It is small, but it's something...

I covered a box this weekend to hold a little present for an upcoming birthday. I think it sort of qualifies as a craft, it is small, but I think it counts. Actually, in this house, no project is little. Between the snacks, trips to the bathroom, diapers, picking up toys, etc. something like covering a box becomes a days work. I am still knitting away on the Irish Hiking Scarf and I started a small Sugar n'Cream project. I really want to start a big color project like this, but first things first. Plus at the rate things get done around here, it probably would not be finished for 10 years.

An Owenism

The conversation went something like this:

Me: Owen what would you like to be when you grow up?
Owen: I want to be a writer.
Me: Owen, that is great. I think you would
make a great writer - you have such a wonderful imagination. What are you going to write about?
Owen: Not write, ride.
Me: Oh, what are you going to ride?
Owen: A doo-raft (giraffe).
Me: Okay... Um, well, I guess you will have to hold on real tight.

Drawing By Sam

Kitchen Buster Cookies

These are everything you want in a cookie - they are moist, chewy and crispy - in all the right places. Sure you have to get out the food processor, but really, is it that big a deal to clean all those parts? Yes, other cookies do not require you to haul out that appliance, but I'm sure they're not as good. Have I sold you get?

Kitchen Buster Cookies (Chocolate Chip Oatmeal)

not sure where it is from...

scribbled on the back of a receipt and jammed into my recipe box

1 cup butter (1/2 C margarine & 1/2 C butter is you like a less crunchy cookie)

2 cups flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats, finely ground in blender or food processor

4 oz (about 1/2 cup) milk chocolate, grated or ground in food processor

12 oz (about 1 1/2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix in flour one cup at a time just until incorporated. Mix in ground oats, ground chocolate, chocolate chips and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 12 minutes until light golden brown.

Did you hear that?

That, my friends, was a sigh of relief. Finishing this sweater has been on my To Do list for months. By finishing, I mean adding the button band and collar - the rest was done. This project was procrastination at its worst. It was just one of those things that I really had no interest in finishing, but unfortunately the recipient is not going to stay small forever.

The pattern is ChildHood from Kitty.com (you can find it here) and the yarn is Mission Falls cotton.

Funny Bunny

Hippity-hop, hippity-hop Easter's on its way...

Spencer was ready to dye Easter eggs after school today. After a brief discussion as to why we cannot dye Easter eggs so far in advance, he was curious to know if the bunny took the real eggs and turned them into the plastic ones that he collects outside. Ummm - think mom, think.

77

We had a high of 77 degrees today. It really is unfortunate this happened - now we remember how good it can be here in Michigan. The sun was shining, we had a nice breeze blowing and every once in a while the clouds rolling by would send down a sprinkle or two just to keep the plants happy. With these conditions, the bulbs are practically jumping out of the ground. We found this lovely purple crocus in our front yard and I think our tulips grew an inch right before our very eyes. The kids and I soaked it up because we have become smart to Michigan weather and we know that this day was a gift - thank you!

Life's a Spider Dream

This morning Owen and I made pear bread for a much anticipated play date. In between the singing,

row, row, row, your boat gently down the stream
merrily, merrily, merrily life's a spider dream

I learned a bit more about his "good friend" Steamroll. Here is what we know so far:

Who he is: Owen’s kid
Mother’s name: Mrs. Lee
Personal: Has a “kid” with red hair
Residence: Chicago
Hair Color: Green
Skin color: Green because he likes to eat peas

Height: about 3 tall

Favorite color: Red
Favorite activity: Play dates with Owen and climbing trees
Favorite food: Pasta and peas

Vehicle of Choice: A monster truck

Pets: Two puppies, Sparky and Feisty and a cat named Frenchie

The pear bread was really quite good - moist, but light and it passed the kid test.

Pear Bread

adapted from San Francisco A la Carte

3 eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 1/4 cups grated peeled pear (about 3)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon rind

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour, unsifted

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat eggs and slowly add in oil. Add pears, sugar, lemon rind, and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients, stir just until moistened. Stir in walnuts and pour into 2 buttered and floured 8-inch loaf pans. Bake for about 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Happy Spring

Well, it is officially spring, but here in Michigan the only place spring has sprung is indoors. Our Meyer lemon trees are doing great, but that is because they are inside. It was 29 degrees here this morning and the only flowers to be seen are in the stores. Some of the bulbs are starting to poke their heads out of the cold ground, but it is still going to be a while before we see any color in this part of the country.

Knit Blue Bear

He is finally ready to go. Now, if only he could walk himself to the post office... He was made from the Knitting With Baby bear pattern.

Eureka

I tried making fondant this weekend and, eureka, it worked. This is a yellow cake with Meyer (not Eureka) lemon filling, lemon buttercream and marshmallow fondant - all homemade.