Team Umizoomi Hat, Crochet Pattern

Today I am excited to share something that has taken me my whole crocheting career (haha) to accomplish.  I have always been able to read patterns, and I generally look online for free/low cost patterns when I am crocheting.

I was, however, unable to find a pattern I liked for a hat that a friend ordered for her daughter.  I searched high and low (well, I used google) and didn't come up with anything I liked.  So.... I made my own.  This might not seem like a big deal to anyone.  It was to me!  I haven't ever thought about anything that I have made... never really thought about what kind of mathematical skills go into developing a pattern...

Cake Disaster! (Don't Worry! There's a Happy Ending!)

This weekend we  shared our baby's First Birthday with some friends and family.  I like to do most of my party prep myself (and with the help of my wonderful Mom!).  Yesterday's mission was the cake.  Now, normally I am a from-scratch kind of person, however, I have yet to find a really really good gluten-free cake recipe that doesn't contain a million-and-a-half ingredients.  I have found a delicious gluten-free cake mix that I have been using for over a year now, and its still the best one out there!

I left this party planning to the very last minute.  I decided to whip up the cake quickly yesterday.... and all was going well.  I wanted to marble it, so I used a golden and a chocolate mix.  

I've Taken the First Step in My Quilt Journey!

Good Evening!  

I'm dying to share my progress in this journey to make a quilt!  Well, two quilts... but I'm thinking of it as one because I am making them out of the same fabrics for my boys for their bunk beds.  If I think of it as if its one quilt it makes the project seem less frightening.  I will be doing all the prep at the same time, so that's basically like just doing one anyway..... I repeatedly tell myself..... Pretty much... one quilt.


So, last weekend I checked out a new fabric store.  There are only two fabric stores in the area I'm from (that I am aware of), and I have been really wanting to go elsewhere!  I had that opportunity and I'm so happy I did!  I got 6 super cute prints in a very small amount of time.  

Learning to Crochet? This post is for you!

I am seeing that a lot of my friends are teaching themselves to crochet.  I think this is wonderful!  Its no small feat.  I have been doing it since longer than I can even remember.  My Grandma taught me when I was very young.  I have once in a while come across little things I made for my dolls, and it brings back wonderful memories of days spend with my grandparents.

I would like to offer this post in assistance to those who are teaching themselves.  Hopefully this little tutorial will give you some helpful tips.

Smoothie Adventures

This week my mission has been to make a good smoothie.  I should clarify that the ones I have been making are delicious... but they are chunky, seedy and most of the time too thick.

Last weekend a friend and I were discussing smoothies and how its impossible to make them the way that places that sell them do.  It's impossible to get rid of all the seeds & chunks... It's impossible to make that perfect consistency.... until today.

My Son is a FINALIST!!! PLEASE VOTE!!!

I helped my oldest enter an online contest through the Egg Farmers of Ontario. 

He's been selected as a finalist! 

Help Ethan win!

http://www.eggsfactor.ca/egg-finalists/0-5#?id=3

He can win an iPad Mini!!!

Thanks!! :)

Check out this sewing project...And wish me luck!

Two fabulous blogs I've been following have announced today that they are hosting a Quilt-Along!  

I have considered trying to make a quilt... but with my limited sewing experience, the task seems daunting.  

I am new to sewing.  I started just last winter.  I picked up a fairly basic machine and watched a few YouTube videos.  Let me tell you, I am super impressed that I was able to learn how to use my new treasure in 30 minutes.  I made two crib sized pillow cases on my very first attempt.  They turned out pretty great for a beginner (I think... I was beaming!)

I made a pile of receiving blankets which helped with my nesting as well as improved my ability to sew a straight line.  I have a wonderful girlfriend who would have date nights with me so I could get out of my house, and work on my mad skills in peace and quiet.  Here's the tutorial I used:

http://blissfullydomestic.com/life-bliss/sewing-your-own-flannel-receiving-blankets/8543/

I tackled a big project a few months into my new addiction: my Diaper Bag.  Let me just say that was a fun-filled 6 hour day of making my hubby keep the kids outside.  Its held up though, and its probably the best of all the diaper bags I've ever had :)  This is the tutorial:

http://amingledyarn.wordpress.com/gallery/tutorial-hip-mama-diaper-bag/

Meals for the week

I'm feeling very inspired by my dear friend who was inspired by the recipes I shared on fb.  I'm hoping to figure out how to create a 'Recipes' tab on here where it will be fast and easy to find.  Here's hoping my bloggy buddy I'm meeting with soon will hook us up!

Anyway, I'd like to share the recipes I made earlier this week, all in one day.  I prefer to binge cook, and I often make 4-6 recipes in one day.  I freeze in portions for later consumption.  Its way easier for me than dealing with the burden of daily meal preparation.  That's when I get the blahs... having to cook/plan daily.  Also, I will be returning to work in a few weeks & I am motivated to fill my freezer before doomsday so that we have quick weeknight options.  

Can I just throw in that I am typing all this with my left hand... as I am holding my wee little one who won't nap in his crib this afternoon.  He was in there for long enough that I switched the laundry over, swept/scrubbed the entryway,  had a snack & read a book with my middle dude.  I'm way better at this than I thought.  Maybe 20 wpm or so. haha.

(I am aware the blanket is pink... We were also making pink forts today.)  

Ok, back to the recipes.  You will notice that most of what I am cooking contains some kind of Epicure products.  Its taken over our kitchen.  Seriously.  Look at the wall....

While walking through the grocery store I picked up what was on sale (pork tenderloin & ground beef), and also some delicious looking sweet potatoes.  I used the recipe search on the Epicure Selections website to find recipes for my ingredients.  I was delighted to find one that was for pork tenderloin & sweet potatoes!!

Here it is!  

http://www.epicureselections.com/en/recipe/4300/grilled-adobo-pork-tenderloin-with-barbecued-sweet-potatoes

I also made the recipes on the side of the jars for Epicure's Classic Meatballs & Everyday Meatloaf.

Here are the links:

http://www.epicureselections.com/en/recipe/1533/classic-meatballs

http://www.epicureselections.com/en/recipe/2387/everyday-meatloaf


These recipes are super easy.  I spent only about 45 mins doing prep.  I froze half the meatloaf (cooked them in mini pans so it was easier to portion).  

The pork was enough for dinner & lunches twice (there may actually be a bit left kicking around in the fridge).  

We used the meatballs for spaghetti.  I made the sauce:



EASY SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 can diced tomato
2 tbsp Epicure's Marinara Sauce Mix
1 1/2 cups cauliflour (steamed and pureed)

I used my Mix & Masher on the tomatoes first, then I simmered all ingredients together for about 20 minutes.

It was a hit!

The meatloaf is on the menu tonight with oven fries and steamed broccoli.  


Happy Meal Planning!  

Follow Up - Canada vs. Sweeden

In follow up to the last post, I wanted to share the game.  My husband and I took complete advantage of having family down for Easter, and left the boys with them to attend the Team Canada vs. Sweeden game on Saturday at the Pembroke Memorial Centre.  

The place was sold out!  And thank goodness we got there early (for anyone who knows me.... this almost never happens... seriously like this was maybe the 5th time EVER) because it was packed and it was difficult to find seating!  We kept running into people we know throughout the building so by the time we found a spot, it was down in the corner.  BUT, it turned out to be the greatest spot in the building with all the goals that Canada scored, we were in the action end for 2 periods!!  

It was crazy in there.  There were so many people, the cheering was LOUD!  And the fans were great.  It was probably one of the best hockey games I have ever been to!!  (Well maybe except for my son's games this past winter.... watching twelve 4-6 year olds all chase after a puck is pretty entertaining.)


Here are some shots of the game.  I did not edit any of them.  Sorry about that.  And also, they are in non-chronological order.  

Proud Canadian Moment

Over the Easter weekend, as the result of inviting myself to a work function of my husband's, I was honoured to meet the Canadian National Women's Hockey Team!!  It was pretty awesome!

We mingled with the team, and I got to spend time chatting with the gals.  It was a really neat experience!  We talked shop, talked hockey, I babbled on and on about how proud our oldest son made us this winter when he played Initiation Hockey for the first time.

What a great bunch of girls and a great experience.... It pays to know people... (hahaha... my husband).

The Team with all of the people involved in their stay on base.

Jayna Hefford :)  

From Left to Right: Tessa Bonhomme, Caroline Oulette, Two kids I borrowed for photos, myself, Shannon Szabados & Courtney Brichard

From Left to Right: Sarah Vaillancourt, Charline Labonte, Marie-Philip Poulin, Courtney Brichard, Myself,  Catherine Ward, Genevieve Lacasse & Caroline Oulette

Hayley Wickenheiser (I was super excited, and we chatted for a good little while!)

From Left to Right: Jayna Hefford, Me, Military Member & Gillian Apps

From Left to Right: Jennifer Wakefield, Tessa Bonhomme, Myself, & the Borrowed Kids.

This was such an wonderful experience!  There was a lot of pride & honour during the speeches.  Something that Hayley said when she addressed the room, was that her job was not nearly as important as the job of the Canadian Forces.  

When the Military speaker addressed the room, he made it clear that he felt the members of Team Canada have just as important of a job the members of the CF, and that same pride resonates through all who represent our country.

GO CANADA!

Quick & Easy, Gluten-Free Banana Muffins

This recipe was adapted from a friend sharing on fb.  I was so excited to try it out, as it looked way easier than most from scratch gluten-free recipes.  Most I come across have a mile long ingredients list and they turn out awful.

So I even doubled the recipe when making these the first time because it was so simple and my friend was going on about how absolutely delicious they were.






Gluten-Free Banana Muffins

3 Large Ripe Bananas 

3/4 cup sugar (I used organic) 

1 beaten egg (can use flax or apple sauce for 

replacement) 

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt 

1 1/2 cups of gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill

All Purpose GF Flour) 

1/3 melted butter (I softened mine in the microwave)


Top with Epicure's Dark Belgian Chocolate and 

Cherries & Berries.



Mash banana's. Add sugar and egg. Add melted and 

dry ingredients. 

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes 


Keep an eye on these in the oven.  They will go from wet to golden in a matter of minutes.  I watched them fairly closely.


Here is the process...  (Remember I doubled mine)

This is my masher.  This is the very best kitchen tool I have EVER purchased.  I use this baby 4-6 times a week for different things.  Potatoes, making guacamole, anytime I have to deal with ground beef/chicken/turkey, and for my delicious banana muffins.  I LOVE this masher because it is super easy to use and the consistencies of foods vary.  I like to leave my bananas a little chunky for muffins...

Do you know the Muffin Man?  My little friend helped me top the muffins (while sneaking handfuls of the chocolate)

Mmmmm.... this is where they started to smell AMAZING!

And here's the finished product!  YUMMMM!

I'm linking up to a party here :

http://glutenfreehomemaker.com/gluten-free-wednesdays/