Pattern

If you want the pattern for the bag it is free online just click on the word "pattern" in the previous post. Have fun it, was very easy. She has even given tips on how to make it bigger.

Basket of Jeans

For about 8 years now I have carried with me a laundry basket full of worn out jeans, they have survived 4 moves with us. Well I have always thought that levi quilts are ugly until I stumbled across a blog, which I can't find now, and she did her quilt in strips and I thought that it looked a little better. When I finished I still thought that it was ugly. So I incorporated flowers from my sassafrass quilt pattern. I bought expensive flannel fabric for the back ( I am a self proclaimed fabric snob, no JoAnns here). I absolutely love the quilt and it is a great size for a snuggle quilt.



Then I decided while the sewing machine was out I would attempt a purse for me since mine is showing signs of wear. I thought it would be bigger so I don't know if I will keep using it for a purse. It is cute and the pattern was easy to follow.

Christmas

We were in St. George for Christmas this year with Chris' family. We had a great time with everyone and enjoyed the nicer weather. Chris has a huge family and when we all get together it is NOISY. Chris and I are not used to noise since we don't have kids. We enjoyed ourselves anyway.
This year for Christmas Chris got me an electric pressure cooker. I have been wanting one for about a year now since I broke the crock pot by adding cold water, oops. Since I don't have time to come home for lunch and start a crock pot I thought the pressure cooker would be awesome because I can come home from work and cook a roast and it will be done before Chris is home. We also got a camp chef stove which I am so excited about because next year when I am canning I can do it outside. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Freezer Meals

The last month or so has been a month of preserving. I kind of feel like a chipmunk storing for the long winter to come. I have canned salsa, marinara sauce, peaches, jams, I froze tomatoes ( to exhausted to use them). On Saturday I got together with Chalet and we did freezer meals. This idea is genius. We decided to start small because we had no idea what we were in for. We each chose 4 meals. We didn't really double anything because we both feed ourselves and our husbands so we figured if we split each recipe that would be enough for 4 people. Chalet's choices were: baked spaghetti, cream cheese chicken, meatloaf, and she prepared chicken tortillas soup the night before. My meals were: cheesy spaghetti bake, traditional lasagna, chicken pot pie, beef enchiladas. We also cooked ground beef in onions so we would have some on hand. I went to Chalet's at 8:15 am and walked out by 12:30. Huge success and we had a great time. We each went home with about 12 meals because we froze the enchiladas on a cookie sheet with no sauce then put them in freezer bags and froze the sauce separately, then we will take how many enchiladas we want and put the sauce on top and done. The chicken pot pie made a lot of filling so we each go an extra filling, just add crust. When I cook meals at home I have been cooking only half of the recipe and putting the other half in the freezer. Most meals are designed for 4-6 servings and Chris dislikes leftovers so this works great. We will do this again.

Annual Lava Float

Every year Chris and I go to Lava Hot Spings to float the river and this year my mom, Chelsey and Cindrie came too. We camped for two nights, at times camping was not enjoyable but we made the best of it. We went during the week so it wasn't very busy compared to weekends. The water was higher this year and we suffered injuries and losses. Everyone got dumped at least once really good except Cindrie, which is ok. (She has been injured previously with my Dad so he will never do again, but she was brave and had a good time.) Mom scraped her back real good on the lava rocks when she went over backward, Chelsey got dumped and hit a rock real hard and scared her, I fell off on the easy part but got caught in the current and thought for sure I would be making a trip to the ER but turned out fine, Chris on the other hand came out unharmed but his glasses will forever remain at the bottom of the river. Needless, to say that was an expensive trip. Great times and we'll be back next year. The pictures are Chris, Mom and Cindrie.