Author Archives: Laura

My Fair Results (and I “damn with faint praise” because I can’t help myself)

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Laura

Here I am, reporting back on how I did at the state fair!  I earned one second place ribbon, three 3rd place ribbons, and an honorable mention for a total of $23 in prize money. Specifically, Mark’s doll got 3rd … Continue reading →

Posted in friends, sewing | Tagged | 2 Comments

I’m an Official State Fair Exhibitor, Times Eight! And So Is Ellie!

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Laura

Our State Fair opened today and this year I entered eight items! Last year, I won one blue ribbon and two reds and earned enough money to pay for our dinner.*  So I’ve decided that this is going to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Ellie, sewing | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Nursing = Ick, Gymnurstics, and Other Reasons Why I Love Nursing a Two-Year-Old

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Laura

my [really late] post to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week 2015 Last fall, as Mark was learning how to talk, one of his first words was, “Ick.” He would point at my chest, say, “Ick”, and then lean over as if … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, linguistics, Mark, nursing, parenting, politics, reflecting | Tagged | 2 Comments

August Sewing: Vintage Doll Dress for Ellie

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Laura

Here’s one final finish for August, just in time for the state fair!  Ellie has been asking me to make her a dress for her doll ever since the spring when my mom sent me this reprint of a vintage … Continue reading →

Posted in Ellie, sewing | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

August Sewing: Quilted Library Bag For Us

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Laura

My third in the “navy blue, bright green, hot pink, botanicals” collection, I just finished this quilted tote bag last night.  It’s ultimately going to be our library book bag but my push to finish it was so that I … Continue reading →

Posted in books, sewing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Look! I just made all our [canning] lives easier!

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Laura

As is my practice, for the third year in a row, here’s a rundown on how successful my plan for food preservation for CY (that’s canning year) 2014-2015 was , along with a “why didn’t I think of this before?” … Continue reading →

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We’re Alive! We’re Well! We Have Short Hair!

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Laura

I do apologize for the blog silence over the past couple of weeks.  We’ve been busy having a fun summer and that, combined with lots of emails to answer and other stuff has meant that I just haven’t managed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

The Last Playdate (sniff, sniff) (and a TOTALLY AWESOME way to keep kids occupied outside)

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Laura

Just before our friends moved to Cambodia, the kids (who will be referred to by the initials P and I – as in the first letter of her first name and not an awkward way to refer to myself) came … Continue reading →

Posted in Ellie, friends, Mark, school | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

June/July Sewing: Fabric Cards for Our Dear Friends

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Laura

Recently, we tearfully said goodbye to a precious family who we knew through our church.  Their first-born, P, is just three months older than Ellie and the two of them have been friends essentially since they were born.  For the … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Freedom

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Laura

Today the United States of America celebrates the adoption of our Declaration of Independence in 1776, which famously states, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with … Continue reading →

Posted in holidays, sewing | 1 Comment