Easy Solution for Left Over Oatmeal

Here's a recipe (sort of) for those of you who have also been plagued with the question of what to do with that left over oatmeal. Since Oatmeal is such a common breakfast for my children and I during these cold and rainy Winter mornings I came up with a yummy treat that uses up that oatmeal that's left in the pot.

You'll need:

Cooked Oatmeal (I used about 4 cups worth for this recipe. I make extra now that I've come up with this treat, but you can save whatever you have left over a couple of days and plop it all in a bowl when it comes time to mix your ingredients)

Apple, Pealed and Finely Chopped (you can use a whole apple or just improvise by using the left over apple slices your kids didn't eat, that's what I did :-)

Raisins and/or Currants (I used a bit of both. And just add as many as you'd like. The more the better, in my opinion!)

Sweetener (I like to use a bit of honey or maple syrup. But, not much is needed since the raisins and apples add sweetness)

Cinnamon (I used about a tablespoon full)

An Appropriately Sized Glass Baking Dish (Buttered)

Heat your oven to 350. Mix all ingredients and spread into the baking dish. You may wish to add a few small dollops of butter to the top to help it crisp up a bit. Bake, uncovered, for about an hour (maybe more, maybe less depending on the thickness of your mixture) You'll know it's done when it looks pretty dry on top and feels firm to the touch. I like to serve it warm, right out of the oven, but I'm sure it will keep well in the refrigerator for a few days.


If anyone decides to give this a try I'd love to hear comments on how it comes out! And, let me know if you come up with any variations, I'd love some ideas for what else I could add!

Transforming a Wardrobe part 1

I'm a believer that most of us, as humans are a work-in-progress. Everyone's at their own level, on their own path.
Well, I definitely consider myself one, in many ways.

One being my choice of dress.

I don't see clothing so much as 'fashion' and what's 'in style', at leatst not for me. I see clothing as something that takes part in who a person is, or maybe even help them become who they want to be.

Okay, so maybe it's not that deep, but I have this ideal picture in my mind of who I am, or who I am becoming, and she sure doesn't wear the uninspired, boring, mass produced attire I happen to be wearing most days. Here's an example:


I want to wear clothing that means something. Made by myself or other hand crafters. Functional, beautiful clothing. Is that so much to ask?

I'll share some inspiration and ideas now

I've had my eye on this skirt for months. It is made my etsy seller New Extrave. And, it's just about perfect, made of natural fabric, beautiful and functional. This may just be my first purchase toward my new wardrobe.













This top is pretty great too. Made by another Etsy shop that's a favorite of mine, Gaia Conceptions. I love most everything in her shop. The clothing is simple, beautiful, and made using eco-friendly and organic fabrics.

I'll be adding new posts soon, with pictures of the items I've added to my new wardrobe. I have some big plans for things I'll make myself as well as items I plan to buy from others.

I think in the end I want the things I wear on the outside to convey who I am on the inside...maybe that's it, I guess my clothes already do that, just not in the way I want...I'm in transition, and it shows!

A Fairy Garden

I'll definitely have to call these the 'Before' pictures, since this little garden looks a bit drab. But, before this it was a tangled mess of Maiden Hair fern and decoposing leaves.

I've tamed the fern and removed the leaves in hopes of adding some beauty to the space, and to attract a few butterflies and bees to our yard. And, if a fairy or two would choose to grace us with her presense then all the better.
Though, if these etheric beings truely do exist I'm affraid they wouldn't enjoy spending time near freeways (which is what's on the other side of that giant gray wall) But, I wont give up hope.

In the Spring the Maiden Hair will spread over the arch along with the Passion Flower vine (if she makes it, she's a tiny vine right now) The chamomile, that was planted just this morning, will bloom and fill the air with her calming scent. The miniature rose bushes will bloom with their pink blossoms. And, the velvety pansies, that my sweet Shepard (he's pictured with the garden) picked out from the garden shop for me, will grow and add their delicate beauty to my little garden.

Yes, I have quite high hopes in fact for this humble little garden.

I'll be sure to add the 'After' pictures when this space grows a bit.
And, if a fairy is spotted among the blooms I'll add that too.

Apronology

I am pleased to announce that one of my creations has been featured in the wonderfully imaginative Apronology publication. It's filled to the brim with whimsical aprons for any occasion.

Here's a peak at the apron I made for the magazine:

I had a wonderful time designing and constructing this apron.

If you'd like to learn to make an apron just like this one check out Apronology for yourself!

Patterns Patterns Patterns

For years I've been making lots of cute fruits and veggies. they're so fun to make and fun for little ones to play with.


I finally took my scribbled notes and turned them into official patterns.
I'm adding new ones to my shop everyday, and have more ideas up my sleeve of patterns to create.

Xavier's Homebirth

This is a little late I know, since my baby is now just over 1 year old. But, everybody loves a good birth story, right!
So here's mine (my most recent that is):

and just for fun, here's my favorite pregnancy photo
Shepard and I are both showing off our bellies

I started having mild contractions early in the day on Oct.2. They were really sporadic and didn't last long, but I was still excited and had the feeling my little one would be coming soon!

Around 7 or 8pm my husband and I took our older son to my mom's to stay the night there since I was starting to have stronger contractions and knew it would be that night.

I sat around waiting for things to get stronger for a couple hours (drank my super strong raspberry leaf tea. It tasted horrible, but I managed to swallow about a cup and a half)

Around 11 or 11:30 I decided to get into the birth pool 'cause I was bored and wanted labor to start. And, that it did! The contractions started getting stronger and closer together right away, and kept progressing. I had David time them when I was really feeling things happening, and they were 5 minutes apart, so I told him to call my midwife. He did, and she was on her way.

here I am about an hour before he was born. Can you believe I'm still smiling!?

Right before my midwife got there I started feeling like my body needed to push. So I did. I was so surprised at how fast it was all happening! When she got there she talked me through the contractions, 2 I think. Then, when she was in my kitchen getting supplies ready I felt his head coming down. I told David, who was sitting beside the birth pool, holding my hand. And, with a look of shock he yelled to her.

Even with how intense I appeared David still thought I was kind of exaggerating, since I was pushing for a couple hours with our first son. But not this time!
So, I pushed my tiny guy out and my midwife placed him on my chest.

Here we are right after he was born

My sweet Xavier was born at 1:08am, and I actually got some sleep that night!

This was an awesome birth experience. I was in active labor for only about 2 hours.

And, I have to mention that I attribute much of the ease of this birth with the herbs I used during pregnancy, labor and after the baby was born. I drank lots of raspberry leaf/nettle tea during the last 3 months of my pregnancy, during labor, and after. And used Blue and Black Cohosh the day that I went into labor (one is known to soften the cervix, the other is known to begin labor, and that they did!)

Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun Weed, was the book that really helped me.