More Sticky Chewy November 18, 2009

In the last week I’ve made two new recipes from the Sticky Chewy Messy Gooey cookbook.  Both awesome of course.   Double Crumble Hot Apple pies I made for my baby bro’s 17th birthday.  It’s a crisp and a pie– the best of  both worlds.  PLUS it’s double the crisp, which is always how I prefer it.  I even burned the top layer of crisp and had to pick it off, and still there was plenty.  I think I’m going to make another for craft night tomorrow night, just so I can experience it with full crisp.  No pictures unfortunately.  OH I and drizzled caramel sauce on it too.

I did however get a pic of the Rich Risotto Rice Pudding, which was close to my favorite so far.  I love the ultra rich chocolate desserts, but rich and creamy milk with real vanilla bean?  Oh yes.  I also used the other half of the caramel sauce drizzled on this, topped with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.  The picture does not even come close to giving you an idea:

Scissors Banned November 17, 2009

Ugh.  Looks like someone needs a buzz cut.  Just in time for cold weather and holiday picks.  =(

And sorry about your pillow case, Taylor.  It was on loan to go with B’s bedroom, and handmade by my Gma.  Of course.  Maybe I can patch it?

Bread Baking November 12, 2009

Just thought I’d rave some more about this cookbook. The above bread is  100% wholewheat and flax flour.   No white!   No dense healthy bread here.

The Queen of Mess November 9, 2009

B was pretty bad at making messes in his day.  L may surpass her brother.

Here is all but one of my spices spilled out of their containers onto the contents of an already messy table.  Plus she broke one of the beakers.  That was fun to clean up.

The other day she broke one of my favorite serving bowls too (one of my two torquise ceramic ones that I always have displayed on my table).  That was a sad day.

I love this hat November 6, 2009

The legwarmers are pretty cool too.  Even if I do say so myself.  I made a special order for my friend Lori, so I thought I’d share the pics with ya’ll.  It’s the same hat and legwarmers that you can find separately in my etsy shop.  (a little advertisement here– if you like the brown hat I can make you some legwarmers to match!   She picked the yarn (lovin the color), I knitted it up, and then she and Caroline modeled for me.  Thanks you two!

Oliver + S November 5, 2009

I recently made a dress for my friend Morgan’s baby girl, Darcy.  It’s an Oliver + S pattern that is super cute: the Playdate Dress.  I’m really sad that I didn’t get one made for Lillian (since the one I did make kinda flopped).  I find it hard to get the yoke to work for the size that it says it is.  For Darcy I made the yoke, and tried it on her before attaching to the dress. It was too small, so I made the next size up.  That worked fine, except it was a little hard to attach to the dress.  It’s probably just because I’m not an expert sewer, but I find these designer patterns hard to read at times.  Anyway, check out how cute it turned out!  It helps that the model is beautiful of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazingly enough, I found the fabric at Joann’s.  I hardly ever find good clothing fabrics there.  This was great, because Morgan definitely prefers bright colors for her girls rather than your normal pastels.  I did sneak a little pastel in though.   For an extra homemade touch I added some embroidery to the yoke.  I haven’t done much embroidery lately, so it was sort of nice although time consuming!

I love the little puffy sleeves and there’s a cute dart in the front that you can sort of see in the pics.  Nice details in this pattern!

Miss you Morgan! =(

October Update November 2, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things have been a little crazy here– things happy and sad.  I’ve needed a little break, but I’ll try to make up for it this week!  Beware a horde of posts!

Outside:  Our yard is covered in a foot of leaves all around.  That is going to take a lot of raking.  Maybe I should hire my little (6 foot tall) brother.

In My Kitchen:  Baked the master recipe on Saturday from my awesome new cookbook. There is seriously absolutely no reason to not have homemade bread every single day anymore.  Even if you’ve never baked bread before in your life.  Revolutionary.   I also made the pumpkin cake pictured above from Cooking Light.  YUM.

I am wearing: flip flops, jeans, cotton shirt, and sweater jacket.  What can I say– I love flip flops.

Can’t Wait For:  Taking the kids to the zoo tomorrow with friends.

Current Read:  Just finished a couple books including Jane Austen Ruined My Life.   Now I’m just reading A History of Christianity, which I’ve actually been working on for a while.  It’s interesting, but hard to compete with Fiction.

I am hoping: That I’m not getting a cold.  I’ve been sneezing since last night.  Also, to get a lot of sewing done this week.

Around the house:  Picking up the pieces from our busy weekend– see previous slideshow.  Plus, GG’s party was here.

Simple Pleasures: My kids playing nicely together… I think that just ended.  I’m trying to get the kids to wait until 1 for naptime, but daylight savings is messing that up.

Plans for the Weekend:   Having some neighbors over for dinner, which we’ve been wanting to do for a while.  Not sure what else yet.

Family Update:  My parents are adopting two children.  So, looks like I’m the oldest of 6 now.   And we’re REALLY spread out now. hehe.  28 (should I stop admitting my age at this point?), 26, 20, 17, 13, and 11.   And my first sister (besides the in-laws that feel as close as real sisters anyway– we even fight every once in a while–hehe).

Lillian: Has been a little crabby lately (for her), and so I’ve been carrying her a lot. I guess my back is getting strong.   She’s very attached to her red rain boots, and wears them around the house all the time.  She makes a beautiful fall ballerina.

Brendan: says he is Lillian’s hero.  At least when he is dressed up as Batman.  He’s really into Kung Fu Fighting right now.  And coloring a lot.

House: Lots of half done projects (that’s being generous).  Maybe someday they’ll be done?

Happy Halloween! November 2, 2009

Long Overdue September 30, 2009

An  Update!  Thanks to Facebook I hardly ever do these anymore.

Outside: I’m stilling harvesting tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, jalapenos, herbs, and peppers from the garden.   I don’t know how much time I have left, but I’ll enjoy it while I can.  On Saturday my Grandma and I took the kids to the Red Barn Farm up in Weston.  We took a horse drawn hayride out to the huge pumpkin patch and picked a pumpkin to bring home.  I also picked out a pretty white one from the ones they had sitting out.  Fun times.  I have some Martha Stewart plans for them, so maybe I’ll be sharing a pic soon.

In My Kitchen:  Still working my way through the Sticky Gooey cookbook.  Last Saturday was my nephew’s and little foster “brother’s” birthday party.  So, I made the banana bread pudding.  Didn’t get a picture of course, but I’ll just tell you– delicious!  I also tried a cookie recipe from the latest “Everyday Food” magazine.  I used their caramel recipe (which was awesome and fairly easy) to make the icing that was sandwiched between two chocolate cookies.  I’m sticking with that caramel recipe from now on.  Not bothering with the lesser one in Sticky Gooey.  Amazing– I have a criticism of my favorite cookbook.   Sometimes Martha just knows better. OH YEAH. I’m very excited about the new book: Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey Treats for Kids!!!!

I am wearing: I went for a jog/walk with the kids in the double stroller, and now need to get in the shower.  So, I’m wearing my jogging shoes, navy pants, and aqua tank top.

Can’t Wait For:  Tomorrow nights date night with C– he has free tickets to see Zombieland.    I’m a sucker for Zombie movies, and this one looks really funny.

Current Read: Kristin Lavransdatter is the only one I should admit to.  But I already talked about zombies so why not Mr. Darcy, Vampyre too. lol.

I am hoping: To start feeling good enough to keep up with my house.  Today.    I think it’s been like a month since I felt good. bleh.

Around the house:  See above.

Simple Pleasures: Cinnamon rolls.  Sunny days.  Wee kisses.

Plans for the Weekend:   Maybe a school carnival and a neighbor’s birthday party.

Family Update:  C and I just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.  (see pic above)  I would put an after pic too, but I wouldn’t like it so close to the before pic. lol.

Lillian: getting lots of teeth and new words suddenly.

Brendan: has improved tremendously on handwriting and coloring (staying in the lines) just in the last month.

House: C is chugging away at the kitchen and bathroom remodel.  Slow work.  We have had some helpers lately though.  I have hope it may someday be done. ::)

Laptop Bag September 28, 2009

I finally have pics of a laptop bag!  My friend Lori bought me a cool pattern off of Etsy (for you sewers out there– definitely check out the other patterns on there too– I am tempted to buy a couple more right now!), so I made her a bag from a vintage dress she had.  I didn’t get any pics before sending it on.  Good thing I see her a lot.

THEN I made this cute bag for the shop out of Amy Butler decor weight fabric.  I think it  would benefit from a laptop inside, but here are some pics (thanks to Ginny for taking them!)

It’s funny– I just realized I used the exact same fabric as pictured in the Etsy shop’s pictures linked above.  Well, I do have good taste I guess.  At least that gives you an idea of what my bag would look like with a laptop in it!