The Cookie Cabin - Mt. Lemmon

I went to Mt. Lemmon last weekend for some sledding and nature time.  We went sledding for a few hours and then took a little break in Summerhaven and had some snacks.  We stopped at The Cookie Cabin for a giant cookie and a break.  Wow.  Not disappointed!

We didn't try to the pizza, but it looked goooood.

Nat enjoying her oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  Yum.

$5 cookies the size of a plate.  I got the chocolate chip and ate it for 2 days.  !  Great snack for sledding and a driving day.  If you are in Summerhaven or Mt. Lemmon for the day, stop in a get a cookie to go or stay there and enjoy some hot chocolate in their warm little shop.

Mythbusters Behind the Myths Tour

My husband and I got to see the Mythbusters Behind the Myths Tour a few weeks ago when they stopped in Tucson for a show.  It was a pretty cool show with a lot of audience participation.  If you are a die hard fan, you would totally LOVE it.

I am a fan, but not a OMG I LOVE YOU!!! fan.  So, I had a really good time watching the show.... and the crowd.  The people watching at this show was pretty awesome.  Hard core science fans, CRAZy children fans, and then the usual tv watching fans.  I have never been to a show like this and fans are always pretty crazy, but I would say the Mythbusters fans are INSANE.  

Here we are at the very beginning before the show even started.  The people behind us were the CRAZY fans with children.  At one point, the young polite boy stood up and said, "ADAM SAVAGE GET YOUR BUTT OVER HERE!"  Whoa.  Probably not the best way to get picked to participate, just sayin'.

I am going to leave this one to your imagination.  Look!  Child participant.  I wonder how they got picked...

Pretty cool set.  

Adam trying to catch an arrow being shot from a crossbow.  What??  

One lucky guy got to wear this suit!  They are showing a video of how they wore it diving with sharks and now he gets to wear it for...

THIS!  Getting shot at with paint balls from about 15 feet away.  AWESOME!  (this little stunt elicited screams and screaming laughter from the crazy people behind us - we both needed earplugs for this event, but not from the show...)  :)

They even let fans participate in playing with the high speed camera.  So cool!  They pulled people on-stage and had them shake their heads, flap their lips, and make crazy sounds just so we could watch the slow motion capture.  FUN!

Want to learn more about the show?  Go to their website and check out all their cool videos, myths, and info.

Check out their tour site to get more info on their upcoming shows, pricing, etc.  

RECOMMENDED for sure.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Recipe

I got a new ice cream maker this week and decided to try Rocky Road.  Why Rocky Road?  I love chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts.  Oh, and my husband will eat it!

RECIPE:

1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)

1/2 cup cocoa powder

3 cups fat free 1/2 and 1/2

1 tsp. vanilla

handful of chopped walnuts

handful of chopped marshmallows

DIRECTIONS:

Heat condensed milk and cocoa on stove for about 5 minutes, until the cocoa powder is dissolved and the mixture is creamy.  Remove from the stove and add the rest of the ingredients, hold the nuts and marshmallows until the end.  Place the mixture in the fridge or freezer to cool.  The colder the mixture, the better it will freeze in your machine.

Turn on ice cream machine and pour in mixture.  Mix as directed for your ice cream maker and add the nuts and walnuts at the end of the mix.  Freeze overnight in an airtight container and ENJOY!

Bias Tape Bag Pattern and Tutorial

I love sewing.  I like to sew little toys, bags, small quilts, table runners, you name it.  When I came across this super cute and easy bag at Prudent Baby, I had to try it.

Here's what you will need:  bias tape, 1/4 yard of 2 coordinating fabrics. (that's it!)

I made mine with grey store bought bias tape, but you can make your own if you like, and 2 fabrics I have been saving for something special.

You can see the basic shape and body of the bag, I made the original size.  It would be a great lunch bag, date purse, or knitting project bag.  I think it would make an awesome shopping bag if it was about 2 times as big and a bit deeper.  Get the pattern and tutorial here.

Big Thanks to Prudent Baby for the awesome tutorial and pattern!  I can't wait to make more.  

Craft Room

Here are a few pics of my amazing craft room.  I love the organization, comfy space, and creative possibilities.  This room is an awesome step in the right direction.

I made this pennant banner that says : creative space on it to inspire me and remind me what this room can do!

This was taken during the beginning stages of organization.  I love having everything in one place where I can see it.  My fabrics are slowly taking up more and more space.  Love seeing that out of the box!  My yarn is in those two big white boxes on top of the shelving.  I love that because I can pull them down, take a look around, and then slide them back on top of the shelves.  No mess, lots of space.

I got this super comfy couch so my husband could keep me company while I sew.  It doubles as a laundry folding area...  I mean... 

This little gem keeps me sewing hassle free. I got it about 4 months ago and I have no complaints.  Ooo, ok maybe one.  I can't jam 4 layers of wool under the foot.  :)

Changing of the Seasons

Tucson doesn't have many trees to change color during the fall and winter months.  It is mostly brown desert with speckles of green cactus, however there are a few areas with cottonwoods, sycamore, etc.  We found one in my neighborhood on Christmas day and couldn't help but play in all the yellow leaves.

My new sister in law and I threw the leaves up in the air and went crazy.

I love Fall!  (ok, I know it's Winter, but Tucson doesn't have a real Winter)

Da Da Dum, La la La....

You might have noticed my super cool boots in the top photo.  Oh, you did did you?  Those are the amazing Fit Flops boots that my awesome husband got me for Christmas.  He is so sneaky! I have been talking about those boots for months.  The shirt, sweater, and scarf are all new from my mother-in-law too.  Like mother like son I guess.  Awesome gifts that I put on right away.

Lazy Sunday

I slept in today, on my day off, and enjoyed the cozy quietness of my apartment.  I let my husband sleep a few extra hours and here I am blogging away.  Here is a quick look at my week instagram style.

I made a cute little upcycled pillow for my craft room.  This fits perfectly behind my back on my sewing chair.  Thank you lovely sweater for lending yourself to such a useful pillow.  I added some fabric flowers that I made last week to one corner to spice it up a bit.

I am taking down my Christmas decorations today too.  These are the stockings I made and the little pennant banner that hung above them.  I can't wait to add a few more handmade pieces next year.  On the list: tree skirt, wreath, and tree topper.  WHOA!           

My husband gave me a charm pack with these amazing batiks in it for Christmas.  I started laying out an idea for a simple quilt.  I added a few more things, and started sewing this week.  Thanks HUBS.  You rock!

Another Wedding!

My brother and his WIFE came to visit from Korea for the holidays.  They came to Tucson because I live here, her brother lives here, and... they got married!  They are having an official wedding in Spain this summer, but to get all the legality issues out of the way, they got married in Tucson last week.

They went down to the lovely Tucson Court House

I think this is where Zach gives Sara the ring, he had nowhere to put it and was worried she was going to see it anyway.

Awww...  I can't wait for the ceremony in Spain!

Whoa!  These two are married!

My Aunt and Dad came to watch the official wedding.

Paying the dues.

MARRIED!

Welcome to the family Sara!  You have no idea what you got yourself into...  

Zach and Sara "Mini" Engagement Shoot

While my brother and his wife were here, we all took lots of pictures.  Some of them turned out fabulous and I thought I would share them because they really capture the beauty of Arizona too.  Here you go guys, your "mini" engagement shoot.  Can't wait to do another one in Spain this summer.  Practice those crazy poses and study up on how to look a little sillier...

Blue Willow

Desert Museum

Mt. Lemmon

Drive to Mt. Lemmon

El Charro

Desert Museum (pipe organ cactus)

Near Saguaro National Park (this one is my personal favorite)

Heart it out.

These are some of my favorite.

The Court House

Christmas Wedding

Handmade Gifts for the Holidays!

Wow!  I have been gone from my blog for some time and it has been an amazing month.  My family came to visit for the holidays and it was a whirlwind.  Lots of eating, sightseeing, and enjoying time together.  I spent the last two months sewing and crafting for the holidays and I think it paid off.  I baked, shopped, sewed, cleaned, and organized for 2 solid weeks at the beginning of December. 

Here is what I have been up to:::

Eucalyptus Sugar Scrubs for my girlfriends.  Tutorial to come!

Chocolate dipped pretzels to ship out to family and friends.

A patchwork hot and cold bag with a matching tissue holder for my sister-in-law.

Go Huskers!  A Nebraska ornament for my father-in-law.

Another cute tissue pouch for my mother-in-law.

This little pouch is for my niece, it is for these zhu-zhu toys that she loves, and a snack...

Foot warmers for the family in cold weather.

A slouchy beret for my brother and a tissue pouch for his girlfriend.

Feet warmers all around!

I had a blast making everything and I hope everyone enjoyed receiving their presents!  I had a fantastic holiday and can't wait to see what the new year brings.