More Etsy Listings-A Valentine's Hat

Here are some more hats I put in my etsy shop:

Pink Heart Valentine's Hat

Spiral Hat

The Hat Sale has been extended through January 15. I'll be back later to show Christmas gifts that I made for the kids.

Going Vegan!

Recently my husband decided to try a vegan diet. This won't be too hard of a transition for us because we are already vegetarian. The children and I will still eat our eggs and dairy, however cutting down on it will probably do us all good. Most of our meals are pretty much vegan anyways (minus the cheese I like to throw on at the end), it was just desserts that seemed a challenge. I felt guilty about enjoying gooey chocolate chip cookies while my hubby at his dry, dairy-free fig cookies. So, since I love a cooking challenge (especially one that involves cookies), I give you:

Vegan Fruity Oatmeal Bars

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a rectangular baking dish

3/4 cup vegetable shortening (make sure to check the label because some store brands contain lard)

1 3/4 cups flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 Tablespoon ground flax (I like the golden ground flax)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups rolled oats

2/3 to 1 cup of dried cranberries (or any other dried fruit you may have on hand)

1 medium sized apple, peeled, cored and either chopped into small pieces or shredded

In a mixer, beat the shortening on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add 1 cup of the flour, the sugars, baking powder, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg and continue mixing on medium. In a separate small bowl or measuring cup add the 1/2 cup of water and 1 tablespoon ground flax and whisk until combined (this is your egg substitute). Add to the mixing bowl and continue mixing. Next add the rest of the flour, the rolled oats, and your fruits and mix on slow speed. You could mix the last three ingredients by hand, but I like my mixer to chop the cranberries up a little. Press the dough into your greased baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until it is no longer super gooey in the middle (a little gooey is good, right?). Let cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

I think this will quickly become a staple in our house!

More Etsy Listings

More items have gone up in my shop:

Go check them out! And tell your friends! And remember, all hats are on sale until Dec 31, then the price will go up!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Hat Sale on etsy

I'm having a hat sale on my etsy shop. Sale through the end of December. I know there are only 3 hats, but I plan on making more in the coming days. Let me know if you have any color requests.

Twin List Thursday

Okay, now the final installment of Twin List Thursday:

#26 Forget about "nap when they nap", it's more like eat, pee, shower when they nap

#27 Learn not to count on people when they say they will be over to help (or maybe it's just my friends)

#28 Leave them where they lie-if they fall asleep on the floor, leave them!

Alright, that's it. I just have to reiterate that I was going through a very hard time when I wrote those. My life had been flipped upside down. I had one tiny baby home and another one in the hospital trying to learn how to eat. I had a 2 year old who was learning what babies really were and was also learning that they were staying. I was recovering from surgery and from the guilt I felt (and still kinda feel) about not being able to carry them to term. I'm doing better now, we have our ups and downs, but I think that there are more ups than downs at this point. We are living, growing, loving, learning and stumbling through life as everyone tends to do.

Fair Isle Knitting

Trying to tackle fair isle knitting, my way (do you like the Geology 101 paper? Yeah, reusing!):

New Etsy Listings

Here are some new items in my etsy shop:

Wide knit bracelet

Rebar Pen

Winter themed tissue packs

Diamonds Knit Headband

Go check them out!

That Mom

I am That Mom
I am That Mom who dresses her little ones alike for holidays
I am That Mom who braves crazed fabric shoppers on Black Friday morning
I am That Mom who peeks into strangers' carts and asks them to save "just 2 yards of that fabric for me"
I am That Mom who sends her oldest down to Daddy's shop so she can work
I am That Mom who puts her babies in high chairs and fills them with snacks so she can work
I am That Mom who sings and blows raspberries so her babies are entertained so she can work
I am That Mom who cuts and sews and picks seams and resews and finishes seams
I am That Mom and I am proud of it because I am The Mom who made this:

Cold Weather Activities

No comments about "dirty windows", it's actually the plastic we have on them with kitty nose prints and little boy finger prints.

It is in the teens here and cold, cold, cold. I'm not much of a fan of cold weather so I prefer to stay indoors. There are a few good things about it though, my favorite being all the warm, yummy food that comes out of my crock pot (I so love my crock pot). Right now I have spaghetti sauce cooking and it is making the house smell sooooooo delicious! Another good cold weather activity is cleaning the oven (What?!?). No, I'm not talking about getting down on my hands and knees and sticking my head in with loads of dizzying toxic fumes. I'm lucky to have a self cleaning oven (sure I'll have to wipe out all the dust later, but it's a lot easier than scrubbing). The bonus of doing it in the winter is that it also warms the house (did I mention that we have a VERY SMALL house?).
Hmmm, now that I have all 3 kids down for naps (not sleeping yet), should I work on Christmas gifts or take a nap? Hmmmmmmmm..........

Crazy Snowy Picture

We've gotten quite a bit of snow here the last week or two, probably around 6-7" total. I took this picture to show the amount of snow piled up on the trees and power lines. The sky wasn't really that color, but it kinda looks cool.

Handmade Christmas update: I have 6 1/2 presents left to make (out of 15). Only 1 1/2 left for those that are being sent off.

I've also been knitting ornaments for everyone. I'm quite addicted to it, there's just something about knitting itty bitty things (maybe it's the instant gratification that it brings).

Let the Countdown Begin

Did you know there are only 34 days until Christmas?!? I counted and I have 15 presents to make this year. So far I have finished 3 and am halfway through 2 more. Can I finish 10 and two halves presents in 34 days? Oh, I also have a birthday present to make for my niece. I've picked fairly quick projects to make so I am going to try to be positive and say that Yes, I will finish on time! (I hope.)

Frosty Alaskan Morning

The Day of Mismatched Socks

I was sitting during naptime the other day and my feet were cold. There was a pile of clean clothes next to me on the couch so I dug through it and found two non-matching socks. I dug through again hoping to find at least one of the socks' mates, but no luck. Now I could have gone downstairs and gotten a pair of matching socks, but then I's risk waking the babies, so I put on those mismatched socks. This got me to thinking about all the other goofy things I've done to avoid waking the babies. Here's what I came up with:

1. worn mismatched socks

2. been cold-in short sleeves, all my hoodies were downstairs (I now keep a hoody or sweater upstairs)

3. ran to the farthest corner of the house to sneeze (which really isn't that far)

4. not flushed to toilet (I know, I know-it's gross, but like they said, "if it's yellow, let it mellow....)

5. gone without my morning coffee (the grinder is loud)

6. drank cold coffee (microwave beep is loud)

7. stood in front of the microwave watching it and pulled to door open at 1 second so it doesn't beep

8. hand wrote an entire knitting pattern on paper instead of printing it (of course by the time I was finished the babies had woken up and I wasn't able to start knitting)

What crazy things have you done?

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

J, finally feeling up to eating, was very unhappy that C and O were trying to get his snack.

Twin List Thursday

Not much new to share around here. Still busy working on presents and planning presents. So onto the list:

O one day old

#23 Don't ever feel guilty about giving them bottles.
#24 Your family/friends will praise you on some aspect of your child-rearing skills or how rested you "appear". They aren't being condescending, just trying to cheer you up. Smile and say thank you.
#25 You are not a failure if you need a little help (in pill form).

Only three more left.

Plotting

Last year my sister and I decided to try a handmade Christmas. I'm sure most of you have heard of this, but it is where you make (however you can or choose to) all of the gifts you give. I think I pretty well last year, I was still very new to knitting and I most everyone got a rolled brim knit hat from me. This year I plan on trying some new things, incorporating a little sewing, maybe put my husband's woodworking skills to use, we'll see. It was loads of fun and I plan on making this our tradition every year with the kids helping out when they get older (J will be helping this year though).

Plotting and planning and making sure I have the right materials.

When Life Gives You Apples on Sale......

make applesauce!!!

If you've never made applesauce, it is so easy. I used about 10 pounds of gala apples (you want a sweet apple so you don't have to add any sugar). Just peel, core and roughly chop them. Put them in a big sauce pot over low heat (2 or 3) and add about 1/8 to 1/4 cup of water so they don't burn at the start. I also added a good sprinkling of cinnamon. Place the lid on the pot and stir every so often until they mash easily with a fork (maybe around an hour). Strain out the juice (save it for some super yummy apple cider) and mash it with a potato masher, food processor, fork, etc. I blended my with my handy-dandy stick blender since I wanted the babies to be able to enjoy it as well. I made three different flavors: plain, strawberry and blueberry. For the blueberry I added some of the cooked down blueberries that I had left over from the yogurt. For the strawberry I used about 1/2 cup of frozen sliced strawberries. Just add the fruit to the applesauce while it is still hot and blend away (be careful not to splash hot sauce on yourself). The 10 pounds of apples made about 3 quarts of sauce. I stuck one in the freezer for later. I may make more to freeze so we can enjoy it all winter long.

Things I'm Lovin' Right Now

Beautiful handspun yarn from Murderoushoney. Not sure what to do with it yet, but it will definitely be something for me.

Watercolors for the first time!

Update

J is doing a little better, he's finally able to sleep and has in fact slept most of the day on the couch. He's been able to keep down crackers, water, juice and cereal. I, however, am now sick. I was so busy trying to make sure the twins didn't get sick, that I didn't take care of myself. I've been told that's all a part of being a Mama.

Sleepy O, couldn't resist taking this picture.

Still Here

I'm still here, I've just been busy taking care of a very sick little boy. I'll get back to writing when he is better. Keeping my fingers crossed that the babies don't get sick as well.

Also, we've been getting dumped on with snow lately.

The weekend before last, Daddy pulling J around the yard. I think it's time for a bigger sled! We've gotten several more inches of snow since then.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Twin List Thursday and Other Stuff

Chili in the pot

Snow on the Ground

Wool on the needles

Rain falling down.

I don't know why, but that just popped into my head. We had quite a bit of snow falling this morning, then it warmed up a bit and now it is raining. The rain is melting all the snow which has made J very sad (he's been talking nonstop about making a snowman with Daddy). There will be snow soon, lots and lots of snow!

Here's a new listing to my etsy shop:

O is my lovely model. 

Onto the twin list:

#20 Breath, again!

#21 Ignore family when they bug you about pictures and calling, you have more important things to do-like sleep.

#22 It doesn't "get better", you just get used to the craziness. I'd now have to say that it does get better and you NEVER get used to the craziness.

A Break

Well I did it, not quite as well as I planned/envisioned, but I still managed to pull it all off. Sunday was Halloween and all three kids had costumes and were warm and J had fun. Monday was J's 3rd birthday. We kept it simple, just a few family members, lasagna for dinner and cake afterwards. Still kinda stressful trying to get everything cleaned and ready with 3 little ones running/crawling around. J had fun, the babies were in a relatively good mood, everyone enjoyed the dinner and the cake.  

I think I'll be taking a few days off from crafting for now, but knowing me it won't be for too long. See you soon!

Happy Halloween

I wasn't able to finish the scarecrow costume so we went with Tigger. Don't they all looked thrilled?!?

Close-up of the Dorthy costume. The hair is yarn sewn on, the black thing on her right arm is  Toto. I did later fix the right strap so that it is closer to her neckline.

I am happy that Halloween is over. We had lots of fun, J really liked the Zoo Boo. The kids all stayed nice and warm in the 30 degree weather.

Now it's on to J's birthday, which is tomorrow!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Showing C how to peek down the kitty door to the basement.

Update: The boys and I enjoyed delicious blueberry yogurt this morning! (C was sleeping.) Hmmmm, what should I try next? Strawberry? Lemon? Oh, the possibilities!

Making Yogurt & Twin List Thursday

I got a EuroCuisine Automatic Yogurt Maker the other day and I am already in love with it! (I put in on my Amazon widget if you want to love one too.) I've made plain yogurt and today I tried my first batch of flavored yogurt (blueberry). It is so simple to use: heat 42 oz of milk (I used whole milk) to 180 degrees and then let cool to 110 degrees.

You are going to need a candy thermometer and keep stirring so the milk doesn't scald.

Then add flavoring: I took about 1 lb of frozen blueberries and cooked them over very low heat on the stove until they were nice and mushy. Then I used a potato masher to squish them, then I pureed them with my stick blender.

Do you like that sparkle? This is way more than needed. The extra I spread on graham crackers and fed to J. He was a big, happy blue mess!

I added 5 tablespoons of the mix to another container along with 6 oz of store-bought plain yogurt and about the same amount of the milk. I whisked it until it was smooth and then added it to the rest of the milk and whisked again.

Oooo purple!

Next I carefully poured the purply mix into the seven glass jars and put them in the machine without their lids on. I put the yogurt maker's clear lid on, set the timer for 7 hours (yep, 7 hours-so hard to wait), pushed start and that was that! Now I must wait and not disturb it.

After 7 hours the caps go on and they go in the fridge to cool. They should be ready to eat tomorrow. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Twin List time:

#17 make sure that while you are "surviving" the day, you are also taking time to get to know your babies

#18 if your husband offers to help-take him up on it, regardless of the tone he asks it in

#19 remember that your previous life isn't over-you just have to re-create yourself.

Halloween update: I took the day off from costumes yesterday, but I'm back on it. I cut out C's suit and will sew it up when the kids all wake up from their nap. Hopefully I'll have it finished today.

New Etsy Listing

New dress on etsy. Size 18 months to 2T. Go check it out.

The Aurora Loop Scarf

Check out the new item posted in my etsy shop:

It is knit out of the same yarn as the Mobius Cowl that I finished the other day. I call it the Aurora Loop Scarf because the colors remind me of the Aurora and it is one continuous loop. It is 2" in width by 40" in length. Super soft and cozy!

Yarn Love and Halloween

Look what came in the mail yesterday:

YARN! My first order from Knit Picks. It's their Swish merino in worsted weight. It says it is superwash, but after reading some reviews I'll stick with handwash. Aren't those colors beautiful? And yes, that is O's sneaky little hand again. You can also see J's hand and toes in the upper left hand corner of the picture. 

Oh yeah, he's stand on his own now, scary! (The thing on the floor is a trial piece I knit of a butterfly, it didn't turn out like I wanted it to so I gave it to the kids to play with. Is that mean?)

Today I (almost) finished O's costume (I still have to make and attach the ears). I've decided we are going as the Wizard of Oz- C will be Dorthy, O will be the lion and J is the scarecrow. When I was growing up we lived in the Midwest where is was almost always snowy at Halloween. We'd get all dressed up only to cover our costumes with our snowsuits. So I decided to try to make the kids' snowsuits their costumes (stick with me here).

I used a snowsuit we already had as a pattern and made O a lion snow suit.

Can you see how much he loves it :)

It's made from 2 layers of polar fleece so it is nice and warm. The mane is knit from Lion Brand Yarn's Fun Fur Exotics in Tigers Eye and Sensations Cello in Space Yarn Orange (both picked up at Jo-Ann's). I held the two together and cast on 3 stitches on size 6 needles, then I just knit each row until it was long enough to go from one end of the hood to the next, about 20". I sewed it on by hand with orange thread. I thought about adding fur to the wrists but I figured he'd just chew on them.

Close-up of the mane and the cute pouty face.

I have to make a quick run to the fabric store when my hubby gets home and pick up some white fleece for C's costume. I hope to get that done tomorrow.

Off the Needles

I just wanted to pop in and show off what I just finished. After knitting things for my kids and other people's kids, I decided that I wanted to knit something for myself. I've been coveting this yarn for almost a year now. I bought it at a craft fair last winter. It is Touch yarn from New Zealand, a super soft merino wool. I can't remember the color name, sorry, but it is a beautiful blend of green, purple and blue-reminds me of the northern lights. The pattern is from Purl Bee. Fun to knit, so soft and warm to wear.

I hate having my picture taken, so Teddy generously offered his services. Thanks Teddy!

Warm Heads, Warm Hearts

A few years ago I started following Soulemama. I love many of the creative ways she lives her life. One thing (of many) that inspired me was that every year she knits each member of her family a new hat. I figured, "hey, I can knit, I can do that!" Last year my hubby and J got matching hats, simple rolled brim hats since I didn't know how to purl yet.

Do you like how clean and organized his toys were back then? 

The hat for my hubby was too short and didn't cover his ears so this year I unraveled it to make a hat for O.

 The yarn is by Patons and I think the color is called Forest. The pattern is from one of my favorite hat knitting books, Baby Beanies by Amanda Keeys. (I have her book in my Amazon.com widget off to the right.) I started out making the pompom bear hat but finished it as the flour sack hat.

J's hat this year is one that I actually made last year, hence the rolled brim. It is also Paton's yarn, but I can't remember the name. I love how this yard stripes up the side and then spirals on top.

Of course you saw the hat I bought for C at the craft fair. I will knit her a hat later, but I'm not sure what pattern to use yet.

This next week is going to be busy, busy, busy here. My plans for the week include: making costumes for the kids (surprise what they'll be, but I'll share as I finish them), warm car seat blankets for the babies, and some party planning and cake making for J's 3rd birthday on the 1st. So if I don't post everyday, I apologize. I will try!

Back to work!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by Soulemama

A Special Delivery and Twin List Thursday

My mom is super wonderful! I received a package in the mail and just look at some of the goodies it contained:

Sesame Street Halloween fabric, about a yard of each. J LOVE, LOVE, LOVES Elmo right now and is going to be so happy when he sees this. Now what to make from it-pillow cases? a Halloween quilt? I'm not sure yet, but I'll figure something out. The rest of the fabric was some beautiful Christmas fabric.

I also received a Simplicity Bias Tape maker! Yeah! So perfect because I like hemming with bias tape, but hate making it. Aren't mom's the greatest!?!

Okay, now onto Twin List Thursday:

#14 resist the urge to make snarky comments when strangers ask, "Are they twins?" or "Boy, you've sure got your hands full". Just smile and say yes.

#15 everyone seems to know a twin or someone who has twins and they will want to tell you all about it

#16 if you went into preterm labor, try not to feel guilty about it