Looks like it’s that time - time to buy a new calendar and figure out how to make our lives sound as exciting and prosperous as possible! I may fail on both accounts, but here we go . . .
We will be having a very quiet Christmas break as the kids will be on a Caribbean cruise with Scott’s parents and sister this year. It is a celebration for Sherman and Leslie’s 50th. Yes, we were invited. Yes, we’d love to be basking in the sun, eating chocolate covered strawberries & sipping lemonade. But . . .
We are waiting for new trucks to be delivered, inspected and detailed before taking them to paying (yea!) and anxious customers. In November, we received word that our shop that we adore and feels like “home” has been sold and we will have to be out by March. We aren’t sure where we will relocate, but it’s going to be a heap of work to move. Volunteers will be gladly accepted, especially ones with strong backs and large pickups. Like many others, our business has been slower than we’d like, so we have picked up additional lines of equipment to sell and Scott is very industrious, energetic, and upbeat about the future. He continues to swim 2-3 mornings/week and recently participated in a local choir group, honing his singing skills.
Sten is a Junior in High School and became a licensed driver this past summer – this has caused me occasional bouts of anxiety, but mostly it is stink’n convenient. His hay business is steadily growing (baled 180 tons this year) and he is on the lookout for more fields to cut. He has a steady stream of satisfied customers purchasing hay and is an ace at fixing the tractors and equipment – I dun think we raised ourselves a farmer (to be said in slow drawl). He was recognized for his outstanding offensive and defensive efforts on the water polo team and is in swimming now. His 1979 Ford pickup restoration is slow as there are so many other priorities that it is difficult to find the time to complete the extensive project.
Milah is in the 6th grade and is a dedicated student and a passionate soccer player. After last year’s disappointing season, she was thrilled to be on a winning team. She has found her niche as right forward and sometimes plays midfielder. She is a non-paying hay customer as she keeps her “hay burners” (horses) fed. She enjoyed participating in 4H this past year with her horse, Ronie and especially loved competing at Fair. She typically has the cleanest room in the house and her schoolwork is impeccable. She despises shopping. Unless a farm store or a sports store is in the plans, she would rather stay home. She is a kind and tender hearted kid, a little on the shy side, and extremely loyal.
Maren is in the 3rd grade and typically has the messiest room in the house. She is a whirlwind of activity: singing, dancing, talking and twirling (did I mention talking?). She is an amazingly attentive student. In her haste to complete work- her handwriting at times was nearly indecipherable. However, she has recently learned cursive, which she has mastered beautifully. She also competed in soccer, and although the teeniest one on the team – was never intimidated and had the most joyous “victory dance” after scoring goals. She loves everyone and simply cannot comprehend when someone doesn’t like her. Her zest for life and people is refreshing, and we often shake our heads in amusement. Although seemingly lighthearted, she comes up with mind blowing and soul searching questions.
My job is to lend a listening ear, a pat on the back or a kick in the rump when necessary. Scott and I work well together– I only wish I had more to offer in the math, accounting & mechanical arenas. Unfortunately, my brain thinks in colors, not numbers. I jumped at the chance to decorate a friend's model home in March, have loved designing the window displays in a friend’s flower shop recently and continue to peddle my wares.
Can’t wait to hear from each of you – please keep us “in the loop” and drop by if you can.
Love Scott-Lisa & kids
The vacationers enjoyed an 8 day Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Solstice. They stopped in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts. Their cruise ship is the one on the left. 
George, the monkey - enjoyed a perch on Milah's hair.
While the kids were sunning themselves poolside
And touring tropical islands, we were busy.
Sten's room was sorely in need of an update. I had painted this faux log wall 8 years ago and it was time for something fresh. 
All the walls were painted and we mounted rusty metal awnings above the windows and covered the faux log wall with rusty metal. 
The accent walls are dark brown, orange, blue, and green. Argyle fabric is ordered that ties the colors together (I promise) I was wanting a neutral color for the majority of the walls in a brownish/gray tone. Paint is (eek) expensive, so I cruised the shelves at Habitat for Humanity - grabbed 2 gallons that were close to the desired color, mixed them together and voila! Perfect! 
Ok, here's the deal . . . Scott and I are, for the most part opposites. He is type A, I (pause) am (pause) not. He is a neat freak, I am so not (can you spot me under this pile?). He is adventurous, I (teeth chattering) like to play it safe. He is lean and wiry, I am fluffy (gotta do something about that). He has chest hair, I (thankfully) do not.
We are having a trial run on the empty nest as the kids left today for nearly 2 weeks. A few months ago, it sounded like an exciting proposition. But I cannot lie. As the time grew nearer, I grew more and more anxious. I don't consider myself insecurely attached to my kids nor are they to me, but I felt like a big part of my heart would be ripped away. My crazy mind leaped to the worst - what if something happened?
Meet Katrina! The newest member of the family. This is where a casual search on Craigslist will get you. We've always had a "thing" for these Mercedes wagons and this one was too good of a deal to pass up. It is a 10 year old car, but has only 95,000 miles on it and is deluxe compared to the escort wagon. It has electric windows, door locks and cruise control - something I have sorely missed. 
Precision cutting
The first square - a disappearing 9 patch pattern
Voila! 72 seams later - she completed 9 squares. Just have to sew sashing material, back & bind. She loved the process and I think she's hooked! 
A few years back, I hesitantly allowed Maren to pack her own bag for a 3 day get away. She proudly brought her things to the door and I unzipped it to find 10 pairs of underwear and THAT'S ALL! To be on the safe side, I began printing off a checklist of items that they need to take. The girls LOVE checking off the boxes, and preparing their suitcases. And, I breathe easier knowing they'll have something to wear - besides clean underwear.
Today was crazy hair day. Milah was Pippi Longstocking and was in too big of a hurry to get a picture. Maren's extreme UP DO was achieved by gathering her hair around a plastic cup and spraying with copious amounts of hairspray.
I have been itching (or should I say scratching?) to make one of these feed sack bags AND, I just happened to spy an empty one on a burn pile recently. As previously mentioned - I am a quick and dirty seamstress, so this was a perfect project for me. I trimmed the bag at both ends and turned down the top once. I gathered a printed fabric and sewed it to the top and made bias tape out of burlap and overlapped the top edge. Made big handles in the print fabric and embellished with a burlap rosette. Then folded in the sides and threw a stitch in the bottom. I think it's stink'n cute - tho I may get some odd looks at the checkout stand.
In June 2009, Sten caught this big dude in Alaska. We are still enjoying the halibut. I say that loosely as I am not too crazy about halibut. I love halibut fish -n-chips, but that's about it.
It all started when their oven went out . . .
They removed the island in favor of a peninsula. The existing base cabinets were used, with new drawers/fronts. New uppers were made and the cabinets were extended to the ceiling. They used a mix of stained and painted woods. The finish is a "conversion varnish" and is glazed for highlight.
Granite countertops, an apron front sink and stainless steel appliances were installed (yes, a new oven). It is extremely posh and feels like an upscale restaurant. We still need to choose a small chandelier for above the sink - but I am in awe - it is amazing.
Poor Luke has been tortured by Maren all day. This is the girl that needs absolutely NO personal space - looks like Luke is protesting here. 
At 11:11:11 on 11-11-11, we had a quick celebration. Luke was in on the fun, guess we have another chance to do it tonight as well.
The most difficult part of this project is locating the blasted Citra Solv. I finally found this at an art store and it is not cheap - I payed $24.00 for this 32oz container.
Print an image from your computer - if it includes type, print a mirror image. If you are not familiar with the Graphics Fairy, you are missing out. Click on the sidebar to check out her site - her images are free and fun.
Place image face-down on fabric and secure with a clip to keep image from slipping. Spray citra-solv on the backside of image and "burnish" with a spoon. Too much liquid will cause the image to "run" on the fabric, also will waste the expensive potion. The possibilities are endless - tear fabric around image and sew on other fabric to make pillows, curtains, table runners . . . 
I always enter the Dollar Tree with great expectation. I peruse the aisles, my index finger tapping the corner of my nose, wondering what $1.00 item I could transform with little effort and sell for 15 times the price (hey just being honest). 5 of these foamy pumpkins landed in my cart, but I didn't like the orange color nor did I like the line in the middle. Hmmmm . . .
For starters, I spraypainted them a creamy color - not enough - still had to get rid of that ugly line.
Enter some French typography . . . There's some benefit to having a sister that lives in the French speaking part of Switzerland. It gives you cheap digs when you travel to Europe and it sounds fairly impressive and sophisticated, don't you think? (I say with my head high in the air, and an obligatory nod in your direction - "Yes", a slight flick of my wrist to free the embers off my long cigarette - "She lives abroad"). Forgive me. 
I tore pages out of the French books and ripped them in small pieces to "Modge Podge" them onto the pumpkin. Have no idea what they say?! Elmers Glue (slightly watered down) works just as good as modge podge and is a fraction of the cost (especially when you find a supersize container at the Goodwill). It dries with a completely flat sheen which I prefer.
Wrapped twine around stem and frayed the ends - added some wire for more texture.
Discovered a slim candlestick and mounted the pumpkin - making it a pumpkin pedestal. 
Water Polo Awards
Don't let that bigger girl scare you #2!
The girls competed in a soccer tournament this past weekend and they both walked away with 1st place trophies! 