Little Pretties

Yumm! Cookies! These were some of my favorite cookies as a kid. Very easy to make and kid-friendly b/c there's no oven involved--admittedly a hot waffle iron isn't exactly kid-safe, it's still fun. We got to make these at Mom and Dad's b/c we lack a regular sized waffle -iron. Ours is Belgian style. The squares are too big for my liking for a good old waffle cookie. Hmmm....I should put that on my thrifting list...
Anyway, these were a bit hit. Here's the recipe:

Waffle Iron Cookies (aka Turtle Cookies)

Use an electric mixer. Cream together:

1 1/2 C. Sugar 1 C. Shortening (yikes!!)

ADD:
4 eggs, beaten well 2 t. vanilla

Add:
2 C. flour
1/2 C. cocoa 1/4 t. salt

Sift the flour, cocoa and salt together. Mix well--thinck, fluffy dough. Grease waffle iron for fist time. Drop dough on waffle iron in small drops (rounded teaspoonfuls). Put lid down; bake short time;watch closely as burns easily. Very soft cookie at first--firms up as they cool. Frost with chocolate butter frosting and top with a pecan half. Enjoy!!

Labels: cooking, cooking with kids, recipes

It was another really great week visiting my parents. We didn't shop, we didn't go out to eat, in fact, we hardly left the house. Perfect. We made lots of messes, but they were "productive puddles" so, it was OK.
I worked on my 4th in a series (pictures to follow) of this top. The ruffle really took me forever (especially working in 15 min. increments), but I think I'm really going to like it. Though no one would ever really describe me as a "ruffly girl" (or lanky, for that matter, but oh well.), I think it's fun for a change. The other 3 tops like this I've made have been sans ruffle.
I also made some more diapers. It was a flannel sheet windfall. Mom ripped it with her big toe. (funny image), so I got, or rather Ellie got the spoils.
I also worked on my sock, ransacked Mom's trims and buttons for other projects. All in all it was a productive, fun week. As you can see, my usually so tidy Frances got in on the fun. She's such a tidy little girl. Obviously not inherited from her Memsie or Mama.

Labels: crafting with kids, sewing

Well, this is the fruit of our visit to my parents' for the week. Though they are only half finished, these little pieces represent a week's worth of "papa's" hard work. While we were inside sewing, crafting and playing, we heard the sound of sanding, hammering and drilling (oh, and loud, LOUD talk radio.) You see, Papa was busy restoring these pieces to their former glory--and even better. The little cabinet was a Christmas gift to the girls. It had to be refinished and now "Memsie" wants to pain on it. It'll be so cute holding Franny's tea set and other sundry items. It's so special b/c she used to play with it when she was a little girl--and her grandfather made it for her. Watching our girls play with it will really be a joy.
The other piece was an oven that Dad made for me. When I saw this from Land of Nod, I got the great idea that Dad should re-do it for the kids. (umm..let's be serious...i'm not spending more on a toy than my actual kitchen appliances cost! yikes!) Though I couldn't really imagine what all would be involved, my Dearest Dad threw himself into the project. It will be complete with fixtures, a little sink and everything. It's gonna be fab! My dad is awesome! Now if I can just get Frances to wait until the're finished--she keeps asking to "cook now, Mom..."

Labels: crafting with kids, gift

Am I really posting about Valentine's Day shenanigans? But, it's Feb. 27th or sthg. Feb.'s last gasp--it's death rattle, so to speak. Well, I guess this post is an homage to the shortest/longest month we've experienced this year. (We'll just frame it up thusly since it's really all my own fault for not posting these pics sooner. I'm gonna learn how to upload pics from the camera. Really, Michael, I'm gonna learn.)
Anyway, seems this month has been full of hits and misses--mostly misses to be honest, but that's ok. The cupcakes are from a "Cupid's Tea"/playdate we were hosting, but had to postpone b/c of the blizzard that hit the Chicago area the previous day. (see illus. upper right.)
The 2nd uppermost pic (don't really like the placement, but not sure how to change it) is from our "seasonal table". Can you guess it's the season of love??? Well, now that I've shown you that, I gotta think about changing it for spring already. Sheep? Lambs? Bunnies? hmmm.
And on top you see the pretty vases and roses that my Valentine gave me. It was totally unexpected and so sweet. I was planning on a nice meal for my Valentine (steaks, potates--go straight to a man's heart--literally and figuratively, right?) But, that, too went pear-shaped b/c of the weather. I think we had casserole. Isn't that romantic?
We never really make a big deal about V-Day, so all in all it was a success.

Labels: cooking with kids, winter

Made some presies for the birthday boys I know. For some reason, red + motor vehicles was a big trend for me. The little crown is for my nephew Braidon. I'm sure it stayed on for, like 3 seconds (he's a quick, wiry little one year old!), but maybe for birthdays to come.
I zipped the card together, too using the scraps. Love that quick card thing.
I totally shamlessly lifted these ideas from two places: first, Soule Mama's blog (she writes one of my very favoritest crafty blogs--this woman is amazing! I don't know how she does it all with three unschooled kids. That's my inspiriation, really, to stay creative and productive myself while unschooling my kids--a few years from now.
Anyway, lots of the stuff she makes me want to bite my fist at how cute/creative it is. And makes me remember when I'm feeling stressed b/c I haven't had time to make anything, much less shower, that this creative life with children is a dance, really. Creating with your kids--not despite them. Using the time and space you have now and being OK with that. Also, taking what you can get and choosing to be satisfied. Yes, choosing satisfaction.

Anyway, off the tangent and back to the point. The 2nd source of inspiration/idea stealing is from Jenny Hart's Sublime Stitching.
Yay. Happy Birthday, boys!

Labels: sewing

Those of us who live in cold climates and have kids know February can really linger. Who knew the shortest month is really the longest? Especially since we've gotten this cold snap in Illinois. I'm really kind of a cold-weather wimp, but luckily, I can blame not going out in sub-zero temps. on little Eleanor, who cannot argue with me. Though, truthfully, she does tend to cry in the extreme cold.
So, we have had to come up with lots of indoor crafts. Pipe cleaner/wooden bead jewelry was one of those crafts.

Labels: crafting with kids, winter

Wow. I'm a full-time cloth diaper user now. I was sort of one of those moms who used them at home only--when we were out and about, I used disposables and then for naptime and night time (we have a liiiight sleeper on our hands, and I was thinking that being wet and uncomf. would wake her prematurely. But since she's almost always awake anyway, what the heck??!!)
Well, since I wasn't sure if I'd like to use cloth diapers and wasn't sure it was going to be worth the time washing them would take, and worth the initial investment, (which, as I was shopping for them, I realized could be just as expensive as using disposables for two years--after you figure in cost of water, detergent and most precious of all, time), I didn't buy cloth diapers, no, no, no, my friend.
After lots of thinking and lots of soul/internet searching, I decided to make some fitteds and some covers. Then, more recently, after I got my new-to-me serger (though not quite sure how to use that thing as of yet), I made some pre-folds.
Which brings me to today: Why , after investing so much time in making these things, am I still buying dipes? Also, we're trying to save money in any way we can (which, as I found out, does NOT include buying Japanese craft books or going over your cell phone minutes....yikes.) and not buying diapers is definitely a way to save some cash. Also, it's one less thing to think about--"will I have enough diapers to get me through?..."
So, my problem was, what can I use for nighttime? Well, lookie, lookie here. Eleanor is modeling her recycled sweater wool soaker. Here are the instructions. I've made two so far and am felting another sweater today in order to make another. The fact that they're not washed after every use really grosses MG out, but he still has not discovered the absolute genius of wool.
So, there you go, dear Readers (both of you): My Cloth Diaper Story. And it was a long one. Now the only problem is getting pants to fit over Ellie's...generous curves plus the bulky diapers. Guess it'll be high time to get crackin' on that next!
Let me just add, as I was searching the internet for diper patterns, I came across this recipe for baby wipes. Using cloth wipes is just too crunchy for me--not to mention cloth toilet paper (yes, there's a tutorial for that, too), but when I found myself stranded with no wipes in the home, I came across this. And I had everything I needed, and they work great! I totally feel so thrifty when I make a new batch of these. Gotta make up for that last trip to Jo-Ann's somehow.

Labels: kids clothes, sewing

Well, it's Friday Night (capital letters), or, as it's called around here, "Pizza Night, Best-Night-of-the-Week, Family Fun Night" (usually in one breath). It's time to snuggle in, put soft-pants on, slam in a movie from Netflix (when the kids are scrubbed and tubbed) and relax. The whole weekend is outspread before us.
It's also time to make pizza! Franny likes to make her own "Baby Beepa" as you see in the upper corner.
Here's my mom's totally yummy recipe for pizza sauce:


Mom's Pizza Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine:
8 oz. can tomato sauce
7 1/2 oz. can undrained tomatoes (dice them if they're whole)
1/2 C. chopped onion
1 T. dried basil
1 t sugar
1 t oregano
2 cloves garlic
1/4 t pepper

Boil, then simmer about 10 min. or until onion is tender.

I usually make a double batch and then use it for next week's pizza night. Or, we make a really saucy pizza! This sauce is good b/c then you don't have to bother putting onions on the pie. Yum!

Happy Friday!

Labels: cooking with kids, recipes

In an effort to make lunch time (and fruit) more appealing to Frances, we made a "Mous-y" salad. Totally inpired by this cookbook I had when I was a kid. (well, technically, I had the '80's version of the cookbook, but the same recipe is in there,)
Diagnosis: Really wanted to eat the mouse b/c it looked fun, yet, didn't want to "wreck" to mousy, b/c he was so cute. What a quandry!

Labels: cooking with kids, food

We've been sick here. The Runny-Nose/Sore-Throat/Sneezy Fairy has visited us and she's left her mark: tissues all over the house (which, I'm not gonna lie, do end up in Baby E's mouth more often than not. This is very disturbing, and I'm not sure why I'm sharing that. Doesn't reflect well on me,), and lots of coughin' and wiping of noses here.
Before the Sick Fairy visited her whole wrath upon us, I was able to make a vat o' soup (Chicken soup and homemade noodles!) and get out to buy some Vit. C. Then there was nothing to do but wait.

Labels: cooking, winter