Susheeps

Love these!

There were mixed reviews on the ones in the upper right corner. I heard "what are those supposed to be?" and "bunny butts" and one female body part that is truly female.

Either way, they are fabulous!


After a couple tries, we got the California Roll process down pat.

But more importantly, I had fun with my girlfriends making these and laughing and had fun presenting them at our family gatherings this Easter.

Easter was a beautiful day. Our family was together with heavy hearts, but we were together.

And that's what is important.

The Food For The Fattie In You!!!

The Food For The Fattie In You!!!

This is so disgusting. What have we done to ourselves that a company thinks this will sell?

What have we done to ourselves that people will buy this?

Maybe being gluten free has tainted me in someway to anything fried, but by golly this is gross!

My Saturday

After an IMAX showing of How to Train a Dragon for $41.00 for three people, we hung out in the heat. I can't think of an 83 degree day in the beginning of April in Buffalo - ever. It was unbelievable. By the picture above, you see that I am sitting in my garage, the only shade I could find. It was hot.

I made two double crochet stitches in the wad of yarn seen sitting on my table. Texted some friends about peep sushi making (picture coming in my next post) and read the mail.

Those paddles are "shields". The boys had a great time.

It was the most beautiful day.

Nothing better than water fun on a hot day in April.

In Buffalo.

Buffalo, NY.

(I'll take this opportunity to share with those out of towners that contrary to popular belief, it doesn't snow all the time here. In fact, we only had three months of snow this year and less snowfall than Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA.)

Red Easter

I know Easter is white...but these were so pretty.

My mom can't stand red roses. Although they aren't my favorite...every flower is beautiful in it's own way.

Happy Easter!

Banana Bread

This time, I got a picture before I ate the whole loaf. This is basic banana bread. No nuts, no chocolate chips, just good taste. Oh, and it's gluten free.

When is the last time you saw a gluten free bread with air pockets this light?

I try fairly hard to not use a certain word because some people will cringe at the reading or hearing of it. But this time, it's the only word that will work.

Moist. This is one moist banana bread.

I followed Betty Hagman's Best Banana Bread recipe, except replacing the 1 3/4 cup of her various flours with one cup sorghum, and 3/4 cup white rice, brown rice and tapioca flour - just a shake of each. I also didn't measure out the banana...I just added one and a half bananas.

Who needs the extra measuring cup to wash banana squidge out of?

Delicious!

The Rare Sock Monkey

I go through phases. I'll be interested in something, carry a torch for a certain hobby or collection. Then in three weeks I'm over it.

My son is the same way. Both of them, but especially Sam. My almost seven year old loves to collect thing. Strange things at times.

Magnets.

Rubber items.

Wheels.

Erasers.

Sock Monkeys.

I made a sock monkey from a kit 20 some years ago and both boys have claimed it as their own. He sleeps on the floor next to turtle. There was also a recently pilfered from my collection, sock monkey key chain.

Sam asked me to make him a sock monkey. Make you something? Of course, my child. I live to please you. But then, I succumbed. I even bought some long socks to make this easier.

But he wanted a "miniature" and "very very very rare" sock monkey. So, in the truest sense of the word, I got a sock out of my drawer that had a hole in it. It happened to be a sock with monkey's on it - go figure.

So here he is, the rarest miniature sock monkey monkey.

And I have two new pairs of tall socks!

Hop Skip Jump Turn

I like to think that passersby joined in on this fun.

This was all little man's idea. "Much better than an old stinkin' hopscotch!"

Baby Quilt: The Reveal

My friends Judy and Dave are expecting their first bundle of joy. Since we are pretty close, I asked her if there was something that she would like me to make for her baby. She mentioned a heirloom type blanket or quilt that could be passed down from child to child.

Heirloom...no pressure, right?

My first thought was that in order to have an heirloom be an heirloom, it must start with something that carries meaning and history.

I asked Judy and Dave's sisters to send me something from each of their families that could be added to the quilt. I got a little blue knit outfit that Dave wore as a baby; a scarf worn by Dave's mother; a doily from Judy's mother; and a tatted doily made by Judy's grandmother. Four things that held meaning. A great start to an heirloom.

To add the love of Judy and Dave, I added a block with their hometowns. A tree for making roots and an owl because owls are cool. Some blocks with simple stitch textures added to the dimension of the blanquilt.

As you know I'm quite the procrastinator - this time I had a good reason - but nonetheless, I didn't have a box or bag to put this in and stopped at our grocery store at 11:30 pm. Wow...$6 for a bag? So, I made one. I know, I know...bags are easy, though. And fairly quick.

This was a fun project that I really enjoyed and learned a couple things from, too.

To Judy and Dave...I hope you make many memories with this blanquilt as you wrap your children and your love with it.

Spring Has Sprung

This Rhododendron was transplanted over a year ago and I believe this is the year he shows me his thanks.

This is what happens when you plant on top of other existing plants. I'm thinking of letting it all go, survival of the fittest, see what thrives.


Most people rake in the Fall. We do, but I leave a light coating of leaves in my back bed for fun. And for moments like this one where the new growth pierces through last years remnants.

I hope you are enjoying your spring arrivals.

Tweet Tweet Nest

1. Shred a couple paper grocery bags and other colorful pages from magazines (just for some dimension)
2. Add one part white glue, one part water and mix together.

3. Add shredded paper to glue water mixture and get the paper wet with glue.
4. Pack glued paper to bowl covered in plastic wrap.

5. Set out to dry for a couple days.

6. Photograph your creation.

7. ...both creations.

Full craft instructions found here at Alpha Mom Blog

O w/ K

I always knew my mom was having fun with her twin sister when I'd see this note on the dining room table.

Kay...you will be missed more than you ever know.

Retro Friday

Little blurry, but he has yarn in his hand...what could be better than that?

Have a great weekend.

It's Not a Sleepover...It's a Slumber Party

I was unaware that a sleepover means that you go to a different house and sleep there. A slumber party is when you stay up late in your pajamas in a tent.

So there, remember that! Words from a 3.5 year old.

This is the coolest tent I got from IKEA at least two years ago. Simple to set up and the boys love it.

Pictures like this make my mind wander to years in the future when these two are hanging out with girls in tents.

With door flaps.