... maybe I'll give it a try though.

I finally finished these scarfs for my mom and sister that were suppose to be Christmas gifts... they got them as Valentine gifts.

Next...


Lions, and tigers, and bears... Oh my.

We visited the Woodland Park Zoo, Northwest Trek, and Point Defiance in Seattle over Valentine's/Presidents Day weekend with the Zoos, Exotics, and Wildlife Club from WSU... good times.

Spring is coming (actually it has felt like spring all winter here in Pullman) and with that brings spring sports like soccer. This year my friend, Kate, and I are going to coach youth soccer! Should be fun.

Ben is staying busy with school, he really enjoys learning. Kharisma and I stay busy with our various activites. This weekend the babe and I are headin' for Utah! Can't wait! Well, I'm going to try harder to stay current.

A Day in the Life...

So, we've lived in Pullman a little over five months now and I feel like I'm finally getting into the swing of things. One semester down, seven more to go...

I absolutely love being able to stay home with Kharisma, but staying home is far from what we do. Here is a sneak peek into a typical (or ideal) week/day.

This semester I've had the goal of getting up when Ben does --around 6AM--

and be showered/dressed/ready for the day

(including having Ben's lunch packed)

before

Kharisma wakes up.

Doesn't always happen but that's the beauty of being a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom)

I'm FLEXIBLE!

So, Kharisma is usually up by 7 or 7:30

Breakfast @ 8

Dressed ready to go before 9

Around 10:30, Kharisma's morning nap

NOON Lunch of course

Around 1 0r 2 snooze time again

3:00 An afternoon snack a.k.a. Milk Time for Baby

4:00 Think about/start preparing dinner (depending on how much time is needed)

5:00 I'm so Glad When Daddy Comes Home!

5:30 Dinner Time

Immediately followed by BATH time for baby (6ish)

AFTER Kharisma is bathed/lotioned/diapered/pj-ed up/kissed Dad goodnight

I go in her room, wrap her in her blanket, turn off the light, turn on her Twilight Turtle,

and nurse her once more

and rock her to sleep.

The only time she ever snuggles.

THEN, Ben and I hang out doing whatever, which is usually watching a movie. Sometimes he goes back to school to study like he is suppose to.

Ideally, 9:00 PM is bedtime, but that's pretty flexible as well.

Depending on the day...

Monday~ 9:00 Aerobics class! Started in January, it's at the church, a nursery for the kids, and I finally get a work out... goodbye mom bod? I hope. Now, on a good week I'll have a menu for the week planned and go grocery shopping after aerobics and Kharisma will nap while we're shopping.

Tuesday~ 9:00 Walking group... great time to visit with friends while being active!

Wednesday~ 9:30 Mother Goose Time @ the library... way cute and the Liberian is amazing!

Thursday~ 9:00 Aerobics again and at 7:30 PM it's a girls night of knitting with Knit Wits, very relaxing and much fun is had by all.

Friday~ 9:00 Walking group again and @ 10 hopefully we'll be starting up Play Group at the church again... I'm actually in charge, just waiting for a key!

Saturday~ 10:00 Swimming class... Kharisma loves the water and looks extremely cute in her little swim suite. I've also tried to make a habit of Saturday chores... the deep cleaning stuff. Usually I just appreciate it if Ben plays with Kharisma while I get it all done.

Sunday~ Rest and Relaxation... Oh, yeah, and church :) I try to make a big breakfast (that's my secret to getting Ben out of bed... sshhh)

There you have it.

Once again, this schedule is very flexible.

I usually throw in a few more play dates and visits w/friends, including late night Wii-ing

But

that's basically

A Day in the Life

of

ME

How Do I Register With the Tooth Fairy?

The dreaded day has come! But have no fear, there has been no biting problems yet. Kharisma's two bottom teeth have broke through the surface, you really can't see them in this picture but if you stick your finger in her mouth you can feel them... sharp as daggers. That's why, as a still nursing mother, I was dreading this day. So far so good. She didn't even seem to suffer much, no crying or running nose so that's good. Now, if I can only find out how I let the Tooth Fairy know that she has a new costumer... I guess she has awhile before they start falling out though.

I was going to post these next pictures earlier but never got around to it. I was knitting the other day and Kharisma grabbed the end of the scarf, did a crocodile death roll looking thing and was all tangled up in the scarf, it was super cute. Enjoy.

My Little Goldfish...

Kharisma just had her first swimming lesson. Yep, my 7-month old is swimming. Even though we live in a dumpy little town it actually has a lot of stuff to do with your children. The aquatic center has parent-child swim lessons so we signed up for the Goldfish class for 6 - 23 month olds. We have a great teacher that sings songs and does cute activities. I didn't dunk her under even though they taught us how. If you blow in their face they close their mouth and hold their breath for a moment so you count to three, blow, and quickly dip them under. Ben is going to swim with her next week and I'm pretty sure he'll be doing that. I didn't dare. Kharisma loves the water... and she looks super adorable in her little swimming suit. Hopefully we can stick with swimming lessons for a long time so she because a good swimmer like her dad!