My First Blog Award

"I just received my first blog award", from Latin Mom of 4.
I am passing the award to:

http://latinmomof4punks.blogspot.com/ My Sister - Most Homely
http://brandiealmanza.blogspot.com/ My Niece - Most Random

http://threepinkelephants-lexibrookie.blogspot.com/ - Most cutest Tutu

http://theheadsigrl.blogspot.com/ - Most Sincere

http://bitternsweetinsanity.blogspot.com/ - Most Insanely Honest

http://eli3flores.blogspot.com/ - My Brother - Most neglected

The rules of the “One Lovely Blog Award” are:Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

The Sweetheart Apron

The Sweetheart Apron

Yesterday evening I worked on a no bib apron. I selected an old Pattern that I had, I am not sure of the year? I am guessing maybe 1950's. I loved How full this style of skirt was. So, I selected a Polka Dot fabric to give it a more Retro look and laced the heart pockets to give it a sexy look as well. I almost made a matching Guarder for it too. I think I will. ha!! I wonder what the husbands or better halves would think? When they would come home after a long day at work to find you in the kitchen wearing a sexy apron and cooking a delicious meal. hmmmm..... I am sure they would be flabbergasted.

Nerd Tie T-Shirt

Monday Night Project

Nerd Tie
I found this really cool fabric at our local fabric store and had to buy 1/2 yard because I figured I'd find something for it. It's my first try at a Nerd tie shirt I hope to make some more. All I did was cut out a tie shape from my fabric and sewed it on this T-shirt and I thought It looks cute and funky. It's cute simple and fast.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

This recipe was given to me by my friend Ms. Mama V

Loaded Mashed potato casserole

These mashed potatoes are full of savory flavor. They'll definitely be a hands-down favorite with the hungry crew who gets invited over when these potatoes are on the menu.

5 1/2 c mashed potatoes
1/2 c milk
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
8 oz. container sour cream
2 t dried parsley
1 t garlic salt
1/4 t ground nutmeg
3/4 c shredded Cheddar cheese
6 slices of bacon crisply cooked
and crumbled


Combine all ingredients except Cheddar cheese and bacon in a large mixing bowl. Beat at medium high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking dish; top with Cheddar cheese and bacon. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese melts. Serves 12

Pillowcase Dress

Very Easy Weekend Project!!! The Pillowcase dress

Check out my version of a Pillowcase Dress I found on the internet, I made it my weekend project. I loved how it came out and was cheap and very easy to make. This dress can be worn by all ages and is weather ready. It can be worn with bloomers underneath for the summer or in the winter with a long sleeve shirt and pants underneath. I will give this as a gift to a relative for a birthday party next weekend. Hope she likes it.

You will need:

1 yard of 45" fabric

2 yards of grosgrain ribbon or satin if you'd like (I bought a little more for a hair bow)

Fray check

Let's get started:

1. Match the selvage edges of your fabric, press the fold and cut the fabric along the fold. You should have 2 equal sections

2. Press a 1/4" hem along each of the long edges of the front and the back. Fold over and press again to eliminate any raw edges. Stitch each hem.

3. Press down 1/4" along the top (the edges that was the fold) of the front and the back. Press down another 1" to form the casing. If you are using larger ribbon. you will need to make a larger casing. Stitch.

4. With the right sides together, stitch the front and the back together starting at the bottom and stopping about 5 ½” from the top to leave an opening for the armholes. Go over the top of this stitch multiple times to prevent the seam from pulling apart.

5. Press open the seams of the inside of the dress.

6. Press the hem on the bottom of the dress about 1”, and then press up another 1” so that no selvage edge is visible. Stitch hem.

7. Cut your grosgrain ribbon into 1 yard strips. Apply fray check to the ends of the ribbons to prevent fraying.

8. Run the ribbon through the casing. Pull an equal amount of ribbon out of each end. Stitch the ribbon in place in the middle of the casing. Go over the stitch at least twice. Repeat the process for the back of the dress.

**I sewed ribbon at the bottom of this dress to give it a more prissy look, but you can make it without.

The Nail Cross

My Oldest Son starts Junior High on Monday and I wanted to dedicate a blog to him.

On Feb. 1st 1997 was the day that changed my life forever and I was never to be the same. What an Awesome undescribable feeling it is to be a Mom and to be called one for that fact. I still remember the day he was born and being a first time Mom, afraid to carry him because I thought I'd break him. I nicknamed him my little Chunky Monkey, if you'd see a baby pic you'd know why. I have guided him the best that I can and am always there with a kiss or a hug when needed, funny how a little kiss can bring a smile on his face. ha! We have recently upgraded from kiss on the lips to kisses on the cheek for fear that someone might see. Our bond is so tight and there isn't one day that passes that I don't tell him how much I love him.

My little Baby has grown up to be such a handsome boy. His fascinations at the moment are the beach, skateboarding, baseball, junk food, reading and testing me till I've almost reached my limit. ha!! He definately keeps me grounded.

I have been told that boys are very close to their Mom's and then at some point start to separate themselves from the security of their Mothers arms. Could this happen to him and I?

So lately, I've had this itch to buy him something special, something that will highlight these years of his life and to remind him that God is with him wherever he may go.

I've decided on a Cross necklace because from the day that he was born I put him in God's hands. This is my token to my son to remind him that with God all things are possible. So I hope he takes care of it and maybe one day he will pass it along to his Son.

Fresh Apple Cake

This evening as I was washing the dishes I went ahead and went through my recipe box. :) First one in my box in Alphabetical Order is My Aunt Fina's famous Fresh Apple Cake recipe and thought I would share it. I think I will bake it soon... maybe this weekend? Since I work and this recipe takes time and care. Here it is and believe me you won't be disappointed if you try it!!

Fresh Apple Cake

4 cups peeled diced apples
2 cups sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
*Mix and let stand 1 hr. Stir often so it makes it's own juice.

3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. each, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg
2 tsp. baking soda
*Mix and add to the apple and sugar mixture.

1 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs beaten
*Mix and add to above. Stir by hand pour into greased floured tube pan.

Bake 1 hr. and 15 min. at 350 degrees Sprinkle with powdered sugar or glaze.

Diamonds are a girls best friend apron

I am almost done with my project I set myself to do yesterday!! When picking my fabric I fell in love with this diamond ring fabric and matched it with polka dots for a retro feel. Look at the button that I found, looks like a big diamond. I thought it would pull the theme togheter. With that said, I named this apron, "Diamonds are a girls best friend."

I like to Sew!!

Today I have decided it's time for a new sewing project! I think it will be an apron. I have lots of Old and New Patterns that I have collected or bought. The one on the left is a new pattern and the one on the right is an old 1964 Simplicity Pattern. By the way I have this thing with Vintage Patterns and I have collected a few over the years.







About 9 years ago I walked into a local Pawn shop and bought me an old sewing machine. Eager to learn I sat in front of the sewing machine and gave it my very best. Over the years I have gotten better but I am still my worst critic. My old sewing machine has stuck with me and I couldn't imagine ever getting rid of my old faithful sewing machine.

Some People Poem

I would like to share this beautiful Poem that was given to me by a dear friend. You know who you are and I would like to say Thank You.

Some People

Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go... Some stay for awhile and embrace our silent dreams.

They help us become aware of the delicate winds of hope... and we discover within every human spirit there are wings yearning to fly.

They help our hearts to see that the only stairway to the stars is woven with dreams... and we find ourselves unafraid to reach high.

They celebrate the true essence of who we are and have faith in all that we may become.

Some people awaken us to new and deeper realizations... for we gain insight from the passing whisper of their wisdom.

Throughout our lives we are sent precious souls... meant to share our journey however brief or lasting their stay they remind us why we are here.

To learn... to teach... to nurture... to love

Some people come into our lives to cast a steady light upon our path and guide our every step their shining belief in us helps us to believe in ourselves.

Let us reach out to others and feel the bliss of giving for love is far richer in action that it ever is in words.

Some people come into our lives and they move our souls to sing and make our spirits dance.

They help us to see that everyting on earth is part of the incredibility of life... and that it is always there for us to take of its joy.

Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same.

~by Flavia Weedn~

Our Visit to Goliad, TX and it's History

The Goliad Massacre

The darkest day in Texas history, the Goliad Massacre, took place here on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, when Col. James Walker Fannin and 352 men under his command were executed a week after their capture at the Battle of Coleto, under orders of the Mexican dictator, General Santa Anna. There was twice as much loss of life here at Goliad than at the Alamo, nothing had touched the raw nerve of the American Character as did the news of the large number of men who were all slaughtered in on execution. As grim news reached the United States, volunteers streamed fourth for the people of Texas who were engaged in a war with a dictator who took no prisoners - a war of exterminations. This one single event in the Texas Revolution, proned to the people of the United States what manner of warfare confonted the Texans.

Vacation to South Padre Island, TX

I find it important to give my kids memories so that one day they may recount our adventures to their kids. With that said and as our 2009 Summer comes to a close, I can't help but think how fast it went by. This summer we visited many places but our last place was South Padre Island, TX. A place my Husband and I have made a tradition to visit every year. We floated the rapids at Schlitterbahn, watched the Friday night fireworks, rode Go-Karts, the boys bungee jumped off 35ft. from the air for the first time, fished the bay, got all dressed up for a fancy dinner, and on our last day we watched the sunrise off the SPI Seashore. I have been Blessed and Thank God for it all.

My First Blog

Ok, So here goes nothing! My Sister Betty turned me on to this Blog site. I was interested in making a Virtual Reality of my own filled with topics on Family, Memories, Experiences, Advice and More!! I named my Blog "Not Another Life Experience?!" with a red dirt road picture in the background because if my life had a name this would be it and the dirt road represents life. Please feel free to comment.