SIMPLICITY

I know I've written about this before; but, it still amazes me how kids are thrilled by the simplest things....Sure the 'in' toys; the over-commercialized items that are thrown in our faces every time we turn on the tv or open up a flyer are what they desire, want and hope for.... these are what I like to call flash-in-the-pan objects.... they're liked and admired and played with for short periods then quickly forgotten and passed up for the tried and true.  You know the ones, the toys that force kids to use their imagination.... because when it comes down to it, kids love creating their own play.  It's inherent in a child's very make up.  That's what they do - it's how they first begin to learn about the world around them.  So why not nurture these sometimes forgotten forms of play?

I'm not saying that children shouldn't have some of the things they long for.... rather, they should be given a good mix of what they want and what they need to help foster their growing minds.

Aaaanyway.... I painted a set of wooden peg dolls for my daughter last year for Christmas.  One doll representing each person in our family.  A fun little project.... painting.  Painting.... my favourite artful thing to do.  Every time I pick up a paint brush to do a project, I remember just how much I love doing it.... My daughter loves her set.  She even found a little carry case for them.... And I'm certain she would have loved them and played with them just as much if they were left naked....

Anyhow, these little naked people beg me to dress them.... and I lovingly oblige.  I just love choosing the colour of clothes, the hair, the personality.... and my favourite thing - giving them life at the very end by adding their little dotted eyes.

These four little ladies are so pretty.... and finished with a little sparkle.... what little girl doesn't LOVE sparkle?  Every time I walk by them, they make me smile.  Something so simple - and it brightens my day.... I hope the little lady who these will be gifted to, will feel smiley when ever she glances their way too.

A good rule to follow at this time of year.... keep it simple.
Have a great day folks  ;)

p.s.  REFURB-RECON,-REPURPOSE will return.... eventually....

HOW-TO-TUESDAY: rosemary butternut apple soup

It's the time of year when all I want to eat is soup.  Do you ever feel that way?

Here's a very simple recipe that tastes de-lish-us!  And also happens to be one of my very favourite fall recipes..... YUMMMMM!

ROSEMARY BUTTERNUT APPLE SOUP

You'll need:

7-8 cups of peeled and cubed butternut squash
2-3 apples cubed (peeled or not, your choice)
2-3 cloves garlic chopped
1 medium onion diced
4-5 cups chicken broth
1 tsp rosemary
fresh ground pepper
salt

Here's the how-to: 
Throw everything into a large soup pot.  Bring to a boil, then simmer until squash is fork tender.  Here's where you choose how to finish the soup.  You can either mash with a potato masher and have a textured soup; or use an immersion blender and puree.  I like my soup a little chunkier, so I just use my potato masher.  You can also, at this point, add either cream, milk, evaporated milk, coconut milk or a neutral milk alternative (soy, almond, etc.) to give the soup a 'cream of' consistency.  Sometimes I add the milk, sometimes I don't.... I enjoy it either way.

This soup freezes very well.  However; here's a tip - freeze without the milk added, it tends to separate and look curdled when thawed and reheated.  Once thawed, heat the soup and add the milk at the end, warm it up, then serve.  Enjoy!

Have a fantastic Tuesday everyone  ;)

Finished projects.... so far....

So, as I said in an earlier post.... I. AM. BUSY.

Not complaining.... on the contrary, I like to be busy with hat business at this time of year.... the little extra cash flow certainly helps out....

Anyhow, here's a peak at some of the great hats my lovely friends have ordered for their lucky littles....

I have to say, my very, very favourite this year, is the newborn stocking cap.  Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen?  I can't wait to see it on a fresh new baby.... I'm thinking to make a few more and list them in the shop, but doing a brown/pink and brown/blue combo....

AND!  I found this sweet little 'very hungry caterpillar' knitted infant photo set that I'm going to give a go in crochet when I've finished my Christmas orders.... cute, don't ya think?  This one is available from Sweet Love Creates for $110. (WOW!  maybe I should up my prices if people are paying those kind of prices, just kidding!)....

Have a good one people  ;)

THRIFTY MONDAY: signs.... ok, just one sign

My local consignment shop is one of my favourite places to browse for clothes for myself.   I tend to go there at least once every two weeks....  But, it's not just clothes.  They accept everything from clothes to living room sofas.... the shop is pretty small, but they know what moves....

The lady who owns the shop is one of the very sweetest people I have ever met.... and I admire the fact that she remembers every. single. person's. name..... that's pretty amazing, considering her shop clientele is HUGE!

Aaaanyway, for the looooongest time, she had a beautiful restaurant sign displayed above one of her clothing racks.... it's fairly large, about the wider than a king size bed and roughly 15-18 inches high.... I had admired it for such a long time and never ever asked about it.  I had actually assumed that it was just a really cool display piece she used in her store.

Eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I inquired, she said it was definitely a consignment item and the price tag was $200.  A little more than I like to spend on a thrifted item; however, finding a sign this size for such a small price (as far as signs go), I just couldn't pass it up.... She agreed to sell for $175 cash.  NO PROBLEM.... I'll gladly take that baby off your hands....

Ho-ly buckets!  This things weighs a TON!  Thus, the reason for only the sneak peak you see here.... I just couldn't lift the thing on my own to get a better shot....

It looks like it's from the inside of a restaurant.  You know, the ones with all of the kitschy pictures and signs everywhere?  Aaaanyway, this big green beauty will find it's place in our future finished basement family room.... I am so looking forward to seeing it anchored to my wall.

Happy Monday peeps!  I hope you can find room in your hearts for some lovely thrifty-ness too  ;)

FAMILY DAYS: hockey

Much of our fall/winter family time revolves around hockey.... the boys play four, sometimes five, days a week.... we watch NHL hockey.... at least three times a week there's a mini sticks game going on between the girl and her boys.... and Daddy helps coach the middle man's team and plays pick-up with a bunch of guys on Tuesday nights himself....

Old Hockey Skates.  Art print by Danny Bailey

Where do I fit into all of this?  Well, I don't play.... I'd love to but there aren't any women's pick-up leagues around here, and if I'm being honest, I skate very, very poorly.  Yes, I said it.  I'm a Canadian and my skating skills are beginner at best.  I'd love to invest the money and buy all the equipment and just play.  I think it's the only way I'm going to gain any kind of hockey/skating skill.... but; as I said earlier, they just don't offer, a-hem, women of my age the opportunity near here.

Don't get me wrong.... my role in all of this hockey is very important too.  I wouldn't give up being the bus driver, the skate lacer, the #1 fan, and the after game high-fiver for anything in the world.  Anywhere that my family is involved in something (anything).... it's my job, responsibility, honour, absolute pleasure to be the side liner; watching, cheering, and beaming with pride.  I take this role very seriously.  Sometimes, maybe (always) I can get a little excited.... and maybe, sometimes (always) I make a little noise.... but; I'm sure, positive really, that my guys are very happy to hear Mommy encouraging them from the stands.... right?

Happy hockey season everyone  ;)