New Beach Tote

Here's what I love about summer. ...

I go to JoAnns with L and we both gasp at this super cute bicycle burlap material.  I say, "Oh, that would make such a cute tote!  For the beach! Oh, please?" And she says, "I think I will design it myself.  How long do you want the strap?".  Perfect summer day.  Two days later, I get a new cute tote.  L says it will be worth $1000 in 10 years so keep your hands off my tote!

(We (that's the royal we) are up to one week off school and three cute projects, two of which I was the beneficiary!  Nice.)

Upcycled Cargo Shorts Car Organizer

I didn't think to take  any 'before' or 'during' pictures...but this is such a simple concept - it really doesn't need too much explaining. Here's how I did it:

1. Find an old pair of cargo shorts/pants.
2. Cut off the leg.  I had about an inch below and half an inch above the pockets that was usable.
3. I took in one side so as to make my organizer more rectangular.
4. Stitch across the bottom.
5. I then stitched across the bottom corners - only about 1/2 an inch or so.  This gives the organizer a little more depth.
6. Cut and sew lining. I simply traced and added seam allowance.
7. Determine how long you want your strap, and the placement. Pin in place.
8. Insert lining and pin to outer fabric.
9. Top stitch lining to outer fabric, including strap.
10. Add a second row of top stitching for added strength.

Key Fob

I think that we have lost the fine art of having key fobs.  Lauren was asking for something to do yesterday and I told her I wanted her to make me something cute.  So this is her creativity at work.

The other side is green with a sad face. 

She did a great job stitching by hand the eyes and mouth.

Expect more crafting this summer.  And let's see some posting!

Garlic Chicken

I was browsing through a Cook's Illustrated magazine and found a slightly too complicated recipe for garlic chicken.  This is my take on it (and it was a good take!).

1/2 package bacon, sliced into 1" pieces
2 large garlic heads, peel off papery shell and remove top 1/3 of head
4 garlic cloves, minced (I used the pieces that I cut off above.)
3 lbs bone-in chicken pieces
Salt and Pepper
1/2 purple onion, minced
3/4 to 1 (about 1 cup) red bell pepper, seeded and minced
1 Tablespoon flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup white grape juice
3 green onions, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped

Chopped and prepare everything before you start - it makes it so much easier! 

In a Dutch oven (or other oven appropriate skillet), cook bacon over medium heat until crisp but not over done. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and put on paper towel to drain.  Place garlic heads cut side down in pan to brown for about 3 minutes.  Remove with slotted spoon and place on paper towel next to bacon.  Wash chicken, pat dry, salt and pepper it.  Place chicken in bacon grease to brown.  You may need to do this in batches so just set pieces aside as you are done browning them on all sides.  Drain all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease. Add minced garlic and purple onions to pan for 1 minute until fragrant.  Add bell pepper to pan for one minute.  Add chicken broth, grape juice and flour to pan and stir thoroughly.  Simmer on medium for about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add bay leaves, chicken and browned garlic heads to pan, sprinkle with bacon and green onion.  Put lid on Dutch oven. Place in 375' oven for 1 1/2 hours.  Remove lid and let it simmer for another 15 minutes. 

Serve over rice or noodles.  Sprinkle with kalamata olives. (Jim doesn't like kalamata olives so he left them off and still loved it!)  Serve with crusty french bread to soak up all the great flavors!

Gift Bags

Lauren and I went to our old nanny's baby shower today. 

We decided to tart things up a bit and make these very cute gift bags.

 

I found them on the blog Mel Stampz:  http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/11/50-gift-bag-templates.html

Lauren Makes baby dress

Okay, turn your head to the right.  No harder to the right.  There you go.  I tried to turn the picture: even saved it three times and it looked right but it's not.

Our old nanny Jen is having a baby in June.  Lauren wanted to make something fabulous for her so she found a Simplicity pattern (1794), picked out some great fabrics and made this in about an hour.  It is so easy and cute she is going to do another one in a bright hibiscus print.  Love it!

Honey Granola

I was working on my GD lesson yesterday and wanted to do something to share.  I found a honey granola recipe and changed it (of course).

Honey Nut Granola

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use quick cooking if you don't have old-fashioned)
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds *
1/2 cup toasted walnuts*
1 cup toasted coconut*
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 Tbls butter - browned
1/2 cup + 2  Tbls honey
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips*
1/2 cup butterscotch chips (or white chocolate chips)*

Preheat oven to 325'.  Cover a baking sheet with foil. 

Melt butter in small sauce pan over medium heat.  Whisk constantly until brown bits appear on the bottom (about 5 minutes) and remove from heat.  Whisk in honey and vanilla, set aside.

In a large bowl mix oats, almonds, walnuts, and coconut.  Add salt and cinnamon a bit at a time stirring to coat mix evenly.  Pour browned butter mixture over oat mixture stirring until evenly coated.

Pour mixture onto baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Stir and bake for another 10 minutes.  Stir one more time and bake for yet another 10 minutes.  It should be golden brown now.  If not, back in the oven for 3 minute stints, stirring between, until it is golden brown (come on already!).

Remove from oven and let this cool on the counter for 10 - 15 minutes.  If you like clumps in your granola do it now.  Working quickly squeeze some granola together with your hands.  Add chocolate and butterscotch chips stirring gently.  Let it cool about an hour.  Will keep for about 5 days in an air tight container.

*Interchangable with just about any nuts, dried fruit or such!