Families are Eternal

Our grandma returned home to Heavenly Father this week.  

Yes, my grandma who made me German dumplings and Sourbraten every Sunday we lived at her house.  I am so glad I got to blog about her tradition this week.  It was a wonderful reminder of her and I was very blessed to share that with her before she passed.

This is my grandma who made my summers wonderful with dried fruit and fresh vegetables from her garden;

My grandma who played board games with me and taught me all her tricks so I could play better against my cousins;

My grandma who made me pull weeds and clean windows;
My grandma who turned on Waltzing Matilda in her tape player and then chuckled as we danced across the floor.

I was glad I contacted her a few times last week.  She always had something upbeat to say.  She always had some very personal advice and guidance for me as a mother.  I love her.  

If you have been around this blog at all, you might have seen this toy:

I Love to See the Temple

This toy is an appropriate church toy because it reminds us each Sunday that we are sealed together as a family forever.  

My sister and I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and, as members, these buildings have a special significance to us because it is where we can be married or joined with our family members through a sealing ceremony that will bind us beyond our experience on this earth.  

This month Jocelyn Christensen is hosting a month long blogging celebration centered around 

The Family; A Proclamation to the World.

I joining along and this whole month I plan to refocus my faith in Christ and  hopefully memorize the Proclamation so I can understand it more fully.

I know that we each have our own beliefs and understandings of where the spirits of our loved ones go after they leave this life. 

When I knelt down to pray in the morning, I felt my Grandma's presence, her memory so vivid in my mind.  I am sure she has returned home to her Heavenly Father and reunited with her husband who was sealed to her for Time and all Eternity.  

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father and to my family and friends who bring so much joy and love into my life.

I am very grateful to my understanding of God's plan and assurance of what lies ahead.

Thank you to my family, especially my mother and Aunts and Uncles who have traveled so far to be together at this time.  We send our love.  And thank you to all of my close friends and family for their support at this time.

Rump Roast and Red cabbage

You know those meals that remind you of home?  Meals that remind you of the whole family around the table and your heritage?
Well that is what the Mom Food Project is all about.  Serene gathers stories and recipes that remind her friends of home.  And then she gives the food a try and teaches us all to remember how the dinner table can be a nurturing and loving place when we remember our family.

So this meal is one that reminds both Becka and I of home.  Every summer we stayed with our German grandmother who made this delicious meal weekly.  It was served along side beautiful desert cups of jello, each topped with a dollop of whipped cream ;)

So, here it is...

Rump Roast marinated in a mixture of vinegars for a little bit sour flavor:

Sweet and sour Red cabbage with crumbled bacon.

(Cutting into Red cabbage is quite an experience!)

And small Round potato dumplings from Panni.

(My favorite!)

(And Grandma isn't here at my house to tell us we can only have 2 a piece...)

And the BEST part is... ginger-snap gravy!

-

Ooo... this gravy is good.  Easy to make.  You pour the juices from the marinated meat into a sauce pan.  Let it cool and then add 3/4 box of Nabisco Ginger Snaps.  Yes.  COOKIES!  Reheat it until it thickens.  

aşa.  

(pronounced ashaa... for my Romanian friends)

It's so good.  I pour it over the entire meal for a great blend of sweet and sour flavors.

Reminds me of home.  We ate it with friends:

I feel that I must make an apology to my friendly- healthy/foody/vegan blogs which I usually link up to when I post recipes.   This meal doesn't cut it in the health department. 

But it is Mom Food.
And every once in a while, I believe, we need to appreciate our family heritage and rediscover what we used to eat together as a family.
I called Grandma and we had a good talk.

And I have linked this post up to the ABC Food Challenge for the letter R at the Double Dipped Life!  This Link up challenges us to prepare a meal full of foods that start with the letter R.
Hence the scattered, colorful Rs.  

Peace out,

-CK

Handmade Treasures

My husband's mother is a wonderful seamstress.  I thought I'd share a few of the beautiful pieces she has sewn for my children.  They are so neat.

This little outfit was actually one she made for my husband when he was a baby.  He was blessed in it.  

How sweet is that little bow?  And the straps?!  Oh my.  I almost want to cry thinking of how she must have felt holding her little boy in this outfit.  

She brought it with her when she came to visit us.  I was so excited for the opportunity to have my own little boy blessed in it.  He had grown so much though that he only fit it for one Sunday!  Wow wee.

And this is the blessing dress she made for my daughter.  My daughter was tiny, and this fit her perfectly.

  

You can't tell from the image here, but it is actually quite long.  I love it when blessing dresses are long.

Look at the detail!

And this is the dress she made most recently for my daughter.  It really makes me want to learn to sew children's clothes.  I love the style of this.  Lace just does me in.

And I declare that this is one of my all time favorite fabrics.  I just love delicate designs.  And the colors are so subtle.  They remind me of a story about Cinderella.

I think one of the things that makes a person beautiful is when they share their talents by taking so much time on a gift.  That's really when I think a gift becomes a treasure.

If they could talk...

I'd love to know what he's thinkin'.  Any ideas?

  

-Becka

Here's to craft room closets.

I love hearing about craft rooms.  I get so excited to see the work space of others.  There's something so personal that gets portrayed with the environment one chooses to surround themselves with.  

I'm still working on mine.

In the early days of this blog I posted about my workspace in my little home.  As you can see, my crafty room is actually just the corner of my bedroom, where lies a table full of crafting supplies.

Well good news!  I've upgraded!

No, not to a new room, but to a beautiful handmade shelf by my husband.  It's so much more added space, and motivates me to be more organized.  

I love the way this came about.  

A few weeks ago I was offered three huge tubs of old fabric from a nice lady who was moving away.  I live by scraps, so I said yes to it all, informing my husband that when we came back to our apartment I would be sorting through it all and of course getting rid of a lot that I couldn't use.  How could it all possibly fit into our small home?

Later that day, as he watched me dig through the tubs, squealing with delight at the treasures of material I was finding, I looked over to find him studying my craft corner with a pensive eye.  

"What's wrong?"  I asked, terrified of what I knew the answer must be.  I knew he was going to remind me that sadly, there was no way I could keep all that I was finding, but that I would just have to pick my favorites and donate the rest.  That's why his answer astounded me.

"Oh, I'm just wondering if there is a way I can build some shelves on your table there."

what?

"Why?" I asked.

"Oh, I figure we are going to need some more space..."  and his gaze lead on down to the piles of fabric surrounding me.

Oh true love!

Now before anyone points out that, "Becka, don't you have a 1 1/2 year old?  Look there at those shelves there.  Can you not see that the legs of your very heavy shelf are resting on the very edge of your table?"   Why yes, we realized this was a hazard and so we screwed some nice strong screws in from the bottom of the table into the legs of the shelf.  It is sturdy.  Very sturdy.

Now enough about this corner.   I wanted to share with you some other awesome little craft places I've come across!

This neat room was created from a walk in closet!  The post I am linking you to is actually just where this cute room was featured, it is not the blog of the actual owner.  Hers can be found here, but I couldn't find the post where she talks about her craft space because it is in a different language.

But here is the before:

And here is the after:

Amazing huh!  It's her own little office!  She even fit in a desk.  I love how it doesn't feel too cramped.  Talk about motivation to stay organized!

The second work space I wanted showcase was from Little Bit Funky.  Her craft room isn't necessarily where she does all her work, but it's 'her' craft space nonetheless.  

Before:

And after:

It's like a candy shop!  I love how she decorated her space.  

Neat.

The last I will show comes from Thrifty Decor Chick.  I am so impressed with what she did.

She took this:

And made this: 

Let's face it, for some women our home is where we go to work.  And sometimes, we need our own office.  I like to see what can be made from a normal home with average circumstances.  Really, not everyone can have a creative refuge like this.

-Becka

Bloggy Friends Part 4

This patchwork is for Ms. Understood

She writes about life and love and stories that stay close to her heart.

I so enjoy her comments and thoughts.

I really like her stories that reflect on love and that is why I chose to draw a picture of two people holding hands.  They are supposed to represent her and her husband, I suppose.

I know she always wears pink so...

I made her a copy of the patchwork with pink fingernail polish  ;) . 

One of my favorite post written by Ms. Understood's tells the story of her wedding song.

Her blog posts often motivate me to reflect about my own experiences.

Visiting her blog is like going home to a comfortable, warm place.

Ms. Understood is also a part of a new, great project called Tell Me Something Good.

This blog is all about building community between women and discussing real topics every day.  I really enjoy this blog as well!

Thanks so much Ms. Understood!  

A Child's Hand Project

Today we made this project.  I love scrap-booking paper but I don't keep a scrapbook.  This project was fun and easy and I think my husband will like it.

Instead of framing this project like the original instructions suggest, I made it into a card to send through the mail.  I put my son's interview on the back of his card.

Child's Interview

Mommy: I have some questions for you.

What’s your favorite thing to do with daddy?

S:  Eat with him

M:  What do you eat with him?

S:  food

M:  Where do you eat with Daddy?

S:  at the restuwant

M:  whats your favorite book to read with daddy

S:  a little kids book!  I love little kids books.

M:  What’s your favorite thing to play with Daddy?

S:  Alligator!

M:  How do you play alligator?

S:  like this [claps hands in a snapping fashion]

M:  Where do you play alligator with him?

S:  At the park we look for alligator stickers for my alligator chart.

[I don't have any recollection of my son playing this with my husband, lol]

M:  What does daddy’s face look like?  

S:  he looks like you

M:  He looks like me?  

Does he have long hair like me?

S:  uh huh

M:  Really?

S:  uh huh

That’s just a joke!  I’m so silly

M:  what does he look like?  

S:  he cuts his hair becuase he’s a boy

M:  What would you like to tell daddy?

S:  to make apples for me

M:  Is there anything else?

S:  I want to tell daddy i made a school!

M:  Do you love daddy?

S:  uh huh

M:  Do you want to give him a big hug?

S:  uh-huh!  and a cracker!

They've been Milk Dudded

I like food.  I like chocolate too.  It isn't really counted with all of the other foods, it has it's own category.

The way my mind works is different than my husband's.  He follows a recipe exactly... I don't (as if the ingredients know if they were measured out correctly).  He cools off the cookie sheet with cold water between every batch so that they all start with a clean slate and therefore the bottoms of the cookies do not burn... I eat my burned cookies (if they burn that is).  He likes Red Lobster... Well okay, we agree on that one.  And he likes things simple, tried and true, the way he knows they will be good...  I like to take my food, my desserts, to the wild side.

Okay not really.  it's more like I have a sweet tooth complex.  Very often as I look at the lovely morsel of cookie in front of me it's as if my mind thinks, "Now is there any way I can make this sweeter?  Chewier perhaps?  How about slightly melted?"

To me, this is great.  Second guessing the results of the original is how so many desserts were created right?  "How can we make this better?  What if you combined two nearly perfect sweets together in a wonderful mixture of bliss?"

It's also a good way to keep those after-baby pounds if you are intent on holding on tight to them (Hey, they were my close companion for nine months!)  

This is the reason I have discovered that Nutella, for me, pairs best with a spoon, and that cookies that have an equal chocolate chip ratio to dough are divine, and that ice cream for breakfast is... well maybe not a good idea, but left over pie or birthday cake is (not that this is very adventurous anyway).

There have been a lot of flops too.  Like starting mini smores on fire in the microwave, or completely burning the bottom of the brownies to a charcoal crisp while the oven is on broil because I think I can cook fish and brownies at the same time (that didn't sound gross until I just typed it out).

Anyway, my husband doesn't much like to experiment with his desserts, especially his brownies.  I like brownies fine, but I always want to take it to the next level.  Add chocolate chips?  Check.  Try marshmallows?  Check.  And my latest ambition, Milk Duds.  This is where he drew the line.  He pointed out that we haven't had a normal batch of brownies for probably the last five times they were made.  I agreed that this was true, but I may have muttered under my breath how amazing those last five batches must have been.  But I consented to make a 'normal' batch of brownies, as long as I was allowed to pile my Milk Duds into a corner of the batch.  I just had to find out what would happen!

As you can see from the picture above, the Milk Duds got sucked under the surface (Actually, the picture above shows a regular brownie.  The Milk Dud version did not make it to the photo shoot.  But then this doesn't matter, as they looked the same anyway).  But the results were fantastic!  Imagine, if you will, the lovely warmth of a brownie, encompassing small chewy chocolate and caramel angels.  

And this is why Milk Duds are my new favorite candy.  

Just kidding, nothing can top a Twix.

So, any 'experiments' that are just not worth passing up?

-Becka

Clementine MONKEY PRINCESS Children's Book Winner

Our winner

of this fantastic children's book:

(monkeymonkeymedia.com)

 is Vanessa from Silly Eagle Books!!!

Now, if you are wondering why that little scrap of paper is so wrinkled and resting on grass, watch THIS video now:

And, good news!

Little Pink Whale stuffed animal ACCOMPANIED 

by the Little Pink Whale book is in the shop!

Click here or on our Etsy shop in the left hand column to see!!!
Click here to see the full story of Little Pink Whale
and here for more information on how it's published.

Thanks for coming by!

Congratulations Vanessa!

-CK

OH  And don't forget to check out these other great give-aways!
Eco-Friendly Doll House (closes today!)
CSN $40 Gift Card from the Terry Household Blog!

If they could talk...

You guys are so great at this game.  I highly suggest you looking through past 'If they could talk...' comments.  They always make my day :)

I'd love to know what they're sayin'.  Any ideas?

-Becka

YUMMY GRANOLA

Homemade, sweet, delicious goodness!  Addicting?  I THINK SO!!!

Here's what you need:

dried ingredients

5 cups Old Fashioned Oats

1 cup almonds, slivered 

(or another kind of nut you love)

1 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup wheat germ

1 cup sweetened coconut

1 cup raisins or craisins 

(I like to use dried cherries as well)

wet ingredients

1 1/4 cup honey

1 cup olive or canola oil

(whichever you prefer)

1 tsp real vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all the dried ingredients in a large bowl.

The kids can help!

Warm the wet ingredients in the microwave until really warm 

(about 1 min)

Pour liquid over the dry ingredients and stir until it is all moist.

Spread on to 2 cookie sheets.  

If you have a baking mat, this is a good time to use it.

Bake for 8 minutes.  Open the oven and stir the granola around with a rubber spatula.

Bake for another 8 minutes.

Pull it out of the oven when golden brown.

I like my granola chewy.  If you want a more crispy, flaky granola, bake it for longer.

That's it!

YUM

I like to store all this granola in a great big Tupperware bowl on the counter.  We eat it for snacks or in a bowl with milk for breakfast.  THE. BEST. CEREAL. EVER.

Love it!

-CK

This post is linked to Breast Feeding Moms Unite  
where you can find other great foodie/veggie friendly recipes
AND
http://www.gethealthycheap.com/
where you can get great healthy, family friendly recipes!

Blogging Friends!

Remember when I said I'd be making patchworks for all those who won my Versatile Blogger award?  It was our first time winning an award and we wanted to make it extra special to those we passed it on to.

So, today I am featuring Liz from a belle a bean & a chicago dog!

I love her blog and it feels so refreshing every time I go there.  I just like her true-to-self attitude and fun pleasure for parenthood and bloggerdom friendships.  She hosts the Word Up, Yo which I always enjoy entering and participating in.

So, here's the patchwork I designed just for her.

Thanks so much for all your comments and encouragement, Liz!!!

You can read more about her belle and bean at those links

and her fantastic chicago dog here, in costume, even at that link.

And a BIG THANKS to Kristina Churchill who awarded us another versatile blogger award this week.

Her blog has some of THE MOST AMAZING pictures I've seen on blogs.

AND- she's fun!  She entered our last "If it could talk..." post and her comment won our fav!

Thanks Kristina!!!

-CK and Becka

PS Don't forget to enter our Clementine, Monkey Princess Book giveaway!!!  A great book for girls AND boys!

It ends tomorrow.  We've had a great turn out thus far and I am having way too much fun!

-CK

What is a pearl anyway?

Dolly Donations Guest Post

Hello Friends!!!  I am SO excited about this post!  Sarah from Dolly Donations is here to share with us her experience of raising funds and using her blog for good!!!  I was SO impressed when I came upon Sarah's blog and website and learned about her charity work of sewing dolls for kids across the world.  I have so wanted to use the blog for a good purpose and I have already learned so much from Sarah and what she has offered to us as bloggers and to also the children in Haiti.  

Please take a moment to visit her blog and website and see if this is something that interests you.  It is so fun to get involved and share!  You can find Dolly Donations here and Sarah's whimsical, creative blog here.  

And now, here is the question/answer discussion I had with Sarah!  My words are in purple.  Enjoy!

1.  How did you get involved in the Dolly Donation for Haiti and what is the status now of the project given the current situational events surrounding the earthquake?  

After my daughter’s first Christmas last year I was overwhelmed by how many toys she received.  I wanted to find a way I could help children who have nothing by sending them their very own dolly.  And then the Haiti Earth Quake hit and I knew I had my first mission.

Unfortunately Haiti is still in turmoil.  It took our first batch of 550+ dolls 3 months to get through customs and into the arms of the children.  But they made it!!  I don’t expect it to be any easier when Free The Kids sends out our dolls in November, but I know they’ll fight to get them their by Christmas.

You can read more about my mission here: Everybody Deserves a Dollyhttp://dollydonations.blogspot.com/2010/01/everybody-deserves-dolly.html

And my Active Dolly Drive Information can be found here:  Free The Kids Haiti Doll Drive  http://dollydonations.blogspot.com/2010/05/active-dolly-drive-free-kids-dolls-for.html

2.  What insight have you learned as you have used the internet to organize this great charity project? 

Wow, I have learnt so much!  I had never blogged before January and I love it!  I have met so many wonderfully creative and compassionate women from all over the world.

Here’s a quick list for beginner charity bloggers:

Pick a blog name that makes sense, but doesn’t limit your endeavors.

Link in to everything!!!  Twitter, Flicker, Facebook …. People have a variety of ways of hearing about you then.  Use the same name as your blog everywhere … yup, get a gmail account with it in …… don’t confuse people!

Make buttons that link back to your blog that are simple, eye-catching and tell people what you are trying to accomplish.  E.g.  Dolly Donations: Sending Love, 1 Dolly at a Time!

A picture says a thousand words …. Use photos, people don’t have time to read everything you want to say, no matter how important it might be!

Always treat others how you wish to be treated.  If people link to you, drop by their blog and say thanks and have a look around, you’ll be amazed who you’ll find!

Ignore statistics!  Who cares how many people viewed your blog, it’s quality not quality at the end of the day…….

Oh and ….. Reply to Comments …. That’s how you make friends!

3. Can you share with us one of your current creative projects that you are featuring on your new blog?

 I love to recycle!  Those that know me well say that it isn’t a passion for me, it’s an obsession!

I couldn’t get over how expensive doll houses were for my little girl so I decided to make an Eco Friendly Doll House.  So on my new personal blog Dolls And Daydreams  http://dollsanddaydreams.blogspot.com/ )   I shared it with my friends and they really encouraged me to make a pattern for others to use.

Now anyone can turn a cardboard box into a house (or barn!) for each of their children to customize themselves.

I’m currently having a Giveaway (http://dollsanddaydreams.blogspot.com/2010/07/eco-friendly-doll-house-pdf-pattern.html) for the pattern over at my blog if anyone’s feeling crafty!

Thanks so much, take care and Happy Crafting!!

Thank you Sarah!!!  Be sure to check out Sarah's give-away and also visit our give-away for children's book "Clementine, Monkey Princess"

-CK