The Day Has Come...We Hope

So although we though this day would be here on Saturday and then Sunday and now Monday (it's been a stressful weekend), my parents and the original wah, Tira should arrive in the afternoon/evening. As I type baby Lanna and my sister are asleep on the couch (yeah they totally don't fit) because we moved our spare mattress (that was consuming my living/dining room) over to the apartment today before we found out that the others had not left (errrr) yet. So my days of full time aunty-ing will be over soon. I'll hopefully get that blasted dissertation done, orders out and actually have a living room with some privacy (900 some square feet and 4 people is a bit tight). Today I cried because I thought (falsely as it turns out) that it would be my last day to wake up and be able to walk down stairs to kiss my fat little Lanna. I guess I'll have another day (hopefully only one more day) of easy access kisses. After that it'll be a 15 minute drive. My sister is more than eager to reunite with her two year old and get her own home situated. I've taught the baby to eat, learned how to put her to sleep without hysteria, what teething looks like, how fun swinging with a baby is, and a million ways to solicit baby giggles. I'd say I'm fully trained so when it's our turn we'll be just that much more prepared knowing you can't really prepare for that kind of thing.

Food, well let's hope

 

So it's my first real attempt at gardening. Last year I kinda kept herbs alive. But this year I've decided to put my good for nothing, heat hole of a porch to good use. Enter veggetable garden. Last Saturday I went over to a friend's house and planted seeds. I'm so excited. Mr. Negative the music maker is worried that I'll just kill everything but I don't care I want to try and I've been reading up on container gardening. I am absolutely loving two books. The first is a good starter one You Grow Girl and the second The Bountiful Container is great for more specifics . And guess what I already have broccoli sprouts. Yup. I do. So here's my list, what are you growing this year? Anything else I should add to the list?

Greens and varying varieties
Bell Peppers (regular and mini)
Jalepeno Peppers
Corn (yeah we'll see how that goes on the porch but Linda convinced me)
Potatoes (I still need to get seed potatoes)
Raspberries (these will take a couple years to fruit if I keep em alive long enough)
Strawberries
Tomatoes (many different kinds)
Zuccs
Other Squashes which I bought seeds for that tempted me in the market today
Snap Peas (I want these to work so bad, they're so yummy and so freaking expensive in the market)
Carrots
Broccoli
Beans (a couple kinds)
Herbs (cilantro, rosemary, sage, parseley, basil)
Scallions

I think that's all. Is there anything else I need? Oh I've got some packs of flower for beautification since I plan to go ultra cheap on containers.

Customer Appreciation Pic: Custom Bloomers

 

Okay is this not the most fun idea for professional pictures? Her mama custom ordered these little bloomers based off of these fashion bloomers. You can't see it but under her stinking cute tum is a little pink bow. I think she's so precious. I never get tired of seeing the little ones.

would think to ask

30 things you wouldn't think to ask.
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Today at 2:02pm
1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?

2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster?

3. When's the last time you went sledding?

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
5. Do you believe in ghosts?
6. Do you consider yourself creative?

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?

10. Do you know how to play poker?

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
12. What's your favorite commercial?

13. Who was your first love?

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?
18. How often do you remember your dreams?
19. What's the one thing on your mind?
20. Do you always wear your seat belt?

22. Do you like Sushi?
23. What do you wear to bed? tank and shorts

24. Do you truly hate anyone? yes
25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be? Smith Jared

26. Do you know anyone in jail? no

27. What food do you find disgusting? food with ginger in it.

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back? of course

29. Have you ever been punched in the face? no

30. Do you believe in angels and demons? i guess

abc's

1. A is for age:
2. B is for beer of choice:
3. C is for career right now:
4. D is for your dog's name?

5. E is for essential item you use everyday:

6. F is for favorite TV show at the moment:

7. G is for favorite game:
8. H is for Home town:
9. I is for instruments you play:
10. J is for favorite juice:
11. K is for whose butt you'd like to kick:

12. L is for last place you ate:

13. M is for marriage:
14. N is for your full name:

15. O is for overnight hospital stays:

16. P is for people you were with today:

17. Q is for quote:
18. R is for Biggest Regret:
19. S is for status:

20. T is for time you woke up today:
21. U is for underwear you have on now:
22. V is for vegetable you love:

23. W is for worst habit:
24. X is for x-rays you've had:

25. Y is for yummy food you ate today:
26. Z is for zodiac sign:

Failed Attempt #1

This adorable mold above is supposed to shape hard boiled eggs into protein filled globs of cuteness. You boil, peel stick it in warm, smoosh shut and submerge in water. Now while I think my failed attempts at homemade mozzarella are a direct result of false advertising (do not believe that you can pick up a gallon of supermarket milk and make cheese cause almost ALL brands are pasteurized at too high a temp (while at the same time not being ultra pastueurized) AND THE CHEESE PEOPLE KNOW IT, blahhh still makes me mad 3 gallons of wasted milk later okay end rant). Back to the eggs I think my failure can be attributed to the eggs being to a bit too small. They are supposed to be like this. But as you can see my egg came out like this creepy creatures. Yeah Daniel did a double take at first and asked if I put the face there and I'm like no honey it's one of those Mary in the toast sorts of things but the hard boiled egg version. Anyways my mom is going to bring a couple different molds but I am determined to make these work. Hey do any of you guys know how to deshell hard boiled eggs (while keeping them warm) with out making them ripped up? I need help.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

It's my favorite holiday because I really have respect for the lessons that St. Patrick taught. But the baby didn't have any green. And I couldn't just stop at a new flower for her headband. I really can't be making her a new outfit everyday. Oh well have something green and Irish.

The Mother of Invention

 

So first it was that she needed a hat to go with her blue and green shirt to deter the "what a cute boy" comments. And unfortunately I threw it together based on a hat that I didn't realize was too small for her. Oops. Hence what we call the synchronized swimming hat. Then today she needed a floral head band to go with her new black and white baby dress to wear to church. I'm quite a fan of how it turned out if I do have to say so myself.

I'll be including this new dress and these two styles of head gear in the coming update. And unfortunately I think I'm going to have to push it to April. Bummer I know but I've been getting a good swing of orders and it looks like it's going to take longer than we thought to get my sister situated in her own place so I don't want to totally overload myself (well you know more than the too much I'm used to doing at all times haha). Well there's cute-o Lanna aka daytime attention sucker aka exclusive raegun model aka great bottle drinker aka bad sleeper (we're thinking it's the teeth).

How can it be Thursday already?

I am exhausted. The week's been busy, out of town company (with 4 wild and cute little boys) in addition to auntie duty. My sister finally signed a contract unfortunately for way less than we were all lead to believe from the boss guy errr. Well but it's enough to start the great migration with my parents and the original wah wah Tira. I've done the outlet mall with a baby slung to me almost the entire time and I think I've mastered the skills of eating with a squirely being on me and putting it to sleep with little fighting. It's just you know the sewing, cleaning, resting, dissertation writing, exercising, and hubby working etc. that used to fill our days that have been pushed to the shelf is stressing me out but it's working for now. Hopefully not playing with company everyday will help some of that but when people are here you know you've got to hang. Anyways Spring break for me next week which means 4 extra hours (haha that's how little I teach). All I have to say is I totally admire you full time mamas like you would never believe.

Customer Appreciation Pic

 

So if you weren't aware, these are my best selling item in my whole shop. The Rocker Pink Ruffle Diaper Covers. They sold really well since I randomly made them for Tira (Lanna's big sis) out of scraps and decided to list them. Then etsy featured them in an email and it's been constant. I feel like I have a stack of pink diaper covers and ruffles cut out and waiting to be sewn at all times, because it's true. Luckily these are one of those things I don't really get tired of making. But yeah they are a freaking big hit. I've been thinking of doing more this style, any of you have color or print recommendations?

This picture is given to us courtesy of Lanna's BFF from Thailand. Her mama ordered some stuff right before Christmas and sent it over. Isn't she a cutie? Wait 'til you see the other shot she sent me.

Raspberry Chiffon Pie Recipe

(click on the image to enlarge)

I made this a month ago after having drooled over the images of the pie being made on American Test Kitchen. I scoured the net for the recipe and somehow got to the recipe but for some reason I can't get to it again this way oh well since I've got it saved. It's a bit labor intensive but definitely worth the effort. It has three layers: a raspberry jell sort of layer, a raspberry chiffon layer, and a whipped cream layer. Oh it's good. And wouldn't you know that I've got another one chilling in my fridge waiting for whipped cream and dinner tomorrow, yum.

Here it goes with my tweaks and suggestions

Raspberry Chiffon Pie

The heavy cream must be ice cold (I popped it in the freezer while I started the recipe); if not, it won't hold stiff peaks,
no matter how long or hard you beat it. Soften the cream cheese at
room temperature; the microwave will cause the cheese to separate.

Serves 8 to 10.
Ingredients
Fruit Layer
12 ounces frozen raspberries (2 cups)
3 tablespoons powdered pectin (Sure-Jell)
1 1/2 cups sugar
Pinch table salt
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 (9-inch) pie shell , baked and cooled (see related recipe)
Chiffon Layer
3 tablespoons gelatin , raspberry flavored
3 tablespoons boiling water
3 ounces cream cheese , softened
1 cup heavy cream , chilled
Whipped Cream Topping
1 1/4 cups heavy cream , chilled
2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions

1.

1. For the fruit layer: Cook frozen berries in medium saucepan
over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until berries begin to
give up their juice, about 3 minutes. Stir in pectin and bring to full
boil, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar and salt and return to full
boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2
minutes. Pour through fine-mesh strainer into medium bowl, pressing on
solids to extract as much puree as possible. Scrape puree off
underside of strainer into bowl.
2.

2. Transfer 1/3 cup raspberry puree to small bowl and cool to
room temperature. Gently fold fresh raspberries into remaining puree.
Spread fruit mixture evenly over bottom of pie shell and set aside.
3.

3. For the chiffon layer: Dissolve gelatin in boiling water in
large bowl. Add cream cheese and reserved 1/3 cup raspberry puree and
beat with electric mixer on high speed, scraping down sides of bowl
once or twice, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup cream and beat
on medium-low until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Scrape down bowl.
Beat on high speed until cream holds stiff peaks, 1 to 2 minutes.
Spread evenly over fruit in pie shell. Cover pie with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.
4.

4. For the whipped cream topping: When ready to serve, beat 1
1/4 cups cream and sugar to stiff peaks. Spread or pipe over chilled
filling. Serve.

Eat It.

Some of My New Favorite Things

I thought I'd share a few of the things I'm absolutely loving lately. These earrings above I bought a bit ago from The Pebble Collection on Etsy and I wear them most days. They are so easy to go on, I don't have to worry about them being bumped out by collars and turtlenecks and they go with every thing I where. yeah I'm just a huge fan. They hang down long ways.


Next, since I actually take off and put on earrings now and I'm not the most "put things in their place" person, you could say I live in constant clutter and that would be a huge understatement, I bought these adorable little dishes from another Etsian at Plays With Clay. I got a couple of these but this is definitely my favorite one. It sits on my cheapo nightstand for oh I'm still wearing earrings but already and in bed moments.



And this is my absolute favorite thing right now, not from Etsy but then again I didn't buy it. This boob shaped bottle by Nuby. Lanna has figured it out finally after two weeks. It's a world of a difference. I'll tell you that last week I was seriously doubting how on earth I could have a kid. She was driving us crazy. But come on was any one surprised that a starving baby would be cranky and irritating. Now she's back to her pleasant happy cute self and diving a bit less but still definitely more naughty than when she arrived, I think it's cause she's ready to move. Thanks for all the tips I seriously tried them ALL and have a whole arsenal of different sippy cups, bottles, eye droppers, spoons, cereal banana, pumped milk and on and on. What finally worked was taking the flow thing off the sippy cup dumping some in her mouth so she got that that was milk this happened for many days and then one day this week she sucked on the sippy cup. just once. The next day she sucked more so finally yesterday I decided to try the bottle again and voila she got it. It is wonderful.

raegun finds

New Found Love for Pouch Slings

So my first day alone with Lanna I whipped up this little sling and I LOVE it. It has made life so much easier. Lanna tolerates the sling really well as you can see. She happily lets me sew, serge, iron, package orders, bake bread and dance with her in the sling. I think it's pretty comfortable. Unless she's in a diving mood she gets tired of it before I do. I'm not saying she spends and hour in there but for what I use it for I'm so glad I made it up. I'll be adding made to measure pouch slings when I have my next update (exact date to be announced sometime soon).


And for those of you who are baby wearing fans or can imagine how not a baby person my music maker is you may enjoy this video.

Valentines Day Catch Up

I know it's way past but I'm a bit proud of the present I gave this year and I wanted to share it. Yes I made the music maker a creepy doll of me. I thought of it as I drifted off to sleep on Feb. 12th. Luckily I had already purchased this awesome card from PaperMichelle . So worst come to worst I was thinking of just giving the card. Well Friday was packed so I hurriedly threw the doll together and since the hubby now works from home I had to grab the few minutes he was out. It was really easy.

If you want to make your own creepy doll just...
1) print a picture (or drawing or whatever) onto iron on paper, iron it onto some fabric and cut two face shapes, one with the print and one just plain fabric (cut two layers at the same time so they are the same size.
2) decide on a shape for the body, cut two of that
3) cut two long thin things and then two more for arms and legs
4) with rights sides together sew the neck part together (so the head and the body front and back this should leave you with two pieces instead of four)
5) make the arms and legs by sewing 2 strips together (you'll need 8 strips total) at the two long sides and one short side, flip it and then stuff it with batting or something soft.
6) pin the arms to the body with most of the arm on the inside and just a little on the edge, sew right sides together from the bum area around the head (making sure to sew over the arms).
7) flip this main thing right side out your arms should be pooking out. Now stuff it.
8) if you want to weight it which I did and didn't turn out the best make a pouch and fill it with beans or rice throw it in the bottom of the body.
9) stick the stuffed legs in the bottom area, fold the bottom of the body and just stitch across catching the legs and sealing the creepy doll up.

I hope that made sense. It's not supposed to be a pretty tailored doll if you didn't already get that. It's a fast sloppy weird thing. Oh and I received the BEST Valentine's present fresh bread from Hopper's without having to eat their subpar food. Daniel picked some up and just brought me home a huge loaf with whipped butter. It was so so delish.