WIP Wednesday

WIP = work in progress

Here is a little peek into my WIP basket.

Knitting a pair of socks - one's done one to go

Flat Quarters for a quilt for Rebekah's doll bed

Handmade cards for Garden Mama's Valentine Swap

It has been so much fun receiving handmade cards with handwritten note from around the world. I had almost forgotten how much fun it is to get real mail. I think writing letters will become a regular part of life.

Who would you send a real handwritten snail mail letter to? What's stopping you?

Spinach, Orange and Mushroom Salad

This has been one of my favorite salads since I was a little girl. My mom used to make this every year for Christmas Eve dinner. I actually don't remember having it any other time of the year. And I'm not sure why because it is really simple to throw together. It is now a standard salad in my house and the girls love it as much as I did growing up.

We were blessed this week with two packages of organic baby spinach, button mushrooms and a 5lb bag of organic oranges, and so I knew that this salad would end up on the menu at least once.

Toss together baby spinach, sliced button mushrooms, and orange sections that have been cut into bite size pieces. You could also use mandarin oranges or clementines.

The dressing is just as simple:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp chopped onion

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp powdered mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

Toss is all in a jar with a tight lid and shake. The dressing is better after a couple of hours to let the flavors blend. And it keeps in the fridge for . . . well I'm not sure as it never lasts that long. But for a while.

Rolling Pins for All the Little Ones

As mentioned in an earlier post Doug received a new toy for his birthday - a mini lathe. So he was at it again making some beautiful rolling pins just the right size for Rebekah and her doll Rosie.

The first one was a French rolling pin just like mine.

The next one is more traditional. For this one he used an antique rolling pin that was first my mothers, then mine and all my girls have used it as well. While I love my French pin, Rebekah prefers this one. I think it is easier for her to hold the handles.

Rebekah's doll Rosie goes everywhere and does everything that Rebekah does, so it only seemed fitting that she too would have a rolling pin for her own. Girl and doll have had a wonderful time making pies, cookies and more.

You'll soon be able to see these as well as some more items in our ETSY shop. We are working hard to get it open. If however you just need to have one or both of these little rolling pins please leave a comment and I will get back to you.

Weekly Menu - Feb. 22-28

This is one of those crazy weeks where we are out of the house more than home. Skiing, soap making, book club and field trips have us packing more meals than not it feels like. So why menu plan? Because having a plan helps keep some sanity when we're running all over the place.

MONDAY

Breakfast - Oatmeal with all the fixings

Lunch - Ski Mountain Picnic: Hummus and Veggies, Pears, Cheese and Crackers, Almonds

Dinner - Apres Ski Party: Pizza and ?

TUESDAY

Breakfast - Poached Eggs on Toast

Lunch - Mac and Cheese and Smoothies

Dinner - Homemade Pizza with friends after making soap

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast - Blueberry Muffins

Lunch - Picnic at Ice Harvesting Field Trip: Veggie and Hummus Wraps and Oranges

Dinner - Black Bean Burritos with Mexi Rice

THURSDAY

Breakfast - Yogurt and Maple Almond Granola

Lunch - Picnic at Skiing: Hummus and Veggies, Apples, Cheese and Crackers, Almonds

Dinner - Baked Haddock with Spinach and Tomatoes, Brown Rice

FRIDAY

Breakfast - Crepes with Ricotta Filling and Fruit

Lunch - Tuna Melts and Apple Slices

Dinner - Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, Garlic Bread

SATURDAY

Breakfast - Pancakes and Bacon

Lunch - Roasted Tomato Soup

Dinner - Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and Peas

SUNDAY

Breakfast - Pumpkin Bread

Lunch - Left Overs

Dinner - Pork Roast, Roasted Red Potatoes, Carrots, and Apple Sauce

Looking for more menu inspirations? Check out hundreds of menu ideas at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Lavender Powder

Anyone who knows me or has been reading this blog for a while knows that I am always on the lookout to save money, simplify, and live more healthily. We've accomplished a lot in the kitchen and now I am moving on to health and beauty products. We ran out of baby powder the other day and Rebekah was asking for powder after her bath. What's a mom to do? Search for a homemade solution of course.

Who knew a frugal, healthy alternative to baby/body powder was as close as my pantry?

In a bowl combine 3/4 cup arrowroot (you can use cornstarch which is cheaper but can contain talc), 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup rice flour, 1/4 cup lavender flowers that have been finely powdered. I used a mini food processor/blender for this. I'm sure you could leave out the lavender, but it just smells so good.

Um - that's it. Store in an air tight container. This smells so wonderful and makes our skin silky smooth after a bath.

Needle Felting - Mother Earth

Inspired by many of the fabulous blogs and Etsy designers out there I thought it was about time to try my hand at 3D needle felting. Rebekah's new favorite book, The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers, inspired the creation of our Mother Earth. I think she will be a splendid addition to our Spring Nature Table when the time arrives.

I'm still trying to decide what she should be holding in her hands. A basket of flowers is my first thought, but the idea of felting little flowers is a little daunting. What do you think Mother Earth should be holding?

Many thanks to the great tutorial I found here.

Aromatherapy Bean Bags

We all had so much fun making Christmas gifts this year, that Hannah decided that she wanted to make handmade gifts for Valentine's Day as well.

So for Rebekah she wanted to make bean bags. And not just any bean bags, but aromatherapy bean bags. I took her to the local quilt shop and she picked out the gorgeous fabrics. Together we cut and pinned . . .

sewed and stuffed . . .

And Rebekah just loves her lavender bean bags (she calls them sleeping bags - It's just too cute)They are actually a huge hit with everyone who picks one up. The fragrance is subtle and warmly surrounds you the more you toss and squish and play.

We are planning on making more with other scents. So a question for you all - What scent would you like to see in a bean bag?