Spring Break 2011

In March we visited Josh's parents in Ohio and then his sisters family Illinois. I must of been busy posting something else in March :) (lol) and didn't get to this post. It was Josh's spring break, so we are glad we were able to get away for a little bit. We went to the Cincinnati Museum Center and checked out the Natural History & Science Museum. We also ate a restaurant on the Ohio River that had really great food. We enjoyed the time with Josh's parents and go to relax as well. We had a fun time at the Weis house. We went to the zoo/park on the windiest day ever:) but it was still fun. Played with the kids at home and at the playground. Glad to get the chance to spend time with them as well. Josh's brother was able to stop by as well for a short visit. Good break and good times with family. Enjoy the pictures.

Crocheted bags: Mother Daughter set

I have been enjoying learning new craft skills and making new things since we've been in T-Ville. I came across a blog with a video tutorial walking me through how to make a crocheted handbag. I am a visual learner so this was awesome to find and much easier to follow than reading a pattern. I made a couple of bags to start out and I am using them for personal use (one holds my crochet supplies and the other I use for books to and from the library). Once I felt comfortable with the pattern I decided to make some gifts. I ended up making a Starling Bag (the one with the tutorial as indicated below the pics) and a wristlet (which I also found on the blog mentioned below).

I also give credit to my wonderful husband who helped me with the designs and mathematics that came into play when cutting the fabric and making the lining. Thanks hun!

Mother-Daughter Starling and Wristlet Bags

This is the bag that I made for my mother-in-law's birthday.

 

This is the wristlet I made for my sister-in-law's birthday:

I used two colors of yarn and used a touch of the opposite color in each bag. I used the same fabric for the lining, added similar color buttons and a Kanzashi flower pin that can be removed from the bag and used elsewhere if desired.

If you want to learn how to make the bags above check out Alice's blog FutureGirl at the link below:

http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/labels/crochet.aspx
Scroll down to June 23 - July 21, 2010 to view the tutorial episodes for the Starling bag

Also, if you'd like to know how to make the flowers that I turned into pins, click the link below to the FutureGirl blog post on Kanzashi hairpins:

http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2009/7/my-kanzashi-hairpin.aspx

I'll be making more crafts through the year, just maybe not at the same rate as when I was not working...but SO thankful to have a job:)



Oatmeal Queen: 30 Days of Quick Oats Recipes

Wow, I can't believe that March is already over! I give a big shout out to my brother Jon, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Got a chance to talk to him quick tonight. He just got back from California (he got to see our old houses, church, school, hang outs, etc.) and now he's headed to the biggest indoor water park in the country. Boy what a birthday celebration! Have a blast bro:)

The Oatmeal Queen and Something Green posts have come to an end. The Oatmeal Queen experience was more enjoyable that I had expected and the Something Green was not as fun as I had hoped. But I can say that I accomplished this goal for the month of March. My goal to make a duvet cover is not complete, however, I did buy a sheet to provide the last of the material I needed. It won't be fancy, just plain white. So we'll see if I get it made in April along with my goal to memorize 10 bible verses.

For those of you (and myself) who may be interested in any of my quick oats recipes from this month I have listed them all by title below to make it easier to find each one. If you click on the title it will link you to the post from that day with the written out recipe. Thanks for reading and keeping up with me this month. I won't be posting everyday at this point, but I look forward to giving updates as before. You can look forward to some posts on my recent craftiness:)

30 Quick Oats Recipes:

1. Strawberry Almond Crunch
2. Pears Dole Fruit Cup
3. Honey Nut
4. Berry Blast
5. Sunnyside Garlic
6. Peaches Dole Fruit Cup
7. Pumpkin Pie
8. Pina Colada
9. Candied Pumpkin
10. Almost No-Bakes
11. PB and J with Strawberries
12. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
13. Cherry Nut
14. Creamy Veggie and Bacon
15. Peanut Butter Banana
16. Golden Nut
17. Blue-Banana-Berry
18. Kiwi
19. Chunky Applesauce and Almond
20. Mandarin Spice
21. Apple Walnut Crunch
22. Honey Applekin
23. Egg Salad
24. Fruit Cocktail Dole Fruit Cup
25. Cottage Cheese and Pineapple
26. Peanut Butter Apple Crisp
27. Potato and Eggs
28. Brown Sugar Walnut Swirl
29. Blueberry Muffin Top
30. Banana Walnut Crunch

ENJOY!!!

Oatmeal Queen & Something Green: Day 30

Banana Walnut Crunch Oatmeal
1/2 c quick oats
3/4 c milk
1 packet of Splenda
1 tsp of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
half a banana
chopped walnuts to top

So I have been thinking about making banana bread with a couple of bananas in our freezer. So that inspired me to make this recipe (with fresh bananas I bought at the fancy grocery store yesterday)

So I have one more day to post for Oatmeal Queen & Something Green! We have been having Internet access issues, so I am not going to post any more "something green" pics (it takes too long to download each pic one by one. Also, tomorrow post will be dedicated to compiling my list of recipes so that anyone who is interested can find them all in one place rather than searching through all the posts. It has been fun trying out new oatmeal recipes each day, but I'm not going to lie and say that I haven't wanted to each something different for breakfast (at least in the last 1/5 weeks:) Thanks for reading and sharing your ideas!

Oatmeal Queen & Something Green: Day 29

Blueberry Muffin Top Oatmeal
1/2 c quick oats
3/4 c milk
2 packets of Splenda
1 blueberry muffin top

I think this was my last option for a recipe with the lack of groceries in our place (lol). So I mixed the the top of my muffin in with the oatmeal. This was yummy! It could be dry so you might want to add a little extra milk after heating if the oatmeal is thick.

Happy Birthday to my awesome Dad!!! Sent him a fun homemade gift (I'll post about it in April). Today was laundry day...that grew into...make a return, drop off books at the library, pick up fruit and veggies at the grocery store, pick up Josh from school, make dinner, go to Josh's intramural basketball game, bring home husband with rolled ankle DAY! Tuesdays aren't usually that eventful for me. But it was very productive. Josh is okay, just had to put his foot up last night and he used his wonderful knowledge of wrapping it to help it feel better. Their team won with a close game that reminded me of March Madness:) I checked out our new Metro Market today. I have never felt under dressed going to the grocery store. All the employees wear black dress pants, white button shirt and tie (even the boy collecting the carts). There was a pianist playing at a baby grand when you enter. There is a cafe with wireless internet (so I'm told), flower shop, candy shop, I think there is a sushi bar along with the typical ares to bet salads, chicken, soups, etc. by the pound. There were taste tests going on at about every aisle. They definietly go out of their way to welcome you, assist you in finding things, and lots of smiling. I actually got some things for less than at the other grocery stores. I'm not sure it will always be this way since it's the grand opening, but I'd go back again (maybe not in jeans and a hoodie!)

Oatmeal Queen & Something Green: Day 28

Brown Sugar Walnut  Swirl Oatmeal
1/2 c quick oats
2/4 c milk
1 packet of Splenda
Brown sugar
chopped walnuts

Simple and typical recipe. Not a lot of options in our place and we need groceries:)

More fun, crafty, creative ideas to come. I'm getting a head start on my June goal to make something for each of my nieces and nephews. But I am also hoping to had some simple touches of color around our apartment. Apartments can be tricky to decorate if there are a lot of stipulations to what you can/can't do. We were told we can paint if we paint it all back...at this point we don't want to take the time/money to paint and then have to do that back in 1 or 2 years. I know it's easy and it would be quick for my super painter husband:), but we don't even know if we'll stay in this apt. thru all his schooling. Likely, yes...but some days we question it. So I am trying to come up with creative ways to add some more color around here. Especially if it's free or very lost cost. Hanging up curtains really helped. I am going to think of some ways to use acrylic paint, scrapbook paper, fabric and maybe some other items to add some color and creativity to our home. You can look forward to those posts (hopefully through out the year:)

Oatmeal Queen & Something Green: Day 27

Potato & Eggs Oatmeal
1/2 c quick oats
3/4 c water
dash of salt
1 scrambled egg
tater tots
cheese and pepper to taste

Okay, so this is the first day that I didn't eat oatmeal for breakfast. I woke up early and my stomach was churning so I ate some dry Kix to maybe help calm my stomach. Before I knew it I was making tuna sandwiches for lunch for Josh and I. So when dinner time came around I decided I would make another savory recipe and something maybe more filling. This was kind of a breakfast bowl inspired recipe. I couldn't taste the oatmeal very much, but the consistency of the oatmeal was kind of weird with the eggs. Very filling though, so I guess it was a good choice.

So it's been since Thursday that I left the apartment. Josh and I hadn't even unlocked the door since Friday until he went out to check to mail today (junk mail how exciting). Feeling slightly less congested and hoping that allergy medicine will help more this coming week. Josh has more energy but the cold still lingers. So another pic from inside our apartment. This is a pic of Chicago that hangs in our kitchen. I really miss living in the suburbs of Chicago...didn't think I would ever say that, but it was our (Josh and I) first place after getting married and I also like all the area has to offer. I don't know where we will end up in the future, but when we drove through our old area it felt like we sould be gonig home there. Only the Lord knows where we'll be living in three years, but I do thank Him for the blessings of where we are now in this season of life.