A NYE Challenge that was "Sew" Easy!

Jan. 20:
Okay, here it is, the first update since I made my official New Years Challenge to try something new once every two weeks.
I need to start by saying that I've also decided that my parents should participate along with me, since I'm living with them, they might as well expand thier horizons!

So, let's start with dad....he qualifies by trying dessert pizza for the first time. (crazy I know, but he's pretty traditional when it comes to food!)

Moving onto mom: She rocked Wii fit! (especially the hulla hoop game - LOL!) Watch out Super Mario Brothers - You're next!

As for me: I openend the sewing machine I got 3 years ago for Christmas for the first time and (without a pattern) made a few aprons!
I should probably explain that I wanted to get one for mom's birthday (which is today), but couldn't find one I liked AND could afford (still unemployed!) So, I turned to the web for ideas thinking I could create one out of something I had here at home.

The handkerchief apron was my first atempt, and, although it looks pretty sassy in the photo, I wasn't overall pleased with it. So, I dug through drawers of mom's old fabric pieces and used an apron I got for Christmas to model the next two creations after. It only took me 5 hours to make them but I think they turned out fabulous!
The floral apron ended up being mom's birthday gift.
Check out the pictures below!

Until next week...
~Sharon

Attempt #1: Apron using 2 handkerchiefs and gossgrain ribbon

Attempt #2 - Now were cook'n!

Mom and I in the aprons!

New Year's Challenge - Part 2

Last year about this time, I found myself in some very unhappy situations and working through a time of unemployment....surprise, surprise, I seem to be in that same spot again at the beginning of 2012, with the exception that instead of being in scenic Leavenworth, I'm in Jackson, MN! Oh well, at least I have family and friends close!

That being said, last year, to help cheer me up and get me out of my funk, my cousin proposed a challenge to do one new thing a week for 16 weeks...... As it turned out, I did a whole bunch of new things, and not just for 16 weeks, but for all summer long. In the end, it was the best New Year's Challenge ever and I ended up having a ton of fun and experiencing a lot more than I may have otherwise. That being said, I want to continue the challenge for 2012! (albeit a few modifications....) This year, I challenge myself to do or try one thing I've never tried/done before once every two weeks and then blog about it! This could prove to be somewhat of a challenge, as I've lived around here for half my life, but we'll see. Even a half effort will result in good things, I'm sure of it!

Since we are into the 2nd week of January already, I should catch you up on what I've done so far:

Week 1: Jan 1-7th: Mom and I made scarves out of old t-shirts! We got the ideas from my new favorite website: Pintrest! I made three and they turned out great! (Sorry - no pictures, guess you'll have to take my word for it!)

Week 2: Jan 8-14th: I'm working part time at Reed & Brinkman Accounting downtown Jackson. (okay, basically I just help mom out doing her grunt work during tax season. But hey, I need the money and the hours are flexible!) So, for the first time in my life I have used a plethora of computer programs and tax software to print tax forms I've never heard of before! 941s, 1099s.......and the list goes on! (Again, no pictures....but this is pretty boring stuff, so really, I'm doing you a favor here!)

Can't wait to see what's next.....

~Sharon

2012: New Year's Eve

The perfect way to ring in the new year, is spending the evening with good friends, food, and having a lot of laughs!
This year, the party was hosted by Aaron and Amanda Strommer in Hugo, MN. We had a "rainbow" themed party - meaning eveyone was to wear a specific color of the rainbow and then bring food to match. It turned out to be a lot of fun and it was wonderful to catch up with some of my friends whom I haven't seen in several years! All-in-all, a great way to start the new year!
~Sharon

Top 10 of 2011

Sharon's Top 10 of 2011!

As a scrapbooker, I collect and compile memories. It's always fun to look back through old photo albums and scrapbooks that I've made in the past and it's especially fun at the end of the year to remember the best parts from the prior 12 months. (Which was somewhat easy, as I'm busy scrapbooking those memories now!)

So, I thought I would share my favorite moments with the photos below (in no particular order.)

Enjoy -

Sharon

My little sister gets Married! (September 3) 

I learn to Cross County Ski and love it so much that I brought a pair back to MN with me!

I spent at least one day a week for most of the winter at Steven's Pass in WA working on my snowboarding skills!

I was given the opportunity to manage and buy for The Mercantile/Gift Shop at The Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth, WA! What a fabulous job!

White Water Kayaking! I still can't believe I was crazy enough to do this!

What would the top 10 be, without including some of my wonderful friends from Leavenworth, WA!

Zac Brow Concert in Minneapolis with my favorite concert buddy - Jenn! What a great way to say "welcome back!"
It was a great concert and I'm looking forward to our next one!

I got my first puppy at the end of October - meet Huxley!

Rock Climbing lessons in Leavenworth (September)

My Dad returned home in June from a yr-long deployment to Afghanistan!



Christmas at the Wimmers

Merry Christmas everyone! (yeah, I know, I'm posting this about a month late, just keep reading, it will be okay....)

I wanted to share this photo with you, as it was taken with my Aunt Brenda's Camera the weekend we were in Mapleton, IA, for the Wimmer Christmas. Each year we all bring food to share, or special treats. This year was no different, as Lance brought smoked Oysters and Hoot Wine from Huron's Hutterite Colonies near Huron, SD.
After a fabulous Christmas dinner, we decided to break open the home-made "grape" wine and have a Christmas toast. At first smell, it was pretty awful, but as long as you don't breath while you drink, it tasted great. Anyway, here we are before sampling the wine!

~Sharon

Jackson's Lighted Parade

December -

Since I'm in town for the foreseeable future, I might as well take part in some community activities - such as the lighted parade and fireworks held downtown Jackson during the Christmas season. This year, it was held on the first Sat. in December, and wouldn't you know, it started snowing! Which made for a beautiful setting! Check out the pictures below.

~Sharon

Yes, only in the Midwest does Santa's sleigh get pulled by a tractor!