Back in the kitchen

Cooking for Thanksgiving has reminded me how much I enjoy cooking. The key for me is to be in the kitchen when my back isn't killing me. These days, those moments are few and far between. But I've been buying stuff at the store that I wouldn't normally to try, to motivate myself to get in the kitchen and do a little more cooking.

Robbie seems to be enjoying the benefits of this. I made him a special apple sauce for his ham that he enjoyed on Thanksgiving. It really was for him because Lyssie can't have apples... although my husband enjoyed it was well.

I'm not a huge apple sauce fan - but I have to admit... this stuff was good. I'd love to give you the recipe... but I'm horrible at following recipes and so I make it up as I go along. I can tell you that I used three apples (not sure what kind, I think they may have been Gala), some cinnamon and a small amount of brown sugar - although I don't think it needed it... it was plenty sweet.

I think Robbie and I will try making some more - I'll see if maybe he has ideas for varying the "recipe". It seems like a fun, easy and inexpensive way of experimenting.

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Bento #4

It's been a while since my last Bento attempt and the kids have been anxiously awaiting another one. So here it is! I think I'm at least getting a little more creative as the first thing that Lyssie said when she opened hers was "Autotopus!"

Contents: corn, crackers and pepperoni; rice ball, tofu, hotdog octopus ontop of steam veggies (carrots, peas and broccoli).

Lyssie ate the octopus, a little tofu, some pepperoni, a few carrots, the crackers and some corn. I felt victorious. Robbe ate everything except for about a quarter of the corn.

I really wish I kept more fruits on hand - but with Lyssie not able to eat them... they often go to waste before they are used. I feel bad giving Robbie fruit and Lyssie none. I do give her the banana occasionally while he enjoys fruit... but she gets tired of it really quickly. These bento boxes would be much easier to make colorful if I could just add some fruit.

I did find some small containers with lids though that will fit into the boxes. I'm hoping that I can use these for jello or pudding for a little extra treat. We'll have to wait to see how that works out.

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Black Friday is here!

So, check out these stores that have sales today and most through the weekend...

http://www.lovemeknotcreations.etsy.com
http://www.sucree.etsy.com
http://www.glasselements.etsy.com
http://www.nuetome.etsy.com
http://www.worldofwhimm.etsy.com
http://www.gbaneyx.etsy.com
http://www.hautegoat.etsy.com
http://www.artbynorm.etsy.com
http://www.wiretree.etsy.com
http://www.scarywhitegirl.etsy.com
http://www.countingstars.etsy.com
http://www.juliajae.etsy.com
http://www.starkhorizons.etsy.com
http://www.sewcherie.etsy.com
http://www.AbiznessDigital.etsy.com
http://www.pepopark.etsy.com
http://www.DandylionEggs.etsy.com

Happy Shopping!

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Happy Turkey Day!

Yesterday, Robbie came home off the bus in this adorable little turkey hat - it was fun and cute and a nice beginning to our Thanksgiving weekend.

This little hat inspired me to finish up the embroidery on our table cloth so that we could bring it out this year. I admit, I've been terrible with this tradition. I sometimes put it away after a holiday and save the embroidery for later. Procrastinating is a horrible thing - because then when I think of using it, I often pass because I know that to use it, I need to finish it.

This tradition was started by my grandmother. She has a table cloth (actually, I think it's about four of them now - all stitched together) that she would put out every Thanksgiving (other occasions as well) and allow people to record their memories, their names and dates, or whatever they wanted. Then she would embroider them for a permanent record. I always loved the idea and I can't tell you how many intricate drawings I did. Of course, I wasn't thinking of the work that it involved on her part - but I love to look back at what I was drawing each Thanksgiving. Oh her table cloth Atari is present, Scrabble comese up frequently and lots of hand turkeys. I love just sitting at the table and reading the hundreds of signatures through the years.

But then, I moved to Washington and I was no longer around the table cloth and this fun tradition. We had my son and I decided that this was one tradition that I wanted him to experience. So, I started my own. And even though I don't bring it out a lot, there are still many on there and it's fun to look back. Our first one was my son's hand print on his first Thanksgiving.

So, happy Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to enjoying the time with my family (even if we are all sick) and sharing new and old traditions with my kids. Another year where I have so much to be thankful. Everyday I count my blessings.

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It's Coming! Black Friday!

The day after Thanksgiving has become known as Black Friday - the day that stores get out of the red and into the black. To celebrate this day, I'll be staying home and offering sales from the comfort of my own home. And you can take advantage of my sales as well as many others from the comfort of your own home as well! Check out the EtsyRAIN blog for stores offering sales this weekend. There is also a list in the EtsyRAIN shop.

At NueToMe, I'll be offering all my Recycled Tshirt Dresses at 30% off regular price! I'll be changing the listing price tonight, but if you can't wait, just email me and I'll change it for you. Also, if you are looking for a specific size and don't see it in the shop, let me know and I'll check my inventory.

In the World of Whimm shop, I'll be offering all quilts, bibs and burp rags at 20% off! Again, these prices will be changed tonight. I also have others that aren't listed - so if you are looking for something specific, let me know and I'll check my inventory.

And while it's still being debated - I plan on closing my shops on December 6th until the first of the year. So, time is running out!

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