Christmas Stockings

Christmas stockings and advent calendar!  Glad I got them finished before Christmas!

Halloween Treats and Homemade Costumes...

The other two Halloween projects I tackled this year were these cookies from Our Best Bites (find the original post here).

It's a super easy way to make great looking cookies!!! They have two slightly different recipes listed in the original post; I used the William Sonoma recipe and doubled it to completely fill a standard sized loaf pan. I had a little trouble getting the chilled dough out of the loaf pan-I think next time I'll line the bottom with wax or parchment paper and at least two layers of plastic wrap. Other than that, I can't say enough good things about these cookies. (I think I'll make more at Christmas-using red or green food coloring!) I made them for Aiden's school party and they were a HIT!!! All the moms were duly impressed and the kids just liked having cookies!

I actually MADE the boys Halloween costumes this year! I'm not sure what got into me...and it wasn't as big a headache as I expected. I'm pleased with the results---I thought they looked great!!! Since I didn't use a formal pattern (and made my own patterns instead) there were a few mistakes that I had to go back and fix, but overall, it was fun and very fulfilling to see the projected idea turn into reality!

The Super Mario Brothers (Luigi in green and Mario in Red) and our friendly little Garden Gnome

*Check out my other blog to see another costume picture*

Halloween Creepy...

This year I've gotten into the Halloween spirit more than I did last year.

HE was the reason for the lack of Halloween treats and projects in 2010. Now, that I'm NOT in the grips of utter exhaustion that only comes from a newborn, I've tackled a few festive projects.

One was in the kitchen...

I saw this on another blog and knew immediately that I needed to try it. To see the original post on Mel's Kitchen Cafe, click here. I made a minor adjustment (to the flavor/color of the jello-I used raspberry instead of grape) which, I think made them even better than the original!!!

Aiden "helped" me make them (he mostly watched and did a little stirring- and bumped my arm while I pored) and he LOVED every minute of it! Brandon was a little more apprehensive when he saw the finished product; but when he realized it was jello-he quickly got over the grossness. Caleb-he wouldn't even try them-he immediately spit out the little piece I put in his mouth.

Firehouse Quilt...

My RS is doing an on-going service project for Firehouse Quilts. It's a great little non-profit that gives quilts to first responders to hand out all around CO. They give the blankets to children and others who endure trauma from accidents, etc. The RS projects is making a bunch of quilts to donate to Firehouse at our RS Christmas activity in December.

I finished my first firehouse quilt and finally got around to taking some "finished" photos. This is a rag quilt. I had never made one before...and I have to say I really enjoyed it! Rag quilts are done basically backwards, with the quilting completed first, then the piecing done last. I LOVED NOT having to mess with a binding. You simply sew a seam around the entire edge and then sip every 1/2 inch or so. Then the key is to wash,wash, wash to get that awesome fringe!

It feels a little funny while you're sewing a rag quilt because all the seams are on the TOP of the quilt. Overall it was fairly quick and a lot of fun to make!

I have two more started...

Officer Want-a-be!

Caylee is running for an office in student council.  She wants to be treasurer.  She had to get three signatures from people and have them write why she would be a good treasurer.  She also had to fill in why she would be good.  That form was turned into the school.  The teachers were supposed to pick from the applications who could run.  Caylee says only several applications were turned in so they all get to run.  The plan is to hang two approved posters tomorrow and give a 60 second speech which will be filmed and recorded by West Wood News.  The speeches will be shown on Tuesday or Wednesday to all the 4th, 5th and 6th graders who will then vote.  Caylee says she will keep you informed. These posters took us three hours to complete.  We think they are pretty cute.  We are going to work on her speech and record it for you to view if I can figure out how to do it :)

Halloween Costume

I just finished my little man's Halloween costume.  He is going to be Prince Charming!  I will add more pictures when I can actually get him to wear it.  I found this idea on one of my favorite craft blogs: Make It and Love It.  I thought it was so cute I wanted to see if I could make one too! 

Cami's new dress

OK, all you sisters who told Cami (rightfully so) that her new dress was too short, we have modified it.  Check it out!

Blanket

This one is for you Cas and C. I FINALLY finished the blanket. :) I really like the way it turned out, thanks for your help sisters!

Proud Mommy moment

Just a proud Mommy moment,-Drake drew this picture last night. He told me it was a frog. I have to say I am pretty impressed!

My New Hair Cut

S'more Sticks

I made a fun s'more treat for an after school snack yesterday, but Half-pint snubbed it before I even had it finished, so I decided to take it to the families I visit teach instead.

S'mores for summer...can't think of anything better!

I got the recipe from the Pampered Chef Causal Cooking cookbook.

I used a different shaped pan than what the recipe called for-the following recipe reflects what I did. Double the recipe for 9 x 13 pan (that's what I used).

Crispy S'more Treats

2 1/2 Cups cocoa-flavored sweetened rice cereal

6 whole (about 5 x 2-inch) graham crackers, coarsely chopped

3 Tablespoons butter or margarine

2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar

3 1/2 Cups mini marshmallows, divided

3/4 Cup chocolate morsels

Spray a 9 x 9 pan with cooking spray. Place cereal in a large bowl. Coarsely chop graham crackers; add to cereal and set aside.

Melt butter with brown sugar over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add 2 1/2 cups marshmallows; stir until melted. Remove from heat. Add cereal mixture, stir until well coated. Stir in remaining 1 cup marshmallows.

Place mixture immediately into prepared 9 x 9 pan and press down evenly. Cool completely.

Invert cool pan onto large cutting board, and with a serrated (or electric) knife, slice into sticks (about 4 x 1 1/2 inches).

Melt chocolate morsels in double boiler, and stir until smooth. Dip s'more sticks in melte

d chocolate-using a rubber spatula to gently remove excess chocolate. Allow to cool on wax paper. Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles on top if desired.

Car Seat Canopy

This is the car seat canopy that I just finished for our new baby. Sorry there are so many pictures but this way you can see all the work I did! Hope you like it!

Delicious dinner

I loved what I ate last night.
Soybeans, fresh zucchini, mushrooms, onions,snow peas and walnuts in a stir fry.  Yumee!

I ended the day with cottage cheese and tomatoes.  Cami thought it was disgusting but I think it is delicious and much better than a bowl of ice cream.  Besides the taste, I like that the cottage cheese is a good source of protein which I am often lacking.

I didn't exercise very hard for the last two days, a 30 min bike ride on Wed and 30 min walk on Thursday but I am getting ready to go hit the hills on my bike right now.

How are you doing Jen?

I was thinking this morning how good I feel without eating the garbage!

Scrap Color Book

One of the most recent projects has been a scrap color book. See the photos below...

Peewee-pint was "helping" me take the photos, hence his head in some of the pictures!

End of the Rainbow...

Does this mean I should find a pot of GOLD under my bed???

Pasta Salad Recipe - YUM!

I made a pasta salad yesterday for dinner that turned out really yummy! I thought I would put the recipe up in case anyone wants to try.

I adapted this recipe from one I found in Fitness Magazine.

Ingredients:
8 ounces of pasta (I used wheat elbow)
1 cup chopped tomato (I used 3 roma)
1 green pepper chopped
2 green onions chopped
1 can Great Northern White Beans
2 T olive oil
2 T vinegar
1 t honey
1 t Dijon mustard
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t salt
1 t garlic
feta cheese
lemon slices

Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions
2. Combine cooked pasta, beans, and chopped veggies.
3. In a seperate bowl combine olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, oregano, salt and garlic. Mix really well and pour over noodle mixture.
4. Chill until time to serve.
5. Garnish the salad with feta cheese and lemon slices. The lemon is meant to be squeezed onto the salad.

The Dijon mustard gives a nice little kick that is not too spicy. I guessed on the amount of ingredients. Season with more garlic or oregano if needed.

Stuffed Turtle baby toy

This little turtle project was fun and easy! J already loves it!