Special Olympians Scarf

For all you knitters and "hookers" out there, how about using your imagination and talents for a cause?

Lion Brand has a list of local organizations looking for handmade warmer-uppers.

JoAnn Fabrics also has a blog which mentions Lion Brand but also a campaign for the Special Olympics and Warm Up America. Materials for the blue and white scarves for the Special Olympians are available on the JoAnn website (plus a 40% discount for one item and free shipping).

Future knitter:

rainbow brite booties and bow hat

a-pah?

Noelle says "apah" all the time, which is Korean for Daddy. Of course she doesn't know that she's saying it, but she happened to say it when I was recording her during a giggling session with her new 'do...

I also found this cute bootee pattern and used 4ply yarn and an "I" hook. I like this pattern because it uses heavier weight yarn, which I like to use because I'm lazy and it works up quicker than "baby" yarn.

ajoomah vest and first tooth

I made this vest and i think she looks like a little ajoomah in it...all she needs is some gold net slippers! haha! Notice also the cute argyle BabyLegs. babysnazz was having a sale so I stocked up - couldn't resist the sale...:-(


In other news, the kid cut her first tooth! This is her teething face.

Thanksgiving

To the goodness of the Lord this year on my life, I have no words. My heart is full...

Procrastination and Paper Roses

So I was inspired by the coffee filter roses on Martha Stewart (via Homemade by Jill) and decided to try making my own quicker version out of tissue paper. The whole cutting petals thing can be reserved for when I'm not going to school and scrambling to soothe my yowling, teething baby (pic 3). I am pretty proud of the result...I used them to decorate a card box for my friend's wedding, which is today. Yay!

Creepy Crawly

Noelle can scoot forward a bit...had to pick her up though...she sounded so pitiful...

Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Trying to eat less dairy...a healthier but hearty take on the butter-based classic Cream of Mushroom

2 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cubed into bite-sized pieces
1 package cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 small onion, sliced thinly
3 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
chicken stock
white wine (optional)
olive oil

Season chicken generously with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to soup pot and fry onions and 1 clove garlic until soft. Add chicken and cook until just done on the outside. Cover with chicken stock and bring to a boil, skim top to remove fat, lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

In another pan, saute mushrooms with 1 clove garlic, salt and pepper until completely cooked through and browned. Add to soup pot. If desired, splash white wine into mushroom pan, swirl around and add to soup pot. Add more chicken stock if necessary. Bring to a boil, add tomatoes and green onions and cook just long enough to heat through tomatoes. Season to taste.

Leftovers Craft Idea #1

For small gift mailers, take leftover cardstock/scrapbook pages, fold in thirds, tape or glue seam, then fold over ends as if wrapping a present. Tape shut or seal with stickers.

Daisy Hat

For newborn babah

Macaroni Freak Freak

For the FON

Macaroni and Cheese

1 lb. elbow macaroni
8 oz. sour cream
16 oz. small curd cottage cheese
1 cup milk
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
salt and pepper

Topping
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 c. melted butter

Boil macaroni according to package instructions.

Mix macaroni and next 4 ingredients, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Spread into 9X13 pan.

Melt butter and incorporate into crumbs. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over macaroni mixture and bake for 30-35 minutes or until top is browned and cheese is melted.

Delicious add-ins: Crumbled bacon, chopped tomatoes, boiled eggs, or green onions.

Thanksgiving Recipe

We give thanks.

An alternative to butter. I wanted mashed yams but I didn't want to cut into a new stick of butter.

Mashed Yams

2 yams, cubed
1 large dollop cream cheese
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
milk
cinnamon

Cover yams with cold water and bring to a boil. Cover pot and simmer until fork tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and immediately break up with a fork. Add cream cheese, and sugar, then incorporate thoroughly. Add enough milk to create desired consistency. Dust with cinnamon.

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Stroller Envy

I was watching an episode of "Bringing Home Baby" and they had this stroller and I had to find out what it is...The Stokke Explory, retailing at a cool $999. What is this world coming to?

In other news relative to my price point, LUVS are not so bad. They are comparable in every way to Pampers Baby Dry (which are not the greatest diapers, but they do a decent job). If your baby is OK with the Pampers Baby Dry, they will be OK with the LUVS.

Rat-tat-too-eee

Just saw the movie again...if your kids love the movie and hate veggies this would be a good way to get them to eat em!

3 cloves garlic, sliced
2 tsp dried basil
1 eggplant, sliced thin (use mandolin)
1 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1 zucchini , sliced
1 yellow squash, sliced
1 large yellow onion, sliced into rings
2 cups sliced fresh baby portobello mushrooms
1 green bell pepper, sliced
2 large tomatoes, chopped
olive oil
s and p

Preheat oven to 350.
Over medium heat, saute garlic in 1 tbls. olive oil until just browned. Add eggplant slices and cook until soft.
Coat 1.5 qt. casserole dish with olive oil. Layer eggplant into bottom of pan. Sprinkle with dried basil and cheese (do not salt). Layer rest of vegetables in order, seasoning with salt and cheese in between each layer, ending with tomatoes and remaining cheese. Drizzle top with olive oil and bake for 45 minutes.

You may substitute a 15 oz. can of drained chopped tomatoes for fresh.

reunited and it feels so good!

Mr. and Mrs. Pear

Kissin' Pears

Mr. Pear

My first amigurumi! His name is Mr. Pear. I am going make a Mrs. Pear and attach them to a wedding present. The couple's theme is "A perfect pair" - get it? hehe

tuna for breakfast?

1 can chunk albacore in water
1 spoonful whole grain mustard
2-3 spoonfuls mayo
2 dashes lemon juice
black pepper to taste
2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
tomato slices (optional)
1 egg
olive oil

Mix tuna, mayo, mustard and lemon juice. Add pepper to taste. Spread on one piece of toast, add tomato if desired. Fry egg over easy in olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and lay carefully on tuna. Top with other slice of bread. Simple and delicious.

mary had a little...

I couldn't find a pattern for this anywhere, so I just made it up. Pretty cute, eh?

hyper baby

Sometimes Noelle gets so hyper she can barely contain herself!

Baby cologne

Now, I find the idea of baby cologne for babies a little ridiculous. However, for mommy they are a yummy cheap alternative to perfume that won't irritate baby's nose when they're burrowing into your neck. You get what you pay for, but I poured my $2.99 bottle of johnson's into an old l'occitane bottle and voila! Instant pick-me-up for the dozens of times a day when you're feeling "not so fresh"...haha.

crazy baby hat and mary janes...and soup

fatty feet in crazy flower shoes crazy baby hat and shoes

noelle in the daisy jumper

A sucessful recipe made from cupboard and freezer findings...

Chicken Corn Soup

Base
6 chicken drumsticks
1 large carrot
1 large onion
4 cloves garlic
1 1" slice ginger
S and P
olive oil

Stir-ins
1 can cream-style corn
1 can corn kernels
2 green onions

Season drumsticks with salt and pepper. Brown on both sides in a little olive oil in a medium casserole (I used my fabulous cast-iron chili pot). Add 1 large halved carrot, 1 large onion (quartered) and garlic cloves. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove chicken pieces, then strain stock to remove fat. Pour stock back in. Remove chicken meat from bones and discard skin. Chop chicken into bite size pieces and put into pot. Stir in corn and creamstyle corn. Chop carrots into bite size pieces and add. Add enough cold water to cover and season to taste with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and boil for 3-5 minutes, just to heat through.
Just before serving, chop 2 green onions and stir into soup.

Takes a little work, but it's delicious!

previous creations

Daisy Dress

I made this jumper to go with the bunny shoes my best friend mamabear made for me...and I thought it was a cute enough reason to start my own blog! haha!

We went to the doctor yesterday and Noelle's plagiocephaly is much improved! We have been using a Boppy product to elevate her head and decrease pressure on it. She is getting fatter, smiles all the time and has a new favorite toy. I recommend this teether to everyone!