Mommyship

I want to share this idea with you because I think it will completely bless anyone you may know who has a husband in the military. Last year, I wanted to do something for my sister-in-law as she prepared for her husband to go out to sea for five months with the Navy. I don’t usually get gifts shipped out on time, but was proud of myself when my gift showed up the day his ship set sail. The gift idea entailed buying a white paper gift bag and titling it “Sara’s Deployment Kit”. I also glued various road maps to the outside of the bag to reflect a travel theme. On the inside, I put a variety of goodies that I thought would help her get through those months. Inside the bag I included a note with a list of all the items and how to use them. When using this idea, change up the items to reflect the interests/needs of the person you are giving it to. Here is what I used:

• pocket calendar-to count down the days
• slippers-to wrap yourself in comfort
• package of mesh bags-for easy clean-up (my sister-in-law has three kids)
• ceramic cup with tea bags-to help you relax at the end of a busy day
• stuffed frog prince-to remind you of your true love
• tissues-when you miss him even more
• aspirin-when the day didn’t go so well
• chocolate-just because
• book with daily devotionals (from Billy Graham)-to remind you that God is always with you
• small garden kit (seeds and those soil discs that expand with water)-to brighten your day

Tags: Gift Ideas

I have to admit that I rarely use place mats on my dining room table. I do, however, think they are absolutely adorable (on other people’s table) when they reflect a particular season or holiday. Last Christmas, I decided I would make some festive place mats for my loved ones and their children. I picked a fun design with ginger bread men on one side and a solid brown fabric for the reverse side. I chose brown with the hope that the place mats could be used in autumn and then flipped to reflect the Christmas season. FYI, the brown did match the Christmas fabric due to the brown in the ginger bread men. (I felt I needed to mention that since one does not typically think of brown as a Christmas color.) Because I consider myself a beginner sewer, I followed a pattern and the directions for a simple place mat provided by craftandfabricslinks.com . This site is a great place to find FREE patterns, sewing lessons, sewing project ideas, and links. Here is how my place mats turned out. The fabric was purchased at Joann Fabrics.

Tags: Sewing

I thought I would share this cute little pin cushion I made for my sister-in-law a while back. I simply cut out a piece of denim that included the pocket from an old skirt. I then paired it with some red fabric that had some country style. I think it turned out nicely. The pocket can then be used to hold embroidery floss, needles, buttons, a thimble…the list goes on and on!

Tags: Sewing

A couple of summers ago, I wanted to pick up sewing. My goal was to purchase a book that would teach me some basic techniques through the creation of various items. I love handbags (what girl doesn’t), so I found a book that offered several different designs.The Sew Everything Workshop book is a must for anyone who loves to sew. It is especially useful for beginner sewers because the book actually offers patterns for the multitude of projects it teaches how to make. Projects include various clothing items, handbags, a doggy coat, a quilt, and a children’s stuffed elephant. I particularly love the “Tokyo Bag” offered in this book. Here are a few pictures of the ones I have made using various fabrics. Once you make this bag, it is a breeze to make. You can then alter your pattern to make a bigger bag.

Sew Everything Workshop

Diana Rupp. Workman Publishing Company 2007, Spiral-bound, 256 pages, $16.22

Tags: Sewing

Boiling caramel

On Christmas’s past, I have packaged what I have officially named “Amish Caramel Corn” for my loved ones. I love this recipe because it is easy to make, ships well in the mail, and is by far the best tasting caramel corn I have ever tasted. I have received nothing but rave reviews from those who have been graced by its presence. The original recipe came from allrecipes.com – a site that I visit often for their multitude of recipes paired with reviews. I do wish they would include more photos of the cooking process. I am not an experienced cook and rely on pictures. For that reason, I have included pictures of each step. I do need to warn you…once you take a bite of this luscious treat, you will not be able to step away!

Light and foamy caramel

Ingredients

• 7 quarts plain popped popcorn *I used popping corn and popped it on the stove top. This fresh popcorn makes a huge difference in the taste.
• 2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional)
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel corn

Directions

1. Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You may use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
   

   Tubs from Walmart

3. Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don’t worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.
4. Bake for 1 hour, removing the pans, and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.

Tags: Christmas

In my search for some new ideas for using pumpkin, I cam across the Better Homes and Gardens website where they are featuring “28 Yummy Pumpkin Recipes“. Some of the recipes include Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread, Double Decker Pumpkin Bread, Harvest Time Pumpkin Bars, and Pumpkin Spice Whoopies (I bet their wicked good!).

I am interested in knowing if any one has found a shortage of canned pumpkin at their local grocer. I have not been able to find any and was told that it has been due to the rainy season that we have had here in New England. Is anyone else experiencing this?

Tags: Recipes

I love the autumn season. It is not enough for me to see the colorful leaves outside, I also need to have them inside. So, last year I had the idea to paint leaves on the inside of my windows. Lovely idea, but there was some clean-up involved. This year, I have found something even better. A company on Etsy, Wilson Graphics, has beautiful leaf decals. They can be used indoors or out and are waterproof and fade resistant. Perfect for enjoying the falling fall leaves even when I am not outdoors! Check out the huge variety of other decals this company offers. I really like the silhouette ones that feature birds, trees, and animals. Hmm… guess I really like nature.

Tags: Autumn Crafts

Here in New England, Autumn seems to be on its way. There is a crispness in the air, it is getting darker a little earlier each night, and there are some hints of bright red and orange beginning to show. This time of year ignites my desire to bake and make crafts, so I recently went in search of some new ideas. I came across Martha Stewart’s website. I like that she has added a “Craft of the Day” section. I love to make things using natural materials, so the potato stamp idea really caught my eye. Now as a teacher, potato stamping is not an idea that is new to me. It is, however, like finding that old pair of jeans or sweater in the back of the closet that hasn’t been seen in ages. It automatically becomes new again. So, you can check out the potato stamp craft here. I also wanted to extend the idea with something I did last Thanksgiving. I decided to send cards last Thanksgiving to tell people that I love them and am thankful for them. I bought a pack of creme-colored note cards with envelopes. I went outside and gathered 3 different types of leaves that were in great condition. I then used gold and copper craft paint to make leaf prints on the front of the cards (To avoid glop’s, brush the paint onto each leaf). On the inside of the card, I wrote with a gold gel pen “Thankful for you!”. They turned out beautifully and the gold and copper colors were truly characteristic of the season.

Tags: Autumn Crafts

I recently made this meal for my husband without using any kind of a recipe and, again, I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out as good as it did. Here is my recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes
• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 box linguine noodles (I use whole wheat)
• 1/2 lb. cooked shrimp (I look for the fresh kind at my local fish market when it goes on sale)
• 1 tomato cut into chunks

Procedure:

*The process of making the sauce and sauteing the shrimp should go quickly. Remember that the shrimp are already cooked. Overcooking them will give them that rubbery texture.

Cook noodles according to package directions. While the noodles are cooking, heat a pan on medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once heated, add shrimp to pan (they should sizzle once they hit the pan). Add some salt and pepper to taste. Give it a stir and add garlic, butter, and red pepper flakes. Continue to stir so the shrimp get coated and the butter melts. At this point, add a ladle full of the noodle water (yes, that would be the water that your noodles are cooking in), the cheese and the tomato. Stir and reduce to low. Drain your noodles (I do not rinse mine) and place in a large platter. Turn the heat off of the shrimp and pour over the noodles. As far as servings, my husband and I had no problem devouring this amount. So, I would say you could feed 2-4 depending on your appetite.

Tags: Recipes

The cool summer weather we have been experiencing here in New England has been giving me earnings for Fall weather and food. So, this past weekend I decided to make chicken soup. No, not chicken noodle soup. I decided I would have a grilled cheese sandwich with my soup, so I decided to hold the noodles (not literally!). I did not follow a recipe, but was pleasantly surprised at how tasty my soup turned out. Here is how I did it…

Ingredients:

• 1 precooked rotisserie chicken with the meat pulled off into small strips
• 2 handfuls peeled baby carrots, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 stalk of celery, coarsely chopped
• 1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 32 oz. carton chicken broth
• 1 cup of water
• 2 Tbsp fresh thyme (can also use dried)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp olive or canola oil

Procedure:

Begin by heating a large cooking pot on medium heat. Place oil in pot. Once oil is hot (you will know it’s hot when it looks thinner and more liquified-you can also put a piece of vaegetable in the pot and it should sizzle), place the chopped carrots and celery in. Add salt and pepper to season. As the vegetables become more tender, add the onion and thyme. Again, add salt and pepper to flavor. When the vegetables have softened, add the chicken broth, cup of water, and chicken. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, for one hour. Serve with your favorite salad or sandwich!

Tags: Recipes