Happy Spring

HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!

It certainly has been a long long time & hope that all is well with you....here'a a little peek of what we've been up to this year:Painting, Pastels, Cooking, Baking, Crafting, Healing, Running, Learning to Read, Skiing, Loving preschool, Gardening oh my....I'm sure I must have forgotten a thing or two, but it will surely be posted eventually :)

Finally a little rain....

A Little Knitted inspiration.....

The Beginnings of a very modest garden.....

PEACH & PECAN VINAIGRETTE

While a Traditional French Vinaigrette is my MOST favorite.....sometimes it's fun to mix it up.  The idea for this came from a Whole Foods Newsletter, here is the link to their blog: HEALTHY SALAD DRESSINGS

::PEACH AND PECAN VINAIGRETTE::

2 Whole Peaches

1 Cup Raw Pecans

1/2 Cup Plain Rice Milk(more if you want it thinner)

1/4 Cup White Balsamic Vinegar(Champagne or Rice works fine also)

::DIRECTIONS::

Place all ingredients into a food processor and enjoy over your favorite greens.....We gobbled up a Baby Spinach Salad with Roasted Beets and Avocado.

LOVELY LADYBUGS

My most fabulous friend battled the two hour drive to come and see us last weekend....so what could make a better visiting-gift than a new apron?.... 

....and yes, again from Weekend Sewing because it has such easy to follow instructions, great photos and wonderful ideas(and I have to return it to the library next week :)

MARKET-RUN CHECKBOOK COVER

After two wonderful years, today was Tucker's last day of preschool at our MOST adored MOUNTAIN SCHOOL.

His MOST fabulous teachers will be dearly missed next year as we head to Kindergarten.  Some heart-felt-homemade gifts were crafted in an attempt to show some of our gratitude.

This pattern is from Weekend Sewing::more than 40 projects and ideas for inspired sewing, by Heather Ross. 

 This is a lovely book, full of inspiring patterns and ideas, as I may have mentioned previously.....happy creating!

THE NEW DRESS

This is not the first time that I have checked out this wonderful book from the library.....which often is an indicator that this particularly lovely book should be purchased.
 

WEEKEND SEWING: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching By::Heather Ross 

This is the Smocked Sundress

This DRESS also transforms her into a really FAST race car.....

 

This pattern was simple and fun to make.  It only took a little over an hour, even with the double(and triple) checking of a first timer.

 

If said nicely, this caption would read.... ENOUGH PHOTOS!

CATNIP CREATIONS

More needle felting this week......this time for my favorite Cats, Oliver & Ellie

I wrapped roughly 2 tbs of Catnip in a little scrap of cloth and tied it tight with a bit of embroidery floss....then covering it with the wool in a criss crossy pattern, felted around the Catnip, once they were mostly round I added some decorations.....They were a BIG HIT!

 

 :: Below is their thank you note ::

Hi, Thanks for the REALLY FUN catnip balls!  We play with them every night--we stalk and hunt them, we run around and carry them in our mouths and we chase after them when mom throws them for us!

Meow!

Ellie and Oliver (who wouldn't hold still for a photo)

CARDAMON & FLAX SEED OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

These have turned out to be the best cookies I have ever made.....they are based from a recipe in SUNSET MAGAZINE.  Now these are in NO WAY good for you, however they are a fun thing to make to satisfy any sweet craving.  I would suggest freezing half the batter because otherwise I have found the need to eat ALL of them :)  The recipe has rather a lot of ingredients-so honestly if you're shy the allspice just skip it....also goes for the Cardamon & Cinnamon... you may find a cookie that you like even more of your own creation.  Best of all, with all the measuring the help of my 4 1/2 year old was greatly appreciated....how we love to measure and mix....

::INGREDIENTS::

• 1 Cup & 2 Tbs All Purpose Flour
• 3 Cups Rolled Oats
• 2 Sticks Butter(If using unsalted be sure to add 1 tsp salt)
• 2 Large Brown Eggs
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 Tsp Cardamon
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 Tsp Allspice
• 1/2 Cup Toasted Flax seeds(I used Trader Joe's Organic)
• 1 1/2 Cups Raisins(Golden or Regular) Dried Cranberries or Chocolate Chips can make a wonderful substitute for those that have an aversion to raisins (you know who you are :) 

::DIRECTIONS::

1. Yields 5 Dozen, Preheat Oven to 350*
2. Mix all ingredients together-really doesn't matter in what order-if you don't have a Kitchen Aid mixer it makes it easier if the butter is softened
3. Drop 2 Tbs sized scoops onto greased(or silicone pad)cookie sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.  
4. HAPPY CREATING(& EATING)!