A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

August 23, 2012/td>

Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

One one my favourite things to make (and eat!) are chicken sandwiches. They're quick, easy and have just the right amount of spicy kick to them. You can grill the chicken, but in this house BBQ-ing is a man's job - to be honest it's only because I'm a little terrified of lighting the thing, so I just broil mine. Much easier (and considerably less scary than dealing with propane and a lighter).

Mmmmmmm... Spicy Chicken!

Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 35g. package of taco seasoning (I use Old El Paso reduced sodium but you could use any kind or make your own - let me know if you have a great homemade version!)
1/2 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cheddar cheese, grated
Salsa
Onions
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Mayonnaise
Buns, split in half (I prefer homemade using my bread machine - recipe below)

Heat oven to broil while you prepare the chicken.

In a medium sized ziploc bag combine cheese and seasoning. Coat each piece of chicken one at a time by placing it in the bag and shaking it. Put coated chicken on broiler pan (or heated BBQ grill) and place in oven on rack set so the chicken is about 5" from broiler. Broil until chicken is done. Time varies with the thickness of the chicken pieces, but I find checking them after 15 minutes to work well. Once chicken is cooked, slice each breast in half, sprinkle with grated cheese and return to the oven to melt cheese.

To assemble spread split buns with mayonnaise, put on half of a chicken breast, a dollop of salsa, some sliced onions (and tomato slice and lettuce if so inclined). Serve with homemade fries or a green salad and you have a perfect fun Friday night (or any night) meal!

Note: for Baby Boy and Little Toddler Man I coat their chicken with just Parmesan and skip the salsa to make it easier on their little tummies.

What could be better than fresh from the oven buns?

Bread Machine Buns

1 cup warm water
3 TBSP sugar
3 TBSP oil (I use Canola)
1 tsp salt
3 cups white unbleached flour
1 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast

Place ingredients in bread pan in order given. Place pan in machine and set to dough setting. When the dough cycle is finished turn dough onto a lightly floured board. Cut into eight pieces and shape into round buns. Place on parchment (or cornmeal) lined baking sheet, cover and let rise in a draft free (or in this house more importantly a thieving dog free) spot for one hour. Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and bake buns 16-17 minutes until golden brown on top. Cool on wire racks.

I use this recipe almost daily shaping it into hamburger buns, dinner rolls, hotdog buns and bread depending on what we need.

Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

Baby Dolly and Big Boy Dolly

I got a great little book for Christmas called Growing Up Sew Liberated. I highly recommend it if you have any children in your life that you want to sew for! I loved the first project I made as did the boys. Remember the play tent I made early in the new year?

This tent has logged a lot of playtime since the picture was taken!

My next project from the book is Little Amigo, a Waldorf style doll. Baby Boy loves babies, so I thought he might like to have a baby of his own. Every time he saw the picture in the book he'd squeal, "Baby Dolly!!". So I started researching sources for fabric, tubing and stuffing. Ordering from a few different places helped cut my costs considerably!

All my supplies - Ready to go!

All my supplies arrived in good time, so I set to work, feeling a bit like a fish out of water, but enthusiastic about my new endeavor! I ended up confused by about step two. That wool stuffing refused to become a ball of any sort let alone a firm one to form the core of the head. Frustrated, I began searching the Internet for guidance on head making. I finally got to a fabulous tutorial on the Moonchild Dolls site. After reading through Berrie's tutorial it suddenly all clicked. Head making began in earnest!

We have a head!

Several attempts later I had a head that I was happy with. (We won't discuss how many attempts embroidering the mouth took. Let's just say it's not as easy as it's single solitary stitch looks! Gah!)

And a face!

Once the head was done the rest went pretty smoothly. Only a minor set back with some overstuffed linebacker-esque shoulders that was easily solved by unstuffing some, and Baby Dolly was done. I modified the clothes pattern from the book, and followed Sew Liberated's tutorial for a braided cap for the hair. Baby Boy loves his Baby Dolly.

Almost done!

Getting closer!

.

Done!!!!!

Before tackling hair for Baby Dolly though I started work on Little Toddler Man's doll, which he tells me is not a baby, but a big boy doll, just like him. It was a pretty smooth process. For his I followed a great set of pictorial instructions for a crocheted cap. I was well pleased with myself given crochet generally confuses the heck out of me! Only problem is now I'm hooked (pardon the pun), and want to crochet all things...

Dark blue eyes for my dark blue-eyed boy

So close to being done!

Look! Crochet!!!

Little Toddler Man's doll is done!

Anyways, to wrap up, this was possibly one of the most rewarding projects I've done in a long time. To see how the boys love them makes every bit of effort that much more worth it! I especially felt it the day they both had to have their dolls sit in chairs beside them at supper so they could pretend to give the dolls supper. Or when they each take a hand of one of the dolls and "walk" it from one room to the next. Or when Baby Boy saunters through the house giving Baby Dolly a ride on his shoulders. What a fun project it's been!

Two little boys loving their bald dolls

Brother dolls done!!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

It's All About Sewing These Days

First up I should mention the amendment to my blog name. When I started out it was all about knitting. I, of course, was sewing, cooking and baking back then too, but just didn't really talk about it too much. It feels silly to have a title proclaiming knitting when lately I write more about other things. So thus the wee amendment. ;)

So... Or sew as the case may be... I've been sewing up a storm over the last week or two. It all started out with, you guessed it! Some diapers! We had a minor incident awhile ago in which an innocent dog was briefly blamed for a nasty mess on the dining room floor that is until it quickly became obvious that the wee boy pointing in horror at the mess, saying "Doggy poop" over and over was in fact unaware the mess had come from him and the diaper he'd managed to undo (while still fully clothed - it's a rare talent I know...). Anyways enough rambling. I decided at that moment all Velcro close diapers were to be banished to the deep, dark depths of the closet and from that moment on only snap close diapers would be used (which incidentally the naked little streak that just ran past makes me suspect snaps might not be 100% toddler proof either.)

To make my long story short suddenly our diaper stash was a bit skimpy without the offending Velcro closing ones, so I made a couple of my usual pocket diapers.

It's been super duper hot here lately and with no a/c in our house the boys needed some really light weight pjs. The first pair are the summer installment of daddy/son matching jammies I think (BF)G would most likely disown me if I posted a pic of him in his jammies and the boys didn't feel like cooperating so you get an unmodelled pic (with LTM's "Douglas" horse that he said really needed to be in the picture) The bottoms were made from fabric I bought about 15 years ago and the boys tops are cut from a $5 size 2XL tee from Walmart (way cheaper than buying a half metre of knit at my local fabric store!)

The second pair bottoms are from fabric that (BF)G's niece had in her stash and didn't need anymore, LTM's top made from an old too short to be decent tee of mine with an appliqué accent and Baby Boy's from stash fabric with a freezer paper stenciled accent. I think they turned out pretty cute and I love using up odds and ends!

I also am part way through a blouse for me, and have two pretty new fabrics begging to be made into something for me all me! The orange floral wants to be a Collette Pattern's Sorbetto Top and the red polka dot is destined to be Sew Weekly's MTL Day After Day Dress. Many thanks to my Mom for the birthday money that resulted in this fabric buying spree!

I've also amassed all my supplies to make my baby crazy Baby Boy a Waldorf inspired doll. I may be crazy. I was confused by step two of making the head...

I guess it hasn't been all about sewing. I've done some knitting too. I finally frogged back a few rows on the Clapotis I started back on January of 2010, figured out where I am and replaced all the stitch markers that were removed by a small boy pulling the needle out (about a year ago!). As well I am working on a secret project for Christmas. Look at me so ahead of the game! Ha ha!

Enough of my musings... The little ones are getting restless! Time to get these monkeys outside to play!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

Chocolate Cake Supreme

Little Toddler Man's 3rd Birthday party was on Saturday. When I asked him what he'd like for his cake he had two very specific requests. It had to be "brown" cake and it had to have "diggers" on it.

Given these particulars I set to work. (BF)G made a trip one day after work to Toys R Us for the diggers, and I dug out my tried and true favourite chocolate cake recipe. The recipe came from Myrna, a wonderful lady, who was part of our close knit Highland Dance community here.

I've made it countless times over the years, it's easy as can be, and has never failed me yet! Next time you have a need for chocolate cake try it out! You won't be disappointed! Promise!

Makes awesome cupcakes too!

Chocolate Cake Supreme

2 cups flour
1 2/3 cups white sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine (or if you're like my Mom and feel ill at the very thought of using butter or margarine go ahead and sub in shortening instead)
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup cocoa
1 1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 350F (170C)

Combine all ingredients into mixing bowl, beat with mixer on medium speed for two minutes until creamy. Pour into greased and floured pans or divide into muffin tins lined with cupcake liners.

Bake for:
2 9" rounds - approx. 35 minutes
1 9x13" rectangle - approx. 35 minutes
Cupcakes - approx. 20 minutes

When cool complete with buttercream frosting.

Fluffy Buttercream!

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter or margarine (or again see note above about subbing)
1 tsp vanilla
2-4 TBSP milk
4 cups icing (confectioner's sugar)

Mix all with hand mixer until creamy and smooth.

Variation: for chocolate add in 1/3 cup cocoa powder

Told ya it was easy peasy! :)

Happy Birthday LTM!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Reading Soulemama's blog I was inspired by her {this moment}. She says,

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

In the busy hustle, bustle of life, this notion of a photo capturing a moment to pause and savor really appeals to me.

A Moment To Remember

Busy Times

The last few weeks have gone by in a blur of running into the city for doctor appointments and errands, racing against the clock to get a little garden in that we'd hoped to do earlier but had no time for, and N's high school graduation!

I can't believe he's done school! Not sure actually how it happened so fast, but it did. What seems such a short time ago he was terrified of going to kindergarten and would make a run in the opposite direction the minute I got him out of the car at the school. Or if he got to the doors without incident the teacher would have to pry his little hands off of the death grip he had on me. His homemade Telletubby Poe hid in his little red backpack every day for the first few months (you know, because Poe might have been lonely if he'd stayed home by himself).

Growing up. It happens so fast!

In amongst all the running about and excitement I did manage to get some serious craftiness in! In knitting news, I finished a pair of socks. They're just a quick, simple pair of ankle socks, using some yarn I've had in my stash for several years now. The thing I like the best about them, however, is the fact that they are my very own, very first ever pattern. I'm working on getting the pattern ready with the help of a good friend, but in the meantime I'd like to show them off to you!

My "Follow The Leader" socks!

I also got a few gifts completely finished! The Confection Shrug for a friend's baby girl due soon and the Victorian Lace Shrug for a "birthday swap" I'm in right now. I made an Itty Bitty Baby Dress and a pair of matching bloomers to go with the Confection Shrug. For The larger shrug I made a simple pillowcase dress using the tutorial on Prudent Baby's site.

I've been sewing like a crazy lady too lately! A couple necessities for the boys...

Some new pajamas!

Some new shorts!

A couple new swim diapers (the first using the Aquarius Swim Diaper pattern and the second, which I like much better, my own design) and pocket diapers for Baby Boy!

And a surprise "4th of July" diaper for a friend's little fellow! (the little guy's three year old brother has dubbed it the "Captain America" diaper)!

I had some fun making a felt "lunch" and a cotton lined lunch bag to put it in for my little birthday swapee that I made the shrug and pillowcase dress for.

I also did some sewing for me!! Suddenly it occurred to me I had nothing to wear to N's grad dinner. I really hate shopping for clothes for me and I had a good length of a beautiful linen print a friend had sent in a swap last winter sitting in my stash. Using A Simplicity pattern I already had I made a new dress. I love it! It felt sophisticated enough for a banquet, but comfortable enough that I wasn't feeling awkward sitting through an eternity of long winded speeches and not great food.

My dress!

Feeling bold from my dress success I whipped out another pattern from my stash and set to work on a sun dress. Let's just say pride does go before a fall. The bodice was bikini worthy skimpy on top, suck in your gut fitted through the midriff and absolute-bloomin'-lutely perfect through the skirt. It's now a skirt. Full stop. I hate wasting fabric, not to mention the time wasted putting the whole thing together, but the dress would have hidden in the back corner of my closet, whereas the skirt was worn to N's convocation last night!

So, as you can see there's been lots going on here chez Prairie Girl! Busy times indeed! Next event up is Little Toddler Man's 3rd and my 41st birthday in a week's time. I love sharing a birthday with my little man! He's an amazing birthday present in himself and I'm guaranteed cake. What else could anyone ask for?