Introducing.... Daringly Donna

Guess what I've been working on the past few months?

The start of this:

Awesome logo courtesy of

photographer / graphic designer extraordinaire Angel Ruff.   

Want to see what Daringly Donna is all about? 

• Check out my Facebook Page. (and "like" me while you're there!). 
• Head on over to my Etsy Shop.  I'm in the beginning stages of adding items to my shop, but more will be added every day.

You can also find my goods at the Pendleton Farmers Market, beginning Thursday, June 3rd.  I'll be there every week, so come out and visit me! 

Menu Plan Monday: May 17 - 21

Weekly Menu Plan

May 17 - May 21

Monday

Marlboro Man Sandwiches
Mixed Berry Cobbler

Tuesday

Roast Turkey
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Veggies
(I'm out of broth, so I'm roasting the turkey in the deep freezer for the bones.  The hubby and kids won't complain about a little Thanksgiving dinner in May!)

Wednesday

Clean out the fridge night 

Thursday

BBQ chicken
Rice
Creamed Corn
Dessert = cookies at the preschool
(quick and easy night --- little man is singing at his pre-school's end of the year program)

Friday

Spaghetti Dinner with a group of friends

What is your family having for dinner this week? 

A Little Scarlet O'Hara Upcycle Project

Mother's Day Gift for Maw Maw (Mr. Mudpie's step-mom)

"Maw Maw" is an avid baker.  She is known for her beautiful cakes and her mean biscuits.  BUT, I think her true specialty is the little confections she gives all of us kids every year at Christmas.  All year, I look forward to receiving the bucket of yumminess from her.  Fudge, cookies, bon-bons, and my favorite..... chocolate covered cherries.  They are to die for.  So, an apron was only fitting.  You really can't have too many aprons.... they're like kitchen towels.  You can always use more. 

She likes wearing a specific style of apron, that is very different from the type of aprons I have made before.  She likes simple - I like girly ones that accentuate "the lovelies" as Mr. Mudpie calls them.  (Did I make you blush just then?!) 

Here's where the upcycle comes in:  When I picked out a window treatment for my kitchen window, the valance I wanted came with a set of 2 panels, which I didn't need.  Becky suggested a long time ago that they would make great aprons.  Perfect! 

I cut the curtain panel down, sewed a pocket and added some double fold binding, made from stash fabric.  It was a perfect gift for her, and I think she would be proud that I made it with materials on hand. 
Before (a lonely set of curtain panels): 

After (a cute, functional apron for Maw Maw to wear while making me goodies cooking dinner): 

Like this apron?  An identical one will be appearing in my about-to-open Etsy shop very soon! 

Fun at the Firehouse

Our local fire department hosted community day today.  Everyone in town was invited to come check out the fire department, climb in the trucks and eat some hot dogs.  Oh. my. goodness.  The chili they put on those hot dogs was out of this world.  Better than any chili I have ever eaten before. 

                   

(in case you didn't know... you can click photos to view larger)

The kids got to spray the fire hose to knock down traffic cones....

They got to climb in the trucks...

And drive an antique fire truck...

And climb up the GIANT ladder!...

Then TJ decided he doesn't like heights and begged the nice fireman to "get me down right now please"...

But the funniest part of the whole event was the fact that TJ is terrified of the Fire Dog.  He's never been scared of characters before, but this dog freaked him out.  Especially when he talked.  It was pretty funny.  Taylor, of course, had no fear and loves characters.  I took a picture of this, but was laughing so hard it came out blurry.  Oh well. 

It was a fun morning out!  We came home with full bellies and drenched in sweat.  Hope your Saturday was fun and a little less sweaty than ours!

Cabin Quilt: quilt top

Back in January, my mom and I went on a fabric run to find fabrics for a quilt she wanted me to make.  We ended up at Viking Sew & Quilt shop in Greenville, SC.  It's the sister shop to my local quilt shop, Heirlooms & Comforts.  We had already ordered two fabrics from Etsy, but we needed to find all of the others.  Viking did not dissapoint!  We got some great stuff, most of it on sale. 

And then it sat in a basket in my sewing space.  And sat some more.  I just could not get motivated to work on it.  It may have been the fact that we didn't really have a concrete plan in mind.  In February, I spent about an hour and ripped the focal fabric into 3 panels and bordered them all with a red print.  I also made some pinwheels with 2 of the other fabrics.  Then it all went back into the basket to sit until now.  The middle of May. 

Last night, I get the kids to bed, clear off the dining table and decide to sew SOMETHING.  I've been mass producing hair clips for the past week, so I wanted something non-girly to work on.  Out came the quilt basket.  After a few layouts, and some design consulting via Blackberry Messenger with Becky, I decided on the layout. 

So, at 9:30pm, I start cutting and sewing.  At 10:30pm I realize the darn thing is too small.  WAY to small.  So, I spend another hour playing with borders to come up with something that works.  Another hour of sewing on those borders and I finally have a quilt top.  At 12:30am, I hang it up on the wall to get a crappy-middle-of-the-night-with-my-camera-phone picture, step back and think "uh oh.  this thing is huge!"  

She wanted a throw quilt for her couch big enough for her and dad to snuggle under together.  I think this should do it! 

Unquilted Size:  55" x 78"  (a very generous sized lap quilt)

Next up:  Make the backing, baste, quilt and bind  

Hey Becky -- I see a basting party at the library in the near future! 

Saturday Fun Day

Saturday, I loaded up my two kiddos and two of their buddies for a morning of strawberry picking.  After about a dozen u-turns, getting a little bit lost, and one car-sickness emergency pit stop, we finally made it to the farm.  There was an abundance of strawberries in the field.  Red, bursting berries as far as the eye could see!  It was great!  And you'll have to just take my word on it, because we were having so much fun we didn't take a single picture.  I know, I know....

We finished up picking berries and it was only 9:30.  Hmmm.... what to do next?  We loaded up and headed for the playground before the rain hit.

After playing for a bit, we headed over to the soccer field to run off the sugar high from all of the strawberries.  The boys got tangled in the soccer net and we almost had to cut TJ out.  I have no idea how that boy gets his head stuck in so many random places! 

TJ and Evelyn decided they were going to pick flowers for the mommas.  So sweet! 

 
After all of this, we were getting seriously hungry for lunch.  And what fun day would be complete without a trip to see "the sample ladies" at Sam's???  Saturday just happened to be the Spring Tasting day, where they had about 16 sample stations set up.  We visited every single one of them.... well, except 2 that were offering energy drinks.  NO THANK YOU!  These kids need no help in that department! 

Let me tell you... all 4 kids made me proud.  They were so polite.  Every sample lady (and man) they visited, they said please, thank you, and have a nice day.  It warmed my heart.  Especially after seeing a couple brats running around and dropping food all over the floor.  grrrrr... where were there parents anyways?? 

The day continued with playdates at both of our houses, some flower pot painting, fruit kebob making and a meltdowns by both of my children.  Lets just say that I need to stock massive amounts of granola bars and take away the glitter baton when more than one elementary aged female is in the house. 

Hope your Saturday was fun-filled too! 

Menu Plan Monday - 4/26 - 4/30

Weekly Menu Plan

May 2 - May 7

this week's menu coming to you a day early!

Sunday

Lunch - Turkey Paninis, Fresh Strawberries

Dinner -  Alice Springs Chicken Quesadillas, Chips & Salsa

Monday  (oh my! I can't wait for this dinner!)

Pork Machaca

Steamed Rice

Creamed Corn

Lima Beans

Corn Bread

            

Tuesday

Chili Lime Tilapia

Homemade Rolls

Kids Choice Veggies

Wednesday

Stuffed Shells

Garlic Bread

Thursday

*Homemade Chinese Night* 

Beef & Broccoli

Steamed Rice

Egg Rolls

Friday

Dinner with my parents