Naughty Time: Slave Labor

 Since Lanna was a baby she'd happily sit or sling on my lap while I sewed. She's seriously the perfect baby in that regard (watch I get a kiddo of my own who won't let me sew a stitch). She still loves to sit on my lap while I'm sewing. She knows she can't touch it when the light is on, and I still watch her like a hawk.

The other day I turned to see her doing this (yes the machine is off), haha she's pushing the fabric under the presser foot just like I do when I sew.

Not only that but then I saw her push the back stitch button a couple times (yup where her hand is up is where my back stitch button is). How freakishly observant is that? I love it. Now only if her feet could reach the pedal, just kidding.

What's for Dinner: Week 40

 (berry cobbler we kinda scarfed it before I even thought to look for the camera)

For those of you are new  to my blog I write these weekly plans to help me spend less (I kinda of love grocery shopping, yea I know I'm weird), to save time and to try and help us eat in more often. Also I love knowing what other people eat so I thought it would be fun to share. For a while I'll be adding my plans for what greens I'll be eating since one of my resolutions is to build a habit of introducing more green veggies into our diet. Maybe some day it'll be so normal for us that I won't have to mention them any more.

This was a pretty bad week for eating, not only did I not stick to the plan at all but I ate a lot of junk. Plus buying for the upcoming events and company I already went over my food budget (but this is the first month so I'm still seeing if that amount is reasonable). This week we've got even more company -this time actually staying with us- and lots of parties since for some reason Utah is doing fireworks on the 2nd and the 3rd, since the 4th is a Sunday, yup that's Utah, so lots of munchy food, my favorite. I plan on making homemade pizza, blueberry white chocolate cheesecake, cowboy caviar, chex mix, and more that I haven't decided on yet.

Day	Main Meal	Goals (Veggies, Whole Grain, Fish)
Sunday	Shepherd's Pie	Grains and nuts: Sandwich bread Veggies: salad Fish: talapia
Monday	Carnitas Tacos
Tuesday	Something with Talapia
Wednesday	Red Iguana
Thursday	Homemade Pizza
Friday	2nd of July Party
Saturday	4th of July Observed Party

Recipe: Chex Mix

One of the musicmaker's coworkers passed this on after bringing it to the company rafting trip a couple weeks ago. She said it was a weight watchers recipe, not that it tastes health conscious at all. We were instantly addicted and I've made a batch every week since I've gotten the recipe.

What you Need
4 cups Corn Chex or Crispix
3 cups Pretzels
3 cups Honey Teddy Grahams
1/2 cup pecan pieces
Cooking Spray
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
6 TBSP light corn syrup (Karos)
3 TBSP stick butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

The Steps

• Preheat oven to 250
• Line a jelly roll pan with foil and spray it with pam. Combine first 4 ingredient on the pan. I found it was easier too leave it mounded (not spread out) for the next step.
• Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat 2 minutes or until sugar and butter melt, stirring constantly. You don't want to cook it so long that it thickens because then it's harder to coat all the pieces. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and salt. Immediately pour syrup mixture evenly over cereal mixture, tossing quickly to coat well.
• 4. Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread warm snack mix in a single layer on wax paper (we used parchment paper) to cool. Break cooled snack mix apart. Store in an airtight container.

I subbed half the pecans for some almond for my second batch which I preferred but both my mom and hubby commented about how they liked the first batch because "it had more nuts" like almonds aren't nuts haha. Anyways I think the next batch I'm going to use cashews.

Gardening: It's a Cherry Tree

I was setting up the sprinklers today and looked up to see this. All the little green knobby cherries have blushed overnight. I'm thinking/hoping they are rainier cherries. But I don't know if all cherries look like this before turning deep red. Right now my cherries are a yellowish green with a flush of reddish pink so that's why I think rainier. I hope rainier because they are the only cherries that I actually like. Don't get me wrong I'll eat and enjoys cherries if you put them in front of me but I'll fork out the 6$ for the rainiers and savor ever bite.  Anyways I reached up and popped one in my mouth and it was yummy for sure so I am definitely hopeful.

Life: Working Woman

(some rufflers that get to be checked off the list)
I've had a huge rush of orders, I guess everyone's weather finally warmed up I know it's been summery here. So it's been busy busy for me.

(some of the bottoms that I've got to finish up)
We've got more relatives and friends popping in throughout the next month so I'm sewing like a mad woman to try to get stuff done so there's not to much hanging over me when company is around.

(shipping out all the time)
But I just thought I'd share some behind the scene shots of the business.

What's For Dinner: Week 39

(panko curry chicken strips with potato spring rolls and avocado blue cheese dip)

For those of you are new my blog I write these weekly plans to help me spend less (I kinda of love grocery shopping, yea I know I'm weird), to save time and to try and help us eat in more often. Also I love knowing what other people eat so I thought it would be fun to share. For a while I'll be adding my plans for what greens I'll be eating since one of my resolutions is to build a habit of introducing more green veggies into our diet. Maybe some day it'll be so normal for us that I won't have to mention them any more.

Nothing to report on the food front. I think I am going to try and make real empanadas this weekend though.

Day	Main Meal	Goals (Veggies, Whole Grain, Fish)
Sunday	Family Pot Luck	Grains and nuts:WW pasta Veggies: salad Fish: Talapia
Monday	Basil Wine Sausage Tomato Pasta
Tuesday	Shepherd's Pie
Wednesday	Carnitas Tacos
Thursday	Spicy Talapia and Cheesy Corn Potatoes
Friday	Eat Out
Saturday	Empanadas

Customer Appreciation Pic: It's a Boy

 I've only got a tiny handful of boy stuff in my sea of girly wear of a shop but Renee of Red Door Photography found them and sent me the cutest photos of a little fella in one of my sunsuits.

 He's so cute, it makes me want add more goddies for the little men.

Naughty Time: Mmmmm Dyed Ice

I don't think that there is anything better than an otter pop on a warm Summer's day.

And of course I needed to introduce the naughties to the glorious world of Otter Pops and they fully embraced it. Bring it on Summer I'm ready for you (As the thunder booms in my ear. That's Utah weather for you.)

SLC Locals: Utah Arts Festival

It's my sister-in-law Beth's birthday today. Happy Birthday Beth. I also want to let all of you in Utah know that she'll have a really neat-o booth featuring prints and other fancy creations made from her awesome photography at the Utah Arts Festival. If you've never been it's totally a fun thing to go to, they've got arts and crafts and music of so many varieties. I've gone almost every year that I've lived here. And when you do go be sure to stop buy Beth's booth and give her some love.

What's for Dinner: Week 38

(stir fry and spring rolls)

For those of you are new  to my blog I write these weekly plans to help me spend less (I kinda of love grocery shopping, yea I know I'm weird), to save time and to try and help us eat in more often. Also I love knowing what other people eat so I thought it would be fun to share. For a while I'll be adding my plans for what greens I'll be eating since one of my resolutions is to build a habit of introducing more green veggies into our diet. Maybe some day it'll be so normal for us that I won't have to mention them any more.

Busy busy. We've got various relatives and friends visiting over the next 6 weeks or so. Most of them on weekends but lots of people in and out to eat with. I'm writing this half laying down because I'm so stuffed so hopefully despite all the company I won't totally go crazy on the eating.

Day	Main Meal	Goals (Veggies, Whole Grain, Fish)
Sunday	Cheesecake factory for SIL's b-day	Grains and nuts: brown rice, WW pasta Veggies: broccoli, peas Fish: maybe friday or sat
Monday	Panko Curry Chicken strips and Potato Spring Rolls
Tuesday	Cheesey Chicken Enchilada
Wednesday	Taco Mac and Cheese
Thursday	Chicken Gouda Apple Sausage, Rosemary Potatoes and Peas
Friday	More Family Friends in town eat with them?
Saturday	More Family Friends in town eat with them?

To Make: The Near Future List

As things get busier -and boy are they busy, seriously my nights and weekends are booked straight for the next two weeks plus my list of orders to fill is enormous- I do want to keep my "make one thing for me once a month" goal. So here are few projects that I want to take seriously. I'm a set the sights high type of gal as regular blog readers have seen I'll shoot to make 3 out of the 10 shirts for top week and just cut out ahem one which is still sitting unsewed. But, this list is doable and also things I need to do.

• Shower Curtain and window ruffle: the photo above shows the fabrics. It was started tonight at sewing class. I hope to have it finished next week, it won't take long but I've got orders that must come first
• Robe: although a little late for this school season, the kids at the elementary school that sits in my back yard may appreciate me having one
• Storage boxes: Covering all my boxes that my fabric is in so my giant shelf looks tidier.
• Decorate the Bedroom: This will consist of hanging pictures making a pelmet (window boxy thing) and maybe some pillow cases and a blanket. Seriously our bedroom is so ugly!

These two are of lower priority but I'd like to get to them sometime

• Aprons and pot holders: I want them for function and also to decorate with
• Butterfly wreath: I linked to this a while ago but the naughties love playing with the cricket and I still want to make this

Recipe: Homemade Refried Beans

My husband and I are obsessed. Plus it's a super duper cheap snack. You could use them for all the other normal things people do with refried beans but we love to just eat it with tortilla chips.

What you need
 1 lbs. dried pinto beans
1/4 lbs. bacon
1/3-1/2 stick butter
salt (to taste but I'd start with 1 TBS and add more if you like)
cayanne pepper (to taste but I'd start with 1/2 tsp and add more if you like)
taco seasoning (to taste but I'd start with 1 tsp and add more if you like)
onion powder (to taste but I'd start with 1/2 tsp and add more if you like)

You can easily double the recipe and just use a 2lbs bag of beans but you'll have A LOT of beans

The Steps

• Pour the beans into a big pot (remember they'll triple in size, plus you're adding water and need room to stir)
• Cover the beans 3-4 inches of water
• Add bacon yes in strips
• Bring to boil and then simmer for 2 hours or until beans are fully cooked and tender. Be sure to check every once in a while and add more water if needed. I like mine soupy so I like to end with a small 1/2inch to 1 inch still covering the beans. Burnt beans stink so check em.
• Now you can remove the bacon now if you like or if you're lazy like me and have the philosophy that more bacon is always better just leave it. I've done both, hubby liked it more when I left it in but I couldn't tell the difference.
• Using a potato masher mash like crazy to whatever consistency you like. Add more water if you think it's too dry for your taste. I like mine mashed but with some texture.
• Add the seasonings and butter. I just eyeball it so my measurements are total guesses and this is one of those things that is totally to taste. Just remember you can always add more so start off slow and taste.

Makes a little more than 6 cups.

Customer Appreciation Pic: Purple Ruffler

I bought the rest of the bolt when I found this purple rose fabric and the rufflers sold out almost instantly. Luckily this adorable little one's mama got one which I think suits her so perfectly.Visit their blog here to see more of her mom's beautiful photography.

What's for Dinner: Week 37

(Pat's BBQ burnt ends for my sister's birthday last week)
For those of you are new  to my blog I write these weekly plans to help me spend less (I kinda of love grocery shopping, yea I know I'm weird), to save time and to try and help us eat in more often. Also I love knowing what other people eat so I thought it would be fun to share. For a while I'll be adding my plans for what greens I'll be eating since one of my resolutions is to build a habit of introducing more green veggies into our diet. Maybe some day it'll be so normal for us that I won't have to mention them any more.

We got a substantial, pay cut (well from hubby's pay, we try not to count on too much from me but that obviously is changing). It was expected as the legislature lamely cut the rate at which support coordinators for people with disabilities are paid. But it's one thing to expect a cut and another for it to actually kick in. I worked out a budget that is tight but hopefully doable using one of the forms from Dave Ramsey's site. So all that said the biggest cut by far was in the food department both the groceries and eating out catergories were slashed. We will see how it goes.

Day	Main Meal	Goals (Veggies, Whole Grain, Fish)
Sunday	Spinach and Cheese Ravioli	Grains and nuts: brown rice, WW pasta Veggies: stir fry, green beans, peas Fish: shrimp
Monday	Tomato Basil Wine Sausage Pasta
Tuesday	Shrimp and Veggie Stir Fry
Wednesday	Lemon Panko Pork w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
Thursday	Swedish Meatballs with pasta (skipped this last week) and peas
Friday	Family Friends in town eat with them?
Saturday	Family Friends in town eat with them?

Rae Gun Finds: Fodue Pot

I have already told you guys about CSN which is a conglomeration of over 200 online stores. They have all kinds of things from bathroom vanities, Rody toy horses (like I received from them), to all sorts of drool worthy kitchen goods (and tons more). Some of their most popular sites are www.cookware.com , www.csnlighting.com , www.allmodern.com. I have the great pleasure of reviewing another item from their company. I'm such a fan of CSN stores because they've got super competitive pricing and their shipping was lightning fast (way faster than any amazon order I've experienced).

I'll be reviewing this fondue pot. We're HUGE fondue fans, we do meat and chocolate mostly but once I get the new pot I may have to try some cheese as well. Yum yum. I'm so excited because our current pot is kinda small which limits the number of friends we can dine with. Also this new one is electric as well so I won't have to be running to the party shop to find sterno before company arrives. Woohoo.

Any ways you can visit CSN stores here. I'll be posting fondue recipes and photos as soon as it gets here and I test it out.

Naughty Time: Must Remember

Even before the lovely Melissa over at Dear Baby featured one of my little outfits I'd been a reader of her blog. I just love the way she writes. She has a refreshing positivity that is simply addictive.

The other day she wrote this:
 "I feel like watching this little girl grow up is both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking. We as parents put so much hope and faith and energy into raising up our children, helping them grow… and yet, to watch it in real time… all I want to do is beg her stay just like she is in this moment."

And I know I'm just an aunty but I could totally relate. AND to make matters worse a few days later I went over to my sister's house to find Lanna wearing the dress that I made for Tira last year for forth of July. NOOOOO! She can't be growing so fast, and yes I love talking to her and the new play she's capable of but come on, seriously, it's way too fast.

I wish I could keep them forever entertained by dum dum lollipops and the prospects of seeing uncle mowing the lawn below.

The Newest Rufflers and Shop Update

My retro rufflers have been selling wonderfully, so much so that I keep on having to add new designs. The one above is definitely my favorite of the moment.

Here are some of the newest ruffler creations. And check out the shop for other new items including onesie and ruffle diaper cover sets, new ruffle diaper covers, and some dresses (I know it's been a while). I'll be adding new stuff all week long.

And don't forget that there a two giveaways still open. (see the links on the right)