January is SNOWY

We got about 8 inches of snow last night and this morning. The kids have been going outside every chance they can get. Michael took them outside tonight, before dinner, but after dark. They thought that was really pretty cool.

They were sliding down the hills, the snowbanks, everything, using sleds, their stomachs and a summer floaty tube the neighbor loaned them. Unlike years past, this year, it's actually tiring them out, instead of wiring them!

something new...something blue

I usually blog about the crazy antics of my children or what I've created in my etsy shops. Today, I'm doing something different. I'm going to share one of my favorite recipes. Healthy eating isn't a real big thing in our house, if it happens, it happens. We tend to lean toward taste....and this is something that incorporates both. (and don't let the Bran in the recipe title scare you. You can always use softened cream cheese as a spread if it makes you feel less healthy)

Blueberry Applesauce Bran Muffins--(and they don't taste like sawdust)
1 1/4 c all purpose flour
1 c Quaker brand Unprocessed Bran (recipe is off the back of the box)
1/2 c sugar
1 T baking powder
3/4 t cinnamon
1/2 t salt
3/4 c unsweetened applesauce
1/4 skim milk (I use whatever milk I have in the house)
1/4 c vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
1 c fresh or frozen (do not thaw) blueberries OR 1/2 c raisins

Heat oven to 400 degrees, line 12 c muffin pan with papers or grease bottoms only.
Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Mix applesauce, milk, oil and egg in a medium bowl, add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just until blended (do not over mix) add fruit, if desired. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 18-20 mins, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with few moist crumbs clinging to it. Cool in pan on rack 5 mins, then remove from pan, serve warm.

To freeze, wrap tightly in foil or place in freezer bag, freeze up to 6 months.

No Fainting...but...

I blogged! After a few months off..due to camera problems, hectic life, but most of all, computer problems, I am back to share my lovely pearls of wisdom with you all once again.

In the "off season" we had my daughter's birthday. She got a pair of very fancy jeans with a purple sparkly belt...opened them and said, Mummy, look, a really cool belt with jeans attached (she turned 6).

At the Christmas pageant rehearsal, my son, the shepard, turned his hat around so the back was covering his face and shouted, "Good Lord, I can't see a thing".

Christmas was great, Santa brought Sarah a scooter, which she really wanted, however, she realized the kitchen is a lot smaller on a moving scooter than on her own two feet. And the cabinets are sturdy.

Griffin got the 3 trains he really wanted, Spencer, Bertie the Bus, and Henrietta who is Toby's coach. He also got a freight yard with a tractor trailer so Daddy can play trains, also.

Our New Years wasn't so great. We had the barf bug that week. I think I'm finally caught up on laundry. I did tons of laundry after Christmas (I mentioned Griffin needed new underpants, casually, at Thanksgiving. He got over 40 pairs for Christmas. We did Christmas with my family on the 28th, my mom said she couldn't find any underwear in his size for his stocking. I told her my husband's entire family bought it all out) and then, to top it all off, after yet another load of sheets, blankets and towels, the cat barfed in the laundry basket of clean laundry. What fun.

So, now my computer is working, it's snowing, I've blogged and I think we're all going to go read a Magic Tree House book and snuggle on the couch.

Toasty Tootsies..Adult Style

I did the fleece slippers for my boys (and girls) shop, GriffinGear and decided I needed some for the larger footed adults in the world, so, new from my shop Pandys, adult fleece slippers. You pick the size and color and I do the rest.

My husband told me my old slippers gave him the creeps. They were the suede ones with the fake sheepskin lining. Very warm, but he said that's what his mom wore. I had another pair that were more of a slide slipper. I hated the fwap, fwap, fwap noise they made. And, for those of you that know me....I am not the most organized and tend to take things off here and there and never remember where I left my shoes, keys, wallet, phone, etc. So, I can run downstairs, slip on rainboots or winter boots, do what I have to do, then take my boots off and I still have my slippers on my feet. Can't do that with other types of slippers.

Fleece Slippers

I have listed a new item today..for babies, kids and adults....Fleece Slippers. You pick the size and color...and I make the slippers. How cool is that? They are easy to slip on and off...I have a pair and I slip on my winter boots, rain boots..whatever..with them on, then when I come back in the house, I already have my slippers on. Yes, I am all about convenience (or, you could say I'm lazy, depends on your perspective!)

Not only are they fun to make, I LOVE working with people to create something special, something just for them.

Fall is Gorgeous

Today was a perfect fall day....sunny day, crisp breeze.....we walked to both schools this morning, I raked leaves for a while, walked to get both kids after school...they love fall, too. They dragged their feet through the piles of leaves on the side of the road, enjoyed the breeze...they are so fun to watch.

After the past few weeks of sewing like a mad fool for the craft fair, this week I'm doing whatever my kids want...within reason. Yesterday we played Clifford Bingo, Clue, Jr., Ear Tug, Cootie, Ants in the Pants and Go Fish. We read lots of stories, built great towers out of cardboard blocks to house both Barbie and trains, and just had fun. We also went to the Veteran's Day Parade to pay our respects to those Veteran's who fought for our country's values.

I've also decided that after the kids go to bed, I'll sew for a bit, but I also need to take some time for myself. Read a book, watch TV or knit. Last winter I taught myself how to knit, but stopped over the summer. Now that fall's back, it's dark sooner, the needles are calling my name. So, later tonight, after the dishes have been done, the living room vaccuumed and the kitchen straightened up, I'll be having a cup of tea, watching Bones and working on a scarf for my daughter. It's got dropped stitches and a few mistakes. It's also got so much love in it, the mistakes just don't matter.

My Craft Fair Booth

This year, I set up alone. This year, I had different items than I usually have. This year, I used the entire 3 hours getting set up. The walls went up in 15 minutes. Then came the rest of it. I moved things, I put up a table, took down a table, put the table in, took it back out. Thought I was doing the Hokey Pokey. I even turned around a few times out of frustration.

My trash picked rack worked well for the clothing. I realized the supports we use for the walls make great display racks, and that clothespins are excellent clips. They even held things on the wooden crates.