Semi-annual new frocks

Twice a year, Easter and Christmas, we all get new clothes. All the way from new shoes to hairbows or a necktie. I try to do get the Christmas clothes together while the weather is still nice, because we also take family pictures this time of year. Of course, there are other times throughout the year when one or another of us gets a new article of clothing, but those purchases are usually based on needs, these more for fun. =)

I have a thing for men's clothing. Love it! Upper halves at least. Not so fond of pants--they are so boring! In particular, I love shirts and ties. Colored shirts, most of the time. =) Shirts and toes, however; can be quite expensive. To pay $40 for a shirt is nothing. $30-$40 for a tie as well. I scored this one at Kohles for $19. It's sort of a pin-striped gray. The tie is black, mustard, and gray and was $15.I'll not tell you what I paid for mine. It was my big splurge of the year, and will probably last many years to come. Seriously, I have found that buying nice things sometimes pays off. I have some timeless fashions that have been around my closet 5-10 years. Purchase justified.I made Kayla a gray skirt and got the mustard shell at Target. I happened to run across the sweater at Saver's thrift store and knew she would love it!I made Kalli a skirt as well. The top is from Children's Place and I made the mustard colored flower pin. Children's Place had a great Colombus Day sale. 20% off--even sale items.I made Kammy a circular skirt. I didn't have a pattern, but I figured if you fold the fabric in 4's and measure an equal distance from the middle corner all the way around then cut, it would work. I got lucky, it worked. Then I cut a small circle in the corner for her waist. Hemmed it and added elastic to the waist. Done, and very cute. =) Her shirt is from Children's Place as well. I just added an inner ruffle to the neck, waist and sleeves. I also made her a sweet little fabric headband.Kaite's little outfit is all from Children's Place. Mommy is praying that everyone will cooperate on picture day. After that, the outfits hang back in the closet until Christmas Sunday. Thanks for joining our little sneak peek at new semi-annual frocks.

Princess Palace

Pie is not really what this post is about, but as a bonus I thought I'd share. This is a favorite of my family. It's called Caramel Apple Cream Pie. All you do is bake your bottom pie crust (don't prick it) and sprinkle with a layer of crushed pecans. Pour over that about 1/4 cup of caramel icecream topping. Then, cook your apple pie filling as you normally would and pour those apples over the caramel and pecans. For the cream cheese layer, mix together, 8oz cream cheese 1t vanilla, 2t lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar. Carefully spread that over the apples and Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes. I love the way my kitchen smells when I make this!

Remember in my last post, I said that Kammy wanted a dress like Kaite (only she wanted a skirt and top seperate.) Got 'em done!I wanted something unique for her top, so we did a fabric 'K'There was barely enough fabric left to make some sweet little curtains in the girls' clubhouse above daddy's tool shed.Daddy was home for Columbus day today and we spent a lot of the day helping the girls settle into their special place. They came up with a name on their own and asked mommy to make them a little sign. They are calling their play house "Princess Palace."My parents found a table with benches and a kitchen set at a "free-sale" last week and the girls are positively thrilled! Daddy worked hard making a railing around the floor entrance and lining it with chicken wire so 'maybe' mommy won't worry quite so much. =)Of course in an ideal world, the walls would be finished and painted a bright white, but it's all the same to them and they are already spending many happy hours up here. I had a terrible time trying to get photos though...lighting is just not the best.I got a huge kick out of the rules. I especially love #15! (Photos enlarge when clicked.)