Re-Vamp

Ok people, now that I have graduated I'm ready to take this whole crafting thing to the next level. I have had a lot of people mention to me that they would LOVE to learn to crochet. I do sell crochet items but it seems the trend is often (especially in Utah) that people just want to learn to do it themselves!

So...for that reason I'm going to be offering some group (or private if you prefer) crocheting classes.

I think the group setting is really ideal because it can be informative and FUN at the same time!

I'm planning to do Saturday mornings and the class would be $10/person/class. If you bring a friend you each only pay $5/class! I will provide your first skein of yarn and you provide your own hooks. (Remember, once you learn some of the basics, you can make almost anything!) Here are some of the things we will learn to make:
Basic Potholders



Crochet Flowers/Headbands

 

Basic Afghans:

In addition to learning to make these projects, you will also learn to read and follow a crochet pattern. As I mentioned before, once you know these basic skills you can make almost anything!

Please email me at Tinatutu222@yahoo.com if you are interested and remember if you bring a friend you both get half off!

He's Had a Birthday Shout HOORAY!

This past Sunday my dear hubby turned the big 2-4. Yes, I am a cougar (only by 4 months or so :o)). We decided Jer's Birthday would have to last a whole week this year. Our primary children helped confirm this when we realized it was fast Sunday and we couldn't bring them treats. I bribed them by saying, "It's Brother Pendleton's birthday today but since it's fast Sunday we can't have treats. If you're really good today, I will bring you cupcakes next time." Needless to say, they were surprisingly good.

We had a Barton family dinner that afternoon and Jer's mom made him some delicious cupcakes. It was fun to be with family for Jer's big day.

Bright and early Monday morning I decided to make Jer breakfast in bed. He does NOT like the picture I took of him right after he woke up so I will omit that one. I made him buttermilk pancakes with strawberries.

Our friends the Bready's offered to host a little birthday BBQ for Jer at Eric's parents' house in Alpine.

 It was a bit windy so we went indoors to eat.

 Fun friends!

And of COURSE more cake. Buttermilk chocolate cake (family tradition) with rainbow chip frosting. (Childhood fave.) And if any of you were wondering, he blew all the candles out with one breath. :o)

My sister gave Jer a gift card for Outback Steakhouse and our friends the Wildes gave us a couple of movie passes so we were able to have a birthday date for Jer and saw the Avengers after a great dinner at Outback.

 Jer's parents gave us a wonderful graduation/Jer's birthday gift. Jer couldn't be happier. I think he's in heaven. :o) Thanks Di and Bry!

Tonight Jer and I will use our Pass of All Passes (aka free into Trafalga and Seven Peaks for a year) and go mini golfing. Tomorrow, we will celebrate with our primary kids with cupcakes and then, sadly, Jer's birthday will be over. Until next year!

Between all this celebrating, I have been doing some crafting to earn some extra money. I'm trying some new things as well as sticking with what has worked.

 Patriotic ribbon wreath, special order.

 Baby shower gift. I loved trying the new colors and adding the flower and buttons for a more girly hat!

Baby blanket. I have a lot of friends having babies so I'm crocheting up a storm making gifts! I'm trying to get my Etsy shop back up and running. It is slow going but I think it will be better than ever. I'm considering starting a crafting blog and putting up some tutorials, etc. We'll see if that happens. :o) I also have had recipes running through my head a million miles a minute that I want to share. Soon my friends!

(Not-So) Guilty Pleasures

Having been home from our trip for a few days and back to "real life," Jer and I have found out some of the things that make life without school the BEST. These things were mostly guilty pleasures while we were in school but have now become things we can do!

-Firstly, I will be able to blog lots more!
-Waking up at the same time (as each other)
-Eating breakfast together
-Having scripture study in the morning when we are awake and alert.
-Running all of my errands at one time, not one here or there when I have 10 spare minutes between classes.
-Reading for FUN! (I love this one if you can't tell and had a dream last night in which I was a character in the latest book I am reading. Check out "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton, it's awesome.)
-Cooking and planning meals especially for company and dinner groups
-Watching Netflix
-Jer gets to watch his new big screen (Thanks for the grad gift Di and Bry!)
-Jer gets to run and golf more often

I'm sure our list will get longer but for now, these things are the BEST! I'm SO excited for summer and all of the wonderful recipes in store for me. We just purchased a BBQ grill on KSL for $20 (steal, right?) And I am already conjuring up many a recipe. Here's a little summer kick-off recipe for those of you that can't wait like me:



Cooking Light- Fresh Mango Salsa

• 2 cups plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 1/2 cups diced peeled ripe mango
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar 
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper

Combine all ingredients and serve. This salsa is always a winner. It goes really well with fish tacos or grilled fish.

Enjoy!