2nd Homemade Christmas

I debated posting this homemade gift because it's for my brother and sister-in-law, and Angela reads my blog. But...they won't get it for Christmas anyway, because who knows when we will see them again. It's tough to live so far from each other...sigh. So, this way, she can at least see what they are going to get eventually:)

Michael's had a great sale on canvases. I got two 16x20 for $5.99. So, this canvas was $3!!! I have a load of acrylic paint at home- this beautiful color is Jamaica Blue. Isn't it pretty?

Found the buttons in my button stash, bought the scrapbook paper for $0.99 each at Michael's. So, my total so far is $6. Have I mentioned yet that money is tight this year? This is why I love homemade gifts. You can make something really pretty and nice for much less than if you bought a gift from the store.

Cut the paper into squares and modge podged it onto the canvas. Already had the modgepodge at home. I coated the whole thing with three coats of Modge Podge. It has a nice texture and shine.

Used Aileen's craft glue (which I already had on hand) to glue the buttons on the center of each floral or paisley square. I bought chipboard letters in a glittery blue to match my Jamaica Blue paint. I paid less than $4 at Michael's for these and still have plenty of letters left for another project. I glued these letters (spelling Philip and Angela's last name) onto the polka dot squares using Aileen's glue also. I really love how this turned out. I would probably hang this in an entryway with hooks under it for coats and such. Although it might look nice on a mantel...what do you think?

Ok, this doesn't really count as homemade, but we found a coupon in our local paper for $5 off Build-A-Bear and we had never been before! I'm cheap. Rich and the girls had a date coming up anyway, so they just went to the mall to build a bear for Mira. They had a really fun time! I think after the coupon the total was $9- that included the bear, stuffing, two hearts and a voicebox with a message. Not bad...except Rich forgot to use the coupon...Grrrr...

I think Mira will like it.

The boys made these drawer sachets for...someone. :) We took small styrofoam balls and stuck whole cloves in them, covering the surface of the spheres. Then we wrapped the orbs in fabric and tied with string. These scented globes can be hung in a closet or placed in drawers. They are especially nice in a bowl on the kitchen counter and leave a nice scent in the air.

Who caught how many different world for "ball" I used in that paragraph? :)

What are YOU making for Christmas gifts this year?

Apple-Pumpkin Muffins (healthy version)

In a large bowl, combine the following:

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I used organic)

2 cups honey (or sugar)

1 TBS pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup pureed pumpkin (canned is fine)

1/2 cup applesauce (or oil)

Mix all really well.

Fold in 2 cups of diced apples. I used Golden Delicious because that's what I had on hand.

Pour batter into greased or paper-lined muffin tins, fill 2/3 full. I also poured some into a loaf pan.

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup raw sugar, 2 TBS whole wheat flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Cut in 4 tsp of cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over batter in muffin/loaf tins.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

These are SO delicious and moist. They also freeze really well!!! Get a start on that holiday baking with something a little healthier than the normal fudge and gingerbread:)

A few of my favorite things

It's autumn! Time to start canning and freezing...ok, so not really, since we live in this day and age. I like the thought, though. Guess I read too many Little House and Anne of Green Gables type books growing up. My girls like the idea of storing things up for the winter months, too. We've already been packing our tiny freezer with homemade spaghetti sauce (yum yum), banana and pumpkin loaves, and found a new recipe for apple muffins which freeze really well! I'll be posting that recipe soon! How do you spend your autumn days?

Special Moments

A special tea party/picnic for the kids and their Grandmother. I dragged out some old end tables to set the food on and made some easy things to eat. It was so simple but the kids thought it was a treat!

New things

Well, a couple of new things about this blog- for those few of you that read it:) First, I've started labeling all my posts. I went all the way back to the beginning. So if you want recipes and "cooking with kids" ideas, click on those labels on the sidebar. I also have labels for storage solutions and decorating ideas although those aren't really my strengths. Maybe they'll give you a laugh:)

The next new thing is that new list in the sidebar, the one titled, "What really matters." Lately, I've been allowing myself to get a little discouraged at the mountain of housework, at all the home improvement jobs that need doing around here. Finally, last weekend I realized that NONE OF IT really matters. I'll still keep my house neat and stay on top of the laundry. But if it takes me a YEAR to get to that bathroom paint job, I will be ok. In light of eternity, a sage green bathroom is silly. What is important is PEOPLE. So, that new sidebar list is just to remind me and hold me accountable to living for Christ. To die to self and to serve others. My new quote, the saying I will be using from here on out:
"Because I LOVE Jesus, I will spend my life loving people."
Not sure how you feel about that? Check out Luke 10:27 and see what Jesus says about it:)

Grace and peace to you,
Lydia

New favorite Recipe

A friend of mine gave me a bunch of her Rachel Ray magazines and I have been having the best time trying out new recipes! Here is a new favorite: Lasagna Stoup.

In a soup pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Brown 1 pound ground beef. Stir in 1 large onion, finely chopped, 2 carrots, peeled and grated, and 4 cloves garlic, finely diced. Cook until softened.

Stir in one 32 ounce container chicken broth and one 28 ounce can of Italian crushed tomatoes.
(Let your kids do this)

Stir in two cups of water, cover pot and bring to a boil.

Tear up one cup basil leaves.
(Get your kids to do this)

Break up one pound of lasagna noodles.
(kids can do this too!)

Once liquid is boiling, add the basil and pasta, season with salt and pepper.
Cook until pasta is al dente- about 15 minutes.

Serve it up in nice big bowls and top with a dollop of ricotta cheese.
(Kids like to sprinkle parmesan cheese on top too.)

YUM-O!!!!

How I'm doing it (the weight loss game)

I lost two pounds last week-YAY!!! It was a lot of work because I love to eat and changing a life time of bad eating habits is difficult for me. I haven't started exercising yet, but I'm hoping to start soon. I'll let you know how that goes:) Here's what I'm doing so far:

Mixing flax seeds with salsa and dehydrating it to make flax crackers. Healthier than Doritoes by far!

These are SO good- crunchy and savory! Love them!

I ran this bag of pecans through the food processor and drizzled honey in until it formed a dough.

Two ingredients, that's it! Gotta be good for you if it doesn't have any "unrecognizable" ingredients, right?

Patting it out on the dehydrator. You can do it in the oven on the lowest setting for a lot of hours I'm guessing. Sara, let me know if you try this! These pecan chewies are so healthy and help my cravings for something sweet.

More healthy snacks! I keep a basket ready in the kitchen for when I get the cravings. It's filled with: Turkey Jerky (saying that makes me laugh), dark chocolate covered raisins, homemade granola (Thanks, Heather- I love it!), homemade flax crackers and pecan chewies (see above), 2 dark chocolate bars for when nothing else will do:), crispy pear and pineapple chips. All of this is good for ya and tastes good too!! Much better than potato chips and candy bars!

Making my own honey mustard dressing and dip- it's cheaper and much less fattening than store bought. I just drizzle it and this recipe lasts several meals.

1/4 cup mayo

1/4 cup dijon mustard

2 TBS honey

Mix it all up!!! I'm trying to use honey more in everything. No more sugar if possible, and trying to cut my Splenda usage in my tea and coffee. Honey is all natural and good for you!

So, it's a work in progress, but it's working!!! Wiser choices for snacking, smaller portion sizes for meals. Going a little more "natural" is hard for this all-American girl who loves processed foods but it makes sense. Later I'll tell you how I'm changing my skincare:)

For those of you trying to lose weight, what are you doing that is working?