CHRISTEPHI

Today's hour came in 5-10 minute snatches throughout the day.  A whole hour to sit down and do something I want without interruption sounds divine!  I didn't make as much progress as I'd hoped, but I did manage to: add seam allowances to the patterns I traced yesterday, pick out suitable fabric, and launder the fabric. The floral flannel and orange stretch terry are for Miss M's swimming cover-up and the plaid flannel and red stretch terry are for the Little Mister (with some tan flannel thrown in for good measure).  The flannels are from Black Friday at JoAnn a couple years ago and the terry cloths were in a box of knits I got at an estate sale last year.  It's nice to use up some of my stash!

One hour?  Not exactly.  More like 40 minutes.  Forty very interrupted minutes!  Still, I managed to trace the popular Hilda-Tilda pattern from Ottobre 6/2007 (#27) in two sizes!  I didn't get to add the seam allowances yet. Neither of my kids need much in the way of clothes.  They could each use a pair of shorts, but they're set in the t-shirt and jeans department.  So I decided to start with swimming cover-ups.  His and hers.  Pretty much exactly like LiEr at Ikatbag  just did  (great timing!) only I'll be using Ottobre pattern pieces.  And making a few changes  a la  LiEr since I like how she did the lined hood and the neck slit in front. I don't have fabric picked out yet.  I have plenty of options for Miss M, but I'm limited on my choices for Little Guy. I guess I'll have to decide tomorrow! It'd be nice if the postman would deliver the new issue of...

Last week was a crazy week.  We drove a total of 18 hours and almost 1500 miles in just 4 days (with a 2-day break in the middle).  None of which was planned in advance! An effect of our out-of-whack week was that I was completely unprepared for Easter!  (Thank goodness I wasn't planning to sew Easter clothes this year! Or do Easter baskets either.)  So even though I had planned to color eggs with the kids, we didn't actually get around to it until the Monday after Easter. I didn't expect it to be so much fun!  The last few times I colored eggs, my stepmom hosted and I think she used the egg dyeing kits.  I didn't remember the colors being so vibrant.  I didn't pick up anything special, so I figured I'd just use regular old food coloring.  I simply followed the instructions on the back of the food coloring package: Mix together 1/2 cup HOT water (it said boiling, but I just used very hot tap water), 1 tsp. vinegar, and half a bottle ...

 The Real Princess, more commonly known as The Princess and the Pea, is a fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen in which a prince's sole criteria for marriage is that his bride must be a "real princess."  Her true princess-ness can be determined by her delicate constitution and sensitivity to the most minute discomfort. While the Princess and her bad night of sleep may not be the most desirable role model for our daughters, it's a story that captures the imagination nonetheless.  And now one lucky little girl can play out the story over and over with her very own Princess and the Pea set! She has 12 mattresses (Sorry, Hans...your 20 mattresses and 20 featherbeds were a bit much for me!), a tote bag, 3 peas, and a card printed with the original story.  And she was a birthday present for a now-4-year-old little girl this past weekend. The Princess and her mattresses were from the More Softies Only a Mother Could Love and the tote is my own design...

I always seem to hear about the Kids Clothes Week Challenge too late!  But this time I caught wind of it well in advance, so I'm planning to join in!  I'll need to take inventory of my kids warm weather clothes -- not sure Miss M needs much of anything!  And then make my plan of attack.  I'll keep you apprised of the situation! P.S.  Pardon the dust as I slowly get my blog re-organized!

My kids are extremely picky eaters!  Well, Miss M is anyway.  Little Guy isn’t nearly as picky as she is, though he thinks it’s “cool” to be like her and say he doesn’t like things that he’ll typically eat. I rarely buy chicken nuggets to eat at home.  I’m too cheap.  But I rarely take the time to make something elaborate for lunch either. Today, however, the kids were antsy and I thought an engaging activity was in order!  What better than an activity that also provides lunch? What you need: 3-4 chicken tenders, thawed and cut into small pieces about 1/2 cup flour seasonings of choice 1 egg, beaten about 1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs Miss M decided on our seasonings: salt, pepper, and garlic powder; I used about 1 t. each.  I would have used a combo of cracker crumbs and crushed corn flakes if I’d had any!  Next time I might add some corn meal in with the crackers, yum!  (Incidentally, store brand “Ritz” crackers are *...

A simple, satisfying soup for chilly weather! 1 lb. ground beef 1 medium onion, chopped 3 medium potatoes, cubed 4-6 cups water or beef broth 1 can of green beans salt and pepper to taste sour cream for garnish, optional Add ground beef and onion to a stockpot and brown together, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.  (If in doubt, use less than you think you'll need. You can always add more later!)  Add potatoes and saute with meat until slightly soft.  Add water and green beans.  Allow to simmer half an hour or more.  Adjust seasonings.  Garnish with sour cream. Serve with Easy Peasy Breadsticks for the perfect comfort food!