MIA on my blog/Get that sock off his back!

Yep...you've missed me! Admit it!

So...what have I been up to this whole time you ask!?!?!

Let me sum up (in no specific order):

I turned 28!  

Make a wish!

The Favorite woke up early to make me breakfast burritos. He cooked me brats on the grill. and the kids had special pictures they had colored a couple days previous!  The Favorite gave me some Bass Pro gift cards that we get from our credit card points (very coveted items at our house---so this was huge for him to give to me instead of keep for himself). And then, Buddy and the Favorite made me Pineapple cupcakes! YUM!

I was visited by a friend...who also brought me cupcakes...but these were all different flavors. Yum! 

A couple days later 3 of my sisters made me a special lunch. 

I have taken a short break from paper piecing.  I worked a little on it tonight, but sometimes you just got to take a short hiatus and then return later.  It was starting to become too much of a good thing if you know what I mean.  I have had quite a bit of business making ties and pacifier clips in the meantime anyways!

Here's what I've done that you haven't seen yet! George! (Available here!)

We celebrated Easter! 

We celebrated on Friday and Saturday and saved actual Easter Sunday to remember Jesus Christ and not think about the Easter Bunny.  I like it that way! 

Buddy hardly took off these goggles for a couple weeks.  Then the strap finally broke and it was a sad day at our house. 

 

I got more serious about Family History Work. 

Now don't get me wrong.  I have NO CLUE what I'm doing.  But, I'm learning. 

I have been working with my dad who is working with my uncle and I have been given an ASSIGNMENT which is fantastic, because it's something I know how to do! Yay! 

And the myth that "Aunt Mary already did all my family's work" is just that....a myth. Surprisingly! 

*Aunt Mary...this is in no way directed at you! lol (yes I actually have an Aunt Mary). 

I've been doing a lot of other things as well.

-Priming the dog mansion. 

-Getting over being sick (yes...I was sick again). 

-Nursing the Favorite when he had his "man cold." (He's a big baby when he's sick). 

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST! 

I joined a gym.  I got a great deal (Groupon) and bit the bullet.  I have grown to love running, but I need to change up my routine.  

So far, I have tried Zumba, Cycling, and lifting weights for my arms. 

I loved the Zumba and Cycling.  The weight lifting....I felt like I looked like an idiot.  I had to read the instructions on every machine.  And I just walked around the gym like a lost little puppy. 

Oh well! Tomorrow I have personal training, and I'm going to ask about weight lifting! Maybe I won't stick out like a sore thumb anymore after tomorrow?!?! 

Here's a little comedy to help you picture how I felt at the gym. 

The never ending project...a dog MANSION story

My life lately has felt a bit lonely! The dog house is taking a lot of my husband's attention and I will be SO HAPPY when this thing is finished for multiple reasons. 

1) I will get my husband back. 

2) I will get my side of the yard back. 

3) The dogs will have air conditioning and will have no need to come in the house this summer (our weather is too hot to let them stay outside during the hot summer months.) 

4) Because this dog mansion will have 3 dog doors and the ability to section each area off, we will be able to use it when puppies are born as well. (Read: no puppy poop in my house! YAY! And no small children poking puppies.) 

The Favorite originally had plans to build with wood, sheetrock, etc. (like our house.)  But, a friend taught him how to lay block and the project transformed. 

The walls were finally up! Working on the stucco in this picture! 

Stucco work!

Cinder block does not have a very high R value (meaning it's not very insulated.)  Running an air conditioner into our Dog Mansion would not be very efficient (read: would cost a lot more $$) without additional insulation.  So, the Favorite decided to add more insulation and OSB to the inside! Stay tuned! He's not done with that wall yet. More dog proofing to come.

 

The inside so far. Lights and outlets in. Insulation and OSB up on one side.

He has installed outlets and a light inside the Dog Mansion for future use.  Checking on puppies in the dark might be a little hard without a light. And if he needs a heat lamp for the puppies, the outlets will come in handy.

The roof is now insulated with fiberglass insulation and is just lacking some shingles! 

He's had LOTS and LOTS of help from 2 very small workers. It's been really handy (just ask him) lol.

The roof is ON! Just needs shingles! 

So many "helpers"

Anchoring the boards/insulation to the cinder block wall.

Don't forget your eye protection!

In the meantime, I have embroidered the Gila Valley Temple block AND created a pattern for the Gilbert Temple. Enjoy!

Gila Valley Temple

Gilbert Temple

Broccoli Beef (sans beef)

Today I tried a recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe for Broccoli Beef, but I used elk instead! What else would I use?!?!?

It was DELICIOUS! Definitely a recipe I will use again for elk! I am re-posting the recipe here for your convenience! AND--as promised--a couple pictures of TEN in the new dress I made her.   

The Best Broccoli Beef

YIELD: SERVES 4-5

INGREDIENTS

Sauce:
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium chicken broth
• 5 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Beef and Broccoli:
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut into 2-inch-wide strips with the grain, then sliced across the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices (Here's where you substitute elk...I used Back Straps)
• 6 medium cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press or minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 teaspoon peanut oil or vegetable oil, plus extra for cooking
• 1 1/4 pounds broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 medium scallions, sliced 1/2-inch thick on diagonal, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, combine beef and soy sauce. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour. Meanwhile, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a liquid measure or small bowl. In another small bowl, combine garlic, ginger, and 1 teaspoon peanut oil. Set aside.
2. Heat 1-2 teaspoons peanut oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot and rippling. Add half of beef to skillet and break up clumps; cook, without stirring, for 1 minute, then stir and cook until beef is browned around edges and cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. Don't overcook the meat - cook until just barely cooked through so the meat stays tender. Transfer beef to a medium bowl and cover with a lid and tin foil. Heat another 1-2 teaspoons peanut oil in the skillet and repeat with remaining beef.
3. Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil to now-empty skillet; heat until rippling and hot. Add broccoli and cook 30 seconds; add water, cover pan, and lower heat to medium. Steam broccoli until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Push the broccoli to the sides of the skillet and add the garlic/ginger mixture. Cook, mashing the mixture with a spoon, until fragrant, about 15-30 seconds. Stir the mixture into the broccoli. Add the beef back to skillet and toss to combine. Whisk the sauce to recombine and add to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and evenly distributed, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with scallions, and serve - or be like me and serve it straight out of the skillet!

Dressing the Littles

I have been sick....like really sick.  My littles (both Buddy & Ten) had Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease, and they shared. How nice...right?!

The first day, I did a whole lot of nothing.  I relaxed in our love sack and watched Duck Dynasty pretty much ALL day. 

Today, I felt a little better, but only well enough to sit...calmly. So I made a dress for Ten. 

I have used this pattern 3 times now and have come to LOVE it! Pink Poodle Bows on Etsy! I HEART YOU! This pattern is so well made.  BONUS: it includes sizes 9 months - size 12. 

This pattern will grow and grow with your kid.  I sound like I am being paid...but I actually PAID for this pattern and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

It is also EASY EASY EASY! 

Another favorite thing about this pattern is that you can cut most of it out using your rotary mat.  A quilter's dream pattern!  I took the pictures of the dress at night, so the lighting isn't all that great! I will have to take a picture of Ten wearing it on Sunday! (This dress is the 18 month size)  

Here's a picture of Ten back in July in the 9 month size dress I made her!