Valentine's made super easy...

LOVE day is on Sunday and only one sleep til class parties... luckily my creative energy decided to kick back in earlier this week and I was able to come up with this great idea... I say great because I'm sure it's something I'll use for any number of occasions.

I LOVE trying to come up with unique little Valentine treats for the boys' classmates... and this year I am in LOVE with this idea... pictured above are the supplies needed to complete this crafty bit...
~ fancy-shmancy scrapbooking paper (various designs)
~ card stock (various colours)
~ XACTO knife, safety ruler, and cutting mat (or plain ol' scissors and ruler)
~ snack sized plastic baggies
~ stapler
~ glue or some other adhesive-like substance or material
~ various treats (edible or non-edible)

Okay, so what I've created is my version of those plastic bags of candy that hang very enticingly in the junk aisle of every grocery and department store I shop in. So first things first... measure the width of the plastic baggie or even easier, check out the size on the box they came in (mine were 6-1/2" wide). Measure and cut out rectangles of paper 6-1/2" by 3", I like using my cutting mat for projects like this because it ensures precision cuts... although, having said that, a straight edged paper cutter would do the job just as well... anyway, getting on with it...

Fill the baggies with loot/treats/snacks/whatever you deem fit... try to release as much of the air from the baggies as possible before you seal them... take a rectangle of paper, fold it in half on the short side. Slip the treat bag, sealed side into the fold of the paper, hold and place two staples just below the zipper seal... make enough for all classmates and set aside.

Next, make a heart template, size is absolutely at your discretion. Trace and cut out the number of heart shapes needed to create tags for each treat bag. Have your child fill in the tags her/himself and once that's done adhere them to the treat bag's new paper handle.... VOILA! Your child is ready for LOVE day gifting... enjoy your LOVE day!

Someone is turning 7...

I remember the day that I found out I was pregnant. We had only been trying a short time and I was shocked that it all happened so fast. And here we are now, and you're turning 7... 7... I have to keep saying it because somehow I don't believe that 7 years has come and gone in what seems like the blink of an eye.

I remember the nurse putting you in my arms for the very first time and feeling overcome with every emotion imagineable... and the look on Daddy's face, the pride and love in his eyes, I just knew that I would never ever be without love in this life... and the love I felt for you at that moment was so strong that it was painful... I had a little tiny life in my hands and it was my job from then on to make sure you had everything you needed, a job that I would give up everything to do.

I cannot tell you and make you truly understand the joy and love that you bring to me... how proud I am to call you my son, and how my heart aches when I think about when you're all grown up and no longer need me to take care of you. I try very hard not to think of the future in that way... focus on what's happening here and now... we have so much fun together; and I am very grateful to you for letting me shower you with hugs and kisses and call you baby whenever and wherever I want, regardless of who is watching or listening.

Happy Birthday Baby! Enjoy your day... I will try my very best to make you feel like the special little man you are. I love you, Daddy loves you and M and C love you and think you're just the best thing since cheese and crackers... xxoo

On friendship...

"I do not wish to treat friendships daintily, but with the roughest courage. When they are real, they are not glass threads or frost-work, but the solidest thing we know.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

I found out some news late last night, a very good friend has breast cancer... again. I know I need to be strong and keep a happy face for her and her children, but it is very difficult. I am struggling with the fact that things like this happen at all... and that they seem to happen to the people who are most undeserving.

My friend is the bravest person I know. She is a wonderful mother to her three beautiful children...and I can only hope that I am half the mother that she is. She is a generous friend, one that anyone would be happy and privileged to know. Always thinking of others and I am sure she is angry that she has to deal with something so utterly stupid and unfair.

It's just another bump in the road B... family and friends rallying with love and support can help to overcome great obstacles. WE CAN BEAT THIS... it's totally do-able... "you know what I mean?" ;)

For the little lady....

I've wanted to make something yarny for my little lady for a loooong time... something other than a hat, that is... so I dug through my stash friday evening and found a good amount of cotton yarn that would be nice worked up as a little sweater or tunic. I've always liked a nice wide, boatneck-cowl-type neckline and thought it would look extra cute on Hammy.... and it does!!!!

I like this little tunic so much that I am actually going to retrace my steps and try to write my very first crafty tutorial... anyone with beginner crochet skills can make one of these little sweaters... I promise! This worked up soooo quick, I started it friday evening and was finished saturday morning... love that! I'm a self professed impatient crafter... I am in love with the art of crafting things; but not in love with lengthy-time-consuming-all-encompassing projects... I need the quick fix project. The one that allows me the satisfaction of doing something with my hands and then sets me free to move on to my next endeavor.

Still corking away... and promise will post the scarf as soon as it's done, hopefully sometime before the cool weather leaves us.

Pancake mornings and a mixed bag....

Pancake school day again... so since my little men and little lady love these pancakes so much, I feel obligated to share the pancake love... I found this particular recipe on my favourite-favourite recipe site, all recipes.com. And the reason it's my favourite site is because all of the recipes are rated and reader reviewed... LOVE that. So here it is....

Fluffy Pancakes submitted to allrecipes.com by Kris

3/4 C. milk

2 tbsp. white vinegar (or lemon juice)

1 C. flour (I like w.w. and w. blend)

2 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt (I omit, but it's up to you)

1 egg

2 tbsp. melted butter (I use becel)

cooking spray (I use a non stick griddle & no spray)

1 tsp. cinnamon (this is my add-in, we love cinnamon)

Combine the milk and vinegar/lemon juice and set aside while preparing the remainder of ingredients. (You could also just use a little more than 3/4 C. of buttermilk, essentially the sour milk takes the place of buttermilk)

Combine all dry ingredients and whisk to break up any lumps. Whisk egg and melted butter into milk then pour into dry ingredients. Mix until moist and there are no visible floury bits... but don't over mix!!!! Let sit for about 5 minutes or so... chemical reactions will take place... and when you return to the batter it will have risen and be full of bubbles (that's the air that makes them fluffy!!!).

I usually set my griddle to 350 degrees, I think that's about medium on the stove-top. If your pans or griddle are too hot the outside of the pancakes will cook too fast and become too hard by the time the middle has cooked. Pancakes need a little time to cook, so be patient... I guarantee these pancakes are delicious! I can usually only get about 7 medium sized pancakes from this recipe... which is perfect for 2 growing boys and their girl-baby sister.

OK... so on to other things, yesterday was a very productive day (craft-wise, that is)... the corking project is still being corked... I started and finished a crocheted hat yesterday... finished a scarf for my skinny little man, also crochet... did a re-con (reconstruct) on a pair of overalls that had stains on the legs for girl-baby, she now has an uber-cute skirt-all with ruffled trim... and last night... after dinner.... CRASH!!!! I did nothing. Ask me if I feel bad about it.... I don't. Not really!

Today... more crafting and playing with babes...I love it!