Latest Sewing Projects

I've finally had some time to sew again!  We needed a new mass bag for church so I thought I'd dig out some scraps of fabric (all from the remnants bin) and try out a tote bag pattern I have.  It came out pretty cute, although I still might think about designing my own tote one of these days.  I do like that it has a separating zipper at the top and a pocket on the outside, but I don't like that there is no pocket on the inside.  If I'd been thinking I would have added one.

Mom and I love little sewing shops.  Our favorite is our friend Kim's quilt shop, Hennig House, just up the street from us.  Alex loves going with us because she has goats, cows and some hens (which of course he has named).  Kim has her own line of patterns, kits and other goodies, Buttons and Bees, and I recently picked up a cute apron pattern and thought I'd give it a try with some nice fabrics sitting on my shelf.  If you're ever up this way, be sure to stop by and visit her shop for tons of great ideas, especially if you fancy yourself a quilter!

My fabric "stash" has really grown and I have so many project ideas just waiting for me.  I have a few new ideas for my own patterns too so hopefully soon I'll have some more to post!

Crowe's Nest Farm Visit

Stacie and the boys have been here visiting for the past two weeks and we have had a ton of fun touring Austin.  One of the highlights of our second week was a visit to Crowe's Nest Farm in Manor, Texas.  For the first time ever we saw an American Bison up close, we took a hay ride around the farm, saw them hand-milk a cow, learned about some things you commonly see on the farm, founds lots of lots of animals to look at, and walked through all kinds of gardens!

No prompting required.  Alex decided on his own to dress like a cowboy for his farm visit.

(This picture is for daddy)

This is Hershey, one of the Jersey dairy cows

It was really exciting to see the American Bison

(Apparently ostrich eggs REALLY stink)

The Pond

We take a walk to the pond in our neighborhood almost every day.  Last year, during the worst days of the drought we watched as the water level in the pond slowly dropped until there was so little water the ducks moved away, the fish died, and the turtles disappeared.  It was so sad to see such a beautiful little spot become nothing more than a mud pit.  The many rainy days we've had this Spring have brought life back to the pond, and it is with great exuberance that Alex grabs some bread and heads out on our walk each morning.

We've discovered a new type of turtle living in the pond, and he is the first little creature Alex looks for when we get to the Pond.  He has affectionately named him Mr. Snout-nose.  I am pretty sure he is a type of Florida soft-shell turtle.  And he does indeed have a "snout nose".

This little girl is part of a duo, although her other half has been missing (and is suspected of moving to the bigger pond across the main road).  Her name is Salt.  (Of course her other half is named - Pepper!)

Because of the red stripe on his face, Alex named this little turtle Reddy.  And Reddy has two babies named Reddy Jr. and the Other Reddy.

This big girl Alex calls Big Red, although she is really Big Red the Second. We lost Big Red the First during the drought last summer.  (I almost cried.  It IS possible to get attached to ducks when you see them and feed them nearly every day!)

This one is Mr. Mallard Duck.  The other ducks can be pretty mean to him so we're glad he is still hanging around.

There are plenty of birds around, but this little guy was pretty talkative during our most recent visit.

Looking for Mr. Snout-nose.

Alex always picks up one of these orange flowers for me, and if Granny is walking with us, he brings one for her too!