Behind w/ the V Day Crafts

I think this year it will be minimal with the Valentines Day decor. I am accepting this. I did, however, carve out a few moments to make a card.Have you seen Monsters Inc? Don't you think she looks like Boo?

Sleep Deprived but still Creating.

My little Sunny Sunshine is finally sleeping in her crib, but wakes up at least 4 times a night for some milk. Yes, yes I know...I am indulging her, but OMG have you seen her? She is the cutest thing and such a little snuggle bug, it is hard to deny her. We will be on Operation Sleep-thru-the-night this weekend, but until then, ignore the bags under my eyes and stupidity.

I managed to clean my craft room recently. It took 3 days and it is the size of a really teeny bedroom. At Christmas time I had just shoved stuff in every nook and cranny that I could find, just to get it out of the way, and it had caught up with me. So I decided that I couldn't make anything else until it was clean. Here was Stage 1 of clearing it all out.Ok so now that it is clean, I have started to make a quilt (for someone special that I can't mention or I will ruin the surprise...).

And lastly, flowers inside the house make the biggest difference, don't you think? Every time I see these, it makes me smile!

What have I been up to?

Updating and adding to this...Wrapping this...Making this (part of what was inside the package): crayon roll from The Creative Family by Amanda Soule.Helping Tate do this... using Japanese Masking tape to decorate.Eating this....Cuddling this...

happy new year 2011

House is somewhat clean, babe is sleeping.... ahhhh. Even the little guy is outside playing. Ok, more like performing what he calls "High School Musical 11" on the steps in the garden, but still in his little imaginative world. I love it.

Yesterday I was so tired it hurt. But I went into my craft room to make a gift for a friend (needed it by Monday!) and it was so therapeutic. My husband asks why I don't hit the pillow the moment my babe falls asleep, and I say to him, I need a little alone time to create for my own soul. I mean, if you worked any other job around the clock, and slept in the hours that you didn't work, how fun would that be? I need to create to keep going when I am up rocking in the chair from 1a-3a.

Not Yet the New Year

I get this from my mom.

The moment Christmas is over, I want to clean away all the green and red and make the house look sparking. I want all excess clutter gone and this is the one time of the year that I like the minimalist style.

Kind of impossible with 2 semi-ill children and the husband home for 2 weeks.

I even put my Christmas Martha Stewart (that I JUST received) away until next year, because I don't want to even read about Christmas decor. CLEAN. BRIGHT. SIMPLE.

Does anyone else feel like that?

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Yesterday, we had an Open House, Chin-style. (For those of you who don't know, Chin is my maiden name.) Lots of snacks, pop in when you can, stay for a few minutes or for hours....

My parents do this every year, and I have to carry on the tradition.

And the kids have all been cooped up for days due to the cold weather. They made their own fun. This morning.And later this morning.

No fancy Christmas dinner here. We are having leftovers from yesterday, pizza, whatever we can find in the frig and are relaxing ALL DAY.

Best new Crock Pot Party Recipe:

Chicken Skewers for Kids

1. Take chicken breasts, cut into small strips.

2. Marinate in olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. Make sure to soak bamboo skewers for several hours. Skewer chicken.

4. Broil until done. (this takes minutes)

5. Put chicken broth in crock pot. (Homemade or non bullion is best)

6. Put broiled skewers in crock pot.

Chicken stays moist and warm for entire party!!

To serve on the side to make more exciting to parents:

Spicy Peanut Dip

2/3 C peanut butter

2/3 C salsa (don't use mild)

1/4 C lemon juice

salt to taste

Worcestershire sauce to taste --few splashes

Tabasco/Hot sauce to taste

Mix and heat.

Cuz Baby It's Cold Outside

I let him make his own drum set. We used to do this when he was home all day as a toddler, and it is just as much fun when you are 5.
Wrapping, Crafting, School Concerting.... more to come when I get a moment.

Oreo Cake

The William Sonoma Oreo Cake.

Kraft's Oreo Cake

Kevin Sharkey's Oreo Cake
Yum.

Getting into the Spirit

Surprise New Bedding (for Tate)! A few Saturday nights ago, I locked myself in my craft room to make Christmas cards. I heard a little knock on the door, and well...I let a certain boy stay up past bedtime and we made this together instead. (foam wreath+wide ribbon+stars and glue dots+felt reindeer with adhesive on back)Feet are fun.
Got this idea from my friend, Ursula. I think she calls it Muffin Tin Mondays. This was a Thursday, and I wanted something easy for dinner. Just take muffin tins and fill with a (semi) balanced meal using the leftovers in your frig.
Cold weather calls for baking bread. While watching "From Paris With Love". Jonathan Rhys Meyers is so much better as King Henry than he is his character in this movie. J. Travolta--awesome. Cracked my butt up.

Moving Again--Minneapolis

Tate and our Christmas Tree. Yes, it is of the Charlie Brown Variety.

We just found out that we will be relocating to Minneapolis in July. I am soooo sad to have to leave Bath, UK but I am very happy for my husband who unexpectedly got his dream job.

Anyone know anything about the city? Any school recommendations? Any neighborhood recommendations?

I am stressing about this big change. I know it is a great city, but I want to find the right place for us. For the first time, I think I want to live in the 'burbs. I want other kids and moms to play with in my neighborhood and a school as lovely as Batheaston. The only thing that helps as I obsess over this is playing Mall World. On facebook. Because it is a stress reducer!!

Holiday Season Part 1

I just read this:
Very entertaining, AND it got me in the mood to prepare for Christmas. I highly recommend finding fun Christmas books at boot/garage sales and used book stores and putting them away to pull out in November. It gets you in the mindset before everything starts in December!

A few other tips:

1. Many websites have fun Christmas puzzles that you can print out. I plan on printing out 25, one for each morning to have on hand for Tate while I drink that precious first cup of coffee.

2. Make a few desserty things and freeze them. (Chocolate chip cookie dough, apple bars, etc.) That way, when people pop over unexpectedly, you have a treat for them.

3. Preshop. Before the craziness, Soleil and I went into town just to look around. It gave me an idea of what I need to get and will save time later. In fact, I might just order the things I found online and save me the trip later.

4. Stay at home. If you have 10 events scheduled during the holidays, do 7 of them. You will be glad when you aren't all frazzled at the end.

5. Light a candle. The delightful scents can only help you relax during this busy time.

Felt in the Autumn

I kept my favorite Halloween pillow out until Thanksgiving.This hat used to be a sweater that Paul shrank. I added the bird with some felt and the pattern is from Amanda Soule's Handmade Home.We are listening to this. It started out slow, but Tate is really starting to enjoy the story when he gets home from school. (He is usually exhausted and loves to draw while listening.)I am no longer letting Paul dress the baby...

Returning from overseas

I will be back to properly post soon!

We just returned from the States and we are still jetlagged.

I am really looking forward to crafty endeavors in the next few weeks. Bring on the holiday season (if it means snuggling in at home...)

What fun things do you have planned between now and the New Year???

WIshful To Do List

I checked my blog posts...I didn't start this blog until Tate was almost 1. I have to remind myself of that when I am frustrated that I don't have time for ANYTHING. I guess it is ok that I just hold my babe. (She is happily playing for her 5 minute window...)

• change blog design--looks too washed out
• bake something apple-y
• make hats and mittens from felted sweaters
• make a christmas gift list
• pack for upcoming US trip
• clean (last on list for a reason.)

And.... my 5 minutes is up. Have a great day!

UPDATE: Made these amazing apple bars. You can freeze them and pull them out when you need them!

Made a hat from Soulemama's book using a sweater Paul shrank (is that a word??). Totally cute. I hand sewed a little felt bird to the front. Photo to come..

Chicken Pie!

The weather is cooler, and I am craving warm and cozy foods. I made a chicken pie and froze it for later in the week. Here is how you make it. I apologize, I can't remember the exact amounts.

1. Chop chicken breasts into small pieces and salt and pepper the pieces.

2. Chop veggies into small pieces.

3. Melt a knob of butter, add onions and saute until clear. Add rest of veg, and cook for a few minutes. Then add chicken, and a little thyme and salt and pepper.

4. Once chicken is browned, add some flour and cook for a minute.

5. Add 2/3 C of milk and chicken broth (about 1.5 cups) and boil until thickened. Make sure chicken is cooked all the way through.

6. Add to premade pie crust. Poke a few holes in the top to vent. Cook at 400 degrees F until browned.

7. Eat and Enjoy!

** We had a good portion of extra filling after making the pie and added it to some cooked macaroni. It was really good as well.

Fun Halloween Stuff

Click on the banner/button and it will take you to her site:

My Favorite time of the Year!

I love Halloween. It is my favorite holiday, and the only person I can think of who loves it more is Martha Stewart.

Two Peas in a Bucket

Martha Stewart

Oriental Trading Company

Mommy Holly

Good Housekeeping

Fancy Flours

Pottery Barn Kids