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!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Link Roundup - Cabin Fever Edition
Remember how we barely have any snow? Not anymore. Since Saturday, about 12-14" of snow has fallen, and the temperature is really starting to drop.
Goose and I bundled up and braved temperatures in the teens plus a stiff breeze to walk to the post office and scoop the walks this afternoon. The main reason for going out is because it's going to be worse tomorrow, with a high in the single digits - Wednesday, too. Scooping wouldn't have been nearly so bad if Goose hadn't have kept commenting that flopping around in the snow sure was "hard work!" :>)
I don't think I've mentioned here that I quit my job proofreading the newspaper. I miss it already, but right now I'm quite happy to not have to go anywhere. So, let's get out of the house via the interwebs.
MAKE
These Indoor No-Mess Snowballs at Frugal Fun For Boys is still making me laugh! I'm going to have to keep an eye out for white tights at the thrift shop.
Two cool tutorials from Obsessively Stitching: Squishy Rubik's Cubes Tutorial and I-Spy Blocks/Storytelling Dice.
I gotta admit, when I was a kid, I couldn't figure out an optical illusion my Grandma had hanging in her kitchen. See how to make your own J E S U S Optical Illusion at Catholic Icing - I love the sun catcher twist, too.
Hmm, this How-To Fabric Produce Bag Free PDF Pattern at Daisy Janie has me thinking ahead to next Christmas already. I love how they roll up! What do you think, sisters-in-law?
Oh, she *always* does this... Valerie at Frugal Family Fun Blog does something similar to what I've done but WAY cuter! This time, it's a First Sewing Basket - I made one for my youngest niece but stuck it in a repurposed plastic storage box (BORING). Guess I need to start channeling Valerie to see if I can come up with these simple but awesome tweaks! Also check out these Friendship Necklace Kits and the Printable Bird House Play Set while you're there.
Wow, this Christmas Tree Ornament Mobile at not martha is STUNNING! (Also see the How-To which makes it look not terribly difficult.)
Another wow, these Woven Cookie Star Ornaments at The Crafty Crow are really neat, and I think they could work even for preschoolers. [Note to self - do NOT start digging through the archives over there... I'll never get out!] [OK, just one - Stained Glass Poinsettia Ornaments.]
EAT
I predict Hubs will not be impressed, but I'm seriously interested in trying to make my own Wheat Meat as explained at Wise Antics of Life.
Oooh - I just realized I have all the ingredients in my fridge to make Penne with Cream Sauce from Skip to My Lou... but I don't have any pasta. Hmm. There may be some noodle making in my near future.
We're studying the letter D right now and what better timing to find a bunch of recipes for Dirt Cakes and Desserts at Tipnut! Hey, there is also a roundup of Dump Cakes, too; something of which I am a big fan as well. There are even a few recipes that include from-scratch cake instead of a mix and I will definitely be checking those out. And while we're gaining weight just looking at the screen, Lemon Cakes and Oven Baked Macaroni & Cheese.
Recommended for the January 4th feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, this Colonial Brown Bread at Catholic Cuisine looks simple and sounds delicious.
I'm thinking Sarah's Empanadas at heartland Renaissance are going to make it on our snowed-in menu rotation in short order.
Several super yummy things all rolled into one dish for this Cauliflower Cheese Pie with Potato Crust at Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks.
I've posted about homemade yogurt before, but Katie at Kitchen Stewardship has pulled together links to all her variation posts plus a few more tips and updates in this week's Monday Mission: You Can Make Homemade Yogurt! She even debunks some of your common arguments against making your own. :>) (Mine is that since I don't really like plain yogurt so I don't really know what it's supposed to taste like and thus I don't know if I did it right or not.) Katie is also Seeking the Perfect Homemade Whole Wheat Bread, and you can see the first recipe she tried at that link. Lots more to come, it sounds like.
This reminded me, it's been too long since I've made Spaetzle, this recipe from Skip To My Lou. Also check out What To Do With Leftover Candy Canes, of which there would not be any if Goose had her way. I especially love the hearts! (And I know Goose would, too.)
DO
Check out what Jen at Conversion Diary considered the 12 Best Links of 2010.
One more Tipnut link, this time 20 Things You Can Use Twice Before Tossing.
I'm not sure that I'd actually want to see the results of this, but it's an interesting concept: A Day In the Life Of... at Simply Rebekah, where you take a photo every hour of your day of what you are doing at that moment. Blog about it, then link up on February 1.
Though I've heard good things about Lakeshore Learning, I've not spent any time checking out their site until I learned there are some Free Resources including lesson plans, projects & activities, and lots of printables.
PRAY & PONDER
This Resolution Prayer at Faith & Family Live sounds like something I'd do well to consider and reconsider. (As an aside, my "resolution word" is the same as it was last year - Discipline. Wish me luck.)
Though I hope and pray that I don't need this sort of thing, I try to pay special attention to things like Baby Loss Comfort post because it's so hard to find the words when you need them. (@ Doula Patti Ramos)
Stomach bugs in little ones are never fun, but Amy at Finer Things makes some very good points in The Tyrant. It amazes me how God's grace is always there, if I only ask for it, look for it, take it.
And that's it! Can you believe it, I'm finally caught up!?! Happy clicking, friends - hope you're staying warm!
Goose and I bundled up and braved temperatures in the teens plus a stiff breeze to walk to the post office and scoop the walks this afternoon. The main reason for going out is because it's going to be worse tomorrow, with a high in the single digits - Wednesday, too. Scooping wouldn't have been nearly so bad if Goose hadn't have kept commenting that flopping around in the snow sure was "hard work!" :>)
I don't think I've mentioned here that I quit my job proofreading the newspaper. I miss it already, but right now I'm quite happy to not have to go anywhere. So, let's get out of the house via the interwebs.
MAKE
These Indoor No-Mess Snowballs at Frugal Fun For Boys is still making me laugh! I'm going to have to keep an eye out for white tights at the thrift shop.
Two cool tutorials from Obsessively Stitching: Squishy Rubik's Cubes Tutorial and I-Spy Blocks/Storytelling Dice.
I gotta admit, when I was a kid, I couldn't figure out an optical illusion my Grandma had hanging in her kitchen. See how to make your own J E S U S Optical Illusion at Catholic Icing - I love the sun catcher twist, too.
Hmm, this How-To Fabric Produce Bag Free PDF Pattern at Daisy Janie has me thinking ahead to next Christmas already. I love how they roll up! What do you think, sisters-in-law?
Oh, she *always* does this... Valerie at Frugal Family Fun Blog does something similar to what I've done but WAY cuter! This time, it's a First Sewing Basket - I made one for my youngest niece but stuck it in a repurposed plastic storage box (BORING). Guess I need to start channeling Valerie to see if I can come up with these simple but awesome tweaks! Also check out these Friendship Necklace Kits and the Printable Bird House Play Set while you're there.
Wow, this Christmas Tree Ornament Mobile at not martha is STUNNING! (Also see the How-To which makes it look not terribly difficult.)
Another wow, these Woven Cookie Star Ornaments at The Crafty Crow are really neat, and I think they could work even for preschoolers. [Note to self - do NOT start digging through the archives over there... I'll never get out!] [OK, just one - Stained Glass Poinsettia Ornaments.]
EAT
I predict Hubs will not be impressed, but I'm seriously interested in trying to make my own Wheat Meat as explained at Wise Antics of Life.
Oooh - I just realized I have all the ingredients in my fridge to make Penne with Cream Sauce from Skip to My Lou... but I don't have any pasta. Hmm. There may be some noodle making in my near future.
We're studying the letter D right now and what better timing to find a bunch of recipes for Dirt Cakes and Desserts at Tipnut! Hey, there is also a roundup of Dump Cakes, too; something of which I am a big fan as well. There are even a few recipes that include from-scratch cake instead of a mix and I will definitely be checking those out. And while we're gaining weight just looking at the screen, Lemon Cakes and Oven Baked Macaroni & Cheese.
Recommended for the January 4th feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, this Colonial Brown Bread at Catholic Cuisine looks simple and sounds delicious.
I'm thinking Sarah's Empanadas at heartland Renaissance are going to make it on our snowed-in menu rotation in short order.
Several super yummy things all rolled into one dish for this Cauliflower Cheese Pie with Potato Crust at Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks.
I've posted about homemade yogurt before, but Katie at Kitchen Stewardship has pulled together links to all her variation posts plus a few more tips and updates in this week's Monday Mission: You Can Make Homemade Yogurt! She even debunks some of your common arguments against making your own. :>) (Mine is that since I don't really like plain yogurt so I don't really know what it's supposed to taste like and thus I don't know if I did it right or not.) Katie is also Seeking the Perfect Homemade Whole Wheat Bread, and you can see the first recipe she tried at that link. Lots more to come, it sounds like.
This reminded me, it's been too long since I've made Spaetzle, this recipe from Skip To My Lou. Also check out What To Do With Leftover Candy Canes, of which there would not be any if Goose had her way. I especially love the hearts! (And I know Goose would, too.)
DO
Check out what Jen at Conversion Diary considered the 12 Best Links of 2010.
One more Tipnut link, this time 20 Things You Can Use Twice Before Tossing.
I'm not sure that I'd actually want to see the results of this, but it's an interesting concept: A Day In the Life Of... at Simply Rebekah, where you take a photo every hour of your day of what you are doing at that moment. Blog about it, then link up on February 1.
Though I've heard good things about Lakeshore Learning, I've not spent any time checking out their site until I learned there are some Free Resources including lesson plans, projects & activities, and lots of printables.
PRAY & PONDER
This Resolution Prayer at Faith & Family Live sounds like something I'd do well to consider and reconsider. (As an aside, my "resolution word" is the same as it was last year - Discipline. Wish me luck.)
Though I hope and pray that I don't need this sort of thing, I try to pay special attention to things like Baby Loss Comfort post because it's so hard to find the words when you need them. (@ Doula Patti Ramos)
Stomach bugs in little ones are never fun, but Amy at Finer Things makes some very good points in The Tyrant. It amazes me how God's grace is always there, if I only ask for it, look for it, take it.
And that's it! Can you believe it, I'm finally caught up!?! Happy clicking, friends - hope you're staying warm!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Link Roundup - Seriously? Edition
I have yet another cold. I think I had about 10 days to two weeks where I wasn't coughing all the time, and now I'm back to it. Sigh. This winter can't be over soon enough in that regard.
So let's get to some links since they don't make my ribs hurt.
MAKE
I'm loving the simplicity of this Felt Board Tutorial from jchandmade. [Click "next" at the top left to move through the photos. Took me a while to find it. :>)]
I've never seen anything quite like this Peyote Stitch Tutorial, from Uzume's Crafty Goodness.
Cheap, pretty, functional - what's not to love about these Ten Dollar Ledges from Ana White.
I am totally enamored with this How To Make an Argyle Fleece Throw at CraftStylish.
What an awesome idea - a No Sew Felt Playhouse Tutorial at Sew Can Do.
These Cinnamon Hot Pads from My Paper Crane sound really cool, though I'm not sure how they'd smell with, say, chicken. :>)
I'm quite sure I could drop 10 years of my life browsing the archives at That Artist Woman (note: school kid crafts!)
Love finding a new twist on old favorites - Monogram Taggie at Twelve Crafts Till Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, I'm tucking away these Beaded Snowflake Ornaments from Naturally Educational for Goose to make next year.
EAT
I can't look at these Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Cupcakes without cracking up, from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.
Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting? Yup, or as healthy as it gets anyway, especially coming from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers.
Rendering Lard - in a crockpot no less! - is totally fascinating to me, though I'm not sure I have the backbone to try it just yet. (@ A Moderate Life)
I love caramels, and I love gingerbread. I'm not quite sure about these Gingerbread Caramels from Martha Stewart, but if anybody wants to make them, I'll volunteer to be a taste tester.
You're about to see a trend here: Peppermint Fudge Cupcake Jars from Our Best Bites, Peppermint Caramels (Polkagriskola) from Lindsay Cooks, Peppermint Magic Shell from The Family Kitchen - which is REAL FOOD and also pretty easily adaptable for other flavors, I think, aaaand Peppermint Rimmed Hot Cocoa at How Does She?
It would be seriously detrimental to any diet hopes I have for the new year, but I can't stop thinking about these Brownie Covered Oreos at Polka Dots and Pizza.
As an attempt to get me back on track, let's shift focus to these Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Buttermilk Cream Cheese Icing at heartland Renaissance.
I like the looks of this French Toast Frittata from Kelly the Kitchen Kop.
And just in case you weren't hungry enough, check out these Vanilla Muffins with Cinnamon Crumb Topping at Heavenly Homemakers.
DO
Each of these 8 Gifts for Playful Children are great ideas, from Kaboom.
I was very moved reading the story about El Refugio over at Chasing Cheerios. I was blessed to have a wonderful (and safe!) visit to Guatemala about ten years ago and I'm not sure I would want to go back, but I do carry a piece of it in my heart.
These Reindeer Games at Little Wonders Days cracked me up. What a great way to celebrate Advent! Sure, it's secular, but It would be a great combination with watching the old Rudolph movie.
PRAY & PONDER
After reading the article You Cannot Steal My Joy at Faith & Family Live, I have made a conscious effort to hold my voice down when I need to deal with Goose. She is my God-given source of joy, and I need to be reminded of it sometimes.
Even with my 40 Bags in 40 Days of Lent decluttering spree, I still have a ways to go. Thankfully I run across things like this Junk or Treasure? post at Making Country Memories, my friend Maxine's blog.
I'm off to codine cough syrup land - happy clicking!
So let's get to some links since they don't make my ribs hurt.
MAKE
I'm loving the simplicity of this Felt Board Tutorial from jchandmade. [Click "next" at the top left to move through the photos. Took me a while to find it. :>)]
I've never seen anything quite like this Peyote Stitch Tutorial, from Uzume's Crafty Goodness.
Cheap, pretty, functional - what's not to love about these Ten Dollar Ledges from Ana White.
I am totally enamored with this How To Make an Argyle Fleece Throw at CraftStylish.
What an awesome idea - a No Sew Felt Playhouse Tutorial at Sew Can Do.
These Cinnamon Hot Pads from My Paper Crane sound really cool, though I'm not sure how they'd smell with, say, chicken. :>)
I'm quite sure I could drop 10 years of my life browsing the archives at That Artist Woman (note: school kid crafts!)
Love finding a new twist on old favorites - Monogram Taggie at Twelve Crafts Till Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, I'm tucking away these Beaded Snowflake Ornaments from Naturally Educational for Goose to make next year.
EAT
I can't look at these Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Cupcakes without cracking up, from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.
Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting? Yup, or as healthy as it gets anyway, especially coming from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers.
Rendering Lard - in a crockpot no less! - is totally fascinating to me, though I'm not sure I have the backbone to try it just yet. (@ A Moderate Life)
I love caramels, and I love gingerbread. I'm not quite sure about these Gingerbread Caramels from Martha Stewart, but if anybody wants to make them, I'll volunteer to be a taste tester.
You're about to see a trend here: Peppermint Fudge Cupcake Jars from Our Best Bites, Peppermint Caramels (Polkagriskola) from Lindsay Cooks, Peppermint Magic Shell from The Family Kitchen - which is REAL FOOD and also pretty easily adaptable for other flavors, I think, aaaand Peppermint Rimmed Hot Cocoa at How Does She?
It would be seriously detrimental to any diet hopes I have for the new year, but I can't stop thinking about these Brownie Covered Oreos at Polka Dots and Pizza.
As an attempt to get me back on track, let's shift focus to these Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Buttermilk Cream Cheese Icing at heartland Renaissance.
I like the looks of this French Toast Frittata from Kelly the Kitchen Kop.
And just in case you weren't hungry enough, check out these Vanilla Muffins with Cinnamon Crumb Topping at Heavenly Homemakers.
DO
Each of these 8 Gifts for Playful Children are great ideas, from Kaboom.
I was very moved reading the story about El Refugio over at Chasing Cheerios. I was blessed to have a wonderful (and safe!) visit to Guatemala about ten years ago and I'm not sure I would want to go back, but I do carry a piece of it in my heart.
These Reindeer Games at Little Wonders Days cracked me up. What a great way to celebrate Advent! Sure, it's secular, but It would be a great combination with watching the old Rudolph movie.
PRAY & PONDER
After reading the article You Cannot Steal My Joy at Faith & Family Live, I have made a conscious effort to hold my voice down when I need to deal with Goose. She is my God-given source of joy, and I need to be reminded of it sometimes.
Even with my 40 Bags in 40 Days of Lent decluttering spree, I still have a ways to go. Thankfully I run across things like this Junk or Treasure? post at Making Country Memories, my friend Maxine's blog.
I'm off to codine cough syrup land - happy clicking!
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