A Work in Progress and More Organization!

Ok, so I took my first attempt at making a crocheted slipper.  It was quite hysterical.  I didn't follow the pattern correctly so my slipper ended up really big, falling off my foot as I walked.  My husband couldn't stop laughing.  This may have been my sexiest moment yet for him. 

Yes, I know it looks like a clown shoe.  But I was not going to give up!  I was going to make a cute slipper darn it!  (This is where my husband told me I'm out of control.) 

These fit much better and I'm pretty happy with them.  However, I think I would prefer using a bulkier yarn to really keep my feet warm and cushioned for those cold winter days.  I plan to find a pattern to accommodate that!

Onto the next!  As I'm crocheting more and more I realize I need to find a more practical way to carry, organize and see all of my crochet hooks.  Enter the Crystal Light container!

 

Before

 

 

After

 

So far so good!  This container is working very nicely for me!  I love when I can repurpose something and not have to run to the store!

 

So the other day my son said to me, "Mom, can I have some sandwich bags?"  I asked what for and he said he wanted to organize his Kinex pieces.  The sky opened and angels were singing!  My son said 'organize'!  So I gladly handed him the sandwich bags.  Well, I thought all he would need was a few....turns out he had about 30 sandwich bags sitting in a pile.  This wasn't going to work.  (...at least not for me aesthetically speaking).  So I went to Menards to see what I can find.  I had a nut/bolt organizer/bins in mind.  Well I found exactly that!

 

 

This has worked out very well!  There are notches in the back to even mount on the wall!  I plan to do just that! 





3 Little Pumpkins...

One Little Pumpkin

So being a 'regular' at our town's yearly brewfest, my husband and I were quite fond of a beer we tasted out of St. Louis.  On a recent trip there, my husband was sure to pick up Schlafly Beer's seasonal Pumpkin Ale.  This is definitely a spice-filled beer...just like biting into a slice of pumpkin pie!  If you'd like to get the complete pie experience, just take a sip and squirt some whipped cream in your mouth!

Two Little Pumpkin

 

Here is a recipe I recently tried and must say it was pretty good!  This would be a great snack to add to your child's school lunch.

 



Pumpkin Dip

 

3 oz. softened cream cheese

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 8oz. tub of Cool Whip

 

Beat cream cheese and sugar.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients and fold in the Cool Whip.  Serve with graham crackers.  Enjoy!

 

Three Little Pumpkin

 

With every crocheted hat I make I realize it is definitely quicker than knitting.  And when you are a mom of three, constantly watching the clock, this is definitely a more time-friendly craft.  I just love the big flower on this one, don't you? 

Oh, I almost forgot one more thing to share with you!  I am a sucker for infomercials and newly invented cleaning products.  Can't explain why - I just am!  Anyway, I was at WalMart and stumbled upon these cool little doo-dads...

Can you believe it?  Microfiber Dust Slippers?  Why didn't I think of that!  I snatched these up and couldn't wait to get home and try them out!  Sure enough - they worked great!  And best yet, the sole of the slipper is detachable, so you can throw them in the wash when you're done dusting!  If you have hard-wood floors I would recommend getting these.....my daughter loved putting these to work! 



Busy, Busy, Busy...

I haven't written in a few days due to getting this 'bug' to makeover my daughter's bedroom.  First step was finding the inspiration.  We took a trip to Kohl's and there, Brooke found her quilt.  Next was a trip to Home Depot.  If you haven't tried their Behr paint samples, you really should!  You can pick any color from the swatches and they will tint the sample cans.  I can't tell you how many times I bought paint because it looked good in the store, brought it home, painted and HATED it!  Trust me - it's worth the few extra bucks and trips to the store.  Anyway - here are the before and after pictures.  You'll have to forgive me, I couldn't take the chaos in her room another minute that I was too antsy to stop and take a 'before' picture.  Just before painting I realized I never took a 'before' shot.  So the only thing you'll see is the 'before' color. 

The green was fine.  It served its purpose for the last four years.  But I, he-hum...Brooke wanted a change and a more calming color...

And here it is!  The cabinets, believe it or not I found at Hobby Lobby!  They were very affordable and hide her 'stuff' so well!  The hinged boxes on her coffee table conveniently hold note pads and the remote control to her tv.  The bed I nabbed at a neighbor's garage sale!  (Have I mentioned how much I love garage sales?)  What a great deal I got!  It even comes with a trundle frame that rolls underneath the bed!

Brooke loves her room and I must say, so do I!  It feels like a little studio apartment!  So cozy!

Soooooooo, what about my crocheting?  Well I just finished my first crocheted hat.  This is called the Newsboy and I'm quite pleased with it.  This will serve well on those days just before my hair color touch up!  I know I will be busy making a few for my girls! 

Headband and Tomato-Basil Parmesan Soup in the Crockpot!

So I'm sitting at my allergy appointment knitting up a headband for my friend when my nurse, Chris (who is a loyal enabler, uh I mean customer) asks to see what I'm making.  I show her a picture and sure enough she needs to order four for her two daughters.  The other nurse, Darlene overhears the order being placed, runs in and asks what's going on.  She sees the headbands and orders two for herself.  Then, the patient sitting two seats down from me apologizes but asks to get in on the action....three from her.  Whew!  I sure hope my fingers don't bleed!  Anyway - these are a favorite in that you don't have to wear them as a headband, you can also wear them as a collar.  It's very cute, keeps your neck warm and isn't bulky wearing under a coat.

So onto the next item of business....

 

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup in the Crockpot

(I found this recipe on Pinterest.  This is a very easy soup to make and

would partner up great with a grilled cheese!)

Makes about 2 quarts (about 8 servings)

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
2 cups half and half, warmed (or skim milk)
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

1. Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.
3. About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Add additional basil and oregano if needed (I would recommend adding the oregano and basil towards the end of the cooking time as the crockpot tends to 'weaken' the flavors after a while.)
4. Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.
 

A Lil' Scrapper...

Here is the newest addition to my crocheted collection! This uses up scrap pieces of yarn. This scarf is so me....casual! I'm happy with it and think I'll be wearing it often...

A Lil' Note...

So I made a promise to myself I would try (key word try) to make a variety of lunch options for my kids. I've got to think they get just as bored eating the same thing as much as I do making it!

So today they get a peanut butter apple wrap, strawberries and choc chip pumpkin muffins (which by the way, I tweaked with a butter cake mix and used 1/2 a can of pumpkin). One of my girls gags on strawberries so she gets goldfish crackers...

I also stumbled upon a wonderful blog and Facebook page... It's Written On The Wall where you can download free lunch notes for your kids' lunches. All you have to do is like them and request the download. Here is a link. Check them out! They have really cute ideas...even for parties!

http://www.facebook.com/itswrittenonthewall

So Far, So Good!

So I made my second crocheted project.  This is another cowl, same pattern.  It's called a moebius mesh cowl.  Moebius meaning there is only one side - due to the twisting of the strip of yarn.  This is very fun and very easy to make!  Thank goodness my teacher started me out on this fun project!

I'm keeping my juices flowing by crocheting a scarf that uses many scrap pieces of yarn.  Can't wait to show you!

Here is picture of a cross body purse I finally finished from last winter!  Felting was a serious addiction of mine for a while.  I can't tell you how many felted purses I've made!  I think this one will get a lot of use....

I have no recipes today!  It's game day (Chicago Bears) and that means, pizza and wings!  The kitchen is closed!