in the month of DECEMBER...

it was FUN to watch the kids perform their songs, they did a GREAT job!

of course my oldest was the last one at the table when we painted salt dough ornaments. he's an artist in the making!

i had all the cousins that live around us over for a CHRISTMAS party! the kids had a blast playing games, decorating ornaments and watching a christmas movie!

one of the fun things about having all the christmas goodies around is that you can eat them for breakfast. probably not the healthiest but it sure does taste GOOD!

the stockings aren't ready to be hung.... oh well, we'll just have to go back to the dads sock trick for 1 more year. i don't think the kids will mind as long as santa fills it ; )

wishing you and your family a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

xoxo

sandra

CHILDRENS gift ideas!

how CUTE is this purse! Home Baked Threads has a GREAT shop on etsy where you can find purses, crayon wallets and balls!


these aprons made by Key 2 Life are FABULOUS! if you have a "little chef" in your house these would make the perfect gift! check out her shop for more choices!


these adorable pillows are made by Bella Marie Designs. children LOVE seeing their names... what a GREAT way to make them feel special!


if you have a little artist in your home this is the perfect gift! it holds a sketch book and coloured crayons all in a convenient case. this one is not ready made, it comes as a pattern by The Sometimes Crafter and you can find it here.


here's a fun and inexpensive idea from the OUR HAPPY LITTLE NEST BLOG. what a great way to make a puppet show FUN, EASY to set up and EASY to store. All you need is a yard or two of fabric, and 2 pressure rods. i've also seen this same idea but using only 1 curtain, which works really well as well. either way you make it, i think any child would have fun making up plays or even playing house!




have fun shopping handmade!

create!

xo sandra

HAPPY DECEMBER

it's been slooow goooing around here. being pregnant with my fifth and having to hold down the fort has been a challenge. i've been SO tired. i don't want to sound like a complainer, i feel SO blessed, i just have to get use to slowing down and taking it easy. which is difficult when i have a closet FULL of fabric just waiting ; )

we pulled out the christmas decorations the other day and made some salt dough decorations. i noticed our stockings were lacking in the style department and were getting pretty old and dated. actually... come to think of it, i think the kids used my husbands socks for stockings last year. that just won't do, not when i have some leftover christmas fabric lying around. so i decided it is time they got a handmade stocking, just the way they want it. i drew up some possible designs, they added some things to personalize them and here is a sneak peak of what we dreamed up!



WISH ME LUCK! it's going to be a challenge to get them done but i'll "getter done"!

xo

sandra

Rice WRAP's Wednesday

almost missed wednesday but i figure i still have a few hours left ; )


Shrimp & Avocado Rice Wraps

1 pkg rice paper wrappers
1 pkg rice noodles
1 avocado, thinly sliced
1-2 carrots, thinly sliced or shredded
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup thinly shredded lettuce
12-15 pre-cooked shrimp sliced width wise in half
mint leaves or cilantro if desired

sauce: peanut satay sauce (this was chucks favourite)
and or
tangy thai sauce (this was my favourite, the one i used was made by Renee's)

cook rice noodles as directed, set aside. in a warm bowl of water add 1 rice paper, let soak until softened. remove and place on a clean dish towel. place shrimp, avocado, cucumber, carrots, lettuce, and then noodles in the rice paper. wrap up starting at one end, fold in both sides and then finish wrapping. repeat steps until all ingredients are used. serve with sauce

ENJOY!

sandra

final QUILT Class

the final quilt class was last night. i'm going to miss it. i'm so proud of all of the woman for what they have accomplished. they came a long way from the beginning. from trying to figure out their feet and bobbin to quilting their quilts. everyone came away from the class knowing there machine's a little better, they were able to sew a little better, and i feel confident that they have the skills to be able to quilt on their own. which is exactly what i was hoping to accomplish with this class.

it was really GREAT to get to know these ladies a little better. every wednesday felt like a girls night out which i will miss. Each quilt was unique and beautiful... it was a GREAT experience.

xo

sandra

MONSTER TACO's for "Wrap WEDNESDAY"

This recipe was inspired in Kauai. The restaurant was made up of 3 tables a tent topper and a mesh surround. My mother-in-law assured us they were good so we tried them out.
My sister-in-law enjoying her's with the restaurant (tent) behind.

Isn't that the way it goes, the little whole in the wall usually always has the BEST food. Here's my recipe so you can try them for yourself!


MONSTER TACO's

8-10 tortilla shells
2 cups red cabbage sliced thin
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

Make all toppings. Cook chicken in a hot skillet with 1 tsp of oil for 5-7 minutes or until done. Set aside. Rub tortilla shells with a light coating of butter and then place on a hot pan for 30-50 seconds per side or until golden brown. Place chicken and cabbage in the warmed shell and add your toppings. Wrap and serve with black beans, tortilla chips and salsa on the side.

Chicken Marinade

juice from 2 limes with zest
3 TBsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBsp Rice Vinegar
salt and pepper

Combined ingredients. Set 1 TBsp of marinade aside for the Lime sour cream mixture. Add chicken and marinate for 10 minutes.

TOPPINGS

Fresh Tomato Salsa

2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno seeded
2 TBsp chopped red onion
2 TBsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
1-2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp salt

Put everything but the diced tomatoes in a food processor. Combined ingredients and enjoy!

Lime SourCream

1 TBsp pre-made marinade
1 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup sour cream
3 TBsp finely chopped cucumber
salt and pepper

Guacamole

2 avocados, mashed
juice from 1 lime
2 TBsp fresh salsa
salt and pepper to taste

Combined ingredients.


ENJOY!

xo

sandra

RED it is...

i chose RED... i fell in love with the look of the peppermint stripe binding, so it had to be the red ric rac. thanks for all your help! now it's off to the quilter's : ) i wouldn't dare quilt this one myself. it's to big and the bigger reason is that there is going to be red with white minky on the back, which is so hard to work with in large pieces. i'll leave that one up to the professional's : )

has anyone tried the Chinatown Lettuce Wraps yet? just asking because i have plans for a wrap wednesday #2 and i really think your going to LOVE it!

xo

sandra