Grand Central Station

That's what it's felt like around here this week. Lots of goings on, comings, and goings. Before I get into all the details of my week, let me just make this Public Service Announcement: Monday is the deadline to have your Flip Flop Swap packages sent out! I hope everyone is having a good experience with this swap and has had good contact with your pal. If for whatever reason you are not having a good experience please email me so I can do whatever I can to resolve the situation. (knittykarenAThotmailDOTcom)

Now, my week..... (warning:no knitting content today)

At the end of last week I went wedding dress shopping with my sister. I announced on the blog a few months ago that she was engaged. The date has been set for next August and planning has begun. She has asked me to be a bridesmaid so Heather (my sis), Whitney (her maid of honor), and I trekked on over to David's Bridal and tried on dresses. Heather tried on about a dozen wedding dresses, but didn't buy any yet because Mom wasn't there to help.

Whitney and I tried on a few bridesmaid dresses and Heather picked out one that she liked. I'm not going to reveal it on the blog to try to keep some of the wedding planning a surprise, but I love the dress she picked. Here are two of the ones we tried on.

This week Doug and I both took time off from work to try and do some stuff around the house. Doug and his dad have been working on building a custom dog kennel for our two pit bulls. It's not just any run-of-the-mill dog kennel. They are making a combination of a small house and the traditional fenced in kennel. It will have wooden posts and fenced sides with a shingled roof to keep the rain and sun off our precious pups. I'm not sure what the finished product will look like, but here's a progress pic.

While they are doing that, Doug's mom and I have been putting the final touches on the craft room, which will make it's debut on the blog soon. Mostly we've been painting the trim, but there's also been a hint of sewing. When she gets here today we will be sewing curtains for the yarn room, the kitchen, and maybe quilting a little. I picked out a quilt pattern yesterday at JoAnn Fabrics that I think would make a great quilt for our bed.

This is the fabric that I'm planning on using.

Pictures of the other sewing projects to come....

It has also been Birthday Central around these parts. Doug's dad's birthday was last week so we celebrated by having them over for grilled steak and blueberry pie.

My mom found this recipe for me on the internet. I'd been craving a good summer fruit pie and blueberries were on sale at the grocery store. Little did I know that it was Howard's favorite pie! After pie and steak he opened presents.

The next night we had another birthday celebration for a certain little boy who turned seven on Wednesday. This time we grilled chicken but that pie was so delicious I had to make it again.

Then it was present time all over again. Galen got a metal detector so he can go tear up his yard looking for treasure. He was VERY excited about that one.

Speaking of presents, I had three packages arrive this week.
The first was from my July Project Spectrum Sock Yarn Swap Pal, Maylin. She sent a lovely hand-dyed purple and red yarn, along with some other wonderful purple goodies. Check out that really pretty purlpe purse with the long beaded handle. It's a great pouch to throw your cell phone, keys and a few other necessities in if you are going on a walk, or to the beach, etc. Thanks Maylin!

The second package was from my super-awesome Secret Pal. She sent the most beautiful color of blue soft yarn for my very first lace scarf. She included a simple lace pattern and the needles to do it. It's all I can do to keep myself from casting on right away. Must..finish...other...projects... She also sent the prettiest stitch markers ever, some margarita-smelling bath scrub (which is, by the way, my favorite drink!), and a cute project book.
Thanks Secret Pal!

My third package was from my Flip Flop Swap pal,Christy . She sent the cutest flip flop and spa set, along with a TON of summer goodies. Nail polish, flip gloss, strawberry lemonade, candy (some missing from the picture-oops), and a book I've been wanting to read-The DaVinci Code!
Thanks Christy!

That's pretty much it for my week. I've got to go finish sewing curtains and painting trim. Hopefully the next post will be all about my completely finished craft room!