tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15954697075404506412024-02-18T18:27:52.857-08:00Crafty Cakewagon!!Your home for crafts, cakes, and anything in need of a wagonDana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.comBlogger508125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-67184301304426961882021-02-03T23:13:00.001-08:002021-02-03T23:13:02.153-08:00Veggie Mania!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89SU6AW1AMIqQoGKWI6iaMRBpEFhcbgzcfiXYHeGP5dfllWP75UqcM7DvLRoKbjMF5f2nU1R8B5heSAL7qJasQvu9COBMgTet6sN-E_IDcqfmd88fxuAEBFzn2whgiUMSp_GQd1bb_n0/s4160/IMG_20210111_200551306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89SU6AW1AMIqQoGKWI6iaMRBpEFhcbgzcfiXYHeGP5dfllWP75UqcM7DvLRoKbjMF5f2nU1R8B5heSAL7qJasQvu9COBMgTet6sN-E_IDcqfmd88fxuAEBFzn2whgiUMSp_GQd1bb_n0/s320/IMG_20210111_200551306.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know it is hard to believe, but sometimes, my dudes do not eat very many vegetables. Zizi has always eaten pretty much any fruit or veggie she meets, but Sage is another story. He prefers raw vegetables, and can be pretty picky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG81SHg9GQsgdc83badrJ0iQcmVprT2VJ9VSBHHL89qsubCgg7uXXZnBTXOV09ncPLUBHej42N6ocjvRo28Kl-JgOeSrwbymp3gc8O50Cfd-5XMebcnhPtJvPA7TsPYHUiOQ3HydY2EU/s4160/IMG_20210111_201137778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG81SHg9GQsgdc83badrJ0iQcmVprT2VJ9VSBHHL89qsubCgg7uXXZnBTXOV09ncPLUBHej42N6ocjvRo28Kl-JgOeSrwbymp3gc8O50Cfd-5XMebcnhPtJvPA7TsPYHUiOQ3HydY2EU/s320/IMG_20210111_201137778.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">All of this changed a few weeks ago, when I decided to get out my bento supplies to dress them up. I used some fun cutters and picks, and they LOVED IT!! So much that Z made up her own plates for the next several days.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUxq6cLmymaUeN0DMzSiWwAftPB2wLNnS1zwj-J0yf8pzqx68JAotDnmrb2B2f4Apf3VhC7S5b0kQEtDzUtAQbvq7pScJFDzgk0Z8WdkGz9hM8QMnugbLskcxyFpG4nr4QUXI0wzSbzc/s4160/IMG_20210111_201128656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUxq6cLmymaUeN0DMzSiWwAftPB2wLNnS1zwj-J0yf8pzqx68JAotDnmrb2B2f4Apf3VhC7S5b0kQEtDzUtAQbvq7pScJFDzgk0Z8WdkGz9hM8QMnugbLskcxyFpG4nr4QUXI0wzSbzc/s320/IMG_20210111_201128656.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, this boy was eating broccoli! He may have even tried a sugar snap pea! I don't always have time to do this, but it made a big improvement for sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtk9L-UilX8xKMPx5sTL_13lwyH_4kURh8JYLLupeM2ZzYMru6LCM7WTlK0zxE97icflJ3yfxHC36DkLIkrgEiT1J57V7XIOYfTzj0A5VlrIxl3VbmMhxAPDIcT7F6Sqgd1bwOPeofuY/s4160/IMG_20210111_200616451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtk9L-UilX8xKMPx5sTL_13lwyH_4kURh8JYLLupeM2ZzYMru6LCM7WTlK0zxE97icflJ3yfxHC36DkLIkrgEiT1J57V7XIOYfTzj0A5VlrIxl3VbmMhxAPDIcT7F6Sqgd1bwOPeofuY/s320/IMG_20210111_200616451.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-87173298474610129682021-02-02T23:13:00.003-08:002021-02-02T23:13:19.458-08:00Widget's New Coat!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Widget is now a year old, and needed a new coat, so I made one! I had just a bit of this cute rainbow fleece left, and some nice thick denim, so I put it all together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTXKz7G80AyNlpFeW5FsH-hNLAFZAE6zPuy72b8lSXX_6oyg34me-C4msK0WNK_nKyRjLSQLF_9MTxSheiogkv7iPX9dwi6UF0hjDEGS8MdpqxQEojHOydtr4QTipGAjNT69pkkoWwv0/s3120/IMG_20210124_185921529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2742" data-original-width="3120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTXKz7G80AyNlpFeW5FsH-hNLAFZAE6zPuy72b8lSXX_6oyg34me-C4msK0WNK_nKyRjLSQLF_9MTxSheiogkv7iPX9dwi6UF0hjDEGS8MdpqxQEojHOydtr4QTipGAjNT69pkkoWwv0/s320/IMG_20210124_185921529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There's even a buttonhole so that we can still use it with his harness and leash. It's not waterproof, but it should hold up in the snow!</div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5i_eeO7BMR-wSPV1oMESos_YyHuxelQ_yJkjrmvb3ci2zYYFmILpRhizYuLrDUqOutl42-u5PyfZwI79Bhp1hz7sG4UF3kwxV9W1Bj48g65sOugdMVwTXRZhMt-JvG9a0BIDSRbIZ3o/s3120/IMG_20210124_185928560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2806" data-original-width="3120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5i_eeO7BMR-wSPV1oMESos_YyHuxelQ_yJkjrmvb3ci2zYYFmILpRhizYuLrDUqOutl42-u5PyfZwI79Bhp1hz7sG4UF3kwxV9W1Bj48g65sOugdMVwTXRZhMt-JvG9a0BIDSRbIZ3o/s320/IMG_20210124_185928560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-51365425644427188402021-01-04T00:06:00.001-08:002021-01-04T00:06:14.442-08:00Cranberry Pecan Upside-Down Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UO16y1HEp-cWojGWVI_P93UNFxyCHXFPmTsdoG3_9jaKrfouuVG5tbBNoYMUFIN8nRgDTMkes3Ncv83p3L9X9i0W0DkmNnUjw2myvK7COJOVc9L-0VTHULNMdLV9voJzoyGMUktYKoY/s2396/IMG_20210101_140903457%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2396" data-original-width="1834" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UO16y1HEp-cWojGWVI_P93UNFxyCHXFPmTsdoG3_9jaKrfouuVG5tbBNoYMUFIN8nRgDTMkes3Ncv83p3L9X9i0W0DkmNnUjw2myvK7COJOVc9L-0VTHULNMdLV9voJzoyGMUktYKoY/s320/IMG_20210101_140903457%257E2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I usually make this recipe for Christmas, but this year I saved it for New Year's Day. I originally got it from an issue of Eating Well magazine several years ago, and it's meant to be small individual cakes in a muffin tin. This time, I made a big one!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cranberry Pecan Upside-Down Cake</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">adapted from Eating Well, December 2013</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 c. fresh cranberries, rinsed and chopped</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 c. brown rice syrup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 c. packed brown sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp. cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 Tbsp. melted butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/3 c. chopped pecans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mix together in a medium bowl, and put into the bottom of a greased pan (or muffin tins).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then mix together: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 c. whole wheat flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 c. all-purpose flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Tbsp. sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 tsp. salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Tbsp. baking powder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 tsp. baking soda</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 tsp. cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into small pieces</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 c. buttermilk (or regular/soy milk + 1 tsp. vinegar)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Tbsp. neutral oil (I used sunflower)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stir together the dry ingredients, and then using your fingers or a pastry blender, add in the butter. Crumble it into the flour mixture until it is tiny bits. Then add the buttermilk and oil, until it just comes together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It will be a pretty thick batter, no pouring here! Flomp it into your baking pan, on top of the cranberry mixture, and spread it around as best you can. Bake at 375* for 25-30 minutes, until the middle is done when you poke it with a fork. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a large plate. Serve with whipped cream! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-41368080189078426792021-01-02T18:11:00.004-08:002021-01-02T18:11:57.305-08:00Hide and Seek <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a path that we take through the woods on our neighborhood walks. Usually when we head home, we play "hide and seek" in this tiny traffic circle with a few trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySu9_abhNHx_dLcYEbqLwFQfK70fA025D3EJHtS7qc6PAAGYZOvo8PXbIVJx21nCW_gdYXiXWOPRuWBwxPUqxl-QDACU4jaRRD6zHGB6JE0thxtvHFOcDqYyDbQcZ2TmOcK-jFlstoDw/s4160/IMG_20201212_151755493_BURST000_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySu9_abhNHx_dLcYEbqLwFQfK70fA025D3EJHtS7qc6PAAGYZOvo8PXbIVJx21nCW_gdYXiXWOPRuWBwxPUqxl-QDACU4jaRRD6zHGB6JE0thxtvHFOcDqYyDbQcZ2TmOcK-jFlstoDw/w300-h400/IMG_20201212_151755493_BURST000_COVER.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They call it Golden Hour for a reason!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEypI8p-1jOF-zB6RniEjBkUXzJBvL3C6VMxrnVbHx0R0QKUwgfoQKXlU2nEg36aISyTczhJsUiukMpWnM5k_4DqgkPl7WrM53-ok_x78o3ZK0uehAhQB2UwLNa7prc01434RIMVMshY/s4160/IMG_20201212_151804529_BURST006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEypI8p-1jOF-zB6RniEjBkUXzJBvL3C6VMxrnVbHx0R0QKUwgfoQKXlU2nEg36aISyTczhJsUiukMpWnM5k_4DqgkPl7WrM53-ok_x78o3ZK0uehAhQB2UwLNa7prc01434RIMVMshY/w300-h400/IMG_20201212_151804529_BURST006.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><br /> <p></p>Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-86565804422163859432021-01-01T21:38:00.003-08:002021-01-02T01:17:35.200-08:00Pop Tart Gingerbread Houses!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow! It has been a very long time since I have posted here. So long, that blogger is now capable of synching photos from my phone! (part of the reason I was unable to post, without an easy way to upload pictures)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInvLyeQXNniE79T0zM0sdiajZnJ44xfI-Z6cIZBocpkp7KnV3j5b1gZiLzrnub_5xYcyHoBYeth4GfifYWCTjxj7EJz1zg0pa1XTZCGg-DrqcbXLx2UHlrALRBVYaOLku7fJFr8NQLT8/s4160/IMG_20201209_183536351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInvLyeQXNniE79T0zM0sdiajZnJ44xfI-Z6cIZBocpkp7KnV3j5b1gZiLzrnub_5xYcyHoBYeth4GfifYWCTjxj7EJz1zg0pa1XTZCGg-DrqcbXLx2UHlrALRBVYaOLku7fJFr8NQLT8/s320/IMG_20201209_183536351.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zizi and Sage are now 8 and 5 (!!!) and here is this year's version of gingerbread houses. I used a tutorial from <a href="https://gluesticksblog.com/make-a-pop-tart-gingerbread-house-video/" target="_blank">this blog </a>as inspiration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I picked cherry poptarts, mints, M&Ms, dots, and some toffee from Imperfect Produce. We made icing with about 3 cups of powdered sugar and a tablespoon or so of water. It was probably the most glue-like icing we've used so far.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6AipQ2hjA6_IVBsLBS7u8iI-VTRrRvitKgQd8qHK4UwsHLbUIbxmxzrK6zQPAfkAqZyrnUxGk5PX6h8mBbNC_Np4bGyKn-9wJQDeg-xPeWyB_9vTETjxipOgXNoO07PY57A9H7Poqxk/s4160/IMG_20201209_123421666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6AipQ2hjA6_IVBsLBS7u8iI-VTRrRvitKgQd8qHK4UwsHLbUIbxmxzrK6zQPAfkAqZyrnUxGk5PX6h8mBbNC_Np4bGyKn-9wJQDeg-xPeWyB_9vTETjxipOgXNoO07PY57A9H7Poqxk/s320/IMG_20201209_123421666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">Z wanted to make peppermint dust, so she smashed some with a hammer! </div><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS6G47JXk4QY8aac5L-fcu1w8zPQD47YNG1I5J0cxyUBebO0hTUL9xwHF1oY_5Y3yF-1BYIzH2g5uRJ8pTVMVcQDAkEFKtO23GsTZk-epfnX4kUO2tF8KMPmg4BwTIwNV9zvygaAlteM/s4160/IMG_20201209_140336528_BURST001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS6G47JXk4QY8aac5L-fcu1w8zPQD47YNG1I5J0cxyUBebO0hTUL9xwHF1oY_5Y3yF-1BYIzH2g5uRJ8pTVMVcQDAkEFKtO23GsTZk-epfnX4kUO2tF8KMPmg4BwTIwNV9zvygaAlteM/w181-h241/IMG_20201209_140336528_BURST001.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjmR2Icz-IbjIW2wCW03Ld-G3xMBQE-WXrhz0gVsX6jg8GmYCnthT9IpR8SWc-dz1oylqsJ4SVP50kAoJmR2vqk-N_fkv7unS8geFP3H31o3PYUEUSjVUj-LzxTC_Z2ogxM54jceiTQA/s4160/IMG_20201209_131602890_BURST004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjmR2Icz-IbjIW2wCW03Ld-G3xMBQE-WXrhz0gVsX6jg8GmYCnthT9IpR8SWc-dz1oylqsJ4SVP50kAoJmR2vqk-N_fkv7unS8geFP3H31o3PYUEUSjVUj-LzxTC_Z2ogxM54jceiTQA/s320/IMG_20201209_131602890_BURST004.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Getting the houses to stand up is always ALWAYS a challenge. I always forget that it is a challenge. Poptarts were relatively sturdy though, and much easier than graham crackers. (tasty extra bits too!)<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KFks8WsGAHFW6MoeqqMDThgffgYRiYH805LATzjfHUMKwj1unxDT9Rmm5HaUpQhNA1k_X4wnzkcCYsWyckzKkFKALK4G4YaGPjNGBOiTo6IeWpA_S3RCE0bxvJojzoN9Q-L6w2ax3m4/s4160/IMG_20201209_131521549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KFks8WsGAHFW6MoeqqMDThgffgYRiYH805LATzjfHUMKwj1unxDT9Rmm5HaUpQhNA1k_X4wnzkcCYsWyckzKkFKALK4G4YaGPjNGBOiTo6IeWpA_S3RCE0bxvJojzoN9Q-L6w2ax3m4/s320/IMG_20201209_131521549.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We put the icing into bags, and just snip the corner to pipe it. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjgNVUR-RsAJBGIVbouKKWrMEUiqBTOmY43sviVVwpYz5saFASLvOeSrdF0-I3z__25DZXp_qkV7V-yet_I0OoH_Ea4PGRQqAuUc7fwWxsihYtSNatRev0qRfrwEj_Q1DooZ6iYNyaFc/s4160/IMG_20201209_140341841_BURST013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjgNVUR-RsAJBGIVbouKKWrMEUiqBTOmY43sviVVwpYz5saFASLvOeSrdF0-I3z__25DZXp_qkV7V-yet_I0OoH_Ea4PGRQqAuUc7fwWxsihYtSNatRev0qRfrwEj_Q1DooZ6iYNyaFc/s320/IMG_20201209_140341841_BURST013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> Happy 2021!!!</span><br /> <p></p></div>Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-89281222995676297852017-11-10T19:43:00.002-08:002017-11-10T19:43:40.534-08:00Tamale Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpZgGfKiKs9TjpIyXdsS2a0bm2Sla0tCYBr1XxM-A0n7IdkdLZn-QGi-kfsODLE4BKn3_vLLOGVzsaGPMPhfQ711kJlH-0D2XSR85Y0QTBUZzfKjKtSRz-TyFciWp-cDNqAO4f0sD2Kc/s1600/IMG_20171101_200516319%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1309" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpZgGfKiKs9TjpIyXdsS2a0bm2Sla0tCYBr1XxM-A0n7IdkdLZn-QGi-kfsODLE4BKn3_vLLOGVzsaGPMPhfQ711kJlH-0D2XSR85Y0QTBUZzfKjKtSRz-TyFciWp-cDNqAO4f0sD2Kc/s400/IMG_20171101_200516319%257E2.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
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It has been really cold here lately. We even had snow (twice!) in the last week, which is pretty out of the ordinary for the PNW. I was craving some tamale pie the other day, and discovered a bag of masa hiding out in my cupboard. I searched through every cookbook that I had for something mildly authentic, and realized... yeah, tamale pie is probably made up by white people. :) Regardless, I persevered!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYe8n7RFNpDzkkPj2edO8kdgW-ao4_eU5LbOXX8y3gPVfVymdlkGAU8_LjTzWqf0WRPrl4wWcwteIKwwUhuGINuNgzXFS0516-bYAh086Duto5nFSKrMNWabnCQEWt9YP2iWazsYaFzw/s1600/IMG_20171101_185120041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1600" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYe8n7RFNpDzkkPj2edO8kdgW-ao4_eU5LbOXX8y3gPVfVymdlkGAU8_LjTzWqf0WRPrl4wWcwteIKwwUhuGINuNgzXFS0516-bYAh086Duto5nFSKrMNWabnCQEWt9YP2iWazsYaFzw/s400/IMG_20171101_185120041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>Tamale Pie: </u></div>
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1 bell pepper, diced</div>
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1 onion, diced</div>
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2 cloves garlic, minced</div>
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1-2 tsp. cumin</div>
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1/2 tsp. chili pepper flakes</div>
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1/2 tsp. smoked paprika</div>
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1 can black beans, rinsed and drained</div>
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2 c. frozen corn</div>
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1 can diced tomatoes</div>
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Half of a bag of Morningstar Farms crumbles/other fake meat (about 1 1/2 cups)</div>
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1 c. grated cheddar cheese</div>
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2 c. dry masa</div>
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1 3/4 c. water</div>
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2 Tbsp. olive oil</div>
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2 tsp. salt</div>
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In a large pan, heat about 2 tsp. olive oil, or spray the pan with cooking spray. Cook the onion, pepper, garlic, until they are cooked through and the onion is translucent. Add the spices, beans, crumbles, tomatoes, and corn, and cook for 10 minutes. </div>
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While the vegetables are cooking, mix together the masa, water, oil, and salt in a small bowl. Take the pan off of the heat, and add some water if it seems dry, about half a cup. Sprinkle the cheese on top, and then spoon the masa mixture on top of that. Try to spread it out a little. Cook at 350* for 30 minutes, until all of the topping is brown and cooked through. </div>
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Serve with avocado, sour cream. or salsa.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYevlAacUHzB_ShRZGnuWnNufO1h7SoBFFjK3pF2tsSCDlyBFoz4J0AnR8DSI0Xrfe98NzikJzmRhtP720eHFw1IZs28v_ZtfIkpjjGTIBBeemwlCyFqvacpAeqVSuoEpEc-lHkyO3aM/s1600/IMG_20171101_200533308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYevlAacUHzB_ShRZGnuWnNufO1h7SoBFFjK3pF2tsSCDlyBFoz4J0AnR8DSI0Xrfe98NzikJzmRhtP720eHFw1IZs28v_ZtfIkpjjGTIBBeemwlCyFqvacpAeqVSuoEpEc-lHkyO3aM/s400/IMG_20171101_200533308.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-23417044914011476462017-11-04T15:07:00.000-07:002017-11-04T15:07:45.145-07:00Halloween Candy Houses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla6sCaH87V8md_lPqJH-p5-AgtB7NpvYfuX_7qSr-LXIo9YT8O7YlfwVjVAkl143ZNabEkUpgBhzSGa8Y-FQaz437Q0uLDREXGAvtK0BWEHsOBVLjVRXE2KoGENtegghOHQku1TxT8Cw/s1600/IMG_20171101_172734728%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla6sCaH87V8md_lPqJH-p5-AgtB7NpvYfuX_7qSr-LXIo9YT8O7YlfwVjVAkl143ZNabEkUpgBhzSGa8Y-FQaz437Q0uLDREXGAvtK0BWEHsOBVLjVRXE2KoGENtegghOHQku1TxT8Cw/s320/IMG_20171101_172734728%257E2.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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Z decided that she wanted to make some houses out of her Halloween candy. After perusing the internet for some ideas, we decided that the best route was to use graham crackers as the base of the house. and use frosting for glue. (I wasn't against the idea of using cardboard, but she really wanted to be able to eat everything.) She drew out a whole plan, and gathered up the ingredients.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVlQDRbOcGSYCyQszAkRuYNcMPNS5kwZzgYWzVF9h8-Ha1P2UrED5R6H_S_4yZX_Ku9D__l4R5v3KWkxHKEzRT7mZM32h78fR790bY1GziTEbR8Gs7ebZLGO3Y2WeLSXlaQXyLgjbwdY/s1600/IMG_20171101_173408292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVlQDRbOcGSYCyQszAkRuYNcMPNS5kwZzgYWzVF9h8-Ha1P2UrED5R6H_S_4yZX_Ku9D__l4R5v3KWkxHKEzRT7mZM32h78fR790bY1GziTEbR8Gs7ebZLGO3Y2WeLSXlaQXyLgjbwdY/s400/IMG_20171101_173408292.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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First, I made some chocolate frosting with melted chocolate chips, butter, coconut milk, and powdered sugar. (We just did a small amount, so probably about 2 handfuls of chocolate chips and about 2 1/2 Tbsp. of butter.) Then I experimented with a few ways to get the house to stand up. I ended up using frosting as cement on the plate, then using a cracker as the base of the house, smushed the 4 sides around it. It took more effort than I expected! Then, I let Z start on her house, mostly with decorations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_7b5PdhoEnZqYKezqzbpNoGqttnhzSwYRFDbR4RDCpvUJJltnc7-pPTNOi60LpJ9vCYrKIjqJwsNAxQh5rDa5GXL9bzdgoOp4ytOr3RMmUlTb43DWdFZNGDkN3lv0ncSYjr9swWHC08/s1600/IMG_20171101_174046888%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1218" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_7b5PdhoEnZqYKezqzbpNoGqttnhzSwYRFDbR4RDCpvUJJltnc7-pPTNOi60LpJ9vCYrKIjqJwsNAxQh5rDa5GXL9bzdgoOp4ytOr3RMmUlTb43DWdFZNGDkN3lv0ncSYjr9swWHC08/s320/IMG_20171101_174046888%257E2.jpg" width="243" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaEqGNdVCZRe-BXQ7kzHL5xUHodVHps0WujT7AjM2uAUNKTFtjwUUAKxbOT-SJ9KsWz7wzmNjA4zRuv88lnCDHXOEboZKaZJilKvYsA0FKtdT9wvrQPER33rCRY4aNKe9shoTVC2jiw0/s1600/IMG_20171101_174034099%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1091" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaEqGNdVCZRe-BXQ7kzHL5xUHodVHps0WujT7AjM2uAUNKTFtjwUUAKxbOT-SJ9KsWz7wzmNjA4zRuv88lnCDHXOEboZKaZJilKvYsA0FKtdT9wvrQPER33rCRY4aNKe9shoTVC2jiw0/s320/IMG_20171101_174034099%257E2.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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After carefully getting the roofs (rooves?) on, they needed a bit more to stay stabilized. Since we had already unwrapped so much candy, we used some Twix to hold them on. I threw some sprinkles on mine, and Z looked for ways to make lollipop trees stand up.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVrDvlOk_fwHNHLzjihSMk6ChdqA0wuuGCzY58QhZ2OlbCR3OUfnUKtG3qj7YIjpIjewAdka77WSsZPk_V1f_ntlzP4XSpKe9zYZ7jJs7bnFMkX-BuXQMViTIfQwKypvTQUiuxL61o_0/s1600/IMG_20171101_174441630%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1247" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVrDvlOk_fwHNHLzjihSMk6ChdqA0wuuGCzY58QhZ2OlbCR3OUfnUKtG3qj7YIjpIjewAdka77WSsZPk_V1f_ntlzP4XSpKe9zYZ7jJs7bnFMkX-BuXQMViTIfQwKypvTQUiuxL61o_0/s400/IMG_20171101_174441630%257E2.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success!</td></tr>
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Peppermint patties were the perfect size and consistency to act as tree bases. (and since none of us really like them, it wasn't such a loss.) The M&Ms were a little too heavy to stay on as decorations, but we persevered!</div>
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Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-53603284796695970162017-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:002017-10-25T08:00:10.948-07:00Breakfast Polenta<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yEGqkuJDLr16uHDoI_cXDVBhK3vQWYarsZddhPLg9zk3YOXCI-cIyMmKg78qmDUswD7wKzVURjppR90Q742MtttE6hVe4BVlDFH9g9jBTO9WCkEcM5kw7_VZhFxUJFygwY8KrCrOaDo/s1600/IMG_20171022_112834383%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1423" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yEGqkuJDLr16uHDoI_cXDVBhK3vQWYarsZddhPLg9zk3YOXCI-cIyMmKg78qmDUswD7wKzVURjppR90Q742MtttE6hVe4BVlDFH9g9jBTO9WCkEcM5kw7_VZhFxUJFygwY8KrCrOaDo/s320/IMG_20171022_112834383%257E2.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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I am sick of oatmeal. I will eat it if I'm starving and everyone else is asleep, but in general, it just doesn't fill me up like it used to. Enter Breakfast Polenta! Inspired by an old post by <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2011/01/breakfast-polenta-two-ways/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker</a>, I've been making this at least once or twice a week for breakfast around here. I prefer the savory type, with onions, cheese, and soysages. (and sometimes a rogue avocado or two!)</div>
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Here's how we do it:</div>
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Breakfast Polenta (serves 2)</div>
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1/2 small onion, diced</div>
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2 tsp. olive oil</div>
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1 c. dry polenta</div>
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2 1/2 c. veggie broth</div>
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1/2 c. milk</div>
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1/2 Tbsp.ish butter</div>
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1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese</div>
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2 soysages (I use Morningstar Farms)<br />
a couple handfuls of raw spinach, rinsed</div>
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1 avocado (if you like), or diced tomato</div>
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Salt and pepper</div>
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Smoked Paprika</div>
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Heat a small pot to medium high heat. Add the olive oil and the onions, and cook until they are translucent. Turn down the heat if they start to burn, and add a little water. (My secret? Throw an ice cube or two in there.)</div>
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Once the onions seem done, add the vegetable broth. Slowly drizzle/whisk in the dry polenta. (Don't want any lumps around here!) Turn down the heat to medium low. Keep the milk at the ready, in case the polenta starts spitting everywhere in a dangerous fashion. Stir! Once it starts to thicken, stir in the milk and the butter. Cover it with a screen, if you have one (just to protect yourself and/or your stovetop). Stir in the spinach and grate your cheese. Turn down the heat when it starts to get thick again and the spinach has wilted, and mix in the cheese.</div>
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If you want to get another pan dirty, you can heat up the soysages in a frying pan. If you are like me, you will microwave them for 90 seconds. Once they're hot, chop them up into tiny bits. Ladle the polenta into bowls, and throw some soysages on top. Add veggies if you like, and a bit of salt/pepper/smoked paprika to taste.</div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-27799606310016631082017-10-23T09:30:00.000-07:002017-10-23T09:30:08.421-07:00Little Red Zizi Hood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I set out to make Z a Little Red Riding Hood cloak when she was really little; like 2. But, the pattern proved to be very high maintenance, and by the time I was actually ready to try again, she had changed sizes, so the I didn't have enough of the original red fabric. Enter Try #2! I decided to use fleece this time, and just use the really cute lining material for the hood and pockets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T5IcVaOOA2ExNpA20BQz1HVmC8E9nY9JCOWQDVnze3ZEpZxywQ-vCDtyXe9aUe1H5yCUW8SIDCgWsOB7I41hdF1G1k4NkssnjYuNYQY1PtUufj54-YLiHXzrQ0Kck-EEKgmd_9v7igo/s1600/IMG_20171020_194131719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T5IcVaOOA2ExNpA20BQz1HVmC8E9nY9JCOWQDVnze3ZEpZxywQ-vCDtyXe9aUe1H5yCUW8SIDCgWsOB7I41hdF1G1k4NkssnjYuNYQY1PtUufj54-YLiHXzrQ0Kck-EEKgmd_9v7igo/s320/IMG_20171020_194131719.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I had this pattern (McCall's 6431) in my stash, so I decided to Frankenstein together the parts that I liked. We opted for the version with the hood and no zipper, and throw in the heart pockets too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGpjBhUKVM2j2spBtxDTrScMHHm8eFeygmR2PPT88MkHaRCj8idj43n-vTpjLWIzUsdTpCS1p7j42y3pT3uIC2e-gqcAvc2J6O4Jq9y9ZFffKTZfUXynzY27j_URq4ClBmYEZSIFMPOo/s1600/IMG_20171017_162609135%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="842" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGpjBhUKVM2j2spBtxDTrScMHHm8eFeygmR2PPT88MkHaRCj8idj43n-vTpjLWIzUsdTpCS1p7j42y3pT3uIC2e-gqcAvc2J6O4Jq9y9ZFffKTZfUXynzY27j_URq4ClBmYEZSIFMPOo/s400/IMG_20171017_162609135%257E2.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoWLAgDIHHr1ocV_8dVrM91mThDtXfh4NGQ4JCmPdpfsGMgpfJAJhpbIx1qa1dDHVDMKeOAUlhNmThvKPuZrc5VtNIUKJadcxNCz-rgTvTjGBQP2vRfz6kzkYq2ttayk94FO4BHvsak0/s1600/IMG_20171017_162559309%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="797" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoWLAgDIHHr1ocV_8dVrM91mThDtXfh4NGQ4JCmPdpfsGMgpfJAJhpbIx1qa1dDHVDMKeOAUlhNmThvKPuZrc5VtNIUKJadcxNCz-rgTvTjGBQP2vRfz6kzkYq2ttayk94FO4BHvsak0/s400/IMG_20171017_162559309%257E2.jpg" width="197" /></a><br />
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I think it turned out pretty cute!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IwcFMqqgj2zpfabP8zgRGk8t3dq4pRU4QDegKXsZQy3eE53ZxlkBcLgMzYNdVbDeaYhJVEyG2v4806soQw3TNeYz-XI5qXmLe_818_okgyB3eGn9eG956ugkNKR4uundNyhB4mXoPJ0/s1600/IMG_20171017_162615716%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1037" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IwcFMqqgj2zpfabP8zgRGk8t3dq4pRU4QDegKXsZQy3eE53ZxlkBcLgMzYNdVbDeaYhJVEyG2v4806soQw3TNeYz-XI5qXmLe_818_okgyB3eGn9eG956ugkNKR4uundNyhB4mXoPJ0/s320/IMG_20171017_162615716%257E2.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where she started flapping her arms like a chicken.</td></tr>
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She really loves it! She's wearing it all the time now, and I think after cutting out everything, it took me 2 days to put it together. Here are some of my favorite bits:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qy5wPdQjHpWjHg9BKPovpKJgosMu7qzScbnIt06XTzCmY0Got0B9sh2Q9zUjPROJ6hIL0fIiBjJahpfGKg9PZtrpbJvKRlUvI7lkHfrVE56czQKj4RXkWj9ghMKHUz33aOriKzNlxWk/s1600/IMG_20171017_162450276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qy5wPdQjHpWjHg9BKPovpKJgosMu7qzScbnIt06XTzCmY0Got0B9sh2Q9zUjPROJ6hIL0fIiBjJahpfGKg9PZtrpbJvKRlUvI7lkHfrVE56czQKj4RXkWj9ghMKHUz33aOriKzNlxWk/s400/IMG_20171017_162450276.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pocket detail- how cute are those fairytale bunnies?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TsKlTf3zlSQp27LkW8bxqy4WQZnJgfBzueoyRe5lJhdFpVP2SEXqV2JI8fzVvAqIiD2vJ8on1t8b8v8k-NC-zPltM0FD9xFW2ru2TkvThJ3dI6wuy1v2i8DsZE2tHf4SYpCuwU0hL8s/s1600/IMG_20171017_162442875%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="939" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TsKlTf3zlSQp27LkW8bxqy4WQZnJgfBzueoyRe5lJhdFpVP2SEXqV2JI8fzVvAqIiD2vJ8on1t8b8v8k-NC-zPltM0FD9xFW2ru2TkvThJ3dI6wuy1v2i8DsZE2tHf4SYpCuwU0hL8s/s400/IMG_20171017_162442875%257E2.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart clasp detail</td></tr>
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Now I'm trying to justify making a cloak for Sage... maybe with a wolf tail? Or bear ears?Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-78022826382750240342017-10-22T00:30:00.001-07:002017-10-22T00:30:32.760-07:00Z's 2nd Birthday! (3 years later...) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't even, you guys.</div>
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I just started looking at my "drafts" folder, and this was in there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Agine3tylhW2jUydGhyb1weeM4lDXyJj7thNJjLepdQJ-78AEVJJbRhT6kjTkUqyMMrC1j6lFz5jJ-h8nMTzOfyGiOtqFhJZiUdhBpnE1Gh0I24wnV_ildVcFTuhxAQoFDMhet03q1Y/s1600/sadbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Agine3tylhW2jUydGhyb1weeM4lDXyJj7thNJjLepdQJ-78AEVJJbRhT6kjTkUqyMMrC1j6lFz5jJ-h8nMTzOfyGiOtqFhJZiUdhBpnE1Gh0I24wnV_ildVcFTuhxAQoFDMhet03q1Y/s1600/sadbaby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Zizi's 2nd birthday party.. The Hungry Little Caterpillar! I never even published this!! I made cute dot garlands and pom pom balloons... (and discovered that you can use hot glue on balloons, and they won't pop!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRVvO4u9gRLWlHHBKEaZdKdBtN1Z-M_pH0qWuq_hMzJD50kzYVekAi_wHDKwxk75fvotrcVRze26y_WFE-d9EPZVTUNoegj5GmWWJlSqpP4x8ofI9wfpG-jPTkJecMXdd-CraHyZsUII/s1600/P1090750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRVvO4u9gRLWlHHBKEaZdKdBtN1Z-M_pH0qWuq_hMzJD50kzYVekAi_wHDKwxk75fvotrcVRze26y_WFE-d9EPZVTUNoegj5GmWWJlSqpP4x8ofI9wfpG-jPTkJecMXdd-CraHyZsUII/s1600/P1090750.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I also made some cute caterpillar skewers, and we had lots of fruit, like in the story...<br />
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And my girl was so little. A few months later, I was pregnant with Sage, and things like writing got put on the back burner. Well, at least we can enjoy them now!!</div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-61915092121443046242017-10-17T12:42:00.003-07:002017-10-17T12:45:24.652-07:00Raising Produce-filled Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My kids eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Like A LOT. I've been asked how I've gotten them to this point, and really, it's just a couple of things.</div>
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1.) Exposure: I put veggies in most of our foods, sometimes in excessive amounts. We have cut up veggies and fruit for snacks, usually with a string cheese or some nuts. I've read that people need up to 30 exposures to a food in order to like it, so we try lots of different things. In our morning eggs, we typically have mushrooms, spinach, and some veggie sausage. Today we had some leeks, so I put those in too. (Soo good!) Once in a while, I add broccoli or bell pepper, but those get mixed reviews from Zizi. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Fszj1qJOuK3eyoDGuI0RU1GwASVxSrjS7hM-b1csMlWlcJsSycSMkd3LlNT04mTOoSbN-Lv5gSHFp2aR6_keZHP8RCYQGJSl05XZ-bxjBQT3TBwnCB3XspdPrgBNWuITG1CcR8LsUw/s1600/IMG_20171017_110208826%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1108" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Fszj1qJOuK3eyoDGuI0RU1GwASVxSrjS7hM-b1csMlWlcJsSycSMkd3LlNT04mTOoSbN-Lv5gSHFp2aR6_keZHP8RCYQGJSl05XZ-bxjBQT3TBwnCB3XspdPrgBNWuITG1CcR8LsUw/s400/IMG_20171017_110208826%257E2.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our morning veggies today</td></tr>
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2.) Cook with them. When kids make the food, they are more likely to try it. My guys are really interested in cooking, and want to help most of the time. This morning, Sage stole an egg before Zizi could crack it, and cracked it himself... all over the counter. I think he'll be ready to learn for real in about 6 months, but I admire the effort! Sometimes I wear him on my back when I'm making dinner, so he can see the stove, but is still safe. He loves that!<br />
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They don't always want to cook with me, but I give them lots of opportunities to help or just watch. When Sage was smaller, I would wheel his highchair into the kitchen so he could see what was happening, and he would be contained.<br />
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These are a few books we've used this year:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHst5tvQ5TXTYXEt2DnyTqcYRtHNQ8ebCM809zCipNbCkM5Qhyphenhyphenk1tlQnztakO-81-vR6V79uqCsTISIMbaySJVRo3DiYp60suqsOq_i0llSU9-VqdFMt40A1ojX5LH-c895lDXU_hrSmE/s1600/IMG_20171017_115647024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHst5tvQ5TXTYXEt2DnyTqcYRtHNQ8ebCM809zCipNbCkM5Qhyphenhyphenk1tlQnztakO-81-vR6V79uqCsTISIMbaySJVRo3DiYp60suqsOq_i0llSU9-VqdFMt40A1ojX5LH-c895lDXU_hrSmE/s400/IMG_20171017_115647024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pretend-Soup-Other-Real-Recipes/dp/1883672066/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508267796&sr=8-1&keywords=pretend+soup" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pretend-Soup-Other-Real-Recipes/dp/1883672066/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508267796&sr=8-1&keywords=pretend+soup" target="_blank">Pretend Soup</a> has lots of step-by-step pictures, so kids can see what to do next, along with parent-friendly instructions all on one page. (I got it at Half-Priced Books for around $5.) Z got it for her birthday a few weeks ago, and we went through it before bed one night. The next day, she decided to make her own salad, and cut up most of the veggies on her own. Then she demanded to make lemonade from scratch, since we had some lemons. I wasn't really in the mood for lemonade, but she squeezed the lemon and added water herself. </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sesame-Street-Cooking-40th-Anniversary/dp/0470523077/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508267859&sr=1-2&keywords=c+is+for+cooking" target="_blank">C is for Cooking</a> is a relatively old kids' cookbook that is super cheap on Amazon. ($2 as of this writing). It's got tons of pictures and has cute names for recipes using the character's names, like "Cookie Monster's 'Me Stuffed' Potatoes" or "Oscar's Quick Dip in the Mud" (chocolate-fruit dip). We've made a few things from it, including some delicious blueberry bar cookies.</div>
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3.) Play with food. There are TONS of recipes and pictures out there of fun animals/monsters/scenes you can make with vegetables and fruit. We sometimes even do science experiments with food! Once, we tested out celery and colored water, to see how it sucked up the water. (Honestly, that one didn't work so well.) <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Mostly-Edible-Science-Experiments/dp/1631591096/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508268328&sr=1-4&keywords=edible+science" target="_blank">Amazing (Mostly) Edible Science</a> has some really great experiments, usually with sweet foods.</div>
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4.) Give them access to snack foods. When Zizi is hungry, she gets in the fridge. Usually the first thing she wants is a pickle or olives. (She has eaten half a jar of olives in one sitting before.) I keep leftover chickpeas and beans in jars in the fridge, and the veggie drawers always have things they might eat in them. Right now, I have: apples (Sage's favorite thing), mushrooms, carrots, celery, and spinach. Yesterday, I left the room for a few minutes. When I came back, Sage had put some old sugar snap peas in the stroller, and was walking them around the room. (My house is kind of a ridiculous place sometimes.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiZ8MwGp39QnPIuSPtr5WQgQnTv8gRo6NMD01zVGNVJ76IwdbbgPmEldvpjAlk26ouWB1TDrOayysQuz0jRVeYnBy-SKmJMjepHh9iOFcbS84p1I6qzS1Q6cv6LAz4-qbfnbVX_enB-c/s1600/IMG_20171016_173700037%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="698" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiZ8MwGp39QnPIuSPtr5WQgQnTv8gRo6NMD01zVGNVJ76IwdbbgPmEldvpjAlk26ouWB1TDrOayysQuz0jRVeYnBy-SKmJMjepHh9iOFcbS84p1I6qzS1Q6cv6LAz4-qbfnbVX_enB-c/s320/IMG_20171016_173700037%257E2.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
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5.) Give lots of choices: When we try a new food, I give each kid just a little bit. It doesn't always work, but sometimes they like it right away. Winter squash is still a hard sell around here, but after I got a spiralizer this summer, they both will eat zucchini if it is cut into zoodles! Sage is a real fruit lover, but still doesn't eat that many veggies on their own. But, after lots of tries, he now will eat raw carrots, sugar snap peas, and sometimes cucumber or celery. Don't give up!</div>
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Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-13154465024572130682016-09-21T15:47:00.001-07:002016-09-21T15:47:26.018-07:00Updates!!<div style="text-align: center;">
So much has happened in the last 6 months! We finished a ginormous redecoration of our downstairs, moving John's office space into my old office, and creating a huge playroom/craftroom in the other space! I was planning an update with lots of pictures, but we still have to move my sewing table downstairs, so it's not 100% done, but done enough to play. :) Also, we started homeschooling with Zephyr- she's almost 4 and really wants to learn to read. Who am I to stop her? Then baby Sage turned a year old, and we were all sick for pretty much the entire month of August. </div>
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We were pretty much recovered, and I sprained my ankle (so I thought). I really didn't do anything to injure it, but after a few days, it just kept getting worse and worse. I went to urgent care to get some crutches, and they ran some blood tests. One of them suggested that I might have a blood clot, so I ended up referred to the E.R. When they asked why I was there, I jokingly said, "Overreaction." But, after a lot more tests and meeting with a doctor, I found myself admitted to the hospital. For almost a week, I was there. The upside is that the food at Overlake Hospital is pretty great. That was pretty much the only upside. In the end, they diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis, and sent me home on Friday. We're still working out whether or not that is actually what is going on, but in the meantime, I'm trying out some anti-inflammatory foods along with all of my medications.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This has been my<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Inflammatory-Eating-Made-Easy-Nutrition/dp/1570619336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474497162&sr=8-1&keywords=anti+inflammatory+eating+made" target="_blank"> favorite book </a>so far</td></tr>
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I'm trying to limit sugar and cut back on white flour-based foods. I'm also adding in some fish oil supplements and as many seeds as I can manage. I bought the above book several months ago, and it really has a lot of great recipes in it. Today for lunch, I made a version of the soup on the cover.</div>
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<u style="font-size: x-large;">Black-Eyed Pea and Greens Soup</u><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from Anti-inflammatory Eating Made Easy)</span></u></div>
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2 c. black-eyed peas, soaked overnight</div>
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1 Tbsp. coconut oil</div>
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1 c. butternut squash, diced into small cubes</div>
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1 small onion, diced</div>
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4 ribs celery, diced</div>
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2 cloves of garlic, minced or crushed</div>
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2 tsp. dried thyme</div>
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2 tsp. dried oregano</div>
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1/2 c. frozen chopped spinach (can also use fresh swiss chard, but I was out)</div>
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1/2 tsp. salt</div>
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6-8 c. vegetable broth</div>
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2 c. cooked brown rice (I use frozen rice from Trader Joe's)</div>
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Soak the black-eyed peas in a pot of water, at least overnight. (For speedier cooking time, I cooked them a day later while I was making some other food, then stored them in the fridge again.)</div>
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In a large stockpot, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the onion, squash, celery, and garlic. Sprinkle with salt. Let it cook until the onions are translucent, then add the spices. Drain the liquid from the cooked peas, then add them to the soup. (If you didn't precook the peas, follow the same directions, but don't add the squash until the peas are mostly cooked, about 20 minutes.) Add the vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer. After about 15 minutes, add the frozen spinach and rice, and salt and pepper to taste. </div>
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Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-47377768626628137572016-02-27T11:05:00.001-08:002016-02-27T11:05:15.259-08:00Coming soon...Very exciting new house project is starting today! We've been planning it for a couple of months now, so really excited that it's actually on the road. :) More updates to come by the end of the week!Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-19332524430554903362016-02-09T16:37:00.004-08:002016-02-09T16:37:28.745-08:00It's been a long time...<div style="text-align: center;">
I have several things in the works, but thought I'd do a quick update, since it's been so long since I've posted. I don't know if it's related to sleep deprivation/general winter malaise/new baby stress or a desire to get things in order that has lead to blogging falling down the list of activities to the bottom, but I think I'm finally getting it back together. Should I even attempt to do a recap of things I've made in the past few months? (Z got a super awesome Dinosaur Playland for Christmas) Or should I just move forward?</div>
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I've got some new recipes to share, along with a gardening challenge, and a Super Secret Side Project that will interest any crafty peeps who also like sci-fi/nerdy things. Oh, and the Gardening Show is next week! (Zizi is SO EXCITED! Really, more excited than I would expect a 3-year-old to be.) Anyway, good things are in the future!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this little guy just turned 6 months old. What?!?!</td></tr>
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Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-52357229688323713302015-10-29T13:41:00.002-07:002015-10-29T13:41:18.472-07:00Fighting the Good Fight<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a bit rough around here lately. Between some unforeseen/foreseen stresses and general malaise, we seem to be in a constant state of partially having a cold. Last week, I fought these things with chocolate cake and Indian food. The Indian food seemed to knock out the cold impulses, at least for a day or two. And the cake? Pretty damn good, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Baker-Homemade-Decadence-Irresistibly/dp/0385345739/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1446008397&sr=1-1&keywords=joy+the+baker" target="_blank">Joy the Baker</a>! (It was pretty similar to <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2012/03/chocolate-orange-cream-cheese-pound-cake/" target="_blank">this recipe,</a> minus the cream cheese and orange, and adding in some cocoa powder.) But I digress.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Home-Cooking-Introduction-Recipes/dp/0609611011/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446008723&sr=8-1&keywords=indian+home+cooking" target="_blank"><i>Indian Home Cookin</i>g</a> by Suvir Saran and Stephanie Lyness)</span></div>
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1 can kidney beans, drained</div>
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1 can garbanzo beans, drained</div>
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3 cloves garlic, minced</div>
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1 can of diced tomatoes</div>
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1/2 can tomato paste (about 3-4 Tbsp.)</div>
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1 onion (optional- I was out, but I'm sure it would have been good with it)</div>
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3 Tbsp. olive or canola oil</div>
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1 tsp. cumin seeds</div>
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1/2 tsp. whole cloves</div>
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1/4 tsp. peppercorns</div>
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1/2 tsp. chili pepper flakes</div>
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1" piece of cinnamon stick</div>
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3 bay leaves</div>
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1 1/2 tsp. salt</div>
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1 Tbsp. ground coriander</div>
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1 tsp. ground cumin</div>
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1/2 tsp. turmeric</div>
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1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper</div>
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1 tsp. garam masala</div>
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1 1/2 c. water</div>
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Don't be put off by the long spice list; you probably have most of those things already, except for maybe the garam masala and the cardamom pods. </div>
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In a large pan, heat the oil. Add the first set of spices, and let it cook until the seeds start to pop. (You may want to use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-2060-13-Inch-Splatter-Screen/dp/B004C26ON4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1446150755&sr=8-3&keywords=cooking+screen" target="_blank">cooking screen</a> to protect yourself from flying oil!- I got one from the dollar store a million years ago.)</div>
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Add your onion (if using) and garlic to the hot spices. Cook until the onion is translucent, or until the garlic stops smelling raw. Then add your canned tomatoes and drained beans. Evenly disburse the second set of spices and mix them in. Pour in the water, and cook for 15 minutes. Just before serving, add the tomato paste to thicken the sauce. Serve over rice, with plain yogurt to temper the spice.</div>
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<i>(*This post contains affiliate links)</i></div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-25681647605114966272015-10-02T17:14:00.001-07:002015-10-02T17:14:10.616-07:00Confetti Cookies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQxbtISaxAcwxKW9PgJO0LsygJJhsr-C5xouolkavB1mJZcLgUE-SBglj3lKLrtMg0yeWuqymJFfXMwmVqkpoxhJOnCFKuo2_r45Kd5NyePx_RQW6LJWW0TrsV0qmHC5l-jfC57JhzAc/s1600/P1100681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQxbtISaxAcwxKW9PgJO0LsygJJhsr-C5xouolkavB1mJZcLgUE-SBglj3lKLrtMg0yeWuqymJFfXMwmVqkpoxhJOnCFKuo2_r45Kd5NyePx_RQW6LJWW0TrsV0qmHC5l-jfC57JhzAc/s400/P1100681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's Zizi's 3rd Birthday party tomorrow, and what could be better than sprinkle-laden cookies? These were inspired by a recipe in Joy The Baker's newest cookbook,<i> Homemade Decadence</i>; but being that I have been working with limited amounts of time lately, I decided to just use my tried-and-true (and delicious) shortbread recipe, then roll the cookies in sprinkles before baking them. </div>
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<u>Confetti Cookies</u></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from both Joy the Baker and Martha Stewart)</span></i></div>
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2 sticks of unsalted butter</div>
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2 c. unbleached flour</div>
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1 1/4 tsp, salt</div>
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3/4 c. sugar</div>
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1 tsp. vanilla extract</div>
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1 vanilla bean (optional)</div>
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1 entire container of sprinkles (3/4 oz)</div>
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Get out your mixer! Blend up the butter until it is spreadable, (about 3-5 minutes) then add the sugar. Slowly add in the flour, and once it is all incorporated, the salt. Add the vanilla extract, and mix some more. Use a knife to split open your vanilla bean, and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds to your cookie dough, and mix a bit more to incorporate them. Lastly, add a few tablespoons of sprinkles to the dough, and mix them in.</div>
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Pour the sprinkles into a small bowl; one that you can fit your hand into. Take out small amounts of dough (about a tablespoon each) and roll them in the bowl of sprinkles. Press hard enough to get them to really stick to the dough. When you have rolled all of the cookies, put them on a parchment-covered sheet, smush them down a bit (so they are slightly flattened) and freeze for 30 minutes. Bake at 300* for 30 minutes; they will be brown on the bottom, but not the top. </div>
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<br />Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-48628352579344624392015-09-25T08:00:00.000-07:002015-09-25T08:00:06.483-07:00Life with a newborn<div style="text-align: center;">
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Baby Sage is here!! He's now 7 weeks old- and I'm not quite sure how that happened so fast.</div>
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For some reason, it's taking us a bit longer to adjust to having a newborn than it did the first time around. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqtwZZleJDHO7gKcYhanvG159Z8Aod9oXIAV1Tz8a1Wu8wjDQCdAUUPbMKFPfy-k1Q8K6N54jyOtX7KUFOJ5VdvJ_r2S4k53e85msAXuNlYo73booRSsMUYQDCkPWXmSC2_uaOZ6Ot5U/s1600/P1100637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqtwZZleJDHO7gKcYhanvG159Z8Aod9oXIAV1Tz8a1Wu8wjDQCdAUUPbMKFPfy-k1Q8K6N54jyOtX7KUFOJ5VdvJ_r2S4k53e85msAXuNlYo73booRSsMUYQDCkPWXmSC2_uaOZ6Ot5U/s400/P1100637.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Maybe it's because we also have an (almost) three-year-old? He is a bit fussier than Z was,but things are getting better every day. We switched to a formula for sensitive tummies and adjusted his bottles so he gets less air (and therefore less burping/fussiness) and that appears to be helping. I'm still managing to cook at least 2 times a day, even if it's just microwave oatmeal and/or frozen foods sometimes. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJie5FZ_v6i2niVyk9vQegcGwXf9jszGV_EJs2OIgzOBeYBblvOF427RkKrXTHp-QUygC6bl5DJGDSN2MSx38xN44R3VPodPT6XTVWyG5KFNonyjAPwkdtlq6A605rbwzZBhq2yxdZkg/s1600/P1100665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJie5FZ_v6i2niVyk9vQegcGwXf9jszGV_EJs2OIgzOBeYBblvOF427RkKrXTHp-QUygC6bl5DJGDSN2MSx38xN44R3VPodPT6XTVWyG5KFNonyjAPwkdtlq6A605rbwzZBhq2yxdZkg/s320/P1100665.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have a really great helper</td></tr>
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We're adjusting expectations around here too... when you only get 10 free minutes to do part of a project, it's hard to be happy with that; but at least after a while, you can see some progress. My goal is to post here on Fridays- which for the rest of this year, would be a huge improvement!! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SN-0a_6bg4vCmDve44ZRw-CnoNGwkBHJf8kbOb99I6hI56_qDRo9Yj8urknypHTYuz9kgdYLhAOOjF1MNcIZjp4lqcZqb3vifM33TlDz6hlyHLdoUvTOkYeffl0imhn4N-kf6MKWcHU/s1600/P1100651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SN-0a_6bg4vCmDve44ZRw-CnoNGwkBHJf8kbOb99I6hI56_qDRo9Yj8urknypHTYuz9kgdYLhAOOjF1MNcIZjp4lqcZqb3vifM33TlDz6hlyHLdoUvTOkYeffl0imhn4N-kf6MKWcHU/s320/P1100651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These took me over a week to make, but somehow, still got done before making an invite on Facebook.</td></tr>
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Right now I'm planning Zephyr's 3rd birthday party (a musical Fantasia theme- it will be awesome even if slightly confusing to describe), doing a bit of preschool-homeschooling (working on calendar time and things related to fall), and trying to maintain a bit of order amid the chaos. Most days I feel pretty successful!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cSNKxvpYPBz1tGytAuP37_YNbqCNxY1ifugLqCkT-qJGl1Q1HGYGqiPoaHvxURnwJ9N1VynGCrkBN0M1Lv1SIKViyB0rCNeSh3S62aJWsyrzy9YBqb3_0vcbANohM1YJJwCoOkYLQD0/s1600/P1100644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cSNKxvpYPBz1tGytAuP37_YNbqCNxY1ifugLqCkT-qJGl1Q1HGYGqiPoaHvxURnwJ9N1VynGCrkBN0M1Lv1SIKViyB0rCNeSh3S62aJWsyrzy9YBqb3_0vcbANohM1YJJwCoOkYLQD0/s400/P1100644.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple hat! She chose the design and I put it together.</td></tr>
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Thanks for hanging in there with us; or coming back, as the case may be. Next Friday I should have a book review for you!</div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-30952828521254052492015-07-10T14:27:00.001-07:002015-07-10T14:27:27.314-07:00Baby Update and Brownies!<div style="text-align: center;">
So, the baby is supposedly due in about a month, but I have a feeling it will be sooner than that! I've been getting together our supplies and compiling a huge Amazon list of things we'll need right away in an attempt to be more organized than last time. This week I also finished his mobile! Secret Name Baby "S" is getting a space theme for his room. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDkIYothop-zCJFKagFA_atKDckIYw2BcvcFdEODvH2Z3FDBBSaUZjZd3xT0-24ShhfRagISgAGfih2VEj0FzPvwWEZ_tHVPJdTG02rM67EQgYl-tR9dA178Hrw8M6eq4PfffbZgQecw/s1600/P1100563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDkIYothop-zCJFKagFA_atKDckIYw2BcvcFdEODvH2Z3FDBBSaUZjZd3xT0-24ShhfRagISgAGfih2VEj0FzPvwWEZ_tHVPJdTG02rM67EQgYl-tR9dA178Hrw8M6eq4PfffbZgQecw/s400/P1100563.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wasn't sure if I was going to like the sparkly bits, but I think this is my best mobile yet! I used a wire frame for a wreath, hot glue, old flannel from my spaceship pyjamas, stars cut with my Cricut, a "D" ring for the top, and some ribbon and string.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQ1oL_dmQcgvRxz1Mj4H8GT1zgRChF5sXgg-aZFnnLoJDABdqujPdfaZ4HGv0e7hNO16bHRSMTYZYIEHzneDZAVYsBb3QxzA8_zRETttZtrjnwan5P32PgwTxqkRijyueAWpxsEfsK8A/s1600/P1100556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQ1oL_dmQcgvRxz1Mj4H8GT1zgRChF5sXgg-aZFnnLoJDABdqujPdfaZ4HGv0e7hNO16bHRSMTYZYIEHzneDZAVYsBb3QxzA8_zRETttZtrjnwan5P32PgwTxqkRijyueAWpxsEfsK8A/s400/P1100556.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My helper! </td></tr>
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Today's been the first day in recent memory that it's not 5 million degrees in my house, so what am I doing? Baking brownies, of course! I used a Ghirardelli mix (the best ones, IMO) with coconut oil instead of regular oil. Then I cut up some marshmallows and dusted the top with graham crackers to make Extreme S'More's Brownies. I can't imagine anything could go wrong with that!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2oTAy8zOLZq5gHHUVtPha-3bZ3uJT6Yg5omyNZ0aT4pOmrHWybGDbz14P4reOQP8mHFns-YFNhzoA9F7mz1mhbCCYKUrmskb5WKkdia9Bsvfd3AIVoW625ZinHajLweqzu1hyphenhyphenw9dWq0/s1600/P1100554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2oTAy8zOLZq5gHHUVtPha-3bZ3uJT6Yg5omyNZ0aT4pOmrHWybGDbz14P4reOQP8mHFns-YFNhzoA9F7mz1mhbCCYKUrmskb5WKkdia9Bsvfd3AIVoW625ZinHajLweqzu1hyphenhyphenw9dWq0/s400/P1100554.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before baking...<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhs0dxUtvzYnlhQjh1Lf6Xg_K_5X70SlI1yYVgyMNps879wBFp0KY-bXXwBJOVuR57iQOjoaLCTDgtnd1ihY842TA-pkTdFyXLMHZHx7JzcESn27c94UvcW8R_pBU88bfx7wdbZfUnZc/s1600/P1100567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhs0dxUtvzYnlhQjh1Lf6Xg_K_5X70SlI1yYVgyMNps879wBFp0KY-bXXwBJOVuR57iQOjoaLCTDgtnd1ihY842TA-pkTdFyXLMHZHx7JzcESn27c94UvcW8R_pBU88bfx7wdbZfUnZc/s400/P1100567.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">And after.... Nothing to see here! (except delicious melty marshmallows!)</td></tr>
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Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-56293256257005893602015-03-23T13:47:00.002-07:002015-03-23T13:47:23.849-07:00Granola Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
What to do when it's rainy outside and you have no desire to leave the house? Make granola, of course!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYedyckdB5kyBRpTehTN5eEg7vOV8maE2JmSkxt8Zt6uGSVVMVzP4o6r-ZpcTutG2tyIijolLHEjMcJOYRr5MA6CX2oRECL_nqZv9V9iQHHve7h9thQQELBaSTfR_hP6zSurgn9OdsnA/s1600/P1100359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYedyckdB5kyBRpTehTN5eEg7vOV8maE2JmSkxt8Zt6uGSVVMVzP4o6r-ZpcTutG2tyIijolLHEjMcJOYRr5MA6CX2oRECL_nqZv9V9iQHHve7h9thQQELBaSTfR_hP6zSurgn9OdsnA/s1600/P1100359.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It makes your house smell like cinnamon and oatmeal and general deliciousness. I haven't made any for quite a long time, so we are definitely overdue. I used <a href="http://www.craftycakewagon.com/2012/08/the-perfect-granola.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a>, with 4 cups of oats, a variety of trail mix nuts and fruits, some unsweetened coconut, olive oil instead of vegetable oil, and agave nectar. I also added about 2 Tbsp. of almond milk, just to help it stick together a bit more. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK5HvIrfse5oHw-uXTo7BwaPbBQkGnajMvx2MvBGGGDPtUj7AO5iGN3hBmDIVYu_Vm9pDrMmXArtZjRwCm_oZa_xLGpkD6vgVKoRu47NnWfWrbleAX6Mp5lslGuQGyJxUIA3cZ8hAoVY/s1600/P1100358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK5HvIrfse5oHw-uXTo7BwaPbBQkGnajMvx2MvBGGGDPtUj7AO5iGN3hBmDIVYu_Vm9pDrMmXArtZjRwCm_oZa_xLGpkD6vgVKoRu47NnWfWrbleAX6Mp5lslGuQGyJxUIA3cZ8hAoVY/s1600/P1100358.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My counter: the aftermath</td></tr>
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Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-54913532440828353762015-02-26T16:03:00.002-08:002015-02-26T16:03:19.403-08:00Coconut Cherry Brownie Cookies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmpbYc04svEoOsuarlybzXb8WKVhmTmnzp6mt_U2pkuhCLOwQ5ogZsB7bKGqdwIW_ptcR2VCAE_ooZH77xJV3FckGU3o7A2FuV1ivaOAVXyn7avmU7UPdowapnbAcxWsKTGpLn5zTVLs/s1600/P1100272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmpbYc04svEoOsuarlybzXb8WKVhmTmnzp6mt_U2pkuhCLOwQ5ogZsB7bKGqdwIW_ptcR2VCAE_ooZH77xJV3FckGU3o7A2FuV1ivaOAVXyn7avmU7UPdowapnbAcxWsKTGpLn5zTVLs/s1600/P1100272.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Do you feel the need for chocolate cookies, but are out of chocolate chips? These cookies will make it all better. :) (and they are semi-healthy too)</div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Coconut Cherry Brownie Cookies</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from <u>Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar</u> by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero)</span></div>
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1/2 c. unsweetened coconut "milk"- the beverage kind, not the canned stuff</div>
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2 Tbsp. ground flax seeds</div>
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1/2 c. melted coconut oil</div>
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3/4 c. sugar</div>
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2 tsp. vanilla extract</div>
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1/2 tsp. coconut extract</div>
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1 c. all purpose flour</div>
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1/2 c. + 2 Tbsp. whole wheat pastry flour</div>
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1/2 c. cocoa powder</div>
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1/2 tsp. baking soda</div>
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1/4 tsp. baking powder</div>
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1/2 tsp. salt</div>
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(full disclaimer: I was out of baking soda, so I did 1 1/4 tsp. of baking powder and omitted the salt)</div>
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1/2 c. sweetened coconut flakes</div>
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1/2 c. dried sour cherries</div>
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1/4 c. cocoa nibs</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBkrLH-zOgqq7dPx2rZQx0csHa3jwqrfAcn1bjb20sblyBnbeHvPH9w7obavWmuFQ7gJD6qKod8b2bWXhYB5619qkDI5PXJRIasTbTUH21avwfNZaGJLKYp-pLCWPybd9CahUlQ240pw/s1600/theo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBkrLH-zOgqq7dPx2rZQx0csHa3jwqrfAcn1bjb20sblyBnbeHvPH9w7obavWmuFQ7gJD6qKod8b2bWXhYB5619qkDI5PXJRIasTbTUH21avwfNZaGJLKYp-pLCWPybd9CahUlQ240pw/s1600/theo.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theo-Chocolate-Organic-Roasted-Cocoa/dp/B00AJMH6SS" target="_blank">image source</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">These are cocoa nibs. They added a bit of crunch and healthiness to otherwise delicious cookies. Kind of expensive, but I've stored this container of them in my freezer for over a year, and they are still good!<br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />Preheat your oven to 350* and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut milk and the flax seeds. Mix. Then slowly pour in the melted coconut oil while mixing. (I used my stand mixer instead of a whisk because I didn't trust the coconut oil to stay liquid, but it did just fine!)<br /><br />Add the extracts and sugar. Then using a sifter (fun!) sift in the flours and cocoa powder. Lastly, add the baking powder/soda/salt. Once it is all incorporated, add in the cherries, coconut, and cocoa nibs. <br /></span></td></tr>
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These cookies spread a lot, so try not to put them too close together. (Cookies that stick together always remind me of a scene in this old show called Steven Banks Home Entertainment Center. It was so funny and not on DVD anywhere, but I did find it on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO2gGv-VuHk" target="_blank">youtube</a>! I was also lucky enough to meet him once with Joyce when I lived in LA. She knew him because he used to do the show live at the playhouse! But I digress...) These cookies are super soft and almost brownie-like (hence the name). Bake for 13 minutes and enjoy!</div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-64563932523436157142015-02-20T13:28:00.003-08:002015-02-20T13:28:32.034-08:00Updates!!<div style="text-align: center;">
After a long break, I'm back! I've been finishing up a lot of projects around here lately (Cleaning out Z's closet! Getting rid of tons of books and magazines! Decluttering the craft room! Making stuff!) and starting on some new ones. (Did I mention that I'm pregnant with baby #2, a little boy due in early August? :) That's a long term project for sure!) Things have been a lot easier this time around, but still had a few weeks of on-and-off sickness. Now, I'm getting my energy back, and things are starting to get back to normal.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15 weeks!</td></tr>
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Zephyr is really into fish and all things aquatic right now, so one day I designed and sewed her a big cuddly goldfish. I am most proud of the fins with the line details!</div>
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It fits right in with all of her other sleeping toys. :) (She fell asleep with her hand in a unicorn puppet there. We both thought it was pretty funny!) (and yeah, she likes sleeping on the floor, little weirdo. Getting her a big girl bed soon though!)</div>
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After many many moons, I finally finished my quilt!! It's a big lap quilt, so not big enough for a bed or anything, but I'm really happy with it!</div>
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Some handsewn details</div>
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And a heart in the middle!</div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-64937934785411220072014-12-04T13:54:00.003-08:002014-12-04T13:54:52.587-08:00Apple Upside-down Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmqJYZPT9bZMCUpFROptNPbn6DZp2rQI1JWJbHlryjE0yeONrKdTkwDmmCRnXXsjlrR-v-A9QMTY-9g9oazPZRlmn-whzwYGK51AvukMTzn8y_EG5vM9M26Z1tABRTOnmidC4tygqNRs/s1600/P1100015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmqJYZPT9bZMCUpFROptNPbn6DZp2rQI1JWJbHlryjE0yeONrKdTkwDmmCRnXXsjlrR-v-A9QMTY-9g9oazPZRlmn-whzwYGK51AvukMTzn8y_EG5vM9M26Z1tABRTOnmidC4tygqNRs/s1600/P1100015.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the delicious cake that I made for Thanksgiving. It was amazing. (and I ate it for two days) Think pineapple upside-down cake, but with granny smith apples and a cinnamon/nutmeg/sugar glaze. So good!</div>
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It was from this cookbook:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAxK6pvslkf91agkg7t-FofH1YonjVA_4wBT4rpaS97XCC9SqjGUn1IrxdKueU_tdqTHIa5PSp6ksv99FfszrbEYHeVTsY86GuTXE4C9tnLSMVwklgpvxtS4ryhFVzzlleujNtR15Tb8/s1600/joythebaker-e1400001279139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAxK6pvslkf91agkg7t-FofH1YonjVA_4wBT4rpaS97XCC9SqjGUn1IrxdKueU_tdqTHIa5PSp6ksv99FfszrbEYHeVTsY86GuTXE4C9tnLSMVwklgpvxtS4ryhFVzzlleujNtR15Tb8/s1600/joythebaker-e1400001279139.jpg" height="400" width="351" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://joythebaker.com/2012/11/cinnamon-sugar-apple-skillet-cake/" target="_blank">This one</a> is similar, but since I didn't deviate from the recipe at all, I can't post it here. Super good though, and I totally recommend the cookbook. (pies? check. ice cream? check. cakes? of course!)</div>
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<br />Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-69533029403831815852014-11-10T11:03:00.002-08:002014-11-10T11:03:17.897-08:00Goals for the week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm thinking that if I post some of my goals for the week, I'll a.) actually feel accomplished when I do them and b.)post more frequently. Really, a win-win all around!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPdBhv67P9uaIWA296jxdH_hTDI_RMC1P4h7Ed6cNCudFT8hgF9svDo4ZC2ypkSgowUVf9cm3APX9Doq7KECYXBoF7TbkyEeHy-IgJAChqo3kX_PYL7ggMcYvB42NIMtc5KDyQyxxIqw/s1600/P1090945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPdBhv67P9uaIWA296jxdH_hTDI_RMC1P4h7Ed6cNCudFT8hgF9svDo4ZC2ypkSgowUVf9cm3APX9Doq7KECYXBoF7TbkyEeHy-IgJAChqo3kX_PYL7ggMcYvB42NIMtc5KDyQyxxIqw/s1600/P1090945.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<u>Cooking Goals: </u></div>
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PB &J Breakfast Bars from <a href="http://www.thugkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Thug Kitchen</a> (man, this book is AMAZING)</div>
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<a href="http://joythebaker.com/2012/01/crunchy-kale-and-coconut-bowl/" target="_blank">Kale and Coconut Bowl</a> from Joy the Baker</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKTgrfD8ocarbeV4DOnZ3nlvoqdjlKkS7gpVDCDpA2f_R4C1GLEMoGVOhyu3gh2TppQLUkbaPM8rfENVZD9uw-tSGNF2R5S59h9wk3qjZLYuL_wqtmwTsbO66QL_XH6QBItzm5EsIRLI/s1600/P1090948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKTgrfD8ocarbeV4DOnZ3nlvoqdjlKkS7gpVDCDpA2f_R4C1GLEMoGVOhyu3gh2TppQLUkbaPM8rfENVZD9uw-tSGNF2R5S59h9wk3qjZLYuL_wqtmwTsbO66QL_XH6QBItzm5EsIRLI/s1600/P1090948.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>Craft Goals: </u></div>
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Start on the next section of <a href="http://tincanknits.com/pattern-SC-wheat.html" target="_blank">knitting scarf</a> (which has scary new stitch in it!)</div>
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Embroider on <a href="http://www.craftycakewagon.com/2014/11/my-first-quilt.html" target="_blank">quilt top</a></div>
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Open pop up shop on Etsy (!!! One of my New Year's goals, coming to fruition!)</div>
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<u>General Goals: </u></div>
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Get this kitten to stop biting me!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60ZKCv5RyA3Us0k8tfFyyikGBojgQIm5jRftqIoTZX8XV4vxUjCrklotkRqRberQWeIW9Qvhc4NywImC0TvNz1rw-erAUToxHzA5__E92udbr6zKEJ_C2iEUekNl5BdA-_ZQ_JlSncgo/s1600/P1090858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60ZKCv5RyA3Us0k8tfFyyikGBojgQIm5jRftqIoTZX8XV4vxUjCrklotkRqRberQWeIW9Qvhc4NywImC0TvNz1rw-erAUToxHzA5__E92udbr6zKEJ_C2iEUekNl5BdA-_ZQ_JlSncgo/s1600/P1090858.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh look, he's so sweet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrpM0DJUERvO76VnD2hKpDhQdAsDimZU3Iu9sDjpKBij8OkzPobuVLwyyPx_7OFMHrbQXOWEMBLN77p2GN82BDtXoPmYGJkpl8nlt2xdsVzJOYTuiC6FaZufymkAdFXFZW_KCKtPCUgo/s1600/P1090909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrpM0DJUERvO76VnD2hKpDhQdAsDimZU3Iu9sDjpKBij8OkzPobuVLwyyPx_7OFMHrbQXOWEMBLN77p2GN82BDtXoPmYGJkpl8nlt2xdsVzJOYTuiC6FaZufymkAdFXFZW_KCKtPCUgo/s1600/P1090909.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a reason his nickname is "Bitan", but this isn't illustrating it.</td></tr>
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<br />Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-40595324376561815242014-11-07T12:45:00.002-08:002014-11-07T12:45:38.491-08:00My First Quilt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNpUZX7GAvTHfwrIMu4sAiq1uC34x5hitH5auqPRWiCmZI-uLiPDUCwGq_YufgXXU85znBKlqD5INIRkPDvG8N9CNPHpNf8mOzyUKHNL8iNITNqfdgY9RPBDUGIoCXMU9xkdPGMY737c/s1600/P1090901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNpUZX7GAvTHfwrIMu4sAiq1uC34x5hitH5auqPRWiCmZI-uLiPDUCwGq_YufgXXU85znBKlqD5INIRkPDvG8N9CNPHpNf8mOzyUKHNL8iNITNqfdgY9RPBDUGIoCXMU9xkdPGMY737c/s1600/P1090901.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has taken me forever, but I've finally finished my quilt top! I started on this journey years ago when I found <a href="http://www.craftycakewagon.com/2011/03/easy-quiltmaking.html" target="_blank">this book</a>. I cut all of the pieces, and started making squares. Then I'd put it away for months and months until I felt like making squares again. After getting some<a href="http://www.craftycakewagon.com/2012/08/baby-crafts.html" target="_blank"> tiny baby quilts</a> from my friends, I decided that maybe this didn't have to be a 100-piece quilt after all. Maybe a throw quilt would be fine for my first project. Then I made some more squares. </div>
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The other night I was feeling crafty, but no desire to spend more money or cut out a new pattern...and I busted out my quilt bits again. I pieced them together this week, and here we are!! A finished quilt top!! There was one part that didn't come together exactly perfectly, but I just added two more strips of fabric to even it out. I'm hoping that you won't even really see it once I add some binding and put it all together.</div>
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Here is part of the reason that my posts have been so sparse lately. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenlazH0rP2ZK8FpP9wzQCNwyH8-jOuskuHGGsgsUOIAu229m1SShkFwDVEr0PaWtFnHFfsfkv6vHyUIRgAcQfwiNu_wN4whYtb8FMKNEN2gr6e4CP4QaP9hFpguFBc-1znaOhw-UULVo/s1600/P1090905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenlazH0rP2ZK8FpP9wzQCNwyH8-jOuskuHGGsgsUOIAu229m1SShkFwDVEr0PaWtFnHFfsfkv6vHyUIRgAcQfwiNu_wN4whYtb8FMKNEN2gr6e4CP4QaP9hFpguFBc-1znaOhw-UULVo/s1600/P1090905.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is Titan! We adopted two kittens at the middle of September, and they have been happily sucking up a lot of our free time. They are both orangers and are getting spoiled rotten. (Yes, I made up the word "orangers". I think it's hilarious, and John was sick at the time that I first said it, so he couldn't fight me too hard about it.)</div>
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Upcoming crafts: Resin Jewelry!</div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1595469707540450641.post-65680990014462804802014-10-23T16:17:00.001-07:002014-10-23T16:17:06.352-07:00Homemade Applesauce!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7OQiU5OlmJw3lBuhoZL7k3LocFlnzp21BYxljpUaHP6bZ4BN_cjxoOKHXYyWQC7wIHHBOAsQHxOpqLZwTLPgrmJxsd6giMVD0cKR9gAoRuHFpbYdA55fA4tqX0sCXnfTzL_r5k3l6RY/s1600/P1090762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7OQiU5OlmJw3lBuhoZL7k3LocFlnzp21BYxljpUaHP6bZ4BN_cjxoOKHXYyWQC7wIHHBOAsQHxOpqLZwTLPgrmJxsd6giMVD0cKR9gAoRuHFpbYdA55fA4tqX0sCXnfTzL_r5k3l6RY/s1600/P1090762.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lately, Zephyr has really wanted to "cook". This usually means putting on her apron, hitting things with a spoon, and tasting all of the ingredients.</div>
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I couldn't be happier.</div>
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The other night, we decided to make applesauce together. All of us!</div>
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Step 1: Peel apples</div>
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Step 2: Cut them up and put them in a pot</div>
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Step 3: Add a little water and cinnamon. Cook until they start to break down.</div>
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Step 4: Mash until desired consistency.</div>
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Step 5: Eat!</div>
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(Also, hit some pots with spoons for good measure.)</div>
Dana, Founder of Crafty Cakewagon and The Creative Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07604109235241517745noreply@blogger.com1