T-11 days

The countdown to spring break is on! 11 more days until Mexico! The inservice exam today went about as expected...I got to question #25 before I ran into one that I was actually confident that I knew. Oy. At least it is over and behind me now! I'm off to work on a statistics assignment this afternoon, and I have another review of my oral health literacy research proposal on Friday, but I think I deserve some sewing time, don't you?? I've got to get some felt food cut out to take to do in Mexico on the beach...

My sewing machine was acting up, so I took it to the shop for some help. Turns out I was using some goofy kind of thread, but the tension was also off. I felt a little silly when they asked me why I was using the thread (umm...because that was what I had and it was the color I wanted). Always lots to learn. Too bad I'll never know everything!

Here is my first dress attempt for Kate, not totally finished, but close. I still need to hem and sew the bows on permanently and put buttons on the straps. I copied a dress that she already has that I liked. It is reversible. This one is pretty plain, but I think now that I've made a pattern for it, I could do some variations. I saw some beautiful fabric at the fabric store when I was there for my machine, but I refrained from buying it because my husband has been watching the credit card transactions recently...(shhhh). Ok, time for statistics...yuck...

Apron in action!

Here is the owner of the crayon apron! Happy Birthday Ryder!

Projects

Here are a few more recent projects...

Loren HATES it when I put things on the stairs. I think it is very practical and efficient- you clean one floor and put the items to go to the other floor all together where you will notice the the next time you go up. No. Not allowed...and Kate dumps out a basket if I put it there, so I made a bag that hangs on the banister.

More shoes

And a purse for a monogram bridal shower coming up

Next up...the American Academy of Periodontology Inservice Exam...ugh...so far the practice exams have been scoring at 50-60% yikes! Moratorium on sewing until the exam. March 17. And then I have to give a lit review on denture options (zzzzzzzzz) March 19.

But then...Spring break!! 27 more days until Kate and I go to Mexico with my mom and Aunt. I'm just trying to keep that in mind--take the nice camera or no? I'd hate to have it stolen, broken, lost, etc. but I'd love to get good photos of us when we are there...we'll have to see.

Sometimes you just gotta give in...(or up...)

Sometimes it just isn't worth the fight...

Sigh...yes, even the most well-intentioned, over-educated parents can end up feeding their child French Onion dip for dinner on occasion. Ummm...dairy group?? No, the chip wasn't included. It was just acting as the spoon. Hey, you try to get her to eat!

Even though she doesn't want to eat, she does love to cook. "Cooking! Food! Eat! Hun-ry." Interesting that her kitchen floor looks similar to mine after I've made dinner...hmmm. I think there is even a baby having a temper tantrum on her floor, too!

It is so fun to see Kate starting some imaginative play where she pretends. She pretends to cook (with my felt food!! yippee!!) and puts her babies to bed "night night baby...peeping" (=sleeping, said always in a whisper).

She also loves her stroller "go-wee". Here she is grocery shopping, checking out the nutritional content of Special K. Highly advanced for her age, you know...
Nah, I'll pass on the Special K, give me that French Onion dip!

And I couldn't resist one more pic with her hair in pig tails...they are just so darn cute! Such a shame they don't last.

The Helmet

Kate loves her bike. "Bike! Bike!" is all I hear when we go get in the car (the bike is right next to her side of the car). However, we made the mistake of letting her go on it before we got her a helmet...I'm sure you can see where this is going. Kate can't actually ride the bike, but she loves to sit on the seat and have Daddy push her around. Until the helmet...

A few minutes of riding...

Get this thing OFF!Daddy will wear the helmet, see?!? Isn't this fun!
Mommy to the rescue.

Recipes and projects

This is really what I love- spending the day with my little girl, baking yummy things and making cute stuff.

First for the cute stuff:

-finished up the shoes (I couldn't resist adding a ribbon) and made an appliqued matching onesie (first attempt at applique).

I also went a little crazy at a really great fabric shop I found. I actually went next door to have my camera fixed (which I thought was going to be really expensive), but it was FREE! So I went shopping. I am just itching to use these beautiful fabrics (who needs school anyway?! presentation? what presentation?)

Next for the baking! I've had a few people ask for these recipes, so I thought I'd share them with anyone interested...they are both ridiculously easy and have quickly become staples.

-Recipe #1: Homemade Yogurt (so much cheaper than store bought!)

adapted from here

Ingredients

8 cups (half-gallon) whole milk - can use reduced fat, but it isn't as delicious

1 single serving store bought yogurt with live, active cultures. I use Stonyfield Farms whole milk yogurt and sometimes Stonyfield Farms YoBaby. Can be flavored or plain; if flavored, the entire batch will have a slight taste of the starter yogurt. I think vanilla works well.

1/2 can sweetened condensed milk (use the other half in the granola bar recipe below)

1 tsp vanilla

Crockpot

Start this by at least 5pm so you are done in time for bed at 10:30 :)

Wash everything before you start. You don't want to grow anything bad. The initial step kills bad bacteria in the milk and crockpot, but I boil a spoon and whisk and a bowl for use later on.

Plug in the crockpot and turn to low. Add milk, condensed milk and vanilla (if you want plain, unflavored yogurt, omit the condensed milk and vanilla). Cover and cook on low for about 2 1/2 hours (doesn't have to be exact).

Then unplug the crockpot and leave it alone for another 3 hours. After 3 hours, remove 1 cup of the warm milk and in a small bowl, mix with your starter yogurt. Pour back into the crockpot and stir, replace lid.

Leaving it still unplugged, wrap the crockpot in towels or blankets to insulate it. It is 10:30pm- time for bed! Go to bed and let it grow overnight or for about 8 hours.

Morning! Wake up and eat your yummy yogurt! It should have thickened overnight.

If you want to flavor it with fruit, puree either fresh or frozen fruit in a blender and then mix it into the yogurt by hand (if you blend the yogurt it will get really liquid-y).

Recipe #2: Granola Bars (also way cheaper than store-bought)

adapted from here

Ingredients

1 1/2c oats

1/2 can sweetened condensed milk

1T melted butter

1 1/2 to 2c whatever you like in granola bars (my favorite is 1/2c coconut, 1/2c mini chocolate chips, 1/2c dried fruit such as cranberries)

Preheat oven to 350, grease a 9x9 (or similar) pan (I use parchment paper and rub a stick of butter on it).

Mix everything together in a bowl and press into the pan.

Bake 20-25 mins. Allow to cool.

...and that is a good day!

Let them eat cake...no, don't REALLY eat it!

A few more of my felt food creations...well, actually this is one cake with many outfits:) It is a 3 tiered cake with removable felt pieces so it can be decorated 3 different ways by a little cake decorator. For a friend who doesn't yet know it is coming!