I love making things myself. So when I was visiting the States for the arrival of my little nephew I picked up some gorgeous organic cotton yarn that I intended on knitting into a bath towel for our future little Bean.
The problem was that I couldn't decide on a pattern to knit the yarn into. I came up with a few patterns myself but I wasn't pleased with any of them... after I finished knitting the towel. Twice.
(Yes, Jean. I ripped it out a second time.)
Knitting the towel was just not working out the way I envisioned. So I dusted off the loom and decided to weave the towel instead...
And I LOVE how it turned out!
It feels good to finally finish a project that was giving me so much grief! I have a few other projects in the works and I can't wait to share them with you, including a cute and easy DIY!
This weekend the Mister and I crafted up a storm. I have a living room with scraps of thread, leather, and fabric everywhere to prove it. It looks like a craft store exploded in my house.
Our mission?To make the perfect little baby moccasins.
Remember the two huge grocery bags of scrap leather we bought last year?
Well, we're finally working up the prototypes for our first moccasins! I'm so excited! Phil drafted up the pattern while I sewed away at the machine and together we worked out the kinks in the pattern and are coming up with a million ideas for the little shoes.
Here's a sneak peek at what we are working up!
The first prototypes are drafted into patterns, then sewn in denim to see what it will look like. After that we go back to the pattern and make any tweaks so we can make that perfect little shoe.
We plan on having a little line of baby moccasins in different colors and sizes with a couple variations on the styles too. I can't wait to share more soon! Stay tuned.
Thank you to all who entered the giveaway for Chad's new album Songs For The Searchers!!
The giveaway is officially closed and we've randomly selected a winner!
Congratulations to Rochelle!!
"I am so looking forward to walking home from work in Cambridge (Town of trees) and seeing the endless photo moments as the leaves turn colours to farewell the summer. Also looking forward to scarves and home made spiced coffee!"
Me too!!! I can't wait for fall. It's my favorite time of year.
Rochelle, email me or fb me so we can figure out how to get your prize to you.
(Does the size of this squash terrify anyone else? Or is it just me?)
I am in my third trimester! Where is time going? Honestly, this pregnancy is flying by. The Bean is bigger than ever and kicking hard these days. Good job, Little, you are getting so strong!
At my last appointment, my midwife was measuring my stomach growth and feeling the baby's position when Beansy kicked her right in the hand. It was a good strong kick too. I felt like such a proud Mama. My Little was showing off. The midwife was pleased too that the baby is getting nice and strong.
Me and Phil started our antenatal classes last Tuesday. It was good and informative and there was a roomful of other couples who were also pregnant with their first. I'll be honest though. I found it all a little bit awkward. They had everyone introduce themselves, which is a good thing! It's nice to get to know everyone but I fear speaking to a roomful of randoms with a passion. I got all red in the face and stammered a bit and I felt like the room shot up to 100 degrees. Ah well. BUT then they had these games with the purpose of equipping everyone with basic pregnancy/birthing terms. It reminded me of the games in youth group ... but for pregnancy. I hated youth group games. Ah well.
During the class, we got a tour of the birthing center. It was so nice! I'm pretty stoked on the place and I am looking forward to maybe meeting the little Bean there. Also, Lonestar caters for the mum. Awesome!
The overview of labor scared me silly. I left feeling a bit overwhelmed and nervous. I talked with my sister and my midwife about my fears and they both really encouraged me. My midwife discussed which birthing options are available to me. Because of my hip problem (SPD) certain birthing positions aren't recommended, but I have plenty of options available! I am facing my fears and am starting to put together a birthing plan and in doing so I am becoming more and more excited about the birth and the process.
Confession*:
In the US 90% women get an epidural, but in NZ they typically only do them if they are medically needed, more like a last resort. To be honest, I have never really considered birthing without one. I just thought that's what you did? So, in considering my options, thinking about birthing without an epidural was a big step for me. My midwife has been super helpful in this area! She is really sensitive to my fears and is really encouraging that I can do this and that God designed my body to do this. (*Disclaimer: I know this is a touchy subject, but I'm blogging about my thought process and fears. xo)
So, in short, I am doing my homework and doing my research on alternative and natural pain management. I've got my big girl decision making pants on and I'm really excited!
I still have hip pain but it is becoming more manageable. I've seen a physiotherapist who gave me some exercises to work on and a brace to wear when I'm doing a lot of walking. I also wear it in the mornings when my hips are at their worst. Keeping up with correct posture has helped SO MUCH. To anyone who suffers with SPD during pregnancy, keep up with your posture! It won't feel like it is helping at first but it will! Trust me on this one. It's worth it.
Little Bean, we are so excited to meet you! Me and your Dad talk about you all the time. We pray for you constantly and we dream what our lives will look like with you in it. I can't wait to hold you and kiss your face until you get fussy with me. I can't wait for your Dad to teach you things and give you big bear hugs. We love you. A lot.
Our weekend was amazing! I love spending time with the Mister and good friends.
On Friday evening we headed out to our friends', Sam and Pauline, so Phil could work on recording some songs. It's just a start but it's really exciting! I can't wait to share what Phil and Sam come up with. Sam and Pauline also have these two amazing fluffy cats. I really miss having a cat. I enjoyed hanging out with them too.
Sam and Peach.
(Peach liked being a part of the recording process.)
Phil recording. I love him.
Ha ha!
I love this amp.
Phil's guitar case.
We stayed the night and Pauline cooked up an incredible spaghetti dinner for us and Sam whipped up the yummiest pancakes. Speaking of which, I have a new favorite way to eat pancakes--with lemon juice and sugar on top!! Don't knock it until you try it. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it. Mmmmm!
The next morning we trekked it into town to stop by the garage sales around Cambridge. Have I mentioned that we love garage sales? Phil always finds amazing things and cool old furniture that we (he) can restore. This time was no exception, we scored. We got a dining room table and four chairs for $30! So awesome. It's going to be my craft table in my craft room (when we finish it... someday...). The extra chairs are also needed for our REAL dining room when we have extra guests. We only had four chairs. We found a vintage baby stroller that Phil is going to sand down and repaint and I'm going to make a new mattress for it! I'm really excited. It is my favorite find of the weekend. Oh yeah, we got it for $10. What a steal! I don't think I'll use it much for actual walks, but it's SO amazing none-the-less.
The stroller.
Our "new" old chairs!
(I didn't get a picture of the table because I'm silly.)
The ever growing baby bump.
(I'm beginning to lose sight of my feet! Ahh!)
Heading home
I hope your weekend was filled with relaxation and love! (And pancakes)
I wanted to share with you one of my all time favorite artists Jen Lobo. Jen's work illustrates stories and relationships about people through animals. Her work is captivating and brilliant and I am proud to have one of her prints hanging on my wall behind me (it's my prized possession).
She has a multitude of various themes and paintings but my favorite is her nautical themed work. Here are a few of my favorites!
Sigh. Magical. Aren't they lovely?
I'd like to own a few more prints on canvas and hang them in the house. You can snag some prints for yourself at her store.
I found this wonderful hair tutorial on Joanna Goddard's blog last week!
It is incredibly simple and easy to do. I gave it a go and it was a success on my first attempt! That. Never. Happens.
The style is so simple and feminine. I LOVE this look.
When I tried it out myself, I gave it a good hairspraying and it stayed all day! -- That includes a nap and cooking dinner. If you've ever seen me cook you'll know that I'm sort of a maniac in the kitchen. The fact that my hair stayed is a miracle.
My brother in law, Chad Overman, just released his new album called Songs for the Searchers. He sent us a few copies in the mail and it's SO amazing. I am soooo so so proud of this album as if I did the whole thing by myself.
(I didn't actually have anything to do with the making of this album, unless you count 'cheerleader' and 'huge fan'. I also drove for a coffee run once while they were recording. That counts... right?)
I LOVE this album! Me and Phil listen to it constantly, especially when we are in the kitchen together making dinner or doing the dishes or lounging around on the weekend. I'm always catching myself singing it throughout the day but there are a couple tracks on the album that have a special place in my heart. Mr. van der Wel wrote the electric guitar part to Alone and helped write the part for Could This Be Everything. It sounds so good! I loved hearing Phil and Chad play together while we were still in Texas. My other favorite song is Solitude. It's so good.
Check out these songs from the album!
Solitude:
Alone:
If I Go (Music Video):
The album is available for download on iTunes
and hard copies are available for purschase at here.
Yesterday I made some homemade bagels and got a few requests for the recipe! There is nothing quite like a fresh bagel still warm and toasty from the oven.
They were so so so SO good and really easy to make! I got the recipe from my Dad while I was visiting Texas last month. We had a "Bagel Date" and spent the evening making bagels. It was beautiful. And delicious.
It's a simple recipe to follow and you can do it too! Next time I make a batch, I promise to take step by step photos so you can follow along.
Homemade Bagel Recipe
4 cups bread flour
1 Tbls sugar
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 Tlbs vegetable oil
2 tsps instant yeast
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups of warm water
Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. The dough should feel stiff, but if you can't get all the flour incorporated add the extra bit of water.
Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, or until uniform and smooth.
Cut the dough into 8 equal sized balls and rest for 10-20 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.
Now, we roll the dough into bagel shape, and there are several ways to do this. My favorite is to roll the dough back into a ball and poke through the center. This opens the dough and you can tug the round of dough into the shape of a bagel.
OR
Roll the dough into a a little snake on the counter that is longer than the width of your two hands, then wrap it around your dominant rolling hand. Wrap the dough rope around your hand and squish the overlapping ends together.
Let the bagels-to-be rest on the counter for 20 minutes, grease a large baking tray, and bring a pot of water to boil.
After the bagels have rested they will begin to look puffy and are ready to be boiled. Boil the bagels for a minute on each side, then let them dry out for a minute or two before placing them on the baking tray. Repeat until all the bagels are boiled.
Bake the bagels for 10 minutes, flip the bagels over, and bake for another 10 minutes... and Wah-LAH! Perfection.
Let the bagels cool for at least 20 minutes before eating them.
...though admittedly, yesterday I only waited 10. I couldn't help myself.
Today we celebrated our 1-year anniversary of when Phil proposed!
Firstly, I can't believe it's only been a year. It feels like aaaages ago, in a good way. I feel so blessed and lucky to be married to my lover and best friend. Phil is the MOST wonderful man anyone could ever ask for! Being married to him is the best thing ever. Better than cheesecake.
Secondly, our anniversary was actually yesterday, but we sorta forgot and had a whole group of people over and I made Mexican food. It was super awesome and so much fun having friends over but not the romantic evening that we had been planning for. So we celebrated today!
The Mister finished work early so he could come home and spend some time together. He surprised me with some gorgeous flowers and strawberries. YUM!
It was so unexpected and so nice! I can't stop looking at the flowers that are currently sitting in front of me on the coffee table.
They look so perfect sitting there.
We planned on going out to a restaurant for pad thai, my favorite! Since we are often tight on cash we seldom go out, so tonight was very special! I felt positively spoiled the whole time. It was fun getting dressed up and going to a nice restaurant. I wore my fancy pearls and everything.
We got an appetizer to share and we both got pad thai. I ordered coconut milk and it came in a coconut! A REAL COCONUT! I got really excited and the waitresses thought it was funny.
Tonight was amazing. It could not have been better, and it was a wonderful time to spend some special time together and reminisce about our not-too-distant honeymoon. I love being married and I love being Mrs. van der Wel. I love just spending time with my husband.
Now if you will excuse us, I've made a cheesecake for me and Phil along with some homemade blueberry jam to spread on top.
