Take-Out At Home

I definitely have a pattern on this blog. Blog a lot, then start slacking and once I do that, I conk out on the blog completely. Then it just seems like a lot of work to write all that I had intended to write and I just end up goofing around on facebook or something. So I'll just write a quick post today to get back in the writing swing of things. A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a crockpot Orange Chicken recipe. The recipe was actually called crispy orange chicken but honestly, I have no idea how you manage to get a crock pot recipe to turn out crispy. Anyways, I love orange chicken and it usually is what I order when we get chinese food. It's just so damn good. And happy to say, this version turned out delicious. I have made a couple other orange chicken recipes and they all turned out bland and not worth putting in the "to keep" pile. But this one was different. It almost tasted like take out (just like the recipe said!) and was perfect served over rice and a side of broccoli. Cooker beware though- it burns easily! I cooked it on high for 3 hours and I burned the outside edges, so if you do try it, keep an eye on it. Check out the link, it's worth a cook!

Pumpkin Season

Pumpkin Pie Bites.

It's that time of year again... the most wonderful time of the year...... it's pumpkin time! This recipe I have had in the back of my mind since last fall. I read it on Bakerella's blog (you know her, the now famous cake ball creator) and have really been wanting to make it. I mean, really... pumpkin pie, in mini form??? It's right up this redhead's alley. You make them with pre-made pie dough and mini muffin pans, completely easy. And they are adorable and delish! It's not so much pumpkin pie filling as it is pumpkin cheesecake filling, and these little guys would be perfect with a dollop of fresh whipped cream....mmmm..... Might be taking them to a Halloween party coming up. Here is Sadie helping out. Ok, actually, I gave her some pie scraps to play with so I could finish up the recipe...

And we have finally decided on a Halloween costume- Thomas The Train! When asked what she wanted to be, Thomas was the winner, and here is the day it came in the mail. Pretty cute! She loves it and her bff Skylar is going to be the same thing.... Twin Thomas The Trains!

Wordless Wednesday: Tiny Dancer

Let's try this again

I warily made my way back to the sewing machine, after first popping a couple advil, downing them with a beer and saying some prayers, and to my relief, it went much better. No no, I did not actually wash the pills down with a beer. I was all out. However, even so, I found out I can now sew lines that fall much more into the "straight" category, except for sewing velcro, which doesn't count because that sucker is slippery and impossible to sew straight. Im-freakin-possible. I decided to make a travel diaper changing pad that can fit into a purse for a friend's baby shower. I had seen someone get a homemade one at the last shower I went to and thought it was a great idea, and a good place to start for a beginner sewer, since it was basically a rectangle. That's my speed. I love, love, love picking out fabric now and had fun designing what this was going to look and feel like. A girly, but not overwhelmingly girly outside, and a soft as a cloud inside. Here's what it looks like when you open up the crooked velcro. It has a pocket that holds wipes and a diaper or two, then it folds back up and secures with.... crooked velcro. And it is small so it can fit in a purse easily.

I had leftover fabric from the inside and was initially going to make a blanket for Sadie's baby doll, but as I was sewing, it turned into more of a pillow shape, so I stuffed it, and now it's her "cuddle" pillow, that she has slept with ever since! I am thinking about making big floor pillows now for her.

Time to start looking for the next project, I think I'm getting addicted.

Happy Birthday, Mama!

My beautiful mom in her teens.

My mom turns 70 today! Happy birthday to the most caring, nurturing, loving, all-forgiving, compassionate woman I know. You know how the Grinch's heart grows 3 times the size at the end of the story and it's huge? It's not even a fraction of how large my mom's heart is. I've learned a lot of life lessons in empathy and how people should be treated from her and I thank her so much for that. She has a strength in her most people don't know and something she herself doesn't give herself credit for. Mom, you are amazing and I'm so thankful for you. Love you with all my heart.

Wordless Wednesday: A Frosty Sculpture

Future modern art sculptor? I think so. It's clearly a political commentary 

on the state of the world today. Duh.)

Preschool Proud

All decked out in her Dora gear.

I am VERY proud of my girl for starting preschool today! It was a little rocky with potty training, so we weren't even sure if she would be able to go to preschool. But, she is potty trained..... enough. For half days anyways. :) She was super excited to be going to her big girl room this morning.... the preschool room! I know it was a little daunting to her to go into a room with 24 kids, instead of a room with only 10, but she did great. I did get the little puffed out bottom lip as I left, but we lucked out and she has a teacher she had last year, which really helped her transition into her new classroom. When I picked her up she told me all about the "new playground" she gets to play in, for BIG KIDS, of course. And how a girl named Allie was there and it was her birthday and they all got TWO oreos. And how she is now a new friend. :) She really is growing up so fast.

Modeling her new Preschool outfit.

WOW! Great job, Sadie! :) She was pretty excited about this!