Baby Shower - Get's Crafty

Last month I hosted a baby shower for a co-worker as he and his wife are expecting their first child – a son – in early December.  It was a nice celebration and I enjoyed putting it together. It also prompted me to get crafting as I wanted to crochet a baby blanket. It was a quick project and I had yarn leftover so I decided to knit a baby hat as well to go along with a baby book and some clothes.  I was happy with the finished projects.  I have plenty of leftover yarn so I plan to knit a few more hats as we recently found out that we have two nieces that are expecting in the spring.  Happy news!  I might even make some booties and sweaters.  Time to cull through my patterns and get to work.

I also knitted a pair of boot cuffs for Olivia. I had taken a few knitting books out of the library and these boot cuffs caught my attention. Olivia said she liked them so I had her pick out yarn and I started knitting. These were a quick knit project and I was happy with the results. Olivia likes them as well so win-win!

I just finished a hat for myself and with the extra yarn, I am knitting an infinity scarf. Pictures to follow when I finish the scarf.  I am loving the hat and think I need to make another one in a soft butter yellow (my first choice).  So when I find the yarn, I’ll make another hat.

I also made a cake for the shower and had big plans for decorating it. Their baby room theme is baby whales and I wanted to have a few different colored baby whales on the cake but I went for a simpler design and was happy with the finished cake.  They were surprised and impressed! 

We have a family Christmas gathering that Olivia volunteered to bring Grinch cookies. However, she has to work the night before the party so I volunteered to make Grinch cookies or cupcakes. I have to decided and decide soon.  Perhaps some photos will find their way here.

As I post this, the baby may arrive today!  Exciting, very exciting!!!

The Age Old Question

What’s for dinner?

I never appreciated that question until I was the one in charge of dinner.

Every. Single. Night.

We make homemade dinners almost every night. It is a rare treat when we go out to dinner.  We also eat together – every night! I look forward to dinner as it is a time we reconnect after our day.  We talk about projects, people and anything else that comes up. I ask the kids about their classes and what they are covering. It is precious time that we’ll all look back on and be grateful for.

Lately one little man – soon to be a teenager - seems to be complaining a lot (almost nightly) about the meals that are prepared. I don’t like that or we have this all the time.  So I have been suggesting others come up with a meal or two. Let’s try something new. I also ask what items I should buy for dinner and I always hear, “I don’t know.”  Frustrating to say the least.

This past weekend, I pulled out a collection of recipes and placed a few to the side. I really need to start making some of these recipes before I collect anymore. It’s a fault of mine.  Every time I get the box out, I get mad at myself. Why do I clip and put them in a box and shove it out of sight?  I am looking forward to our Christmas break as I will be trying new recipes. I have recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The family will probably complain about new foods and ask for something familiar.  One can only hope!  I also need to organize my “Tested and Approved Recipe” collection.  I need to categorize the recipes in the binder for easy of finding what I am looking for. Although flipping through the recipes, I often come across a recipe I haven’t made in a while.  That recently happened and I made the apple cake recipe – not once but twice – because the family raved over it.  And that is what makes me happy. I love to cook and bake for my family so when I hear – that again or I don’t like chicken, it upsets me. Hits me in the heart. I am persistent and we all need to eat, so I keep returning to the kitchen to make our meals. Secretly I would like to stop making dinner for a night or two and see what reaction I get. I have responded that they should be thankful for even getting dinner as there are kids in their school that don’t get dinner every night or if they do, it might not be home cooked, just something out of a box or bag. One needs to count their blessings.  I am blessed that I can provide for and cook for my family. 

Here is a recipe I made for dinner on December 5. I gave two chicken recipes to Elliott and asked him which one he would like to try, since he doesn’t like chicken. He chose “Cracked Out” Chicken Bubble Up – in all seriousness, I think he choose it because of the name. Consensus was the recipe should go in the keeper file. It is not a recipe I will make often but it is good for a change and very easy to make.

“Cracked Out” Chicken Bubble Up 

2 cups cooked, chopped chicken

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of chicken soup

8 oz. sour cream

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 ½ Tbsp. Ranch dressing mix

¼ cup cooked, chopped bacon

1 (12 oz.) can refrigerated Grands Jr. biscuits

Preheat oven to 350˚F.  Lightly spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.

Combine chicken, soup, sour cream, cheese, Ranch mix and bacon. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces (I cut them into smaller pieces). Toss with chicken mixture.

Pour mixture into prepared pan.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and biscuits are golden brown.

Quick. Simple. Tasty.

Little (can’t really say that as he is taller than me) man approved!

And then I have to deal with the older man….he seems to have jumped on the same wagon, as he complained about his lunch the other day.  So I spoke, “Well, find a recipe or two.  I’d be happy to make something new and tasty for you.”  That fell on deaf ears. 

Hauling Water

We have had some cold mornings lately which isn’t unexpected considering it is December. On those cold mornings, I have a morning chore I have to take care of before leaving the house for the day. I fill and carry a bucket of water over to our pig shed. Yes, we still have our pigs, our shed doesn’t have electric so I fill a bucket in their yard so they have water. So far I have only had to tow water in the carrier through snow once.  It was a workout. Lately, I just carry a five-gallon bucket. It is much easier and quicker. Yesterday I took them carrot peelings as a treat since I had peeled a bag of carrots.  They enjoyed the treat but I had to go into the shed to feed them. Apparently it was too cold for them to venture outside, even for carrot peels. 

I enjoy the short walk across the field to water them. I go over at dawn and I can still see some stars in the sky.  I also hear water flowing into our lower pond which is very relaxing and comforting.  I get to take in the beauty that God has given us during my morning chore.  If I had more time, I’d spend time outside but I have to go back to dress for work and leave. 

Why do we still have our pigs?  Well they were born late – over Memorial Day weekend!  They are ready for “market” now but their “market date” is December 21.  Crazy late date!  However, the friend we bought them from scheduled that date with a butcher we have been trying to get into so this is the open door for us. Once we go to him, we are “in” and that makes John happy. 

I only have to haul water for two more weeks and I am counting the days off.  John is worrying about getting the trailer to the shed to load them but I’m sure he’ll figure something out. As long as it isn’t too wet or we have a few feet of snow, off to market should go smoothly.

Here they are and these pictures were taken almost a month ago. Our two pigs that are huge. They really are a wonderful animal and both of them enjoy being brushed.