Felt + Paint = Christmas Gifts

A spruced up thrift store find

 I wanted to share a few of the handmade gifts I crafted this year.

Inspiration

Advent calendar with some goodies

A Handmade Christmas

Just days away from Christmas. I can't believe it is almost here! Our little elves are buzzing with excitement. We are almost finished with all our projects. I'm loving every minute.
Have a Merry Christmas!

Happy Advent

 Sitting around the breakfast table this morning the kids and I talked about ways to prepare our hearts for baby Jesus. My task was to patiently complete the day without complaining about all I needed to get accomplished. Let's just say that tomorrow is another day.

Now that most of my gift making is finished I am relaxing more and savoring every moment of the kids' excitement. Tonight we shut off all the lights except for the tree and candles and just cuddled on the couch. Such a cozy season! While we decorate, bake, wrap, and carol, we wish you a happy Advent.

WHERE Have You BEEN?

I know it has been a but since I last said hello. But here I am. Welcome back everyone! Let's sit down and get all caught up.
We have been all over the place, it seems. From Ohio to Pennsylvania, Bend to Centralia, we are finally getting everything back in order before Christmas. I love it! Such a cozy time of year.
The quilt pictured above was a last year's birthday/ Christmas gift for a friend of mine. My first quilt ever. I love making handmade items for gifts. It's fun figuring out what suits a person. This year has been a challenge since I have already made everyone just about everything I know how to make. Stay tuned to see how I solve this minor dilemma.

Hot Off the Press

A glimpse of what keeps me entertained while the kids are peacefully sleeping.

Couldn't pass up the hedgehogs

festive napkins

more napkins

apron close-up

A little bit of this and that for the kitchen. 

Pumpkin Post

I have been experimenting with a couple recipes around here to incorporate pumpkin into our everyday meals. This morning we had baked oatmeal, and since it turned out to be a hit, I wanted to share it with you.

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (adapted from here )
3 c. old-fashioned oats
1 c. brown sugar (you can add less, I thought it was a bit sweet)
2 t. baking powder
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. salt
1/2 c. pure pumpkin
2 eggs
1/2 c. butter, melted
2 t. vanilla
3/4 c. dried cranberries
1-2 small apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2 in. cubes

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients.
3. Spread into a greased 9x13 pyrex and bake for 40 minutes.
 We served ours with a little dash of almond milk. It's so easy; the hardest part was waiting for it to finish baking.


The second recipe we have been tweaking is our pumpkin smoothie. Here's our favorite so far. I usually eyeball things, so these are estimates. You can adjust to taste. This recipe can easily serve 2 adults and 2 kids.


Combine the following in a blender:
1 c. plain Greek yogurt
2 bananas
1 -1 1/2 c. almond milk (or your milk of choice)
2 T. almond butter
1/2 c. pure pumkin
1/8 c. ground flax seed
2 t. molasses
3 ice cubes

Mix all ingredients until well blended. You can sprinkle a little cinnamon and nutmeg on top if you prefer. A flexy straw is optional, but I think it makes it taste even better. If you have a favorite smoothie recipe for this time of year, please send it along to share!

The Pumpkin Patch

 We spent a beautiful fall day at Bi-Zi Farms. Next year we hope to have pumpkins from our own garden. Even still, I think I would insist on keeping this tradition.