Happy Halloween!

Ivy's Pumpkin Party

On Monday Night Ivy hosted her First Annual Pumpkin Party.  She has been asking if it was Halloween yet for 2 months, and has been wanting a party if the worst way.  So we invited all of Darin's family over to carve pumpkins!

I turned to my trusty friend, Picnik to help me out with the invitations.  I saved a blank image  in photoshop the size that I wanted -4x8- then imported that in to Picnik and used their halloween stickers and fonts to whip this up.   Then I imported it back into photoshop so I could print three on a page.  I know, I know, sometimes I cheat on Picnik, but as much as I love it, there are some things it just can't do ;)

 After I  printed it out, I used my favorite Halloween paper and my big shot to decorate the other side. Check out that creepy spider shadow!

  We hand delivered the invitations then waited for our party.  After my apple-palooza this weekend I decided to buy all of the food go easy on myself for refreshments  We had chips and salsa, apples with caramel dip, and pumpkin donuts.  

Since I went the easy route on the food it freed up some time to make a couple of decorations!  {Cuz I would much rather do that then make cookies!}  I made some food label thingy's using picnik - of course- to put by the food and drinks.  I also put together a little banner using cardstock and some baker's twine. 

Ivy had a blast playing with her cousins more than anything.  It was all we could do to tear them away to carve pumpkins for a few minutes! Darin had elaborate plans for a witch, but he decided to go the easy route too, and went for the goofy smile instead.

And that, my friends is exactly why we moved here.  So we could do things like have pumpkin parties with our family and Ivy could be the bestest friends with her cousins.  Thanks Warnicks for coming!   

I Feel Like Forest Gump

 {source}

I've told you one of my favorite things about living in the Tri-Cities is all of the produce.  Well we are up to our ears in apples lately. It is Washington after all.  And if you are here also then chances are you have that many apples too.  And if you don't you don't have to go very far to find someone who is more than willing to share theirs.  We know a couple of apple farmers and have really nice neighbors who just bring us apples so we have been getting creative.  

Need some new ideas on what to do with your apples?  Here is a little taste of what we have made so far. {And what has kept me so busy this weekend!}

Applesauce, apple pie filling, apple butter, squash and apples, dried apples, can't forget EATING apples {I think Ivy eats three every day} and one of my faves  ~ apple cinnamon rolls.  My friend Kim so kindly requested the recipe so I thought I would share it here for all of you!

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

{via Gooseberry Patch}

FILLING

1 c. brown sugar packed

2 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 cup apple butter

2 c. apples, cored, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup butter, melted

Make roll dough according to your favorite recipe.  I like this one because it is a lot of dough, so you can make rolls and cinnamon rolls at the same time! Because we don't need that many cinnamon rolls around here.  Although regular rolls are just as bad since I can't resist them hot out of the oven, can you?!  But back to the recipe. ;) While your dough is rising chop your apples and mix together your filling.  

When the dough has risen, punch down and place on a lightly floured surface.  Divide dough and let rest 10 minutes.  If you are making rolls also, then go ahead and do those first.  Then using your remaining dough roll into a  big rectangle.  Top with the filling.  

{The recipe is for a full batch of dough so you will have some left over}

 

Roll up your dough , jelly roll style.  It is going to be messy and squish out the sides but thats ok.  Cut your roll into slices and place cut side down in a greased 13x9 pan. 

Let rise until double, then bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. 

{Since they take longer to bake is why I suggest doing your rolls first}

After you take them out of the oven and are waiting for them to cool, go ahead and make a glaze for them...

APPLE CINNAMON GLAZE

1cup powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 to 3 Tbsp. apple juice or cider

Mix together, slowly adding the juice to desired consistency, then drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls.

Seriously so good.  And definitely going on the I shouldn't make those again any time soon list!

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Any other fabulous ideas for apples?!  I would love some new ones.

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PS:  If you want or need apples I would check Craigs List, ask around, or let me know!  I've got connections! ;)

Scary On

Just stopping by to show you a snippet of my Halloween!  The weather has been so glorious this week.  So we are soaking up all of the last warm rays at the park.  I hope you are having a fabulous day!

ROAR! {kind of a tutorial}

 Last week when I was picking up some ink for my printer I found a sweatshirt for Ivy.  Just a plain black one, nothing fancy but I knew I could fix that. 

I actually started out just wanting to add this giant ric rac to the hood.  You know, just a touch of color.  But I kept thinking how it kind of looked like dinosaur teeth.  We play a lot of dinosaurs around here so I guess it was just on my brain.  I'm not much of a sketch artist so I googled dinosaur silhouettes and found an AWESOME and perfect applique download.

I used that same grey shirt from Ivy's new pants, and some slinky pink polka dot pajama pants for the "longneck" as Ivy calls it.  I also used a stained white shirt and freehanded a pow bubble  {I'm not sure what its called but that sounds good!}to give it a bit more substance.  I applied wonder under to all three pieces then ironed them on to the back of the sweatshirt.  I then stitched around each piece to keep it in place.

 Now the front needed some work.  And since Ivy always needs a tissue, and a place to keep a tissue when we are outside, I decided to add some pockets. Here's where your mini tutorial happens so grab some scraps and lets make some pockets!

First I took a piece of paper and placed a corner where I wanted my pocket to be.  Draw out the size that you want and then cut out your pattern adding at least 1/4 inch for seam allowances.

Take your outer fabric and your lining and fold it WRONG sides together.  Then cut out your pattern from each.  This way you get one for each side of your zipper. 
Place the corresponding lining and main fabric pockets RIGHT sides together, pin,  and stitch around the pocket using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and the top open for turning.  Clip your curves and corners. 

Now turn your pocket right side out and press.  Fold in the top that you left open for turning and pin.  You will sew this shut when you sew the pocket on your sweatshirt.

Next up pin your pockets in to place on your sweatshirt.  Oh wait!  Before I stitched my pockets in place I added just a bit more embellishment.  

That qpplique download also has a smaller knee patch dinosaur that I thought would be cute peeking out of one of the pockets.   I cut out another smaller pow bubble and a small dinosaur. I unpinned part of the pocket and placed them where I wanted them, and appliqued in place. 

Finally I stitched my pockets on.  Start at the top of your eh, swoop and go across the top, down next to the zipper and then across the bottom.  DON"T stitch your swoop because then you won't be able to actually use your pocket! Make sure and backstitch really well at the beginning and the end for reinforcement.  

Whew, just about done.  I pulled out some teal embroidery floss to tie in the ric rac on the hood.  Using my disappearing ink pen I wrote ROAR on my small pow bubble then stitched over it.  I also stitched around the big pow bubble on the back to give it a bit more definition.  And finally added three little buttons to my other pocket.  

Now for the fun part!  

Showing Ivy her new dinosaur sweatshirt!
  

She hearts it!  

Yay! 

 

Leggings for the Lady

Want to know my favorite store for getting some great knit fabric?!  Old Navy {and Target}.  Yep, in this two fabric store town I have to look outside the box.  And the clearance section is a gold mine of XXL shirts just waiting to be utilized.  The best deals are definitely when Old Navy does their extra 50 % off sale, or after the holidays.  And remember that Shade sale?  My friend Karen was teasing me for going fabric shopping instead of looking for actual clothes. 

I got the Lil Blue Boo leggings pattern last Saturday afternoon while I was working at Greenies.  I was excited to get home and sew because it was a great rainy fall night.  Darin was shooting a wedding in Pendleton so it was going to be quiet and relaxing after Ivy went to bed.  Perfect.  Until I sat down to print it.

 *ERROR*  Grr.  My printer was completely out of ink.  Double Grr. So I cleaned the house instead.  Some Saturday night eh?!  Well I finally got some ink for my printer on Tuesday and was able to make Ivy some pants.

 I used a grey striped shirt from my knit stash.   The best part about using shirts for fabric is you already have finished edges.  And having a serger means that these pants probably took 10 minutes to make. Maybe even 9.  I love that about Ashley's patterns.  She is so precise and has great directions so I don't have to read them over and over again just to figure it out.  

 {warming our toes in the sun}

  Ivy's legs are like  a mile long and her waist is the same size it was 2 years ago.  That means I can't find jeans that fit.  Something she is secretly happy about.  So leggings it is for her.  Maybe I'll make her some jeggings ;)

Mission Accomplished!

 Why yes!  I do like that hat!

  Its a scrappy, sassy little hat and its not perfect, but it is perfect for her.   

 

This is the first thing I have ever made for Ivy that she actually was waiting by the sewing machine for it to be done, and then she wore it the rest of the day.  And then asked for it the next morning. Seriously. That is what I have been waiting for.

I've been thinking about that this week as I've been sewing her some clothes for the cooler weather.  Do I sew her what she will love?  Or is it what I love and she will like. {and if I'm really honest, what I think you will like}?

Yep, I do. Because its not that she doesn't like what I make her.  She loves to tell people that I made what she is wearing.   But  she is more of her own little person every day. Gulp.  Which means I am going to have to let go of that control a little bit.  Gulp.  

This shirt is the perfect example.   One day we were at Old Navy and she saw it.  

And LOVED it. 

Me not so much. 

As in I pretended like we were going to get it.  Then didn't.  And as I was trying to leave without it, she asked where her bestest shirt was.  I didn't want to get it.  Really a dog with *bling*?! 

But I gave in and got it because she was so excited about it.   And its still her bestest shirt.  And I love it too.  Because it is TOTALLY her. 

 

{getting ready to do "sneaky time"}

Just like her hat.

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{tutorial found HERE from a new fave, I am Momma-Hear Me Roar}

Sneaky Time!

We got Boo-ed a couple of weeks ago.  So that Monday night we headed out to Boo some of our neighbors.  Ivy had a blast and since we were being sneaky, she started calling it "Sneaky Time".  Just about every night when it starts to get dark she asks if it is sneaky time. 

{

{I know this isn't too sneaky but its from our new favorite Halloween book Ghosts in the House, and it has the cutest pictures!}

So tonight we are off to do sneaky time and BOO some more neighbors.

 If I was more on top of things I would make my own BOO signs and then share it with you.  But today not so much, so I'll share some fun ones I found.

 
{Anders Ruff}

{The Tomkat Studio}

{Amanda Parker}

These all come with the instructions and are free.  Aren't these ladies so nice to share, making my life a little easier?! So now the fun part :: making the treats!  I love it because I get to make the yummy stuff {my favorite part is the making- believe it or not} , and then it all gets out of my house so I don't eat it!  

Today we are making Oreo Bark.  You can find a great recipe HERE at Home Based Mom . 

Some other great treats would be any of those I mentioned yesterday,  or better yet...

... my other favorite cookie I posted about last year.  

{ I think I have a thing for chocolate and peanut butter! }

If you don't want to give out treats, you could even give a copy of your favorite Halloween book. 

Soon it will be sneaky time so I better get to it!  You can't keep a three year old waiting ;)

Fall Has The Best Food!

We had the best fall-ish  weather this weekend.  I never mind if it rains on Sunday because I just want to be home and cozy up with my family on the couch and watch some football.  And its even better when we get brilliant blue skies on Monday morning!

I also had the baking bug this weekend and tried a few new recipes.  REALLY yummy recipes.  Good enough to share recipes! 

{Darin has our drive with all the pictures at work this week, so all photos are from their respective posts}

 Baked Donuts

I made these baked donuts from 101 cookbooks in two shifts this weekend.  I tried them out Friday night and refrigerated the rest of the dough for Sunday.  You probably shouldn't make them.  Because then you will eat them all up.   You will convince yourself they are perfectly healthy since there is only like 2 tablespoons of butter in the whole recipe-really its true .  Or go ahead and make them.  You probably have more will power than me!  Just be sure and eat them hot out of the oven, since that is when they are the best!

{A little side note, I used a pastry brush to put the melted butter instead of dunking them like she suggests.  Gotta keep them healthy!} 

  Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are seriously some of the best I have ever made.  I made them a couple of weeks ago and used a bag of dark and milk chocolate Reeses. Have you tried the dark chocolate reeses?!  Seriously way better than the original.  Next time I'm using all dark.  They were a huge hit for First Friday at Greenies.  I even broke my no shortening rule to try them out.  I'm definitely going to have to try them with all butter next time.  Although, I probably shouldn't make those again either.  ;)

Buttery Caramel Sauce

Our neighbor dropped by some awesome apples so it was the perfect excuse to try out this homemade caramel.   I'm actually not a huge caramel fan, but I thought I would give it a shot.  Its really good.  And just like Missy, I ended up skipping the apple and using my finger! I'm thinking it would be a great gift for our new neighbors down the street, with a bag of apples of their own.  

Creamy Corn Chowder

Sunday has become soup day in our house.  Ivy loves soup and will actually eat things that aren't fruit or cheese when its in soup.  So we've been trying out some new recipes and this one was a big hit.  I know I'm only trying to please three people in this house, but when a recipe is from Our Best Bites then its bound to be good!  And if you froze some corn this summer than this is one of the yummiest ways I know to use it.  

{The only thing I did different was to NOT add the hot sauce.  My three year old does NOT like spicy!}

So get out your grocery list because you need to add some more ingredients to try out some new recipes!

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{And here are a couple other recipes I am storing away for the next rainy day...}

Honey Caramel Apples

Cinnamon Toasted Pumpkin Pie Tarts

Best Buttermilk Pancakes