1 down.... 3 more to go!

Projects I mean!  I have finished one of four blankets I am in the process of making.

Since high school I have wanted to make a jean quilt.  Back then, I wanted to include some of my "sentimental" old T-shirts.  But before I got it finished (or really even started), I got married.  And well, Mark didn't really like the idea of MY old t-shirts on HIS jean quilt (you see I inherited lots of his old working jeans when we got married, so he thought he should have some say.  Makes sense I guess!)  Well anyways, I couldn't decide on a pattern or fabric after that.  Six years later (just a few months ago) my sister-in-law introduced me to this pattern, and I fell in love with it.  I went to work, and finished the darn thing before Mark or I could change our minds (with LOTS of help from my grandma, of course). 

Now onto projects 2, 3 and 4.  Pictures to follow of course!

Missing Toys Anyone?

The other day I caught Hannah putting some alphabet letters down our vent in the kitchen.  So Mark decided to retrieve it today.  Well, we found her lonely alphabet letter... AND a whole lot more.  We're talking the MOTHER LOAD people.  We couldn't believe what we found in the air ducts.  Mary Poppins video cassette.  Blocks.  Bows.  Binoculars.  Puzzle Pieces.  You name it was in there.  (Except for the million dollars we were really wanting to find).  So if you happen to me missing any toys, because they surely aren't ours, we've got them!





Do you think our furnace will be working better now?

There is beauty all around!

As much as I hated the SNOWSTORM last night!

(Why can't it be Spring already!?!) 

It sure made for a BEAUTIFUL Sunday Morning!

Creativity.... I've got it. A little!!

My mom is left-handed. With that comes a very creative mind.  Or so they say.  (If you know my mom, you know that it's true!!!) 

I am right-handed. With that comes a not-so creative mind. 

(Okay so maybe not, I know alot of right-handed creative people too, it must just be me!) 

I've always wanted to be left-handed and creative,

but alas I am right-handed and not creative.  

However, I think I may have awakened my inner left-handed and creative self.  

Eh! Maybe not awakened, more like startled it a bit.  I AM still right-handed.

With that said I want to show you a project I recently did.  It may not be the most creative or beautiful thing you've ever seen.  But for me it's enough.  If anything it just added a little color to my shelf and my life, during this bleak and cold Idaho winter.  And maybe, just maybe, it may start my creative juices flowing (or slowly dripping).  Only time will tell.

I am talking about the block letters.  These blocks were candlesticks used to decorate my wedding luncheon.  They have been sitting in a box for six years now.  So I thought I might put them to better use.  Anyways it's not a super great picture (I am researching new digital camera's at the moment).  I just thought I might share this before I take the Valentine's decorations down.

Happy VALENTINE'S Day Everyone!!!

Because of all the LOVE I feel from my friends and the LOVE I have for them too! Here you go! (You know who you are!)

Hope you all had a LOVELY day!

As for our family, we had fun! The day started out with a visit from a secret VALENTINE"S friend, who brought us a special treat. Giant Homemade Hershey's KISSES. YUMMY!!

The girls and I later attempted to make HEART shaped sugar cookies, but for some reason the dough did not turn out. (Sorry to those who were promised some, we still LOVE you!)

After Mark got home from school, we quickly got ready and went to Applebee's for dinner. We went early so we could beat the VALENTINE'S Rush, and beat it we did. It was surprisingly busy when we got there (about 4:30), but we didn't have to wait too long. However, soon there after the lobby began to fill up, very quickly! I guess everyone just wanted to share the LOVE!

After dinner we went bowling, at Abby's request. Abby LOVES to go bowling.

Abby LOVES doing it "by herself"!!

At first Hannah was not interested in bowling, but she soon learned to LOVE it too!

We then went home and enjoyed our yummy VALENTINE'S treat. Thank you secret VALENTINE'S friend! ;)

LOVE, The Bates Family