Sunday, January 31, 2010

I Love Sunday's

It is a foggy Sunday morning here. The ground is covered with a light dusting of snow. And I am feeling like having a lazy day of snuggles and fun with my little family. I am not sure how realistic that is but its a nice wish.
Grace and I made some granola this morning. I used to think I didn't like granola but what I have come to discover is that I don't like granola that comes from the store. It is sickly sweet and really quite revolting. Here is my recipe:

In a bowl mix together:
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup unsweetened ribbon coconut
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
2 Tbsp. organic canola oil
2 Tbsp. agave syrup
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spread granola mixture evenly on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15 min., stirring every 5 min. Pour into a bowl and stir in 1 cup dried cranberries ( or raisins or dried cherries or chopped dried apricots....). Cool and put in a jar with a tight fitting lid.
This will probably keep for a very long time. I am not sure because it never lasts for very long in our house.


I like this with yogurt and fresh fruit. Mmmmmm!
Have a lovely day, everyone!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Here Come the Owls!


Here it is folks - the Owl sweater (pattern by Kate Davis).


This was the first garment I ever knit for myself and it was surprisingly simple. I started it early last spring, put it down for the later part of the spring, all of the summer and fall. I picked it up again just before Christmas and finished it last week. If you count only the time I was actively knitting, this sweater knit up quite quickly! I love this sweater - owls rock! The waist shaping is very flattering and it fits like a glove. I am finding the arms a little tight though. Could have done with a little more increasing there.



Right now I am working on a vest for Lil'G and want to get going on some more socks for myself. Where will I find the time!?!
Did some sewing last night too! I finished a pair of pjs for myself. Just need to be hemmed.
I am so much happier and relaxed when I am creating. How about you?

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Fashion-y Dreaming



How great would this dress look with some red flats, huge sunglasses and a little clutch? I ♥ Modcloth.
I have been pouring over Vogue's pattern website and have been getting very inspired to get some garment sewing done. I love this dress. I think it would be lovely in a solid colour with some contrast top stitching. Its the little details that are drawing me to this dress.
This one is gorgeous too! I would make it in a light weight wool.

I may try to make a dress like this:


link

And how awesome are these shoes?
link

Feeling like getting dolled up right now.....

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

View from my bedroom...there is a town under all that fog!

Good news - turns out the Dr. was wrong. No strep just a nasty case of tonsillitis. Am feeling much better today. Lil'G is visiting her grandparent's for a couple of days so I figured some major chillin' was in order. I have been sitting on the couch by a nice cozy fire, watching old episodes of Project Runway - get this - Australia!!! I am in love with this show and had no idea there was an Aussie version. Its fab!
While I have been watching I have been drinking copious amounts of tea and knitting. I am furiously trying to finish my owl sweater. I am knitting it up in a lovely grey wool. I am at the neck ribbing and have only 2 inches to go. There are no words to describe how excited I am to be almost finished. I get to wear it soon! Yay!
I will post pictures tomorrow. Have sweet dreams tonight! x

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Rewind

So I am horridly ill with strep throat and haven't been doing much of anything. Unless laying around in my pjs all day counts as doing something! I thought I would share a bit of what we did last weekend.
We went for a lovely walk on the old rail bed above our house...



...did a little mountain climbing,

and made some Monkey Bread when we got home. It was a big hit.


I found a link on Amy Karol's blog, Angry Chicken, and followed her modifications. The recipe is easy enough to make and something that my three year old found very enjoyable to help with. I mean, who doesn't enjoy getting all gucky and sticky? The bread was amazing! Kind of like a little cinnamon roll with way less butter! We ate entirely too much of it! I will definitely be making it again. I think the next time I will only make half the icing. I am all for icing but there was just waaaay too much!
What are some of your favourite things to bake on a cold winter day?

Monday, January 11, 2010

2010 - how did that happen?!?

We have been working on getting our new home ( !!!) livable. Most everything is painted in gorgeous earthy colours. Our floors are waiting to be laid and our bathroom in still in pieces. But we are oh-so-happy! I wake up every morning and tell myself how lucky I am. I really am.
I have become slightly obsessed with making these little dolls. I found a tutorial online here. The photos were very helpful and each one only took about an hour to make.


The sweetie with the pink hair was a gift for my friend's daughter, Ella. She just turned three. Well, when Lil'G saw it she wanted one of her very own. So we picked out all the colours together and voila! Her name is Princess Ledora and she is very loved!


All of the materials I used were bought locally at a wee shop called Maplerose. I am not a huge fan of hand sewing generally but this was such peaceful work. The hand sewing went quickly, not especially neatly though. It is good practice, yes?
I am dreaming of all the sweet little dollies I can make! I think the next one will be a faerie of some sort. Oooooo....wings!