Last year I spray painted a few of the REAL little pumpkins I bought. They were a blast to decorate with and it was such an EASY project!
Btw, I LOVE how it added so much to my mantel! So much fun!
I linked up here:
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Painted pumpkins!
Btw, I LOVE how it added so much to my mantel! So much fun!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Lily Pad Toss Game Tutorial (Part 2)
I am sooo sad that I forgot to take my camera along to the party...I wanted to get an action shot of the girls playing the game. They loved it and my 3 year old loved it too! I think I'm going to have to make him a set so he can play with brother when he gets a little older! Hope you make these...they were really fun!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
12 NEW THINGS!
I was over at one of my favorite blogs and saw that Sara Mae was doing a 12 new things in 12 months challenge! I am ALWAYS up for a challenge and was REALLY excited about trying/learning 12(ish) new things that I have NEVER done before! Since Morgan is due to arrive in November I won't be starting my "12 new things" until December! (A little behind...since they started in AUGUST...but better late then NEVER!!!) But I am REALLY excited about my 12 and I put a LOT of thought into what I might accomplish with the Lords help! Here they are...
December: Make homemade Cinnamon Ornaments with the boys & hang them on the tree!
January: Learn how to run by following this couch to 5K training schedule found here. (I have NEVER been a runner...but figure now is a good time to start & it wouldn' t hurt with getting some of that baby weight off! Hehehe)
February: Learn how to make a digital photo book online through this company!
March: Actually RUN this 5K...the date is set!!!! (I have never ran anything more than 2 miles and that was a WHILE ago!) :)
April: Learn how to sew my daughter a piece of clothing...this is what I had in mind!
May: Learn to makeTiffany's Homemade Fresh Tortillas with all the works for Cinco De Mayo!!!
June: Learn to make my own laundry detergent using Mrs. Duggar's recipe!
July: Learn how to make these ADORABLE Distressed picture canvasses of the kids for my BARE bedroom walls. (Placement may be subject to change depending on how well they turn out! ;o)
August: Implement a morning devotion for the kids...I liked this Read & Share DVD Bible!
September: Taking a cooking class with my Hubby or a friend at Sur La Table or Hipcooks and learn some new techniques!
October: Go to a College football game with my Husband! (Not really learning a skill here...but we have never been & we LOVE date night & football!!!)
November: Learn to sew my birthday girl a black apple doll!
I would love to hear if you took up on this challenge...let me know by leaving a comment and a link to your 12 new things! I will be updating each month on how terrible or how well my challenge turned out for the month! How FUN!!! :)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Lily Pad Toss Game Tutorial (Part 1)
***WARNING: I am pretty much self taught and I learn as I go! This blog is a place that I can share my fun and creativity...even if it isn't quite perfect! This tutorial will NOT be perfect and I would LOVE any outside impute to make my sewing experience easier! THANK YOU!!! :)
I found this ADORABLE FREE Purl Frog (frog bean bag) pattern here http://www.purlbee.com/purl-frog/ by the Purl Bee and I was inspired to make some adorable little frogs!!!! THEN I came across Mama Urchin who put together the lily pad toss game with the purl frogs here! http://mamaurchin.com/2007/07/09/lilypad-toss/
But for who & for what shall I make these little cuties!?!?! Well, it just so happened that 2 of my sweet young friends who are also sisters were turning 8 & 10 and having a joint birthday party! PERFECT!!!!!! So this is my take on the frogs & the game! Hope you have someone sweet to make this for...it was SEW much FUN!!! :)
First, I started out by printing the purl frog pattern from here http://www.purlbee.com/storage/purl%20frog%20pattern.pdf on card stock and then cutting it out. Be sure to find two coordinating fabrics for each frog and cut a frog pattern out of each one! These were what I had on hand from other projects! Fat quarters would work great for this project too! Pin the card stock pattern to your fabric and then cut out the frog using your fabric scissors.
Then pin WRONG SIDES facing each other (I know in this picture the fabric is pinned right sides together, but how I truly made these they need to be wrong sides together...so already looking like the finished project.)
Then sew around the frog using a 1/4 inch seam but leave an opening between the frogs legs to fill with beans! (In this picture I tried sewing without pinning and I HIGHLY recommend that you pin before you sew...much easier!)
I then took my pinking shears and pinked the entire frog except for the opening where the beans would be added. (The purl frog tutorial recommended that you pin and sew the frog right sides together and then turn him inside out before you fill him with beans. I was trying to cheat/save time and came up with this version. I honestly didn't want to take the time turning the frogs and I didn't mind the pinking look! Feel free to do as you like here!)
Then I filled my frog with dried split peas using a funnel! Feel free to use lentils or any other favorite small dried bean! Then be sure to hand sew the opening closed...good and tight! You don't want any beans getting out during your game! (Sorry I don't have a picture of the hand sewing...truth is, I DON'T know how!!! :( I tried cheating and sewing it on the machine...but that did NOT work. So, I went on youtube and found a very helpful video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i20WGQRlnIA&feature=channel I think this slip stitch is perfect for this project!)
Here are my finished four little friends!!! Now they just need some Lily pads...don't you think!?!? :)
Stay tuned for part 2 of the Lily Pad Toss Game!
**Updated: You can find part 2 of this tutorial here!
**Updated: You can find part 2 of this tutorial here!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Mod Podge Letter Tutorial
I HEART FALL!!! Fall is pretty much my ALL TIME FAVORITE season!!! I love everything that comes with it. Sweaters, Chai Lattes, colored leaves, chilly mornings, scarfs, the earth tone colors, pumpkins, soup...the list goes ON & ON!!!! :) So, I pulled out my fall wreath the other day and hung it on the door, bought a new Pumpkin Spice Candle and had it burning and realized that since pumpkins aren't quite out yet that I needed some fall colors inside! This is what I came up with for my fire place mantel! Simple & easy...seriously took me about 10-15 minutes to make. Enjoy!
Items you will need:
Card Board or chip board letter
Scrap book paper (1 page)
Mod podge glue
A cheap nail file
A sponge applicator brush
First, be sure to purchase your letter of choice! I think this works best on the cardboard/chip board type letters. I bought mine from Craft warehouse for $2.50! Then go get out that scrapbook suitcase that is hidden away in your closet and find some paper with fall colors, or paper that has your house colors in it so you can have it up all year round!
Trace your letter backwards on the BACK of your scrap book paper of choice. Be sure to cut it out carefully along the line.
Then, I poured some mod podge glue on a paper plate and applied a light coat to the chip board letter with the sponge applicator.
I then place the cut out letter carefully on top of the glue pressing out any bubbles or bumps. Try to line it up as close as you can get it. Don't worry if a little is hanging off at this time.
Take your file out and go along the outside of your letter filing off any paper that is hanging over and making the edges nice and clean!
*At this time if you are wanting a glossy finish to your letter then you would wait 12 hrs. to let the glue underneath dry. Then you could apply another layer of the mod podge on top of your letter for the glossy finish. As you apply it, it will look milky...but once it has dried completely it will be clear! Be sure to let the letter dry fully before displaying! I liked the look mine had up to this point and decided against the glossy finish...it's your choice!
Now, display your handy work and enjoy your pumpkin spice candle! Happy Fall!!! :)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Baby Leg Warmer Tutorial
OK, so I have seen these baby legs every where online and just HAD to make some for our sweet little girl! There are a TON of tutorials out there on how to make these ADORABLE baby leg warmers, but I thought I would show you how I did them!
First, find a great deal on some women's dress/trouser socks (not women's knee socks...those would be too long) I found my socks at Target for $2.00 a pair!!! SCORE!!!! :)
Be sure to cut just above the ankle and toes taking off only the toe and heel section of your sock. I used a ruler and rotary cutter for this. Throw heel & toe scraps away and you will be left with 2 tubes. The leg tube & the foot tube!
Take your "foot tube" or the shorter tube and fold it in half lining up the raw edges with right sides together. Then place your leg tube into the folded foot tube and line up all of the raw edges.
Then be sure to pin the tubes together, only 3 layers down leaving an opening for where your sweet baby legs will come through! I may be a bit of an over pinner...but I hate things moving around! :P Sew 1/4 in. all the way around the sock making sure to back stitch for durability. Then take your pinking shears and pink around the outside to take off the raw edges.
Fold down legging and then put them on your sweet little baby!!! This was an easy 20 minute project & these make diaper changes so easy and keep those sweet legs warm! They look adorable under dresses and skirts as well. Aren't they just the CUTEST!?!?!?! I made 5 pair. ENJOY!!!!
*By the way, these are SUPER cute as arm warmers too for the older kids! My 3 year old can wear these on his arms with a regular t-shirt for the cooler fall days! LOVE IT!!! For more arm warmer ideas check this tutorial out! Btw, I LOVE the little birdie secret blog! :)
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2008/10/baby-legs-tutorial-make-your-own-leg.html
Monday, September 13, 2010
Is there such a thing as craft nesting!?!?
This summer has been CRAZY FUN!!! I can't even begin to tell you all that we have done, but let me just say we played HARD knowing that our 3rd baby (Morgan Olivia) arrives in November things will be slowing down a LOT! Here is what I have been up to!
I have to say that I have had a few bee's in my bonnet and it feels GREAT having some pink in the house. I whipped together a cheater blanket (semi-homemade), some birds for her bird mobile, & I'm working on her Birthday banner!
I also made her a girlie car seat cover which I think will work perfect for while she is sleeping. I sewed this paper garland for her room, and here was a side view of a few of her mobile birds!
I will be posting a few tutorials here in the next month on some fun baby & kid friendly things!!! Stay tuned! SeW hApPy!!!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
"Don't agonize, organize.” -Florynce R. Kennedy
Ok, so When I was expecting my first child I was encouraged to read Babywise by:Dr. Ezzo! I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!! Now, just know when I read this book I was a master procrastinator, the Queen of sleeping in and I had no clue what time management was!?!?! (TOTALLY being transparent here!) I just loved the idea of the book and how you had your child on a routine so the baby knew when to expect it's eat/wake/sleep times! It also made it easy for me to know when to meet all of his needs as well! Let me tell you...it worked and I had two boys who both started sleeping through the night at 9 & 10 weeks old! To this day I kiss them and lay them in their beds awake and walk away. They go to sleep on their own and it is an amazing thing!
So, now that my son is 3 he is still on somewhat of a routine (with eating and sleep). But he is soooo much more awake and active than any infant would ever be. So normally our day consist of waking up, eating breakfast, watching cartoons, and then whatever, whenever! It makes for a crazy and long day with "Mama...can I watch a movie!?" "Mama...wanna play cars!?" "Mama...can I _________" It seriously drove me bonkers. I didn't know how to entertain him. I wanted time with him, but I also felt a pull from my daily responsibilities...there was always dishes, laundry, dinner or SOMETHING! Then what about my free time!? What is that!? Seriously!
Last week my dear friend Charlene came over for a visit. While she was here she was talking to me about how she would have done things differently with her girls. (They are all 6yrs+) Char is also a Christian pre-school teacher as well. She was sharing with me how amazed she is at what pre-schoolers are capable of. She went on to tell me about her day at school and how these kids would do pretty much everything on their own and what kind of a schedule they had. She shared that she wished when she was a stay at home Mom that she would have put her girls on the same kind of routine/schedule when they were that age! That totally got my wheels turning! Why had it NEVER dawned on me to put my oldest on a scheduled routine like that!? I did it when he was a baby. Everything was scheduled then.
So I started googling example schedules for stay at home Moms! I came across one that sounded perfect for us! I just started implementing this routine and I have to say it has helped everyone at home to know what to do when! I didn't have my 3 year old wondering around wondering what to do & It has also helped me to organize my cleaning & Internet/free time. I had the kitchen spotless & the house picked up all by 8:30am this morning!!! It was AMAZING! So here it is...hope it helps someone else out there like it helped me!
7:30-8 -Wake up & have breakfast
8-8:30 -Cartoons (educational TV or Video): P watched Veggie Tales today
8:30-9:30 -Outside play (Summer) or Inside play (Winter): P played with play-dough
9:30-10:00 -Singing time: Put on pre-school songs and danced and sang like crazy with P.
10-10:15 -Snack Time: Cheese and crackers today
10:15-11:15 -Arts & Crafts: Payton made homemade Thank you cards to mail out from his Birthday party! He also colored his Pixar Cars coloring book!
11:15-12:00 -Free play while I prepare lunch: He played with his trains and then I had him clean up his toys before he ate!
12:00-12:30 -Lunch Time
12:30-1:30 -Relax time/story time: Winding down before nap...we read some fun books!
1:30-3:30 -NAP TIME & Mama's free time!!! I'm blogging today :)
3:30-4:00 -Snack time: Apples wedges
4:00-5:00 -Playtime & clean up while you prepare dinner
5:00pm -Daddy is HOME!!!!!
It is amazing to me how we TRULY THIRVE on a schedule! When I get to a point that I feel out of control and haven't been getting everything done or not having that sit down time with my boys, it's ALWAYS because we got off a schedule or routine...or never was on one! :P Sooooo happy for this new revelation! It will give me the opportunity to get everything in and have those teaching times with my boys. It will give me that time to teach them about God, creation, life lessons, motor skills and I'll be building a relationship at the same time! LOVE IT!!! :)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Mama's Famous Hawaiian Enchiladas
I FINALLY got these into a recipe format...if you know Mom she does everything by taste and what looks right! Hope you all enjoy this YUMMY family recipe!!! This is one of David's FAVORITES and I am sure it will be a hit at your house as well. We like the chicken as well as the beef ones...but the chicken are MY fave! These are EXCELLENT to freeze too, just double the recipe and have one pan for dinner tonight and have another pan in the freezer ready for unexpected company or a lazy night!!! This is a Family recipe and a favorite FOR SURE!!! ENJOY!
Love, Janell
Mama's Famous Hawaiian Enchiladas
Ingredients:
2 Large boneless chicken breasts (or 2lbs ground beef...Mama always does a tray of each!)
1 Large Green Bell pepper
1 Large onion
1 large can of olives
1 (10 1/2 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 (20 oz) cans of crushed pineapples
3 (1.62oz) Enchilada sauce packets (found by gravy packets @ the store)
3 (6oz) cans tomato paste
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 package of burrito size flower tortillas
Salt & Pepper
Prep: Boil chicken until cooked through. While chicken is boiling, Strain crushed pineapple (let strain until added to chicken mixture -reserve juice) chop bell pepper, onion, and olives. Saute' onions and Bell pepper in butter or oil until translucent. Set aside. After Chicken has cooled, chop into bite size pieces and then add to the Bell/onion mixture. Add salt & pepper to taste and the can of cream of chicken to the chicken mixture and mix well. Add three quarters of your pineapple as well as your olives (just eye ball it) to your chicken mixture and reserve the rest for topping your enchiladas, mix well.
Sauce: In a pan add all 3 enchilada packets, only HALF the water that is called for on the back of your packet. (At this time I measured out the pineapple juice that we reserved and used it for part of the "water" called for in this sauce. This may vary depending on brand, mine called for 3c. water per packet originally and I only added 1 1/2c. per packet...part of that was the pineapple juice.) Then add the 3 cans of tomato paste and whisk together until well blended.
Assembly: Ladle a small amount of enchilada sauce in the bottom of your 9x13 dish. Take a flower tortilla and spoon a very small amount of enchilada sauce down the middle, then spoon the chicken mixture down the middle, and finish off with a sprinkle of cheese. Roll up the enchilada and place seam side down in your dish. Keep doing this until your dish is full and then top your dish with enchilada sauce just until tortillas are covered. Then top the tortillas with the remaining olives, pineapple, and some cheese.
Bake at 375 degrees until bubbly and all the cheese is melted...about 30ish minutes.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
THAT'S A WRAP!!!
I have been looking into the Moby wraps for when our sweet little one comes. (in 3 1/2 months!!!) A Friend was sharing with me that she just bought fabric and made her own!? WHY hadn't I thought of that? So I started searching the web about how to make your own Moby type wrap! The original Moby runs about $40 bucks. I came across this thread today and I can just buy fabric and make my own for cheaper! Sounds like Walmart has the best deal on 100% cotton interlocking fabric & best of all it's a NO SEW project!!! Thought you might be interested in one too! ♥
http://community.babycenter.com/talk/a7701445/how_to_make_a_moby_wrap?cpg=1
Here is how to make & wrap it too! http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about492363.html
Both of these sites were VERY helpful!
Enjoy~ Janell
Monday, May 11, 2009
MY ALL TIME FAVORITE TUTORIALS!!!!!
Hey girls:
a few nights ago I was going through all my favorite tutorials that I have come across over the last year and a half. I have had these on my "favorites" list for a while. Some I have made, but others are on my "To do" list! I typed them all up so that I could save them on my email incase our computer ever crashes! So, needless to say I REALLY thought you would enjoy looking through these and maybe even get inspired to make something too!? There are a lot of baby things, (I wonder why???) but there are some other fun stuff too...just scroll down and read through them! For those of you who don't sew there are a handful of fun no sew tutorials as well! Happy crafting!!!
Love, Janell
Sew a Birthday banner http://seemommysew.wordpress.com/birthday-banner-tutorial/
Sew an adorable Buttercup hand bag http://rae.oostendorp.net/ButtercupBagfinal.pdf
Make a Canvase Fabric Collage http://specklednest.blogspot.com/2008/03/tgif-quickiefabric-collage.html
Sew a Changing pad clutch http://smallfryandco.blogspot.com/2009/02/changing-pad-clutch.html
TONS of Handmade gift ideas & tutorials http://www.skiptomylou.org/handmade-gift-ideas/
Sew a Hip Mama diaper Bag http://amingledyarn.wordpress.com/gallery/tutorial-hip-mama-diaper-bag/
Sew a Hip Baby sling http://www.mykarmababy.com/pages/BabySlingPattern.php
Sew a Hooter hider/Nursing cover http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2009/02/description-stylish-and-practical.html
Sew a Little girls Twirly Skirt tutorial http://7layerstudio.typepad.com/7_layer_studio/2008/10/twirly-skirt-tutorial---at-last.html
Sew an Open pouch tutorial ("To go" diaper/wipes case) http://7layerstudio.typepad.com/7_layer_studio/2008/10/open-pocket-pouch-tutorial.html
Sew a Purse pouch (Gift bag) tutorial http://7layerstudio.typepad.com/7_layer_studio/2008/09/ribbon-drawstring-pouch-tutorial.html
Sew a scrap savvy Bookmark tutorial http://7layerstudio.typepad.com/7_layer_studio/2008/09/scrap-savvy-bookmark-tutorial.html
Little baby or little girl NO SEW tutu tutorial http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/2008/12/extremely-detailed-tutu-tutorial.html
Sew an ADORABLE half apron http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-to-stitch-an-apron-3128/
Sew a GREAT baby changing pad http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/2008/07/diaper-changing.html
Cute NO SEW covered Baby wipes case http://www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com/baby-wipes.html
Sew baby cloth shoes 0-12mo http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/10/cloth-shoe-pattern.html
Home made burp cloths http://gerberadesigns.com/indieshopperblog/?p=537
Sew an adorable Hobo bag http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=JC&Screen=HOBO_BAG
Sew an ADORABLE Ruffle half apron http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2007/02/valentine_tree__1.html
Sew a picnic blanket with corner rock pockets http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=531
Sew MY FAVORITE peanut burp cloths http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2008/01/burp-cloth-tutorial.html
Sew an ADORABLE Baby Bib http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2008/02/bib-tutorial.html
Make a friend a Diaper cake for her Baby Shower http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2007/09/diaper-cake-tutorial.html
Sew a cute spring tote http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2009/03/spring-tote-tutorial.html
Sew cute taggie animals for a baby http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2009/02/taggie-animals-tutorial.html
Sew an Easy clean vinyl baby bib http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2009/03/wipe-clean-vinyl-baby-bib.html
Monday, March 30, 2009
Preschool Scripture Memorization
Well, my 23 month old son Payton knows all of his letters and is getting the sounds down...so I figured he must be smart enough to start memorizing Gods word. This is something I personally have been convicted about as well. So why not do it together!? I was googling lists of preschool verses and came across this great list! Hope you enjoy it too! =0> I can't wait to get started!
Janell
ABC Memory Verses
A - All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
B - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
C - Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
D - Depart from all evil and do good. Psalm 34:14
E - Even a child is known by his doings. Proverbs 20:11
F - Fear not, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:5
G - God is love. 1John 4:8
H - Honor your father and your mother. Exodus 20:12
I - If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:14
J - Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. John 14:6
K - Keep your tongue from evil. Psalm 34:13
L - Look to me, and be saved. Isaiah 45:22
M - My son, give me your heart. Proverbs 23:26
N - No man can serve two masters. Matthew 6:24
O - O give thanks to the Lord: for He is good. Psalm 118:1
P - Praise you the Lord: for it is good to sing praises to our God. Psalm 147:1
Q - Quit you like men, be strong. 1Corinthians 16:13
R - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
S - Seek you the Lord while he may be found. Isaiah 55:6
T - The Lord sees me. Genesis 16:13
U - Unto you, O God, do we give thanks. Psalm 75:1
V - Verily, verily, I say to you, whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. John 16:23
W - Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3
X - Exceeding great and precious promises are given to us. 2Peter 1:4
Y - You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14
Z - Zion heard, and was glad. Psalm 97:8
Sunday, February 15, 2009
SUNDAY~WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
White Chicken Chili
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 (4 ounce) can chopped green chili peppers
3 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
3 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
3 (15 ounce) cans white beans
2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans
2 shakes of the Tabasco bottle
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup sour cream
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Slowly cook and stir the onion & garlic until tender. Mix in the green chili peppers, Tabasco, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until tender, about 3 minutes. Mix in the chicken broth, chicken and white beans. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the Whipping cream and sour cream right before serving! Enjoy!
*I made this "Sunday" friendly today and did everything except add the whipping cream and sour cream and put it in the crock pot. I put it on low for about 2 1/2 hrs (or till church was over) and when we got home it looked great! I added the whipping cream & sour cream and dinner was ready!!! I served it with corn bread and a Caesar salad. We also added some crunched up tortilla chips...yum! Everyone LOVED IT!!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
See what I made today....
I sewed this really simple and sweet swaddling blanket for a close friend who had her little girl last night at 31 weeks. Everything is OK and her daughter is doing wonderful...praise the Lord!
I used a zig-zag stitch on these hearts that I cut out by hand.
This swaddling blanket is about 40"x40" when it is opened completely.
I was able to follow this tutorial. Super easy!
Ta-da!!! I was very happy with how it turned out...I really hope she likes it!?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
LETTERS, WORDS, AND NUMBERS...OH MY!
My baby will be 19 months in a few days and he is getting soooo big! He is loving the song "Old MacDonald" he calls it "E-I-O" It cracks me up. We also sing the ABC's and count to 5 a lot. All he says is "1-2-1-2-1-2-5" Its sooo funny! He also starts the Alphabet song with me "A-B" and then he just listens to me while I finish. He LOVES letters though and can point and say "A-D-B-O-W (which sounds like wa-woo)-N-and Y! Not too bad huh? He also has a good friend Levi and he follows him around calling him Ve-vi. I just love hearing him talk so much more now, he just picked up a few new words & phrases. He says "socks on, see ya, Yove you, Mem-i (semi truck), hot, ba (bath), and lots more...I should really keep a list! Oh, also today I was doing my Turbo Jam and at the end during the cool down there is some Ti Chi and Payton was trying to do it with me. he is getting so observant! Anyway, they sure grow right before our eyes don't they! What a blessing =]
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
TITUS 2:7-8
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us." (Titus 2:7-8)
You are not a teacher? Well, we are all called to teach in one form or another-as witness, as a living testimony, as a mother, as a neighbor. -Beth Moore
This was such a convicting message in my Bible time today...I think that one of the most important qualities a Christian women should have is Titus 2:7-8. Lord Help me!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK WITH HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE & ROLLS!
I found these recipes from this AMAZING BLOG Called Baking Bites http://bakingbites.com/ . There are a ton of wonderful recipes...but this one is a favorite and worth all the effort! Enjoy!!!
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
5-6 lb. pork shoulder/pork butt
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 cup ketchup
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup tomato paste
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp mustard
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
pinch cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
3/4 cup water
Place onion on the bottom of your slow cooker. Place pork shoulder, trimmed of any obvious excess fat, into slow cooker on top of onions.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all remaining ingredients to form the barbecue sauce. Feel free to adjust salt and pepper to taste, if necessary. Pour half of the sauce over the pork and cover.
Set remaining sauce aside.Cook over low heat for about 8 hours (or according to your slow cooker’s presets).Remove pork to a large bowl and shred with two forks. Transfer meat back into slow cooker and cook for a few more minutes, until meat has soaked up the sauce. Pulled pork can be held on the “warm” setting in the slow cooker for serving.Serve on soft sandwich rolls, topped with extra barbecue sauce.
Serves 10-12.
Soft Yogurt Sandwich Rolls
3 1/2 - 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tbsp active dry yeast
3 tbsp honey
1 cup water, warm (100-110F)
1 cup yogurt (nonfat/lowfat is fine; I used Greek-style)
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour, the active dry yeast, the honey and the warm water. Stir well and let sit for 10 minutes, until slightly foamy.
Stir in yogurt, vegetable oil, salt and 2 cups of the remaining flour. Gradually stir in more flour until you have a soft dough that sticks together pulls away from the sides of the bowl (This can all be done in a stand mixer with the dough-hook attached, as well).Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding additional flour if necessary to prevent sticking, until dough is smooth and elastic, or about 5 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Turn risen dough out of bowl and onto a lightly floured surface. Gently deflate, pressing into a rectangle. Divide dough into 10 even pieces with a board scraper or a pizza cutter. Shape each piece into a round roll. To do this, take all the corners of one of the squarish pieces you just cut and pull them together, pinching them to create a seal. This will pull the rest of the dough “tight” across the top of your roll, giving you a smooth top. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.Once all rolls have been formed, press down firmly on each one to flatten. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise for 25 minutes.Bake for about 20 minutes, until rolls are deep golden on the top and the bottom.Cool on a wire rack.Store in an airtight container.
Makes 10 rolls.
Monday, October 27, 2008
PRESSING APPLE CIDER
This weekend we went up to my in-laws farm and finally got a Christmas picture. The fall here in the Northwest is amazing, but usually we miss out on taking advantage of the amazing colors because it rains so much. But this weekend we enjoyed the mostly sunny & 65 degrees!
My Hubby snapped this sweet shot as we were walking down the dirt road toward the park where all the pressing was happening.
These apples were all natural from a neighbors apple tree, when all was said and done we ended up pressing 40 gallons of cider...with lots of help of course!
Here is my Hubby crankin the old press. Can you believe this press was patented in 1921?
And here we are folks...the pure goodness!!! We strained the juice and then added some whole cloves and warmed it up on the fire. It was sooooo worth the hard work! I actually just finished a cold glass as I typed this...Mmmmmm.
We had a WONDERFUL weekend!
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