Friday, January 29, 2010

Mexican Pizza Party

Let me just start off by saying "welcome" to my new readers!  It's ALWAYS wonderful to see new faces and know that someone out there is actually reading the things I write!  Thanks, also, to those who helped make my decision on the pansy pinwheel quilt - I won't share my decision until I finish it, and then I'll surprise you with a picture!

I also want to publicly thank Karen of Sew Many Ways for her generous giveaway prizes!  It came in the mail this week and I'm still in awe of her generosity and I feel so awkward and undeserving receiving it - is this normal for a first-time giveaway winner?  Thank you, Karen, and happy blogiversary!

I'm really making an effort to keep my internet time to 1/2 hour, because I need to make the most of my "freedom" while it lasts.

This is the construction site - the pond will be the view out their back porch

We broke ground on our construction project this Monday, and I've got to report to duty next week - just found out that I won't have to work until Wednesday, so that means two more days of sewing for me!  I'm trying to cram in as much sewing as possible because I know I'll be missing my dear Singer next week!  Most of all, I'm just dreading working outdoors in this cold weather.  I'm not looking forward to slinging a hammer during the two coldest months of the year, but I know my husband needs my help, even though my two little hands can't do very much...

My husband has assembled quite an interesting construction crew out of various family members, me included.  He likes to refer to us as his "mexicans" - believe me, this is not any kind of racial slur and I take this as a compliment, because since I've been working in the construction world for at least the past 15 years, I know that Mexican construction crews are some of the hardest working people in that field!  My husband, Bill, has hired Uncle Harold, Uncle Smiley and myself to work on this project (of course, I'm not really "hired", I'm just expected to help!)  Our daughter has decided we need mexican names to go with our status - Harold is "Jorge", Smiley is "Jesus" (pronounced "hay-soos") and I am "Juanita".  We joked that my husband needs to be called "Juan", but decided the boss will just be "boss".

Gramma Baker's house in the background

The footing is dug, the batter boards up, and today the concrete truck is coming to pour the footing.  The foundation block will be delivered today, too, and the masons will begin work on Monday.  While they are laying block, us mexicans will be doing some pre-framing on the ground - making walls to stand up once the floor is laid on the foundation.

The electrical company installed the temporary power pole yesterday

So, until I must brave the hard, cold, outside, I plug away in my sewing room.  Here are a few things I've been working on:

COKE quillow - special order for a customer


Kaleidoscope quilt blocks from some of Paula Nadelstern's Luminosity fabrics - another patchwork quillow in the works for my goal of 26 this year.

  
Custom Toddler Nap Mat
I've also been making more little dresses and coloring notebooks for toddlers to sell at craft shows, but my husband has had the camera all week and my picture-taking is limited.

Take a trip over to amy lou who's place for more Sew-n-Tell Friday entries!  Lots of neat things to see there!
We've made Friday night our Pizza Night, and my husband has turned tonight into a pizza party at Gramma Baker's house.  Guess who gets to make the homemade pizza for 9 people?????  I'm not sure my little bread oven can churn out enough dough for that many people, but we'll give it a shot!  Honestly, it's a luxury to be able to have dinner with Gramma Baker.  She's 94 (going on 95 in April) and LOVES pizza!  I know it will be a wonderful family time!


So, without further ado, it's time to head to my sewing room for the day - I've got my ballet slippers on for Red Shoe Friday - do you have your red shoes on?




P.S....Oh, the cupcakes were delicious!  Gone too soon!

5 comments:

Karen from Sew Many Ways... said...

Hi Jenn,
Woo Hoo...the package made it. Hope you can enjoy your free time sewing before you start slinging the hammer. Wow, you are a Jackie of all trades, lol!! I don't envy you out in the cold though. Right now the wind chill here is below zero. If it gets too cold for you, try those Hot Hands that you stick in your gloves. They also make them for your boots. Good luck out there...can't wait to see the progress. I also love all your projects that you've been sewing!
Take care,
Karen

Rae Ann said...

Jenn ~ You amaze me girl! You do so much. I am happy that you will have some good sewing time before you turn into Juanita.
Your grandma Baker is so cute! How fun that you get to spend pizza night with her.
I love all that you are doing.
Have a great weekend!

Catherine said...

What a lovely story about the building of your house! I 'm keen to come back and see the progress. Looks like a nice setting to for a home. Nice quillows and a great word too, that's new to me. Thanks for sharing!

beth said...

i wouldn't be looking forward to heavy labor outside either! Hope the construction goes smoothly and quickly...so you can get back to peaceful sewing!

Red Shoes for Rwanda said...

Hi Juanita,
:) Bahahahahha! I totally "get" what you mean about the Mexican work ethic. They are amazing! However, I think you could not say such things in liberal Washington! LOL! Your grandma is ADORABLE! OMG I wish I could meet her. I just LOVE old people. Your sewing looks cool...you inspired me to dig out my machine this week, girl! :) I just miss you more and more when I read your blog. Thanks for the Red Shoes shout out, as always, and you are entered again for the "prize"! I need to update my blog, but we have been pretty busy. WTYS, (write to you soon!) xxoo

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