homemadeeatenshop

29.5.12

Our Life

 

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Look at this huge Lemon I got at buy low.

Sometimes it seems that all I have to talk about is birds and buy-low. Sometimes it is true.

So for the birds? Mr. Wood and I saw a bushel of birds this weekend up at hobble creek canyon. Like, we saw 7 spotted towhees! and an ash throated flycatcher! and more. It was a great weekend we got to spend with the Wood family out in the woods. We also went on a beautiful hike, that I have no pictures of. Maybe I can describe it to you? It was like the sound of music, in a valley, filled with fresh new aspen leaves and dandelions and snow, and we found a decrepit 50s school bus. Very nice. Nothing like clean mountain air. Especially after that horrible pollution spell. Ever since leaving Oregon I haven’t had noticeable allergies, but the Utah inversion knocks me out. Headaches, stuffiness, watery eyes. It goes on. It makes me never want to drive a car. But then I need to go to buy-low.

Something Mr. Wood and I have been doing lately is reading Juvenile fiction. Saturday we stayed up till 1:00 o’clock reading next to each other on our little floral couch. Cute huh? I never graduated to adult fiction. Not really at least, I always love a good quick teen love story, and so does Mr. Wood. Just kidding. I should stop reading them, because when I finish them I spend the next 2 days lecturing Mr. Wood on everything wrong and unstable about the main characters relationship. Mr. Wood prefers reading stories he doesn’t have to correct, and instead was reading The Mysterious Benedict Society

mysterious benedict society This is a cute little book (series) that I also started reading, about smart orphan kids who save the world. I know right? I was reading the first two books in the Mortal Instruments series. No, I’m not sure what a Mortal Instrument is. I fear I am not a very in depth reader. I do know that the book is like twilight/buffy the vampire slayer/star wars. It is entertaining, but nothing really resolves, which is why I need to read the 3rd book. Only then can I tell Mr. Wood what is really unhealthy with Jace and Clary’s relationship, and if it really ends like Star Wars, or decides to mimic another plot line.

This is a good song. I wish I was in Portland. But here and now is always good too.

Shannon

21.5.12

Sneak Peak: The Blouse

sshhhhh

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Shannon

Home Sweet Home

Some lovely friends got married. Marriage is wonderful. I like to support marriage by giving it handmade little things. Hopefully they hang it up in their probably very cute little home.

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Yeah. I know You can hardly see the words. I understand. It was supposed to be that way….

If you want to make your own crafty hoop art, it is really easy. Just cinch it in tight and glue the edges of the fabric to the hoop inside. Tah dah! Bonus if you can beat my amateur word sewing skills.

Shannon

17.5.12

Songs in My Head

Sometimes there is a song that comes along and hits you.

The kind of song you want to listen to again.

I found one of those songs last week while perusing the internet.

In fact. I like the whole album now, and listened to it no less then 5 times last week. If you dare, take a listen.

 

Shannon

16.5.12

Our Life

Hello again! As always, here is a colorful update on how we are doing.

Of course there are so many bright and lovely things, but like real life goes also some tragic things—mainly the decreasing health and eventual death of Grandpa Wood on Monday. Death is a curious thing. I find the most sadness when I think of those left behind. However, there is peace in knowing that Grandpa Wood has moved on. This experience, like many others, has added a new piece to our lives together, as well as another touch of perspective.

Other wonderful things happened this past while, that are only made brighter I suppose by Mondays events. We through a mini Cinco De Mayo party one weekend with some friends. I prepped a lot for it, but felt like it was my little nitch to be finally making a full meal for more then just 2 people. The food was delicious, the friends were great, and the budding spring up in the mountains was refreshing. I don’t have any pictures to share, suffice it to say everything from the sprite to the refried beans were delectable—their flavors only enhanced by the laughter of friends. Poetic. I know.

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Mr. Wood put a flashlight behind an egg and it was quite entertaining.

The theme of the past week is travel. We had numerous outings, the least of which is this one to Joann's to get netting to cover our plants. But, we saw this most gorgeous little car.

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One night the only thing I could think of for dinner was potato salad and Egg salad sandwiches. I know. So I convinced Mr. Wood to take me up to the mildest of mountainous scenery (Bridal Veil Falls—Provo), where we created a mayonnaise themed picnic and had a short walk. Let me tell you, despite the never ending stream of long boarders—it is pretty up there. Spring is for sure in all its glory, you should try to go very soon.

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We also decided to take a surprise trip down to the most wonderful place of all—Toquerville. While there we were able to celebrate mothers day and restore our sunshine tanks. Plus get in some crazy bird watching. We’re talking—king birds, meadow larks, hummingbirds and a bird I can’t remember its name (but it was my favorite) all having a loud and crazy party with their Bird wives in the front yard. I know! Next time you are down, you can come bird watch with us in the front yard.

Toquerville is really lovely. We went to the Falls with Dad, Jason and Jacob Saturday. Glorious outdoors! It was gorgeous—if not difficult to reach. I don’t even know how anyone discovered it, let alone carve out a twisting atv only trail that Dad managed to maneuver with his Ford F150… From the middle of town it takes about 30 minutes to get there because of the slow going—but is well worth it.

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The drive looks a little like this.

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And the destination like this.

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Here is dad Malaska and I walking up the creek. Dad is the tannest person I know. Let me just say, the water was fine. Not too cold at all.

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Us and the first set of falls, which fall into the next set and a lovely pool.

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Dad, Jason, Jacob

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It is actually really easy to climb up and down.

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Jason was the first to jump off the second fall, and soon convinced the other boys to do it too.

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Then it was mothers day! Sadly, our mom was working all day. So we took the opportunity to make her a special meal. I made Chocolate Chocolate cake and salad, Mr. Wood made duchess potatoes, and Jacob invented a lovely chicken dish on the grill with green apples. We tried to make it extra special—for a mom working 12 hours on a Sunday! Really? yes.

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this is the bouquet the  boys helped me make with various herbs, grasses and trees. Pretty huh?

It was a lovely weekend. It is always sad to leave the beautiful desert. Everything is so fresh and alive, not to mention the good company family makes. Till next time.

 

Shannon

9.5.12

Bowknots sneak peak: Bigger steps

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Hi Friends! Thought I would show you some things I'm getting ready to put up on bowknots.

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This lovely fabric I will be making some blouses with. Yes, that’s right. I’m going to actually start selling the clothes I make. In this case a lovely cotton grey chambray will be a cap sleeved blouse with peter pan collar. I am still working on adjusting the pattern, but I’ll keep you updated. The other is a lovely blue poly/cotton chambray that is light weight and super comfortable. Everything from the pattern to the bias tape will be made and designed by me, so here it goes!

It is kind of scary making my own designs to sell. Learning to trust myself with the responsibility of making my own design choices has been huge—let alone trying to make something someone other then me would wear. But, it is something I’ve always wanted to try, and this season of my life is ideal, so I’m giving it a go before other opportunities take up my time and thoughts. Wish me luck. Obviously you all will be the first to see my new tops, so I would love your feedback!

The other things I've been working on, that should be up next week: Lace bow bobbies. I wore one today to the grocery store, and feel quite feminine.

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7.5.12

Thrifted

 

I managed to go thrifting at the local Deseret Industries one last time before I started my adult job. As it was Friday, and spring break (?) the place was cleared out of womanly clothes, I have never seen the racks so bare. You know how usually you try to push around clothes on those racks but it always pushes 5 hangers off the end? Yeah, none of that silliness. But, I managed to get Mr. Wood some handsome man things and a few pretty things for our kitchen.

 

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In the details

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It only took me 8 months to figure out what size is right for him. I have to put on the shirt though.

For the kitchen I got the sweetest little mason jar and two porcelain lotus bowls for only $1.25. Some of my favorite things include: creamy porcelain dishes, tiny bowls to eat Nancy's yogurt from, and old jars to fill with various kitchen flours.

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Needless to say these pretty little bowls are getting lots of yogurt in them, and heaps of fresh strawberries.

Shannon

4.5.12

Some of our Favorite Things

 

I felt compelled to document some of our favorite things from this week.

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Strawberries with every meal.

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I got these dark chocolate chips at Winco. Not only are they cheaper, but they are delicious!

My beautiful pictureBarefoot running! Really we can only go for little spurts at a time to avoid injury to our weak feet.

Consequently, we are also enjoying feet strengthening exercises via YouTube.

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Mr. Wood eats handfuls of this stuff dry. I like it wet. Maybe I should feed him more.

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Also, I have been hoarding glass jars to hold all the bulk food that I buy. I got this lovely huge size jar for like $3 at Michaels. Now our pinto beans have a home!

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Finally, I’m loving this dime ring we found in Mr. Wood’s childhood memories box. He made it in 7th grade in CTE. Now I’m telling everyone that my husband made me this lovely ring when he was in 7th grade. It is a perfect fit!

That’s all of our favorite things this week.

Shannon

3.5.12

Our Life

Huzzah! Another beautiful week friends!

My Job is almost over, one more day! Boo, it was fun while it lasted. 1st graders are my best friends, I feel famous. 1st graders are cool like that.

This whole week was about connection for us. Connecting with 1st graders, family, nature, our feet, and our past.

This weekend was wonderful. Saturday was packed once again. We woke up at 6:00 just to fit it in—because we love the weekend so much! It started with this lovely “best oatmeal ever” by Mr. Wood, complete with sautéed apples.

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We then rushed off to give my brother Jason his birthday present—a mini apple raspberry pie—which I should of photographed because it was almost as handsome as my brother.

Then we literally ran to the Red Butte gardens up in Salt Lake to attend a bird tour and take advantage of a wonderful couples pass that a dear friend gave us. We are soo glad because it is completely wonderful! Of course, you probably don’t know because I didn’t take any pictures. oops. We were too busy looking for birds, looking at lovely plants and tasting herbs.

speaking of birds… They ate our lettuce.

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Which is ridiculous. It is like they don’t even know that we are big proponents of their species.

Then we got to take our lovely Grandma Malaska to the new/exciting City Creek Mall. That is one fancy schmacy shopping mall. This is the only picture I took.

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Technically I took 2. But they were both of this chair. It was great fun going shopping with my big brother, husband and grandma. We took grandma into hip stores, partially so we could look around, and partially because she has the best and most solid opinion on most things. The last stop was the perennial favorite H&M. Out of 3 hipsters and 1 grandma, you may be surprised that the only one with an H&M bag was our grandma.

We ended our evening with a meal at Mazza for some wonderfully fresh and filling middle eastern food. Probably one of my favorite things in Utah is their falafel. Then we flew off to Cobble Creek to meet the wood family for some dinner and mini hiking/bird watching with our mini niece and nephew.

We finished our DIY kit luna sandals and have begun timidly using them.

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Really they are just another way for us to fight our fear of atrophy. In this case, feet atrophy. It turned out pretty good. Maybe I will write a review later. If you want to make your own we suggest a very sharp scalpel and the good ole’ measure twice cut once attitude—because you literally have no choice. It is great to have free feet. Really, this whole week was hippie themed. Our copious amounts of bird watching, fresh food eating and barefoot focusing. Not to mention our weekend movie was “Smoke Signals”. I even made sugarless, flourless cookies. I know. What is going on? They were okay…

We also spent a good amount of time reminiscing Mr. Wood’s childhood. Later I will share some sweet things with you. It is a good then when you can love your husbands previous child version as much as his current man version.

AND we attended the most beautiful wedding reception for possibly the kindest sweetest couple we did ever make friendship with—Tessa and Rob. I have no photos, but Jason is making a video that I will share with you as soon as it is done. It was outside, there were lights, a cookie bar (and you know we love cookies), and the happiest couple ever. I would of cried because it was so beautiful, but chose not to.

Till next time friends. We hope you are finding good moments in your life as well.

Like this wonderfully huge bush in our backyard. Not eaten by birds.

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Shannon