Yes, It's All About the Snow

Finally, our first snow season where both boys enjoy it.

And there is a tennis ball under that snow...it is not yellow snow.

Hope you are out and playing in the snow!

Moon Lawn

As much as I love a fresh, flat even coat of snow, this is better.

It's smooth and entrancing.

The dips and shapes of the snow give texture even on the coldest of days.

It fills me with the wonder of what had been.

It hides imperfections.

Snow.

Friday Night Goodnight Show

This blog seems to be bordering on a parenting blog more so than a craft and art blog. So be it.
It also appears that I only have one child when that couldn't be more wrong. It just so happens that the older boy is less interested in my photo taking and home less than this little man.

Last Friday night, while Sam was at soccer practice, O and I were watching Sprout. They had a tambourine craft that O thought was the cat's pajamas. Although he didn't say 'cat's pajamas', it was more, "that's totally awesome, I wish I had one". That was enough for this mom that shot up from that comfy couch to make a craft.

A pantry without beans, still held these rice macaroni that I bought before I found Tinkyada pasta. This stuff needs to soak and cook for what seems to be a full day. They are cheap, though. But not cheap enough to taste acceptable. So...two plates, something to make noise and a stapler. I was informed by a wide eyed boy that I was supposed to use glue to seal the tambourine. Ah...he was paying attention. After he realized he couldn't play with it until the next day, the staples were just fine.


His own decorating makes my heart go putter patter.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) this tambourine and the one the big guy made after he came home from soccer practice, haven't been touched since that night.

And for anyone with a good eye...the cloth that O is resting his tambourine on in the last picture was the very first loom woven item I made. It is a sampler shawl made on a table loom in college. Oh...I remember the beginning of my obsession with weaving with fond memories.

Now, if I would just get off this computer and dress the loom that hasn't been touched in over a year!

Bread...again.

Bread.
Gluten Free Bread.
Gluten Free Bread in a Crockpot.
Yes!
Crisp.
Brown.
Crisp brown edges.
Like real bread.
(In a crockpot),
However...you must always remember to...

coat your vessel with oil or cooking spray.

I didn't mind, it made if feel rustic and homemade. And it was amazing. I ate half of it (or more) the first day. I have one little chunk left for tonight after the kiddos go to bed, because that's my idea of a fantastic Friday night!

I've talked about this bread before right here if you want the specifics. And here is her direct link to 365 Days of Crockpotting

Oh, and all the stuck on-broke off bits, well that makes a great bread crumb or stuffing addition.

There is a new recipe I'm going to try soon for olive bread - from scratch. I'm sure you'll see it here.

Story Time

You may think these pictures are no big deal.

O was sitting on my lap reading me a story. I couldn't get over how adorable his little hands were, especially with that scorpion ring.

He sat on my lap and read this story.

Yes, it is a blank story.

But it was the best story I had heard in days.

I need to remember that it is these little moments that will never happen again and to enjoy them and not to try and get him off my lap so that I can do my work.

Blank stories are the best...so many possibilities.

What I'm Reading

Tom and I are reading this. It is our new bathroom book. I got it for Christmas and since I'm not much of a reader, the bathroom is the best place for me (I'm sure I'm not alone finding the most quiet, uninterrupted time in this room).

This isn't a cookbook, it's more of a coming to life book. The author, Shauna James Ahern struggled to find food that gave her life. For many Celiacs, life before diagnosis is often hellish. Not knowing what the cause of discomfort is, many would eat simple things to settle our stomachs: white bread or crackers.

What drew me to Shauna, is not only our common ground in Celiac, but her writing is beautiful. The words flow like the perfect stream, unpretentious.

I'm also kind of a groupie (some may say "stalker"). I follow Shauna's blog, comment with her on Twitter and dream of the day I can visit the restaurant where her husband, The Chef, takes care of patrons with Celiac in the most confident of ways.

I'm not sure how far ahead Tom is in the book, but I'm barely through the first half and would highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys eating, cooking, and touching food.

You can find this book Available Here

Guess What I'm Working On...The Day Shot

For those that were curious as to the outcome...

Here he is!

UPDATE: Frog and Fly is available here in the shop!

Batman Power!

Sometimes...they really do enjoy hanging out together.

The shirtlessness is a typical sighting, even in these cold parts.

Let's Talk Pinewood

Sam is first on right lane

Pinewood Derby.

My little brother did the Pinewood Derby. I can remember he and my father getting the cars ready, but mostly my dad sitting back and watching, assisting when asked.

And so it went with Sam and Tom. They worked on their cars during a Den meeting and didn't do much more than that. No study in aerodynamics, no sanding of wheels, no WD-40 in the axles. Just plain old father-son doing a task together.

However, this isn't how it goes in every house. On the official weigh in night, a father was heard bragging about the events that will unfold on Saturday. "I'm gonna drink beer out of the winners cup after we win."

I noticed a handful of fathers cheering on "their" car with no cub scout in sight. A joy on their face unlike a proud father watching his son and more like a selfish win. Some of these same fathers had a disappointed look on their faces, unlike that of the fathers that let their sons make their very own pinewood derby car.

Not only was I saddened by this pathetic display of manliness - or manlessness - my heart sank when I looked at this face.


Sam doesn't take losing very well at all. In fact he is downright horrible at it. We are working on it, but it is rough. He was crushed.

And so was I.

Until, my son said, "Well, at least I can win the award for not getting a speeding ticket."

Yes, Sam, that is surely your prize.

Guess What I'm Working On...

One Recipe, One Boy, and A Lot of YUM

Amazing gluten free graham crackers! From the amazing Shauna James Ahern and her blog at Gluten Free Girl and the Chef.

They look great, but let's start from the beginning.

First, you need a recipe and a boy. Check, check.

This little guy loved pushing that On and Pulse button (may have had an affect on the dough, but who cares, right?). At Shauna's suggestion, I used my kitchen scale for the flours, which had only been used previously for weighing packages to be mailed out. It was tricky, since it isn't digital, but we did it. The recipe seems like a lot of steps, but it really is so easy.

Look how pretty! That is my ChakraPennyWhistle dish towel apron that I love. It's a great towel, super apron and sometimes used as a tablecloth. It's a great towel!

And the taste? Well...look for yourself:

The Lamb and the Hedgehog

Most of my pictures from the Christmas Pageant were blurry, but I almost enjoy the bit of mystery it leaves. Technically, for me, taking photos in church is against all rules. So, I took my camera and didn't use the flash, and in a dark church, this is what you get.

I'm on my way to Chicago tomorrow for work. I love it when I get there, but the preparation is difficult. Kind of makes me feel like the little lamb above. There is laundry, grocery shopping (which didn't really happen, at least there is milk and leftovers), child care coverage, writing out the child care coverage (looking for the lost child care coverage paper), and packing. Trying to get everything in a carry on and hoping that something will jump out of my closet that looks appropriate for a corporate function. This jersey and denim girl always struggles with that. Fortunately, that is the least of my struggles these days and I basically put everything that is free of stains in my bag and hope it matches.

I just purchased an audiobook from iTunes for the flight. I know, why not just read the book? Well, I can't read a book and crochet at the same time...

And this trip, I have no idea what I'll be making. Taking two fresh balls and a hook. I always love to see what happens when there are no ideas.

The book...The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Ever seen a Hedgehog purse?

Rockscape

My zen pile of rocks from Sam's collection. He is very interested in fossils and picks up random rocks whenever he can.
Saturday, after cleaning his room, I was arranging the rocks. It was very calming and I noticed how different all his rocks are. He has an interesting eye for things and I can't wait to see what else he brings home.

Get some rocks and play.