Interactive Christmas Scene

Sorry for the posting delay. Bella was sick for over a week with a high temperature, lots of snot, an ear infection. It was not fun. Between that and making most of my Christmas presents this year, I haven't had time to mess around with my blog, but fear not! As I'm sure you've all been at the edge of your seats waiting for me to post pictures of my latest craft project, I have taken a few minutes away from Bella's Christmas presents to post. (she's been completely spoiled by all her grandparents and ya-yos, so don't worry. She won't go without! )

Now, my loyal readers, take a deep breath, for the time has come...

This was my very first sewing project. I wanted to make an interactive Christmas decoration for Bella (and Gouda) that we could take out every year. I also find it appealing to act as a reminder of how much my sewing will have progressed. I'll be able to look at it and say, "wow, I've really improved as a seamstress", because really, there is no other way I can go! ;-)
Anyway, I came up with a typical Christmas scene but with removable parts that could be re-attached with velcro.

We have the Christmas tree with the ornaments and the Christmas presents underneath. (Sewing tiny little circles was tough work!)
The fireplace with the fire, the stockings, the wreath, and in front - the rug with the rocking chair and kitty cat (and Santa's arm). Alex used Ari as his kitty cat model.And this is what it looks like when it's all together.

Anyway, I wish I had a picture of Bella playing with it. She loves it. She also loves to take the pieces and hide them in places like the air purifier and her mouth.

Next I'll post some pictures of Bella's Christmas presents... if I can find a minute or two tomorrow!!

Fatten up that Turkey

Ok, yes I know I'm a bit late. Thanksgiving was a week ago, but we didn't celebrate it until Sunday here, so it's cool. Plus, I've been super busy with my toddler who doesn't stop getting into things unless she's sleeping (Thank god for long naps and bedtime!). My English classes have also been keeping me busy now that I'm working on Saturdays atCHEERS!

Cambride House English School and also doing an intensive course with this fun young couple who are going to Miami for a few months. Then after I put Bella down and eat my dinner, I try to squeeze in a couple hours for my arts and crafts. I made Bella a little Christmas toy/decoration that is beyond cute, but I still have to add the finishing touches and viola! I'll post it here. It was my first attempt at using my sewing machine, and it shows, but I still love it.Thanksgiving was fantastic. Hailey shared the recipe that she was using with me and I made either the best or the second best Turkey I've ever made (I can't remember the first one I made perfectly, so it's a toss up between the two). I also made pumpkin pie from scratch which was a first for me. I've never made any pie before that I can recall, so I was pretty proud about how it came out. MMMMM! I have to confess that I've also done an absurd amount of baking lately, and I'm finally going to admit that those 7 pounds I gained last month, can safely be attributed to all that heavenly, chocolately goodness. Take a look at these amazing brownie-cookies. YUM! A brownie by any other name… | King Arthur Flour - Bakers’ Banter"Whoa! Where did you come from?!"

Other than that, Baby Gouda has been dancing and doing flips constantly. I don't remember Bella being so active. GOD HELP ME. At first I was hoping for an Aquarius, but they seem kind of hyper. Now I think I'd absolutely love a Pisces. They're more laid back and dreamy, apparently! Anyway, Baby Gouda seems to move a lot when Bella sings. Did I mention that Bella sings? She does - she makes up her own lyrics to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and keeps close to in key. I love this kid.So there you have it - a lot of excuses for not posting more regularly, a few belly pics and a brief summary of our Thanksgiving. Oh yeah, I forgot about my burn... That's sort of healing. I'm afraid I'm going to have a huge scar. I should take a picture of it. I'm sure you'd all love to see it! ;-)

"You're Like a Sunny Day"

A few days ago I was chatting with an old (completely platonic) friend from college on Facebook. We hadn't spoken in ages, so I was ready for basic chit-chat when out of nowhere he said, "I miss your spirit. You're like a sunny day". I smiled and thanked him for the compliment, but added that I felt a lot of it had been sucked out of me. Truth be told, it often makes me sad when I think about where my free-spirited, happy-go lucky self has gone to. It's actually something I think about quite often these days, and the only thing that usually keeps me afloat is reminding myself that I will be home soon. Anyway, instead of just brushing off this self-depreciating comment, he went on to tell me that my spirit was strong and that in college he had always liked to be around me because he got a bit of "what I was giving off." He even confessed that he had used me as an example in a speech he had given, complete with a picture of me smiling!!! (And my friend, if you read this, I hope you don't mind me sharing it!!!)

As I read his words, tears began welling up in my eyes. Not only was it one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to me, it was completely out of the blue and superfluous. I had no idea I had affected him in this way at all. He could have lived the rest of his life without me ever knowing the impact I had made on him and I never would have been the wiser. But he chose to tell me. One simple little comment, truly made my year and gave me the inspiration I needed to keep going and fighting against the complete suckage of my spirit. He reminded me that somewhere out there people do care about me and I do make a difference in their lives.

In the past few month some of us have brushed elbows with death. It has come creepin' in close to us or into our loved-ones lives. Looking at all of these incidences together, I have begun to feel much more thankful for what I do have in my life, and have tried to stop thinking about all that lacks, especially in a time of such widespread misfortune. It has also been a big reminder for me to take a few moments and share my feelings of love and gratitude with those people who have touched me during my life. I know that you've all heard this quote, but I love it and think it properly sums up the point I'm trying to express:

“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
-Brandi Snyder

My friend gave me so much more than I'm sure he even realized with our Facebook chat. He was self-less and giving, and I think we could all stand to be a little more like him - not because we should, it being the holiday season and all, but because we can.