Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas! We were with Jason's family this year. His parents just moved to their new house in Dayton and so it was just a little crazy! We crammed everyone into the house and ate plenty of food and junk food. Oh, my! Did we have junk food!!! We had fun visiting, playing Scum with Uncle Bruce's family, watching "Forgotten Carols", assembling puzzles, staying up late, making gingerbread houses and jewelry, and just having a good time.

On the way down, we saw this awesome cloud resting on top of the mountain. It looks like you could ski right off the cloud! We thought it was pretty cool!

Christmas morning waiting to go into the living room. Becca looks sleepy here, but she really wasn't.

Elena is excited!

Our family's stash!

Christmas plates

Becca and her new Mariposa Barbie

We got a lot of pictures of Mckenzie opening gifts. This one was one of the best.

This is the only picture I got of Elena during the opening present portion of the morning.

Taking Violet for a ride on the new hippo block eater.

Elena and Becca coming to see the playhouse.

Even though I didn't really get their reaction on camera, their smiles say it all!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Sewing Projects

I told you before that I have been busy sewing away. Well, now that Christmas is over, I can reveal what I did!

I made this skirt for Jason's mom. I was really worried that it would be too small because I had to alter the pattern and make more seams than it called for. However, it fits perfect and looks darling too! It looks a little funny on the hanger, but you get the idea.

This skirt was made for my mom. I had a lime green top she has in mind when I chose the fabric. However, I lucked out even more when she told me she has a blue blouse that looks like it was made to go with the skirt! I guess I was inspired because I had no idea! I liked this pattern so much, I think another one for me will be in the works soon. My sisters claim they want one too!

For the 49er fan in my life, I made a couple things. This is a picture of a neck pillow and pillow case. My grandmother gave me a neck pillow a long time ago that I just love! Well, Jason loves it too and it always trying to swipe it from me. So, since my confidence in sewing has increased, I decided I could just make him one out of the leftover fabric from the next project pictured.

He asked me to make him some lounge pants. My sister Monica and I decided to sew matching ones for our husbands on the sly. They look HUGE in this picture (and they actually are a little big), but bigger is better than smaller when it comes to lounge pants.

Then not pictured in this post but in a few before are the princess dresses for my girls and, of course, the playhouse. See, I told you I've been busy!

The Playhouse

It is here! What you have all been waiting for: pictures of our playhouse! We started this project in early October and finished a week and a half before Christmas. Jason helped me design the frame out of PVC pipe, and I created the outside. I have no idea how many hours of work went into this, but I can guarantee it was a lot. I worked on it on almost a daily basis from October to December 15th. So, I might estimate somewhere between 75 and 100 hours. Yes, this was no "quickie" project! And, NO, I will NOT make one for you! I will be happy to tell you HOW we did it, but I don't think there is enough money in the world to pay for the labor portion. =) So, presenting our handiwork which all came from our brains: no previous plans or blueprints provided:

The front

Dimensions: 5 ft X 5 ft X just over 6 ft

Looking inside door. Kitchen was previous Christmas present and table and chairs generously given to me by a friend.

Back wall. All coloring was done with Fabric crayons, available at any craft store

Left side: Curtains can close and wedding picture ironed on to fabric

Full view of the fireplace (my favorite part)

Front wall. The fabric I used for the curtains, I plan to use for curtains for my kitchen.

Right side: There is a black couch and recliner included because we have black leather furniture.

The door on the inside: We plan to paint the trim/doors on our house blue next summer.

Outside window with shutters

Flower garden along the bottom goes all the way around (except the back of the house).

Roof fabric covers the whole top but I couldn't get a decent picture of it. It reminds me of something tropical (which might be why I included a tropical "picture" on the inside).

Front again: notice flower garden and blue trim on window

A little better view of detail behind table (so you can take table and kitchen out and still have something all the way around the inside)

There is the tropical "picture", cute curtain, couch, and kitchen.

I think it is safe to say I am probably more excited about this than the girls. One great advantage to this playhouse vs. others is it can be taken down, put away, moved, etc. If you need it out of the way, no problem! I have had several people tell me I should patent it, sell it, or whatever. However, I don't know if I want the hassle. I'll think about it though. I would maybe like some feedback on that subject. What do you think? Anyway, I hope you like it! Thanks for looking and anticipating with me!

Elenaism

Elena (while holding a old cell phone): I just talked to Santa.

Me: Oh, what did he say.

Elena: I had to tell him no 16 times.

Me: Why did you have to tell him no?

Elena: Because he thinks I'm a murderer.

Oh, dear! I sure hope not!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Eggs

I'll be honest, I got this recipe from the newspaper: it isn't my own. However, I will put in my own variations that I find work a little better.

Makes: 20 (according to the recipe but I find it makes more like 36 unless you make them HUGE)

You will need:

2 cups creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

3 cups confectioner's (powered) sugar, sifted

3 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal

1 1/2 packages (18 oz) dark chocolate chips (I prefer milk chocolate)

2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

1/2 bag (6 oz) white chocolate chips (optional)

Food coloring of your choice (optional)

Coconut(optional)

In a bowl of a standing mixer (I just use my hand mixer and it works just fine), combine peanut butter and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted confectioners' sugar. Reduce speed to low and add crispy rice cereal just until combined. Cover and place bowl in refrigerator for about an hour (DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!).

Line a baking tray with wax paper (I usually need 2 cookie sheets). Remove bowl from refrigerator. Shape mixture into approximately 20 (36) egg shapes and place on baking tray (I usually squeeze the "dough" in my hand and it makes it about the right shape and packs it tight enough that it stays together). Place baking tray in freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes (the last time I made them, I let them be in the freezer overnight and they dipped SO much easier. But it is up to you how long and how soon you need them!).

While eggs are freezing, use a double boiler and melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat (I use the microwave. Use 70% power for one minute. Stir and then use 10-15 second intervals on 70% until completely melted). Remove eggs from freezer and, using toothpicks, dip eggs in melted chocolate (I use 2 forks because they fall off the toothpicks and it's hard to pick them up again). Place back on wax lined baking tray. (At this point, you can sprinkle eggs with coconut if you like. I don't.) Once all the eggs are covered in chocolate, place tray in refrigerator to cool. (You probably will have to warm up your chocolate a couple times while dipping. Just go 10-15 seconds).

While eggs are cooling, use a zip-top plastic bag to melt white chocolate and any food coloring in the microwave. Microwave for 10 seconds at a time, massaging food coloring into chocolate until completely melted. Remove eggs from refrigerator and allow to sit a minute. Snip end of zip-top bag and drizzle colored white chocolate over cooled eggs to decorate (make sure your hole is small or it won't drizzle well. I've made that mistake before).

To serve, line a plate with coconut and place eggs on top (I never do this, but I do keep them in the fridge because I like them better that way).

Enjoy! I'm am warning you that when you make these, you have to immediately get 1/2 of them out of your house or you will eat them ALL! =)

Where Have I Been?

Believe me! I have been busy! I admit I have been absent from the blogging world but that doesn't mean I haven't been doing anything! The thing is, most of the stuff I've been doing is blog-worthy but I can't blog about it until after Christmas. You understand. Also, most the pictures we have taken lately turn out blurry and that is irritating! Who wants to post blurry pictures?!?! I can't wait for my new camera for Christmas! So, just know that I'm still here (in case you were worried), and that you'll get a whole load of blog material once the blessed holiday of Christmas is over. Here are some of the somewhat decent photos taken in the last few weeks:

Mckenzie's face is just too funny. It almost says, "what? I didn't do nutin!"

The girls and I decorating our 3 foot Christmas tree. Jason was manning the camera. You know, all about capturing the moment for future generations!

And for your viewing (and drooling) pleasure, a pan full of homemade Reese's peanut butter eggs. I LOVE these things and can't leave them alone! They are SO good!

That is all! Check back after Christmas to get picture evidence of what I've been up to.