Happy Halloween!

(his on the left/hers on the right)
(Boone's was too hard to carve. Seriously! It was like a rock!)

New Friends

Sunday, Aaron and I had the pleasure of hanging out with the Keatings. Some of you may remember me talking about Ben. He was a great friend we met while stationed at Fort Drum, NY. Tragically, he was killed while deployed in Afghanistan Nov. 2006.

When we found out we would be moving to Maine, one of the first things Aaron and I thought of was that Ben would be so excited. He grew up in the Springvale/Shapleigh area of Maine. Aaron and I live less than and an hour and half away.

We had met Ben's parents, Beth and Ken, before but hadn't gotten to see them in quite some time. But Sunday was a great day to catch up. The day seemed to fly by as we shared stories about Ben. Aaron and I got to see where he grew up. We even got to see some pictures of Ben when he was little that if we could I am sure we would pick on him about!

We had a great day sharing with Ken and Beth. We are looking forward to seeing them again soon. When referring to them in the past they were always 'Ben's parents' but it is now also a privilege to call them friends.

5 Things

Here are five important things I have learned about sewing (so far):

1. The stitch remover thingly is the best invention ever!
2. I waste a lot of thread. I need to work on this problem.
3. I am not a fan of measuring things.
4. Not always following the pattern can be a fun experiment!
5. Don't get thread that matches your fabric too well because if you make a mistake, you can't tell if you have removed the stitches or not!

I have also been working on some homemade cards. I got the idea from Crystal over at The Longest Year. She has such great ideas! And I love the fact that they are not super advanced. Here are a few cards I have made so far:

Those of you who know me, know I love to send cards! There doesn't even have to be a special occasion. I love sending cards to let people know they are in my thoughts. And who doesn't love getting mail? Hopefully, it makes their day a little brighter. I like the idea of making my own cards because not only is it easy but it is a lot more personal. Don't get me wrong, if I see a card I like at Hallmark, I will get it! But this will help my card spending budget a lot.

I have found fabric for all occasions and I usually get about a quarter yard of fabric. I got about 5 fabrics for what I would have paid for 1 card. Cool huh? And I have found buttons to use for embellishments. Can you see the ladybug button? The possibilities for these cards are endless!

Five Islands

So, I mentioned a few days ago that I was going to start posting all my photos here instead of my other blog. Here is the first one. Although, it isn't a great photo there was something I really liked about it. After looking at it for awhile I realized that the flag and the boy make the whole shot!

Greensleeves

I love this commercial! It makes me laugh every time it comes on the TV. I know people tend to grab for the remote when commercials come on but I can't be the only one who enjoys them. Do you? Which one is your favorite?

Danbury Pumpkins

This past weekend I went to visit one of my best friends in Danbury, CT. I hadn't seen Nate in over 2 years! It doesn't seem possible that it has been that long. I guess I don't really get a chance to miss him when we talk multiple times every day!

It was great to see him and his man, Jay. They have the cutest little house on the rocks. It is the perfect little cottage to make you feel like you are on a permanent vacation. We didn't do much Friday because I got lost on the way. No, you don't want to know. All you need to know it that it took me an extra 2(+) hrs to get there. :o(

Saturday, we headed to the local apple orchard/pumpkin patch where we met up with their friends Sean and Heather. I have known Sean and Heather since Nate started working at Pepsi. It is always fun to hang out with them again. They have a beautiful little girl, Lexi. I think pumpkin patches are way more magical when there is a little kid involved. It was great watching her run from pumpkin to pumpkin gaining more and more excitement along the way!

Here are a few pics from the weekend:

Nate, Me and Jay.

Lexi and Uncle Nate.

Heather and Lexi. I think this is a great mother and daughter shot.

Nate and Sean sampling the goods.

I really like shots from different angles. And pumpkins are willing to sit still enough for me to try it out!

Nate is this tall!

I thought this giant metal pumpkin was really neat. We tried to get Lexi to sit on top but it was a little to high for her liking.

Uncle Jay helping Lexi pick some apples.

I had a great time this weekend but of course (like always) time went by way to fast. I can't wait to see them again. And hopefully, the next trip won't be another two years away!

Photographing My Way Through Life

Some of you might know, and some of you might not know that I have another blog. I started 'Photographing My Way Through Life' not long ago. I was using it as a place to show off some the photos I have taken since we have been here in Maine.

I love the idea but I am not updating them as much as I want too. And I can't tell if people are going over to that site or not. So, in order to save me time, I am just going to post the photos here. So if you see a random photo you will know what is going on!

Feel free to comment on any of the photos. I am always up for some constructive criticism!

Here is the last photo I posted on the other blog:

And remember you can always click to enlarge any photo you would like to see up close! Enjoy!

A Fun Fall Weekend

Aaron and I headed out Saturday morning on our second big motorcycle trip of the season. We headed down to the White Mountains in Laconia, NH with about 8 other bikes. We took mostly back roads to get there so we could enjoy the fall scenery. Even though the leaves had started to die, it still made for a gorgeous ride!

Sunday afternoon, Aaron and I went on a hunt for pumpkins and apples. We were told that Rocky Ridge Orchard was the place to go. They had a large orchard with various apples. They also had a little bakery there where you could get just about anything. We tried the pumpkin cinnamon doughnuts and were not disappointed. Although the place was nice, we didn't walk away with any pumpkins. All they had were huge ones and I can't justify paying a lot of money for a pumpkin. It makes me crazy actually! But we did leave with doughnuts, cider and apples for pie.


We ended the day at our favorite wharf for lobster and fish. I am really going to miss having fresh seafood when we leave here. The Five Islands Lobster Co. is delicious!

I really do like fall. There is something about the temperature and the smells this time of year that make you feel so at home!

Babies Galore

I seem to know quite a few ladies who are expecting bundles of joy. So, I decided to use my new love for sewing to help me think of gift ideas. I once again went to my trusted source, My Longest Year, (click to see pattern) to find some patterns. There I found a pattern for burp cloths and a swaddle blanket. I decided to try the burp cloth first.

Isn't this pattern so cute? I found a pale yellow to sew for the back. (I don't know if you will be able to make out the yellow in the pictures to come).

Pinning is officially my least favorite part of sewing. I remember making a pillow for a friend in high school and bleeding all the awhile. I am ashamed to say, pinning has not gotten easier with age.

Here are two finished burp cloths (both sides). Rounding the corners wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. But I managed, none the less. I plan on making more cloths but I think I may make them a bit bigger.

I just read the instructions again and realized I didn't notch the edges! I am sure that would have helped my corner sewing. I will be sure try it on the next ones. I am sure the babies won't mind. After all I am making a nice soft place for them to throw up if they have too. What is there to be picky about?

I've Been Boo'ed!

"The air is cool, the season fall,

soon Halloween will come to all.

Ghosts and goblins, spooks galore,
tricky witches at your door.

The spooks are after things to do,
in fact a spook brought this 'Boo' to you!

The excitement comes when friends like you,
copy this note and make it two.

We'll all have smiles upon our faces,
no one will know who 'Boo'ed who's places!

Just two short days to work your spell,
keep it secret, hide it well.

Please join the fun, the seasons here,
Just spread these "Boo"s and Halloween cheer!"

I received this 'Boo' last night filled with little treats and this neat poem. Isn't this a cute little idea? I looked around today and I noticed lots of boo signs around. I got stuff today to make my two. I will be sneaking around tonight find a house to 'boo'. What a fun little project for any neighborhood!

Wordless Wednesday

I thought this was a great picture for Wordless Wed. But then it occurred to me you might want to know about this photo. It is Trevor (my brother-in-law) on a recent trip to Alaska. Isn't this view amazing?!

One Tote Down

This weekend Aaron was away on a fishing trip, so I thought it would be a great time to try and make a tote. I used this pattern from My Longest Year as my guide. I laid everything out on the table and took a deep breathe.

Here is my progression:

Just to prove I really did sew it!

I will admit that I poked myself many times! Pinning is not my friend.

I used this fun little stitch because 1. I thought it was more fun than the regular stitch and 2. because I was hoping it would help to hide my inability to sew in a straight line. And I think it helped a lot!

My bright red lining.

The finished product! I didn't iron it yet so it is looking a little rough.

For my first try I thought I did pretty good. I can't wait for Aaron to get home so I can show someone! My tote isn't perfect but I am really excited to have finished it. (My mom will be so proud!) I managed the liner but I didn't attempt pockets. I figure I will tackle the pocket on the next one.

I can't wait to see how my next one turns out!

Musical Memories

I love music! I listen to it everyday. I listen on the way to work, at work (they lock me in a room alone since I count money), listen to it on the way home and most nights I am walking around the house singing what songs I heard that day. Or singing to Aaron random songs I made up for him. I'm cheesy, what can I say!? :o)

So I was thinking...what is it about music that is so great? Was it the beats? I love songs I can dance too. Was it the words they were singing? I guess that is true too. But there is definitely more to it.

Anytime I hear Styx I think of my sister. There isn't a time Nickie and I are together that we are jamming out to Mr. Roboto!

A certain Mariah Carey song will always remind me of Mandy driving a white car that belonged to a 'King'.

My road trip to Myrtle Beach memories always consist of us screaming Livin On A Prayer as loud as we could possibly sing it, all in an effort to stay awake and well...just to be crazy.

The first trip to Cummins Cider Mill (in Ceres, PA) for a bunch of UPB students was highlighted by singing Celine Deon at the top of our lungs. The great part about that was I was in a car filled with guys!

Singing hymns in church always makes me think of my Nana. And in my Grandpap's eyes Glen Miller could sing no wrong. So when my iPod rolls around to In the Mood or Little Brown Jug, a smile breaks out every time.

Any 80's song takes me back to a bar in Kingston, where a bunch of cool girls I know rocked out with some Canadians.

Of course there are always songs that make me remember a sad time. Those songs I tend to skip but the few I do listen to may start out with a sad feeling but by the time the song has ended, I have remembered the fun times shared.

I think the main reason I love music is because all the songs I love are tied to someone I love and the great memories we've created. Music is more than a way to past the day for me. My iPod is almost like a scrapbook! And what better way is there to recall a friend/memory than bopping down the road, tapping out beats on the steering wheel, singing at the top of your lungs while strangers drive by looking at you like your from another planet!? There is no better way for me.

To Nate:

Ha ha ha! Love you.