Cereal Yummy???

I'm not a huge fan of cereal... but my kids are. So when I came across this book, Cereal Lover's Cookbook , at Half Price Books, I decided I needed to give it a try. Plus, the kids are really into helping out in the kitchen right now. I flipped through the book and found a recipe that had ingredients that I already had - lucky for us, it was a cookie recipe!

I have to tell you, I was surprised at how yummy they came out! I did substitute chocolate chips for white chocolate chips because that was all I had. My husband and I agree, that this recipe will be repeated. They are addictive!

I look forward to trying the muffin on the front - it uses Captain Crunch. I never buy Captain Crunch because I don't care for it... but my husband loves it. So, I might have to spring for a box. The book also includes some yummy looking recipes for fish that also include Captain Crunch and our family loves their fish!

Lyssie with flour on her even before we started. She put herself in charge of the white chocolate chips.

Our cookies and milk. The first batch was a little brown around the edges - but it turned out to be the chocolate chips melted and caramelized... which was even yummier! I did have trouble when I was dropping the cookies on the cookie sheet as the ratio of chips to batter seemed a bit high... but I wouldn't change a thing!

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Looking back

Last year, I didn't exactly make New Years Resolutions - I just decided that I'd "attempt to try" a few things. I thought I should probably revisit that list to see how I did.

#1 was blog more. Check - I think I've done a pretty decent job of blogging more. Granted I have my leaner blog moments... but on average - I give myself a pat on the back.

#2 was be organized. Ugh, I failed miserably in this arena as I'm trying to gather receipts and such for taxes. This little "attempt to try" needs to be carried over into the New Year. This is my year for organization!

#3 was be every where. Again, I did a decent job of this. Not only did I do numerous craft fairs, but I've also been networking through my EtsyRAIN group and I've joined many online communities including Facebook and Twitter.

#4 was about doing wholesale. Check again! I did a few wholesale accounts... enough to know that at this stage in my small business life, it's not really for me. I have a few select accounts that I'm willing to work with... but I'm happy on my own.

and finally #5 was all about balance. This is a work in progress. Some days are better than others. I'll be carrying this one over to 2009 as well.

I'm fairly proud of myself. I think I did decently. I'm not going to be making any new "resolutions" right now as I'm still in limbo with the CPSIA. Perhaps mid year I can do another
attempt to try" list.

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Where does it leave people like me?

I love to make things for children. I had a great childhood... and it didn't consist of all mass produced toys - don't get me wrong, I had my fair share. But my favorite childhood memories are from the times when I used my imagination. Like when I went camping with my friends on our front lawn using our extra large tinker toys in ways they were never intended. Or when my friends and I would put on productions with the large number of dress-up clothes my mom had gathered. Or even the time when I made a horse from the fold up cushion and a few other things I found around my room.

When I first started sewing and selling things through World of Whimm... this was my intent. To make things that would spark the imagination of kids. Not full costumes, just accessories that would give their imagination a little boost. Toys that would get their wheels turning - bright, colorful items with various textures.

I'm currently working on getting all my stock listed in the shop to try to clear some of it out before February 10th. It's a looming deadline for many of us who make handmade items - especially those geared toward kids. It could potentially close my business that I've worked very hard to get off the ground.

I haven't talked about it much on the blog because I feel that I haven't read enough to speak knowledgeably on the topic. But the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act CPSIA (see the links to the left) is real and it is wide reaching. I am sure that it will effect everyone in one form or another. Keeping our kids safe should be a priority - but I don't agree with this new legislation that Bush has passed.

Please follow the links to the left and help us save handmade toys. I was reading a blog last night and I think she summed it up best by saying that "it feels like the sky is falling". I find myself sad when I think about the future of my small business. Everyday it comes up when I am faced with the decision to stop making things or to continue and hope for the best.

So, for now, check out my shops regularly as I'll be listing like crazy. I currently have the World of Whimm shop open and the On A Whimm shop. I'm working on getting NueToMe up and running - probably by next week.

** Amended: As a reader has pointed out, this new legislation affects more than just toys. It is my limited understanding that it includes any product that is geared toward or perceived as an item for a child 12 and under. I try to shy away from topics on my blog that bring controversy mainly because it is impossible to cover all points, both sides and personal opinions. However, I do feel it is important to bring awareness to the topic and hope that you will support the efforts in saving our small businesses. Please check out this site for more information: http://www.fashion-incubator.com/

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Bento #5

Another stab at a Bento lunch for the kids! I had to go out and buy a few different size Bento boxes as I was finding it difficult to get some things to fit into the same little box every time. Darn - a shopping trip to Daiso!

Muffin Tins and Bento Lunches seem to bring the kids back to some sort of routine - so I'm trying to do them regularly as I think they like the comfort of them. This one used the cute little dino sandwich cutter (I found mine at Walmart)- only problem is the breads we eat are a bit squattier and wider. I made it work though and I like that it gives me a sandwich for each box. I need to figure out more sandwich types that they'll eat. Perhaps the kids and I will experiment together. I seem to have a better chance of getting them to eat it if I can make it seem like it was their idea.

So, here are the contents (sorry Blogger turned the picture again - Ugh!):

• Sweet Potato Fries (these are left overs from The Blazing Onion... yum!)
• Dinosaur jelly sandwich - he's on top of a bed of lettuce
• mixed nuts
• String cheese stumps
• Chicken strips cut into chunks (again, these were left overs from The Blazing Onion)

Lyssie ate everything except the chicken (they were her left overs and I have a feeling she has a general rule not to eat her left overs). Robbie ate everything but the lettuce. I guess you can't ask for much more than that!

I am anxious to make more adventurous and interesting lunches. But, I guess there is nothing wrong with starting out simple.

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Happy New Year!

Every year, the kids each get a new stocking made by their grandma. I use the previous years stockings for decorations and their new ones are hung above the fireplace.

Each stocking has little reminders of what made the year special for each kid. This year, the stockings were extra fancy. As you can see in the photo, Mario has prime placement on their stocking as the kids just can't seem to get enough of Mario Cart... or Robbie can't and Lyssie is forced to play along. Lyssie's stocking also includes a few cooking references for her love of pretend cooking, dinosaurs... because she loves them too and lots of fairies among other things. Robbie's has dinosaurs, plenty of animals and sushi among his many other interests.

I can't wait to see what this New Year will bring in their development, interests and phases :)

I hope everyone had a safe New Years eve and I hope this New Year brings good health - good fortune - and many blessings.

Happy New Year!

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