Some sewing, some cooking

Finally, some sewing! Inspired by A Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule, I made Mama's Bag for myself. The size is perfect, just right for a little knitting project, wallet, phone, small notebook or book. Amanda has a great "use what you have" philosophy, and I happened to have this adorable, softest, fine-wale corduroy in my stash for the exterior. The lining material was pretty sweet---new, I admit, from Alewives.

Here's the thing though. I realized that the photo pictured in the book was not going to match the dimensions of fabric that SouleMama had listed (what's the deal with that?!). This is a big sewing milestone for me! And I wanted the bag in the picture. So I had to figure out how to get it. I adjusted the pleat size and the bag's height and came out with something pretty close. Yay, me!

And while at Alewives, I got some new fabric for some little pajama pants that didn't end up working out. I had the little dimensions for a round-tummied 3 year-old girl, but without the girl at hand to really visualize, it just seemed so crazy to be looking at a 14" inseam and a 20" waist. So I will make them again, in this fabric, for the tiny girl who ran into my arms the other day upon seeing me. This time I will consult a pattern (not of my own making, thank you very much) and they will be perfect.

bobbin case and thread stand, at last!

Dinner was delicious in the making and the eating:

That is a pan full of sunshine sweetness dressed in oil, balsamic, salt/pepper, and garlic, shortly to be roasted and tossed with pasta and basil and parmesan. An easy dinner that tastes delicious that everyone eats!

In other news: the new rhythm is emerging, now that the boys are in school again. My school work can be relegated to daytimes, when I am not at work, so I don't have to grouch and grump at nights and snarl at my husband. Fall is in the air today, still warm but with a nice swishy-in-the-trees wind. I have a new work schedule that includes not working every Saturday, just one Saturday per month! Hooray! We are going to The Fair this weekend, the older boys will be there on Friday, but we will go as a family on Sunday. Because I want to see this band live (turn on your computer's speakers before clicking)!