Thankful Thursdays #3

I know I'm a little late, but I wasn't going to get on the computer on Thanksgiving. I was busy in the kitchen making my contribution to the feast, homemade rolls and cranberry sauce! This week will be a bit easier because my hubby was home with us most of the week :)

1. Snow. I love it. I think it is beautiful, and I love our yard covered in a fresh coating of snow. I know it can really screw up your commute, which leads me to...
2. Not having a commute. I have been working since I was 14 years old, with anywhere from a 5 minutes to hour long commute. I do love winter, but starting off the day in a freezing cold car can make you forget that. Staying home in our cozy house with our beautiful view has me very thankful that I get to enjoy winter so much this year.
3. Baby Carriers. I don't think I've said this one yet, which is hard to believe. Especially since it has gotten cold, wearing little man close to me in a carrier makes it so easy to get out of the house and keep both of us warm. I get to walk around with my own little heater attached to me. I really like the Mei Tai carriers now that he's bigger.
4. My Kitchen Aid mixer. I'm not sure why, but ever since I was probably 12 years old, I'd wanted a red Kitchen Aid mixer. We received one as a wedding gift from my generous father-in-law & his awesome girlfriend. I used it to make a tripple batch of cupcakes for our wedding and now am using it to make my own bread. While I love to get my hands dirty kneading dough, Little Man doesn't usually want to wait 20 minutes for me, so 2 minutes in the mixer rocks.
5. Vacuums. Can you imagine cleaning without a vacuum? Especially if you have pets that shed...oh man. 
6. Fat Quarter Challenge. I have really enjoyed taking part in the contest the past two months (and still can't believe that I won both months!). It has been fun to force myself to create. I need deadlines or I have a hard time getting motivated, and the FQC gives me that. I am passing the baton for Dec, but plan to get back into it in 2014!
7. Thanksgiving. Day 7 was Thanksgiving, and we are happy to report that we had a very pleasant one. You know everyone getting together can sometimes make for some not-so-pleasant conversation at times, but everyone brought their A game and it was fantastic. I always enjoy attending anything that our FIL's GF (we need a better name for you!) hosts. Great food, drinks, snacks, & company!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and spending time with friends & family. I feel very strongly against shopping on Thanksgiving and did not participate in keeping these employees away from their families. I have been there and it wasn't fun.

Enjoy these short 3 weeks until Christmas!! As always, please feel free to tell me what you are thankful for in the comments!

DIY Babywearing Halloween Costume

We had a costume party to go to this past weekend so I threw together a costume for our little guy with some materials I had on hand. Granted, this could have been better, but it worked and I didn't have to buy anything. If I did it again, I would have done two layers of the "egg" and stuffed it. And I also would have had a more contrasting outfit for him, but again, last minute and this was still adorable. It was super easy and I've included the pattern for the tail and hat attachment. This could also be used for a baby dinosaur (my original idea but it was more involved and I ran out of time).

For the egg, I used felt because it is more stiff, but I think fleece would work well, especially if you plan on doubling it up and stuffing it (the stretch would make that even easier on you.

I traced the Baby Bjorn onto paper first for some reason. You could definitely just trace it (or whatever carrier you are using) right onto the fabric. (I realize these aren't the best carriers because of hip issues, but he'd push his way right out of the Moby now and I couldn't find our Mei Tai carrier. One day won't hurt and I hold his legs up most of the time anyways). 

So first, trace your carrier (twice if you want to stitch them together and stuff it). Make sure to leave some extra fabric for tabs to help attach it. For example, I left extra at the bottom and cut a slit to put the bottom of the carrier through. I also left two tabs to cut holes in to slip the top straps through. This will depend on your carrier. Obviously, make sure you don't fold or attach fabric anywhere that would compromise the strength/safety of your carrier! Also cut some zig zags at the top and arm/legs to get that newly hatched look.

Next, for the tail, I had yellow felt that I turned into a tail. Use the Tail Pattern to quickly cut out, trace on your fabric, and cut again. Once you have this cut out, fold and stitch where it overlaps. Then, cut at the slits shown. Cut out a 4" circle of the same fabric (or the egg color would work as well). Stitch the cone to the flat circle. Before you get to the very end, stuff it well with batting or cotton balls, or extra fabric, really whatever you have on hand that is fluffy. Then, finish up the stitching.

 

Once you have your cone, to get the cute little duck tail look, stitch up, over about an inch, and back down. Then tie a knot and pull until it is perked up to your liking, then double the knot (I used coordinating embroidery floss but thread should work just fine). 

 

Now to poke it out of your egg! Find the center of your egg, about where you think a tail would be. Cut a 3" X. Then, cut some zig zags for that broken eggshell look. Poke your tail through the back and stitch it on.

Now for the hat. We had a little duck hat on hand to attach a little "broken eggshell" to. You can use this pattern for any baby hat, though you may want to shrink it a bit for a newborn, I think the oversized shell would be cute. Cut out the pattern, trace, and cut out your fabric. Stitch it at the overlap and cut your zig zag again. I only did about 4 big stitches to stitch it to the hat because I wanted to be able to easily take it off later.

 

Then it's time to put it all together! Again, it would be better if we had some orange pants and a more yellow shirt, but it worked regardless :)

With some stuffing and a better outfit underneath, it'd be super cute! But this was a good, no-cost & quick alternative :)

Happy Halloween!!

Apple & Pumpkin Spice Chip Cookes

Last fall, I started experimenting with my favorite holiday cookie recipe. By adding extra cinnamon and replacing the cranberries in the original recipe with chopped apple, I gave them more of a fall taste (see them here). This year, I got a little more courageous and switched up the recipe even more to make these delicious cookies that have been described as Autumn exploding in your mouth.

What really makes these cookies are the pumpkin pie spice chips that I discovered over at The Cupcake Project! I did not shape mine into cute chips like she did, but just rolled them flat onto parchment paper and cut them into little squares after they cooled. I also used maple syrup in place of the corn syrup and it worked out great! I made these the night before (you can make them days before, they will keep for quite awhile) For the chips you will need:

• 2/3 Cup Sugar
• 3T Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 2T Butter (at room temp)
• 2T Light Corn Syrup (I used Maple Syrup)
• 1/4t Vanilla Extract

Mix all ingredients and press out flat on parchment paper and bake your blob at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Let cool completely and then use a butcher knife or pizza cutter to cut out your squares. Save the little crumbs...they are awesome in coffee or to top these cookies or muffins!
___________________________________________

Now for the cookies! (Ingredients/Instructions at the bottom of this post)
Start by mixing your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon) in a large mixing bowl (I like to throw them all in the sifter (except oats) and then whisk in the oats. In a separate bowl (on your mixer if you have one) beat the butter & sugars until well blended. Then, beat in eggs one at a time and add the syrup and vanilla. Then slowly mix in the dry ingredients as shown below.

I mixed in a 15oz can of pumpkin (although fresh is best!) at this point instead of with the wet ingredients because...well because I forgot I was adding pumpkin until this point. Once the pumpkin is blended well, add a bit more flour a little at a time (up to a 1/2 cup) to thicken the batter. Stir in the white chocolate chips and diced apple (with the mixer is fine). Then carefully stir in the pumpkin pie spice chips by hand.

Now you are ready to drop your batter onto a cookie sheet! You can roll these into balls to get a "neater" looking cookie, but with a baby I found keeping my hands free was much better so I used two spoons to drop them onto the cookie sheet and it worked very well. Keep them spaced about 2" apart to allow for spreading. Top with cinnamon or more pumpkin pie spice!

Bake for 10-13 minutes at 350 degrees (until the edges start looking golden brown. Don't let them get too dark, the batter is already a golden brown because of the pumpkin). Note that the chips will melt onto the pan if they are touching it. They didn't burn and came off easily, but you may want to bake them on parchment paper if you tend to have sticking issues with your cookie sheets.

___________________________________________
Apple & Pumpkin Spice Chip Fall Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2-2.5C. Flour
• 1tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2tsp Salt
• 1C. Brown Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 2tsp Vanilla
• 1C. White Chocolate Chips
• 1-2 Cups Pumpkin Pie Spice Chips (your preference)
• 1C. Butter (Softened)
• 15oz Can of Pumpkin
• 3C. Oats (I've always used quick oats)
• 1/2tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/2C. Granulated Sugar
• 1T Pure Maple Syrup (or honey)
• 1 medium-large apple, peeled and diced. I used a large Honeycrisp, and had extra.
• Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Sift 2 Cups of flour, baking soda, salt, & cinnamon into a medium bowl
3. Stir in oats and set aside
4. Beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy
5. Beat in eggs one at a time
6. Add maple syrup (or honey) and vanilla
7. Add flour mixture until well combined 
8. Blend in pumpkin 
9. Mix in up to a half cup of flour a little at a time as needed until batter is thickened
10. Stir in apple and white chocolate
11. Carefully stir in pumpkin pie spice chips by hand
12. Drop onto a cookie sheet about 2" apart
13. Sprinkle tops with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
14. Bake 10-13 minutes
15. Enjoy!

 

Apple Cinnamon White Chocolate Cookies

I've been craving fall food like crazy (who hasn't?) and came up with the idea to alter my favorite cookie recipe (White Chocolate Cranberry cookies). My mom got the original recipe from my Aunt Julie, who I believe got it from Ocean Spray Craisins. They quickly became a favorite...I love just about anything with white chocolate in it. The cookies stay soft and fluffy and delicious, and in my opinion taste better as a little time goes on and the flavors blend.

Ingredients:

• 2C. Flour
• 1tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2tsp Salt
• 1C. Brown Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 2tsp Vanilla
• 1C. White Chocolate Chips
• 1C. Butter (Softened)
• 3C. Oats (I've always used quick oats)
• 1/2tsp. Cinnamon (heaping)...I'd add a bit more for more for these
• 1/2C. Granulated Sugar
• 1T Honey - I used pure maple syrup and it worked out great!
• 1 medium-large apple, peeled and diced. I used a large Honeycrisp, and had extra.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice (for topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Sift flour, baking soda, salt, & cinnamon into a medium bowl
3. Stir in oats and set aside
4. Beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy
5. Beat in eggs one at a time
6. Add honey(or syrup) and vanilla
7. Add flour mixture until well combined
8. Stir in apple and white chocolate
9. Roll into 1-2" balls and place on cookie sheet about 2" apart (I did 2" for nice big cookies!)
10. Sprinkle tops with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
11. Bake 9-11 minutes (since mine were larger, I did around 13 minutes)

 

Our 1st Thanksgiving

We were very excited to have our first Thanksgiving in our new home :) After stressing so much over the turkey, I completely neglected to get photos of everything else (we had some delicious contributions!) Jeanette brought awesome stuffing and mashed potatoes, my mom (Bev) brought pumpkin pie (yum) and sweet potatoes, and my great aunt Judy brought some green bean casserole and yummy cranberry-date bars. I made dinner rolls, homemade crannbery sauce (awesome recipe - see here), and of course the turkey (I got to find out just how finicky our oven's temperature is).

I also had a lot of fun making some little decorations for the day! I painted some little foam pumpkins, made placemats out of brown burlap, and made a banner out of some scraps of fabric I found at school. It's amazing what a little twine and hot glue can do!

Now, I won't let you believe that my first ever turkey was as perfect as it looks in the picture below :-P It looks beautiful, but was a little underdone, which in my opinion was way better than overdone. After a bit of carving, some juices started running a little pink, so Nick finished carving and we threw it back in the oven for a little while to finish it up. Crisis averted!

 

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!