Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Thinking of Christmas

 Here is a sampling of what I have made for Christmas gifts.  The scarves turned out great this year thanks to some new yarn colors!  Still have way to much to make before Christmas gets here though.
 Old but new to me book from my mother and some super cute fabric.  I think I'll make a few things for the boys on my Christmas list.
Linen skirt from a local thrift store soon to be converted into more napkins.  I have found you can never have enough cloth napkins!  I think I can get 8 good sized napkins out of this $2 skirt.  You can't beat that!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Fall/Winter clothes

We have had 3 weeks of beautiful fall weather!  The kids have played outside every afternoon which has left me quit a bit of time to make some fall/winter clothes.  I love the peasant tops you see everywhere but I have made a few over the last year and they all had alittle something I didn't like about them.  So I made my own pattern this year.  I love how it turn out!  Most of the fabric I've been using was given to me.  You can't get a better deal than that.  Thanks Aunt Denise.  I've been putting it to good use. 
I just love this little vest.  I purchased the pattern on Ravelry.  I've made these two so far and have started on a third.  My Daughter loves them.  Not pictured yet are my son's PJ's.  He requested some flannel bottoms now that the weather is cooler.  They turned out pretty good.  I used a siplicity pattern and modified it a little.  More to come soon!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Sunday,Sunday,Sunday


Went to church and heard an awesome sermon! Went to walmart and waited in a not so awesome line. Listened to kids whine about being sooo sooo hungry on the ride home. Lucky for me my husband is a problem solver! He pulled along side the road, picked some tiger lilies, and fed them to the kids as soon as we got home. Sounds odd I know but they held there flowers quietly the rest of the way home! I think they were in shock about eating flowers. I tried one too. They are surprisingly good. You can cook with them too. The petals, roots, and bulbs are edible.

Sausage, Potatoes, and Squash


1lb sausage(I used beef kielbasa but anything you like will do)

2 med.-lg. red potatoes quartered and sliced thinly

1 med. yellow onion halved and sliced thinly

1 red bell pepper cut into 1/4 in. chunks

1 zucchini quartered and sliced thinly

1 yellow squash quartered and sliced thinly

2T olive oil

salt and pepper


1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add sliced potatoes and onions and cook for 15min or until potatoes are somewhat crisp.

2. Add red bell pepper and cook for 3-4min. Add zucchini and yellow squash and cook until tender. Takes 5-10min. depending on pan size. Make sure to stir every minute or so and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Place veggie mixture in a serving bowl and keep warm. Add the sausage to skillet and cook until heated through. If there is grease from the sausage drain it off. Add to veggie mixture and serve.


Notes:

I created this dish last night to use up left over farmers market veggies. You could use many different combination with this.

I cooked the sausage separate from the veggies due to it being a greasy sausage. If you were using a precooked turkey sausage or something you would not have to drain grease off of you could cook the sausage right along with the squash. This would also require a pretty large skillet but could be done.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Playing in the rain


Last week a box turtle passed through our yard during a rain storm. My kids spotted it and wanted to go out side to look at it. The mothering side of me immediately kicked in and I said no way! It's raining outside. But after a couple seconds of the kids, with there sad face, staring longingly out the window I said well at least put on your rain boots! With giggles and glee they jumped into there boots and headed out the door. They stayed out longer than I thought they would but it was a warm day and they had lots of fun. Plus I got some good pictures for the scrapbook. It's one of those times I'm glad I gave in.

Portobello and Bean burritos



4-8 burrito or flour tortillas
2 c. cooked beans
2 large tomatoes chopped or 4-5 roma tomatoes chopped
2-3 garlic cloves minced or sliced thinly
8 oz. portobello mushrooms( baby bello's or button would do fine) sliced
3-4 scallions(or any kind of onion you have)
3 T. olive oil
1/4-1/2 t. cumin
sea salt

Toppings optional:
Salsa
Sour cream
Pepper jack or cheddar cheese

1. Saute sliced mushrooms and scallions in 1 T. olive oil until mushrooms are soft. About 5 min. on medium heat. Place in a bowl and set aside.
2. In same skillet heat 2 T. olive oil on medium heat then saute garlic for a few seconds. Add beans to skillet with a pinch of salt. Stir and mash them until they are the consistency you like. I mash mine with the back of my cooking spoon until they look like re-fried beans. You could also use a potato masher.
3. Stir together mashed beans, sauteed mushrooms, and the chopped tomatoes. Divide evenly between 4 large burritos or 8 flour tortillas and make a burrito.
4. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake burritos in a casserole dish for 20min.(I line my casserole with unbleached parchment for easy clean up but you could just spray pan w/olive oil instead.) Optional: top with some salsa and cheese and bake 5 min. more or until cheese is melted.
Variations:
I have made these with half the beans and added a cup of rice. I have used several kinds of rice but I like a red bean and long grain brown rice combo the best. It's also very good with black beans.

Also, you can use many different spice. This works will with chili powder instead of the cumin or even in conjunction with the cumin. Play around with it and find what you like!

Don't forget different vegetables. You can add almost anything. I have sauteed bell peppers with the mushroom and it tastes great.








Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Creative Chicks: The Best Refried Beans EVER (according to me!)

Creative Chicks: The Best Refried Beans EVER (according to me!) I love beans and so does the rest of my family but I never thought of canning my own! I think I'll get a pressure cooker and try it!

New Swimsuit

I have found that KWIK SEW patterns are way better than the other brands! So simple and easy to use. I'm going find more of these patterns. This is the second swimsuit I have made. This one turned out so much better than the one I made last year. Made it using straight stitch and zigzaged the seams. I use clear swimsuit elastic for the first time. I was so easy to use. All in all I am happy with this one.


It might even fit her next year too. It's a little big every where but not to big to notice.


Here's some more fabric finds. Not sure what I'll make with it but I liked the colors. The pink plaid fabric is a heavy weight cotton almost feels like canvas. I think it would make a great tote bag.



Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bargain Shopping







It only cost me $10.00 to give my kitchen a whole new look! I don't understand why people go to walmart when you can just go to a second hand store! Convenience I guess but I love picking up a bag of things for a few dollars even when I don't know what I'll do with it. Just like the shower curtain. Yup that's what's on my table. Looks good huh! The little perpetual calendar is my favorite. We had a little argument over who would change the numbers every day but we fine got that all worked out. And I couldn't pass up the glass milk jar even if it's not an antique. It has a cute cow on one side. hmmm wonder what I'll find next time.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Baby Chicks

Four more baby chicks just in time for Easter. We have six hens already but decide to get a few more. We have five buff orpingtons and one rhode island red. So we decided to go with two more of the reds as they are consistant producers and tow bared rocks just to have some variety. They are soooo cute. Kinda like kittens and puppys where you wish they could just stay this size for ever.

Bathroom remodel

Here's some pics of what we have done in the basement so far. My hubby installed an electrical box and an out let. Ya my freezer is down in the basement and not in my washroom. Unfortunately I have already filled the empty space! New hot water heater. The old one was in our bedroom closet and had started leaking out the bottom. We wanted it in the basement and just hadn't gotten around to moving but at this point we had no choice. This leaves us with yet another project though. The old hot water heater has to be removed and then we will have to start tearing the closet apart to fix the water damage.
We decided to remove the wall between the hallway that will lead into the bathroom and our bedroom. We plan to use this space as an office area and felt it would feel more open with the wall gone.




Thursday, April 1, 2010

Easter dress

Here's my daughter's Easter dress. The true miracle here is that Easter is 3 days away and here dress is done. I think this is the first holiday dress I have completed preholiday. I'm usually late to the days events because I'm putting in a zipper, sewing on buttons, or have been up since the crack of done sewing the whole thing! So this is a big deal for me. I hope I can continue getting things done ahead of time. It makes for a lot less stress.
This is the pattern I used. I love these patterns. They are so simple. I made this dress from start to finish in one afternoon. I had it done and diner on the table at 5:30pm. You can't beat that. I did make some modifications. Well one was a mistake but it turned out fine. The pattern tells you to measure down 18" and over 3" to make the bottom of the dress but I only measured over 2". It looks fine to me though. I also decided the waist was a little to high for the look I was going for. I placed the waist 2.5" from the armpit. Still thinking about making a fabric flower to go at the waist hmm or the neck line. I haven't decided yet.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Creative Chicks: Sew Your Own Swimsuit

Creative Chicks: Sew Your Own Swimsuit This looks like so much fun! I tried making a swim suit last year for my daughter(3 yrs) and I wasn't real happy with it. I still have lots of fabric left and I think I will try again. I think I'll do a long tank top with seperate bottoms instead of a one piece and see how that goes. I guess I'd better go try and find the fabric since I haven't seen it in a year!

Friday, March 26, 2010

I feel like baking

Some days I just feel like baking. This is a pastry recipe from a Rachel Ray magazine. Just one look at the picture and I had to make them! They are sooooo good. I'm making these to take to my brother house for Easter. Not really to share them but for a good excuse to make them again.

sewing and crafting area

Here is my sewing space so far. It was a built in entertainment center. We don't watch much TV so I decided I could better use this space. Next weekend I plan to pull everything out and paint the walls. Still trying to decide on a color. I'd like something that doesn't stand out to much since this is the first thing you see when you come in the front door. Although we do plan to put up bi fold doors at some point. Problem is I don't know when that will be. Could be in a month could be in a year. All depends on what is left after we finish the bathroom. All that said I am leaning toward lavender. I'll also be putting up peg board on the left wall for more storage. Here is what it looked like before: (and yes we still refuse to pay for TV. Although we have change to an out door antenna!)


Monday, March 22, 2010

Thrifty finds

Some times it's helpful to take some one with you to a thrift store. There is just so much to look at and you might miss something. For example I was at a local thrift store the other day and my hubby decided to wait out side. I guess I was taking to long because he came in to find me. He had only been standing there for a minute and pointed out several things I hadn't even notice. One was this tea kettle. I've been wanting one for a while but just haven't found anything I liked the looks of. I flipped it over and sure enough it was a Cuisinart! I got it for $4.29. I looked it up last night and it's $29.99 on there web site. Not a bad deal huh? So from now on I think he needs to go with me in case I miss something!(although he does not agree)

Saturday, March 20, 2010

bathroom remodel

Here's the bathroom all gutted. We have changed our minds on a couple things as we he have been taking things out. Overall our plans are still the same. My hubby has been in the basement installing the new hot water heater.It's gone pretty well. We also put in a sub panel in the basement last weekend. Moved the chest freezer out of my laundry room and down to the basement which freed up some more space upstairs. We had easy access to for wiring once we finished ripping out the sheet rock in the bathroom. We decided to remove the wall that leads from the bathroom to the bedroom. Not a load bearing wall and we found more water damage at the floor when we riped out the sheet rock. All and all it's going pretty well.
The board on the saw horses is yet another project I am working on. I sanded and finished it. It should be dry by this evening. It's going to be the new work surface in my sewing /crafting area. I'll post pics of that later.




Friday, March 5, 2010

Bathroom Remodel

We are finally remodeling our master bathroom. YAY!!! We haven't been able to use the shower for 4yrs. The whole bathroom had problems so we decided to rip it all out and start over.

Before pic's of the bathroom. Double sink-this area won't be part of the bathroom when we are finished. There will be a wall before the double sink. We are shrinking the bathroom to and 8x8 square, putting in a wall with a pocket door. This space here connects to our bedroom and will house my home office.


Shower Stall, garden tub and rediculously large mirror.
This is the opening where the wall and door will be.





Tuesday, February 23, 2010

These are my assistance. They weren't much help with picking fabric this morning though. This guy was to busy making blue prints in his head of what his next link-n-log fort would look like to help me.

And this one told me I was being rude because I was interrupting her conversation with her imaginary friend(Deeda) who lives in her mouth. I'll have to share that story some other time. So it was left up to me to make the hard choices.

Decisions

So here comes the part I have a hard time with. The final decisions! But I think I'm almost there. I'm going to go with a natural colored linen for these adorable pants. I'm using the Katri linen pants out of Ottobre design Spring '09 magazine. I thought about other colors but I decided on the neutral bottoms because it goes with everything.

I'm going to make this cute little shirt and if there is enough fabric left I may make the bag to match. I'd give you the title of the book but it's in Japanese so I have no idea what any of it says. This shirt is suppose to tie in the back but I am thinking about sewing up the back seam most of the way and then placing a button on top. I have visions of chacing my daughter around all day tying her shirt.

I still have a stack of patterns and fabric so I'll be posting more projects in the days to come. I'm glad I started blogging because it is really motivating me to finish my projects(in a timely manner). I feel obligated to do so even if no one comes to my blog.


This is the skirt and Capri's I have completed for my daughter's birthday along with the fruit from the previous post.



Monday, February 22, 2010

handmade birthday

Ever since I started crocheting again 2 years ago I wanted to make play food for the kids. I printed patterns off all the time(who knows where they went) with good intentions but never made it on to actually crocheting anything. Sooo, for my daughters birthday coming up the first weekend in April I decided some play food was in order. All she has is the plastic kind that is falling apart from being crushed and chewed upon for a year or so. And I finally succeeded in making some fruit and a market tote for her. She will love them I'm sure. I hope to make a lunch kit as well. I have completed some clothes for her but my computer is not cooperating with uploading pictures right now so this one is all I could get. I used all free patterns that I found with google. I am happy with how they turned out. My plan is to complete one or two gifts every week until I have enough but if all else fails I will be making a mad dash for walmart or target the day before her birthday(this is what my husband would predict in my future). But I have faith that I will complete at least a couple more things! More pics to come.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

All Aboard!

Trains, trains, and more trains. It always amazes me how the kids will go for ever with out playing with something and then out of the blue it's all over my living room for two or three days. I have gotten a lot accomplished in the last couple days thanks to Thomas! This train set has been the center of attention. The look on there faces at night when it's time to clean up is of utter disappointment. Sooo, I let them leave it on the floor last night.
They don't even know I exist today. They are so absorbed in there land of pretend. I hate to do it but I have to pull them away to get our homeschooling done but I'm sure they will be right back at it after lunch!

More sea life and dishcloths

The first dishcloth is a waffle stitch. I found the pattern at http://www.ravelry.com/. The second one is your basic seed stitch model. I love the seed stitch because it makes a nice texture which helps when scrubbing those stuck on pots and pans. I used some bright colors to add to my kitchen since I am starting to feel the winter blues! Needed a little pop of color in the kitchen!
The seed stitch cloth has given me the opportunity to work on my continental knitting skills. I have always been a righ hand knitter but knitting left handed when doing seed stitch definately increases my speed. I was suprise how fast I feel into a rythm with my left hand. I would only have a quarter of this cloth knit if I were using my right hand. hmmm might stick with my left for a while and see how it goes!

Seed Stitch Cloth Pattern
Worsted Weight Yarn
Size 7 or 8 needles

CO 30 to 50 stitchs(depending on how big you want it, I did 40 sts on mine)
Always cast on an even number of stitches
Row 1: K1,P1
Row 2: P1,K1
work to desired length and bind off

It's that simple and it looks and works great!

Here's what I have finish so far. Some starfish face cloths to go with the fish washcloths for the kids. I think I'll attach a piece of ribbon to each one for hanging. I got this pattern from the Mad Quilter blog. I have here link listed in my side bar if you are interested. I didn't not use the washcloth pattern. I wanted something smaller and used the coaster pattern instead. I used a size H hook instead of the G and they turned out the perfect size. I love these and I might even make some for myself!

Monday, February 8, 2010

A School of Fish


Here are the first set of washcloths. I just love these fish and I think my kids will have lots of fun with them in the tub. I started with a free fish pattern at http://dishclothcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/fish-washclothdishcloth.html. I can't ever seem to stick to a pattern exactly so here are my modifications. I used size H/8(5.00MM) hook because I crochet a little tight and I find the cotton I am using feels much softer on a large hook. I increased to 18 stitches then work 7 rows of 18 stitches. I decreased to 8 stitches and then increased for the tail to 18 stitches. I also added a chain at the nose while I was edging the fish so that it can be hung on a hook. I love how these turned out. I'm considering making some small sardine shaped fish for the kids to use for washing there faces in the morning. And possibly a fishy shaped wash mitt. hmmm so many possibilities! I can't wait to start a new pattern. Hopefully some new pics tonight or tomorrow.
Making these fish got me thinking about the bible story where Jesus multiplies the loaves and the fishes to feed thousands. I'm always amazed by that story! I think I'll sit down and read it with the kids this afternoon and then give them there fish washcloths. What a great reminder of the wondrous things God can do!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Create-a-long


I'm joining in a create-a-long this week with Melissa from Day to Day. (there is a link to her blog in my side bar) She's making washcloths and I have tons of cotton yarn that I can use. I think I'll start tonight while watching the super bowl. I'm going to start with some fish shaped washcloths for the kids and maybe some to set aside as gifts for family birthdays. It will be a break from all the crochet hearts I have made the last couple weeks for Valentines Day!

Oven roasted sweet potates

4 med. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 in. cubes
1 1/2 T. Olive oil
1 1/2 T. Honey
1 t. dried rosemary, crushed
1 t. sea salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place sweet potatoes in a baking dish or baking pan. Add olive oil, honey, rosemary and sea salt. Toss to coat. Bake for 20-30 minutes.

makes 4 servings

Even my kids like this recipe!

Snow much fun







Here is our snowman from yesterday. The kids don't seem to care how cold it is they just want to play in the snow. They stayed outside till I dragged them back in a couple hours later. Thirty minutes was enough for me! I watched them from the window. Jerry decided to change the oil and rotate the tires on my car. What a day to decide to do that! It didn't seem to make much difference to him though.
Fisher finally gave up on me throwing his ball and dropped it for the snowman to throw. Once he figured out that wasn't going to work he went and plopped it on Jerry's wrench.

Friday, February 5, 2010

A cozy snow day














I came in the living room this morning to find my daughter curled up and looking cozy in a small round laundry basket. I don't believe I can remember ever fitting in a laundry basket but I am sure at some point years ago I could. Anyway I snapped a pic of her and of my son looking out our front door watching it snow. It's just one of those lazy snow days with not much going on. I sometimes miss the days way back when I had nothing better to do than to curl up with a good book and read the day away! At least my kids now get to enjoy it.