My newest projects

My newest projects have involved pillowcases, ribbons, thread, and a sewing machine. I have come to despise patterns. The last time I used a "pattern" I ended up with a skirt that flapped open during church with Allen sitting next to me going, "Honey, is it supposed to do THAT???" No more patterns for me.

These pillowcase dresses are so simple. Go buy a pillowcase. Measure your child, a girl preferably, from her shoulders down to where you want the dress to hit. Measure the pillowcase and cut however much from the top (closed side). Cut out armholes. I made Taylors about 3" deep. For older girls you might go 4". Fold it and cut out a J, pretty much. Make a casing at the top, front and back about an inch thick and string some 1/2 " elastic through with a safety pin. Then grab some double folded binding and sew it up and down the armholes leaving about 10" on the top of each to tie. See? SO simple.

Now if all that made no sense I would be happy to make one for your little princess too. ;)



This one is a little different. I just added casing in the middle and strung the ribbon through and shortened it a bit since Taylor was having a hard time crawling in the longer dress. Still very simple.

A Yummy Recipe

Just thought I would share this chicken recipe because it's SO good and SO easy and has ingredients that any girl would have on hand. It's great served with baked potatoes and grilled asparagus. Let me know if you try it!


Garlic Lime Chicken
Serves 6

* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon paprika
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/2 teaspoon thyme
* 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 4 tablespoons lime juice

In a bowl, mix together first 7 ingredients. Sprinkle mixture on both sides of chicken breasts.

In a skillet heat butter and olive oil together over medium high heat. Saute chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Turn down the heat, remove the chicken (keeping warm) and add the lime juice and chicken broth to the pan, whisking up the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Keep cooking until sauce has reduced slightly. Add chicken back to the pan to thoroughly coat and serve.

First Steps

Taylor Joy took her first steps this morning. I set her down to walk with her and she seemed sturdy so I let go and she took a couple steps toward me (lunging). So I turned on the camera and tried it again, the second time she wasn't the most happy but she still did it. It was more like running! Check it out!

I love me!

A video of Taylor Joy "kissing" herself in the mirror. Once she saw that we thought it was funny she kept doing it. What a ham!


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Little Copycat

A video of Taylor Joy "copying" Aunt B's cough and thinking it's hilarious...


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More Firsts

So many firsts in the last couple of weeks for Taylor Joy! Where do I start?

First signs (besides bye bye): she started doing signs for bath and more

First imitations: she has started trying to clap when we say "YAY"! She will imitate what we say and what we do. If we say "ah" she says it, if she sees me dancing, she bops, if she sees my foot moving, she'll move hers, etc.

First words (besides bye bye and dada): she said bubble last week when we were at Babies and Books at the library and the teacher was blowing bubbles. I was like, "WHAT did you just say? You are 9 months old!" She's said it only a couple of times since then. She attempts to say many other things like Angel (my parents dog), ball and tee tee.

First time walking with one hand only! I have a feeling she'll be on her own REALLY soon!



Here's Taylor in her Cinderella dress from Heather's wedding this weekend. She went to the reception and made her way walking all around. What a silly girl! Everyone loved her!