Sewing Spree

After I slipcovered Dumpling's highchair, Pumpkin declared he wanted "Cowboys!" So this afternoon I obliged by making him a placemat for the dinner table, so now they both can eat with the Lil' Cowpokes.
I also appliqued a square onto one of Dumpling's onesies. I had to include both a both and a red-headed cowboy. (Wonder what we'll get this time? Brunette, like Sweetheart?) Pumpkin doesn't have any plain shirts, or Im sure I'd have decorated some by now. Guess I'll have to keep an eye out. Maybe I can embroider Lightening McQueen onto something. (Not.)

So, here's a picture of my sewing room. Nice, huh? It's a table set next to our dinner table in between the Dining Room and Living Room. With an all-open floorplan everything is just out there.

Here's the boys playing just after I finished the projects for the day. It's the only place to put the machine where it's sort of out of the way, but that I can be by them playing while I sew. It's hardly a perfect set up, but I am getting sooo past my perfectionism. This works.

Hope you are having a lovely day yourself. I'm off to go make dinner. We just went to the grocery store this morning so I have lots of choices. Sweetheart just called to say he'll be late, though, so I'm not so sure what to cook. I may just have us eat now. Somehow, being pregnant and eating late just don't work together for me. At all.

(Wow! Two posts in one day--that hasn't happened in a long time!)

Mornings

Sweetheart and Pumpkin have a morning tradition.

Sweetheart shares his breakfast with Pumpkin. He eats waffles every day. EVERY day. And not even good waffles. He eats two buttermilk Eggos. I can make whole-grain homemade waffles, he eats those Eggos. Ugh. Pumpkin loves when he gets a few bites as I often make him eat more than just waffles, plus Daddy always puts on a lot more syrup than Mommy. (I know, I'm just no fun.)

It's important to drink your milk in unison, too. Guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree...

Poor Dumpling, all he's gets is barley cereal and smashed up fruit, but someday he'll probably be sitting on that other knee mooching as well.

After waffles Daddy reads the Bible to Pumpkin. That's an important part of the tradition. Pumpkin always asks as soon as there are just a few bites left.

Note to Joanne: I did sew up a cover for the high chair. You can see it in the background of one of the pictures, so I thought I'd get a closeup. I like it a lot better!

Inspired by Victoria

I so enjoyed this month's issue of "Victoria" Magazine that it inspired me to change the top of the credenza in the dining room. Some of these pieces had been out before the holidays, but I had not taken the time to really set things back up in an orderly fashion.

So, during naptime yesterday I gathered these treasures up and arranged them. The willoware platter had been on the counter for a few weeks with our fresh fruit on it. It's so much easier to remember to snack on the fruit when it is visible.

The little creamer and teacups were my Grandmother's when she was a child. They have been on display above my kitchen cupboards, but I moved them to join the others and add some contrast in size as the two tureens are large.

My favorite color is blue and I've loved the Blue Willow pattern forever, so it was a great surprise when the owners' of this tureen gave it to me after I had admired it several years ago. (Thank you, Aunt Linda, for sending it on to me!!!!) The platter was from them as well. Amazing.

This Flow Blue tureen/covered dish was something Sweetheart and I found at an auction quite some time ago.The inside design is quite lovely.

Simple Update

Since I wrote about our desire to simplify our lives in January, we've made a lot of changes.

Life has gotten simpler, more frugal, and more thoughtful. We love it.

While we've slowed down on purging stuff, we've drastically cut back on what we're bringing into our home.

I've been reading all around Blogland of so many others of you who are doing the same things. It's becoming quite a phenomenon. I think each family is in their own place and it is not my place to say what anyone else "should" be doing. I'm just sharing because so many others have been writing things that are encouraging and inspiring to me.

It almost seems as though I am surrounded by others who feel the same call on their lives to slow down and simplify. For some, it's about eliminating activities that are draining away time with family and time with God. For others, it is a need to become more frugal. There are job changes, new babies, cars dying, and grocery bills rising. For some, it's about becoming more "green". Some of us are realizing how our things are getting in the way of our lives.

The constant siren song to buy, buy, buy, is losing its appeal. Realizing that our endless consumption is taking a toll on our lives is a wake up call. Whether its our shopping, eating, constant busyness, or whatever we use to fill the void, our lives are out of balance and unhealthy. We're drifting away from God, from one another.

We're numb to our need for Him and each other as we constantly self-medicate, often by buying more. We don't live with just basic survival in mind anymore. That's good. I don't want our lives and livelihoods demolished in a dry season, or a storm.

While life back in that little house on the prairie may seem ideal at times, we must remember how hard it all was. And yet, and yet... We've lost a sense of our need to rely fully on Him. We don't pray for rain, we turn on the sprinkler. We don't have to hunt for our food, we just drive to the store. While we're there, we can buy just about anything we want, and even more than we can afford.

We are offered instant gratification everywhere we turn, but still we are unsatisfied. We may buy whatever we want today and deal with paying for it somewhere down the road. And pay we will. Not just the interest on the credit cards, but with the drain on our lives. Everything has a cost, even if the true cost isn't revealed all at once.

To me, it's not about getting a great deal as it is just buying what we need. Just because something is inexpensive, doesn't mean I need to buy it. Thrift store shopping for something we are looking at buying is fine, but just random wandering through the store-thrift or otherwise-is unwise. It maybe "just a few dollars", but it all adds up.

As I wrote before, I want to be know by what I am for, not what I am against. I am for Christ. For growing closer to Him. By being transformed by His love. For sharing that love with those around me. I don't want to be known for being that weird Mom who grinds her wheat and bakes all her bread and doesn't watch television. I want to be known for a life of love, for feeding others' souls. And, if I can pass on a few loaves of homemade bread along the way, so be it! ;)

Along the way these last few months we've discovered that our new lifestyle is healthier, cheaper, even "greener", and a lot more fun. I like milling our flour, when I put the bowl in all the way. I like only doing the main grocery shopping twice a month. I like making my own cleaning things. I *gasp* am enjoying sewing. I like reading and stitching in the evenings after the boys go to sleep by the glow of the oil lamps. I like getting the garden ready and learning how to preserve what we'll grow. I like all the money we've saved.

I like being at home and inviting people over more. I like that a lot. It's been wonderful to relax and open our door to those God has put in our path. Since I'm not so busy running around, I've had a lot more friends over during the days. (Thanks Joanne for trekking out here yesterday!)

I so wish we could live out in the country and have more land. I'd love to raise chickens and a few goats and cows. I'd like to be able to have a clothesline, for that matter. But we live in a regular American house in a regular suburban neighborhood. Our dream of a little place in the country will have to wait as our whole neighborhood is in foreclosure and nothing is selling.

We must therefore, do what we can, where we are. So, the garden will expand, the fruit trees will be planted, the flowers grown. Little boys will have space to play and explore here in our backyard. And we'll continue to dream. And save. And see about smuggling in a few chickens, or at least a renegade clothesline!

I'll post more about some of the specific things and links over the next week as time allows. It has all been floating around my mind, but it's hard to get down as little boys must come first. Blogging is a wonderful outlet and I wish I would do more, but in this season I find my need to rest when the boys are is stronger that the pull of the computer.

It is time to go now as Dumpling has just awakened and Pumpkin is due to come out of Time Out. While darn cute, that red-headed boy isn't perfect. Which is good, since his Mama sure falls short!

New Friend & One Stylish Boy

It's always good to post your picture on your website. You never know when you might meet someone whose blog you read! Last Friday night Sweetheart and I went to see a play at one of the schools I used to teach at. My former fifth graders are now juniors and seniors and were performing "Beauty and the Beast". (Yes, I'm old.)

As we were walking along the lobby waiting for the show I spied Janna. She is a friend of Joanne's who decided we should meet. We've emailed a few times and commented on one another's blogs, but hadn't gotten together yet. Sure hope we can soon!

Unfortunately, we just were able to introduce ourselves before she and her darling little princess had to go inside. We waited for awhile to see if we'd be able to get tickets as they we're sold out. At the end of it all, we ended up wandering around the nearby antique mall instead. We still had fun, even if we didn't see the play.

****

Picture one red-headed boy with red and white socks, black, silver and white shorts, and a striped shirt with light blue, dark blue, orange and white stripes. Top it all off with Daddy's black and red baseball cap. That's my boy! You'll have to just picture it in your mind...Can I put a sign on him that says, "I dressed myself."????? Probably don't need to, every mom could figure it out.

Lemon Honey Pecan Tart Recipe

Due to popular demand (my sister requested it) here is the recipe. You'll notice that in my picture you can see the pecans on the top of the tart under the powdered sugar. You, too, can have this effect, if you are talking on the phone while baking and forget to put the pecans in the tart when the recipe says, and only remember them when the tart is about halfway done baking. Then you just pour the pecans on the filling and try to press them into the half-cooked filling. Whichever way you chose, this is delicious!

This recipe is from Bon Appetit Magazine March 1991. I had one of the few subscriptions to Bon Appetit at my college, I'm sure. Even fewer of us had it in high school, and I was probably their only subscriber that was in junior high when my Dad started ordering it for me. Anyway, go preheat your oven!

Oh, side note: this was originally Lemon, Honey Wand Walnut Tart, but Sweetheart is allergic to walnuts so I use pecans. Either work.

Lemon, Honey and Pecan/Walnut Tart Crust

1 stick butter, room temperature (Hey! It's just like Pioneer Woman Cooks!)

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cloves (The recipe says 1/8, but more is better!)

1 1/3 cups flour

Filling

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup honey (Carey--You can try the Agave Nectar! I haven't, but you are welcome to it.)

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 eggs

1 1/2 Tbl grated lemon peel

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp (or more) ground cloves

pinch of salt

1 cup chopped walnuts/pecans

powdered sugar

strawberries

For Crust:

Mix the first 6 ingredients with an electric mixer until well blended. Add flour and mix just until combined. Gather dough into ball; flatten to disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least one hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Let dough soften slightly before continuing.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom. (NOTE: a springform/cheesecake pan should work, a pie pan might work.) Roll dough out between sheets of waxed paper. Remove top sheet of paper. Transfer dough to prepared pan discarding the second sheet of paper. Trim and finish the edges. Refrigerate 15 minutes.

Line dough with foil. (Recipe says to fill with dried beans or pie weights, but I never have.) Bake 15 minutes. Remove beans and foil and continue baking until crust is golden brown, about 15 more minutes. (Can be prepared a day ahead. Let stand at room temperature. The recipe says to let the shell cool completely before the next step, but I don't know why, so I don't bother.)

For Filling:

Preheat oven, if needed, to 350 degrees. Mix first 8 ingredients in bowl until smooth. Spread nuts in crust. Gently pour lemon mixture over. Bake until filling is just set in center, about 35 minutes.

Cool tart on rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Arrange strawberry halves with points to the center, around outer edges of the tart and serve. (I skipped the strawberries this time, but they are wonderful on it.)

Enjoy!

What I've Been Up To

Lemon Honey Pecan Tart
I love this dessert. The first time I made it was for my very first Tea Party. I was in college, but out for the summer. My friends Joy, Kristin, Kari and Lisa all came over to my Dad's house for tea. I served us in the backyard under the giant pecan tree. We drank iced tea. It was Phoenix and summer. After our tea time and croquet, we jumped in the pool and swam for awhile. Doesn't everyone swim at their teas?
This tart is incredible. The lemon peel and hint of cloves make it spectacular. I'll add the recipe. Eventually.

Pumpkin

He's growing up. He's now eating at the table in his Big Boy Chair. He loves it.

Here's Pumpkin pretending to sleep on his new pillowcase.

I put two rockets on it and embroidered his name on it as well. He loves it!

That's Bunnie, by the way. It is his best friend. Next to Dumpling, of course. However, watch out if Dumpling takes Bunnie. Tears ensue. From both Pumpkin and Dumpling.

Here's the book I got for Christmas for the embroidering. It's good. It has some basic stiches and tips. Most of the book is simple iron on patterns that you can use and reuse. That's nice. I've used the rocket one three times now and could probably use it a few more times.

Anna has some examples of her work from this same book. (It took me a lot longer than her fifteen minutes!) I'm working on the teacup runner right now. It's just a linen sqare from the thrift store, but I've put some teapots and cups around it. I'll freehand some flowers as other things as well. It'll be awhile until it's done probably.

Kitchen Tools

I love kitchen tools, don't you? I've given away all the ones I don't use, or don't seem to work well for me. The ones I've kept must earn their keep.

My Mill

This is my new mill. Sweetheart and I got this a few months ago with some Christmas gift cards we received. It's gotten a lot of use already.

Oddly enough, I mill everything on top of the washer. The mill is really loud and the only times I seem to be able to use it, someone is sleeping. So, I put it on the washer and shut the down to the Laundry/Powder Room.That would explain these photos. I was milling more flour after the boys went to sleep. I turned it on, and left the room because it is so loud.

This is what I returned to. Oops! I thought it wouldn't run if I didn't have the bowl pushed in all the way. I was wrong. It does run. It just spews finely milled flour all over. And I mean all over. Sweetheart took the pictures then grabbed the shop vac to clean it all up. I had to wipe down every surface several times after the dust all settled.
But I love the mill. Really! It's so nice. I've just got to be more careful next time.

Here's what you can make with the freshly-milled flour and my French Bread Recipe. Just roll out one loaf worth of dough into a rectangle. Smear some butter on the dough, then sprinkle a little brown sugar and a lot of cinnamon onto the butter. Roll the dough as tightly as you can. The tighter you roll, the more it swirls.

Pumpkin says, "Mmm. Good stuff."

The Green Thing

Everyone got one of these for their anniversary, didn't they? What is it, you say? It's a Becky Porter, of course.

Yeah, that's what I thought when it appeared on the counter a few anniversaries ago. Here's a hint:

This baby cuts potatoes into the perfect fries amazingly fast. I think it took me longer to take the pictures than it did to get these ready. This is a fun gadget. I'd use it more (Pumpkin wishes I would!) but french fries aren't the heathiest thing going. I fried this batch because I was in a hurry, but they work well for oven fries as well.

Pumpkin doesn't care, so long as there's ketchup!

*****************

Last week he and I were having a little reminder chat about what would happen if he hit me. He's two. He's good at being two. He was unhappy with me about something and started to swing. I stepped back and said, "Remember what happens if you hit Mommy."

Pumpkin, "No Bunnie."

Mommy, "That's right."

He starts running through the list of things on his bed that disappear when he has to be in there for time-out.

Pumpkin, "No bear. No water. No pillow. No blankets. No more blankets."

Mommy, "Yes."

Pumpkin, "No...ketchup."

*pause*

Mommy--Cracks up laughing. "That's right, no ketchup." Laughs some more.

Pumpkin laughs.

That certainly diffused the situation.

In case you were wondering: we don't keep ketchup in his bed even when he's not in time-out.

Well, that's pretty much what I've been up to! I won't bore you with the endless dishes, laundry and cleaning I've been doing, since I figure you have your own to go do.

Did I mention the diapers? There's a lot of diapers around here...I'm just hoping to get Pumpkin potty trained before #3 arrives. Three in diapers might just push this Mommy over the edge.

And just so that Dumpling doesn't feel left out, here he is. One of the top teeth popped in this week. Ouch. It hurts both of us when he gets teeth.

Dumpling

New Things

Welcome to the world of Cheerios!

A Finished Project!!

I was given a fun book on beginning embroidery for Christmas.

I finally got everything together and started this the other night and finished it last night.

It's not perfect, but it was fun and I think it turned out cute for a first timer.

Besides, Dumpling won't care!

I doubt he'll get to wear it today as it is s*n*o*w*i*n*g!

Lemon Bars

This recipe comes from the beautiful At Table With Family and Friends cookbook from the (old) publishers of "Victoria" magazine. The pictures are inspiring, even if you don't cook! I've been known to just leave the book open to a particularly lovely picture on my cookbook holder, even if I'm not currently making that item.

Lemon Bars are just so springy to me! The evening Mops group that partners with our morning group is having their Tea and Treasures time this week. They've asked to borrow my "tea stuff" and requested some dessert ideas. This is one of the recipes I gave them to try. These, basic scones and the toffee bars are what I recommended.

The Hospitality Coordinator said she was thinking of making some shortbread cookies. She mentioned some I made my first year in Mops. Those are a wonderful recipe of Lavender Shortbread Cookies that look delightful cut out in little heart shapes. I made those when Pumpkin was about six months old and slept twice a day. I also made all the scones for the 100 women in the group. I had a lot more time then. I suggested the bars to her simply because they are easier and faster to make, but still are wonderful for tea.

Now that I've typed this recipe in, I'm tempted to go make a pan of these! I am however, not volunteering to bake for their event. One batch would be fine, four is more than I'm willing to do right now.

I really enjoy baking things for tea parties and used to even cater them, back when I was young and had no children. It's so hard not to just say, "Sure! I'll make everything for you!". Sometimes I think it may be harder to say, "No, I am unable to do that right now," than to just volunteer, but in the end I know it is the right choice for my family. I'll try to type in a few more recipes and time and energy and little boys allow this week.

Lemon Bars

3 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cups powdered sugar, plus more for sprinkling

2 1/2 sticks cold butter, cut into small pieces

5 eggs

2 1/2 granulated sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

3/4 tsp baking soda

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine 2 1/2 cups of the flour, the powdered sugar, and the butter. Beat at low speed for about 1 minute, then at medium speed until the mixture turns into crumbs. Press the crumbs into an unbuttered 15"x10" jelly roll pan.

2. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is firm, but not brown.

3. While the crust is baking, using clean beaters and bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Mix the remaining 1/2 cup of flour and the baking soda together and add that to the egg mixture. Beat just until blended. Pour the filling over the hot crust. The pan will be very full.

4. Bake for 25 minutes, until the filling is set and lightly browned. The edges will begin to pull away from the sides of the pan Cool the pan on a wire rack.

5. Sprinkle the surface with the confectioners' sugar. Cut into 6 squares, then cut each square in quarters to make four triangles, making a total of 24 triangles. (Or just cut into 24 squares, if you prefer!)

******* I received an email recently from a gal who followed this recipe. She said she used the same size pan and it was too full and overflowed while baking. Be careful! Any ideas?

What?

"I'm going to be a Big Brother?"

"Wow!!"

"Don't worry, I'll help you!

I've got this Big Brother thing down."

Care Request Form

I was visiting over at Sandy's and read about her ideas for sharing meals with people in need. I commented about how I've coordinated meals in the past and thought I'd share one of the forms I made to help with the process. Heidi had left a comment asking for more information on what I wrote, so here it is. (Sorry, Heidi, there was no way for me to contact you from your comment, Hope this helps!)

This is the form I fill out with all the necessary information. After it is filled out, I copy as many copies as I'll need meals for someone. This is based on a form Emilie Barnes had in her book Things Happen When Women Care, a great resource, that I adapted for my own needs. With where I'm at in life this is usually used for meals after a new baby is born, but there are other blanks for other situations.

When someone signs up to do a meal for someone I can hand them this form just filling in the date and highlighting it (by the +) that they've signed up for. They can then contact the person in need directly to coordinate drop off times, as well as have a written reminder of what they've agreed to do. I also have a blank calendar page marked with the dates food is needed. This can be easily passed around a group to allow people to sign up for the times that work for them. I have the person write her name, phone, and email, in the calendar box. When the calendar is filled out, I make a copy for the person in need and keep a copy for myself. (I'll also make a copy for the helper if they want one, but since the date in on the form they get, most people don't bother.)

Giving the calendar to the person in need helps them to see what they can expect and when. It also allow them to have the direct contact information for the helper if needed so that they don't have to try and track me down, or look up someone's number if their needs change. Keeping a copy of the calendar also makes it easy for me to do reminder calls or emails a few days in advance.

I've used this system and while it may seem complicated at first, it saves a whole lot of time in the end for everyone. I only wished someone had done this for me after Dumpling was born. I know that Sandy says she doesn't do reminder calls and the friend that coordinated meals for me doesn't either. The reality is, half of the meals never arrived. Half. That left Sweetheart and I scrambling at the last minute to do something, a problem we could have avoided if we had known in advance that someone wasn't going to show up. I had a bunch of meals in the freezer, but didn't defrost them on the nights people were supposed to bring things over. It was so bad Sweetheart even asked me to just cancel the rest of the meals. I didn't, but probably should have.

Anyway, here is a copy of the main list I use. I didn't post a blank calendar page because, well, you can just Google that easier than I can figure out how to do that in Blogger! Maybe this next time will work out better for us, though I don't think too many people will want to bring meals over in December. :) (Did you catch that?)

Hope you may find this useful yourself! There are a lot of ministries that aren't too practical for me to be involved in right now, but I can always cook! Please leave your comments, as well as any suggestions you may have.

Care Request Information Form

Person(s) in Need: _______________________________

Address____________________________________________________________________

Phone Number(s): ______________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________

Coordinator/Contact Person: ___________________ Phone: ___________________

Contact __________________ directly to arrange drop-off times and directions, if needed.

Situation:

____ Birth _____ Surgery/Illness ___ Accident/Injury

Hospital:________________________________________________________________

___ Death Family/Friend of _______________________________________________

Funeral Home: __________________________________________________________

___ Crisis Info, if Needed:

_________________________________________________

Care Need:
__ Visitation ___ Phone Call ___ Prayer ___ Meals ___ Other: ___________________

+Date Needed: _______________ Meal Quantity: _____ adult ___ children

Meal Information (Check as Applicable)
___ No Salt ___ Low Salt ___ Low Fat ___Low Cholesterol ___ Low Meat ___ No Meat ___Chicken/Fish Only ___ No Sugar ___ Other:

________ Allergies ***Read ALL Labels of Ingredients!!!



Other Notes:

Thank you for your willingness to serve!