Springtime Baby Hat

Here is a cute little project I made for a customer.  I found the pattern from Repeat Crafter me http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2013/01/crochet-bunny-hat-pattern.html
This pattern was very easy to follow and worked up fast!

Our New Addition...

Summer is over.  The kids are back in school.  No better time than now to give me something that will keep me on my toes...

This is Meka.  Our 8 week old German Shepherd.  She's definitely kept me busy these first few days.  I'm starting to see her attachment to me already.  As long as I am in ear shot or in her sight she is happy.  I've been told German Shepherds are very protective and attentive.  She has impressed me already with all she has learned!

I have a feeling my knitting needles and crochet hooks are going to be temporarily out on a shelf until I get a routine with Meka.  Until then, how about a quick, easy and tasty dip?  This comes from my friend Josette.  Thanks for sharing Jo!

Chickpea Salsa

1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 yellow pepper diced

1 red pepper diced

1 avacado diced

1 cup salsa

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all together and bake for 20 min. at 350 degrees.  Enjoy with tortilla chips.

Barnwood Honey-Do List

So my neighbor came into a windfall of barnwood from a friend. He has been kind enough to share the booty! Here are just a few things we've done so far. This is a combination of my vision and the my husband's labor. He took it a step further and suggested sanding down the wood which I think was a great call. No worry about slivers and it looks a lot cleaner!

Coconut Banana Blueberry Smoothie

So here is a great little number.... I concocted this smoothie the other day needing something quick and filling.

1 banana
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup Greek yogurt
1-2 cups coconut milk

That's it! Mix it all up in the blender and you're good to go!

Super Easy and Delicious Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers

Ok, as my time is being sucked away by my summer-time children, I realize the only way to keep up with this blog is to keep it short and simple!  So here it is!  I needed to make a quick dinner before heading out to my daughter's softball practice.  I found this in the freezer and concocted the following recipe:

Stuffed Peppers in the Crock Pot

4 Red Peppers, washed, tops cut off and insides cleaned out
1 bag of Birds Eye Steamers Brown and Wild Rice with Corn, Carrots and Peas
1 can of Sweet Corn, drained and rinsed
1 can of Tomato Sauce
Cubed Monterey Jack Cheese (or any cheese you have on hand)
Salt to taste

Cook rice according to instructions.  Mix corn and cheese with rice.  Add salt to taste.  Scoop rice mixture into each pepper.  Pour a little sauce on bottom of crock pot.  Place peppers in crock.  Pour remaining sauce over peppers.  Cook on high for 2-2 1/2 hours or low for 3 1/2-4 hours.  Enjoy!



Here is a newborn summer set I made for a customer.  It's a cotton/linen blend perfect to keep baby warm and cool while heading in and out of air-conditioning.

The Creative Homemaker: Camping Scavenger Hunt For The Kids

The Creative Homemaker: Camping Scavenger Hunt For The Kids

Please forgive me for the lack of blogs!  I was hired for a temporary teacher's assistant position and quickly learned working, parenting, taxi cab driving, cooking and cleaning left very little to no time for blogging!  This is my first Saturday not driving to a softball game so I indulged in a little blog surfing and came across this cute scavenger hut game from The Creative Homemaker.  Check it out!  I often go on scavenger hunts with my three year old when we go for walks.  I can't wait to give this one a try. (I noticed there might be one or two items I will switch out for something else but still a great concept!)

Going Green!

Well even though it's still Winter-time, Spring is definitely in the air in our home!  I'm ready to crack open a window and lighten up the decor.....oh, and watch the Chicago Cubs Spring training games!

I just changed my mantel to look a littler greener.  I got this idea via a few Pinterest boards.  I took a foam (flat) ring from Michaels, sprayed it with Elmer's spray adhesive and some stuck on some Spanish moss.  Please be warned the moss is very messy!  I spread out two junky towels on the floor for my workspace. 

I then inserted some flowers, nest and eggs I had on hand.  What do you think?  I don't feel like I'm completely finished with the mantel.  I still have a few ideas swirling around in my head but that can be another blog!

How about a green spinach shake?  I found this recipe from a blog via Pinterest (are you noticing a pattern here?). Spinach Shake Recipe

This is a recipe you can play with.  I used strawberries instead of the bananas and omitted the peanut butter.  I then tried blueberries.  I also used plain greek yogurt to up the protein and lower the carbs.  I sprinkled just a little Splenda to sweeten it up.  I really liked it and I felt full afterwards!

Don't let the color deter you!  It's really good!

And lastly, a little snapshot of a hat I recently made for a customer.  Her daughter is expecting her first grandchild and the baby shower is Dr. Suess themed... I can't wait for her to see it!