Sanity....

 On Friday, I woke, as usual, and got my oldest off to school. He was *super* late, lolly gaggy and dragging his feet at every turn. I had my coffee and surfed the net a little then woke the two younger chitlins. And it began, again. The nonsense, bickering and mind numbing behavior that I'd just attempted to recover from the day before.

  I called my trusty friend and asked "how am I going to get through another day of this?" In the meantime, my husband beeped in. Twice. So I told her "I'll call you back" and took the call. He was calling to see if I wanted a muffin or something decadent on his way home. Way home??! at 9:10 am?! Well, his truck was still needing repairs, he'd done all the busy work they had for him the day before and he had 40 hrs so he was coming home! "Oh, please, tend to the kids today so I can sew?!"

Thank. You. Lord.

I sewed the day away. Making sure I made Lil Lady her spring wardrobe. In a style she'll wear and something I can be happy with and it mixes and matches. Somewhat.

Here're are couple of the outfits. The other is in the wash already.

Swing top with side zip capris( gaming pose)--

All knit with cotton lycra waistband. The neckline gave me FITS:

Also, I got some sewing done for a "Mama Swap" I'm involved with. I took these two terrific patterns from

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric!

"Smock of All Ages" made with Michael Miller's Ginger Blossom.

and "Beach-Time Towel Tote". The pictures do it no justice. This is one cool bag and towel in one!

I hope the recipients like these as much as I do! LOL The instructions were terrific, too. The apron took a tiny bit more than a yard (maybe because I washed and dried the fabric first?) but that was ok. I had it.

And you can find out more from the author of the tote here! She pictures it better than I did.

So, all in all, did I retain my sanity? Well, that's up for debate but I did feel *much* better after.

 Blessings counted.

Peter Rabbit Inspiration

Every Easter, my mother-in-law would buy an Easter bunny and a book. For many years, it was The Tale of  Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.

When I came across this fabric, it spoke to me. It does speak to me! I'm telling the truth. But not in the way you are thinking ;-) It was begging to become a bib and baby gown set--complete with bunny appliques.

I was thrilled to be able to get this done in time for Easter but it would make a wonderful gift anytime. View here.

There are days...

.. when counting your blessings is more than just a little difficult. Sheesh, some moments today had me taking deep breaths to the point of almost hyperventiliating!! LOL Ever have one of *those* days?

But, even with the cold, dreary rain for the second day in a row and with breaking two needles and throwing off my machine's rhythm, with children bickering over *nothing* (pretty convinced that that is their favorite pastime) it was still a glorious day! We had fun with friends for St Patty's day, yummy food, great company, happy children, a roof over our heads and a job for Stan to go to as well as a new little job for me.

God is good. Days are good too. Not all day long but sometimes just living moment to moment is all your sanity can withstand and that's still a good thing.

Blessings are everywhere. We just have to recognize them.

Chocolate Chip Cookies --with Chick Peas..??!??!?1

Oh yes. Believe it. And, here's for the amazing part, they were DIVINE!

From Jerry Seinfield's wife, Jessica's, book Dececptively Delicious I found this recipe. I was *very* leary about the addition of chick peas. I mean, come on! However, believe me when I tell you that they were amazing and I couldn't taste the chick peas at all (not that I mind them but not my idea of yummy in a cookie). They also had a very filling nature, being that there was extra fiber in them. Worth a try DEFINATLELY-- just don't expect to find any remaining here...

Sewing Mamas on Etsy: What More Could A Baby Want?

Sewing Mamas on Etsy: What More Could A Baby Want?

The SewingMamas Team on Etsy is having a special sale for all things baby! Click here to get a peek into all the things a baby needs -- pregnant mama clothes, bibs, burp cloths, swee'pea gowns (personal favorite to make/see!), sheets, and more!

Homemade Applesauce

When I was growing up, if you had applesauce, you got it from a jar. And it was cold. And you liked it that way. Really!

Fast forward a bunch of years and I am at my husband's aunt's house and we are having dinner. The applesauce came out in a bowl. And it was warm. And darker than I'd had before. Whaddya know?! It was homemade.

Now, I'm not going to try to tell you that we never buy a jar of store bought applesauce because we do. However, since I found out how easy it was to make applesauce, we have it quite a bit. It was one of my oldest's first solids! And that's just what I think of when I can smell that apple-y sweet steam from the pan. I think of making my oldest his baby food. Warm, happy memories.

What? You don't know how to make applesauce? Well, let me help you out!

How to make homemade applesauce:
Ingredients:
Apples
Water
Salt
Cinnamon

Take your apples and peel and core them. Slice into chunks. I usually cut them into about six slices. Put in your pan and put about 1 cm of water at the bottom. You can cover the pan for better vitamin retention or be lazy and leave uncovered.
Turn heat to high and, when it has reached a boil, turn to med. Steam the apples until soft when poked with a fork.
Take off the heat. If you have extra water here still, pour most of it off. (sometimes the cooking releases more liquid) Mash the apples with a potato masher. Add a pinch of salt and a dash of cinnamon.

Eat!