The Cutie Pie's Skirts

Ella and Addie's little outfits are ready! This has been such a fun project. I couldn't remember how to do the blanket stitch for the life of me, but found this great place for help Here and Here!

They would have be ready sooner but I've been preoccupied with for some strange reason.....

I can't wait to see the cutie pies in their outfits!

10 things I can't live without...

I was tagged by AnneMarie, my sweet friend, to list 10 things I can't live without. I've tried to narrow it down ... Currently, these are the

Top 10
#1
My Best Friend and Hubby

X0X0
thanks for 29 wonderful years Mark

#2 - MY FAMILY

#3 - Cell Phonecan't leave home without it

#4 - Watch

a definite necessity for me

#5 - My Computer

especially now that I'm a 'blogging addict'

#6 - Sewing Machine

she's humble, but gets the job done

#7 - Kitchen Aid

my family's favorite

#8 - Kettle Corn Popcorn

so delicious!

#9 - Ribbon

i love, love, love it

#10- My Relief Society Binder

we're attached at the hip

Let's see ...I tag Kayley, Christina & Chrissy

a total goner

Usually every Monday afternoon Mark drives Hope to her Bassoon lesson. Here's a video if you've never seen or heard a Bassoon before. (I hadn't until Hope decided she wanted to play it.)



Well not last Monday, I begged to take her so I would have an excuse to sit and read instead of cook, clean, catch up on calls.... just sit and read none other than, you guessed it "Twilight". I do enjoy listening also. Her teacher, Marilyn Chappell, is amazing. Sometimes Marilyn will accompany her on the piano or play a duet with her. I love it. Well, just as Hope's lesson ended, I finished it. Perfect. Only I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book. "New Moon". I was starting to panic because I thought Hope still had a copy of it . She had already returned it to her friend. Oh no! This couldn't be! Marci bailed me out and borrowed her friend, McKell's copy. (Well, that's the least she could do, since she got me started on this crazy addiction) Thanks McKell!
So I'm back in business or ... a goner.... depending on how you see it.

Help, I'm Drowning!

I know, I know, I must be the last person in America to start the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer.
Marci loaned me the first book in the series and has been so adamant that I read it! Well, now I'm hooked...like I have time to be addicted to a book on top of all my other "things"!

a little peek

Addie's Skirt

I have the little skirts finished except for the elastic in the waistbands. I need their cute mom to get me their tummy measurements.

Ella's Skirt Would you believe she only has a yardstick or ruler, no measuring tape! She got the skirt length for me but it was a bit difficult to measure around their waists! I really need to get that girl a measuring tape ...

In the meantime, I've been thinking about what to do on their little t-shirts. I love Heather Bailey 's bird

that was featured in Mary Englebreit's Home Companion, my all time favorite magazine.I used this pattern. Party Chicks™
So this is the plan.....

I love doing these little projects, so I've had to pace myself. Today I'm supposed to be cleaning, so I'll go scour a bathroom and reward myself with time in the sewing room. I have also been told by a certain someone that I have to read at least 3 chapters in Twilight...or else. AND it's General Conference weekend which I absolutely LOVE. We're recording it. The things we can do now-a-days! Tomorrow after the afternoon session we're having "Partridge" tacos at my parents. My mom wants to go around the table and let everyone tell their favorite talk and why. I thought that was such a great idea, thanks Mom!

Coming Soon

I (aka Nana) decided it would be fun to sew some little outfits for Ella & Addie to wear for Halloween this year...not cosutmes, just cute matching skirts and tops.
I found the perfect pattern HERE. They also have lots of yummy fabrics, so I had to get
some Amy Butler prints.

This is the pattern

I really love this pattern because it is easily adapted for sizes 6 Months to 7 Years and can be used over and over, where in traditional patterns are cut to size which makes it hard to alter later if you want to make it in a new size. yadayadayada

I was really tempted to use Halloween fabrics for the skirts but I wanted the cutie pies to be able to wear them for more than one month. I had some fun prints to work with. I'm going to applique little white t-shirts with something "halloweenish" and pick up some of the prints from the skirt.

Better get sewing!

A Fun Giveaway!

Pineapple Hill is participating in a contest at Moms by Heart blog.

If you'd like to win our "BOO" Pillow - Visit HERE for details.

She is announcing the winner October 10th.

Thanks Hope!

I was telling Hope I was bored with my blog template

and she helped me do this one. I love it so much!

Hoperrific-You're the best!

Going Bananas

When Life Gives You Too Many Bananas....Make Banana Bread

It seems we can never eat all of our bananas before they get too ripe for the liking. Consequently I make banana bread almost weekly around here. I love this recipe and have had it for years. I like to double the bananas. The bread turns out super moist.

Kelley's Banana Bread

• 2 c. sugar
• 1 c. oil
• 1 tsp. allspice
• 3 bananas, mashed (I double the bananas)
• 4 eggs
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 t tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. baking soda

Combine all ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for
45 t0 50 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.

Since I make it so often, I always have some to share.

Ribbon Burp Cloths

We are getting lots of new babies at church which is so exciting! One of my favorite things to give are Ribbon Burp Cloths. Have I mentioned .... I really LOVE Ribbon! I stock up on cloth diapers when I see them on sale so I always have them on hand. Unfortunately, since I'm still kind of new in the blogging world I haven't been taking pictures of them, which is too bad. This is the one I made for the last shower I went to.

I'm a Fool for Fall!

Welcome

Fall ! I love autumn time, even though it is still sunny and warm

outside, Ike brought a crispness to the air and fall will soon be here!

Seated on the bench is Miss"Fancy Pumpkin".

She's the cutest thing since carved pumpkin and she knows it!

Here we have our "Seasonal Wire" tree. I got it at Target several years ago and it has been a great investment. Next to the tree are Lori Mitchell designs, Jack Squash and my all time favorite, Trixie.

We put this Bird House Shelf on the wall to disguise the thermostat.

Why do builders do that. It was placed smack dab in the middle of the wall!

What in the world were they thinking????

On the shelf are the Vintage Clown Boy, and the primitive

Halloween Snowman Votive & the cutest picture of Scott dressed as Woody for Halloween.

One more little PEEK at Mack's cute pumpkins!

Baby Gown Napkins

By request here is a picture guide of the steps for making the Baby Gown napkins. The first time I saw these was at a baby shower given by a good friend, Shelly. They are so cute and easy to do. I used the ribbon from Kayley's wedding on these.

Memory Lane with AnneMarie, Jewely & Commissioner Miner

I had Scott get our "harvest" boxes out of the attic so I can have all of the Halloween and Thanksgiving items on hand to fill orders for Pineapple Hill.

We were setting things out and separating our family decorations from the store ones and came across this adorable little box. AnneMarie gave it to us 23 years ago! I was 19 at the time and I believe she was about 2 (right AnneMarie). She was our "mostest favoritest" babysitter in the world! One Halloween she gave us this little gift she made filled with candy. We loved it and still do. We have been putting it out every year since!
Each side with her cute artwork:

Even Signed and Dated:

As we continued to unpack we found Jewely's neckerchief. Jewely was the best dog in the whole world and she loved her special scarves!
Here is Miss Jewely - so sweet XO

Here is Jewely visiting Hope's kindergarten class on Valentine's Day. She's about to give that little girl a yummy kiss! She had a neckerchief for every holiday and was always sure to wear them on special outings. She was a very classy dog. We miss you girl!

And last but not least......

We found the cutest ever pumpkins that Mack (aka Commissioner Miner) made when he was a tiny little guy. They touch my heart so every time I see them!

I have noted them ... just in case........

So fun for me, hopefully not too boring for ya'll! P.S. Happy Fall!

Visit HERE for a fun Halloween project!

Good People

Just a quick little post .... we still have power and have kept our cable now, so I think we're good to go! However we do have friends in Katy without power. It is really strange because there doesn't seem to be a rational method to figure out who does or doesn't have electricity. It is really "random"! A house here a few there.... go figure!

I have spent most of the day coordinating needs for families that aren't "good to go". I have been inundated with phone calls and e-mails from so many people willing to share freezer space, stoves, ovens, washers, dryers and anything else someone may need. It truly is remarkable how "good" people are. Even the media has been touched by the generosity and compassion of the people of Houston.
School was not in session today and is canceled for tomorrow as well. They should be back on track for Wednesday. Scott has been busy helping people clear their yards and driveways of tree branches,etc. The kids have enjoyed the time from school and made good use of it with sleep overs and get togethers with or without electricty. They don't seem to mind!

Galveston was devastated by the storm.

Marci went to Walmart with her girls this morning to do their grocery shopping and said they had NO refrigerated or frozen food at all! I haven't even attempted going to the store yet. The parking lots are packed. The gas lines are crazy as well. The airports have re-opened and flights seem to be back on schedule. We'll see what tomorrow brings:)