Sweet William Has Arrived!!!!

It has been over 2 weeks since I posted here, but for all good reason. Sweet William Todd Best arrived into the world Thursday, April 29th, 2010!!!!!!!!!!! It's hard to believe he is already two weeks old today! The time is going quickly and I can see such amazing changes in him already. Momma and baby and doing alright. Momma had to endure over 23 hours of labour and a very hard delivery but we survived! He weighed in 7 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and as of yesterday during a little weigh in he is now 8 pounds 5 ounces.

Today and yesterday have been two rough days as our little boy has had some nasty gas pains. His poor little body is just crumpled in pain and discomfort. We have had next to little sleep. I have been doing some research online about infants and gas related issues and hope to try a few things. Up to yesterday evening he has been always able to sleep in his crib, but since last night the only place he seems comfortable and able to sleep is in his car seat. I guess he feels better in a semi sit position sleeping than on his back right now to help ease his pain. The poor little fella. I wish I could take the pain from him. I really hope this passes soon. I have read some nasty incidences where the gas pains could go from 24 hours to 12 months!! Ooohhh Help me!!!!!

As for sewing... well .. umm that has now been put on hold for a while. I did manage to get in about 20 minutes a few nights ago on some hand sewing of my hexagon blocks, but then the little fella woke up for a feeding and that was the end of my needle work!!! Sigh.... will I ever get to sew again???? I'm already suffering withdrawls!!!!!!!

Please tell me it will happen!! I need re assurance!!! Don't get me wrong I love love LOVE being a Mommy, but Mommy just doesn't have her own time anymore. I have been soo use to doing what I wanted when I wanted and that suddenly changed. For the good mind you, but I do miss my sewing time already!!! Keep your fingers, toes and eyes crossed that his little gas pains end very soon and we have a happy baby and happy Mommy and Daddy again!!!

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

Momma In Waiting

Still no baby............ Sigh........... Well the due date was yesterday, but with other friends of ours having their babies earlier than their due dates we just want to have our little bundle to hold. The waiting is driving us NUTS!!!!

This photo was taken last week


Since I last posted I mentioned how my energy level is next to nil and I have also been dealing with a bad case of insomnia. Oohhh and my favourite, MAJOR MAJOR itch/scratch fest all over my body!!!! I had that checked out already as it is a sign in some pregnant women of liver issues that could be both dangerous for momma and baby, but thankfully I don't have that. However, doctors have said some women get a very bad case of the itchies all over their body and the only way to help relieve it is through calomin lotion and oatmeal baths. So each day and night I soak in what I call "a bowl of porridge" for 20 at a time, then lather up my feet especially with calomin lotion to help relieve me for a little bit. My poor ole feet, ankles, legs and now arms and wrists are scratched up and cut up from scratching so much!! If the old saying was true that if you had an itchy hand and you had to scratch it, I would be multi millionaire!!!!! LOL

Back in my last post I mentioned I really didn't have much energy to do much sewing or cooking and spent much of my time lying around on the couch watching movies or sleeping when I was able to drift off. However since then I have been getting little energy spurts (I hear it's a sign of 'nesting') and I have found it really keeps my mind of the insomnia and the long long long time it is taking for this baby to arrive. So during those times, including in the wee hours of morning when everyone, including the dog is asleep, I have been working some some hand projects while watching some really bad bad tv shows. I'm not a tv person, and I have to say there is alot of crap on both day and night. However, saying that I have found a really funky show called "Cake Boss" that comes on Monday nights. This guy, named Buddy makes the most INCREDIBLE cakes! Last week he made a life size Nascar car out of cake and cereal treats!!

Anyway, I am getting side tracked... so yeah, hand sewing projects and other stuff.

I think I mentioned also some time ago that I planned to get a really good head start on making my Christmas gifts early this year. With a little baby soon on the scene, I won't have as much sewing time as I normally do, so I have managed to get a good head start on the gift making.

I showed you some time ago the center of a sewing machine cover I am making. Well it is almost complete. I just have to sew the binding around it and then it is ready for photos and to share here with you.

Next up, is Mum modelling this Butcher Apron with matching pot holders! Butcher aprons are fun and easy to make up. I thought a bit of seminole would do the trick up against the black apron fabric. I love this style apron and I think I might need to make a couple for myself before the year is out!



I have also got into a sock knitting craze!



I have been off work now for 4 weeks, and in that time I have 3 pairs knit and complete with a 4th pair now on the needle!



I am not straying too far from home these days in fear that I will start labour or my water breaking in public, but the other day I had such a bad case of cabin fever I HAD to get out of the house. Mum and I headed to a local wool shop here called "Wool Trends" I ended up picking up enough wool to make another 4-6 pairs of socks!!!!!!!! LOL

Finally I got a good start on the one of a kind summer flip flop bags I have been making for a few years now. I have 7 cut out and embellishments picked





and 2 complete. Here are two of them.





I figured if I keep myself busy, nap when I can the time will go by faster and my little boy will be here!!! Keep your fingers crossed something happens soon, cause I am ready to claim my body back now!!!!!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Waiting... Waiting

Sorry for not posting recently, but I'm starting to slow down a bit due to my pregnancy almost to the end. I could pop anytime now and I'm finding I am not doing a heck of a lot both in my sewing room or my kitchen these days. Although saying that I have been doing some small hand sewing projects and knitting. I can work on these things while resting and propped up on pillows on the couch or in bed. My energy level is shot right now LOL.

We are anxiously waiting for William's arrival. Things are starting to progress in that department (so says the doctor), for now it's a waiting game. I so want my body back now!

Lisa had her baby April 9th. She had a little girl. She was a week ahead of me!!!




Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Odds and Ends

I did a little more nesting yesterday by taking the vacuum to the house, cleaned the bathroom, and made two new loaves of bread. One is a cornmeal bread with fresh herbs and ooooooooooh it is sooooooo yummy!!! Tonight I'll put on a multigrain bread in the machine. I also made a big pan of chicken enchiladas for supper last night.



They freeze well so I have a few more meals of enchiladas to add to the freezer food!!! I think I'll tackle my chicken and broccoli casserole on Thursday.

I mentioned the other day that I was working on some redwork for the center of a sewing machine cover I am making my aunt for Christmas. Well, here is the finished center. Tonight I will cut out the rest of the fabric pieces to assemble the cover together.



I also started on another pair of knitted socks.



I plan to make up a few different pairs of knitted socks for Christmas gifts this year. I figure they will be easy little projects to work on while taking care of a baby. It is also something I can work on during the summer months while relaxing out on the patio deck.

The Flip Flop Bag fabrics are finally all prewashed and half of them are pressed and cut out. So far I have 6 bags cut and ready to go on the serger. I still need to cut out the the flip flops and liners for each bag. I hope to get back to them tomorrow afternoon.



Well this is a short post tonight as I want to get an early start on cutting out the machine cover. I hope everyone had a nice Easter break this past weekend and you didn't OD too much on chocolate!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Good Friday Tidings

Not alot went on today. In fact I slept for most of the day!

The weather here was absolutely beautiful! It was sunny and temperatures went to a nice 15 degrees celcius!! That is fabulous temperature for this time of year here in Newfoundland! Trevor and I are just itching to get the patio ready for the summer season! From what the forecast is predicting, we are to have a nice sunny and warm Easter weekend. We might be crazy enough to get some of the patio ready. We have two mini patio size greenhouses this year and we are biting at the bit to get our veggies and herbs started!

I decided to start up another Christmas gift today.. Yep you read right, I am working on this year's Christmas gifts now! Hey, with an infant on the way, my time will not be my own when I want it to be, so I have to start early! I already have one gift completed! This next one I'm doing will be a sewing machine cover for my aunt. The center of the cover has a little bit of redwork embroidery work to it so I have that to stitch first. I will post a photo of the center when that part is completed. I plan to work on it again for a bit after I post this message.

Being today is Good Friday, it is a meatless day for us. Trevor and I opted out for the traditional ordering out of fish and chips and went on a more healthy route. I made up my homemade cod au gratin with a Ceasar salad on the side. I think I posted this recipe before, but I thought I would post it again. It is so easy to make up. I made up extra today so I could freeze it for later meals.

Cod au Gratin



3 lbs fresh cod fillets
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups 1% milk
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
Pepper to taste
3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 tsp savoury (dill or tarragon are good to use as a substitute)
1 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 Tbsp olive oil

Scald the milk in the microwave for about 4-5 minutes. In a medium saucepan add the butter and flour and cook together for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the scalded milk whisking constantly. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the lemon zest, Dijon mustard, savoury and pepper. Add the parmesan cheese just before pouring on the fish.

Arrange the fish in the bottom of a greased 9x9 inch baking dish. Pour the sauce over the fish and top with cheddar cheese.

Mix the cracker crumbs with the olive oil and sprinkle over the cheese. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour in a 350 degree F oven until bubbling and the top has evenly browned.

Well nothing more to report since my last post. I'm heading back to the living room for another hour or so to do some more embroidery work.

Happy Easter Weekend Everyone!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Thursday's Musings

I lost track of the loads of laundry I did today! Along with our regular weekly wash, it took an additional 3 loads to wash all the baby clothes, wash clothes, receiving blankets and everything else! It all got sorted into sizes and are now stored away in the bureaus. I also picked out 3 outfits to take with me to the hospital for the little guy to wear. My knapsack is already to grab and go on the big day!







Hopefully this weekend Trevor will get the base outfitted in the car for the car seat. Hey I could pop at any time now and we need to be ready!

I also managed to clean out all the stuff that was in the crib from the 2 baby showers and other stuff that was accumulating there. There is now room to put the baby in there!!


Here is the whimsy little monkey that sits at the bottom of the crib to keep him company. I just LOVE this little guy! Trevor found him at our last trip to Toys R Us and he couldn't resist!


I can't remember if I mentioned already how I was going to quilt the crumb quilt. Originally I thought in all my insanity I would hand quilt it.... well..... I've changed my mind. I have decided to free motion machine quilt it instead. It is a HUGE quilt and I just want to complete it now! Once the preggy belly is gone and I can get down on my hands and knees on the floor to layer and baste this bad boy, it will be on the machine.


Prepping my pattern designs for free motion quilting later on.


I also worked on tracing 357 hexagon templates for my Grandmother's Garden quilt I'm handsewing. Yep once again another insane production of mine!!! I'll be heading to the mental I'm sure after these two quilts are done! Between last night and this afternoon (hey my laundry room is just off from my sewing room, so while doing wash I can be productive) I traced out more templates. I also spent an hour or so this afternoon on my EQ6 software and quickly drafted how my Grandmother's Garden quilt will look like. I have 913 background/spacer hexagons to cut out and hand sew!! hee heee.. Yep... I have officially lost my marbles!!!!



I spent a little while last night pulling fabrics to get started on making and selling my one of a kind flip flop bags. I sold a pile of them about 1 1/2 years ago. I had someone message me the other day who ordered one from me 2 summers ago that they want to order two more! For the moment I have 8 different bag fabrics figured out and my flip flops traced and ready to go. I just need to wash up the fabrics and have them cut and assembled. I'll show the finished results soon.



Yesterday I also tried out a new breakfast recipe. I made a Mexican Frittata. I have never made one before, but I must say it turned out very yummy! I do think the next time I make it I will add a little more seasoning to it as it still needs a little something extra for kick!

Here is the recipe if you wish to try it!

Mexican Frittata





2 whole medium potatoes, peeled
water
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
5 large eggs
1 Tbsp of chopped fresh chives (or 3/4 tsp dried)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup finely grated medium cheddar cheese

Cook potatoes in water and salt in medium saucepan until tender but firm. Drain. Cool. Cut into thin slices.

Heat olive oil in non-stick medium pan on medium. Add garlic. Heat and stir for 2-3 minutes. Layer potato slices in pan. Reduce heat to low.

Beat next 4 ingredients with whisk in medium bowl until well combined. Pour over potato slices. Cover. Cook for 20-25 minutes until egg is set. Remove from heat.

Spread salsa over the top of the frittata. Sprinkle with cheese. Place frying pan on top rack in oven. (SEE NOTE BELOW) Broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges

NOTE: to avoid damaging frying pan handle in oven, wrap handle with a damp tea towel or foil before placing under the broiler.
Also you can you a cast iron skillet, which is what I used.

I also managed to finish my formal dining room placemats the other day. I meant to post them earlier, but I forgot to take a photo. I finished them 2-3 days ago!



I have been suffering insomnia on and off now for the last month or so. I had a bout of it last night and never got to fall asleep until after 3am. I am finally starting to feel tired now (it's after 1am here), so I think I'll get the photos uploaded, post this puppy and head off to bed. If the sleep gods are in my favour I'll be in la la land very soon! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Officially On Maternity Leave

As of Friday, March 26th at 3:30pm I started maternity leave! I am now off work for the next 13 months!! woooooooooooo hoooooooooooo!!!! I'm now in week 37 of my pregnancy and plan to hopefully get in a 2-3 weeks of rest and relaxation before the big day arrives and my sweet little William comes into the world!

As for rest and relaxation, well so far I have been in high gear planning and working away on things at home. Today for instance I took my 3 separate shopping lists I made up for Costco, the grocery store, and Bulk Barn and picked up all the meats, fish, grains, pastas, and groceries I needed and to stock up my pantry. hee hee I guess this is what women call the "nesting" period of the pregnancy.. Some clean house... I buy food LOL

Still in the packaging from Costco .... I looooooooooove that store!

If you have a Costco near you and you like Salmon, I HIGHLY recommend this stuffed salmon!! There is a really yummy filled couscous in the center and it's so tasty with freshly squeezed lemon!

All repackaged and ready to go into my deep freeze!

My well stocked pantry!!! I'm planning to expand my pantry this summer and have another shelf unit built in. I'm already running out of space and I'm only in the house a year LOL


Since I am not able to physically handle my full "kitchen days", I do plan to have "kitchen hours" whether for a few hours in the afternoon or after supper. I want to stock up my deep freeze with ready made casseroles and other meals so meal times will be a bit easier once the baby arrives. If I am busy nursing or attending to the little guy, Trevor can just thaw out supper and stick it in the fridge. The more ready made meals I have prepared, the better it will be.

Yesterday for instance, I made up a big dish of homemade macaroni and cheese. Cut them up into 2 person servings and added them to my freezer. I have another list (have you figured out I'm a list person yet??) of the various meals and casseroles I want to make up. Tomorrow I plan to make up a big crock pot of chili, a couple loaves of bread (in the bread machine) and an apple pie.

So far my list consists of:
Macaroni and Cheese (made, cut up and in the freezer)
Chili
Cod au Gratin
Cod Fish Cakes
Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken/Broccoli casserole
Cheese/herb scones
Quiche
Meatballs
Beef Pot Pie

If it takes me the next couple of weeks to make it all, that's okay. I'll just be content that my freezer is filled and ready!

As for the latest sewing projects, I got back to my crumb quilt and managed to complete the borders.

Here is are two photos of the 3" crumb blocks I made to go around the quilt.




I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the finished quilt top, but I'll do it over the next few days. I've decided on the designs I want to put on it to quilt it. At first I was thinking I would free motion quilt it, but now I'm thinking with so much cream tone on tone areas, I want to hand quilt it. I had on my 2010 sewing list to layer and start hand quilting a quilt. That doesn't mean I plan to finish it this year, but I just miss hand quilting and think this will be a good one to do. I also have a photo here to show you from my EQ6 software of what the quilt looks like.



I completed Trevor's "Man Cave" curtains!!!!!!!!!! They got hung tonight.



They don't look as good as I want them to look right now, as we need more tab rings to make them hang nicer and more even. I will go to Fabricville later this week to buy more. Eventually, out of the extra fabric I have from the curtains I'll make a few throw pillows to add to his nice red couch he has here in the room.

I also want to say a BIG WARM THANK YOU to Vivien for the beautiful winter wallhanging and fat quarter she sent me!





She and I were both involved in the Quilting Gallery Winter Time Mini Quilt Swap. I just love it! Thank you sooo much! I also love the fat quarter she sent me! I'm such a foodie that I plan to make a little shopping bag from this fat quarter to take with me to the farmers market this summer!!!

Well that's all to report for now. I am almost finished a set of formal dining room placemats I was working on yesterday. I just have to hand bind them. So I am off to sit out in the living room to work on those while watching sweetie play his new PS3 video game (he loves his video games). We plan to sit and watch a movie in a little while. hee hee its after 10pm and I don't have to worry about going to bed early due to work the next day, so if I'm up til after midnight WHAT ODDS!!! :)

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea