Progress, progress!

So, I have made some progress on the making of the apron!

I am quite excited. This is the first project that I have had, that doesn't have a teacher with me, or the teacher's step-by-step instructions. This is a project that one has to actually go to the store and buy, and then pray to the good Lord, that it comes out right!

I just wanted to share with you the progress that I am making :

1) I had to make a pocket, and then put it on the front of the apron.....

If you look to the left of the apron and squint, you will see the pocket! That was the first step.

2) The second step was to attach the "flounce." I like the call this part the "pretty swirly fluffy thing." :) This part I was a little nervous about, but was happy with how it turned out. Little did I know, the fabric "flounced" on its own......

Well there we are! Besides doing a little hemming here and there to the ends, that is all I have done so far! I hope to get it done by the end of the week.

Like I said, I am quite pleased. I think if I were to make another one, I would make the pocket and the flounce in a different fabric so you can see them better.

I don't know what will be next on the list, but I know that I sure am craving some Key Lime Pie! Maybe that will be next!

new project and a surprise!

Well, I have started the apron! That is all there is to say about it for right now.

I am going to try and capture the steps that I am taking when I am making this!

So, here we are:

I layed out my fabric.....

I've laid out my pattern.....

and I've cut out my pattern!!!

That is all I have done so far. I will let you know how it goes.

I also have a surprise!!

I got the pillows done!!!

Well, that is really all for now. :)

reading, broiling, and a new recipe....

So, before when a recipe called for something to be broiled, I couldn't ever do it. Our old stove, didn't have a broiler pan, probably because someone took it. I know you are saying to yourselves, why didn't she just go buy one? Well, I just didn't.

So anyway, As I was putting things away in our new kitchen, there it was! A broiler pan just waiting to be used. I was quite excited.

I got out my real simple magazine, turned to the dish I had been wanting to make, and then realized I didn't even know how to use the broiler pan. I had enough common sense in me, to know that you just lay the meat down on the pan and broil it, but the recipe was tricky. So, I called the mother just to be reassured.

Anyway, it is quite easy to use, and very quick. I was cooking salmon and it was ready within ten minutes! Hot dog!

Other than trying to get our apartment together, I have been reading more. I am reading a book right now called, Little Bee. So far so good! I really do love to read. I love to get caught up in other people's stories and find out what makes them do the things they do. I love being entranced by someone's life, even if it is made up.

I tried out another one of those McCormick pre measured out spice recipe things again. It wasn't too bad. It wasn't great, but it really wasn't that bad. I am realizing though that I could copy down the recipe while I am in the store and use the spices we have at home to make things, but I guess that isn't what you are supposed to do, now is it? :)

I promise I will try and put more pictures up soon. Especially when I make a key lime pie. That is my favorite!

Until then......

News!

Hello Hello!

I know it has been a month since I have updated you on my fabulous world of nonsense, but

the Dill's have been quite busy lately. Our main cause of busyness is due to the fact that we have MOVED! Ahh!

I am still a little anxious about the move, but I know it is apart of God's plan for our lives and it will be a great adventure that Mr. Dill and I can share with one another.

Now, because we have moved, I have been a little slack in the cooking/crafting department. I haven't even finished the pillows yet!

Our world as of lately, has consisted of soup, cereal, sandwiches, and fast food. While, this can be a nice break from the question of, "what will I make tonight," I am ready to get back to my cooking, especially baking.

I have grand plans for all things cooking and crafting this summer, because you see, little Mrs. Dill's job doesn't begin until the end of August, and Mr. Dill's job has already begun. So, that leaves me in our new apartment with my lovely little cat friend, Zoey.

Here are a few things that I would like to get accomplished:

1) Bake a Key Lime Pie

2) Make a Cake

3) Use the Crock Pot more

4) Finish those pillows.

5) Make an apron

6) Bake more

7) Cook more.

I would also like to do some more reading and working out, but I don't know that those two things go under the cooking/baking/crafting category. Ah, what the heck. Let's put them under there. Hey, I have to read the recipe and will be working out my arms with all the mixing and stirring, right?

SO, for now.... I shall be cleaning and organizing our apt, with the help of our wonderful cat Zoey during the weekdays, while my loving and patient husband is working hard during the day. I am so thankful for him. I am so thankful for God providing a job for him!

Stay tuned for all the excitement that is about to occur!

10,000 cookies, pillows, and something awesome

So, Mr.Dill and I celebrated our one year anniversary this past weekend! We went to Charleston, SC and had a great time!

While we were there, we visited the USS Yorktown. It was quite interesting. One thing that I found to be especially interesting was how much food those chefs had to cook.

In fact, I found a recipe that I thought would be worth sharing, especially if you are going to be cooking for 10,000 people.

There we go. A recipe that was on the ship for 10,000 chocolate chip cookies. You can thank me later. I know you will need this.

Moving on. I have been making some pillows for two special ladies! My mom and Mr.Dill's mom requested for Mother's Day and a birthday that I make them a pillow! Here is what we have so far:

All I need to do now is stick in a pillow form!

So, as I was looking through my Real Simple magazine, I came across something awesome. It was an ad for this:

I immediately went to the grocery store to get it. There is a recipe on the back, and all of the spices are on the front and measured out! Amazing!

Well, that is all for now!

Pictures and an Introduction!

So, my sewing class is now complete and I have finished my pajama pants! We shall save that story for a little later.

For now, I wanted to show you the pillow that I made.

I was really happy with it!

Now, moving on to the pj pants. As I was wrapping up sewing them, I happened to notice how long the crotch area was. I just went along with it, and got ready to try them on, in order to determine how much to hem them. I slip them on, tighten the draw string, and sure enough that crotch was entirely to long! :) Needless to say, I had to re-measure and get them just right.

While I think the pj pants are cute, I do not know that I will be strutting my stuff in them. They just don't quite fit right, but I was proud with how they turned out and the fact that I made them. I learned how to use a pattern through making them, so hopefully other things can be made as well.

Here is a picture:

I think they are pretty cute!

So, those were my sewing class results! Highly enjoyed the class and can't wait to sew other things!

Now, as far as the cooking and baking portion of the blog goes.

I haven't been taking many pictures of what I have been cooking, but most everything that I have made lately, has been coming from this amazing magazine:

I got a subscription to it for Christmas, and I LOVE it! I highly recommend this magazine. The recipes are easy, and HEALTHY!!! So, I put my stamp of approval on this magazine.

Well, one last little thing. I wanted to introduce you to a member of our family. At first, she and I did not get along. She felt as though I was invading her space and taking her man, and while she still thinks I am taking her man, I don't think she thinks I am invading her space.

This is Zoey:

Now, for those of you who really know me, you know that I don't usually enjoy cats. In fact, I don't really like them at all, except for this one. I must say, I like her. I still don't know how to act around cats, because I am more of a dog person, but I am starting to like her. Ok, maybe I kinda love her. :) But other cats, no thanks.

Well, that is all for now!!!

Way too long

Hello my friends,

I am so sorry that I have not updated since February. I do send my apologies.

I have started my sewing classes! I really enjoy it. When I was little I always enjoyed doing stuff like that, so I am glad that it is carrying over into adult-ness. I have learned so much!

I have made a pillow, and I must say, it looks pretty dang good. :)

I will post a picture soon.

We are now working on a pair of pajama pants at the moment. I am interested to see how they turn out. I have a feeling they are going to be uneven and one leg will be tighter than the other, but hey, maybe a new fashion trend will start?? You never know these days...

Speaking of "trends," I go into Wal-Mart to do my usual Tuesday night grocery shopping and saw quite a number of folks who felt as though their "trends" were the hottest thing around. But there was one in particular, that I found to be most exciting.

For one, the person didn't look like they had any pants on because the shirt the person was wearing was really long. Next, the person was wearing tube socks with the feet cut out so the person could wear flip flops.

Hey, if you feel comfortable, go for it, but my feet would be cold.

Sewing Lessons!

So, starting in March, Guess what??

Sewing lessons!!!

Woot Woot!

something failed.....something was healthy.... something that was a surprise

So,

I had a big fail.... I mean big time....

I found this recipe at the Bakerella website. I was really excited to make them.

So, I started....

I had poured the batter, added some topping, and added the marshmallow.... Man they looked so good.

I had even made my usual mess.... They were getting ready to be put in the oven.... and when they were done....

BOOM!

I mean talk about a bomb going off! They just plain exploded. These are supposed to be cupcakes..... (Check out the bottom left one, He is foaming!)

So, needless to say, I think I put too much batter into the baking cups! If you decide to make these, SPOON, in your batter, not pour!

Alas..... Moving on.....

Mr. Dill wanted something healthy for dinner the other night. When he says healthy, he means healthy.

I found this recipe..... It was really good. I served it with Pita Bread and fruit! Talk about healthy!

Now, I love Hot Chocolate. I usually get it from a coffee shop, or use the packets. Little did I know what was right under my nose! I was over at a friend's house one night and she was making hot chocolate over the stove. I of course, tried some and it was delicious! I asked where she got the recipe, and guess where it is???

Right on the side of this lovely little container! Now, maybe I am behind on the Hot Chocolate times, but I had no clue that this lovely little recipe was on the side of this!

Well, until next time....

Hollaback Girl.

So, I was cleaning out our pantry and came across some Nilla Wafers. I had used them for something at one point, but didn't use many of them, so I had a lot left.

Anyway, from my cleaning, I decided to make Homemade Banana Pudding! Yum! I have never made it before and was really excited.

I got the recipe from the Nabisco Website.

Here are some pictures.....

The first step was to cook the vanilla pudding and add egg yolk. If you decide to make this, SAVE the egg white, you will need them for later. I did not know this, and just wasted a bunch of eggs! :) Also, it may seem that it is taking a while for the pudding to boil, but it just takes a while. Keep stirring it so it doesn't burn!

Next step was to line your dish with the Nilla wafers, and start the layering.....

But first, Chop up the bananas! ( A little song to go along with the making of this, could be, Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl", " This mess is Bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S)

Then.... Layer....

mmm boy....

Ok, All done layering.... Almost done. The last part is the Meringue on Top!

Now, The Meringue was tricky. After you blend everything together, the recipe called for "stiff peaks," when mixing the meringue. Well, I did not know what in the world that meant, until I was done baking it! All it really means, is how long you need to mix the meringue up. My peaks, were more soft, rather than stiff, but it was all good!

So, there you have it folks. My very first banana pudding!

Keep rocking, Gwen. She ain't no hollaback girl.

jams

So, as we know, I got a sewing machine for Christmas! I am really excited about it, but at the moment frustrated.

First, I will show you what I got....

Check out the cute sewing basket on top! So, this is what I have been working with. I have opened it, set it up, and have read the directions.

I have threaded my bobbin, and threaded the machine. One would now think that she is ready to go. Well folks, no.

I got some scrap pieces of fabric, slid them under the "presser foot" where the needle is, pressed my little foot on the foot peddle to make it go, and then thinking I am off to a good start, this happens....

Look closely, you will see a huge brown blob of thread. The directions call this a "stitch". I do not see a stitch in this, do you? I call it a thread jam...

I have been trying and trying to prevent this from happening, but I do not know what I am doing. Thank goodness sewing lessons was apart of this present!

Anyway, I am having fun with it, and hope to get going with lessons quite soon.

I have also been doing some cooking lately, but am so far behind on posting pictures, I will just let you know that everything as been great, and there haven't been many fails!

I am just going to start fresh on the pictures of food!

Well, that is all for now.

New year. New Things!

So. I am back folks. I really am.

School is done, the holidays have past, and now I have time.

I am excited to bake, cook, and now SEW new things.

That's right folks, I got a sewing machine for Christmas!

I have been working with it, but MAN I need some lessons and help!

I will post pictures as to what I am talking about.

So stay tuned for exciting adventures!!!!