Quilt 41

Quilt 41-Lap Size-2001
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Thrifted deals: Crafter's Choice. Plus Slippers.



This was a crafter's splurge!  A yard of boyish plaid.  8 zippers.  2 hoops (I can't seem to find mine).  2 kids patterns.  Two books.  And a new pair of blue suede slippers that are fuzzy inside.  That are three sizes too big.  But I couldn't resist them for $0.50.  Anyway, grand total was $6.00

But the real treat was the reaction from my little guy.  He immediately said "ooo!!!" with excitement when he saw those slippers.  Then he hugged them.  Then he wanted them on. He was so excited!  He didn't stand up for the longest time, as he kept admiring them and pointing to them. I had to get my camera.

Can't you see how his excitement radiates! 

But then, he wanted to walk in them.  Every time he took a step, they fell off.  Which made him MAD.  He'd put them on again (with help) and then they'd fall off.  He threw the biggest fit that they wouldn't stay on.  I tried to stuff them. I tried to put his regular slippers on first so they'd stay on.  But he was not into my tricks.  He wanted them to fit the right way. I'm a mean, mean mama and took a picture of the tantrum that went on and on because the slippers didn't fit. Fashion is very troubling. So they shall remain hidden until he grows.
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Morning Glory Muffins

I like to have muffins handy in this house frequently.  Especially the kinds that are loaded with the good stuff.  It's a much better alternative to a processed snack, especially when we're on the go.  With a double batch, they freeze up nicely.   If you're looking for the hearty kind that will pack the fruits and veggies into a baked snack, here you go.  It's a blend between the King Arthur Flour and 2 other random Morning Glory muffin recipes. And in traditional "me" fashion...it's a one bowl recipe.


Morning Glory Muffins
3 eggs
1/2 cup veg oil
3/4 cup apple sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup brown sugar (not packed)
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
 2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/8 cup flax seed meal
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup coconut
2/3 cup raisins/craisins

Mix eggs, oil, apple sauce, orange juice, vanilla and brown sugar.  Add baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt, wheat germ and flax meal.  Add flour.  Add carrots and raisins.  Fill muffin pans with paper liners 3/4 full with batter.  Bake 375 for about 35 minutes.




 
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Stop. Savor. Smile.

It was one of 'those' mornings. Not a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad morning.  A morning where no matter how hard I tried, I felt like I was a mouse spinning in a wheel.  Very busy, but going no where.  You know what I'm talking about.  

A morning such as this:  Clean up breakfast. Baby wants music on.  Get bread made and in oven. Baby pinched his fingers and needs snuggles.  Answer phone ringing off the hook. Put on frog boots.  Cat had a hairball.  Baby wants a hat.  Clean up mess from bread making.  Did I let the dog in?  Laundry in dryer.  Baby wants to dance more...put music on again.  Pets have no water. Change baby's shoes, per request.  Fire's almost out.  Woodbox empty. Go get some wood. Change baby's hat, per request.  Shoot, forgot to bring water to the chickens.  Baby wants different shoes.  It's almost snack time, what the heck am I going to make?  Mental note: make grocery list.  Baby is asking for the potty.  Books on the potty.  Bread timer ringing...need to get bread before it burns.  Be right back baby, sit still.  

And then I come back to this.  I just stopped.  I leaned against the door and I smiled.  I watched for a minute and then reached for the camera.  This is the type of moment I want to savor.  "Slow down, mama", I tell myself.  For I don't want to miss these precious moments. 

 Want to know what I did next?  I plopped myself down on the floor in the living room. I ignored the mess.  I read a dozen books and then played his favorite wooden fishing game.  And there were a few hugs and kisses thrown in the mix too.  This is what life is all about.
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Re-Use Onesie to Puzzle Bag

I had two things on my to do list today:  

1) Make some bags to store puzzle pieces.  My little guy loves puzzles, but it's a pain to try to tote them along places without separate storage for the pieces.
2) Transform some onesies into T-shirts.  The shirts still fit, but he's too long for them with the snaps all fastened.  Besides, onesies are a pain taking on and off with a potty trained little boy.

I was going to do drawstrings or zippers for the bags...but then looked at the pile of snaps I had just removed.  It's not fancy or sewn up perfectly...but it's fully functional, which is what we needed.  I also sewed an open clear vinyl pocket to label what's in the bag.  Quick storage while re purposing something we had.  Hey, why not? 

Not the best quality pictures..but you get the drift.


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Chocolate Cake with Oreo Buttercream: For the Birthday Boy

 Pinterest inspired me to make this.  However, when I clicked on the recipe, the baker used a boxed cake.  Since we never have boxed cakes in the house, I had to find another chocolate cake recipe, which there was one on the same blog.  I used the recipe for the frosting from here and the recipe for the cake from here, adapting both slightly.


The Best Chocolate Cake


Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons King Arthur Flour Black Cocoa, optional
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup strong black coffee (I used Green Mountain Coffee’s Vermont Country Blend)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa(s), baking soda, baking powder. Mix on low until dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for about two minutes; the batter will be thin. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.


For the Oreo Buttercream
Ingredients
1 stick salted butter – room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter – room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar, 10x)
3-4 tablespoons very cold milk
25 Oreo cookies chopped
Directions
1. Cream the butters in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract and combine well.
2. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, begin adding the very cold milk… one tablespoon at a time, combining well after each addition until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Fold in chopped Oreo Cookies and frost your cooled cake layers.

The birthday boy was quite excited.
As was the mini.  This is his new cheesy grin he does for pictures.  Instead of running from the camera, he now will do this. 
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Thrifted Turtle Coat=Love.


It's no secret my little guy has his own style.  Particularly with hats and boots, and now coats are added to that list.  I couldn't refuse this coat for $2.50 at a thrift shop last year.  It's "Squirt" from Finding Nemo.  I completely forgot about it, until he started to say "turtle" and pointing out turtles in books.  When I offer his winter coat, he puts it back and returns with his coat of choice, which lately has been his turtle coat. Although not dressed appropriately for a snowstorm, we've got style.



Signing and saying "SNOW".





This picture just makes me smile.
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Personalized Name Tote

Just a little reverse applique on a purchased tote for my son's BFF.  I drew the letters free handed on tissue paper, transferred them to the bag with a rotary marker and transfer paper, pinned fabric to the back, sewed the letters, cut out the letters and washed to fray. Filled with books and it was a gift both mama and the little guy loved. It's nice personalized project to do, particularly for a kiddo who only has four letters in his name.

And here's the BFFs, only four weeks apart, sharing a stool my grandmother got for me when I was a kid. 




Reminising...January 2010

I was going through my January 2010 photos, how fun it was having a 4 month old!  Here's my top pics, starting with my favorite:  The Tortoise and the Hare.  Wow, I miss those baby days.  So glad I'll be able to squeeze my next squishy baby in June.  Beautiful memories.

 My little man.
 BFFs. And loving those homemade little shoes.  They're reversible and made as a gift for us by one of my friends.
 First Snowshoe Summit!
 Close to mama, right where he belongs.
 Back in the day when they were pals.  Now my little guy chases this lazy cat around...who gets annoyed from all that unnecessary exercise. And the poor cat can't have a hairball alone...my little guy assumes the position adjacent Harley, pretending to have a hairball along with him. It's quite the scene.
 Love this sweater (thanks Amanda)!
Of course, I birthed a miniature of my husband.  They're both goofy and leave great messes for me to clean.
Mush mush.
 A handmade sweater my friend made for me.  Oh so soft.
 Another basket he'd no longer fit in.
 Slept through his first X Country ski adventure.
 And there's that smile that lights my heart.  How marvelous it is to be his mama!

Spotlight on my Dad: Birthday Gifts

I'm thankful, so very thankful, for having a handy, crafty dad.  This is what arrived for my birthday:

A napkin holder:
And a candle holder:



Our farmhouse table is now topped with handmade love.  How great is that?!  Thanks BOG (Bald Old Grandpa)!

More items made by the BOG:
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