Hello February!!

Loving this new picture on my calendar for the month of February! I love the start of a new month. How about you?

Thanks to my fab friend, Denise---who helped me do some fabric shopping. She has a great eye for beauty and creativity.

This is one of my favorite patterns. I have made 9 skirts using this pattern, so, I feel like I can truthfully say this is a good pattern. So, I got busy and sewed up a storm while watching The Australian Open last week.

Ooh-la-la! Got these little beauties done in no time. They are for my daughter who is serving a mission for our church. I think she will be very glad to see them and will enjoy having something new to wear or share, after being out a little more than a year on her mission.

More of the same.....I must confess, after sewing these skirts, I did make one for myself! HA! I have already worn it and loved it.

Moving on...hello? Who has come to visit today (actually yesterday) and in broad daylight? The snow has been on the ground for so long that animals are having a hard time finding food. Before Mr. Opossum stopped by to visit the cat food dish, I noticed a large blue jay eating the cat food.

And, what a difference a day can make. We are having a huge snowstorm and happy for it. No school...hubby working from home today. We have cocoa being made in the cocoa machine, a cozy fire in the wood burning stove, great music playing...the makings of a terrific day.

A little peek out of the back door. Still expecting a few more inches. So, we will wait before we go out and play and shovel and drag the driveway. I guess my February "word" of CALM on the calendar was right. It is very calm and peaceful outside.

Well, wherever you are today, hope you all have a great day. And by the way, it is Groundhog Day! No shadows will be seen here today. How about where you live? Are you up to your eyeballs in snow? Sunshine? Rain? Mother Nature....she is a clever one! xo

A Mom's Ultimate Survival Kit

I was catching up on one of my favorite DIY blogs, All Things Thrifty and came across this BRILLIANT project: A mom's ultimate survival kit. (Or, a date night survival kit?! A boring class kit? A trip to the park kit? An overnighter kit?!)

You know how you have to dig to the bottom of your purse for keys...you know you put a pen in your bag but where is it? Voila!

She picked up items at a dollar store. If it was a date kit I'd put in lipgloss, safty pins, money, gum etc. Boring class: sudoko, colored pens, candy, straws and spitwads...

Made pockets for each...

I actually think I look more at the beautiful pillows in the background here, ha!

How awesome is that?! This way, you're not a tote-bag lugging, backpack exploding crazy person. She must have known I needed this!
She even includes a tutorial for making the cute flower on the outside!

To make it go to the site here

Happy Monday!

Start With Onions!!

Onions cooking on the stove....a prelude to something delicious! This is one small onion in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Soon as the onions get that nice translucent look, add in about 16 ounces of fresh mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. And, as you wait for the mushrooms to slowly cook and become a little brown....
...it might be time for a little pre-dinner "pick-me-up"! I do love fruit. Ever wonder why fruit tastes so much better and near festive when eaten out of a wonderful dish or glass? Love it!

Let onions and mushrooms cool. And while they are cooling, chop very finely, 3/4 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup parsley.

In a food processor or blender, blend one regular can of kidney beans with the parsley and walnuts. Then, add in the mushrooms and onions.
Honestly, my blender could not handle this...the thickness. So, a food processor would be best. But, truth be told, i do not have a food processor and so I resorted to my trusty hand held electric beaters. What's a girl to do? And, it did work out aok.

Sort of looks like the beginnings of meatloaf? Maybe? But, with beans. Well, it is NOT meatloaf.

Add in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs.

Well, here is what I made...a first for me...meatless meatballs. After mixing the above ingredients, put it into the fridge for about an hour. Roll into small balls and broil for 10 minutes, rotating balls once. They turned out nice and crusty on the outside and softer on the inside. Just right.

I looked back at the recipe to see if their was a sauce or how to serve, but, did not find anything.
Maybe over rice? Hubby and son loved these. I think kids might gobble these up if dipped in ketchup? We did try ketchup and it was good.

And, it was what was for school and work lunches the next day.

A few tips...I think this would make a wonderful spread on tortilla's, or on a sturdy whole wheat cracker. Just mix the ingredients and spread.

Have a great Friday. Maybe give this new recipe a try this weekend. It was fun to make and fun to eat! What's cooking at your house this weekend? xo

Lasagna Skillet

I know I commented a 'thank you' to everyone who commented on my last post but I wanted to be sure you were recognized. That is what I meant by good friends! Thank you one and all for the encouragement and upliftment. I hope I give you the same in return.

Perhaps a delicious meal will better convey my gratitude over written sentiments..!

Lasagna Skillet!

Mmmm?!

a delicious blend of noodles, meat, tomatoes, Italian spices and Parmesan cheese

We've posted previously on how much we detest Hamburger Helper (tastes like cardboard. Sorry Betty C.) and the inventive homemade hamburger helper using water, milk, noodles and spices. This is an advanced recipe of the same kind only TEN TIMES more delicious!! It's a new staple at my home. Trust me, it tastes like lasagna only you put in a fraction of the work. Et voila:

Ahh mm-hmm!

1 pound ground beef (I usually use a half pound b/c it overwhelms the dish and I like to use the other half pound for another meal)
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/4 cups water
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups bow tie pasta, uncooked
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dash basil, pepper

In large skillet, brown beef with onions and garlic; drain. Add tomatoes, water, tomato sauce, parsley, basil, oregano, and salt. Mix well. Stir in uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover, simmer for 20 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring once. Stir in cottage cheese. Cover with and Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle in basil and pepper to taste if desired. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Pair this with our breadstick recipe here and add a crisp green salad. Yum!

Bon Appetit!

(recipe source and 1st photo from FabulesslyFrugal (dot) com. A good coupon site for you west coast couponers!)

Motherhood is tough.

Why did my own mother do such a fantastic job raising us that motherhood not only looked enviable (you would always have friends a.k.a. your children, you got to dress real live "dolls" and cook food for everyone!) but it seemed easy? Now, I only have child and I cannot help but marvel at the people who have more than that and look so well put together.

Tonight Maddy and I went to the store and I broke my cardinal rule of going to the grocery store in sweats. Not only that but my other rule, I had on no make up and hmmm did I even brush my hair? Or my teeth!? The apartment is messy after I just cleaned it this morning, the dishwasher is calling out to be unloaded, phone calls need to be returned, YW Presidency meeting plans for tomorrow, photo shoot to be edited and re-scheduled because I'm not happy with the lighting, banana bread to make, pots to be scrubbed, library books to return...well, you get the idea. In fact, you probably have a list longer than mine.

I'm determined to help Madelyn learn how to soothe herself to sleep. Which means crying. I can't stand crying. Not even a little bit. I'm horrible at "tough love". I always want to run into the bedroom and rescue her and get out some toys to play, to let her know I'm there. But as I read in a book recently, there is "intelligent love" and if I look at the situation clearly, it will benefit her so much more in the long run (and myself as well) if we both can learn that when it's bed time, she goes into her crib and I have to leave. The goodnight's sleep that ensues is so worth it. Otherwise, if I try to rock her to sleep she fights it and wants to play and it's hours and hours before she'll relent. Then she's extra tired and I'm extra cranky. Tough love baby. Tough love, mama.

Aaron has had to jump into his busy season with both feet. That means, gone at 7:30am and we see nor hear hide or tail of him until 10:30-11:00pm. Saturdays he's at the office and Sundays we just try to catch our breath. Only 6 more weeks to go!

I guess what I'm getting at is...everyone keeps asking me how Aaron's busy season is going, there is such a "to-do" about it. We go to our friends' house for the weekend to relax and vent about the boys' busy week and eat delicious steaks. But what about a mother's busy season? The moment that sweet bundle of joy comes home you're on call 24/7 and suddenly your needs, wants, dreams, desires, goals, taking showers regularly get shelved. It is the highest calling or position demanding an endless rope of patience, bottomless energy and tough arms for swimming through the mire of other responsibilities. If you're a mother, chances are no one has asked you how your busy season is going...how are you holding up? Boy, that was a late shift last night, wasn't it? Did you get that potty training project finished? How about that nap schedule? I need it on my desk asap.

I guess growing up I assumed that my siblings and I were all my mother needed to be fulfilled and happy. And I bet she would say that we were a big part of that. But I never would have thought of the things she put on hold for us, the lonely nights spent treading a circle with a baby in her arms, the endless afternoons cleaning, feeding, running after, changing, and soothing. So much of that I never figured into this motherhood thing until it happened. And I have found that reaching out to others who are in my same boat is about the only thing that keeps a mother sane. We need each other. Friends (mothers or not) are essential beings to helping us remember who we are underneath the spit up and sweat pants.

So, from one mother deep in the trenches..how is your busy season going? Are you staying afloat? What troubles are you encountering with your "clients"? You are not alone!

Staying IN for Date Night

We are experiencing a wonderful and bone chilling "Arctic Snap". Yes, it does feel as cold as it sounds. It is very exciting, to say the least. So, we stayed in for Date Night and I am so glad we did.

I do love a good salad....croutons, dried cranberries, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, veggies...the works.

We are kicking off each and every Friday (weekend) this winter/New Year, with trying a fun drink with dinner. We have tried sparkling grape juice, raspberry lemonade, and last nights, Pomegranate lemonade. It was like having a dessert in a glass-ha! Very good, but, very sweet.


I was so inspired by blogging friend, Julie's, "romantic steak dinner...with hot mustard sauce", (http://circlecliffviews.blogspot.com/), that I had to do a little something about it. It was so good. I baked potato's, and made steak with onions and mushrooms.
It was divine. I must try Julie's hot mustard sauce, next time round.

And, there was dessert. Need I say more?

I have got to learn how to make this!!!

All in all, a wonderful way to celebrate a successful week and kick-off a super weekend. We are following the Australian Open, so, looking forward to watching some tennis while I sew.

What's happening in your neck of the woods this weekend? My son is doing it up right by starting his day off with scrambled eggs and layer cake---(ha)-and some early morning indoor tennis. Fantastic! xo

Sausage Bow-tie Pasta with Breadsticks

1½ cups warm water
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. yeast

Let that sit for 5 minutes. Then add:

3½ cups flour
1 tsp Salt

Mix until smooth then let raise for 10 minutes. Roll out dough into a large square on a floured surface. Brush with melted (real) butter mixed with garlic and then sprinkle with kosher salt. Fold in half and cut into 1 inch strips. Twist and place on a cooking sheet. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes to raise. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately after baking, brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with kosher salt and grated Parmesan cheese. (recipe courtesy Fabulessly Frugal)

Brown 1/2 lb Italian sausage (or original with Italian seasonings) in large pan, add a dash of red pepper flakes
Add 1/2 cup chopped onion and 2 garlic cloves, minced, with a little olive oil
When they are translucent and cooked, add 1-26oz can Italian diced tomatoes (drained), 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (I substitute some with milk) cover and let simmer around 10 mins.
Stir in 1 lb. COOKED bow-tie noodles (I had shell noodles on hand) Stir to combine
Add salt and pepper and some Parmesan cheese to taste
And serve!