Knitting

The other day at MOPS, a group of women came in to teach us how to knit. I was looking forward to learning, but I doubted they could teach us all enough to get us started. I was a little confused by the end of the meeting, but I decided to keep going anyway.

I saw a pattern for dishclothes on Pinterest the other day so I printed it off. With the help of a few youtube videos, I did it!

 

Bathroom Update Time

So MJ has been telling me for almost 6 years, that I have to have the kids all potty trained before I start a huge project updating the main bathroom. With the youngest finally potty trained last September, I decided it was finally time to start.

I have had lots of time to think about how to make this bathroom function for our family, because with 3 girls sharing this bathroom, I'm going to have perform miracles to make this tiny bath work for everyone.

Here is what we started with 7 years ago.

You can read what I have done in the years between then and now here.

I did as much as possible without spending much money, but now it's time. MJ has been busy working on it, and it's coming right along.

I am helping when I can. I pulled off the painted wallpaper (which they said you couldn't do), and found a few more layers under the seashell paper.

This one was my favorite. French Poodles. I guess it matched the bath and toilet. Can you imagine this all over the walls?

I'll keep updating as the project continues. I am looking forward to having another functioning bathroom again.

It's snowing!

It is just barely snowing here, and the girls were so excited they got all dressed up to play in the snow. They lasted about 15 minutes before they came in soaking wet. Don't tell the girls, but Mom is hoping that this is all the snow we get this year! They are still hoping for a snow day with a trip to the sledding hill.

Quick and Easy Granola

I finally got around to making a batch of granola the other day. My Auntie Marge gave me this recipe and a bag of granola last time I went home to Iowa. The granola was quickly devoured and I even bought all the ingredients to make my own, but I just never got around to it until the other day. Now I'm not sure I would go back to the storebought. It's that easy.

Here is the recipe...

4 cups oats (not quick cook or instant, look for old fashioned)

1 1/2 cups whole almonds, shelled, but skin still on (I bought these at Wegmans in the Bulk Section. If your family has a nut allergy, feel free to leave these out)

1/2 cup flax seeds (also bought in bulk section at Wegmans)

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup neutral cooking oil (canola)
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups raisins or dried cranberries
1 cup diced dried apricots
1/2 cup dried banana slices

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Mix oats, almonds, flax seeds, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. In a saucepan warm the oil and honey. Whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour the honey, oil, vanilla mixture over the oat mixture and mix gently, but well. Spread out onto a sheet pan and bake for 40 minutes (stir after the first 20). Cool and break up any clumps. Mix in dried fruit. Makes about 9 cups.

I didn't put the fruit in this time and it was still excellent. Maybe I'll try it with fruit next time.

Bonus Pick up Day!

It's December 2nd today and I just got an email from the Farm Share. There are more vegetables!!!! Here is what they said...

For the first time in our twenty year history, we have edible produce this late in the fall. Our last planting of broccoli and cauliflower that was transplanted late due to the abundant rain has finally sized up in the warm days of the past week. We are offering an extra pick up day. We anticipate that there will be a nice quantity of hakurei turnips, beets & arugula and transitional sustainable broccoli & cauliflower. Produce will be unwashed but delicious. We will also have pick your own kohlrabi.

Fresh veggies in December, I love this farm share!

**update**
We happened to be going to a holiday party in North Jersey Saturday, so I twisted MJ's arm and we stopped to pick up some veggies. I don't remember exact quantities, but we picked up our share, and a friend's share and the back of the mini was full!

Last Box of the Season Week #24

Today is the last box share of the 2011 season.  I have been very happy with Honey Brook Organic Farm. We will be signing up for a share next year.

Here is what was in the box:
Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Daikon, Lettuce, Lettuce Mix, Rutabaga, Sweet Potatoes, and White Turnips.

Never too early...

...for Hop on Pop.

Please pay no attention to the snotty nose, tis the season!

Box Share # 23

We have to be nearing the end of our share at HoneyBrook Organic Farm. If only for the fact that I'm all veggied out!

Here's what is in the share today...

*Broccoli, Carrots, Daikon, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, *Lettuce Mix, *Radishes

Happy Halloween!

Box Share #22

This week's box:
Arugula, Broccoli, Carrots, Cilantro, Hot Peppers, Lettuce, Lettuce Mix, Peppers, Radishes, Spinach
Pick-Your-Own in Chesterfield:
We have herbs including assorted mint, sage, lemon balm, lemon verbena, chives, catnip, rosemary and thyme. We also may have cherry and sauce tomatoes, international eggplant, ground cherries, okra and flowers for PYO.