Gingerbread Tradition...

Several years ago my sister and her family started the tradition of making and decorating gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving weekend. My husband and I have joined in for the last few years and now that we have a little family of our own, we definitely want this to become one of our family traditions. We weren't sure our little 1 year old would have much interest this year, but we were soooo wrong. Little "R" had the time of her life. She thought she was such a "big" girl helping to decorate, and then of course there was the candy...so much candy. What little munchkin wouldn't be in heaven?

Here's our finished product...


We of course won't be eating this creation. The gingerbread recipe I use for the house's cooks up as hard as a rock and after a few weeks the candy would chip a tooth. But it's sure fun to look at through the holidays.

For our gingerbread taste craving, I prefer these delicious "soft" gingerbread cookies. Most everyone I know already has this recipe, so sorry it's not that original. But just in case you don't have it, I had to post it. These are the yummiest cookies ever. I have to admit, I sometimes make these even when it's not the holidays.


SOFT GINGERBREAD COOKIES

2 ¼ C. Flour
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. baking soda
¾ t. cinnamon
½ t. cloves
¾ C. butter
1 C. sugar
1 egg
¼ C. molasses
2 T. sugar (for dipping)

1. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves in a small mixing bowl.
2. In a mixing bowl cream the butter sugar and egg. Add the molasses beat well.
3. Stir the flour mixture into egg mixture.
4. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar to coat.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
6. Makes 2-3 dozen cookies.

Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas gifts?

I thought I'd share with you a fun and easy idea I came across a couple weeks ago. I was watching Studio 5, a local program here in Utah. They demonstrated these super cute hats that you make out of old sweaters. It just so happened that I had a bag of sweaters sitting by the back door, waiting to be taken to DI. I thought the project looked easy enough, so what did I have to loose. They were so easy and fun to make that I ended up whipping out 20+ hats in just 2 days.

I thought they would make such fun Christmas gifts! Click here for the a link to the tutorial.

I used a 9" square for adult hats, a 7 1/2" square for my little girl who is 15 months, and a 7" square for my niece who is 3 months. You'll understand what that means after you watch the tutorial. Also, just like the woman in the tutorial, I do not have a surger so I just used the zig-zag stick on my sewing machine for the flowers.

If you decide to make some hats and have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me!

Want to start a creepy tradition...

I'm so excited for Halloween! I don't know why. It's always been my least favorite holiday. I've never really thought much about it until this year. I'm sure it has something to do with little "R". I know she won't remember this Halloween and the whole dressing up and trick-or-treating may just freak her out...who knows! But I'm so excited to find out. Honestly, I'm pretty sure she's going to love it. As soon as she gets one taste of the good stuff...the treats...I think she'll be a fan.

As many of you know, well most of you probably don't, I didn't get married until I was 32. Little "R" was born when I was 34. So I had many years of childless years waiting for my turn to bask in the joy of kid loving holidays.

My sister however was married at 18 and now has 3 teenagers, who still love Halloween! Probably because she always made it, and all other holidays, special and exciting. My sisters pretty crafty and amazing! She has been brilliant at creating the best traditions for her family; both meaningful and whimsical.

One such tradition that I think is pretty cool; Halloween inspired dinners. The week or several days leading up Halloween, she always makes spooky, gross, or scary snacks and meals for the kids. They love it and always look forward to her annual creepy creations.

This year little "R" isn't quite old enough to really appreciate or "get" the concept of creative cooking, but by next year I'm hoping to start this same tradition. If you think this would be a cool tradition as well. Click here for some awesome Halloween inspired recipes that are sure to please all the little goblins in your house.

Recipe and photo's from "Family Fun Magazine"

Swamp Juice

Mummy Pizza's

Carrot Finger Food

Apple Bites

Monday Moments - You can't say I didn't try...

I don't really consider myself a "crafty" person. I wish I enjoyed crafts more, but I don't have the patience or the mind set. I usually stick to my cooking, cleaning, organizing and writing. Those are the things I'm good at. But every now and then I muster up the motivation to channel the small part of me that will attempt a craft here and there.

My latest motivation was making cute little clips for my little "R". I know I'm the minority, but I'm not really a fan of the big bows or flower headbands. I kind of think little "R" looks like a big birthday or Christmas present when I've tried putting them on her head. I think her face is just too cute to draw the attention away from it...to the top of her head. But now that she's got a little hair I think a subtle understated clip here and there would look really cute.

So...I went out and bought some cute ribbon and little embellishments to make some trendy little clips. I think they turned out pretty darn cute for an untalented crafty like myself.



Unfortunately little "R" will have none of it. Sometimes I can sneak them into her hair un-expecting. But the second she realizes they are there...she pulls them out immediately and brings them to me. Then she claps and giggles like it's a game of hide-and-seak...and she's the winner. I guess their good for something.

Up to my elbows...

in peaches. That's pretty much what most of this week has consisted of; drying peaches and making peach pie. Yes, I finally got to make my fresh peach pie. I made 3 of them. don't worry, I shared them with my neighbors. If I hadn't, it would have been my breakfast, lunch and dinner all week. That's how much I love Fresh Peach Pie! (For those of you that missed that post...scroll down a little for the recipe.)

Anyway, there really isn't a recipe for dried peaches. But I wanted to throw the idea out there. There is nothing like fresh dried fruit. It has no added sugar, no preservatives and it is the most healthy and delicious snack; loved by kid and adult alike.

The other day I was watching the Bunker boys. Big "H" wanted a snack, this was our conversation:

M - Have a dried peach.
H - What's a dried peach. Is it a chip? (with a look of disgust)
M - Well kind of I guess, but it's kind of chewy as well. I promise you, just take a bite. You will like it.
H - I don't know about this. (Hesitantly he takes the smallest of nibbles.)
M - Oh come on, take a big bite. It's really yummy.
H - (Daringly dives in. After a bit of chewing,) Man! This is really good!
M - I told you.

He couldn't get enough! Happy ending. "H" you're always welcome to come over for some dried peaches.

Other fruits we love to dehydrate include: pears, pineapple, and apples.


The recipe...well there really isn't one but...

All you have to do is buy a food dehydrator; definitely worth the investment. Slice your fruit of choice 1/16" to 1/8" thin (I use my mandolin slicer), and let the machine do the work. Bonus...it will fill your house with the most yummy sent.

*If you're looking for other excuses to buy a dehydrator, I also use it to dry herbs, tomatoes, and flowers. If you have a food dehydrator and use it for anything fun and creative, I'd love to hear about it.

My skin craves this stuff!

In the last couple of years I've definitely been showered with gifts. Getting married, having a baby...I've discovered what amazing and wonderful friends I have. They have stood by me, supported me and loved me through many life changes.

It's time to return the favor. My friend Gina is getting married, so Keri and I are throwing her a bridal shower. These cute little bottles of lotion will be a gift for all who attend. I made the lotion myself. I hope everyone likes them.

Several friends and neighbors have expressed interest in learning how to make their own lotion. The recipe and process is fairly easy, but you do need to have the right equipment and know where to get the ingredients. The initial investment to get started is about $200 - $300, but will pay for it's self in about a year.

I've thought about hosting a little class to demonstrate the process and provide all the information needed. Let me know if this is something you'd be interested in and I'll we'll set something up.