Concerned about the little monster...

So, I know I was supposed to do a crafting entry, and I still plan on doing that. But things just haven't been the best as of late. My little monster has an appointment in January with a psychologist. Her pediatrician thinks she is bipolar, has severe anxiety and may also be autistic. She has these outbursts that are so hard to handle, they bring me to tears every time. She swears there is a monster in her brain and she doesn't mean to say or do the things she does when it takes over. I wish I could help her. It kills me that she goes through this all and I can't fix it. I am Mommy, I am supposed to be able to kiss all the bad away. I am very hopeful that we can figure out what's going on and find the appropriate way to deal with it all. She, however, has no hope of ever getting through it. It breaks my heart that at 9 years old, she has already lost hope. I am planning on blogging as much as I can about this and still the crafting and such as well. May be changing the layout and stuff as well. Until next time I guess.

Coming back!

I shall be coming back to blogging!! I have some new crafting projects in the works and can't wait to share them with everyone (all 2 of you who read this!!! haha). Tomorrow will be my first entry in this new comeback. And at some point I will have a new look too, one step at a time folks. Super excited for all I have planned. And hope you will be too.

Okay, trying again, haha

So, I am unsure if anyone still reads this, but I am going to try this blogging thing again. I have been super busy lately. Little Monster started Summer break and I started a new job. I feel like I hardly ever have time to craft anymore. But I am going to try and change that. I used to babysit on Thursdays and Fridays of every week, but had to stop when the girls started fighting so much that we worried about the state of their friendship. I have those 2 days off of work, so I am thinking Thursdays will be craft day and Fridays will be Mommy and Monster days. My hopes for this blog are mainly a place for me to get my thoughts out, but also to post about my crafting and perhaps post a how-to every now and then. I think my first big "project" will be to get my crafting area under control. It is an insane mess. I know crafty areas are supposed to be somewhat dishevled, but this is beyond that. I will post before and after photos and of course if any craftiness is involved I will post about that as well. My biggest thing I need to tackle is a place for my fabric and ribbon. Also, I must do something with the pegboard! I am going to hit a few thrift stores and yard sales this weekend after I get paid Friday and see what I can find. I tend to think of myself as a fairly creative person, so I am sure I will figure it all out. Anyway, off to snuggle my Monster! Until next time!!

Who says you can't go home?

So little monster and I have been back in Ohio for 2 months now. We live with my Mom now and occupy the main room of the basement. It's a decent size really and even has a half bathroom and a (nonworking) fireplace. This room allows both of us to have a sleeping area, her with a twin sized day bed and me with a queen sized futon; a total of 4 dressers, 2 each; her giant toy chest, a book case, mini fridge, a seating area with a giant chair and a bean bag chair, a place for the TV stand AND my favorite, a crafting corner (complete with pegboard!) This area we have has so much potential and I cannot wait to get it just the way I want it.

 I am still planning on getting this blog going again and have many projects coming up that I can't wait to share! One project I am working on that will take quite awhile for me to complete is a Harry Potter paper piecing quilt. I am a couple weeks behind on this project but plan on catching up soon. Here is a pic of one of the blocks I have pieced so far:

I have, I believe, pieced 3 blocks so far. However, I don't have pictures of them at this time. This will be such a fun project and I cannot wait to complete it!

I am still making other things to sell on my Etsy store. Here are some new items available now:

I have been working on so much lately. I am attempting to make Goddess dolls and still have to perfect the pattern but here is a rough draft of it so far:

I want to make the body longer and the hip area wider.

Well, that's what I have been up to lately! :) Next week, I start babysitting 4 wonderful kids 2 days a week. I am so excited, though I have never looked after 5 kids (my monster will be with us) before. But I am confident I can do it. I love these kids and they love me. I can't wait to teach them different crafts and do activities with them. I will, of course, update here as often as I can. Well, happy crafting! Until next time <3

I'm baaaack!!

That was quite the little hiatus I took, but I am now back and ready to blog! So many new things I am working on, and so many things that have happened. I haven't a clue where to begin either, ha!! I would like to first say, I am back in frigid cold Ohio. 6 months in Florida was nice, but I missed my friends, family, and knowing how to get somewhere without the use of my GPS. Not to mention more than 1 season is ideal. Well, I guess Florida has 2, rain and hell. Where as we have many, cold, Hoth, hot, rain, and fall. LOL. But, seriously, I am glad to be back and can't wait to get back in to crafting and blogging. :)

I'm back!

So, I know it's been quite a while since I have updated here. I apologize for that. My daughter and I moved to Florida 2 months ago. So far things are going great! She is adapting well to the new environment and to her new school. I have a job with a crafting store. I have also added to my crafting, my grandmother gave me her sewing machine so I have begun sewing things. I am a bit addicted to it at this time, lol. I just wanted to post a quick update to let you (who ever reads this) know I am still around and will be getting back in to the blogging thing real soon! I have some fun ideas planned so stick around!! :D

Busy, busy, busy!

   I have been so super busy lately, I swear my brain is going to explode! We are getting so close to the big move, and the closer we get the more hectic things get! I am trying to get the organizing done so we can pack, trying to get the driving thing done so I can get my license, and trying to schedule time with all the people we want to see before we leave...all while crafting on the side! 

   About 2 weeks ago I signed the title to a new to me car, a 2001 Kia Optima that previously belonged to my Aunt. I have spent quite a bit of time in the car getting ready for my drivers test on July 9th at 2:00pm. Super excited and super nervous!! I think I am mostly nervous about the maneuverability aspect of the test more than the actual driving. But I am determined to pass!! 

    
 
   I started a crochet project that I actually intend to finish! I learned the bobble stitch after stumbling on this blog, colourinasimplelife. I love all her designs and patterns and am currently working on her puffed daisy hexagon pattern. I plan to do at least 2 daisies a day and eventually join them to make a blanket/throw. This is the first non generic pattern I have ever done and it turn out properly. And by generic, I mean the patterns I did before consisted of nothing but simple stitches like double crochets, treble crochets or single crochets, haha. Also, I think this project will be the perfect thing to work on on the drive to Florida, since reading in a moving vehicle makes me car sick.

   Speaking of Florida, we are coming up on the 2 week mark. 2 weeks from tomorrow we will begin our journey to our new lives! We are driving my car down, or rather my Dad is driving us down there in my car, and then he is flying home. Right now I am going through all of mine and my daughters things, condensing it as much as I can to fit in the trunk and back seat of my car. It's amazing how much stuff 2 girls accumulate! In my car I plan on packing, 2 adults, 1 child, 1 cat, about 6 pairs of shoes, 4 bags of clothes, about 200 books, some toys and a couple boxes of crafting supplies and bathroom supplies. I think I can do it!!  Btw, regarding the picture to the right. It's a dry erase board made from a picture frame! I simply took a plain piece of paper (you can use whatever color/pattern you wish and even fabric!) and put it in the frame, painted the frame and then used a dry erase marker on the glass of the frame! So simple and cute, plus great way to recycle old frames!!

   I am still trying to decide the look I want this blog to have so be patient if you see lots of changes on here. Eventually I will buy a URL (when I have the money to do so!), but no worries I will post about it before changing it so anyone who has bookmarked/follows this blog can update it.

-DIY/Craft- Homemade Sidewalk Paint

I have seen many pins on Pinterest regarding homemade sidewalk chalk. So I figured why not try one out?

Ingredients are super simple and you probably have them all sitting in your kitchen right now!

• Corn Starch
• Water
• Food Coloring
•  You can either use bowls or a muffin/cupcake pan to make these in. Depends on how many colors you are making and how much you want of each color.

Okay so add equal parts water and corn starch to the container(s). Mix well with a spoon, you don't want any clumps

 Then add some food coloring. It is really THAT simple

 You don't want it too runny or too thick which is why it's a good idea to stick with the equal parts water and corn starch.

Happy painting!!

-Recipe- Fresh Peach Cupcake, Honey Butter Cream Frosting with a Chocolate Drizzle

I wasn't sure if I was going to do a blog about this recipe or not, but lots of friends want to know how I did it, so here ya go!

Oh, did I mention this cupcake is baked inside of an ice cream cone? I have seen these recipes all over Pinterest. But I honestly, have seen more of the "fails" of this than the successes. Well, I am here to add to the success of this! Let's start with ingredients, shall we? (Oh, and this recipe is MOSTLY dairy free, the only dairy is from the chocolate!)

For the Cupcake:

• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• scant 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 peaches, peeled, pitted and finely pureed
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose or pastry flour (Add more if you think your batter is too runny)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch salt
• 10-12 ice cream cake cones

 For the Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) non-dairy butter, room temp
• 4 Tbsp honey (alternatively, use agave nectar)
• 1.5 – 2 cups powdered sugar (I have a secret ingredient if, you, like me, run out of powdered sugar!)
• 1 Tablespoon almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)

Okay, time to get baking!

First, I always start any baking by preheating the oven, in this case to 350. While that's going go ahead and add the soy milk and apple cider vinegar together, whisk until frothy and set aside to let it curdle. We will come back to it shortly. 

Next, cut up your peaches and add them to the food processor and make them gooey!

 In a medium sized mixing bowl add the following:

• sugar
• oil
• vanilla
• soy milk mixture
• peach puree

Once that's all added, mix until smooth and creamy.

Next we will add to the sifter the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Sift into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Now, since we just put a bunch of air in to the batter we don't wan to lose that by using an electric mixer, instead get out your wooden spoon (or whisk) and mix that bad boy up until there are no more large lumps!

Now would be a good time to set the ice cream cones in to the muffin/cupcake pan. I'll wait until you are done to go on....

.....

...are we good? Awesome! Let's continue! Now it's time to fill those cones, until ALMOST full. Then CAREFULLY place them in the oven for about 30 minutes. Check doneness with a tooth pick.

While they are baking I like to make my frosting. To do that, make sure your non dairy butter has come to room temperature so it's softer and thus easier to work with. Add that and the honey to a mixing bowl and cream together. Next add the powedered sugar to the mix. Here is where I ran in to a small problem, I didn't have enough powdered sugar!! So I scowered teh interwebz in search for a substitution...lo and behold I came across a baking forum that says you can use corn starch to help thicken up your frosting...and it says it won't add any flavor to it and will lessen the sugary sweetness. Of course I tried it and was scared to do so, but it does work! Make sure to add your non dairy milk and as needed for consistency and there ya go!

So by this time you should have your cupcakes out and cooled or cooling. It is imparitive you let them completely cool or your frosting melts. Are they cool? Great! Frost those babies up! I used a piping bag but feel free to use whatever you want. Set them aside because now we are going to melt chocolate!!

 

It is best to use a double boiler if you have one, if not you can fake it by bringing a pan of water to a simmer and setting a smaller pan on top. Add your chocolate chips and a little canola oil to make it creamier. Stir and stir and stir, you do not want to burn your chocolate!! Once that is done, there are many ways you can drizzle chocolate. I chose a nifty little bottle that resembles an old time ketchup bottle from a burger joint. I think I enjoyed drizzling a little too much because I then got out a baking sheet and lined it with wax paper and drizzled little chocolate designs on to it. Then I put it in the fridge for about 2 hours (the freezer is preferred but ours was too full!!). After they harden, carefully peel them off and stick them on top of your cupcakes. Now this part is IMPORTANT! Put the cupcakes in the fridge or your neat little chocolate pieces will melt...I speak from expirience. Oops. Oh well, still tasty. 

And that's it! Your kids will love this and you will love how healthy they are!! 

-Recipe- Pistachio Crusted Salmon with Strawberry Balsamic Glaze over Orzo Summer Salad

What's this two recipes this month? And back to back? Yes...this recipe was too good not to share this month as well! Now my picture of the final product does the food no good. It is delicious! I was pleasantly surprised with it. Well enough of my rambling, here we go!

Ingredients are as follows:
For the Salad:

• 1 cup dry orzo
• 1 cup chopped strawberries
• 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped (peeling is optional)
• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup diced red onions
• 1 avocado, peeled and diced
• ¼ Tsp sea salt 

For the Salmon:

• ¾ cup strawberries, chopped
• 1 cup balsamic
• 1 tbs honey
• ½ cup shelled pistachios
• ¼ cup bread crumbs
• 3 tbs olive oil
• 4 salmon fillets 

Okay, here is the hardest part. If you are unable to find pistachios already shelled, you will have to do it by hand. Just try not to eat them all ;)

Next, cook the Orzo as per package instructions. Drain and allow to cool to room temperature. Once optimal coolness has been achieved toss with remaining salad ingredients. Then set aside.

In a food processor or blender, add the strawberries and balsamic vinegar. Blend until smooth. Then add to a sauce pan. Add the honey and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer. Stir frequently until reduced and thicker, approximately 15 minutes.

Next, add the pistachios to the food processor, of course make sure you washed it first! Pulse until the texture of bread crumbs, speaking of, add the bread crumbs and pulse lightly to mix together. Place in a small bowl.

Take a nice sized skillet and add oil. Heat pan over a medium/high heat. Any higher and you risk burning the salmon. Put the salmon in the pistachio mixture and coat both sides, or if your salmon still has the skin, coat the non skin side only. Place in pan pistachio side down and cook until golden brown. Flip and finish cooking until the salmon is done.

Place salad on a plate, top with a piece of salmon and drizzle the balsamic glaze over and enjoy! Serves 4.