Repurposing.

Sometimes I have a hard time throwing things away that really aren't trash per se. 

I'm really embarrassed to admit that these cookie cans have been sitting in my craft room waiting to be transformed for well over a year. 

But after a little chalkboard paint and a few coats of spray paint

they finally found their new purpose, and they do it perfectly.

Milk's favorite cookie Cookie.

Switch up your chocolate chip cookies and add two cups of crushed up Oreo's to your favorite CCCookie recipe!
The bigger the chunks, the better, I think... or mix one cup chocolate chips and one cup Oreo's.
Anyway you do it, these Oreo chunk cookies are delish.

Just sayin'. 

Ahlin's Graduation Brunch.

A few weeks ago, my little sister graduated from BYU. 

I guess since she is now an official college graduate, she's not all that little anymore. Whatev. 

So we threw together a little brunch for those that came to town. 

The spring-time blooms added just the touch I was looking for.

 And books. Get it? Right. 

(In my head, the book theme was much more developed, but I ran out of time and energy.)

  

 We kept it simple (and delish) with a waffle bar.   

 

 

Cute girl. 

 

 

She did it. Hooray!!!

Hokulia.

At Hokulia today, opening day.

For my Ben, this is better than opening presents on Christmas morning. 

So we made an event of it.

We are so happy they are doing so well and in their third season.
It's a popular place. But if you are local (or just visiting) and haven't been, its the best around...
 almost like being in Hawaii. 

The ice is truly shaved, melts in your mouth, and they make their own syrups. 

Run. Don't walk.

 --and then--

Try our favorite EVER flavor combo (and believe me, we have tried a lot thanks to Ben):

 spearmint/cinnamon with a snow cap, of course. 

Seriously try it.

Bandana Bib.

I love this idea so much more than the typical "Mommy Loves Me" variety. 

Perfect for the spit-upper and drooler alike! 

 Plus they are so easy to make... I just raided my basket of fabric scraps.

To make:

(warning, I am not very good at giving instructions)

First, raid your scrap basket... or cut up old tshirts. flannels, even cute sheets. Just be sure at least one side is soft and absorbent. 

 Cut two pieces of fabric, one for each side into an isosceles triangle (how do you like that 4th grade geometry?), the long side measuring 17in and the two shorter sides measuring 12in.

Sew them together, right sides facing in as you would a pillow case, leaving about 2in on any side open so you can turn it right side out. 

After turning out, poke the corners out, fold and pin the open 2in, then iron. 

Sew around the entire perimeter, about 1/8in in from the seam. 

Attach some snaps or velcro, and voila! 

Baby will be spitting up in style!

Baby Blessing Brunch.

Two Sundays ago was a special day for our family when we blessed our sweet baby Levi. 

Levi received a beautiful blessing from his dad.

We were surrounded by supportive family and friends and feel so blessed to have them in our lives.

Naturally, a brunch followed: 

Amish oatmeal

Donuts

chocolate milk/OJ

Fruit kebabs

Ham and Egg muffins

and

Spring cabbage salad

 I tried to keep decor simple, yet festive (notice the little touches of Levi's/denim)...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I made the kids pose with their matching "Levi's" shirts... I don't think big brother and sister were all that excited about another photo...!

It was a joyous occasion to celebrate our precious Levi. 

Stay tuned.

We have had house guests (one after another) for two weeks straight. I am definitely not complaining because we have really loved spending time with family and have been having lots of fun, but that means I am behind on lots of things... like blogging. We have done a lot... a baby blessing brunch, a graduation brunch, and loads of little projects around the house (like finally putting the finishing touches on the nursery) so I have lots to share.

But before I do that, I HAVE TO focus on deep cleaning the master bathroom. I had the same nightmare, two nights in a row, that Ben offered our guests to use our master bathroom. I panicked and then woke up. The reality is just like the nightmare--- The shower is lined with soap scum (more on that later), there are loads of clothes strewn about (mostly clean laundry to be folded and a huge donation pile, so I'm not totally sloppy), and dust and fingerprints all over the mirror... I told you it was nightmare-worthy!

So as soon as I do that, and most definitely after our last guests leave at the end of the week, I will make a date with my little blog here.

So yes, Stay tuned.

PBJ Crackers.

There is nothing groundbreaking about this at all. But the other day as I was thinking about what to make for an afternoon snack for the kids (with a Mother-Hubbard status pantry), I remembered this staple snack my roommates and I used to eat in college. We seriously lived on this stuff. It's cheap, right? I have since forgotten about it, but now the kids want it everyday.
No complaints from me :) Yum.

Snippets.

It's been a week of little patience, mostly thanks to a bout with mastitis. (YUCK. TMI? sorry.)
One afternoon I found myself arguing with my four-year-old to give the IMAGINARY baby lion back that he allegedly took away from his little sister. Imaginary, yes. And I was begging him to give it back to her! She was in absolute hysterics. HELLO--Imaginary! I should have just as easily taken it away from him and given it back to her. But I wasn't thinking so fast. When I got a hold of myself, I couldn't stop laughing.
I obviously needed a break.
I gave myself a little time out-- forced myself to look around and appreciate the little things.

I really appreciate the streams of afternoon sunlight that force their way in through the huge west-facing windows in the family room. 
Also daffodils, fresh fruit, walking in the mountains, my zany kids and chocolate.
Sometimes it's the small things. And some days (most days) those small things are all I have going for me.  






Aahhh... fresh flowers. 
Daffodils, the surest sign of spring
which means summer is just around the corner. 

(and the only thing in our yard that makes it look remotely nice this time of year.)

Oh how I love them.


Have you noticed all the strawberries on grocery store shelves? 

Springtime walks and babbling brooks. 



Evidence of children.
Finding stuff like this makes me laugh... even when it's GLUED on!



More evidence of children... someone trying to be sneaky got caught when all the morsels hit the floor.  We just laughed (this was before the imaginary lion incident ;), then ate a few handfuls and snapped some photos before cleaning them up and placing them in a not-so-accessible home  ;)

What are some of the little things you appreciate most? 

Irish Soda Bread and green cake.

(We aren't even Irish.)

I do realize that I totally missed the St Pats post by like two weeks, but I had to share Ina's Irish soda bread recipe because it was just so delicious. Anything Ina creates is a keeper in my book.

The bread is crunchy on the outside, soft and dense on the inside and made perfectly unhealthy with a generous helping of softened butter spread on top.

It would be a great complement to a Sunday roast, not just for that green day in March.

 

 Irish Soda Bread

• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
• 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 cup dried currants*

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.

Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

*I used craisins instead of currants.  

 ...and while I'm at it, a photo of our [wannabe] Irish spread.

 I roasted the cabbage this year instead of cooking it in the meat juice. Thumbs up all around. 

...and an easy dessert. 

 

[green] Pistachio Cake

1 pkg yellow cake mix

1 box instant pistachio pudding

4 eggs

1 1/2 c water

1/4 c vegetable oil

1/2 tsp almond extract

green food coloring (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 10 inch tube pan. 

In a large bowl mix together cake mix and pudding mix. Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, water, oil, almond extract and green food coloring. Blend ingredients, then beat for 2 minutes at medium speed. 

Pour into prepared 10 inch tube pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly pressed. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Enjoy.