Monday, April 23, 2007

Lions and Tigers and Buttons, Oh My!

Well the weather has finally cooperating and we had a nice sunny, warm weekend. My parents arrived Saturday morning and they weren't here for about 2 minutes before my dad made his first run down to Home Depot. He is a real handyman and is always looking for a project to do. A while back, I told you that we lived in an old farmhouse growing up, but I didn't mention that my dad had renovated the whole thing by himself. Well, actually, I helped all the time. It was always "Katie, get me the Philip's head" "Hold this" "Hand this to me when I ask for it." I imagine this is much like it is in the ER. He also owned 2 apartment buildings that we spent most weekends at cleaning up and painting. Oh how my sister and I hated that! Anyway, I don't know how I got into all that.

When we first bought our house, my dad came down for a couple of weekends and helped us fix up our house. Painting, building closets, refinishing floors, etc. This weekend, he brought down his pressure washer to wash the deck and the entire outside of the house.

Now that I'm married, John is now the handyman assistant, so that freed my mom and I up to go out for a little thrifting. She enjoys a good bargain just like I do! I, of course, headed right for the sewing area and much to my delight I found 2 more huge bags of buttons. My mom looks at me and says "what are you going to do with all those buttons, you just bought some" " I know I know, but I just love buttons, I'll find something to do with them." I also spotted this yummy fabric that I'm totally in love with. I think there's about 2 yards for just $1.95. Now if I can only get up the nerve to cut it, I'll figure out what to do with it.


After we got back, John and my dad had finished cleaning everything, so we decided to go to the National Zoo. I'm not so sure that was the best decision ever. It was so packed that you could barely see anything. Plus it was pretty hot (almost 90), so there were lots of sweaty, stinky people. My dad and John dropped Isaiah, mom, and I off at the entrance and had to circle the Zoo for about 40 minutes before they could even find a parking spot. Oh well, at least I got to see a horse pee and here a kid scream "He's peeeeeing! Kiki do you see that?? He's peeeeing everywhere!"
Grandma and Isaiah at the zoo

Yesterday while the boys stained the deck, my mom and I went over to Eastern Market. If you're ever in the D.C. area it's such a fun place to go on the weekends. We had breakfast at a cafe outside and then walked around soaking up the sun. Of course, most of the conversation centered around how much my mom misses D.C. (she lived here after college) and how much she wants to move down here. Anyway, we had a great time and the weather was just perfect.

Cherry Blossoms at the Market

I did get some early b-day gifts from John, but I'll show those later. Now, who wants in on a little giveaway? Although I'm a firm believer that one cannot have too many buttons, I do think I have more than I can use right now. So leave a comment, and let's see... hmm.. Wednesday I'll pick 2 winners. Wednesday seems appropriate for a giveaway. Anyway, it'll be a small little bag, and I promise it won't be filled with all white ones!

OMG, I almost forgot to mention that John and I made the Pink Grapefruit Margaritas last night. One word : AMAZING. More on that later. Hmm... is it too early to start drinking?

19 comments:

Natasha said...

Wow what a great weekend, sounds like so much fun with your parents. Isn't it great when you actually pay to see animals well, pee? Hehe.

Nice score on the buttons-and that fabric...wow...awesome.

lera said...

Wow. You are a lucky button finder. (And that fabric is terrific). I can never find "real" sewing stuff when I thrift. I have to make it up and buy sheets and shower curtains :-)

I'm happy to hear you had a great weekend with your family.

Sarah and Jack said...

You can make a button tree! Google "button tree Jack" and you can see mine and the directions. (The second link has the photo of mine.)

Karyn said...

It sounds like you had a super weekend!! Great fabric too! Don't enter my name in the button give-away though. As much as I LOVE buttons, I have more than I could ever use in a lifetime. : )
Beautiful photos too.

Anonymous said...

Katie, I think I just need to plan a trip up to your neck of the woods to go thrifting! You always find the neatest stuff. Looks like a fun weekend, even with the peeing zoo animals! LOL!

Unknown said...

How funny! My dad is just like yours. I always feel bad that he comes here to visit and ends up working, but I am always very thankful for his help and expertise. I just always make sure he's the one that suggests the projects, LOL! ;)

Neato buttons! I think you can never have enough, either. :)

Anina said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. That's what weekends are made for - fun and relaxation.

Anonymous said...

You can NEVER have too many buttons. Sounds like you had a great time with your family. :)

Unknown said...

Throw my button loving butt into this great giveaway!

Jess said...

Never too early for pink grapefruit margaritas! Grapefruit is a breakfast food, and since we know liquor increases the health benefits of the fruit, I think it's the ONLY way to go!
I'm beyond jealous of all your buttony finds - I rarely find sewing notions at the thrift.
I'm glad you had a nice time with your folks, and when your dad's done up there, send him my way, will you?

Heidijayhawk said...

fabulous weekend. don't you love those? the cherry blossoms are AMAZING! the freeze over easter fried most of anything with blooms out here. darn. serious button envy. again.

Anonymous said...

Nu uh, pink grapefruit martinis? You better share that recipe, gurlfriend!!!

Ok, how bout this... you share yours and I'll share my mojito (tomorrow)

I'm sorry, are you giving something away? LMAO... I musta missed that part as I was zeroed in on the DRINKS! (i'm not a lush, I swear)

Anonymous said...

Oh wait. ROF. Is that margaritas or martinis?! I am sucha dork! Who cares right? They taste good? And I still want the recipe

Jenn Maruska said...

Love that fabric - your thrifting skills are amazing!

You have a wonderful, fun blog : )

Jenn

Anonymous said...

oh, buttons, buttons, buttons! love them so! lucky finds!

(i've been to the national zoo - it's SO big!)

LeeAnn said...

Your weekend sounds superb! I just got back from NJ visiting my grandparents again and did a 180 on my way home when I spotted a thrift shop. I found some super cool buttons that I'll post later on. I never knew how much fun buttons were until I started blogging!

Thimbleanna said...

Wow! You have some great thrift finds. And there's no way you could have too many buttons -- that's just not possible. ;-) Thanks for visiting my place -- I hope you're as lucky as I've been and you get a little baseball player! You live in one of my favorite places to visit -- I occasionally get a trip for work to D.C. I always sneak up to a fabric store in Rockville -- G-something, I can't remember the name now, but I know how to get there! I wish I could get another trip -- it's been too long...

Stephanie said...

How lucky am I that the first time I stumble upon your blog you are having a button giveaway contest?!?

It's great to read about other crafters in the DC area. Do you have any favorite craft/fabric stores? I wish someplace around here sold Free Spirit fabrics but so far I have not found any. At least there is always the internet!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm I'll second Miz Smoochielips request for that recipe.

No such thing as too many buttons either ;)