Sunday, July 11, 2010

New Skirt and More Demolition

Nothing quite like a new skirt to make you feel fresh and fabulous. This is quite possibly the simplest skirt ever. It is 2 pattern pieces, no zippers, no buttons, elastic waist, and made of a soft jersey. Feels like pajamas, looks like Ann Taylor Loft.

Strangely, I think it had been overlooked in the last Ottobre Woman pattern magazine. I'm sure it ran right under everyone's radar, overshadowed by the showier, more complicated patterns. In fact, my initial reaction was "eh". I was looking for something to make the other day before I had to get started on dinner and as an excuse to just sit and watch tv for an hour. I didn't have loads of time or energy to tackle something big. I thought about making a tote, but alas, I have lots of those. Maybe a little quilt? Oh that's right, I only like to think about quilting, not actually quilt. I perused my stash of Ottobre magazines searching for inspiration and that's when this little skirt jumped out at me.

I figured if it didn't look good, I could just wear it around the house or to the pool. I think it turned out quite cute and I foresee several more in different colors. This skirt might just replace my current khaki capri and t-shirt uniform.

Warning: do not try this at home. Open windows may cause death by falling. Our renovations continued with the removal of the bathroom window. We ordered one from the big orange box store and it came in on Friday a full 1-2 weeks ahead of schedule.

It would have been a quick pull out the old, stick in the new had we ordered the right size. We now know the definition of "rough opening" and "window dimensions". FYI, they are not the same thing. I had to snap a picture of my children leaning out the window just to torment their granny a bit.

I'm sure the neighbors think we are nuts. What with all the changes in our yard and house in the last 6 years. Plus we're homeschoolers living in a "great school district" which automatically puts us in the "odd" category. Add to that the strange things we've been known to do as a family...standing in the pouring rain with an umbrella just for fun, hunting toads in the dark, experimenting with various ways to ignite fireworks in the driveway, my kids chalk traced outlines in the road (think murder scene investigation), and so many other things that I've probably already shrugged off as normal.

For dinner tonight...Good old ground beef tacos, grilled corn, black beans, and chips. Following is my taco seasoning recipe (so much yummier than the packaged kind).

Taco Seasoning
1 tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1//2 tsp paprika (we like hot paprika)
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Mix it all together and add to browned, drained ground beef (about a pound). Add 1/3 C water and simmer while you get everything else on the table. Somehow ours turns out different every time...either more or less spicy.

3 comments:

  1. I like your skirt! I am relating to your post so I had to pipe up. We are the 'odd' private schooler's in a highly desirable attendance zone. Although our we have several neighbors that are pretty awesome about it. My son lives outside the box and one of my neighbors told me one day they play a game every time they drive by my house called"Let's guess who Ethan is dressed up as today!" Because he takes everything from his environment to form whatever costume or set he needs it to be. And I am not kidding, they are well thought out and elaborate. Just not polished because he has to use what's lying around. Oh and we hunt toads at night too! I am a big figure things out and be creative mom so even though I don't home school, I hold a similar against the grain philosophy as you. I guess in a way I home school when he(and my daughter) are not in school! Love your post! Keep being odd! It's awesome! =D

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  2. Thanks:-)I love it when kids have the time and encouragement to be their own unique person.

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  3. Thanks for the seasoning recipe. I think I'll use it tonight. Instead of ground beef, I'll use ground buffalo.

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