We Interrupt this Blog....

Audrey, Jake, and Katie at Wonderlab

This normally crafty and recipe-loving blog has been interrupted for....life! I'm still recovering from the hysterectomy so I've been spending a lot of time like this:

Miss AudreyBug turned two! We had a small family celebration complete with a cake made by Daddy and Katie.

Then, on the night of her birthday, Audrey learns she can crawl out of her crib! We found her in bed with her sleeping sister, reading a book.

Today we took a break from homelife and took the kids, along with Jake, to Wonderlab. Talk about fun! The kids had a blast! I think they liked the magnets the best. Jake and Katie loved climbing to the top of the jungle tree. Audrey was just happy to run around and watch everything. All in all, it was a great day!

Could You Lend Me a Hand?

I came across this blog quite by accident. They are making very small blankets and quilts to take to an orphanage in China. These blankets even be easy for someone with minimal sewing experience. I'm signing up to make a few. If you are able, won't you do the same?

By the way, the photo is from www.art.com. This isn't what you would be making, unless you want to!

This One's for the Dogs

This recipe came from a magazine that was put out by Target stores over 10 years ago. I don’t even know if it’s still around. They had this recipe for dog biscuits. I was intrigued because, as a cat lover, I didn’t even know you could make dog biscuits! I’ve made them several times for some canine friends and they never fail to gobble them right up. Keep in mind that they don’t contain any preservatives, so if you want to keep them for awhile, you might want to put them in the freezer. They make a nice gift when wrapped in a cellophane bag and tied with a ribbon.

Dog Biscuits

¼ cup hot water
8 beef bouillon cubes
1 package yeast
1 cup tomato juice
½ cup water
1 cup flour
2 cups wheat germ
1 cup cornmeal
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

Put hot water and bouillon cubes in a bowl. Crush with the back of a spoon. Add yeast and let set for five minutes. Add water, flour, juice, and wheat germ. Stir until smooth. Add cornmeal and whole wheat flour. Use hands to mix. You may need to add a little more water at this point.

Roll out to ¼ inch thick on a floured surface. Cut into shapes. Place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 300 for 60 minutes. Turn off oven and leave biscuits inside for four hours (or overnight) to dry out.

Dog bone cookie cutters are available at most stores that sell metal cookie cutters. I once made them in the shape of cats, but decided the bone-shaped biscuits were more my style. (Remember, I’m a cat lover!) You can make them as large or as small as you like, depending on the size of the recipient. They’re easy and lots of fun! No one expects homemade dog biscuits!

Slowing Down a Bit

I've spent the last four days in the hospital after having a "procedure"--a total hysterectomy. I'm still in quite a bit of pain, and the medicines make me loopy.

The good thing is that I took a bunch of socks and beads to work on while I was there. I finished eight pairs of beaded socks! It was nice to have something to work on and to take my mind off of things--like pain. :-) Hopefully I'll be able to jump back into things in the next few days. I've been ordered to take it easy for six weeks! It's such a bummer that I can't run the vacuum, but I can still work on socks, sewing, and hairbows!

Hairbow Heaven

I'm in Hairbow Heaven!

Via eBay, I recently found out there's a whole culture of people who make hairbows! I have a "girly girl" with long hair so hairbows are right up my alley. I found my first set of free directions at Girly Things. I later bought a CD set from The Ribbon Retreat.

These were all started this afternoon. Addictive, I tell you! Now Miss Katie will need a bow for each outfit! The pink/black/white bow with the matching socks will go with a dress I'm making for her. Miss Audrey won't be left out. Although she doesn't have much hair, I've discovered there are ways to use bows anyway. I'll start on some for her soon.

Christmas 365

If you've read very many posts on this blog, you may have realized that I work on Christmas stuff year 'round. Someone on a Christmas Yahoo! group that I belong to recently posted this poem. I think it sums up my reasoning for my Christmas "passion"!

I Keep a Part of Christmas

I keep a part of Christmas,

For it helps to add a glow

To the January darkness

And the February snow.

If March is cold and blustery

And though April brings us rain,

The peace and warmth of Christmas

With its happiness remain.

I keep a part of Christmas

Through the summer hot and dry,

Through the soft bright days of Junetime

And the heat of mid-July.

Through the harvest of September

and October's golden days

In the city's haste and hurry

And the summer quiet ways.

Yes, I keep a part of Christmas

With its beauty soft and rare.

I can hear the Christmas music

All about me, everywhere.

Matters not the time or season

There is beauty to impart

If forever I remember

To keep Christmas in my heart.

There's a beauty when its Christmas.

All the world is different then.

There's no place for petty hatred

In the hearts and minds of men.

That is why my heart is happy

And my mind can hold a dream.

For I keep a part of Christmas

with its peace and joy supreme.

--Garnett Ann Schultz

Artwork courtesy of art.com

Low Fat Cornbread

We usually have cornbread in the fall, but it just sounded good today. I made a pot of soup beans (which I don't usually like at all) and this cornbread to go with it. The recipe says to make it in a 9x9" pan, but this time I made mini-muffins. The girls think mini muffins are fun!

Low Fat Cornbread

1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 T sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 egg or 2 egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix remaining ingredients in another bowl. Add the wet to the dry, stirring just until moistened.

Pour into a 9x9" baking pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. (Or make 24 mini muffins!) Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes for 9x9" pan or 10 minutes for mini muffins.

Serve warm with butter. They're yummy with applebutter too! (Hey...don't knock it until you've tried it!)

Candy Apple Jelly

This is one of the easiest jellies to make—even for a beginner. It comes out a nice, clear red color and tastes very cinnamon-y! The last time I made it I used 4 ounce jars and it made 17. They are great for gifts at Christmas with a little square of green fabric on the lid under the band. They're great to have on hand for a "just because gift" tied with a ribbon around the top.

Candy Apple Jelly

4 cups apple juice
½ cup red hot candies
1 (1 ¾ ounce) package fruit pectin
4 ½ cups sugar

Combine juice, candy, and pectin in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
Stir in the sugar and return to a full boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Skim off foam and any unmelted candy.

Pour into hot jars leaving ¼ inch headspace. Add lids. Process in a boiling water bath for five minutes.

It is Finished!

Last month I posted about my dad making a lamp out of a blender. Well, it is finished! I LOVE it!

The part where the speed control was is now the dimmer switch for the light. It has a 40 watt bulb so it can be an accent lamp. Or, you could dim it all the way down and use it as a nightlight!

I just finished listing it on eBay. Be sure to check it out! If anyone out there knows Emeril, Rachael Ray, or Martha Stewart, but sure to send them to the auction too!

Didn't I tell you my dad is creative!?!

The Decadence of it All....Blackberry Dumplings with Ice Cream!

Rick has been asking for Blackberry Dumplings (just like Grandma used to make, of course!) for, oh, maybe....five years or so! I finally made some today. He loved them! I'll post the recipe first, then how I actually made them. We'll be fixing these again in the near future.

Blackberry Dumplings

1 quart blackberries (or any fruit)

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1/2 t salt

1/2 t lemon juice

Dumplings

1 1/2 cups flour

2 t baking powder

1 t sugar

1/4 t salt

1/4 t nutmeg

2/3 cup milk

Mix berries, water, sugar, salt, and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes.

In the meantime, stir together dry ingredients for dumplings. Add milk and stir until mixed. Drop by tablespoon into boiling berry mixture. Cover tightly and simmer for 15 minutes.

WHAT I ACTUALLY DID:

First of all, I didn't have any fresh berries, but I did find them in a can. I used two undrained cans and still added 1 cup of water and the rest of the syrup ingredients.

When it came time to do the dumplings, I followed the recipe but dropped them using a very small scoop--I believe it holds 1.5 teaspoons. This made the dumplings about the size of meatballs once they were cooked. Since I didn't drain the berries, we had plenty of syrup when they were all finished. If I don't use fresh fruit next time, I may double the dumpling part of the recipe

The ice cream was the "icing on the cake," so to speak. The warm syrup, berries, and dumplings were the perfect compliment to the ice cream. I may try making it with strawberries as soon as they start coming on around here.

Socks, Socks, EVERYWHERE...Socks!

As promised, I finally took photos of some of the beaded socks! As I said previously, this hobby has become very addictive! I now have socks for various holidays, in different school colors, with various shapes and sizes of beads, and with all kinds of crochet designs. I may still add buttons and/or bows to some of the pictured socks. My mind keeps swimming with ideas!

Watch Out for the Dreaded "Skittle Bites"!

Katie wanted me to scratch a "Skittle Bite" on the back of her leg. It took me a minute to figure out she meant "mosquito bite"! If M&Ms start biting, I'm in TROUBLE!

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty....

When I'm up to it, I love to go to a local animal rescue and pet the kitties. The shelter houses 30 cats and the number of dogs changes daily.

The kitties hear me coming and they run to the gate, meowing and purrrrring all the while. "Kitty Therapy" is good for me. I love to sit outside and pet them, and I think they love it too.

After awhile, you learn their personalities. OHana likes to give "love bites". Sven is a gentleman. Mabel can be a rascal. Wicca wants a forever home, and a new name. Meike is a real lovey kitty. Zach takes awhile to warm up, but he loves to be held once he gets to know you. Cupcake is very sweet. Roxanne will be coming to live here sometime soon. That's the plan anyway.

I'm getting on my soapbox here: I believe you can tell a lot about a people by the way they treat the elderly, children, and pets. If you're able, I'd encourage every person to give in some way to those who are unable to help themselves. Volunteer at a nursing home. Become a foster parent. Pet kitties. You'll be a happier person for it.

If you're interested in adopting or sponsoring a dog or a cat, or a child....drop me a line in the comments section. I'd be glad to put you in touch with the right people.

By the way, I'm VERY allergic to cats! >^..^<

I'm Branching Out!

My crochet-edged socks are moving up! I discovered how to make them with BEADS!

Beads....beads....and MORE beads!

(Photos to come--hopefully tomorrow!)

Now I can't go into Wal-Mart without finding any crafts clearance items and searching for beads. I do the same at Michael's. And JoAnn's. Hobby Lobby. I now have a stash of about 30 bizillion beads! I have every shape, size, and color imaginable.

My evenings have been spent crocheting beads onto socks. My mornings are the same. And the afternoons. (You'd think this new hobby has impaired my ability to write in complete sentences!)

My plan is to sell them at craft fairs in the fall and leading up to Christmas. Even if I don't make a dime, it sure is fun! Not to mention therapeutic!

Tacky, Yet Festive!

At 8:00 this morning I found myself putting up a "Memorial Day tree". Now, to the average Joe, this may appear to be a Christmas tree. In fact, the box the tree came in said it was a Christmas tree. Today, they were wrong!

I bought this tree off of eBay back in February. It sat, in the box, in the dining room until this morning. Family was set to arrive around noon and I needed to move the box. However, I wanted to make sure all the lights worked before dragging it to the garage. So, we put it up!

I scrounged around and found some red, white, and silver ball ornaments that I'd bought at Goodwill since March or so. I also had 100 feet of red metallic garland. I found a remnant of patriotic fabric that we used for an impromptu tree skirt. Then we tucked in a few small flags, an artificial cardinal, and added a silver star.

Voila! A Memorial Day tree! The neighbors probably think we're insane.

I also put a strand of blue and white lights in the kitchen. That part was tacky....but I love it! So do the girls. I'm thinking of leaving it all up until Labor Day! (Just kidding...maybe!)

Next-Best-Thing-to-KFC ColeSlaw

The ONLY reason this coleslaw isn't as good as KFC's is because you have to make it yourself! I made it today for our family's Memorial Day get-together.

Next-Best-Thing-to-KFC's Coleslaw

1 package of shredded cabbage and carrot mixture or 6-8 cups of shredded cabbage and carrots
1/4 cup diced onion
1 cup Miracle Whip (The only substitution you can make here is to use Light Miracle Whip. Don't use mayonnaise.)
1/4 cup sugar

Mix cabbage, carrots, and onion in a large bowl. Mix Miracle Whip and sugar in a small bowl until blended. Mix Miracle Whip mixture into cabbage mixture. You'll think you don't have enough Miracle Whip, but, trust me, you do.

Cover and let set overnight in the refrigerator. THIS IS THE SECRET! DO NOT SKIP THIS PART!

Stir before serving.

You can substitute Splenda for the sugar and it comes out just fine too!

Easiest Dip in the World

This is the easiest dip in the world--and maybe the yummiest too! It's especially great with apples or bananas. We use it as a quick snack in the afternoon or a speedy dessert when everyone wants something sweet. By the way, I made this recipe up myself and don't really measure anything. Feel free to wing it!

Yummy Fruit Dip
1 cup vanilla yogurt
2-3 T peanut butter
sprinkle of cinnamon (optional)

Mix everything together and serve with your choice of dippers. It's even good with celery!

I Come by It Honestly!

I stopped at my parents' house tonight to find my dad out in the garage making a lamp out of an blender! It's going to be interesting to see it finished. I'll post a photo when it's done!

My dad can be very creative. I think I get my creativity from his side of the family. It was Dad's idea to make a lamp out of smoked glass, mirror, and silk flowers for my 4-H Electric project one year. (It went to the State Fair! Thanks, Dad!) He's always coming up with some kind of "project" to keep himself busy. I'm like him in many ways. I'm always wanting to start another project before the last one is finished--just like dear ol' Dad!

His mom was a great cook. She cooked for sororities and fraternities at a university for many years. She was always making cookies or homemade pies. She made the BEST apple pie and chocolate fudge! She didn't even have a recipe for her fudge. She'd been making it since she was a girl and did it by "feel" (Her words, not mine!). I even cooked for a sorority and a fraternity for one year and LOVED it! Yes, I'm probably like her in many ways too.

I'm off to figure out what to make out of an old mixer.....

Something You DON'T Want to Hear....

Something you don't want to hear your husband say in the next room.....

"NO! You CANNOT stuff your sister in a plastic bag!"

Life around here....it's never boring!

Getting a Jump-Start

Yes, it’s 92 degrees outside and I’m working with FLEECE! Yes, I’m getting a jump start on Christmas gifts. Fleece is still available in the summer. In fact, the stores have a good stock. They haven’t sold out of anything yet, so now is a good time to get what you want.

Rick asked for an Indianapolis Colts fleece throw last year after the Colts won the SuperBowl. I got the fleece at Hobby Lobby using one of their 40% off coupons so this will be an inexpensive gift.

I use 2-2 ½ yards for an adult-sized throw. The fleece is usually 58” to 60” wide. This makes a nice sized blanket for a teenager or an adult. Most fleece blankets are made with two layers of fleece. I think this is way too thick for most people, unless you live in Siberia. Using one layer makes the blanket much easier to handle and gives you more options when you go to tie the fringe. A single layer also makes the blanket half the cost of double layers!

The first thing you need to do is cut off any selvage that is bound or has a print. Just trim it off with scissors.

I don’t do anything laborious when I make a throw. I cut the fringes the length of my scissor blade. I don’t measure the width of each fringe. Eyeball it. It all works out in the end.

Start by cutting a square out of each corner that is the length and width of the scissor blades. Open the blades all the way up, put them about the place you want to cut, and make a big slash. Do that again to cut out a square. Do that on each corner.

Cutting the fringes is easy too. Just guess about every ½ inch and make a slash the length of the scissor blades. Do that all the way around the fleece.

You can tie the fringes one of two different ways. The traditional way is to tie the double layers together with a knot. Since I’m only using one layer, I can just tie a knot up near the body of the blanket or tie two adjoining fringes together. I’ve opted for the second option, just to be different. If you choose to do it this way, you may get to the end of one row and find that you have an uneven number of fringes to tie. This is not an emergency! Just work the odd fringe in—tie three together. No one will ever know unless you tell them.

Tie all the way around the blanket until all the fringe is used up. Put the blanket up for a cooler day and cross one Christmas gift off your list!

For more Frugal Friday ideas, head over to Biblical Womanhood!