Doily Table Runner

I’m back again.  And so soon!  (Not really, but sooner than I expected.)

With another non-food creation.  All thanks to Pinterest for the great idea (however, I only saw it, and didn’t pin it, so I have no sweet clue where it originally came from).  By the way – follow me on Pinterest!  It’s such a great place for ideas, a good place to waste spend time surfing cool things, and it’s just cool.  So there.  Do it.

 

Doily Runner

So, this is really quite ridiculous.  Easy peasy.  Just find some doilies.  Wait – do what I did.  Go to your mom (or grandmother), and ask them if they have any extra kicking around.  I discovered quickly that my mother might just have a fetish…  or maybe it’s my grandmother (I think that’s where they all came from).     Either way, find some doilies. Having a bunch of different ones looks pretty cool.  Then, find some thread and a needle.  Sew them together using small stitches (so they are unnoticeable).  Annnddd…  TAADAA!  C’est tout!  I think it looks really sweet too.  Adds a nice, feminine touch to my living room.

Hope you guys like the how to’s, instead of just food all the time.  What can I say?  I’m feeling crafty.  Not sure why.  Just am.   If you are hungry though check out this great recipe for Raspberry Scones.  Get a coffee, and eat one o’these yummy devils.  It’ll do you good on this snowy, not-so-springy weekend.  Enjoy!

 

{I just can’t leave you all without a pic of at least one of the boys.  Cael in Daddy’s hat and a friends shoes.  Great smile.}

Knit Headbands

I’m baaaaccckkkk.  And not pregnant anymore!

I’d like to have some sort of good, quirky, true excuse for not having posted since October.  But the truth is…  I just didn’t.  I wanted to, truly.  It just didn’t happen.  Perhaps it had something to do with being preggers, Christmas, a newborn.  Let’s say it did.  (But honestly, I had lots of time I could have spent doing this instead of the myriads of other things I did.)  I miss this.

So we’re going to try to get back into it.  I have to rely on hubby to remind me to do this.  He’s a pretty good nagger motivator.  Really though, he’s great at getting me into these things.

First off, let’s get an update.  A lot can happen in 5 months.  (Wow, has it really been that long?!)  And a lot DID happen.  Lots of cooking and baking happened.  Quite a bit of knitting, wrapping, eating, decorating…  doing wayy too much…  happened as well.  Oh, and I had a baby.  That was probably the biggest thing that happened.

{Say hey to my newest, cutest little guy}

January 16, Jude came into the world at a whopping 9lbs 2oz.  I have no idea how he was so big.  It’s probably a good thing I didn’t know how big he was going to be before I went into labour…  He was so worth it though.  Such a good, happy, handsome little man.  I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of him.  (Hope you don’t mind!)

{Cael likes his new brother…most of the time.  Typical siblings…}

I thought we’d start off the new year (a few months late) with something different.  Over Christmas, I got a pattern for some knit headbands, that I looooved.  Anyhow, I made three.  One for my friend’s birthday, one for my mom’s birthday, and one for me!  You see, I was out to make 2, but after my mom’s was done, and I had tried it on…  Well, let’s just say she didn’t get that one.  Never try on something you’re supposed to be giving away, if you like it at all, it might just have to stay with you.

{Mom ended up with this one.  I’ll have to get a picture of her wearing it – she looks super cute!  Most stylish Mom ever}

I got the pattern from a friend, it’s super easy, and mega versatile.  You can really make it with any kind of yard, any size needles, and any thickness.  But I’ll give you the standard to start with.  When it comes to making the flower, just go by the instructions.  It doesn’t sound right, but once you start to cast off, you’ll be amazed at what happens.  It’s really quite neat.

{This one was supposed to be for my mom.  She loves pink.  I abhor pink.  I tried it on.  I loved it.  Make sense?}

Knit Headband

Size 8 needles, thick fluffy yarn, tapestry needle

Cast on number of stitches based on thickness of yarn and width of headband you are looking for. **You must make sure to end each row on purl no matter how many stitches you choose or the ribbing will not work.**  (12 for the thinner version and 16 for the thicker version)

Row 1 till end: k2, p2 until desired length is achieved (test on head, should fit snug b/c will most likely stretch a bit)

Cast off and cut yarn leaving a few inches to sew seam.

Flower

Size 8 needles, any yarn (light weight is easier to use for these)

Cast on 10 stitches

Row 1:  Knit

Row 2 (and all even rows): Purl

Row 3: knit into the front and back of each stitch (20 st)

Row 5: knit into the front and back of each stitch (40 st)

Row 7: knit into the front and back of each stitch (80 st)

Row 8: Purl

Cast off, assemble flower, sewing with loose ends.  Attach to the seam of the headband.

Again, I kind of messed around with how many stitches to use for the different widths of headbands and sizes of flowers.  Shout out if you want to know exactly what I did.  They turned out super cute!

{My friend Sarah got this darling.  I’ve also got to get a picture of her with it on, because she looks gorgeous (WITH and without it on)}

Cael update anybody?  He’s getting big!  He says almost everything we say, and is starting to put words together.

{Funny, as soon as I told him to smile, he gave me the evil stare}

He is 100% boy.  Cars, trains, animals, guns, fighting noises, fighting, you name it.  If you associate it with the male species, he loves it.  Anyhow.  I hope you guys enjoy the headbands.  Food next time, I promise.  I won’t promise that it will be soon, but hopefully it’ll be before August.  No more 5 month intervals.  Okay?  Peace.

{Mommy and baby Jude}

Part of Made by you Mondays, and Craft-O-Maniac Monday Link Party

It’s been a long, long time.

Hey everybody.

Can I just say how sorry I am that it’s been so long since I last posted?  To be honest, I’ve had recipes and photos ready, but absolutely zero motivation to share them.  Today must be different though.  I decided that I just needed to post.  It had to be done.  It’s a rainy summer day here, and I really should be doing the dishes.  But dishes are about at the bottom of my “What I LIKE To Do” list.  They also score the bottom of my priority list.  Just come over, you’ll understand when you see the piles of dirty dishes on my counter.

So, instead of doing the dishes, I’m sitting down with a cup of Vanilla Nut Creme tea, and I’m [finally] writing a post.  This one won’t include a recipe, but one shall follow SOON, and when I say SOON, I mean like today or tomorrow.  Because, I also decided to make scones before doing the dishes.  You might say they partially inspired me to finally share.  The other factor was the fact that a few people in the last week have said that they love reading about all the food I post.  One guy said, ‘I have one question for you:  Why haven’t you been posting anything?”  I told him that I found out I was pregnant, and that was pretty much it.  It’s amazing how draining creating a baby is.  They are like little energy leeches, even at only a few weeks in there.

Would anybody like an update?  I’m almost 17 weeks pregnant, my baby bump popped last week (out of nowhere), and I’m feeling great, other than being exhausted!  I’m super glad nausea is over with - I was SO tired of feeling sick allllll the time.

A lot has happened since the last post.  I’ll just give a couple highlights from the last few weeks.  Cael turned 1!  How time flies!  We went to a Rascal Flatts concert (have I mentioned that they are my all time favourite, and I actually got to see them LIVE?!).  We also went camping for a night with a bunch of other young families.  And we drove 22 hours to visit some family and friends in Ontario – Which included much driving, Canada’s Wonderland, lots of great food, a beautiful wedding, a bit of shopping, and not enough sleep.  It was really a great time.  How summer is flying by!  It’s insane.  I cannot believe that August has arrived already and has been slipping by as I’ve been trying to put my house back together from all the packing and unpacking and birthday presents that have been going on here.

{Hubby was a photographer for some of our younger friends on prom night.  We both joined them all for dinner.  I got to dress up – definitely the highlight for me… well, along with awesome food.}

I hope this suffices as an apology post.  I will make it up to you with a stellar scone recipe in a short while.  I must go, as my scones need to be removed from the oven – they smell so good!  Peace out guys.  Happy August 2nd!  :)

Crazy, this thing called life.

So,  I’m completely sorry that I’ve been MIA this week.  Thing is, life happens, whether we’re ready for it or not… and…  well – We bought a house!  So that’s my excuse.  (I think it’s a pretty good one, don’t you?)  We’ve spent the last few days at the lawyers office, then painting, painting, painting, garbaging, cleaning… and wrecking the place.  I arrived back at the house yesterday after taking an hour break to a wall being torn down…  Mess.  Everywhere.  But it’s good.  It’s going to make the place look much bigger and more spacious.  And most importantly, it’s going to INCREASE my kitchen space!  (ie – More baking space!!)

Anyhow.  I do have another post almost ready to go.  And I’ll be sharing that with you in the next few days.  Because, (did I mention I’m taking a university course?) I have 2 assignments and an exam to do in the next 3 days, AND my great little bro has a birthday this week too (so I’ve got to get baking that cake!!), and in the midst of all that, I’ve got to look after my hubby, little boy, and try to post something… BUT it WILL happen!  Okay?

Do you believe me?

While you’re waiting for that post/recipe.  I wanted to share this picture with you.  We went out for supper last week to Mateus Bistro, and we ordered scallops (and other great things) for appetizers.

{Photo courtesy of my wonderful hubby}

Don’t they look amazing?  They were realllly cool tasting.  Like, surprising, and very yummy to those taste buds.

Anyhow – I’ll be back to you soon!  Have a great Sunday afternoon!

Berry Trifle – A Brothers Kitchen Expeditions

This post is going to be a smorgasbord of many things.  Just to warn you.

The last 24 hours have been pretty great.  It started out last night with an apple crisp.  We got home from our Bible study, and I needed something to eat.  Something half sweet and half healthy.  Apple crisp was my answer.  It was pretty darn good.  And cute too.

I’ll share this recipe with you some other time.

Then today, we (as in me and Mom) made a blueberry streusel coffee cake (minus the steusel, adding cream cheese icing).

She made the cake, I made the icing and iced it.  Combined effort.  It happens a lot around here.

I thought it looked really pretty, so I just couldn’t resist the urge to photograph it.  :)

I forgot to mention that it was an absolutely beautiful day today.  The most excellent first day of spring.  23 degrees, sunshine, clear skies – wow.  I just wanted to find as many chores outside as possible, so that I could spend as much time soaking up the sunshine as I could.  And soaking in the good mood it puts me in.  I love what a good, pretty, day-in-the-sun kinda day can do.  It really lightens my spirit.  I am always so thankful for the beauty around me on sunshiny days.  So pretty…  that we went for a walk.  Or two.  The second walk took my little family downtown.  Such a pretty little town, with cute, obnoxious ducks, and friendly people.

We started with the ducks.  Cael loves to watch them.

Then we walked.  And visited the store.

It was really just a great all-around day.  I enjoyed it.  I hope tomorrow is just as great.  I pray that I would just really appreciate every day, more and more.  Each one is special.

To the recipe.

Caleb.  He’s my biggest little brother.  He has finally gotten taller than me, he’s blonde, and he’s REALLY good at making a mess. …. .  Especially in the kitchen.  He’s actually quite notorious for it.  He never follows a recipe (he tries, it just never happens), and always makes the biggest mess physically possible ever time…  And leaves the mess for someone else to clean up.  I must say though, he’s gotten better.  I’ll give him that much.

Just a disclaimer before I start…  Caleb has informed me that the next time he makes this, I am to take better pictures as this one ‘is not pretty’.  (He kind of tried to squish too much into a little bowl…)  So, I’ll give you better pictures sometime in the future.

Berry Trifle (Recipe by Caleb)

1 angel food cake (a cake mix works, but if you really want to make your own, that’s cool)

500 ml whipping cream

2 pkg cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup icing sugar

1 pkg vanilla pudding mix (optional)

Mixed berries (a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc – whatever you like, however much you like)

Prepare angel food cake.  Cut into cubes (about 1-inch cubes)

Blend cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla together.  Add icing sugar and pudding mix.  [The pudding makes it more of a mousse, but it works fine without it if you don't have it on hand or if you just don't want to use it.]  Whip the whipping cream.  Fold into cream mixture.

Stir cake cubes into the cream mixture.  Put half of mixture into a trifle dish.  Top with berries.  Add the rest of the cake/cream mixture, and top with remaining berries.

This is delicious.  I can never help but take at least two servings.  Even when my belly feels like it might just explode.  I have GOT to eat more.  Mmmmm…  If you are on a diet, sorry, but you need to try this.  Please.  It’s just so good!

He enjoys it….  :)

Do you have fun in the kitchen?  Do you make a mess? 

{I know I do!}

Finally… Christmas.

And I am ever still the worst blogger ever.  Christmas in almost a month past (as is my last post), and I have yet to write about it.  Sorry.  A million times, sorry.

It was our little boy’s first Christmas this year.  He was 5 months old.  It was really sweet.  He was spoiled to death, but it was really great.

Cael really enjoyed the icing we were using to decorate the gingerbread house.  Isn’t he especially cute in his ‘First Christ-Moose’ suit?

So!  Christmas was great.  It was really busy.  I really enjoyed having my friends come home (especially those that are FAR away).  It was really awesome to spend time with them, and catch up.  I can’t wait until that happens again.  Thing is, soon enough, they’re all going to get married and will probably stop coming to visit me so often… I’m hoping that doesn’t happen (I WANT them to get married, but they need to keep visiting…!!).  Anyways, enough with that.  Time with family was great too.  We just took our Christmas tree out on Saturday actually.  It was really nice to have it up for a while afterwards.  It was getting pretty dry though.  It left most of its needles on our living room floor on its way out the door.  So now, the house is in more order (if that’s possible in a house of 9?).  We ate so much food through the season.  Multiple turkey dinners, lots of sweets, it was great.

Me and my beautiful cousin Allie at our family Christmas Eve supper.

Our Christmas morning is always my favourite part.  We get up around 7 (I’m in charge of getting my brothers up on time, and keeping them quiet as to not wake up my husband).  Then we go downstairs and go through our stockings – which are massive.  They are at least 3 feet long.  My mother made them when I was about 10, and I just made 3 for my own little family.  They’re really great though.  My all-time favourite.  We then get dressed up, and have a good old-fashioned breakfast of homemade brown bread, fried baloney, and eggs - SO good.  After that, we read the Christmas story.  We read it out of a picture book, and then the account from Luke 2.  Read it.  We read it before we open our gifts as a reminder as to what we’re actually celebrating.  Not presents, not family; we’re celebrating the miraculous birth of our One and Only Saviour.  He is why we celebrate.  We read the story, and then we pray and thank God for the best gift of all. Only after that do we start opening presents.  This year, we had church in the morning (as Christmas was on Sunday), so only a few presents got opened before church.  Then we have multiple turkey dinners, go to grandparents, etc…  This year, we didn’t get our presents all opened until 10:30!  PM!

Our first turkey dinner of the week.  

I did so much baking in preparation for Christmas.  It was AMAZING.  I love to bake.  I.  Love.  Baking.  Except, I need people to eat all the lovely baked goods so they don’t go to waste.  At Christmastime, I have people to eat my baked goods.  It is wonderful.  I attended two cookie exchanges (actually the first two I’d ever been to…), and I loved them.  I will share a few recipes from those REALLY soon.  One of them is Cranberry White Chocolate Skor Cookie Dough Balls.  (Yum.)

In all, it was really great.  Loved it.

How was your Christmas?  What do you do special to celebrate?