Sewing bug...

My friend got a new sewing machine.....a really really nice one. Then she started cranking out some super cute new skirts for her daughter. This sparked the sewing bug. So I had to see if I could make some super cute skirts too. This is what I have been busy making these last couple of weeks. (and I'm posting this mostly for my non-facebook friends, since these pics have been plastered all over facebook for a while now)

The first thing I worked on was a bedding set for The Big Apple. She wanted something special for her American Girl doll... so special it was. I let her pick the fabric out at the store, and to my surprise...she didn't pick her favorite color (pink), she picked blue!Then, I made her a skirt. She picked pretty much ever scrap of blue fabric that I had in the craft closet, and I turned it into a skirt. It's her new favorite skirt. I have to sneak into her room at night and wash it, and return it in the morning. She likes it THAT MUCH.

Then, the Middle Apple claimed that she NEEDED a skirt too. Now those of you who know my Middle Apple know what her personality is like. It's bold. It's loud. She speaks her mind. So, she chose fabrics accordingly. Yup. Purple cheetah and black. Definitely makes a statement, don't you think?
The Wee Little Apple got the last skirt. I found this cute print in the remnant bin at the craft store and whipped this skirt out in a couple of hours. It's by far my favorite.
So now that I have been bit by the sewing bug, and I've had some practice on the remnants and rags laying around the house, I think I'm finally ready to start cutting some of my nicer fabrics that I have picked up. Can't wait to see what I can make next!!!!

Mardi Gras Unraveled: Parades

What is Mardi Gras? When you get down to the brass tacks of Mardi Gras, it is the celebration(s) held leading up to the season of Lent. Need a more detailed history of Mardi Gras? Please click here. One of my children informed me last year that one of her Sunday School teachers had told her that Mardi Gras was the devil's holiday, but in reading the history of the celebration, it is far from being that. Mardi Gras is actually deeply rooted in Christian Traditions.

For me, Mardi Gras is a season to smile. It's all about fun! It's about wearing bright colors and big bows! It's a time for being together with family and friends. It's a time to watch your kid's eyes light up watching floats go by, it's about music, and dancing in the street. (Even if you are wearing your underwear over top of your clothes! Yes, The Middle Apple walked up to a guy on a 4 wheeler in the parade today, and asked him if she could have the underwear that was hanging on his handlebars. And then wore them on top of her clothes. I'm probably going to regret letting her do that....but whatever.

Mardi Gras is about smelling gumbo cooking. It's screaming "Throw me something, Mister!" at the top of your lungs. Just because it's fun.
It's about having fun. Today.
Because tomorrow, you gotta clean up.

You know you live in Louisiana when....

You know you live in Louisiana when..... the Friday before the Superbowl, you can't get out of your driveway because a pack of Elementary School kids are flooding the streets.
You know you live in Louisiana when that pack of kids congregate on the street corner, joined by the local high school marching band....creating a mob of people that requires police presence and a call to the local Newspaper.
You know you live in Louisiana when the pack of kids all start chanting "Who Dat....Who Dat....Who Dat say they gonna beat them Saints!" And march down the street to "When the Saints go Marching In"
You know you live in Louisiana when your team wins the Superbowl, a crowd equally as large floods the street in the night, hugging, kissing, and screaming. The sounds of car horns beep like crazy, the police and fire trucks circle the neighborhoods with lights and sirens going....not because of any local crime, but because they too, are celebrating a victory. Fireworks are blasting, there is dancing in the streets, and celebrations that last for hours.

And you know you live in Louisiana, when you are proud to call this place home.

Not Me Monday

I don't participate in Not Me Monday very often. But I had to confess this one, because it is eating me up inside.

I simply did not lose track of my baby during my oldest child's birthday party at the bowling alley....and I absolutely DID NOT find her playing underneath some scaffolding where someone was messing around with lighting and sound equipment. And one of my friends most certainly DID NOT take a picture of it. I am the most responsible parent I know of, and would NEVER stop for a second to dance at my daughter's birthday party. And I'm am NOT posting this picture as proof that I was actually at the birthday party.


And finally, I did not grin from ear to ear when my husband wanted to purchase The Big Apple a BB gun for her birthday. I did not totally laugh my head off when upon opening her gift did the words "But girls aren't allowed to shoot guns!" Furthermore, I did NOT give her and her daddy the "thumbs up" when he took her outside, and began giving her her first lessons in safety....and her taking down the target.
Want to participate in Not Me Monday? Head on over to MckMama's Blog and sign right up! It's fun!