Making a Change

Last June we moved into the house and all the space was amazing......then winter arrived and we froze. The furnace does not heat the whole house and the propane bill was almost four times what we paid at the old house. With all that in mind hubby has decided he wants to move...where?  That is yet to be seen, since the place he wants needs some major rehab. He has purchased an old barn and about four acres of land. The barn is amazing, yet needs much work. I can close my eyes and see a big country kitchen and all the bedroom space, a loft for the grandkids to come stay and the thought of not a neighbor in sight. The question is, where to stay until the barn is livable. That to be would mean the roof fixed, wall closed and water and electric run with my number one must have ...a bathroom! Hubby claims to have a plan that he will hopefully share with me. If there werent so many of us I would say get a camper , park it and live there while you work. The rest of the family is not so keen on that idea. There is an artesian well and beautiful views from all four sides. I am ready for a change.....sounds of chicken and the morning rooster wake up call. A goat of two grazing in the pasture and maybe I can grow something!  That part is questionable LOL.

All this said I went outside yesterday to find the boys busy. making a chicken tractor.....WHY...because they bought three chicken and a duck! Jumped the gun, I think, but they are here. The dogs enjoy them , the cats were curious and oh how I hoped whatever got BINGO did not come down the hill for a late night snack.


I woke this morning to find them all fine, thank goodness. I did not want to explain to two little boys about missing chickens.

 JJ and his chicken Batman ( we don't know boy or girl chicken, but he names everything Batman )



Carsen being brave to let Batman sit on his shoulder

Carsen chicken "DORA"

Dad's girlfriend and Mandy checking out the chickens

The BOYS getting Daddy to hold DORA.

Now let me say when I dreamed of chicken I thought big fluffy hens who lay eggs each day....I will need to be patient I guess. They say be careful what you wish for....In this case I totally agree. All this could have been mush worse, where they bought the chicken there were horses for sale. They could have brought one of those home.

Now between packing to move, college courses,crocheting for the shop...I will be watching two boys, four dogs, cat and three kittens, three chicken and a duck! 

Before all this amazing fun arrived I had just finished this cute catepiller set, all it needs is antennaes and it is ready to go.

With chicken on our minds I went to an old favorite for dinner tonight.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/12/chicken-and-dumplings/

 Chicken and Dumplings

Prep Time: 15 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 30 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
• 1 whole Chicken, Cut Into Pieces (cut Up Fryer)
• Salt And Pepper
• 1/2 cup Finely Diced Carrots
• 1/2 cup Finely Diced Celery
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric
• 6 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1/2 cup Apple Cider
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• Dumplings:
• 1-1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Yellow Cornmeal
• 1 Tablespoon (heaping) Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1-1/2 cup Half-and-half
• 2 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Parsley (optional)
• Salt As Needed

Preparation Instructions

Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then dredge both sides in flour.

Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. In two batches, brown chicken on both sides and remove to a clean plate.

In the same pot, add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir in ground thyme and turmeric, then pour in chicken broth and apple cider. Stir to combine, then add browned chicken. Cover pot and simmer for 20 minutes.

While chicken is simmering, make the dough for the dumplings: sift together all dry ingredients, then add half-and-half, stirring gently to combine. Set aside.

Remove chicken from pot and set aside on a plate. Use two forks to remove chicken from the bone. Shred, then add chicken to the pot. Pour heavy cream into the pot and stir to combine.

Drop tablespoons of dumpling dough into the simmering pot. Add minced parsley if using. Cover pot halfway and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Check seasonings; add salt if needed. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

*Adapted from Gourmet Magazine

Try this and enjoy your day!

Monday Breather

Today is the day before school starts here. Tomorrow the two teen will be off to start their second year at High Marq Environmental Charter School here in Montello.  I can't explain how much nicer they are and how much more enthusiastic and involved they have become in their studies. I am thrilled. The two little guys headed back by mom for her week so after this I will have almost a perfect week. Hours to myself to finish crochet projects, get the Etsy shop changed around, blog and bake. Sounds like alot of work but I can't wait. I also have a big project under way. I am going to throw a family Holiday party. Ever since I can remember we as a family have all gathered either on Christmas Eve or in later years the Sunday before to visit , catch up and just be together. A few years back my Gram passed on and since then we have stopped doing this. A big mistake I think, maybe no one wants to do all the planning and people are all so busy but I think we need to take time to pass along to the kids what we all enjoyed so much as kids.  So, with the new house and some extra space I am working on inviting everyone up here. It will be a Saturday so the fact that we are a four hour drive from Chicago where many of them live should not be a problem. In fact should we chat late there are quite a few nice motels right in town for an overnight stay.  I have invited my sister and her family from Tulsa to come and spend a few days , so they will be at my house visiting with Mom and us.  As usual my husband will take the drive to Watertown and pick up Uncle Eddie and for the first time in about 45 yeasr my Aunt Charlotte who we recently found will be able to come and meet everyone too. Right now we are busy working on my favorite room.....the sun porch where there is a fireplace and I want to put the Christmas  Tree.

It is hard to tell by this photos but the room is all white right now.  A big change is in the works. Something cheerful and cozy. I have been painting tables and ma working on a painting for over the fireplace. I have been a little worried if I can pull it off but hubby says I can.  We will see if not it is firewood!

I just listed a little monster hat on the etsy shop  http://www.etsy.com/listing/80702670/monster-hat

well I am off to finsih a frog sweater and blanket order and then make a family favorite that needs to simmer all day pork roast, potato dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage.  

A Lemonade kind of Day

With the temperature at around 9- and the humidity high this was the perfect day to sit back and just enjoy a cool lemonade.  We of course had none! I was able to make a pitcher of sun tea and enjoy that in the quiet of the afternnon while the kids were still at school. It is very hard to work on earflao hats and think winter when the weather gets like this.

Perfect Lemonade Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutesIngredients
1 cup sugar (can reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 cup water (for the simple syrup)
1 cup lemon juice
3 to 4 cups cold water (to dilute)
Method
1 Make simple syrup by heating the sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved completely.

2 While the sugar is dissolving, use a juicer to extract the juice from 4 to 6 lemons, enough for one cup of juice.

3 Add the juice and the sugar water to a pitcher. Add 3 to 4 cups of cold water, more or less to the desired strength. Refrigerate 30 to 40 minutes. If the lemonade is a little sweet for your taste, add a little more straight lemon juice to it.

Serve with ice, sliced lemons.
Yield: Serves 6.
Sweet Tea Recipes


Recipe #1 Southern Sweet Iced Te
Ingredients
3 Family size tea bags
2 Cups of cold water
1 Cup of sugar
Directions
We in the south make the best iced tea you'll find. Maybe it's how it's done, or maybe it is the water in the south, or maybe it's just that a southern belle has put a lot of TLC into making the tea. Who knows!
We recommend Luzianne Tea Bags if available.
Place the two cups water in a pot and add the tea bags. Bring to a boil, do not continue boiling. Remove from heat and let steep. Pour warm tea into empty pitcher. Add the sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Fill remaining pitcher with cold water.

Optional - some women say they use less water and add ice to the tea.

Recipe #2 Southern Sweet Iced Tea

Ingredients:
3 Family sized tea bags
a pinch baking soda (about 1/4 teaspoon)
1 to 1 1/3 cups of sugar
Directions:
Here is my never fail sweet tea...
Everyone (even yankees) loves it.
Bring 3-4 cups of water to a boil. Add a pinch of baking soda to the water and add 3 family sized tea bags. Remove from heat and cover. Allow to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. Pour into gallon pitcher and add sugar. Then fill with cold water. Refrigerate.
*the soda takes out the bitterness and darkens the tea....this small amount doesnt change the taste.

Recipe #3 Sun Tea (no cooking!)
Ingredients:
3 Family sized tea bags
1 quart water
Glass or translucent pitcher
Directions:

Here is my easy, no work needed...Sun Tea
http://www.grits.com/tea.htm

Put the water and tea bags in the pitcher. Put in the Sun and let sit. In about 30 minutes to an hour you have tea. Add cold water to desired strength. Refrigerate.
This recipe is great for guys who can't cook!
Note: The sun does not usually heat water up enough to kill all the bacteria, so you should take proper cleaning procedures and throw out the tea if it ends up looking weird (extra thick, has strands in it, is syrupy).

Lemonade Cookies

Lemonade Cookies Printable Version

1 1/3 cups flour

¾ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

½ cup butter or margarine (1 stick), softened

1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In small bowl combine all the dry ingredients.
In the mixer beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (This will take a few minutes on high)
Beat in egg and vanilla until blended.
Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture just until combined, scraping the bowl with a spatula.;
Stir in the lemon zest
Drop dough by heaping teaspoons, 2 inches apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes or until just brown around the edges.
Icing

3 Cups powdered sugar

2 TBSP Lemon Juice

2 Tbsp Light Corn Syrup

2-3 Tbsp Water

Mix all of the above together to form icing.

Put ½ in one bowl with 2-3 drops of red food coloring to make pink icing. The other half of the icing goes in another bowl with 2-3 drops of yellow food coloring.

Spoon icing onto cookies as desired and allow to cool!

http://savingthefamilymoney.com/lemonade-cookies/



I really have been bad at getting things done and listed with graduation, family and everyday stuff.

!

here is the Dinosaur diaper set  http://www.etsy.com/listing/75259795/dinosuar-diaper-cover-and-hat-set and a great Fathers Day gift idea   a solid oak cribbage board.http://www.etsy.com/listing/74202244/oak-4-player-tournament-style-cribbage

Beaming From Ear to Ear

  This has been a very busy week in our household. We are in the final days up to Elizabeth's graduation. I find it so hard to believe that she can be ready to be off for college already. Not, because she doesn't act like she is but because it seems to have gone by so fast.

Here she is just starting off at Kindergarten Graduation.  It feels like yesterday!

Wednesday night at senior awards night . She received close to $35,000.00 in scholarship money. We are so proud of her! 

So with all this beaming and boasting I still have to find something cute for the party. I cam up with this cupcake idea

http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlecakesformyhappy/with/3581664050/  So cute and in her school colors they will be perfect. Thank goodness for all those talented people in my computer LOL. I am working on invitations using her kindergarten picture, and running out of time. So much to do so few hours.
            I have really been bad about taking photos and listing to Etsy this week. With getting the yard and house ready and the school events it seems the timer just flies by.

Here is a sock monkey from the diaper set on the new doll my sister made for me to use as a model. Our little guy has gotten too big to be able to show off the cute baby hats. So I am off to get some yard work done before the next batch or rain and hopefully get my computer work done this evening in the peace and quiet while the big kids are at work. Wish me luck!

Finally Friday

  I woke to sun streaming through the bedroom window and the smell of coffee. It WAS going to be a good day. As I sipped my first cup and checked emails I came across a link for this article http://www.leighfazzina.com/2010/05/15/a-blind-man-inspires-strategic-change/  Wow, now that made me think how much we take for granted on a daily basis. With the sun shining, Mother's Day around the corner and a new outlook on the day, I would love to share Sunshine Muffins with you, my kids love these

Sunshine Muffins Recipe


Adapted from recipe by Lick Skillet Bakery in Boulder, CO

Cook time: 15 minutes

Temp: 325 F
Ingredients:
•1 ½ c whole wheat flour
•1 ¼ c cake flour
•¾ t baking soda
•¾ t cinnamon
•¾ t salt
•¾ t c raisins
•1 ½ c carrots, grated
•¾ almonds, crushed
•¾ c coconut, shredded
•1 ¼ c Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
•4 eggs beaten
•5 oz maple syrup
•¾ c canola oil
•¼ c apple juice
•¾ t vanilla
Instructions:
1.Place apples, raisins, carrots, almonds, and coconut in medium sized bowl.
2.Sift together first 5 ingredients in a bowl ("dry bowl").
3.Put eggs, maple syrup and canola oil in another bowl ("wet bowl").
4.Add wet to dry and mix just enough to moisten.
5.Fold in fruit and almonds.
6.Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
7.Bake 15 minutes at 325.
 I am editing photos and trying to write descriptions, in a new way. To describe them like there are no photos, make each piece come to life for the customer and explain why they need this item or why the item is great for what their current need is.  Much work, I am terrible at TOOTING my own horn , as they say. I need to step back and see the items in a whole new light. This is my project, right after I get some laundry in, and mop. Here are a few item I am going to list today .

check out the shop later for all the ( hopefully) better details.  http://www.grammasgifts.etsy.com/

Little Bites

Little bites like little steps are my plan of getting through the next steps in my life. While trying to follow the writing in The Secret. It all makes great sense...good thoughts attract good things, think that you deserve good things and good things will come to you. There is so much more but that is the gist of it. We attract the vibes we put out into the universe, so if you say I can't ...you probably won't. So I am now saying I am and I can instead.. My son is a perfect example, from the time he was a small child he has thought and jokingly said "he must have been left behind by a rich family" He wanted nice things, he got them. Yes, he works hard but enjoys life and is a very generous man. I am taking a page from his book and using the tools taught in The Secret to change the course of my life NOW. It is never too late for change. I also have a grand plan... a 14 day trip to Ireland to see where some of my family came from. The farthest back a cousin has tracked is Coleraine Londonderry, Ulster Ireland.   So, I am saving my change, using my cash from recycled cans and the checks I earn from Josephines. The trip is about $2,600.00 so I have a way to go but I WILL get there.

The Secret teaches us that we create our lives, with every thought every minute of every day. Living The Secret offers tools and ideas to help you live The Secret and create the life of your dreams.
    
So to reward myself for all the GOOD thought I am sending out to the world I searched the internet and found a wonderful blog that contained what must be the perfect treat
Brookie Bites
First you need to bake up your brownies...


I usually use a box, just because it is so much easier (and lazier:-)



While the brownies are cooling, mix up your cookie dough.

I used this same recipe found HERE but

I used vanilla extract this time.

Bake the cookies for about 7-8 minutes.

You want them to be soft and gooey...not crispy!

Try to resist the urge to inhale said gooey cookie.



Oh what the heck!

Go ahead and eat a few:-)



Let the cookies cool slightly, then

roll them into small bite sized balls.

(definitely easier to do before they cool all the way)

Place in the freezer and wait until frozen.

It will be hard but you can do it.



Then...

yup you got it.

Place that frozen cookie in the center of a small brownie

and start smushing it all around that cookie ball.

Now here is the hardest part...

you've got to freeze them AGAIN.



I know it's torture, but well worth it in the end.

You can reward yourself by eating

some of the brownie scraps to pass the time.



Once they are frozen enough,

melt some chocolate in the microwave and dip away.

Any sprinkles on top will do,

but it is that time of year so

hearts it is ♥
http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-to-do-during-snowstorm.html

I also got inspired to make up a few new hats and items for the Etsy shop .

This idea came about from the boys bag of goldfish crackers.......another good thing in a little bite! I am working on a lion and a hippo. I will get them done today and I will get them posted. The are adorable!

Have a great day ( I am sending out good vibrations)   like that 60's song....I know I WILL

Almost Easter

  As I sit looking out my window it is hard to believe that even though Easter falls later this year that my view is covered in snow!

Yes, my bluebirds are back and looked quite confused as the flakes kept falling yesterday. The school closed early, the snow piled high and it did not seem to want to stop.  This morning we had a two hour delay for the school opening because there was not a plow in sight.  Thankfully the plow did pass and the kids are off to school and I can get to my daily list of things to do.  With some cute outfits being finished I have buttons to sew on and then the task of listing them on Etsy.

 I have been trying to use the suggestions for increasing visitors to my shop by following http://www.handmadeology.com/social-media-blitz-free-5-day-ecourse/  So many wonderful ideas and helpful tips. I could spend the day just reading on that site.

But then like alot of you I have to prepare for Easter. We have dinner at home with guests and now the two little guys are very into the Easter Bunny and all its magic. So, I am looking into some fun table markers we can make together and looking for that perfect dessert to end the day. JJ already has his Easter cake mix box with matching frosting on the counter. Cupcakes are a must for him. The menu I would love to change up a bit. We always have ham but maybe a new sidedish without causing my hubby ( who is a creature of habit) to freak out as the kids say. I saw a nice spinach and strawbeery salad that looked good. More reading will have to be done and then the list making before I set off for my final tri to the store. Right now my list consists of jelly beans, peeps and robins eggs......I think we need real food.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carrot-Cake-2/Detail.aspx
Carrot Cake By: Marc Boyer

"Here's and old-fashioned carrot cake that's got more carrots than spice. Pecans can be substituted for walnuts."
Original Recipe Yield 15 to 18 servings

Ingredients

2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup flaked coconut
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. Set aside.
2.In a large bowl, mix together sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk. Stir in carrots, coconut, vanilla, and pineapple. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; gently stir into carrot mixture. Stir in chopped nuts. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3.Bake for 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.
4.In a medium mixing bowl, combine butter or margarine, cream cheese, vanilla, and confectioners sugar. Blend until creamy. Frost cake while still in the pan.

 I found a darling place setting idea at http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/03/adorable-place-card-holders-for-your.html  I am going to crochet my daffodils  http://www.larkcrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/9781600598784_eproject.pdf

though and maybe not use real grass as I dont think I have enough time left. I am tired of the same old and determined to jazz things up a bit this year. I will have to let you know how that goes over with the rest of the family.

Gramma just loves Granny Squares

Whe I think of granny squares I remember sitting on my Grandmothers living room floor laying out what seems to be hundreds of square my Great Gram had made. Each one edged in black and different. She would spend her time making this little squares from leftover yarn and stashing them away until there was enough to finsih an afghan.

I do not have the patience for all the connecting, and have yet to master a better way. But, I do love the granny square. I have come across afew new patterns that let me granny square away without all the connecting.

Here is a bsic granny square pattern I found. They get to be addictive, you can't make just one!

Granny Squares
Granny squares can be worked at any gauge.
If you're crocheting a granny square as part of a pattern, match the gauge mentioned in the pattern as closely as possible. Otherwise, you can work your granny squares at whatever gauge you like.
Choosing Materials:

Granny squares can be worked with any yarn plus a crochet hook of appropriate size. Check the label on the yarn you plan to use; the correct crochet hook will be specified. Use that as a starting point, but feel free to make adjustments as needed.
Choosing Colors and Fibers:

Granny squares can be a single color or multicolored. Any combination of colors can be used. There are infinite possible variations.

If you work with multiple yarns, the fiber contents should be the same, or compatible, so that the finished project will wear evenly with repeated washing and use.

For example, do not combine cotton and acrylic in the same granny square. The cotton and the acrylic will wear differently. Acrylic is typically shrink-resistant, but cotton can shrink significantly when washed. Using these fibers together could result in a project that looks fine before washing, but distorts during the washing process.

Pay attention to care instructions, and make sure that all fibers used in the same project can be cleaned using consistent methods. For example, do not use "Hand wash only" yarns in the same granny square with "Dry clean only" yarns.

Abbreviations:

ch = chain, chs = chains, st = stitch, sts= stitches, sl st = slip stitch, dc = double crochet

http://crochet.about.com/od/learntocrochet/ss/Crochet_Granny_Square.htm

I listed the new items on Grammas Gifts on Etsy this morning, I am curious to see how many other people have a fondness for Granny Squares also. The next set I am doing will be a 6 month size hat and sweater with a matching blanket. That would make a great baby shower gift.

Get Your Chicks in a Row

I know that Easter is late this month, but I always seem to be playing catch up. Yes, I tend to say I have a few weeks things can wait. The, out of nowhere it seems. The day is upon me and I am running around like a chicken without a head. Knowing this I have been making a point to set a schedule and work plan. So far, so good.
I am back to reading the emails from Flylady and trying to get the house back on track. They are coming along, but not with out alot of grumbling and some resistance.
I broke out the old chore calendar and am working out a fair schedule so we can all participate here. I fight the thought that Mrs. Cleaver did it all herself and looked really good doing it. There are some differences, I don't have a strand of pearls to wear over my house dress and I don't think she had Myastenia Gravis. There were only tow boys and what looked like a very neat husband and I have what I like to refer to as a tribe and a husband who seems to keep everything, newspapers, mail, junk etc. Other than that we are very alike.
Besides the usual housework I am trying to fill some orders for the Etsy shop and a shop "Josephines" in Watertown. So, I explain any short comings I may have by the fact I work 2 jobs, home and crochet.  No one usually falls for that excuse as I can work from my chair in my Pj's.
This weeks big push is to finish some newborn chick hats and diaper set that were ordered and get a few new things listed to the shop. I have two sweaters to finish on orders from Josephines and then a few items for the girls for Easter. If I sleep less, get some help and don't stress out I may just get it all done.

                          Here are the chicks I listed

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71735515/spring-chick-hat-photo-prop
Speaking of easter chicks I found this adorable dress on Etsy. If only one of the grandaughters was the right size. Maybe next year, Isabella should be just about right by then.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70058252/reversible-dress-for-easter-and-spring-6?ref=sr_gallery_16&ga_search_query=spring+chicks&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Now I could'nt resist not finding a cupcake with a chick theme
 I found the recipe for these chick cupcakes on the Betty Crocker website.

Easter Chicks Cupcakes


Ingredients:
1 box favorite flavor cake mix
eggs, oil, and water called for on the cake mix box
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
yellow food coloring
1 container vanilla buttercream frosting
48 mini chocolate chips
24 small gumdrops
Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
Make cake mix as directed on box.

Divide batter among muffin cups.
Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean.
Cool completely.
Place coconut in resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add about 8 drops yellow liquid food color, seal bag, and shake to mix.

Frost cupcakes with white frosting.
Top with yellow coconut.
For eyes, add mini chocolate chips.
Cut orange gumdrops to resemble beaks and place on cupcakes.

Ladybugs just shout SPRING

I was playing around with a new hat the other day and came up with a ladybug that has wings that turn into earflaps. It was alot of fun to just make it up as I went along. Could I explain what I did to someone else? Probably not, so I won't be writing a pattern.  Lady bugs seems to be popping up all over Etsy and the stores so I had to join in the fun. I also have a hat and sweater in the works with ladybug buttons and a fun hat. They just look so cheerful and who can resisit. I listed this hat this morning in my Etsy shop.

As I was browsing through the Etsy shops I came across another of my favorite things APRONS. I just love fun print aprons and the one I found is ladybug and has a Mom and Me set. Now that say fun in the kitchen.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70111643/mother-daughter-little-ladybugs?ref=sr_gallery_33&ga_search_query=lady+bug+&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Then if you have the fun aprons you need a fun cupcake recipe to work on. Wilton had this cute ladybug cupcake recipe.

Step 1

Bake cupcakes in Standard White Baking Cups and cool completely on Cooling Grid.
Step 2
Prepare Buttercream Icing recipe. Reserve a small amount white icing for eyes and mouth. Tint 1/3 of the remaining icing with Black Icing Color. Tint the rest of the icing with Red-Red Icing Color.
Step 3
Ice cupcakes with red icing. Make a small line across center of each cupcake with the edge of the Spatula.
Step 4
For the head, pipe a quarter-sized to ball of black icing at one end of the line using Round Decorating Tip 3.
For the body, pipe small Round Decorating Tip 3 dots across the surface of the cupcake.
Finish the face with the same tip by piping eyes and mouth with reserved white icing, red icing dot for nose and black dots for pupils.

Now for those of you who have Asian Beetles, you know they look like ladybugs but hide around your windows and dooors and seem to be everywhere. Here is a blog post that may help.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthegrahnhomestead.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fno-more-bugs.html&h=210d4

Have a great day!

Things are just Ducky

  I woke very early this morning with a list of all that needed to get done on my mind.  I came out turned on the coffee and sat down to quietly work on a few projects before the house woke up. Ahhhh, peace and quiet. This is spring break for our kids and people are always coming and going. A couple are in Chicago visiting, Liz has a college tour and the other teenagers will sleep in. I should have a great morning. Now that the sun is finally up it is a bright but chilly morning. The kind I will just admire from inside where it is warm.

I am finishing some duck items for Easter and the Etsy shop.  I am hopng to get a yellow pinafore done. What a cute spring outfit that would make paired up with a duck or even chick hat. The pattern I am using is from 1974 and was my Grandmothers. My girls had a pinafore for every occasion. Toss a pinafore on over a tshirt or turtleneck and some jeans and adorable and fancy as the kids used to say. Pinafores can also be worn over a dress to spruce it up. So many options and oh so easy. On the back of this pattern, in her own writing are all the little changes to get the pinafore in other sizes.  She was amazing. On some days it still brings tears to my eyes to see her handwriting. She was one of a kind. She took great pride in having the best dressed Grandkids at school or church. We wore handmade and I don't think I realized until now how much love went into dressing us. Thanks Gram!  I just hope my Grandkids will feel the same years from now about me.

Ducky Purse

Girl Duck Hat

Ducky Hat on Carsen

duck hat and sweater

Hooded ducky sweater

Ducky Cupcakes
24 vanilla cupcakes baked in yellow paper liners 20 plain doughnut holes
2 cans (2 cups each), plus 1 cup vanilla frosting 14 orange fruit chews (Tootsie Fruit Rolls, Starburst)
Yellow food coloring 48 brown mini candy-coated chocolates (M&M’s Minis)
12 marshmallows

Yield: 24 Servings Shopping List:Add Recipe Recipe Added!View shopping list directionsPrep: 15 min Total: 45 min Try Kitchen View! Take your computer to the kitchen and view this recipe full-screen, with step-by-step directions. Enter Kitchen View 1
Tint 1 can plus 3/4 cup of the vanilla frosting bright yellow with the yellow food coloring. Spoon the yellow frosting into a microwavable measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap. Spoon 1/4 cup of the vanilla frosting into a ziplock bag, press out the excess air, seal, and set aside.
2
Cut the marshmallows in half on the diagonal with scissors. Spread some of the vanilla frosting from the remaining can on top of a cupcake. For the head, place a doughnut hole on one side. For the tail, arrange the cut marshmallow, pointed end up, on the edge on the opposite side. Repeat to make 20 heads-up ducks. To make the bottoms-up ducks, place a cut marshmallow in the center of each of the remaining 4 cupcakes, pointed end up. Spread vanilla frosting up the sides of the doughnut holes and marshmallows on the cupcakes to fill in the gaps and smooth. Place the cupcakes in the freezer for 15 minutes, or until slightly frozen.
3
Microwave the yellow frosting, stopping to stir frequently, until it has the texture of lightly whipped cream, about 45 seconds. Remove 1 cupcake at a time from the freezer. Holding the cupcake by its paper bottom, dip it into the yellow frosting just up to the liner. Allow the excess frosting to drip off back into the cup. Turn right side up and let stand. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes. If the frosting becomes too thick, reheat for several seconds, stirring well.
4
For the beaks, cut 10 of the orange fruit chews in half. Shape each piece into a 3/4-by-11/2-inch oval. Fold the fruit chew almost in half, then pinch at the fold and shape to look like an open beak. Place the folded edge of the fruit chew on the front of the doughnut hole head, pressing gently to secure. For the feet, cut the remaining 4 fruit chews in half on the diagonal. Flatten each piece into a 1-by-11/2-by-11/2-inch triangle. Shape the short end to make the webbed feet. Score the top with a small knife. Insert the pointed end of the feet at the base of the tail on the bottoms-up cupcakes. Snip a small (1/8-inch) corner from the bag with the vanilla frosting. Pipe a white dot on either side of the head for the eyes and add the mini brown candies.
http://www.ivillage.com/rubber-ducky-cupcakes/3-r-139110

Time Out

Now as a Mom and Grandma we all know what a time out is.  They came into be after my kids were school age, but I now use them.....for me . That is what I call 3:00 at our house...that is when The Nate Show comes on and I want to sit quietly if possible for that one hour. Is that really too much to ask? To sit and look at all I could accomplish shoule I set my mind to it. I am pretty darn creative, but with a lack in cooperation mnay of my dream projects have not come to be.  This spring I intend to make some big changes and on my own.... We are woman hear us roar.....who needs help. The other nice thing is every so often they have great recipes on there like this one

Spicy Smoky S’mores Bars

Ingredients

18 crackers or 2 packages plain graham crackers
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted, plus more, softened, for pan
4 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
4 cups mini-marshmallows

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Line the bottom and sides your 9 by 13-inch baking pan with foil. You want to leave about 4 inches of overhang on the 2 opposite sides. These are going to serve as your handles to remove the bars from the pan in one piece, so make sure that there is enough of the overhang for you to have a solid grip. Grease the foil well.
In your food processor, grind the graham crackers into a fine meal (you need 2 cups). In a large bowl, combine your crumbs, sugar, sea salt, and melted butter. The mixture should look and feel like wet sand. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Evenly press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom the foil-lined pan. Pop your crust into the oven and bake until it is golden brown and your kitchen smells of graham crackers, about 12 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool on a rack or on a dishtowel on your counter.

Melt your milk chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until fully melted. Do not turn up the heat to hurry this process; you must keep it on low. Once the chocolate is fully melted, it's time to add your chipotle pepper powder and stir it in completely.
Preheat the broiler.
Pour the melted chocolate over the cooled graham cracker crust. Spread the chocolate evenly over the crust with the back of a butter knife. Then sprinkle your marshmallows over the chocolate, pressing them lightly, and then sprinkling the reserved crumb mixture over and in between the marshmallows so that you cannot see the chocolate peaking through the marshmallows. Broil the bars until the marshmallows are golden brown, it should only take 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Refrigerate the bars until the chocolate is hard, 2 hours or so. Grab the ends of the foil liner and lift the bars out of the pan in 1 piece. Move them to a cutting board and cut into 24 squares.

Yield: 24 servings
I omitted the chipolte powder and everyone just loved them.
http://www.thenateshow.com/tipsandtools/detail/dessert-flipping-with-anne-thornton

I have been busy getting some things together to post on etsy... here are a few

flower clip for hats etc.

lady bug hat with wing earflaps

frogette



owl bib...there is a matching hat on Etsy