something yummy

Day one of this domestic goddess job has been pretty good.  I haven't accomplish all the stuff I wanted to, but that’s why there is tomorrow.  Right?  So my main goal for the day was to make something yummy for my hubby to take to work for his mid-shift meal.  I haven’t gone to the grocery store recently, so I’m dealing with what I have on hand…eggs + heavy cream + cheese + sundried tomatoes + pie crust = quiche.  I love making quiche.  The basic recipe I use is from “Broccoli Tree Forest” by Molly Katzen.  But I didn’t need to make a whole big quiche for one person.  I have these super cute little quiche dishes, so that’s what I used. 

Here is what I did:

Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Put the pre-made pie crust into the bottom of a buttered quiche dish and tore off the excess (there was a lot leftover, just wad it up and put it in the fridge for another project).  Grate some cheese into the bottom of the crust.  Add a few sundried tomatoes. 

In a separate bowl beat one egg fairly well, like you would for scrambled eggs.  Add 1/3 cup heavy cream.  Stir it well, but don’t beat it because it can make the heavy cream get too thick.  This is the custard.  Pour the custard over the cheese and sundried tomatoes.  Dust the top with paprika.  Bake at 400 F for about 20 minutes.  Check it by wiggling it a bit if it jiggles like Jello and has puffed up, it’s done.  If it sloshes like water and hasn’t puffed, it isn’t done.  Cook it for 5 more minutes and then check it again (repeat until it is done).

Then I thought since I had the oven on wouldn’t it be nice to have some sweet potato fries. I have my version of Sweet potato fries that I’ve been making for a long time, (sweet potatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, sage and olive oil).  The only problem was that I had a serious lack of sweet potatoes.  I had a butternut squash, so I adapted the recipe.  I added onions too, because I had a one that was starting to look a little sad.

Here is what I did:

Peel the butternut squash and cut it into similar length and width slices.  Slice ½ an onion, don’t dice it because it will just burn.  Slice 6-7 cloves of garlic into chunks.  Put all of these things into a large bowl.  Pour a generous amount of olive oil over the top.  Add salt, pepper and dried sage to taste.  Mix until everything is nicely coated with olive oil and the sage is evenly distributed.  Put in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Bake at 400 F for 20-30  minutes.  Stir them ½ way through the cooking time.  They are done when soft and yummy.

So mission accomplished make something yummy… 

Tomorrow, well my domicile needs some attention.  We have nice hard water so I am going to experiment with getting rid of the stains it leaves behind.

So I’ve been silent here for a quite a while.  I’ve been working through something that took all my time and attention.  Now I have dropped everything but waiting from my life.  I am now a domestic goddess.  I am no longer working and am now free to do all the fun stuff I want to do, at least until I am finished waiting.  Like a duck on its eggs, I am waiting to be matched with a birthparent, and receive my first child. 

Maybe I should back up and explain.  My dear husband and I discovered a while ago that we would not be able to have our own children.  So we made the decision to adopt.  After a lot of work, and mental energy we have finally made it to the waiting pool.  In the waiting pool, that is literally what we are doing, waiting…waiting…waiting.  We are waiting to be matched with a birthparent.  We are doing a domestic, open adoption, so it isn’t a first come first serve type of thing.  It’s a little like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Part of our plan all along has been that when we have children I will be a full time mother.  My contract at work expired, and I chose not to renew.  So, now I am doing the housewife thing, with the hope that promotion to mom will come sooner than later.  In the mean time I plan to make the most of my free time…I am planning to post my doings here for other people to enjoy…starting tomorrow J

Babushka Doll Pencil Holders

I had this idea a long time ago.  It is another way to use your empty tin cans.  I've always thought little babushka dolls were very cute.  I've seen a lot of different ideas for babushka dolls.  I was originally going to make little felt brooches, but then I was also thinking about how I could use all those cans from making Santa Fe Soup.  So this is what I came up with :)  I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did!

Materials:

Babushka Doll Pattern (I got my pattern from here.*)

Materials

Felt in several colors (I used pink, red, green, purple dark blue and light blue)

Embroidery floss in a variety of colors

Needle

Small embellishments (like little rosettes, bows, beads); optional

Scissors

Tin cans in 3 different sizes

Hot glue gun & Glue

Craft Glue

Markers (definitely one for tracing onto the felt, other colors are optional)

Tape measure (a dressmaker’s tape measure not a construction measuring tape)

Square ruler

pliers

*I copy and pasted the image into a word document.  I resized the image to what I wanted and printed it.  Then I cut out the three largest, traced them onto thin cardboard (a cereal box is ideal) and used them as my template.  I made templates of the head scarves and faces as well.  I made the faces a bit larger than the opening in the scarf because I am going to layer it between the body and the scarf.  I also made the hole for the face in the scarf a tiny bit smaller than I wanted, because when you cut it out of the felt you will cut on the outside of your tracing line making the hole bigger.

Instructions:

Step 2

Step 7-a

Step 4

Step 7-b

Step 8-a

Step 8-b

1.      Using the Babushka doll templates, trace the parts for the babushka dolls.  I made all of their scarves red, their faces pink and then the largest I made have a purple body, the middle one a green body and the smallest one a dark blue body. 
2.       It is easier to sew the faces onto the pink circles before you cut them out.  I made little blue French knots for eyes, little red lazy daisy hearts for the mouth and did small stem stitch noses in black.  If you want you can use a pink marker and make little rosy cheeks.  If you aren’t comfortable making French knots, you can use beads for the eyes.
3.       Cut out the parts, be sure to cut just inside the lines.  To cut the face holes in the scarf pieces cut just outside the lines.  When you are finished you shouldn’t have any evidence of your traced lines.
4.       Attach the pieces together with craft glue.  Using a blanket stitch go around the face and the bottom of the scarf.  Use some decorative stitches to embellish the scarf and body.  If you would like you can add beads or rosettes to add further touches.
5.       Set your babushkas aside.  Make sure your tin cans are clean and free of their labels.  Use pliers to squish down the burr of metal left from detaching the lid.  Measure the height of your cans and add ½ inch.  Measure around the cans and add ¼ - ½ inch.
6.       Use your measurements to draw rectangles on your felt (or you can map it out on paper and then use that as a pattern).  You can make them all the same color or vary the colors.  Use a square to make sure the corners are square.  Measure the diagonals to ensure they measure the same.  Cut the rectangles out just on the inside of the lines.  Embellish the rectangles or leave them plain.
7.       To attach the rectangles to the cans, lay the cans on the end of their respective felt rectangle a little off center with more over hang at the opening end (see picture).  Lightly mark where the can will lie.  Put a bead of glue between the marks you made and attach the can to it.  Put a bead of glue on the edge of the felt glued to the can.  Bring the felt rectangle around the can and attach it to the glue (see picture).  The felt should overlap a little bit creating a seam.
8.       “Kerf” cut the two ends of felt over hang (see picture).  Apply a little hot glue to the ends of two or three kerfs and fold them down.  This just provides a finished look and protects you from any remaining sharp bits on the inside edge of the can.
9.       Attach your Babushkas to the side opposite the seam side with hot glue or craft glue.  Line up your cans larges to smallest.  Use them to store your pens, pencils, scissors or paint brushes, pins, paper clips or whatever you want.

"Firefly" Jar

Alright so the Costco sized jar of olives are gone, the super yummy Adams peanut butter jar is empty, the large jar of Veganaise is gone.  You've dutifully cleaned the jars out and are about to recycle them, but what if you could do something much more fun with them? Like, say . . . maybe . . . firefly jars?

I made these originally to help decorate my desk at work for the holiday season.  We were having a decorate your space contest at work.  The theme was "recycle, reduce reuse"  So I had these three sizable jars I was going to recycle, but then I had a brain spark.  I would make firefly jars.

Here are the instructions using a lovely glass container I got from Ross.

Materials:
Nice sized glass jars 1 quart size or more (as many as you want to make)
Mod Podge or other clear drying glue
Tissue paper
Paint brush (plastic bristles are preferable)
Scissors (optional)
A string of indoor Christmas lights




Instructions:

1. Make sure your jars are clean and dry.  Tear the tissue paper into smaller pieces, or if you prefer you can cut it into squares or any other shape you want.  The one in the pictures is Valentine themed.  So I cut some hearts out of the solid color and tore pieces of the designed paper.
2. Using your paint brush to paint a thin layer of Mod Podge in a small area of the jar and begin sticking the pieces of tissue paper to the area painting a small amount of Mod Podge over the top of each piece.  Continue in this fashion until the jar is covered.  For my example, I attached the solid color hearts in a few places first, then started covering the jar with the torn pieces of tissue paper.  
3. Be sure to clean your brush thoroughly immediately after you are finished covering your jar(s).  Let your jar(s) dry overnight.  
4. Gently stuff the lights into the jars, don't force the entire string of lights into one jar (unless it is gallon sized or more) as that could be dangerous.  The lights should fit loosely  inside the jar.  Plug in the lights and enjoy :)

Linus the cat approves of this craft :). 

Tomorrow I will post a picture of the ones I have on my desk at work.

Good night all

jnd

Ideas

Today I was going to post instructions for a "Firefly" Jar.  But I couldn't get it together after having been present for a traumatic moment in someone else's life I was a little too shell shocked to be useful in any way.  I wasn't going to post anything at all.  But now I can't sleep, because of said trauma, so I am enjoying one of my favorite past times, surfing the internet for ideas :)  Following are some links to other people stuff that give me inspiration for my own projects.  And tomorrow I will post the instructions for a "firefly" jar.

Box fold felt flower headband
DIY Mother's Day Corsage: Felt Mum
http://www.theartzoo.com/felt-flowers-headband/
Felt roses from Babylock
Felt Christmas Ornament
Oversized owl bag tutorial

Well I guess that is enough for now...

Good night everyone.

jnd

Nativity Fast Wreath

When I was a kid during Advent we lit a candle in our advent wreath every Saturday evening with a reading from the Scriptures.  We did this to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Starting on the first day of December.  Advent lasted 25 days.  We lit 3 purple candles and one pink candle then on Christmas we would light a red "Christ" candle.

At the time we were Episcopalian.  Now I am Orthodox we fast* for 40 days before Nativity (aka Christmas).  I am on the "old calendar" which means that we follow the Julian calendar of days.  The Nativity fast begins on November 28 and ends on Nativity (January 7).  My husband and I have been talking about what traditions we want to have with our children.  I always felt happy and safe when we had our advent wreath.

Obviously the Nativity fast is longer than Advent, so I have adapted it a little to accommodate for two more more weeks in the fast.  I figure we can light a candle with the reading for the day on the first day of the fast and then every Saturday night after that.  (that gives us 6 candles) and then on Nativity we can light a red pillar candle for our Christ Candle.  When I was a kid the Christ candle burned all day.  So I think we will do the same.

* When we fast in the Orthodox Church we refrain from eating most animal products (meaning meat, dairy, eggs, fish).

Here are the instructions for the Wreath I made. :)

Materials:
A Wreath Base (I got mine at Michaels)
A Long Evergreen Garland
Different floral picks that are holiday themed
Berry garland
1" Miniature clay pots
scissors
wire cutters
hot glue gun (and glue sticks)
wire (if needed)

 Instructions:
1.  Wrap the evergreen garland around the Wreath base.  If necessary you can secure it with a piece of wire.

2. Wrap the berry garland around the wreath.  Again if necessary secure it with a piece of wire.

3.  Push the leaves up around the pine cones on two of the floral picks.  Then do the same thing on two picks that have golden berries.
 
4.  Use the wire cutters to cut them down.  I cut two other picks down.

5.Push the prepared picks into the wreath in a nice pattern.

6. Using the hot glue gun attach the miniature clay pots spaced as evenly.

When you put the candles in you may have to wrap the bottoms of them to make them stand up (depending on how fat your tapers and up being.)


I think I will do 5 purple candles and one pink.  When I was a kid we would have hot chocolate and eggnog while we listened to my dad read the scripture.  We all had our own special mugs.

What are some other Christmas traditions?  Please comment with your traditions.  Happy Nativity!  Or Theophany or Epiphany what ever you celebrate tomorrow :)

jnd

Tin Can Luminaries!

I love Luminaries.  I think they are beautiful and kind of ethereal.  I have a vivid memory of walking up a side walk in a neighborhood lined with paper bag luminaries.  I think we were caroling or something because I also remember singing but I was fascinated by the bags that were holding fire within them.  I knew the bags to be flammable and thought it was very impressive that they could hold the fire.

I have since figured out the magic of those paper bags and I will post that later.  Today I am posting some instructions on making Tin Can Luminaries (as promised).  I took a lot of pictures of the process because I am not sure how good my explaining skills will very good tonight.  Sorry if the pictures are out of order because I am still getting the hang of this program.

Materials:
Tin can(s) full of ice.  If you are doing several cans leave them in the freezer until you are ready to make it.
Empty cereal box opened up
Permanent Marker
A nice thick dish towel
Nails of several sizes
Hammer
Double stick tape
Stenicils (if desired)
Armature wire (if desired)
Felt
Tacky glue
Ribbon
Needle

Step 1

 Instructions:

1. Trace around the bottom of your can on the cereal box.  Cut out the circle on the outside of the line.  Set it aside.
2. Take your first can out of the freezer.  It's helpful to have a jar or something to put chipped out ice in.  It is easiest to work on your lap.  Lay the towel over your legs and place the can in the crevice that is formed.  It helps keep the can in place as you work.  Decide what stencil you want to use and stick it to your can.
3. a.  Using your permanent marker trace your stencil as many times as you want around the can.  b. If you are going to put a handle on the luminary decide which direction you want it to face and then mark the sides with a large dot.

4. 

   Step 2

   Pick a nail to begin with (each size nail produces a different size hole.  Obviously the larger the nail the larger the hole.  hold the nail firmly between your fingers.  put the tip of the nail against the can and use the hammer to hit the nail on the head (ha ha).  Obviously you want to hit the nail hard enough to poke a hole in the can.  Follow your lines punching holes in the can.  Use your artistic licence to decide how big of holes to use along the way.
5. Now let's get back to the cardboard circle we cut out earlier.  Trace it around it onto two colors of felt (or just one color you decide) and cut a short length of ribbon.  Let's make a lid :)
6. Glue one of the circles of felt to the cardboard.  Thread the ribbon onto the needle and knot one end.  Push the need through the cardboard side a little off center. pull through and then push it back down the other side about 1/2 an inch away (toward the center) so it makes a little handle.  Knot it off.
7. Glue the other circle of felt to the cardboard circle (obviously on the side that isn't already covered in felt).  If you want you can cut a little bit smaller circle to provide a little bit of a slide block.
8. Let the ice melt and turn the can upside down overnight to let it dry out.
9. If you would like to put a handle on, cut a 6-8 inch length of armature wire.  Thread each end into the holes you poked in step 3b.  Fold the end of the wire up to form a hook. 
10. Last but not least put a glow stick or LED light into your luminary and enjoy!  Be careful putting things in there because there are some sharp edges. Use the lid we made to cover the top so the light can only  come through the holes :)

Step 4

Step 3a

Step 3b

Step 5 - 7

Step 5 - 7

Finished product.

I hope you all enjoy making these.  Good night!

jnd

Santa Fe Soup

Fastable food can sometimes be difficult come up with at the end of the day.  A few years ago my mom gave me a recipe for Santa Fe Soup.  I love this recipe for two reasons.  It's super easy & adaptable and it gives you some supplies for two different projects :)

Ingredients: 

1 can garbanzo beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 can Cannelloni beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can rot-tel (Mexican) tomatoes with jalapenos

1-2 palm fulls of chili powder OR 1 can enchilada sauce

Open all the cans and dump them (juice and all) into your crock pot.  Put it on low and go about your day for the next 8 hours.  Or you can put it on high and go about your day for the next 4-5 hours.  

You can serve it over tortilla chips or rice.  to add some more flavor you can add some ground beef (or during the fast smart ground) and top it with cheese and sour cream.

So now what do you do with the cans?  Carefully wash the cans out and remove the labels.  You can use some pliers to squish down that little tab of metal from where the lid was hanging on.  fill some of the cans about 1/4 full and put them in the freezer for a few hours then fill it the rest of the way and let it freeze solid.  Doing it this way helps prevent bottom blowout.

Why are we doing this?  Because tomorrow we will make Tin Can Luminaries!!

Have a good night :)

jnd