The Handmade Dress Patterns

The Handmade Dress Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

These dresses are so cute! I have to have the patterns! If I don't win the giveaway I'll have to use some Christmas money to buy them, especially since the money will go to such a great cause!

If you don't sew, no worries, enter the giveaway anyway. If you win, send me the pattern of your choice and I will sew one for you! :)

Peanut-buttery goodness

Utterly Peanut-buttery bars
from C&H

Only for true peanut butter lovers... I think next time I will add chocolate! Yum.

Crust:
1/2 cup soft butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour

Filling:
2 eggs
2 tbsp peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1/2 cup sugar
12 cup golden brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375.

Crust: In a medium bowl mix butter, peanut butter, and sugar until well blended. Stir in vanilla. Add flour and mix well (mixture will be crumbly). Reserve about 1 cup of this mixture for top. Firmly press remaining mixture into bottom of lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan.

Filling: Beat eggs, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar together. Spread over unbaked crust. Sprinkle with reserved crust mixture. Bake approximately 20 minutes or until set and top is golden. Cool in pan and cut into bars.

October in a post.

October was full of firsts:

Jacob started crawling just before his 8 month mark. His new found freedom led him to discovering the dog's bell. Much to the dog's chagrin.
We went out to The Berry Farm for a hayride and to search for just the right pumpkin
I love this (above) picture because it is the emergence of Jacob's new face. This is his thinking face... I call it his Kermit face because of the way he purses his lips. I don't think he could get any cuter.

My two favorite men in the world. :)

Jacob and his cousin Nikiya.

Jacob loves his pumpkin.

Me and my boy.

Jacob and his cousins for a wheelbarrow ride.

Adam and Jacob keeping warm.

Along with learning how to crawl, not just frog hop, Jacob has learned to pull himself up just about anywhere. Of course his favorite is to stand up in bed and put off nap time.
And last but definitely not least Jacob has started drumming lessons. Self taught really. He takes after his Pa John.
A little video for extra enjoyment... (please ignore the bath-robed woman in the background)

8 months

With both boys on the move it was impossible to get a posed shot, hence the following:
Yes, that is a leaf hanging out of Jacob's mouth!
Moose looking more than slightly annoyed.

Love my boys.

7 monthiversary

7 months:
loves: the dog's toys, the dog, the cats, Strawberries, peas, cousins, bathtime
hates: getting his face washed after eating
The day after his 7 monthiversary he decided it was time to get moving. We called it the frog hop. He still isn't totally crawling, more flopping than crawling, but he is better about getting his legs under him.

And in celebration he discovered fudge bars! Yumm!!! He also had his first cold headache! :(

This is documentation of what we call "outside face"

Friends

Just last week I was considering where all my time goes and why I don't spend any time catching up with friends, then I remembered:

Between making skirts like this for my cousin's photography. Making bumper pads so Jake stops hitting his head or getting his foot stuck and consequently waking up. My part time work that doesn't feel so part time. And of course the never ending errands, laundry, cooking, cleaning, walking the dog etc... Trying to be better at writing in my journal, reading my scriptures and lessons. And of course making sure that I spend time with Adam and take time to just sit and play with Jacob... just writing this down makes me feel a little tired.

So, it's only apropros that I am supposed to teach about Friends on Sunday.

So I need to know, is it just me or does everyone have a hard time balancing family life and friends? Is every woman I know just as busy as I am (or busier)? And if so why don't we get together and be busy together?

If you are one of those women who has it figured out (the balancing act that is) what's the secret? Please I would like to know. I'm needing some advice from some friends, or at least a confirmation that I'm not the only one!!!

On the move

No, not crawling yet, definitely scooching in the reverse direction. I just went to get him up from a nap to find this:



I think he is even more confused than I am about how this happens. Confused, but VERY pleased with himself.