Happy valentinosaurus day!

sew what now?

i should have taken a 'before' photo,

as i imagine this still looks chaotic to the untrained eye,

but many hours of committment

have turned my sewing/etc. nook from stash-pile to comfort zone once again.

i'm now prepared for my next project;

 i just need to find the next block of 'hours of committment'.

sunday.

eager for beavertails

we have been out skating on the canal a few times;

the kids pretend to participate in the excercise and fresh air just for the fun of it.

and although the novelty of the world's largest outdoor rink does entice,

it really is still all about the snack at the end.

punkin'

edgar is turning out to be a little whizz in the kitchen...as long as he gets to use a gadget.

although he feels that the ice cream scoop really should be used for ice cream,

he took to my muffin batter fillin' system quickly. 

i use the scoop beacuse it makes filling the tins quicker and tidier. him? 

same tool, opposite result.

'course he also likes to use the stem of a silicone whisk as a flag/microphone, so who am i to judge?



they got a bit overdone, but we managed to turn the frozen innards (thanks to my mother-in-law for converting them to pulp!) of our hallowe'en pumpins into tasty treats. 
we used our innovative tools, and the
hembruff pumpkin loaf recipe:
(this is enough batter for three small loaves, or 24 muffins...
prepare bakeware accordingly.)
now,
preheat oven to 350.
using the "muffin method" sift together into one bowl:
3 1/2 C flour
2 t baking soda
1 1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1 t nutmeg
3 C sugar

in bowl number two mix:
1 C oil
4 eggs
2/3 C water
2 C pumpkin
1 C of nuts, or not.

pour bowl # two into bowl #1,
fold mixture together, do not over mix.
dole out into tins.

bake for 45ish minutes for loaves
20ish for muffins.
note above picture?  more than 20ish.

2013 magic

Esther and the cousins started the new year by turning blank paper and

 mandarine orange wrappers into snow.

x-mas decor

esther brought this lovely ornament home from school last year...

i was amazed at how cute it was, wondered how well it kept, and how many mini marshmallows

 were inside my girl for each one on the ball!

i unpacked it this year, and found it just as cute and intact,

so i decided to make them at home

to count marshmallows 'in' versus 'on'.  the answer, a 2:1 ratio.

all you need:

small foam craft balls

straight pins

spangles and sequins

a bit of ribbon

and lots and lots and lots of marshmallows.