Sunday, April 25, 2010

Grandma

My oldest and I just finished reading Fancy Nancy Poet Extraordinaire.  A great book to teach about poetry.  After we finished I told her that I had written a poem about her.  So we found it and read it.  She decided that she wanted to write a poem.  So with me writing she told me what she wanted to write about:  GRANDMA.  I love my mom and I am so glad that she does too.  So here is her poem.

Grandma

Grandma is nice to me.
Me and her have lots of fun.
She is a good Grandma and a good babysitter.
She likes to play games
Grandma has lots of flowers and green grass, that is greener than ours.
      Grandma is sweet like sweet lollipop.

Isn't this just so sweet.  I love her words.  Maybe she will someday be a great poet.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Chicken and Dumplings

Today the weather turned cooler again.  We went from 90 degrees to 68 degrees.  Big jump for us.  My oldest daughter thought she was freezing today.  So whenever I get a chance and the weather is cooler I have to make Chicken and Dumplings.  A year or two ago I found the best recipe in Cookie Magazine.  It is simply the best, Heavenly.  So here is the recipe straight from their website and so delicious.  I often use already cooked chicken in this recipe.  Also the heavy cream is what makes these so good.






for the soup
2 tablespoons olive oil

1 3-pound chicken, cut into pieces
1/4 cup flour, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 stalks celery, cut into large chunks
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Fresh parsley


for the dumplings

1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup coarsely ground cornmeal
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 3/4 cups heavy cream
1.In a wide, heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil.
2.Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, then brown them in the oil over medium heat, about 2 minutes a side. Remove and set aside.
3.Add the onion to the pot and cook for 2 minutes.
4.Add the carrots, celery, bay leaf, thyme, turmeric, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute more.
5.Stir in the broth.
6.Return the chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
7.Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the first five dumpling ingredients.
8.Add the cream and mix until just combined.
9.Drop about 12 heaping tablespoons of the dumpling mixture into the pot.
10.Cover and simmer for 12 minutes more.
11.To serve, scoop the dumplings and chicken into bowls, then cover with broth.

12.Garnish with the parsley.

Tip For quicker dumplings, mix 1 egg with 1/2 cup milk, then add the mixture to 1 1/2 cups Bisquick and stir to combine.

Recipe by Victoria Granof

Monday, April 19, 2010

Caroline Dress

I found this pattern on last week at Frog Legs and Ponytails.  As soon as I saw it I new that I wanted to make it for both of my daughter.  I loved that the pattern would work for both of them.
Caroline_Dress_P_4a37fa7e3a21b
So I went right to work.  I loved that this pattern was easy to read and easy to do.  If I didn’t have so many distractions I could have finished it much faster.  I think it turned out so great on my little one. 
IMAG00164 IMAG00183
I just had to make her a flower to match her dress.  A tutorial will be coming shortly for that.  Isn’t she a doll.  Now to work on one for my old daughter.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Upside Down Tomato Plants

I was just at Walmart earlier today and saw the things you can buy to grow tomatoes upside down.  I am so interested in this concept and have been four a few years.  I have yet to venture into trying it.  Living in AZ I wonder if it is to hot here.  My sister grows tomatoes in her garden but I don't have room for a garden.  So I think I may have to give this a try. 
Go to Crafty Crow and check out her guest blogger Amida.  This is such a great idea and I love that I have everything already at my house, well minus the plant :)  I think I might give this a try.  One good thing about AZ is we can grow things all year long.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Plantable Paper

I think that I may have to try this with my preschool kids.  Would make a fun Mother's Day gift and Earth Day activity all in one.  This come from http://www.thelongthread.com/ you can read the instructions Here.  She did an article Alpha Mom.  This just looks like it would be Messy and Fun!

Pizza, Pizza, Pizza

We love making Pizza at our house.  The kids love making their own.  This is how I got them to eat mushrooms :)  So we are going to share our favorite pizza dough recipe with you.
IMAG00036
Pizza Dough Recipe
2 1/2 cups flour, whole wheat or white
1 tablespoon Sugar
1 Tablespoon dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup hot water (120 degree to 130 degrees)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Mix 2 cups flour, sugar, dry yeast, and salt.  Add water and oil; mix well.  Add remaining flour as needed to make soft dough.  Knead 5 minutes; let rest 5 minutes.  Roll or pat dough to fit a lightly greased pan.
Bake at 475 degrees.  10-12 minutes for one large pizza
5-7 minutes for medium pizzas.
IMAG00017
I love letting the kids cut their own olives and mushrooms.  We use the Pamper Chief egg cutter.  They love it.  I love that I don’t have to worry about them cutting their fingers off. 

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Not So Idle Hands, Crafts from the Crafty

Not So Idle Hands, Crafts from the Crafty

I think this is one of the cutest washer necklaces I have seen so far. I think that I would like to try this and make bookmarks for all my Book Club members. Don't you think it would be cute.

Dry Erase Quiet Book

Somewhat Simple has the cutest idea for a quiet book.  All you do is print out the papers and slip them into a photo album and give your kids a dry erase marker and something to eraser with.  I love this.  Great for Car, Church, Dr. Appt and much more.  Plus you can update and change it so the kids don't get bored.  This is what I am going to be working on this afternoon.  i will post my finished product as soon as I am done.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Mother's Day

I have found what I really want for Mother's Day.  My heart just flutters at the sight of this.  Take a look.
So I have already sent my husband and email with the link.  Is that bad?  I even offered to order it myself.  I had asked for the Shark pocket steam mop but I love this even more.  Wish me luck!

Monday, April 12, 2010

X Marks the spot – Pirate Week

Ahoy, me Hearties!
Avast Ye!
Last week in my preschool classes we had so much fun learning about the letter X.  We did this through the theme “X Marks the Spot”.  A week of fun treasure hunts and pirates activities.   
 IMAG00292IMAG00271
Here is my oldest daughter and she has on what all the kids were wearing for our treasure hunts and pirate shenanigans.  I cut the bandanas from red material size 21 x 21 in  and folds in half like a triangle and tied them in then back.  The eye patch is just black felt with yarn that can be tied in the back.  They also had a long piece of fabric tied around their waist like a sash.  The cute captain is my son and he is wearing an old Halloween costume that is really to small of him (he is cute though!!).
IMAG00321 IMAG00332
This art activity is easy and fun.  Start by using painters tape and tape an X on a piece of construction paper.  Then have the kids paint over the whole paper.  When the paint dries you peel off the tape and have a great X.
IMAG00551
You can’t have pirate week with out treasure maps and hidden treasure.  I draw up the maps and the kids follow the clues to our hidden treasure chest full of goodies!
IMAG00371
This is a really easy and fun craft that works on motor skills and shapes recognition.  I drew up treasure chests on brown construction paper.  The kids cut out the treasure chest and glue it on white paper.  The top of the chest is glued only at the top so it can be opened.  Then the kids put their “treasure” inside.  For the treasure we used foam pieces that are sticky.
IMAG00591
These little cuties are Xavier X Pirate  found at http://www.dltk-teach.com/.  I used a picture of a pirate map I had from years ago.  You can find them all over the net.  I traced the X on and had the kids cut it out.  I went ahead and cut out all the other piece just to save time.  They had so much fun putting theirs together and then coloring them.
IMAG00581 IMAG00571
These little pirates came form Michaels.  They are thin wood pirates that have little wood stands.  They kids had so much playing with them after they were done.  They hide a chest and took turns finding it using their little pirates.
IMAG00661
You can’t have pirates without a little buried treasure.  I bought two black plastic bins at the dollar store.  Stopped by the park and borrowed some sand.  Then I mixed in some of those glass stones.  The kids had so much fun getting treasure and putting them in these little red bags I whipped up.
IMAG00561
Nothing to great.  i even drew the X on with permanent marker to save time.  The kids loved it.  And don’t worry I took the sand back to the park when I was done :) 
Here are some of the books we enjoyed with our Pirate week.
 

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Busy Weekend

Sorry if you have popped in and wondered if anyone is here.  This weekend was so busy.  I didn't even get to sit at the computer until tonight.  And right now I am planning out my preschool classes for next week.  Sorry no fun posts for you tonight.  Please don't give up on me yet.  Next week I will have new posts on sewing, preschool (pirate fun), recipes and more.  Check back with me and I hope to have something fun for you. 

Just a side note I got my fabric in the mail and I am dreaming already of what to make with it.  Stay tuned!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser

Meet my little one.  When she was born they found she had a Cystic Fibrosis Gene.  That was really scary to me when they first told me.  We went for further tests and found that she is just a carrier and has no sign of the disease.  This means that someday if she marries someone who is also a carrier their children could have cystic fibrosis. Simply Modern Mom is sponsoring a giveaway for people who donate to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  All you have to do it go to Team Simply Modern Mom and make a donation, all the money will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  I know they are making huge advancements for this disease and your donation could help even further.  So maybe when my little one gets big and has kids she will have comfort in the knowledge that if one of hers has CF she will have help, support and treatments.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Tree Climbing

Over Easter Weekend we went to my parents and just had a great time.  While I was jumping on the trampoline with my kids, showing them how it is done.  I spotted the best climbing tree in a lot next to my parents house.  My daughter loves to climb trees so we just had to give this one a try.





So here I am showing the kids how to climb and thinking about how much fun I had climbing trees when I was a young girl.  I can remember climbing to the top of the trees in my grandma's backyard.  From the top of that tree I could see a gas station and train tracks that were about a mile way.  I loved being in that tree and seeing a new view.

We also had a tree in one of our backyards that I loved to climb in and hide out.  It was perfect.  It had the best place to sit in the middle of all the branches.  I would go there to be alone or hide out from everyone.  So climbing this tree with my kids was a real treat. 

It has the best places to sit and read a book.  Next time we visit I am sure we will climb again this time bringing a book with us to read.  I am thinking "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein.  Do any of you have book suggestions?  I would love to hear what they are.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Out of Control

Okay I think that I might be out of control.  I just went to fabricworm and was looking at some really great fabric and I ordered some.  Yikes my husband may have a heart attack.  So here is what I bought.

I think that this alphabet panel is so adorable.  I think that I will cut the letters out and make a fun book or something.  Plenty of time to plan and look around while I wait by the mail.


With these I am thinking little skirts and dresses.  Oh so cute and I can't wait to hold them in my hands and feel them.







I would go sit by the mail and wait but I do have kids to take care of and it wont be here for a few days!

Book Of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

I just finished reading "Book Of a Thousand Days" By Shannon Hale.  I really enjoyed this book.  Shannon write so beautifully.  I love that it was so entertaining and kept me interested until the end. 

It is about Lady Saren and her maid Dashti.  They are locked in a tower when Lady Saren refuses to marry a man whom she fears.  They are to be locked in this tower for seven years.  After a while though supplies run short and other problems arise.  Dashti the maid is a strong character and has to save both of them.

Bubble Snakes

These bubble snakes look so fun and super easy.  I think that I am going to have to try this with my preschool groups.  I know that they will love it and my kids will love it.  I may have to dig through my recycle garbage for plastic water bottles :} Check out http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ she has great ideas on her blog.  I stalk her blog along with about 50 other blogs.  I just can't help myself.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Fabric Hoarding

I have been building up some of my fabric selection lately.  Basically I am hoarding fabric for the summer.  I teach Preschool from my home during the school year and take the summers off.  Subconsciously I know that things can be tight in the summer time with out my extra income so I have been buying fabric for all my summer sewing projects (Whatever they might be :) 
IMAG00391
I bought these on sale at Joann’s and I think they will be cute skirts and Capri pants.
IMAG00421
My mom brought this fabric back to me from her quilt retreat with all her friends.  My camera doesn’t do this green fabric justice.  It is beautiful!  Not sure what I am going to be doing with it yet.  Any ideas?????? I only have one yard.  It would be nice to make something for my two girls out of it.
DIY Bag Lover

I went to my Mom's house for Easter and she shared this DIY Bag Lover blog with me.  I love that so many great bag tutorials are all in one location.  Look around and see if you find anything you like.  I love the Skirty Bag, I may have to look for a used mini skirt (since I don't wear them :)  So many bags so little time.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Message

An Easter Message to all of you. I hope that you had a wonderful Easter. Below is a link to a wonderful video that talks about Christ.

He-Lives

Friday, April 2, 2010

Sew LO Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I hope I win this giveaway because these purses are so cute. Go and check them out!

Sew LO Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Sew Dang Cute: Tutorial: {Spring/Easter Dress}

These are the cutest dresses ever and I plan on making two. One for my 5 year old and one for the 7 month old.
Sew Dang Cute: Tutorial: {Spring/Easter Dress}