Alex and Jess's Blog

Spring has Sprung!

Jess — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 03:02:16 +0000

To celebrate the first day of spring, Alex and I did a little shopping today and got our hands dirty. We only planted about half of what we came home with but it looks great already.

Seven new Heather plants along the curb. We’ve wanted to fill this part of the front garden since we bought our house 4 years ago.

And 6 new flowering plants in the rose bed. Another bare area that we’ve had trouble figuring out how to fill.

{Fun}

Jess — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 04:13:56 +0000

Hi Friends! Still finding it challenging to find time to blog and balance work and life. Here’s a little glimpse into the fun we’ve had over the last week.

Superbowl Success!

A friendly night of competition.

Happy New Year

Jess — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:00:38 +0000

I woke up to the most beautiful pink sunrise on New Years Eve Day and jumped out of bed to snap a picture. This is our peek-a-boo view of Mount Rainier.

Winter Wonderland

Jess — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:06:59 +0000

Merry Christmas!

Jess — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 22:07:41 +0000

The Other Turkeys

Jess — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:02:25 +0000

I roasted a turkey for Thanksgiving. But we also served another kind of turkey at our house.

Sugar cookie turkeys! Back in August I co-hosted a bridal shower and we decorated cookies for favors and the cookie decorating bug has been biting me ever since. So I splurged on some quality supplies (like piping tips and bags) and have been practicing my steady hands and icing recipe.

I also took care of my 3-year-old nephew and made him a fire engine cookie. Because really, what little boy cares about turkey and leaf cookies?

Pretty soon it’ll be gingermen, stars and Christmas trees. I can’t wait!

I’m Baaack!

Jess — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:30:03 +0000

I intended to sit down tonight and write a post about Thanksgiving 2010. But thanks to this little beauty I received for my birthday,

and the extra-large photo files which it creates, I spent too much time tonight learning to down-size pictures to a reasonable size for web uploading. So the Thanksgiving Re-cap will have to wait. But I hope you’ll be seeing a lot more of me around here. I’ve definitely been taking more pictures these days.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Jess — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:32:27 +0000

I thought I’d share the cutest picture of us I could find. This one was the winner.
We made quite the blonde team back in the day.

Wishing a very happy birthday to the very best mom!

Record Time

Jess — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:18:05 +0000

In just two weeks time I purchased, washed, cut, sewed, sandwiched, and quilted this little beauty.

One of Alex’s coworkers is expecting a baby in October and we were invited to a baby shower this weekend to celebrate. I am so happy to have finished this in time.

I used 8 different prints in neutral colors (which I coordinated with the bedding they registered for, both in color and style). I cut 144 – 4″x4″ squares. The finished quilt is approximately 42″x42″.

The quilted on the diagonal was chosen so that the quilt lines wouldn’t compete directly with the stripes on the back. To add extra interest I quilted two lines straddling each corner intersection on the front.

I absolutely love the way this turned out. So much so that I took very specific notes on how I made it and what I learned in the process so that I can do it again for future baby gifts.
The parents-to-be were surprised when they opened this gift and thought it was so neat that it coordinates with their colors. I am happy that they are so happy. There is no better reward for something I’ve made.

Since there are no more baby showers in my near future, I’ve been thinking about trying to sell a quilt or two… especially with a little extra time off work. What do you think?

Fair: Fried Food and Fireworks

Jess — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:19:03 +0000

Alex and I had a big date yesterday and went to the fair. I ate a corn dog, a block of curly fries, and we just had to finish the night off with a funnel cake. I think we both met our fried food quota for 2010.
We saw the All-Alaskan Pig Races, watched the lumberjack show, meandered through barns of cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry, swine, dairy cows, and pigmy goats.
The highlight of the outing was the speedway. Events included Figure 8 school buses races, hornet races, rolling cars, and the demolition derby. The finale was a fireworks show.

Chevy had a display of cars and trucks at the fair. Alex tried this one on for size. I think he looks pretty good.

The cars were all on display before the event and drivers were available to answer questions and sign autographs.

5 and 1/2 school buses racing the Figure 8 track.

Mmmm.

And of course, some demolition action: