Mudroom Renovation

It wasn't high on our priority list this summer to get the mudroom finished. It was functional. All the old stuff had been removed/covered. But, it also wouldn't take too much to get it done, so Ben got the bee in his bonnet to finish it up. It has been convenient to not have outside gear all over the kitchen have one place for shoes/coats/outside gear. Before Ben finished it it was all everywhere.

Shelf

Hooks

Shoe storage and bench

 Ben did an awesome job building this from scratch and from the plan in my head. We stained/polyed the bench seat. I love it. We are still looking for a rug, but the only one we have been able to find in the right dimension in town is a Frozen one. The only other one we have been able to find online in the right dimension are a city playmat (which Russell would really appreciate).

Mom had these blocks and I finally got around to crafting them.

So, let's have a look at what it originally looked like so we can all be grossed out at this disgusting house. I can't believe we actually bought it. It smelled of dog terribly. The door into it was also bolted shut, so we had to go outside in order to get into it.

This door was all we had protecting our house from intruders. 

We are all much happier with the new and improved mudroom. It is perhaps my favorite room in the house right now, but I'm sure once it gets really cold outside I won't be so in love with it. We better get a rug or cut a carpet scrap.

Olympic Celebrations

We just finished watching the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. Over the past 17 days we have done lots of Olympic things besides just watching all the sporting events on tv.

We had a kids Olympic party with several friends.

Our Olympic Flame

The medal stand. Meghan was just trying it out.

Track events

Field events

Lunch

We also took Sarah's tradition of eating the hosting team's food. We had these chicken enchiladas things that took way too long, made way too many dishes, and was only so so. We had bauru, a roast beef sandwich, which was very tasty. We also had beans and rice. I wasn't going to bother with feijoda, when regular beans and rice is a favorite in this home. I also made this teddy graham swimming jello. It was the most appreciated food by Meghan and Russell. 

Ben and I each took a turn trying to be Simone Biles. You know that spin she does on one foot with the other leg extended while she is crouched down on the ground? I made it almost a half turn around, while Ben fell over almost immediately.

While it has been fun, I have really appreciated moments like Hamblin and D'Agostino helping each other, and several athletes talking about how having children has been the most important thing they will ever do. I also was impressed with how many athletes acknowledge their faith in Jesus as what helped them do so well. I'm a little bummed that I didn't get to see any synchronized swimming. Next time.

2016 Olmsted County Free Fair

This will come as no surprise, but we went to the fair! We chose the hottest day of the week, and the day after our super miserable try at camping. But, everybody had fun and was happy for the majority of the afternoon we were there.

The most exciting part of the fair, though, was that I entered some things into it. I picked to enter a children's outfit, this honey wheat bread, chewy ginger cookies, and fresh apple cake. The food all had to be entered on the same day, so I was slaving away in the kitchen for several hours trying to get everything done. I managed to get it all done, and drove it all three blocks to the fairgrounds.

For the outfit, I used this pattern and sewed another runway shortie for Meghan to wear next summer. I got the fabric from Hancock Fabric before it closed and got a pretty good price on it.  I had to size it up, and was really afraid that it would be huge. When I tried it on Megs it looked just big enough for her for next summer.

I ended up winning first place for all my things! Not only did I get the first place ribbons, but I also ended up winning $7.50. Yay! It might have just barely covered all the costs to make everything.

It felt good to be a winner, especially since I am not usually a winner. The rules state that everything has to be made or finished in the past twelve months, so I am already starting on what I am going to enter for next year's fair.