Kitchen Disaster

Ay, ay, ay!  Where do I begin?!?
Well it all started about a month ago...it was a dark and stormy night...all the children were asleep in their beds...only one sound could be heard.  At first Megan didn't think much of it, but at the clock ticked on she became more and more uneasy. She ran from room to room trying to figure out where it was coming from, getting more and more panicked with each failed attempt to locate the evil noise.  She realized she couldn't do this on her own so she enlisted the help of her brave husband...who quickly solved the mystery. He pulled the fridge out and they discovered...wait for it...wait for it...WATER!!!! (insert blood curdling scream here!)

OK, I've had enough drama...seriously folks I'm waiting for this nightmare to end!  But alas, it's real life... sigh.
So there was this little crack in the part of the fridge that splits the water line to go to the water and ice dispensers.  It was shooting out a mist so who knows how long it was actually doing this.  It had been leaking so slowly that we didn't even know it was happening.  Water soaked up 4ft up the walls, up into the cabinetry, and between the flooring and sub floor!!! BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS YET! WHAAA???

We tried to dry it as best we could until our homeowners insurance got involved.

They sent out an adjuster who used a moisture meter to see how far it spread.  That's when I realized the real scope of this mess!  They brought in 9 crazy industrial fans, a dehumidifier and...


...three drying mats to *hopefully* pull the moisture out of the hardwood floor on the back side of the kitchen wall that (that we just refinished less than a year ago) because it was all cupping!! AHHH!  These fans stayed here almost a week.  Oh, did I mention they started the dry out process the day before THANKSGIVING!


They also came and boxed all my pantry cupboard, pots, pans, dishes, kids dishes, hot pads, etc.
It's been crazy, but I'm reminding myself that I need to see the glass as half full here.  I will get a new beautiful kitchen out of it so pray for me that I'll have the patience and enough crock pot recipes to get me and my family through the next few months!

Lots o' love,

Megan

Fun Flirty Apron

I made an apron for my soon-to-be Sister-in-Love, Margaret.  She is an amazing woman and my brother is so blessed to be marrying her!  I made this for her shower gift.  I didn't have a pattern but this is what I did.

I started with a remnant piece that was half of a yard.  I cut a piece for the top and trimmed it on a bit of an angle so it would nip in at the waist a little.

I cut these two strips and sewed them together

I also hemmed one side and gathered it.  It'll be a ruffle in a minute...

Next I cut 4" strips for the ruffles.

I hemmed one side of it and gathered it.

I sewed it on...

...and went back over my stitching with a zig-zag stitch.

Then I top-stitched so it would lay flat.

I added the smaller blue ruffle and the top was coming together nicely.  I cut a piece for the bottom and rounded off the bottom corners. I gathered the top.

I attached it all together with yet another coordinating yellow for the waistband.

For the neck strap I used the yellow plaid and sewed a tube. The easiest way for me to turn it out is to attach a safety pin to one end.

I sink it down into the tube...

...and fish it through until it comes out the other side.  Super easy!

I top-stitched both sides and pinned it down

I tucked the end up under itself so no raw edges were showing.

Now for the fun part! Wait...all of this was fun! I made a big flower with the 3 fabrics I used for the apron.

Each petal was backed with and stitched to the yellow plaid for stability.

I made a little fold in each petal...

...and ran it through the machine.

I cut them apart leaving each color together.

I laid it out and stitched it in place.

Repeat with each layer.

Then stack them up.

I used FabricTac to adhere the little jewels.

So this is what the top looks like up close.

And here she is in all her glory!

I made the ties long enough to tie in front on the right hip into a cute bow.

My husband liked it so much he keeps asking when I'm making one for myself!

What do you think?

Lots o' love,

Megan

Megan's Stew

Oh my goodness this us the best stew I've had in such a long time. My husband, aka Mr. Food Critic, said that he'd love it if I made this once a week until the end of the year! Yay!!! It's a nice cozy meal perfect for a cold rainy day like today.

Here is the recipe I came up with:

Megan's Stew
2 lbs bratwurst, removed from casings
2 cups diced onion
4 parsnips, peeled and sliced on bias
3-4 cups chopped carrots
6 medium potatoes, cubed
3 gloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Red Robin seasoning, or seasoned salt
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
4 bay leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Break up brats in a pot with onion. Add parsnips, carrots, and potatoes. Add everything else and cook until barely tender and onions are clear. Transfer to crock pot set on low. Cook for about six hours. Remove bay leaves and add gravy.

Gravy
In saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Whisk in 1/4 cup flour until bubbly. Add 1 tablespoon beef base continuing to whisk. Add 2 cups hot water and cook and stir about 3 minutes until bubbly. Add to stew. Mix well. Add more water to thin it out if desired.

Make some rolls to go along with it and ENJOY!!!

Lots o' love,
Megan

Yellow Lamp

I got this lamp for FREE! I loved the shape but not the wood and brass. I taped it off and spray painted it yellow.

Do you love it!?!

Lots o' love,
Megan

Vintage Shabby Chic Baby Shower

So a few months ago I mentioned that I was going to be hosting a baby shower for my best friend Amy.  Well, this past Saturday was the big day!  It was SO much fun making everything for it and seeing it all come together!  A million thanks to Tracy for helping me make the coffee filter flowers and decorating, to Charlotte for the beautiful favors and decorating, Libby for helping with the invites, and Lizzie for the games and prizes, not to mention the BEAUTIFUL photographs!  I want a nice camera!

Isn't she a beautiful Mom-to-Be!

I LOVE YOU AMY!!! 

I hope you had as wonderful a time at your shower as I did!

I got my inspiration for this shower from this site here. How could you NOT be inspired by this!?!

How do you think it compared?

Lots o' love,

Megan