Link Roundup - Missed Party Edition

Poor Goose. She got invited to her first friend birthday party for a girl from our tiny preschool co-op, and we didn't go. The weather was supposed to be pretty questionable, and I know from prior experience that Hubs is not happy when he has to pull me out of the ditch, especially when I went off to do something he finds frivolous.

Also, Goose was up waaaay too early this morning (6AM) on top of a week's worth of suspected sleep-deprived crankiness, and I decided I didn't want to be THAT mom with the melting down kid ruining some other poor kid's birthday party. Maybe next time... (And let's hear it for early bedtime!!! Clapclapclapclapclap clapclap)

[Update - bedtime was not early. Sigh. If Papa goes ice fishing tomorrow, it's going to be a long day.]

I really shoulda' done a roundup last weekend so I could stay caught up, but I decided to do all sorts of fun things (or something) and just plain didn't get it done. Let's see how many I can get in here before Goose finishes her bath - ready, set, GO!

MAKE
The textures in this Feel Quiet Book at 4 Leaf Clover are really inspiring - love the idea.

So it sounds like the cash outlay for all the hardware is a bit more significant than one might think, but this Make Your Own Nuts and Bolts Chess Set is a rockin' idea.

I'm going to wait until Goose is old enough to appreciate the science aspect of it, but how fun would it be to make your own Rock Candy?!?

You know by now that I love all things farm animals, and I love all things quiet books - put the two together, and I'm swooning. Handmade Baby Book at Homemade Holiday Gifts. {And I've not spent any time clicking around over there, but I'm thinking I might have to do so!}

We've seen something similar at Filth Wizardry, but just in case you missed it, check out Plastic Bag Iron Ons (for t-shirts and whatnot) at Homemade Mamas.

Ohhh, I am diggin' this Rain Drop Sun Catcher at homework - and I also now know why I hang onto random pieces of plastic like that. :>)

Admittedly I've thought about making Goose a set of sandpaper letters a la Montessori and ... I haven't. But these Kid-Made "Sandpaper" Letter Set from Frugal Family Fun Blog is something I think Goose could make all by herself as well as enjoy using. She'd also enjoy Shiny Snowflake Mosaics, also at FFFB.

Though I don't have felted sweaters lying around, these Nature Walk Pouches from Kleas inspired me to make something similar for a birthday gift.

I'm in knock-off HEAVEN over at Knock Off Decor! Something tells me I could waste a lot of time in those archives...

Of course the bracelets are adorable, but I really dig the button ornaments at Cute as a Button at La de la de da.

It's the perfect time of year to make Get Crafty: Ice Ornaments, as found at Red Ted Art.

This Faux Stained Glass at Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom is really lovely.

Perfect for little ones, this No Slip Baby Doll Blanket Tutorial from The Little Appleseed represents some good thinking.

This would have to wait until we live at the farm and it could be placed far enough from the house, but I'm loving this Banging Wall found at Soule Mama.

The banging wall ranks right up there with this Backyard Melody Maker as seen at Family Fun.

Patchwork Possee tells us how to Handmade-ify a Store Bought Blanket. It's kind of like the How to Make a No-Sew Blanket with Yarn Fringe that I linked to forever ago.

EAT
Ahhh, Monkey Bread. Eighteen kinds. At Tipnut. I bookmarked his for my hubs - also at Tipnut - Amish Friendship Bread recipes and starter both.

And flipping to the other end of the spectrum making transition difficult, The Farm Chicks has a yummy looking Black Bean Burgers recipe.

I haven't ever tried kale to know if I even like it, but I *want* to like it... and you can figure out How To Cook Kale at The Local Cook.

Thanks to Sarah for tweeting the link to How To Make the Best Buttermilk Biscuits From Scratch, at Pinch My Salt.

It's not like I need to make cakes, but I am trying to collect recipes to make them without a mix - and this Yellow Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting at The Farm Girl Recipes fits the bill.

Another post where I gained five pounds just reading it, check out these Homemade Oreos at Smitten Kitchen. I think I'd try subbing coconut oil for the shortening, though.

Thanks to Kim for pointing out these Cheesy Nibbles as found at Attic 24. (I'd use butter, too, Kim.)

DO
I've at least heard of giving paperwhites before as holiday gifts (they're a flower), and this Homemade Holidays post at Adventures of One CrAzY LaDy makes it seem do-able.

Goose would really enjoy making bird feeders as found at This One's For the Birds at Chalk in My Pocket.

This Making a Sensory Box at In The Mom Zone is a different way than I've seen before - neat idea!

Just in time for the upcoming holiday, lots of good ideas on for St. Valentine's Day on Let Me Count The Ways. [Along those lines, check out the Love Dice at Shabby Chic Crafts.] {And the Paper Baking Cup Flower Valentines at Skip to My Lou.}

Here's something I need to learn: Sewing Buttonholes and Buttons at MADE. I also bet this How to Make a Knit Waistband from The Mother Huddle would really come in handy.

Jeans have not been my friend since I was preggers with Goose, and I was not a fashionista before that anyway. Regardless, I laughed my "mama tushie" off at Mom Jeans and Dreaded Long Butt at Grasping for Objectivity.

Shared by a Colorado reader (hi!), there's some interesting tips in Common Household Products with Uncommon Uses via AOL.

PRAY & PONDER
Ordinary Time feels kind of like a letdown sometimes after big seasons like Christmas and Lent, but Simcha Fisher explains it well in a guest post at Conversion Diary.

Well, that gets me to halfway caught up on links, sigh. We'll see if I can get another roundup in this week. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you guys, though. :>) Happy clicking!