Modification

I bought L a new winter jacket. It was on clearance and the jackets she had didn't fit quite right. The hood that came with this new jacket was more of a wind catcher rather than a wind resister...so, I modified.

Food and Craft

I modified a Almond Bark Cookie recipe today. Mmm...Chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallows, peanuts, Chex! Next time: sprinkle with coconut!


While browsing the Smashed Peas and Carrots I found a pattern for a cowl. I thought it looked like fun and decided as usual to take the pattern and modify it. Instead of knitting, I crocheted using the "bushy stitch" I found Reader's Digests Complete Guide to Needlework. I ran out of yarn before I got to the 50 inches in length mark... Instead of starting over and narrowing it a bit, I decided to just end and finish. It was a quick project and while it didn't turn out exactly as I wanted...I quite enjoyed it. I might try again with another yarn.


I forgot to mention that Kj asked if I could make her one too...we'll see!

Thank you, Smashed Peas and Carrots!

New Look

I've got a new look in my sewing room. Thanks to Ikea and my skilled father #2! Kevin and I were wandering through Ikea last Spring (my first time) and I saw this great desk. I thought it would work nicely with my sewing machine and serger. It may have been made for two laptops, but it was just right for the space I have! It was dropped off at my house in the morning, and I was told to get my room ready and my skilled father #2 would help me "install" it. It's maiden voyage was very successful. I finished a project that probably messed up my serger...but now that it is fixed, I carefully set about finishing it. Kj will wear it tomorrow and gave permission for me to take a picture...that is to come!



This last picture she wanted to make sure you could see her hair. :) P.S. Here is where the skirt/legging idea came from: http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/08/repurposing-skirtleggings.html.

Quesadillas

I have been trying different insides to my quesadillas. On this particular day I decided to use up some leftover broccoli and cauliflower. It was actually really good. I asked Kj what she thought of the broccoli and cauliflower inside. "Oh, I didn't know that was inside. It's good." Other days I have slathered some mashed avocado. Above you can maybe tell that there is some lunch meat inside one.

Instant Oatmeal Packs

So, Kevin and L eat oatmeal about 5 times a week. Kevin had mentioned the other day that he has kind of gotten used to the packets (he eats one packet and adds more oatmeal). I decided to see if I could come up with my own concoction. I checked out a few of the recipes online which must have all come from the same source...with just a few variations. Well, here are his man-sized instant packs. These four he was instructed to just add water to, nothing else, and then tell me what he thought. After the first day, he said they were good, but could have a bit less cinnamon. Someday, I will share the perfected recipe.

Four Thumbs Up!

It is not often that a meal at our house gets 4 thumbs up and seconds/thirds are requested by all. I found a few new recipes that weren't extravagant in some magazines that my grandma sent my way. So, today, I made 2 of them.


Tomato Green Bean Soup (so flavorful!!) was the main course, with popcorn on the side (I can't remember where I got that idea, but it went over really well!!). For dessert we had Pecan Sticky Muffins...the gluten-less, dairy-free variety. I made my own alterations after researching the proper use of xanthan gum. Here is the result:


PECAN STICKY MUFFINS

2 cups millet flour
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
TOPPING:
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix non-topping ingredients together just until moistened. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Into each greased muffin cup (12 total), spoon 1 teaspoon butter, 1 teaspoon brown sugar and 1 heaping tablespoon chopped pecans. Top each with 1/4 cup batter. Bake 25-30 minutes. Invert pan on to a piece of foil. Let stand 2 minutes, remove pan, serve warm!

Now I have to tell you that I had to throw away the first batch that I had mixed up...all but the vanilla was added. L was sitting on a stool beside me and decided to pour soapy water from a dirty 1 cup measuring cup into the recipe. I didn't know what I could do to save it, so I threw it away!! So sad. L was sad too. She cried when I told her that was a bad idea. :(

After eating a wonderfully filling supper and then some more, we decided to run a few errands. For the second time in a week or so I went to pick up my serger from repairs and the store was closed! We also stopped at the library for some much anticipated tax forms...then since we already had 1 sleeper, we headed to do one more errand...by the end of that errand, we had this upon our arrival at home:

Six layer Dip

This post is mostly to keep track of a really good recipe. The original Seven Layer Taco Dip. My Sis A. made this for our New Year's Family Celebration and I decided it would be just the thing to add to our friend's dinner.

I made this dip for a Friday supper gathering. I had gone to the grocery store on Sunday. I had forgotten to buy tomatoes and we accidentally ate up the peppers and as most people know...I don't cut onions (much).

My abbreviated version starting at the bottom:

~1 can refried beans mixed with 2 T. homemade taco seasoning mix (=traditional packet)
~8 oz. sour cream beaten together with 4 oz. cream cheese (make sure it is well blended!)
~Salsa (enough to cover up the creamy layer)
~Mixed greens cut into very small pieces (spinach and leaf lettuce)
~Shredded cheddar cheese
~Finely cut black olives

I had enough to put in 2 dishes and one of the dishes I decided not to put the cream layer. It was an excellent choice. Either way really is great!! Then I buy Mission Tosdadas and use those for my chips. Mmmm!

I think my next attempt at a new recipe will be Vegan Brownies. Only I am going to change them to be Gluten Free as well...we'll see how it goes! My motivation: a friend that cannot have oats or eggs. :)

Promised Pictures

Aren't they precious!! I wanted to share what a real, beautiful baby looks like in the hat and diaper cover that I made. Isn't my friend a great photographer!? She said she took these (and many more) in a 20-30 minute time...instead of the usual hour plus!

Action Plan - transition to toddler bed

Ok, we have had about a week of toddler bed and the first night L was so tired it worked wonderfully...and since then...not so much. Taking notes from ehow and wikihow, this is what we came up with:

Take pack and play out of room

Sing on Kj's bed - as we used to

Pray on on Kj's bed - as we used to

Give sister kisses - as we used to

Lay her down

Kiss her

"good night"

Close door

She gets up

Go in and kindly lay her down

"good night"

Close door

She gets up

Go in and kindly lay her down

"good night"

Close door

She gets up

Go in and kindly lay her down

"good night"

Close door

She gets up

Go in and kindly lay her down

"good night"

Close door

She gets up

Go in and kindly lay her down

Persevere!

It will pay off in the end

~~~

Next day:

Ok, so we had this plan...we were both ready to head to the room alternately. We were all geared up... And the result. Both times (nap and bedtime): She climbed in bed, got tucked in, and stayed in bed and went to sleep.

Blueberry Muffins (Gluten-Free/Egg-Free)

Found this recipe and started putting it together. I then remembered that I had used the last of the eggs last night in an egg-bake. Well, scanning the ingredients to see how much I needed to do substituting for, was pleasantly surprised that there were no eggs. I ended up putting the batter in an 8 x 8 pan and leaving it in the oven at 325 degrees for about 40 minutes. It tastes excellent!!

*(for Amy) If you only have an egg allergy, I would think that you could use 2 cups all purpose flour and skip the xanthan gum.

My changes are italicized.

2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour - gluten-free flour mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt - salt
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup canola oil
2/3 cup agave nectar
2/3 cup rice milk - coconut milk and kefir (not enough coconut milk)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh blueberries - frozen and a bit extra

Side note...we are getting a new window today and since there is some dust from the construction the Blueberry Bread is now taking up residence in our bedroom. Mmmm...sweet dreams tonight!!

Tastes great!!

Gluten Free Biscuits

Found this recipe at Southern Food.com

I used their function to make 6 instead of 12 biscuits, added some extra gf flour (noted), and put it in a oven safe dish. It wasn't really a roll out biscuit even after the additional flour. It was tasty though!

1 cup gluten-free flour (+1/2 c.)
1/2 cup white cornmeal (gluten-free)
1/8 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup milk
1/8 cup canola oil

Bake 425 degrees for ~20 minutes.

Gluten Free Pound Cake

Aunt C found a great pound cake recipe for our family Christmas gathering. We had a fondue theme and it was really fun!! The recipe is here. We ended up using a different chocolate recipe though. I'll try to get a picture to show our fun!