Make it Work!

Happy Labor Day!  I love that each year we begin the school year, get into the groove of getting up early, being productive, and getting on a schedule.  Then 2 weeks later--a day off!  A chance to bid long summer days farewell and squeeze in a quick trip to the beach or lake.  Or in my case, a chance to clean the house sans The Reporter, clean off the SD card in the camera, and catch up on blogging ( I may or may not be writing multiple posts over the weekend to stockpile and publish when I am too busy to write during the school year. . . )

As I was downloading pictures, I realized that there were so many projects that I had not posted in the second half of the summer.  I was also amazed at how much I really did use my sewing machine this summer.  You see, I usually get the machine out, look at it for a while, get intimidated and put it back in the closet with the hope that "next time" I will get brave and make something.  This summer, I decided to make friends with my machine, once and for all.  I set-up a special "sewing-area" in the living room so I could sew, the kids could play, and the husband could roll his eyes each time he had to shimmy past the sewing table to get to the bike trainer! The combination of having the machine out all summer, the siren song of Pinterest, and the return of Project Runway (!) inspired me to tackle a little sewing and "Make it work"!

So here you have it--a little wrap up of the second half of summer-sewing. . . .

A special little gift for our newest little tailgate buddy!
I was super excited to find this ASU fabric at Hobby Lobby!
I had purchased the ribbon in Boone a while back,
so I decided to do a variety of burpies to go along with a little knitted hat, of course!

More Sleepover Pillowcases and Bandana Pants!
This set was for a little girl that LOVES all things pink and dramatic!

And this set for a more subdued sister!

A little something for The Reporter to wear to school, inspired by this tutorial.
So cute, SO easy, and SO gonna make more of these!!!

   

What do you do when your kiddos start to outgrow their clothes in length, but the waist still fits? Well, six months ago I would have sent this straight to the consignment box, but we decided to "Make it Work!"

Adding a 3 inch ruffle gave it just enough length for school-wear and made it super-fun for a
six year old that loves to twirl!

Now that summer is "over" and it is back to the daily grind, does that mean that my sewing machine will go back into hibernation?  No way!  I am trying to sneak in a little sewing time here and there and have even committed to one of my 

40 by 40 projects. . . .

Any guesses??

What's Cooking?

As I have mentioned before, I love food!  I love to cook, eat, and read about food.  So you can imagine my frustration when my oven decided to stop working a few weeks ago.  Here in the heat of the summer, I must admit, I do not use my oven often. We live in a very old house with poor insulation and a kitchen that feels like it is centered on the Equator for most of the summer.  However, when the oven went, my whole kitchen seemed to close down.  It didn't matter that I still had the stove top to use or even the microwave.  I just quit cooking.  I could sense the frustration from the hubby and honestly I missed creating in the kitchen, so I decided to do something about this.

I bought a toaster oven.  Yep.  No need to fix the oven at this point in the summer, so I opted for a smaller, cooler appliance that could serve our needs until it cools enough to worry about the oven for Fall cooking.  And you know what?  I got my kitchen groove back.  That's right.

Now we're cooking!  And just in time, too!  It is the time of year to "Clean out the Garden".  You know the feeling. . . you have cooked squash and zucchini every imaginable way--grilled, fried, sauteed, on pizza, in casserole. . . and if you see another squash any time soon, you might go crazy.  So imagine your surprise when you are cleaning in the garden and lift up those giant squash leaves to find this:

Bottom: average size zucchini
Top: GIGANTIC zucchini

I guess this guy was hiding before we went on vacation and once we returned, he was gargantuan!  Not only was he hiding, but there was obviously a game of hide and seek going on in the squash patch, as I found 2 others this big, if not larger later in the week!  Now typically, I would share this bounty with our chickens, but a few years ago I found a fantastic recipe for both zucchini cookies and zucchini brownies that The Reporter begs for.  Yes, you heard me. A six year old that begs for zucchini!

So I took this guy and his friends inside and ran them through the food processor, measured out 3 cups at a time and bagged them up for future use!

Four of the 12 bags of zucchini now nestled in my deep-freezer

I saved out enough to whip up a batch of zucchini brownies with a twist--I decided to try out my cupcake making skills and poured the batter into muffin tins, adjusted the time accordingly and whipped up some dairy-free icing. As you can see, all those sleepless nights nursing and watching "Cupcake Wars" is paying off--I've never iced a cupcake so well!

I still had just enough zucchini left to whip up some yummy spiced zucchini muffins adapted from this recipe over at Real Simple.  (I used whole wheat pastry flour and added in 1/4 c flax seed and 1/4 c wheat germ) 

Do you think they were a hit?

The Little Guy can't get enough of these!!

So, if you are about "squashed-out" try one of these tasty recipes now or freeze some shredded squash and enjoy them later! 

Zucchini Brownies

This recipe is adapted from the book "Simply in Season--a World Community Cookbook" Compiled by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert. If you enjoy fresh, local foods, it is well-worth the small investment. The book is divided by seasons and the recipes feature foods that are available in each season.

 I hardly ever follow a recipe as it is written, so I have changed it to reflect how I make these.

Combine in a large bowl:
1 3/4 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup flax seed  and 1/4 cup wheat germ
Stir in:
2-3 cups shredded zucchini

In a separate bowl, combine and beat with a fork:
1 egg

  (if you want to make these vegan, you can use 1/2 c applesauce!)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk yogurt (You can use regular yogurt, but I wanted them to be dairy-free!)
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla

Stir wet mixture (sugar, egg, etc) into zucchini/flour mixture.

Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch pan or divide evenly into a muffin tin to make cupcakes

Sprinkle the following on top of batter:
1/2 to 1 cup semisweet or mint chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) 

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (35-40 minutes) 

For cupcakes/muffins: Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Chocolate Icing:

1/2 c butter or vegan butter substitute

8 Tbsp cocoa

~3 c confectioner's sugar

1/3 c milk, almond milk, or coconut milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Melt butter and stir in cocoa.  Add sugar and milk while mixing at low speed, alternating wet and dry ingredients until desired consistency is formed.  Stir in vanilla extract. Pipe onto cupcakes using a pastry bag. (Adapted from Hershey's cocoa box)

And while we are on the subject of food, stay tuned for some yummy lunch ideas that we enjoy around here during the school year!

Now, I need ideas for all these peppers. . . 

One Little Word

Have you heard of this concept?  This idea of "One Little Word"?  I discovered this movement early in 2011 when a blogger and artist that I love held a contest, a give-away based on the idea of "One Little Word".  Since then I have heard it mentioned on several blogs as well as on a popular Christian Radio Station.

The idea is that YOU choose One Little Word to guide you through the year.  A word that inspires you, motivates you, leads you through times that are tough or wonderful.  You keep your eyes, mind and heart fixed upon that word and when you need lifting up or reviving, then you focus on YOUR One Little Word.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my One Little Word this year, especially with the summer winding down and my return to work just days away.

Celebrate

That's my One Little Word, and a powerful word it is.  I have read about people who have chosen faith-based words/ideas for their One Little Word--faith, hope, pray.  And while I, too believe in and reflect on those words, I felt like "Celebrate" was a fitting word for 2011.  You see, I tend to dwell on the negatives, the what-ifs, the have-nots, could'ves, should'ves, would'ves, and all their cousins and kin.  It is so easy to see the things you are missing or longing for.  But this year, I wanted to help turn that negativity around into celebrating everyday--big things, small things, normally insignificant things, everything. . .

As the summer draws to a close, I am sad to think about losing long days with my babies eating popsicles and swinging beside the chicken coop.  I am quick to focus on the fact that I should have taken more time to clean the house this summer or regret not taking more day-trips to "fun places" with my little loves.  In fact yesterday, I had a little pity party about my lack of me-time this summer--no not for a pedicure, a massage, or a girl's weekend away.  Just a chance to clean the house, get organized and feel human again.  Yet, as I drove alone this morning, sans radio noise and children in the backseat, I thought about all the things I should celebrate about my summer.  I have two wonderfully healthy children that I have been able to spend lots of time with watching them grow and learn and love.  I have been able to make time to exercise (with children in tow) in order to complete several triathlons and inspire others through teaching fitness classes.  I have tended a weedy garden that has provided us with yummy goodness each time we visit the backyard.  I have dusted off my sewing machine, and my sewing skills, to produce some fun and wonderful handmade gifts.  I have gotten a jump start on some Christmas gifts (gasp) that I would otherwise be making in the Eleventh Hour on December 24th.  I have spent valuable time with my husband as we have grown together as parents and partners.

I really could go on and on and on about things I could celebrate this summer--it really has been great--short, but great.  So, I enter into these last few days of rest with a renewed spirit.  A spirit that may not get the floors mopped before Thursday and still has piles of clothes to mend.  However, my spirit is full of love for my children and husband that I have spent quality time with this summer, laughter from our many adventures, and hope for many wonderful summers to come.  I will continue to celebrate these feelings until summer closes it's door and the rush of Fall blows in.

Then, I will find more to celebrate each and everyday--celebrating my many blessings in this wonderful life.  The power of One Little Word is remarkable, isn't it?

What's YOUR One Little Word?  It isn't too late to embrace one. . . .

Friday Finds!

It is a hot Carolina summer.  Today our temperatures will flirt with the century mark and people everywhere are seeking out relief from the heat.  As I looked back over my blog, I realized that I hadn't posted any Friday Finds in a while.  Honestly, they are the least visited pages in my history, so I didn't feel pressured to keep it up each week.  However, today I wanted to find something to bring out the positive in this dreadful weather.


I searched the web for fun ways to cool off in the heat, pictures of cold drinks, bathing suit ideas. . . nothing seemed appropriate. 


I realized that what I was looking for wasn't a way to cool off or avoid the heat, but a way to recognize the goodness of the Earth and what is provided for us. Then I remembered a line from one of my favorite childhood movies: "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard; because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."  In all my complaining about the heat, I neglected to recognize the goodness of our ever changing seasons and the bounty that we collect as God oversees nature doing its job.


So here you have it. . . Five Friday Finds straight out of my own backyard! (and I have blistered feet and a sweat soaked tank top to prove it!) 

A basket full of zucchini and yellow squash

Remember my rant last week about negative productivity and the weeds winning?  Well, they are still winning, kind of, BUT my little plants are producing!  I picked 3 more after this picture was taken!  This is my second year starting everything from seed and I love seeing the progress!

Chicken love

Despite the heat, our girls are still laying heavily and providing us with lunch each day! We keep them extra hydrated and treat them with watermelon and tomatoes!

The Reporter was happy to note that the zinnias are finally showing their beautiful faces around her cottage. . .

First beans of the season

I decided to plant both green and purple beans this year for some variety.  I only picked a few today, but my plants are covered in blooms.

fresh blueberries

Our blueberry bushes that we planted two years ago have made a tremendous showing this year.  The birds are sharing our joy since it has been a little hot to pick!  The Little Guy loves these and so does his big sister!  She picked a whole bowl last week and only half made it inside the house!  

So, I may still complain about the heat, but I will do it with a happy heart and a full tummy.  

God is good to us--even when we are sweaty.

Have a wonderful weekend!  New projects and posts coming. . .

Make and Do

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have always been a lover of books.  I have recently become enamored with non-fiction, but as a  young child, my selections were usually fiction--delving into words of fantasy to escape my own little world.  However, I often picked up informational books for fun--to learn new things or get ideas about how things were made.  I guess my obsession with arts and crafts started early, as one of my favorite childhood books was the Childcraft Make and Do book.

How many of you had a copy of this very book? I still have my copy somewhere in my parents' attic.  I could spend hours combing through the pages of this book looking for my next "art project".  Would it be clay beads?  What about a doll house made entirely of old shoe boxes?  Stilts out of tin cans, anyone?  I fantasized that my projects would be just as perfect as those pictured on the pages of Childcraft.  Somehow, they never turned out quite the same--a little drippy glue here, a misplaced bead there.  But still I held onto the hope that I, too, could create art pretty enough to display.

Well, not much has changed over the years.  I still comb through pages of books and the internet (Have I mentioned Pinterest?) to find "art projects" to occupy my time (as if I have any spare time!).  Most of my projects over the past few years have focused on knitting (my primary crafty love), with some occasional EASY sewing thrown in for the kiddos.  The Reporter makes frequent requests for stuffed animals, legwarmers, and pillows.  I also enjoy "crafting" new recipes and kitchen projects.  This summer I decided to get back to crafting and involving the kids in the process (although the Little Guy is happy just to roll a ball around the living room as the Reporter and I craft!).  So, here you have it. . . . a photo journal of some of our recent projects (and a few links to where ideas came from, if they weren't originals!).  As the summer progresses, I hope to have more to show, especially with our upcoming Christmas in July project I will share with you next week!   I hope this will inspire you to pull out your sewing machine, or just a few pipe cleaners, and get crafty!  

Tile Coasters found here

The Reporter inherited these flowers and butterflies from her cousins.
 We transformed them into a mobile!

Bandanna Pants!  Tutorial found here.

A first birthday shirt and hat!

My favorite project this summer, so far--the Sleepover Pillowcase!
We made one for a gift and one for The Reporter!

Fun Fourth Shirt!!!  Idea from here.

A little kitchen creativity for The Little Guy's birthday!  Almost Vegan Mudpie!

Now, go get crafty!!

Summer Reading

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.  ~Paul Sweeney

I love reading. I have always been a voracious reader with the ability to sit and devour a book in a single session, if I have the time.   When I was a kid, we would often make a trip to a large shopping mall about 30 minutes away.  Each trip would allow me to spend a little of my own money on an item of my choosing.  Did I choose clothes, jewelry, or candy?  Nope.  I chose books.  I always made the bookstore our last stop on the shopping trip so I could race out to the car, get settled in for the drive home and dive right into my book.  I could often finish a short chapter book between the Mall exit and my front door. Even now, I have been known to stay up all night to complete a novel.  The hubby has come home from night shift more than once to find me asleep with my glasses on and a book on my lap, or crying my eyes out over the ending of a sappy romance novel by Mr. Sparks.  

 A good book is like a good knitting project--you want to read/knit quickly to get to the end and find out what happens/what it looks like, but once it is finished you feel a little sad and just want it to last forever!

In an effort to lessen the let-down of finishing a book, I usually have 4 or 5 books going at a time-- A little non-fiction here, a parenting guide there, a little chick-lit, and a health and sports book. The hubby doesn't understand it. He wonders why I don't get confused because I can put one down and pick up another mid-page. I can't explain it. I guess I need more than one genre at a time to keep my mind engaged.  He did however, display his full-support of this habit by purchasing a Nook Color for me as a (BIG) surprise Christmas gift!  It make juggling all those different books so much easier! 

When The Reporter was a preschooler, I was sure that my reading obsession had rubbed off on her.  She loved books and being read to.  She had memorized all the words to The Cat in the Hat at age 3 and would sit in her little chair and read all evening.  I dreamed of the day that we could sit side by side on the beach and lose ourselves in the world of literature.  I imagined nights cuddled in her bed reading Little House on the Prairie and Ramona and Beezus.  

This dream came to a screeching halt when she entered Kindergarten.  Suddenly, reading became something she HAD to do each day, and in her mind that was not fun.  Sure, she read.  She made progress throughout the school year, learning high frequency words and increasing her reading level.  However, she still protested when I suggested reading anything "extra" in the evening.  

I was crushed.  She was supposed to be my reading buddy--My cuddle under the covers bookworm.  I was going to teach her how to sneak the flashlight under her pillow so she could read after I tucked her in at night, just as I had done as a child.  However, she wasn't interested.  I felt like a failure.  I thought I had done something to turn her away from reading for pleasure.  

As an educator, I know the importance of summer reading to maintain skills when school is out of session.  But as a reader, I look forward to the lazy days of summer to allow for more time to relax and read.  Summer reading is always better, right?  No distractions of work-related books, sandy beaches to sit on, early morning reading on the porch with a cup of coffee. . .I wanted my child to enjoy this reading freedom and look forward to it just as I do each year.  We needed a plan to make reading enticing.

On the way to school one morning, I asked The Reporter what she thought about reading during the summer. Her enthusiasm was underwhelming.  I told her that we needed to have a challenge--how many books could she read this summer!!?  She perked up!  We decided together that a boring old piece of paper listing her completed books would not suffice, so she suggested a paper chain!  She would write the name of each book she read on the back of the paper, chain them together and display it for the world to see!  I was giddy with excitement and couldn't wait for summer to begin!

As soon as we returned from the beach, we set up "Summer Central"--our crafting table and book recording station:

We used my new rotary cutter and mat to cut strips of scrapbooking paper to record her book titles:

And she sat right down and read a few. . .

As of tonight, we have six (SIX!!) loops on our paper chain. One for each book or chapter of a book that she has read since Saturday.  I am a proud mama.  Not only does she read the books, but she is ASKING to read and that is a big step for her! We are even partner reading some chapter books on the Nook (Hint: You can increase the font size to display less words per page and make it look easy!) and are part of a summer book/movie club!  

Only time will tell if we will share books, just as my mother and I do.  But for now, I am satisfied with her excitement and determination to read. . . .

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,

And all the sweet serenity of books.~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow