Thing A Day: 5

Banana Bread.

Bette Hagman's Recipe, adapted with my flours, mostly sorghum.

and the omission of baking soda.

Do you know what happens when you don't add the baking soda?  Nothing.

It doesn't rise.  It doesn't get moist.

It gets dense.  And yucky.

Blah.  So much for this Thing that is now in the trash.

Thing A Day: 4

This is Alpaca.

It is a yarn that looks like wool, appears scratchy and itchy like wool, but when you put it in your hands you can immediately feel and smell the difference.

This is a very soft yarn that has been in a plastic bag in my hall closet for 2 and a half years.

I intended to make a scarf for my new coat.  Well, I never got that new coat until just recently. 

Don't expect to see the scarf anytime soon, especially not in this post.  My 'Thing' today is winding this yarn into a ball.  It's been in a loose skein for that many years.  It unwound beautifully.  Only had one small knot at the end.  That's a well wrapped skein.

What?  Not enough?   You think that is a lame 'Thing'.

Okay.  I'm going to eat this whole can today.  Take that Thing.

Thing A Day: 3

Yesterday, Little Man was in charge of snack at Pre-K.  When I chose the day, I didn't realize it was THE day.  Groundhog Day is my husband's favorite holiday.

A simple nut-free snack wasn't going to be sufficient.

Eating Gluten Free was tough, learning to read the labels.  Nut Free is similar, yet you have to dig a little deeper for the "processed in facility with peanuts".  It isn't as obvious as Wheat.  And it should be.  

 

I got CherryBrook Farms Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Egg Free brownie mix and made two batches.  This is a good brownie, I still prefer Pamela's, but this worked just fine.

While the brownies are baking, I got my coconut flakes and chocolate goldfish crackers ready.  The coconut should have been stale.  The fresh pieces were tricky to get into the brownie (note to self for next time).  I broke the fish apart.  Some I used the tails, some I used the front, breaking on the smile worked well.

Ready?

Once the brownies have cooled enough to touch (5 mins out of oven-ish), scoop a ping pong ball size or slightly smaller wad with your freshly washed hands.  Roll it around, smoosh it, form it, smoosh it again, form it.  Set it on a flat surface to get a flat bottom.  While it's on the surface, stick in the ears.  Move the brownie around the ears to get them in securely.  Pick up your little fellow and jam two pieces of coconut into his mouth.  Set him down to cool.

Repeat.

I originally made my shapes then tried to get the ears and coconut in...doesn't work.  Much too frustrating.

Then I got Nut Free graham crackers and laid them on my serving (aka box lid lined with foil) tray.  I tried a nut free frosting from Cherrybrook....ewww.  Not sure if I had a bad jar, but it was almost translucent.  Grainy.  And much too sweet.  I whipped up a frosting of powdered sugar and milk.  Perfect.

Piped tiny little eyes on each little fellow - make sure you have very stiff icing and a plate with a lip is great for resting the hogs on their backs while the frosting sets.

Repeat with a little pink nose.

With less stiff frosting, pipe a puddle of snow on each half graham cracker.  Have a little person help you place each hog in its hole.

Enjoy!

Thing A Day: 2

Needle and thread.

I really don't like putting zippers in purses.  I am getting better, but it is still no fun.  Especially when you forget to put the label in as the zipper goes in.

So, I stopped.  And I'll finish tonight, I promise myself.

I'm itching to get some new things in the shop, and this will be great motivation.  I just need to get the second half of the zipper in.

Tonight.

Maybe I'll watch The Sandlot while I do it.  I think that movie is becoming my second favorite all time movie.  If you haven't seen it, you should.  Adorable.  It's one of those movies that when the kids request it, I run to turn it on.  I could watch it everyday, just like my first favorite movie...The Shawshank Redemption.

Tomorrow's Thing should be interesting...making it with Little Man.

Thing A Day: 1

Today, I begin my Thing A Day.

Yes, I'm stretching it tonight.  I usually don't do my "things" until the kids go to bed and the lighting is horrible, so this blog will technically be one day behind, or in arrears if you are in the business.  Funny story, when one of my coworkers said, "they didn't pay yet, because they pay in the rear."  We still laugh.

Moving on....

Firstly, we've played a bunch of games and tomorrow will be the same as we just got notice that the schools (Tom's too!) are closed in preparation for the 'big storm'.

My 'Thing' is not so much playing games with my kids, which is totally a thing, but watching my youngest read.  More clearly, realizing that he can read.  I helped with that.  When I read to him, I ask him to find words and letters.  This is my Thing A Day.  Teaching my youngest to read.

I'm proud that this is the first day.  I'm proud of this little guy.  Finding out that he can read is amazing for him and heartwarming for me.  Big Boy was reading to Little Man in the car today and BB was having LM point out words.  Adorable.  Totally.

And because I adore the funny things my kids say, one of the Card cards on this MAD Magazine game said: Plan Ahead, move to any space on the board.  LM got upset (he was playing by himself at this time), he said,

"I can't do that.  I can't play on my head."

Turtle and Giraffe's Birthday

It can get quite dull in the bitterly cold days of January.

Big Boy told me last week that it was Turtle's birthday on Saturday.  I had not known that.

He was turning one.  Apparently Turtle's age similarly as dogs...Turtle only has a birthday every 4 years.


Coincidentally, it was also Giraffe's birthday.  Giraffe was turning 8.  He does not age like a sea turtle.

We had cake, chosen by the animals (this is Giraffe's big lump of yellow cake), hats, horns, and balloons.

But the best part...presents.

The boys thought and thought about presents and with the help of their very amazing mom, the animals, and our two friends, each got a ....wait for it...

...sleeping bag for the pets.

This was so easy and fun.  I used leftover fleece from the Snuggie project for Christmas and stitched them up, stuffed the pillow with all the random bags of half used Poly-Fil and small pieces of batting.  There is also a loop of elastic at the bottom to roll up the bag and keep it secure on the way to Grandma's house.

So easy and so loved.

TurtleCakes were supposed to be brownies, but we donated that last box of brownie mix around Christmas time and Little Man refused to go to the store for more.  So, he got Organic Chocolate Cayenne Cupcakes.  Or TurtleCakes as I will forever call them.  I enjoyed them, but you have to expect the cayenne before you bite into it.  If you are looking for a sweet chocolate cake...this isn't for you.  It was interesting, though.

I can do a tutorial on the bags if anyone needs it...but very basic, just a long fleece fabric folded and stitched.

New Year, New Results

I'm not very fond of the Pinewood Derby.  I think it is more of a 'Dad' event.  That said, this year, Big Boy's den worked on their cars together.  I loved that.  Big Boy and I sanded his car and watched his friends design, cut and sand their cars.  This was the beginning of my change of heart.

Little Man and I arrived late to the Derby due to some preparations for the Stuffy Birthday Party (more on that tomorrow).  The mood was immediately different than the previous year.  There seemed to be less people and more cheering.  The boys were paying just as much attention as their parents.  Yes, you could tell which cars were done mostly by Dad, but it didn't seem so blatant this year.  The Dad's weren't louder than the scouts.

It was refreshing.

Even more refreshing, the results.

BB's car was winning.  He came in first in several heats.

 Big Boy's Car is the purple one, second from left

The difference from last year to this year...the wheels.

Tom showed BB how he was going to sand down the nubs on the nails that act as the axles.  The nubs are small, but nonetheless, obvious.  BB did all his designing, sanding, and painting.  The wheels are the key.

I was very proud of BB.  He showed great sportsmanship.

Gratefully accepted his trophy, didn't gloat or jump around.  All the boys were very gracious, all of them surprised at the outcome.

Then he patiently waited in line to pick up his car and his 'participants' trophy (all scouts get one).

And then, in true sportsmanship, he gave his little brother the 'participants' trophy.

LOVE.

Screw You, January!

You got me again, January.

Sometimes it's your buddy February.  But this year, it's you.

You take my Christmas spirit and stomp on it.  You won't allow my joy of the holiday's ride through the winter.

Like making wine, you stomp on my fruit.  Stomp on my core.

I know others get these "January Blues" but mine seems to have hit me like the hardest smack in the face.  I was doing so well.  Happy, looking toward the future.  Then last night it all came crashing down.  This morning wasn't much better.

In fact, it sucked.

One of the worst mornings in a long long time.  Since my medicated days, I haven't felt like this.  Yes.  I am medicated.

I am not ashamed.  I need it.  I used to get the January blues all the time.  For no reason.  It just happened.

I've been taking Zoloft for almost a year and it has helped me immensely.  My family will agree. I should look back on my posts pre-medication and see if I notice a change.

However, today and last night were horrible.  My kids don't listen to me.  I speak to them in serious tone and want them to listen, and they laugh.  Laughing in my face when I am scolding.

It makes me boil over.  I even used the S word this morning.

I know I need to change.  I hope that this is just a tiny little F-You from January, just to test me.  To see how I can bounce back.

I will bounce back.

As soon as I finish my glass of wine.

Homework

I feel like I'm starting to slip.

Another full night with my kids and homework.

Perhaps its the homework.  My eldest can't sit still long enough to focus on the words in front of him.  He gives up and laughs.  Cracks a joke.

Gets up and fiddles around with something. 

Picks up a piece of paper, crumples it up.

Looses his pencil.

I become frustrated.

He doodles a scary monster eating a tree.

I get mad that I can't stay calm for more than 45 minutes of homework.  Yes, it's that long.  Tonight, it was more than an hour. 

My anger and frustration seeps into my son and I can see it crush his confidence.

Homework was never enjoyable for me.  I was so happy when I graduated from college.  I knew I would never go back.

And here I am, almost 40 and sitting at the kitchen table doing homework.

Again.

Something needs to change.  Homework right after school will be number one.  No more TV or playtime until the work is done.  I think a change in the food in our house is necessary as well, for all of us.  I'll make the time to go to the grocery store and buy the vegetables and fresh foods.

One step at a time.

Time to get off the slide and climb the stairs.

My Treat to Me

I've had this little mug on my Universal Wish List (great little tool from Amazon) for over a year.  I think it is just absolutely the cutest thing.

A pin cushion.  Filled with emery.

It's heavy which makes it sturdy and totally adorable.

I'm thinking you may wonder how geeky I really am.

Very geeky.

I like my geek treats.

If you are like me, you can pick one up with your initial in many different beverages from Dorothy right here on that Geeky site...ETSY!

Lastly, I'd like to post here that I will finish either the Silk/Bamboo-Itty-Bitty OR the Owl Bag Zipper by Friday (this is my external motivation, I hope it works).

Cool Toy to Work with my Really Cool Toy!

Buy the Eye-Fi at the Photojojo Store!

Wow!  This little device not only stores your pictures, but will upload them automatically when camera is idle.  No more cords.

My birthday is in August!!!  hint hint wink wink!

Back on the Horse...ONE Down!

This is what got my double pointed needles clicking this weekend.  I ended up ripping most of it out to fix a little mixed up stitch.  I hate being a perfectionist sometimes.

I can't show you the real finished product as it's a gift, for someone extremely special to me...

Working hard on the Silk Bamboo project, also ripped that out a gazillion times, but I think I'm in the homestretch and almost done with stage 1 of a three stage project.

Am I being too candid?  That really bugs me when blogs tease me with their projects. Sorry.

Loving this adorable heart, thinking a trip to the Dollar Store and Joann's is in my future.  Check it out here!

Stay warm, my friends. 

We are conserving energy by keeping the house at 65 and our groceries in the garage!  AKA:  My husband likes a cold house and our fridge is still on the fritz!

Thing A Day

My brother is doing a massive 100 days of exercise.

He is over half way through.

I'm not my brother.

I will attempt Thing-A-Day, Fifth Edition.

It's more my speed.

I thought taking a picture a day was tough, but that was 30 days, February is two days less.

The DESTROY category might work well for every other day.

GROW...does growing mold and dust bunnies count?

SPIN in circles - heck, I do that every single day!

I invite you to join me here on this blog and also for all the Thing-A-Day projects right here on their blog.

My last 'reading' was heavy on the "you need to be creative all the time to balance out the black and white at work."

This is my attempt at that.

Will you join me?