Project Run and Play January 2014 - Winter Wonderland

Have you heard of Project Run and Play yet? If not you have to check them http://www.projectrunplay.com, amazing right? I have been following them for a long time and every time I say I am going to sew along. Well this is the year it wasn't just something I said!!!

I present to you Lainey's Snowy Sequins Winter Wonderland Outfit

I had seen an outfit similar to this in Chasing Fireflies last fall, and instantly thought Lainey needed an outfit like that. I drafted all of the patterns myself and lined everything in a royal blue and green flannel.

What girl doesn't need a fur bomber hat with sequins?! And of course a flannel lined fur muff to go with it?!

I lined her sequined flat front shorts with white flannel.

She loves it!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!

 

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Homemade Granola

Last year we decided to we were going to work really hard to eliminate processed foods from our diets (mainly due to soy being in everything). This of course means no cereal for the kids. A good alternative for us has been homemade granola. Here is my simple recipe (nothing is exact in this recipe, you can eliminate or add as you see fit).

Homemade Granola

6 to 8 C oats

1/2 C wheat bran

1/2 C flax seed (doesn't have to be whole)

2-3 C chopped nuts (I used almonds, walnuts and pecans)

1/2-1 C sunflower seeds

1 C shredded unsweetened coconut flakes

1/3 C chia seeds

1 1/2 -2 1/2 raisins and/or dried cranberries (could use any dried fruit you like)

3/4 - 1 C honey (could also add maple syrup or a mixture of honey and maple syrup)

1/4 C coconut oil

1/2 C sugar (I used organic cane sugar, but you could also use brown sugar. Also you can change this amount or even eliminate the sugar.)

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix all of the dry ingredients together(do not include dried fruit) in a large mixing bowl. In a saucepan heat the wet ingredients and spices until they are just beginning to boil. Remove from heat and pour over dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour a layer of the mixture onto a parchment lined cookie pan and bake in the oven for 20 to 30 mins at 325*, until light golden brown. Let cool for 20 mins, return to mixing bowl and add dried fruit. The granola will begin to crisp up as it cools, then place in an air tight container or just put some in a bowl with yogurt, milk or ice cream. YUMMY!

(makes approx. 1 gallon)

This reminds me a lot of the cereal Great Grains which my dad LOVES...thinking I could tweek this recipe and make some great cereal for my dad...Father's Day Gift?

 

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2014

2014

A couple of months ago I was having a play date with a former co-worker and I went to change my child's diaper. I once again had not gotten to the cloth diapers before I ran out and was using disposables. She commented that she use to think I had it so together. She didn't mean this in a negative way, but it really got me to thinking how I am not the person or mother I was before my 3rd child.

My 3rd child has done me in, he is extremely needy and wants his mother all the time (he will cry so hard he makes himself throw up if I don't pick him up exactly when he wants). This of course means I get VERY little done because I just can't let these little ones cry. I use to make all of my children's snacks, have the laundry done, the house mostly clean, always had my cloth diapers washed, played with my children, created cool crafts for my children and I to do, and many, many, many other things, I did all of this while still working part time during the school year. I did have it together.

I feel lazy a lot of the time, because I sit and hold a baby for many hours of the day, (this is just my perception of myself). I want to get my old self back and not neglect my children at the same time. I want to do a lot more sewing. I want to have a clean house and I want to get rid of the pile of laundry at the bottom of my stairs. I want to have fun with my children every day... I am really going to work on creating a daily rythm for my family. I have felt like I am floundering and every day is ground hog's day for the last 10 months. I am going to get out of this funk and go back to the mother and wife I was. I need to, for my own sanity! Look for lots more blog posts....welcome back Mary Jane, 2014 is going to be a great year!

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