My little man, #4, needed just a tiny something extra, to make this birthday a really special one.  So, this momma decided to make him an outfit that he could rock.  #4 is requesting lots of pockets and orange. Here is a sneak peak in to my project board, and my finished creation.

My dear friend from http://www.timandmeg.net/  made these birthday shirts for each of her kiddos- and I love them!

I was trying to think what I would make for Boy Week. I feel like for me probably the most important week because Ryder is very aware of all the pretty dresses that I whip out for Boston, and I want to show him that I care enough to take my time and talents for him.  I think these back stories will help better explain why I sewed what I did. A few months ago, when I was rummaging through Mom's fabric I came across this monster knit. I immediately knew that I needed to make something for Ryder with it, since one of his nicknames since he was little was Little Monster.
A few weeks back, Mom found some cross country skis for Ryder that only took snow boots. Since that day Ryder has been in little boy heaven. He has turned the small hill behind our apartment into his own personal downhill ski hill. With all of Ryder's success with cross country skiing I have decided that he is ready for the slopes. Then it dawned on me I need to make him some skiing stretchy clothes for him to wear underneath his snow suit and jacket. It needed to be comfortable and nice enough looking that he could walk around the ski lodge.

It was my first baseball sleeve so I was a little nervous but I drafted a pattern using a sweat shirt. It was also my first time using rib knit which went so much better than I was anticipating it being.  The pants I patterned after a pair of stretchies.

I used a double needle for the hem of the shirt to sew the elastic down and around the rib knit. The rest was done with my serger.  The hem of the sleeves were made from the existing hem on the bottom of my refashioned shirt.

Mission Accomplished: Flexible enough for maximum movement. And one excited little boy who was so excited that he refused to take off his outfit.

The Monster Ski Hat
When Ryder woke up the morning after I decided what I wanted to do. I asked him if I could make a shirt out of the monster knit and some blue knit for the sleeves, and some pants made out of the monster knit. He surveyed the material and looked it over just the same way I would, and then he said very matter of fact, "Yes, a shirt and pants. And a hat!"
In that moment I realized I would need to ask Momma Shaffer for some help. Momma Shaffer is the queen of creative ski hats. When we were kids we all had our special ski hat, hand crafted by mom to reflect our personality. I called her up and asked if she would be willing to make a hat to match Ryder's ski outfit. She agreed. The night we started this project I was talking to Ryder about the different monsters on the material and let him lead the discussion about what they were doing and which one he liked. He said that the Cyclopes name was Ole Lukoie and he was his favorite (fail on my part that he thinks Ole Lukoie is a one eyed monster and not a sandman elf, oh well at least I tried). After hearing that conversation mom decided to make a reversible Cyclopes that could either be green or yellow (since there is both on the knit).


Last season, I made the leaf  monster suit which was fun for this boy who loves the outdoors.

And I love the outfit that Jo made for her fourth. It seems like it has been a really big hit.

Last week when I was on the phone with Jo and she told me that she had thought that Valentine's Day was only a few days away. I laughed and told her she must simply be on Pinterest time, because not only is my pinterest stream full of Valentine's ideas but Saint Patrick's Day and Easter. I am sure in a few months it will be on to 4th of July stuff.
The fun thing about Jo's confusion is that we have been able to share with you our Valentine's day posts in Pinterest time. (Did you miss Jo's cute food? Here is the link for her heart carrots, pretzels and flat bread).
Time to let the cat out of the bag, I LOVE Breakfast! Last week when we were out and about, Slim Jim asked if we wanted to go to the Prepared Pantry before we went home. I eagerly agreed. I was in baking heaven, but I tried to limit my wish list to the near basics. I came out of there with some bright pink gel food coloring, clearjel (which is a serious cornstarch for making homemade syrups), strawberry baking chips and heart pancake molds.
Boston lately seems to have problems with dairy so I decided to make our favorite pancake recipe into a dairy free recipe. In my opinion it was not quite as amazing as usual but all the pancakes got devoured so I guess we will give it a 1.85 thumbs up (not quite 2). Slim Jim said that if I wouldn't have told him it was dairy free he wouldn't have known.


Here is my favorite recipe regular Buttermilk Pancakes that I got from Our Best Bites, that they got from Allrecipes.com if you don't need dairy free this is a really good one.

Dairy Free Taste like Almost like Buttermilk Pancakes
by Shaffer Sisters
3 c. all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
3 1/2 c. vanilla soy milk
3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs, separated
1/3 c. canola oil
Combine dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt), add vanilla soy milk, vanilla and egg yokes. Mix until combined. Heat skillet to medium-high. Take a ladle and pour batter on skillet. Flip pancake when top is mostly covered in bubbles. Cook till brown on both sides.

The only thing that this recipe for me was missing was the butter flavor so in the future I would probably add in 1 1/2 tsp of McCormick butter flavoring (brand is very important in this case, cheaper versions are not valid substitutes. Don't curse me when you look at the price difference, just either skip out on the butter flavoring or pay the extra to get the good stuff).

Strawberry variation
I put a few strawberry chips (really it is pureed strawberry bits) on the top of pancake immediately after I poured my batter. I had tried mixing the bits into the dough it didn't combine evenly, and sunk to the bottom. 

Heart Shaped Pancakes

A little more cooked than this because you don't want your batter to run.

For this I used the pancake molds linked above. I only used half a ladle amount of batter (half the size of my other ones). I found that I had the best success when I waited until it was starting to cook around the edges and then took a butter knife to separate it from the mold. When I got it out of the mold I then flipped it on my skillet.

Balance is a word I have had on my mind a lot lately. As I try to balance my roles as a stay at home mom (all that involves, with cooking, cleaning, etc.), wife, sister, aunt, friend, church member, and blogger.
Last week when I woke up for the day, to complete darkness, with a cold house, I suddenly realized that the power was out and had been for a while (because of how cold it was in our apartment). I scrambled to get light so that I could feed and care for the kids. Within a few minutes I had a candle for all of the common areas of the house. I then tried to find something easy to serve to the kids. Not knowing when the power would come back on I began to think what I would be able to serve for lunch or dinner that night if the power had not come back on? Ooops. It hit me like a rock..... months ago I had the impression that I needed to prepare for power outages and I had set it aside. Now I didn't have the tools I needed.

When the sun finally came up I opened the blinds and cuddled underneath the blankets. I opened a  book called the "Art of Homemaking" (if you are a reader of Simple Simon & Co. I know you have heard of this book before). As I read through the introduction, I was hit by Facet 10, of an Ideal Homemaker:

An ideal homemaker's activities are well balanced. Though she may be noted for a specialty and devote a major part of her time to one particular phase she doesn't spend all of her time to one particular phase, she doesn't spend all of her time cook, nor does she concentrate just on sewing, or on cleaning or reading, or on outside interests. She reaches out to include in her life stimulating projects which serve as an incentive to her. This gives her a beautiful cut. (pg. 3, Chapter: The Ideal Homemaker, "The Art of Homemaking")

At that moment I suddenly realized that I needed to figure out a way to schedule my day so I didn't leave anything behind. This process has been an imperfect one for sure. Since then I have been trying to remind myself every day. Which means I have been trying to be wise about how much time I send at my computer or at my sewing machine. It has been so freeing, though I am far from perfect yet. The best I can do today is to give you a little inspiration and ask for your help in suggestions for how to find a balanced life. Please let your comments be inspiring to us and your fellow readers.

{Free Printable}

The other day, I had all of the big boys quietly reading in their rooms, and both of the littles napping.  As I was cleaning up around the house, my heart stopped.  "Oh no", I thought, "Its Valentines day in 2 days.  What should I do?"
So, I started to think over all of the pinterest ideas that I had seen, having to do with heart shaped food- I felt inspired.



There was a I am momma hear me roar's (not heart shaped) post on pretzel making, that she found from Just get off your butt and bake!  I figured I could probably adapt that to heart shapes.  So, I just went from memory, having skimmed through it the night before.  I made my own bread dough recipe, that I love!

Jo's standard bread recipe
2 1/4 tsp of yeast
2 tbsp of honey or three or four-I just give the honey bottle a good long squeeze!
1 1/3 c warm water
stir it together until the yeast is dissolved, bubbly, and my kids say "stinky"
Then mix in 1 beaten egg, 3 1/4 of whole wheat flour (this is the kind I use), 2 tbsp of oil, and 1 tsp of salt.

I put all of this in the bread maker and set it to the dough setting. (1 hour and 30 minutes)

When it was finished mixing and rising, I took it out and rolled it really thin- "pizza dough crust thin".  I used my heart shape cookie cutter, and cut out some flat bread.
Then I rolled it pizza crust thin again and sliced it in to long thin strips-think egg noodle width.
I then shaped those in the shape of a heart pretzel.  On the stove top, I had a pot about 3 inches deep with boiling water.  I threw the pretzel hearts in there and when they started to float, I took them out and sprinkled them with coarse sea salt.
I baked them for about 10 minutes.  at 350 degrees.


As for the flat bread, I let it rise for about 20 minutes and then I baked them for about 12 minutes again at 350, I took them out when they looked done.  I could tell, because they were puffy.  Cut in half, these were perfect for pb&j sandwiches!


 I hope you are wondering whether or not I realized that it wasn't actually 2 days until Valentines Day, but in fact it was actually January 14th.  Yah, thats how I roll.   I realized it, about 3/4 of the way through making these yummy breads.  So, my V-day scare has morphed in to Valentines month around here.  An entire month to wear pink and think about love.  I am driving the boys nuts!  Haha- my one soul purpose in life!
-With Love,
Jo

As we share our experiences, we hope that you will feel our encouragement in your life. We seek to plant a seed of inspiration in your mind. We aspire to uplift your soul to greater joy.  We will facilitate an environment of creativity, as we grow with you.
With Love,
The Shaffer Sisters

What made you fall in love with Bubba?
That is an interesting question!!  No I'm kidding!  The first time I met Bubba I thought he was a nice guy and had a great sense of humor! But as I got to know him more and more I fell in love with him for his unfailing kindness and love for others. As well as his gift for not judging someone.  Those to me represented great qualities.  I have to say it but he had one of those smiles. :)




Who is the most influential person in your life that shaped who you are today? Explain.
 The most influential person in my life would have to be my dad!!  He has been a thriving example of someone I would like to be like.  He is always honest, kind, a person to talk to or someone who just listens, he gives great advice.  But most of all he has taught me lesson in my life whether I agreed with him or not, that I have taken to heart and applied them to my life and am now teaching my family. He has always been there for me when I needed it that most!!

Where is your most favorite place in the world (that you have actually been to and brings peace to your soul) and why?
My favorite place in the whole world is the canyon where I grew up!!  And the reason why is because it does bring me peace and joy.  There are places that I would hike to and just sit and meditate because it was quiet and peaceful.  I also like it because there was so much to do swim , hike, explore, and be with those I loved and grew up with.  I still to this day love to go up there and take a walk and meditate!

What is your favorite snack any time of the day?
My favorite snack is a peanut butter and honey sandwich with bananas in the middle!!  I can eat those at any time. They are so good!!


What is your default meal to make when you have people over (include the recipe)?
Bubba, would say that I make salad all the time.  But I think the meal that I refer back to most of all is Homemade hamburgers and homemade french fries!  Hmmm!! So good!!  The recipe is to:
*Thaw about 1 pound of hamburger( I can get about three hamburgers in one pound)  It really just depends on how big you want the hamburger.
*For hamburger to stick together you can use an egg and a few crackers.
*Then you can use any seasoning you would like!  I like to use onion powder, seasoning salt, and garlic powder.
* Cook on grill till the fluid coming from the hamburger
Fries:
*Fill pot or deep fry pan with oil about 2in deep and turn on med heat
*Cut potato's into thin or thick slices
*place one int he pot and if it bubbles and floats then the oil is ready
*place fries in oil and cook till golden brown and serve!!
*you can season fries however you would like as well!!
What is your greatest challenge as a new mother of a seven year old?
The greatest challenge of being a mother of a seven year old is discipline.  Knowing what to do in situations that come up. There are so many people that will say, "well I am going to do this with my kids,"  but in reality it is so different then if we don't have kids.

What is the best approach for someone to get to know you and become your friend?
The best way to get to know me is to spend time with me and questions.  I am a rather shy person but I am working on being open and expressing myself.  So the best way to spend time with my in environments that open me up!


Tell us a funny story about what it was like to grow up with only brothers.
A funny story! Growing up my family lived up in the country where we were able to run a hot springs, a dry farm and 2 green houses full of tomato's and cucumbers.  Ok so there's the background but here's the story:  My brothers and I would always be on a summer swim team and one weekend we were up at Jackson hole at a swim meet and on the way home my brothers called my name from the back seat.  Well as I turned around I was blue darted in the face.  If you don't know what a blue dart is, it is where someone farts into a flame and the flame flies out!  Well this blue dart of was huge enough to singe my eyebrows.  Now that I look back on it I just say oh their just boys and laugh.  But back then I was furious!!!  Needless to say each day was an adventure with my brothers!!   

What has been the biggest adjustment marrying into a family that has 3 sisters?
Well coming from a family of all boys and marrying into a family of sisters, the biggest adjustment is the fact that I can talk to them and they understand me!!  I only had my mom and now I have 3 sisters that I can talk to!!!  It is a good adjustment!

What is your favorite movie to curl up on the couch with a warm blanket?
Well my movies have changed over the years.  When I was younger I would curl up with good ole Anne of Green Gables.  As a teenager it was I curled up to the Mummy series.  Now I would curl up to a good musical, Harry Potter, or a good mystery movie!

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
No I do not! I slide my shoes off unless they are to tight!

What is the first thing that you notice about people?
The first think I notice about people are their moods and expressions. You can tell if someone is happy or not or approachable or not just by that.

Do you think that you are strong?
I would like to think I am strong in all aspects.  But I think I am more strong physically and enduring pain than I am mentally.

What is your favorite recipe?
My favorite recipe is a No Bake Cookie recipe of my moms that have failed to get from her but the second best recipes are the ones that you can make from scratch.

If you were a crayon what color would you be?
I would be Rainforest Green.  The name just sounds majestic and I would like to go there someday.

 
First of all, I would like to give a huge thanks to the community of Project Run and Play and the support that was shown last week. It helped me decide to find time to sew along this week even though I had been totally stumped. So stripes and polka dots huh? I have to admit this was really hard for me. I know it's  high in fashion, but they just seem an extreme in contrast even for me.


I had a navy and white polka dot maxi polyester dress with a collar and 3 buttons up the center of the bodice that I refashioned for the bodice. The plan was to use the buttons in the front and add one more to make the bodice a little longer. I made my own pattern for the bodice and the sleeve. This was a new experience and took a while. I used white bias tape (that I made from white on white polka dot cotton fabric.) to finish the edges.

 


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