Genius.

This is one dangerous bowl.

Alarmingly Accurate

A couple of nights ago, the fam and I went to Mongolian BBQ for a delicious dinner. After finishing my chicken bowl and wrapping up our meal, I glanced at the deluxe place mats that I had so ignorantly overlooked. They were, of course, your run of the mill chinese calendar but reading them in accordance to each member of my family made me realize how oddly on point each year was. So, of course, I made each of them give me their best cock, ox, and snake face.

Let's begin with Donald, the Cock.... ahem...

A pioneer spirit, you are devoted to work and quest after knowledge. You are selfish and eccentric (not very true). Rabbits are trouble. Snakes and oxen are fine.

Speaking of Oxen, here's one now!

Bright, patient, and inspiring to others. You can be happy by yourself, yet make an outstanding parent. Marry and snake or a cock (Hey!). The sheep will bring trouble.

Kaitlin the Snake.

Wise and intense with a tendency towards physical beauty. Vain and high tempered. The boar is your enemy. The Cock and the Ox are your friends.

And finally, Julia the Sheep.

Elegant and creative, you are timid and prefer anonymity. You are most compatible with Boars and Rabbits, but never the Ox (sorry, Mom).

Yep. I think that pretty much sums up my family. Needless to say, it'd be foolish to put too much clout into these sort of shenanigans, but forcing your family to make ridiculous faces for the sake of the blog is standard practice around these parts. Not to mention fun.

And I think life needs more fun.

Belated 4th of July

I had so much fun at the other Patton's house for the 4th. Someone had commented how great it is that the four cousins get along so well. The point was made that that wasn't always necessarily the case-- although we always have loved and cared for each other, only recently have we really come to enjoy each other's company. I am so grateful for everyone in my family. They rock.

Before we jump into the festive pictures of sparklers and red, white and blue, we must note that our day started off with some errands and a deliciously all American burger at Tommy's Burgers. If you've never been before, believe me, you are missing out. Two words: chili and cheese. I mean, that's all you really need to know.

Then after the burgers, we ran around Costa Mesa checking things off the to-do list. We had to stop off at Sherwin-Williams to pick up some paint for a little side table that I'm currently over hauling. The delightful young man who helped us with our selection was named Pedro. He could tell how excited I was for my future painting endeavors, so he offered to outfit us in the most elite of gear that he had to offer-- free hats.

Taryn and I with our spaaklaas (Bostonian accent).

The children.

Somehow the smallest Hatfield ended up on my lap for a solid 30 minutes. Not one tear was shed... by either of us. Personal best.

Mommy and KK.

LOVE THESE GIRLS.

Friendship Pies

Ever since I was a little girl, right before school ended, my mom would sit Kaitlin and I down and ask us what we wanted to do in the coming summer months. Mostly, my ideas consisted of lots and lots of lounging with a little bit shopping sprinkled in there. But she would challenge us to really think about what we wanted to accomplish-- things that we only had time for when we were out of school. Typically, by the end of the brainstorming session, the list would include things like bake fresh bread every week, make a mosaic table, or climb the local mountains on a regular basis. Some would come to fruition and some will always remain on that to-do list (I'm looking at you, mosaic table). But there was one idea that I've been wanting to do every single year. Friendship Pies.

The idea is simple; I have been so immensely blessed with the most supportive, fun, honest and all around amazing friends and support system. Especially this summer, coming home from a year without certain key people in my life everyday, this stood out to me even more. I strongly believe in expressing your appreciation for such people in one's life so the idea of the Friendship Pies is to take something that I enjoy and share it with other people (making a deliciously fresh homemade pie) and using the opportunity to give it to them as a way to express my gratitude for their role in my life.

So, today it begins. I have compiled a list of people that, in a big way or perhaps more subtly, have positively affected me. Don't worry-- if you read this blog, you are more than likely to be on that list. It's pretty long...which is the way I like it. I don't want this to feel like a VIP list or to seem that it is some sort of exclusive club. I want to make more pies than Lindsay Lohan has arrests! ...which is only like 6 or somethings...so definitely more than 6 pies... but you know what I mean.

I am so so excited to bake and to share this. GO PIE!

Photobooth Phun

I love a good photobooth. They are always such a fun way to capture a moment and a memory. Lauren and Colin's already awesome wedding was made even cooler with a photobooth and the mother and sister and I just loved every minute of it.

Happy 4th of July!!!

What a beautiful day to be celebrating the greatness of our country and the freedoms that we are so blessed to enjoy.

Can't wait for the smell of the BBQ and some fruit salad at Doug and Carol's tonight.

When Two Blogs Collide

This week, I had the pleasure of spending my Wednesday evening with none other than the oh-so-talented-blogger-mom-extroardinaire, Lindsay Thorburn, of Sweet Ben and Little Lyle. Not only do I know Lindsay through church and her awesome blog, but we in fact met close to 9 years ago on a church trip that I took way back in 5th grade. On Wednesday when I reminded Lindsay how we met, she in turn reminded me that I had brought some sort of plastic snake in my bag as a prank. I had completely forgotten that. Apparently, she was not amused. Oh, Linda, you trained me well.

The purpose of this little get together was not just to chat about our mutual love for Mormon Mom blogs, or for me to easily polish off the amazing cookies she had baked that afternoon, but really for me to give her a few sewing tips (that later proved to be completely unnecessary and unhelpful) so we (she) could make beautiful creations! When she proposed the idea of these hang out sessions a couple months ago, I was absolutely 100% on board.

Earlier this week Lindsay e-mailed me with a couple of ideas of what we could make. She was super excited about this simple jersey skirt she had found on a blog and tossed it out as a good start to our very rigorous and well thought out summer curriculum. Over confident in my capabilities, I didn't think that a seasoned seamstress as myself would even have an issue with something so... sophomoric.

False.

That skirt chewed us up and spit us out.

No, that is not a gathered pillowcase Lindsay is holding up. Despite the boxy shape and un-even hem, that is indeed the finished product of the skirt.

Contrary to what you may think, that adorable decorative seam was not on purpose, but simply an added bonus to our "special technique" of sewing.

There was one success of the evening; a children's dress that Lindsay had already been working on for little Eden Newcott that we craftily finished off with this flower. I had no part in the making of the dress, thus: successful.

This is just the beginning of our crafting friendship though. And I for see huge successes in our future endeavors. I intend to keep all you suckers informed as we delve into the wonderful and mystical world of DIY.

PS- Lindsay-- I ended up wearing the skirt as PJ's and it was like sleeping on a cloud. I would highly recommend it.