Craft: Hand Warmers

I made these years ago but I guess I had forgotten about them until Pinterest reminded me. (See? Joining another social network has in fact been good for me. Just wait until you see my next post about the sweater I made today.)

These hand warmers are are so simple anyone can make them (even if you don't have a sewing machine) and so handy everyone in the house will want their own. They only take about 20 minutes to make (10 if you're skilled with a sewing machine) and they can be given as gifts and used over and over.

Necessities:
A piece of soft Fabric (cotton is my favorite)
Thread
A needle
Rice

Directions:
Cut a rectangle of fabric about 3 inches by 6 inches. Fold in half so the pattern is on the inside. Stitch together leaving half of one side open. (If you're using a machine be sure to backstitch on both ends so you don't lose your seam.)

Using a long post it note, create a funnel. Fill bags 3/4 full of rice and hand stitch the opening closed. Microwave for 15 seconds and enjoy the warmth.

My husband likes to put these on the back of his neck after a long day at work. I like to curl up with them on the couch or take them with me in the cold car.

Happy Crafting!

Tiny Jerseys

We usually get my husbands cousin and uncle a bottle of Makers Mark each for Christmas - being from Kentucky and all... But this year their bottles had a little flair - tiny UK jerseys that I sewed and Reeve ironed the letters onto. What do you think?

Pinterested...

I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I would share some of my resolutions. My biggest resolution is to pay off a large portion of our student loans. Another one is to blog more. Another is to read more of the #1 New York Times best sellers. And another is to craft more.

I know I have the ability and creativity to craft more but sometimes crafting needs a little nudge. This is where Pinterest comes in. I'm not a member yet (so if you are and want to send an invite to Samantha@theclutteredtable.com it would be very appreciated!) but I love the crafting community on Pinterest. I love the idea of using old affordable things to make new, attractive things. For example, turning a pair of old shoes into new by covering them in Mod Podge and sequins or glitter. (See my friend Kaitlyns photo which I took from her Facebook page below.) This works with my obsession with Goodwill as well and gives me a more fiscally responsible way of updating my very outdated wardrobe.

That being said, I'm going to spend less time on unproductive social networks and more time gleaning ideas on Pinterest. And I will use those ideas gleaned to help update my house and my wardrobe this year. I know I can buy sweaters and cardigans at Goodwill and add flowers, beads sequins and belts for a fraction of what I would pay at a department store. Or re-decorate my home with things I've made like new couch cushions or slip covers. And I'm also good with a sewing machine so things like that should be easy for me.

Last year I made a resolution to lose weight, and I did - twenty pounds in fact. So I know I can keep this years! Here's to keeping my resolutions and crafting more!

Happy New Year everyone!

Recipe: Peppermint Meringues

I LOVE these meringues. Reeve made these for Thanksgiving and they were so amazing. They are so tasty and make an excellent treat for far fewer calories than other holiday cookies.  Each one only has 9 calories! That's it! A PERFECT trick for the sweet tooth. This recipe is direct from Bon Appetit magazine.

Peppermint Meringues

Makes about 60

Recipe by Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez

Photograph by Romulo Yanes

December 2011

Ingredients

• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 12 drops red food coloring

Preparation

• Preheat overn to 200°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt on medium-high speed until white and foamy, about 1 minute. With mixer running, gradually add suger in 3 additions beating for 2 minutes between each addition. Beat until firm peaks form, about 2 minutes longer. Add powdered sugar and peppermint extract; beat to blend, about 1 minute.
• Dot coloring over surface of meringue; do not stir (the coloring will form swirls when piped). Spoon meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2" tip. (See Prep School; alternatively, spoon into a plastic freezer bag, then cut 1/2" off 1 corner.) Twist top; pipe 1" rounds onto prepared sheet, spacing 1" apart.
• Bake meringues until dry, about 2 1/2 hours. Let cool completely, about 1 hour (meringues will crisp as they cool).

 DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature between sheets of parchment or waxed paper.

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/12/peppermint-meringues#ixzz1fsDRx1Bq

He's Here!

Judah's finally here! He's perfect! So soft and sweet and good natured. We're so thrilled and can't wait to get him trained. He's going to be our walking/jogging buddy and we hope to get him into a doggy 5k next year.

Craft: Unstuffed Dog Toy

You don't need a fancy unstuffed dog toy to make your dog happy while keeping your house and your dog's g.i. tract clean of cotton batting. I made one today and it only cost me fifty cents. Purchase your stuffed animal at Goodwill, Dollar Tree, or a similar discount store.

Unstuffed dog toy

You will need:
1 Stuffed Animal
A Needle
Thread to match

Directions:

First remove all small item from the animal such as bows, t-shirts or hats. Carefully remove a seam from your stuffed animal. I took the back out of mine. Remove all the stuffing you can reach.



Then turn the animal inside out and carefully remove all the stuffing (and silica if present) from the head, arms and legs.

Once the stuffing has been removed turn the animal right side out and gently hand-wash the animal. I wouldn't use anything stronger than dish detergent. Rinse thoroughly and lay flat to dry. 

Carefully sew the seam back together and give it to your buddy. Enjoy hours of throwing the animal across the room and letting your pal bring it back.

(Doesn't look too pleased to be unstuffed! But he's still super cute!)

Only 1 more day till Judah comes...

Judah Shopping and Homemade Dog Biscuits

We went shopping this week for Judah necessities. We got him a collar with a tag, a leash, a Kong ball, a "Crazy Critter" and a tennis ball.

I keep holding the little collar (UK blue of course) and staring at that little tag with his name and our phone number engraved on it. I like the little jingle sound it makes. I keep imagining his little head poking through  that collar and the little tag jingling while he walks. I am so exited about this puppy.

We've also been shopping for dog treats and found that we can make them for much less than we can buy them for at the pet store. I'm also fond of the idea of knowing what he's eating. (I always talk about being an organic mom someday and making my baby's food myself.) They can be made any size and shape so they can be made to fit into the Kong ball we got him. Here's a recipe that Reeve found online that we will probably end up using to make Christmas treats for all the dogs we know.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:
1/2 C Peanut Butter
1/4 C Honey
1 T Virgin Coconut Oil or Olive Oil
1 C Chicken Broth
1 C Rolled Oats
1 C Whole Wheat Flour
1 C All-Purpose Flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, whisk together peanut butter, honey, oil and chicken broth. In a separate bowl combine flours and oatmeal. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Place dough on floured surface. Roll and press dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a bone-shaped cookie cutter (or cookie cutter of your choice) to cut into shapes.  Bake on parchment paper for 14-16 minutes. Place on wire rack to cool.
(Taken from: http://acozykitchen.com/homemade-dog-treats/)


I'm going to keep looking for more recipes for dog treats. Perhaps I'll try these out on Matilda first to see if they are good. I'll post more recipes as I find them.

Only 2 more days till Judah comes...