Jazz Tunics

One of my projects in late November/December was tunics for my daughter's dance recital.  I just received some pictures tonight.   Here's a picture of part of her class.

House Project #1 -update

A picture is worth a thousand words, so if you wonder what I have been up to wonder no more.  I did get a hem in a pair of pants for last week, but it took me until Monday AM...the goal this week is to clean out an ironing basket - currently hidden in the attic.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

It could be another snowy wake up in the morning, so I thought I'd share another breakfast recipe.  Have I told you that I love breakfast food?

Inexpensive Leg Warmers

One of my fun sewing projects for Christmas was some cute leg warmers from toe socks.  What I didn't anticipate were tears from a bigger sister who wanted her own leg warmers.

Chemo Hats

With a few hours to myself today I made a trip to my favorite fabric store and then came home to sew.

Spelt - Kamut Bread

Yesterday's baking didn't go very well (a total flop) so I had to do it over again today. Today's turned out much better. I'm hoping to turn the bricks into croutons. Here's one of my favorite bread recipes: http://www.mountaintopsmilling.com/recipes.php?id=6

House project #1 - half bath

Our first house project for 2011 is underway. It was more interesting than I would prefer last night when dh snapped a pipe just before bedtime. Fortunately, he was able to turn the water off at the hot water heater in the laundry room and didn't have to run down to the street. Our project has suddenly expanded...I'm excited about our new plan dreamed up while I should have been in bed. If you have to rebuild a wall, why not move it?

Christmas craft

Today we painted some ornaments I bought in 2009. Yes, it's a little late and Christmas is cleaned up except for the random items I keep finding in strange places, but the children didn't seem to mind.

I think I have other unpainted Plaster of Paris ornaments in my attic that I found in my mom's attic. Maybe next December we can paint those. I love how she painted this red and then she changed it to all orange. Why would she do that?

Daddy's birthday

Since you are all sitting on the edge of your seats wondering....it wasn't a spectacular cake, but it did taste good. It's missing pretty fruit since I didn't go out in the snow.

http://splenda.tastebook.com/search?offset=0&query=cheesecake&recipe_view=true

Failed Experiment - Snow Candy

I guess this wasn't an entirely failed experiment, it was just an experiment with a burnt taste. The children were still happy to eat it. An impatient Mr. Nobody turned the dial to high. http://www.quakerfarm.com/sugarsnow.html We might have to try this again.

Cleaning up messes

I had intended to glue the grass back on my stable before packing it for the attic, but one of my little helpers "cleaned it up" before I had the chance. I much prefer messes like this, over the earlier one I cleaned up involving the bathroom and blueberries. If you have small children and have ever picked blueberries you probably can image what I'm referring to. I've been trying to not be quite so uptight and laugh at some of our "messes".

Today is Daddy's birthday and he has just been notified his office is closed. Having a boss originally from MA, with a 4-wheel drive, means the office is "never" closed. With a computer job it just means he works from home. But we started a bathroom repair project last week, so maybe there will be a little progress on it.

Just fix it

It's a beautiful, white morning here in Knoxville, TN. With the gym being closed (due to snow/ice) so frequently, I'm having trouble getting back to consistent exercise this year. The good news is I have a little extra time to finish reading a book http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Moves-Learning-Your-Head/dp/0915556278 I have out on interlibrary loan that is (was since the library is closed) due today. I hope to schedule in more reading this year and have been working on a list of books to read. Over the weekend I did some repair work on some items that needed some glue. This week I intend to put a hem in a pair of pants that has been in my ironing basket (I think there are three pairs in the basket, but I am starting with a small goal). Do you have a mending/repair goal for the week? Your goal could be to buy what you need to repair something next week.

Cleaning up Christmas

The tree is coming down today. The blessing of older children is that they can be big helpers. My children decorated our tree (I was literally closed out of the room while they hung ornaments). It wasn't quite what I envisioned, but perfect because I used the time they were decorating to sew. I'll post pictures of the project I had time to work on soon.

I've come up with a special project to do while praying this morning, but first I need to do some grocery shopping and order a new math curriculum. This morning, I finally corrected the placement test I gave a month ago (seriously). So find something you've procrastinated on and do it. BTW, last year my tree was still up in February. In 2009, I paid a student who needed money for spring break to take it down in late Feb/early March. One of my goals is to not procrastinate as much this year. .

My mantle will need some help after the docorations come off. Although I like the black frames, they are poor quality - any suggestions?

Yo-yo Christmas Tree

I saw this http://www.kiwiatheart.com/yo-yo-christmas-tree-tutorial/ in December and just had to make one (three really).

I believe I made this wreath the Christmas after we were married. (1996) It looks better now than it did then.

Thanks for giving my old wreathes new life this year, Suzanne, and inspiring me. This wreath was purchased the year we moved into our home, with its new berries and bow it might make it another 11 years. Sometimes the best way to get things done is to have a friend's help.

Best Amish Baked Oatmeal

Before heading outside the children enjoyed this breakfast recipe. I love that is can be mixed up the night before and baked in the morning. This feeds our family (except for Daddy) for two meals. I personally go for the real maple syrup. For today's version I used apple juice (not concentrate), applesauce, apples and a few craisins. (No nuts for our family)

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=2655

A snowfall here in Tennessee yesterday, made this morning a perfect time to take pictures of my outdoor Christmas decorations before I take them down.