Pumpkin Cookies (109:365)

One of the best things about Fall is all the pumpkin food!

Today I made one of the best of all, Pumpkin cookies. 

What is even better about it is that the recipe is SUPER EASY!

Mix 1 box Spice Cake Mix + 1 15 oz can Pumpkin + 1-2 cups Chocolate Chips ("optional" if you are a weirdo) + 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (also optional, but they are much tastier with this).

Use a small ice cream scoop or a spoon that will make about a 2 TBS sized ball and fill your greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes.

I do mine for 15 because I am afraid of gooey insides.

That's it! So easy.

Goosey update: She is still super sick, with a continuous fever of below 100.3 F. Dee had a fever last weekend too for about 2 days, so I'm expecting Goose's to go down in the next day or so...I hope! She is such a calm and mild baby, even when sick, so luckily she hasn't had any coughing fits. As long as we keep her calm and do steam and all the other things the Dr. said to do, she is doing well and just trucking through her illness.

I must say, croup is the worst! Poor baby Goose.

Goosey's First Croup, So Sad... (108:365)

Baby #2 is so sad today.

She caught Dee's cough and totally has croup.

She is just miserable and super clingy.

A sick baby is the saddest thing.

Hopefully she'll be able to sleep tonight and breath better soon.

Zombies, Witches, Bloody Green Hands and a Heart (107:365)

So, I don't have pictures yet, but today I made Scott and AWESOME zombie shirt for a Halloween Party we are going to tonight,



I made some stuff for my witch costume, starting with this Goodwill shirt that was $0.99
 
(I'm waiting for a picture of my costume from a friend since we didn't think to take one ourselves.)


and I made some nasty fondant stuff to go on top of my Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap crust.

 

Dee was a witch (my shadow, as some people referred to her as),

and Goose was the cutest kitty ever!

Covered Button Earrings and Beef Stew (106:365)

I made more fabric covered button earrings today for the upcoming holiday bazaar. One pair in particular is hot! I'm totally making a ton of them. Even better, they are made from vintage fabric I got at an estate sale. 

And I made a beef stew from the trusty Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I have to say, I was not a big fan of the stew (my favorite from that cookbook is the Polenta and Beef Stew - Yummy!), but Scott liked it. That's all a wife can hope for, a happy honey bunch.

Also, we had Buttered Rosemary Rolls from The Pioneer Woman website.

They are super yummy and really easy. 

A family fav.

Also, have you tried The Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti?

I HEART that stuff. Even Scott likes it and there is cheese in it.

Although, I don't think he realizes how much cheese is in it, so hopefully he isn't reading this post or he'll likely stop eating it altogether (mostly out of "principle" or something)!

Regardless, that is going on our menu next week.

I'm already salivating.

Lucy's First Boo at the Zoo, Rosettes and my Halloween costume (105:365)

Our local zoo does a fun "Boo at the Zoo" every year where you trick or treat around the zoo at booths that local vendors set up. It's really fun! You even get to see whatever animals can handle the cold (it was like 35 F last night!), which were just Santa's Reindeer and 5 penguins.

Goose got many awwww's, and Dee did too, both being the cutest little kitties.

We had fun with some friends too. Thanks for meeting up with us!

I've also been working on some rosettes that I will be selling at a local craft fair next month. Boy, I am feeling overwhelmed by it and I am barely doing anything. Probably just because it is my first time selling anything.

And I am working on my Halloween costume.

I'm going to be a witch.

I got this awesomely bad huge black shiny shirt at Goodwill for $0.99 and I'm making it smaller and uglier for my costume. I want to make the bottom jagged, but the fabric frays like crazy! I think melting the edges will solve that though.

Dee's First Jack-O-Lantern (104:365)

Giant Felt Bow, French Onion Soup, and My First Free Purchase (103:365)

I have been sort of fighting the giant bow trend.
I don't understand how all of these weird 80's trends keep coming back!

I gave in today and made a giant red felt bow for a headband for Jane.
It was so big it was threatening to blow off in the wind.
It was cute though. I just might borrow it sometimes.
Next one I make will be smaller.
I used this super easy tutorial.

For dinner I made French Onion Soup from my trusty Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. It was pretty good. A little too sweet though, because I tried to caramelize the onions a bit and added a little bit of sugar for that. Scott enjoyed it though, and that is all that matters around here, since he is Mr. Picky Palate.

And finally, today was the first time I have ever bought anything for free!
All you amazing couponers, you know who you are (Heather J...) have probably already had this experience, but today was my first.
We bought some stuff at the grocery store, and then I got a $6 cash coupon (a catalina) and $1.50 off 6 cans of Campbell's Chunky soup. So I went back in the store, got 6 cans that were on sale and that totaled $7.50. The cashier rang it up, scanned the coupons, and then said, "That will be...free!"
Boo-yah!
It feels great.
I need to get me a newspaper again so I can get that kind of a deal more often.
Anyone know how to just subscribe to the Sunday coupons without getting the paper?
And how to subscribe to multiples of the coupons?

Ode to Adrianne and Cream Sauce (102:365)

Do you ever daydream about a meal once had and never forgotten?

I often reminisce about one such meal my friend Adrianne made me shortly after she returned from her church mission to Italy.

Peas...

Noodles...

Salty Ham...

Cream Sauce...

Parmesan Cheese...

If your mouth isn't watering right now than your taste buds must be broken.

The recipe for the cream sauce is from my trusty Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.





Then I just cut up some lunch meat ham and cooked some peas, them fried them up with some cooked spaghetti noodles, then put some cream sauce and a little parmesan cheese in the pot and mixed it up until palatable perfection was achieved.

Oh baby.


It was delightful.

My First Balloon Arch (101:365)

Today the youth at our church are doing what we call a "Roadshow" and I got to get up at 6:30am to practice. My favorite. I LOOOVE the mornings, when they are dark and cold, and my eyes feel like sandpaper.

To help out after the practice, I learned how to make a balloon arch.

A skill that will help me in all my future party planning years.

I'm feeling a bit jumpy after all those

balloons popping in my ears.

Charcoal-ate Chip Cookies (100:365)

In honor of my 100th post, I thought I'd burn my first batch of cookies today.

Yes, I've burned cookies before, but never to the point of them being inedible.

I guess that's what happens when you bake while taking a shower.

Update: I burned the second batch too.
That is what happens when you bake following the "pan cookies" time and not the regular cookie time, which is exactly 1/2 the "pan cookies" amount because you were too lazy to pull the directions back out all the way and just visually latched onto the first numbers you saw.
Brilliant.

Self Binding Baby Blanket (99:365)

I made my first (baby) blanket today.

My friend Kuei is having her first girl and I am excited to welcome her to the club of cuteness that is a baby girl. So, I decided to make her a modern baby blanket.

I found this really great tutorial on how to make a self binding baby blanket.

I followed those great directions to a T minus the monogram.

I think I'll add a monogram next time, it will be a fun thing to try.



Cool stitch I used for my edge, all thanks to my awesome sewing machine, not my rad sewing skillz.

A Curry Experiment (98:365)

It turned out pretty good, if I say so myself.

This experiment occurred because I was feeling lazy.

I know, that doesn't really make sense.

I found some yummy curry recipes online but I couldn't get the printer to work because the inkwell is dry.

So....this delicious concoction came to be by melding different recipe ideas in my head into one.

Heat a pot or wok to med-high (a little nod to Ashley D).

Chop 3 carrots, 2 potatoes and 1 onion.

Add about 2-3tbs oil to wok.

Then add veg as ready.

Ones that take longer to cook go in first.

Cook for 10-15 minutes.

Then add 1-2 cups of water and let boil until veg is all softish. While doing that, add one small can of tomato sauce. Also sprinkle some curry powder to taste (maybe a tbs?), and some turmeric (like 1 tsp or so.), salt and pepper to taste. Oh, and we added some dried cilantro, but I bet fresh would be even better.

Let it simmer for a bit so the flavors meld and develop.

Now, usually recipes call for plain yogurt in a curry, but since I didn't have any, I googled substitutions for plain yogurt and one of them is buttermilk, which I didn't have either. But I do have a substitute for that (double substitute, I was scared) which is 1 cup milk + 1 tbs white vinegar + 5 minutes = buttermilk.

I added probably 1/2 cup of that fake buttermilk.

Also, we thawed some cooked shrimp and added that.

It is delicious!

Wish you could have some.

I also made my first homemade Italian Sodas.

Ice

1 cup Perrier Sparkling Water

2-3 tbs Torani Strawberry Soda Syrup

A dash of whipping cream

Whipped Cream on top

Oh-la-la!

Pumpkin Pie Cake - Oh Baby! (97:365)

Oh yeah. 

It's delicious.

The recipe is right here.

Gooses's First Successful Use of a Straw (96:365)

I don't know if this is normal, but I feel like bragging that my 9 month old can use a straw.

On the airplane, she drank Dee's apple juice with a straw. 

It was ridiculously cute.

Paletas (95:365)

Have you ever tried a Paleta?

I am a timid experimenter of foreign ice cream.

I didn't have much luck with the Brazilian type.

Didn't have much luck in the Czech Republic.

Apparently Mexico didn't get the "bad foreign ice cream maker" memo.

Thank goodness.

Today we tried some of these delicious and creamy concoctions of gastronomical delight.

Mango was my flavor. It was creamy and sweet with a hint of tartness.

I could have used a little more tartness, but overall, it was delicious.

Scott tried a flavor not listed on their website, perhaps a vintage flavor?

Piña colada was his muse. It was better than I thought it would be. Perhaps even better than the Mango. Goose sure liked it!

Have you ever tried the Mamey flavor? I am dying to know what it tastes like.

This is a mamey according to Mr. Wiki,

"The fruit's flavor is variously described as a combination of pumpkin, sweet potato, and maraschino cherries with the texture of an avocado. Some consider the fruit to be an aphrodisiac."

Sounds delightful.

Goose's First Talent Show (94:365)

She showed off her amazing clapping skills.

And her talent for shaking her head no.

APPLAUSE!

Goose's First Family Reunion (93:365)

19 grandkids.

10 mommies and daddies.

2 grandparents.

1 cabin.

Good times.

Yeah, we went a little bonkers.

Goose's First Flight (92:365)

By the time Dee was this age she'd flown probably 3 or 4 times already. 

Not little #2. 

I haven't been brave enough to do two kiddos by myself yet.

Still not brave enough. 

Spouse is coming with us.

Headband Flowers for the Family Picture (91:365)

Today I made flowers for the girls to wear with their cute new skirts for our upcoming family pictures. The fabric I used for the flowers was just leftover scraps from the skirt project and a little bit of a black fat quarter that I have laying around. I also made little rosettes for the center of the flowers.

I also wrapped a headband in fabric for Dee's flower to attach to (her flower has a Velcro backing). Goose's flower has a clip on the back so it can attach to her crochet headband.

Thanks to my friend Heather for the inspiration.

Here are my lazy iPhoto pics.

First Field Trip (90:365)

Today was Dee's first field trip.

We went to the pumpkin patch with her preschool.

It was adorable.

She got to ride in her carseat in a van.

While I followed in my car, I cried a little.

My baby is growing up.

Enjoy.

Our cute farmer hayride driver.

She found the best one.

Giant tractor wheel.

Biggest slide ever, and from a CASTLE!

A giant Candy Land game.

She was lured by the music coming from the Peanut Brittle House.

What a cute little class.

Mom Pants into 2 Sweet Girlie Skirts, Part 2 (89:365)

I began this project almost a week ago, hemming and hawing over it because I am a freak.

Finally, I finished (I think).

My mom gave me these pants which were just too big.

What to do?

Cut, cut, cut!

With a little inspiration from here and here,
I came up with these cuties.

This has to be the best part. 

I was too lazy to hem them,
plus I think they'd be too short if I did.

So, instead I left the hem as a frayed edge
(I have a skirt like that that I love)

and used my fantastical genius sewing machine
to do a scalloped stitch along the edge.

Should I add something like these flowers to the bottom corner?

These skirts are for our family photos we are takng
this weekend at a family reunion.

They are going to wear black long sleeved shirts on top. 

Should I add a black ruffle to their shirts? 

Or just do cute flowers/headbands with
flowers out of the skirt fabric?

Button Earings (88:365)

I'm really into covered buttons lately.

Can you blame me?

These are so cute. 

They make me want to live in the 40's.

Beaded Headbands, or, Too Much Work for Something Cute...(87:365)

Today I hung out with my ladies and we crafted up a storm doing this cute project my friend Anna suggested, based off of this project.

So...I couldn't take it. 

I just don't have it in me to bead for hours and hours.

Me + Beads = Not Friends

I think I was going a little cross-eyed by the end.

I did not complete a project. 

I tried something new and learned that I don't like it.

Doesn't mean I'm not jealous of everyone else's cute beaded headbands.

I am jealous.

They are going to be in the cute headband club without me.

But I will still have my eye sight and my sanity and they won't.

Maybe.

Goose's First Night Camping (86:365)

We are doing a ward camp out tonight and it's Goose's first night to sleep out or even be out in the woods. 

Daddy is not a camper, but the last 2 times he didn't want to go we did it anyway and did it well. 

This time though we are 4, not 3.

And we are going to be stuffed into a 

tiny

tent. I'm not even sure Scott will 

be able to stretch his legs out...

Wish us luck!

Scott's First Kid Crisis (85:365)

Today while attempting to quickly purchase some crafting supplies, I left the entire fam in the car and ran quickly into the store.

I came outside a few minutes later to find Scott in crisis mode. 

This is the story I got:

While trying to feed Goose a bottle, she barfed all over herself, him and outside on the asphalt.

Then a little girl and her mom came up near the car and the little girl started having a conversation with Scott while he was covered in barf. She kept asking him questions and he was irritated but polite, hoping the mom would encourage the girl to get into their car. Instead, the mom just watched (noticing the barf everywhere and not flinching,) saying, "she's very sociable, it will help her get ahead in life".

Once they finally left Scott alone, little Dee declared she had to go potty.

Exclaiming that she needed to wait, and putting Goose rapidly into her carseat, Scott ran around the car and pulled Dee out of the car in the nick of time to let a little puddle form under our car.

Cue me:

I come walking out, seeing the front door of the car wide open and empty and frantically look around for my husband and child. Scott starts to get exasperated saying, "Why didn't you answer your phone? I called you 5 times!". I look at my phone to see that I have no service. Lame old phone. (Thinking about getting a new carriers, any suggestions?) "Sorry!", I say, "I had no service".

Then we clean up, and drive away, leaving 2 little nasty puddles surrounding our parking spot.

Good Times.

Women's Pants into 2 Girlie Skirts, it begins... (84:365)

I was so busy ripping out seams in some unwanted pants that I almost forgot to post tonight!

My current project:

Turning some pants my mom gave me that are too big, into two cute little skirts for my little ladies.

Today I am ripping out the side pockets and cutting the pant legs off.

Also, I'm still kind of trying to figure out if I want to have ruffled layers or have it be a straight skirt with some ruffles or flowers sewn own. The ladies will wear these for our upcoming
family reunion photo shoot.

Oh, and we all got flu shots together today. 

Kind of sad, but also an odd family bonding scenario.

So, that was a first.

Mending Bin (83:365)

All my new projects has caused my mending bin to grow exponentially.

Today it got a little love from the mending lady.

Things I fixed:

Size 2T Dora undies

Shiny pink princess dress up skirt

Made another onesie extender. (see here and here for directions)

I'm also planning some cutie pie outfits, for our up coming family reunion and family photos, for me and Scott.

Just kidding.

For the little ladies. 

Our "family color" is black so we all need black shirts. 

My debate is do we wear plain long sleeve black shirts or do I try and embellish them with ruffles or flowers?

And, I'm thinking the girls could be matching, with black leggings and matching skirts that I would like to make out on old t-shirts like this one.

I'm not planning on making the leggings, they'll just wear black, but I need to make the skirts. 

I may do gray...we'll see.

First School Birthday Cupcakes (82:365)

I know she's only in preschool, but I feel the pressure anyway.

School, being equal to other moms, having the same stuff as the other kids (remember Dee's cute backpack I made? We caved and bought a bigger one like the other kids have).

But that's not the point, today I made cupcakes for Dee's "Special Day" tomorrow in preschool where they are going to celebrate her birthday. I'm excited for her!

She wanted white cake with Halloween sprinkles. 

(Honestly it was either that or Christmas sprinkles, so...)

She's pretty excited too.

My little sweetie pie.

Cleaning the Bathroom (81:365)

I've been avoiding cleaning the bathrooms for a while, feeling annoyed about how they get so dirty so quickly. I guess that's what happens when you have four people using them.

So, that's what I did today. I cleaned up those dirty bathrooms.

One of my favorite cleaning tools for the bathroom is the BathroomStone, found here. 

It works wonders on the hard water rings in your toilet.

Not that it's fun to use, but it cleans those rings super fast.

Do you have any cleaning tips to share?

I can use all the help I can get...

Fabric Covered Buttons (80:365)

I'm really into fabric covered buttons right now.

They are so cute and retro and I love that you can customize them and use them for anything.

Today I made a ponytail holder with some of that vintage fabric I found at an estate sale.

I also made 2 baby hair barrettes and 2 hair pins with some quilting fabric scraps.

Scott's First Paper Doll Craft (79:365)

Scott did his first craft with Jane today.

Really, that means he did the craft 90% on his own, since her attention span is like 5 minutes long.

We got this giant paper doll kit from someone for her birthday and Scott invested his morning is creating stylin' outfits for "Jared".

He is very proud of it and I felt that it needed to be shared.

Good Job crafty daddy!