BIG NEWS #1: WE MOVED!

I have not mentioned this on my blog yet for fear of jinxing all that was going on -- but we moved to Texas!

Chad is trying for a position with BNSF as a train dispatcher. It involves a 4 month training class before getting the job. The idea was to take the class offered in September and be working right after that. However, a week before his tests and interviews the people in charge filled the September class, so now the next one offered is in February.

Rather than waiting things out in Montana, we moved to Fort Worth, Texas to be prepared and do everything possible to get this working in the right direction. We didn't want to be in a situation with breaking a lease on our place or keeping employers up in the air about when our last days would be. Also moving in February would have been terrible through all the snow in Montana and Wyoming. So, we're here now and have time to adjust to things here before his class starts.

Thankfully, our friend Drew helped us drive down our Uhaul and 2nd car and unload it all into our tiny apartment. We went from about 1900 sf in Bozeman to 750 sf here! But it's an exciting challenge to see if we can live in our space more efficiently. Before he left we went out to PF Changs for dinner - it's the best! The area it's in is known as Sundance Square, a pretty safe spot downtown. We'd planned on a movie after dinner, but there were so many people out and things going on that we walked around and eventually ended up in a rock and roll dueling pianos bar - so much fun!

I don't mind the heat. If we moved the beginning of the summer that might be different, so it was a good adjustment to come down in the fall. I've noticed a few things, probably more than a few, that I'm not sure if I expected or not.

- No one really speeds: People tend to follow the speed limits, and rather than passing you people are pretty content with just following behind you until they get wherever they're going

- People are very friendly: Maybe it's the accent (which the lady at the bank said we'd develop) but any time we've gone to shop or eat everyone has been so nice.

- Store are clean: I'm sure there are places that are no so clean, but because of all the competition and repeats of many stores (we live so close to 2 different shopping areas that are almost identical) there must be a higher standard for keeping things as clean as they've been.

At the moment we are looking for jobs. Probably the scariest part of moving was that we didn't have immediate jobs lined up. I found a great nanny agency to sign up with, but most of their clients are in Dallas and that's too long of a commute. There's a private preschool about a block away from where we live that's looking for help. I've had 2 interviews so far and should hear back by Friday if I get that job. Crossing my fingers hard!

FINISHED: JANE HATS

This is my hat of the moment. It's a pattern by Jane Richmond, called "Jane". I really have made quite a few. The guys I know think they are a little girly, so I need to find a great pattern for the fellas that I know.

It's super quick to make and as you can see I went a little crazy on buying different colors of yarn ... it's so hard not too. Another yarn buying trip is in order soon. I will have to avoid the really nice yarn shops downtown because I know I will cave into buying something that feels incredible but comes with a pricier price on it!

IN PROGRESS: HAT OF THE MOMENT IN MUSTARD

Sneak Peek!

This is such a fun hat that I've made somewhere between 8 - 10. . .I can't even remember. I made one a month or so ago and after that just went and bought all kinds of yarn to make more. Hoping to get this one done by the weekend so I can bring them to the farmer's market. Just in time for fall . . .

NEW OBSESSION: LUSH

LUSH!

I think I am in love . . . my mom had told me about LUSH and given me one of their news-catalogs, but I didn't think much of them . . . but on a quick side trip in Seattle, I discovered their shop right next to where we'd gone out to eat. It's a Canadian company and they use all natural ingredients. While in Edmonton I got to make a trip to another store. I wish I had more time and money to check out all their products, but these are some of my favorites so far.

1. DREAMTIME BATH MELT -- It's my new bath favorite. I break some of the bar off into my bath and it smells so good (lavender). Perfect for before bed!

2. DREAM CREAM -- Again, huge fan of lavender. This has got to be the most luxurious cream I've bought, it's so rich and smooth.

3. AMBROSIA -- I didn't buy a whole bottle, but the wonderful lady at the store gave me a sample to take home. It's a super lightweight shaving cream.

4. TRICHOMANIA SHAMPOO -- I haven't tried their shampoos yet, but they are solid! Some of them smell a little different, so I've been hesitant to try the, but this one is coconut, maybe it's the one!

INSPIRED BY . . . .WIPE OFF BOARD

from makeandtakes.com via Little Birdie Secrets -- I want to make one!

WANT IT: UNCOMMON CASE & PRINTS BY YELLENA

I have neither an Iphone or my own Ipod Touch. . .but if I'm craving this case from Uncommon

And after visiting the Etsy shop of the artist who designed the case, I wouldn't mind a couple of prints too!

FINISHED: TWEED/SILK SCARF PURSE

Well, the pattern is called that anyways. . . pretty sure my fabric from JoAnn's is not tweed, nor is the scarf that I got at Target, but it looks pretty good! I made it for someone else, but I'm a little in love with it -- I'll have to make myself another. The pattern is from the perfect handmade bag (recycle and reuse to make 35 beautiful totes, purses and more).

FINISHED: OATMEAL PULLOVER

I found this pattern through SouleMama and fell in love with it right away. The pattern by Jane Richmond and you can purchase the pattern at her Etsy shop.

Rather than using a more expensive yarn, I found a similar weight at Michael's for $4/skein. I was a little nervous about how much I'd end up using since the skeins weren't the same size, so I bought 8 and ended up using 5 (hoping that I can return what I didn't use!). After looking up a couple knitting abbreviations it was quite easy to do. It's knit from the top down, so it doesn't require seaming pieces together at the end.

Next time I may decide to make the body a little longer, and the sleeves a little longer with a bigger section of ribbing on them (like on the bottom). Can't wait for some cooler weather so I can wear it!

YUM: BEIGNET

World Market is right up there on my list of favorite places to shop. Discovered a beignet mix there on a more recent trip that is super easy to whip up and then devour! Traditionally they are covered with powdered sugar, but I did some up with cinnamon/sugar too : )

IN PROGRESS: MY FIRST SWEATER

IN PROGRESS: LUCY BLANKET

CRAZY BUSY SUMMER

Gee. . It's been awhile . . . this is what I've been up to this summer and hope that the next 4 weeks have lots more sunshine and fun!

Floating the Madison River --- 3 hours on the river with a ice cold Mike's. .. perfect Saturday afternoon

Visiting Alaska --- Sitka, Haines, everywhere in between

An Afternoon at Pike's Place Market in Seattle ---

Edmonton, Canada --- to see my brother who is there over the summer, lots of shopping and some fun at the waterpark

Summer nights in downtown Bozeman --- Music on Main, Bite of Bozeman, and just because

IT'S GOOD TO WATER YOUR PLANTS

This is the plant that makes it look like I have some idea of what I'm doing . .. the other one, not so much. .. maybe you'll see that one if I can bring it back to life!

WHAT SHALL WE DO TODAY: PAPER CHAINS

Not too long ago, I brought the kids that I nanny over to my house for the day. Every now and then it changes things up a bit for them. . .and I can catch up on laundry! This particular day was a very rainy day and the 6 year old didn't have school. My mom sent me this great little book with fun kids projects. I should have been better prepared with supplies . . .so we just did the easiest one - paper chains.

I'm a paper junkie and so many big sets of paper have sheets that I don't really like too much or there's things that I really won't ever use that much of. So. . .we raided my paper stash and cut lots of strips and went to town with the stapler. There were several breaks to play with other things, but over the day we made our paper chain 75+ feet. I think it will make a nice addition to their play room.

KANZASHI IN BLOOM + ETSY SEARCH

This looks like a lot of fun and is now on my wishlist!

ESTY SHOP PETALMIX:
Hair accessories and brooch pins are a modern twist on the Japanese art of tsumami kanzashi. Each petal is hand cut hand folded from beautiful high quality fabrics.

ESTY SHOP ANGHARAD:
I make all my items at home using a combination of fabrics, some designer and vintage. This shop is basically an outlet for the things I make as I can't resist buying beautiful fabrics and need to put them to use instead of hoarding them!