Thinking of Winter.....Yes, Already!!

It's getting cooler out...Yay!! I love the cooler temperatures, the sweaters, the boots, the snowmen! I know we haven't hit Halloween yet, but, I am already in Christmas mode. Well for clothing anyway! This is a sweet Snowman Bustle skirt that I made for my little girl. I love it! So does she! You can find it here in my etsy shop.

Dick & Jane Vintage Inspired Twirl Skirt

Yesterday I got an order for this Dick and Jane Vintage Inspired Twirl Skirt................I love, love this skirt!! It is so full and ruffly. The Dick and Jane print is just like in the old, old school readers. So Sweet!! Perfect for back to school wear. My little girl wants this skirt...........but then again........I think she wants everything!!!Click here to visit my Etsy Shop.

Wanna Play??

The boys decided to play Monopoly tonight. Although they anticipate fun, it is not always so................
The arguing, the crying, the attitude.........ugh............how to let it all unfold without interfering. We thought it would be ok...........after all, Mitch is 16 now, he is running the properties and the bank, it should be ok.............he is a very fair individual....................I'm hearing a lot of disgruntlement from the other room...........I think I will stay away and sneak off to bed............good luck to all.............

So What Wednesday Party

I don't have time for this today, I'm being lazy..........so I decided to do a post to add on the the So What Wednesday Party. I have a few things that I a So What-ing about!
-I should be hauling out the fall clothing bins and packing up the summer clothes.
-I should be cleaning up the laundry room, which is a pure disaster area.
-I should be stripping more wallpaper.
-Laundry could always be done.
-Raspberries need to be picked.
-Bills need to be paid.
-Scrap booking should be started, I've been collecting for years (part of the disaster in the laundry room)
-I'm lazing in front of the fireplace today.
-I slept in.
-I ate cookies for breakfast.
So what to all of that.

Sourdough Memories

There is nothing the same as making and eating something that you remember from your childhood. It is more than the flavour and smells, it holds long ago memories. Hopefully the memories are good and wrap you in a layer of happiness, even if it only lasts as long as the treat itself! That is how I felt last week when I saw a post for making your own sourdough starter. I was reading the post and remembered my moms kitchen, and the baking and the smells. I remembered the people that were there, enjoying the fresh baking. I remember how she stored her starter in the freezer. I knew.............I must have my own starter!! The post said that it takes a week for it to be ready........a week??? A whole week? Rarely does anything have to be waited on these days, and this seemed like a long time to me!
It started.....I got out an old mason jar, added my 1/4 cup of flour to my 1/4 cup of water, stirred, covered it with cheesecloth and the journey began. Every day I faithfully "fed" my jar of starter, adding, stirring, recovering.........it was happening!! By Sunday night, the jar was full of sourdough starter. I was so excited.............ooh the things I will make........perhaps a few memories made........who knows what will happen with this magical liquid.
I found a recipe to try here. It did not go quite like it showed in the pictures. It went even better!!! The dough was so huge and fluffy I could only fit 6 buns in a 9x13 pan, so had to use two pans! I did not add icing at the end, there was no need.
My parents don't visit all that often, but, they called in the late afternoon and asked if they could stop in for a bit. To be honest, I thought I was in trouble (yes, I know I am 43, but, I still felt like I was going to be in trouble for something). I racked my brain and couldn't figure out what I would be in trouble for. Turns out, they just wanted to chat. I offered up a snack of tea and cinnamon buns. We sat down and devoured them. Some of the kids joined us. I hope they remember the first time they ate some sourdough baking...........I hope it is a happy memory of a small gathering of family. I hope they remember how good it tasted.
Well, I must go, the starter jar needs to be "fed"..............

Floral Knot Dress

Well here we are at the start of Fall.............yay for Fall, the cooler air, great colours, great clothing!! I started out making a vintage print "mommy's helper" knot dress...........but..........when I finished the bodice, I glanced over and saw this brilliantly coloured floral fabric. It needed to be sewn!! So, added this lovely skirt part to the dress instead!! Not sure what colour of ruffles to make for it, perhaps aqua...........I do love aqua. Maybe tomorrow I will do the mommy's helper print! You can find it here in my etsy shop!

Canadian Maple Bacon Cupcakes

I know you can not see this, but......as I was swatting them away (not flies), but my sons, were hovering just waiting for me to take the picture so that they could grab the cupcakes. Teenage boys........bacon.......cupcakes..........yes, this is all it takes to make them happy!!

Canadian Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons of room temperature butter
1 tablespoon of bacon fat drippings (put it in the fridge to make it solid)
1 egg
5 tablespoons of brown sugar
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup of milk
1 1/4 cup of flour
2 tsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp of baking soda
1/4 cup of bacon bits

Put it together:

In your mixer, beat the butter and bacon drippings til creamy, fluffy. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup, beat thoroughly. Add the egg, beat well. Put your dry ingredients together. Add them 1/3 at a time alternating with the milk. Mix just until blended. Fold in the bacon bits.
Scoop the batter into 12 cupcake liners.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

ICING......the yummiest part

1/4 of room temperature butter
2 tablespoons of maple syrup (must lick spoon when done!!)
1 cup of icing sugar
dash of salt

Beat butter until fluffy, add maple syrup, mix. On low, add the icing sugar and the dash of salt.

Assemble:

Ice the cupcakes, pipe on or just spread it on. I did not feel there was enough icing to pipe it on. Next time I will make more. Either sprinkle with bacon bits, or lay a piece of bacon over the iced cupcake.
Enjoy!!

Triple Ruffle Leggings!!

I am so happy with the little girl styles out there these days!! So many feminine looks for little ones!  I am not the kind of mom who likes cartoon or tv clothing. I like dresses, and ruffles, and lace.....you get the idea. My daughter can not stand wearing pants. She has worn leggings and tights since the day she was born, so, she finds pants to be way too stiff. I am very pleased by this!! Skirts, ruffled leggings, blouses and fashion boots = sweet little girl. I really enjoy Persnickety clothing, however, it can not be found in Canada, not where I am anyway! So, I make my own. This is my version of the triple ruffle leggings. They can be found here.

Aunt Verna's Blueberry Muffins

It is a cozy, rainy morning here. Fresh baked muffins are definitely a must have today!  My daughter has been home all week and I have wanted to make her muffins for breakie, however, I have had no eggs all week! Got some eggs last night, and here we go:

Aunt Verna's Blueberry Muffins

1 Cup Sour Cream                        3/4 cup brown sugar
1 Cup Oatmeal                              1    egg
1/3 cup milk                                  1  cup blueberries
1 Cup flour                                   3 tbsp melted butter
1 Tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine sour cream, milk and oatmeal. Combine dry ingredients.
Add butter and egg to the sour cream mix. Combine with the dry ingredients. Gently add blueberries. Mix just til blended. (Mix does appear drier than most muffin recipes)
Put in muffin tin (I use silicone liners). Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Makes 12 muffins.
Enjoy!!

A Favourite Product

I love Benefit mascara's!! Why? Because they work!! This one is the one called "They're Real". I lucked out and got the last bonus pack at the store. It comes with the large bottle and a tiny bottle for your purse (aren't things so cute when made miniature??).  Anyway, this stuff works!! Try it!!
Happy Friday!!

Facts for Thursday---A little about my world

Fact one: This summer we made this special treat......Skittles Vodka. The fact is, it looks great, tastes great and is very, very dangerous!!!

Fact two: I love, love getting packages in the mail!! I am addicted to ebay and etsy!! Thankfully, I also love selling on ebay and etsy, so I can continue to buy as well!!

Fact three: I love raspberries. Now I have a property that I can grow my own. The plants are loaded down with ripening berries right now!! Yay!!

Fact Four: I am a mom to nine children. Yes, all mine, all born to me. I'm 43.

Fact five: I am a giver. I love to give people things that I've found for them, made for them or baked for them. Receiving, on the other hand, is rather difficult for me.

Fact six: I love to sew. I love the feel of the fabric, lace and any other sewing medium. I love to copy the vintage style . I like pretty girl things. I have an etsy store......but, the fact is, etsy is huge, and you really get lost in the crowd.

Fact seven: My life is pretty happy. I'm adjusting to life in the country. I'm loving my new blog friends, even if you don't know you are my friends yet, I'm very optimistic !!

You think it's something........and it's not!! Plus Matilda Jane!

Well, dear Readers, have you ever bought something, and it's not what you thought it was? I mean, seriously, I read the package and everything, but, still I feel tricked!! So, what did I buy? I bought paper. Now, the package says that it is fabric remnants. I LOVE fabric remnants!!! I have tons of use for those. Especially ones that look vintage-y, denim, and super cool!!  But alas, I guess this is what fabric remnants might have looked like, and they made it into little pads of paper instead? So sad for me!!! Ever have such a thing happen to you? What did you buy, and later felt "tricked"? Now on the the really good thing.............I got these Matilda Jane tights for my little girl, and they arrived in the mail yesterday!!! YAY!! I live in Canada, so, this is a bigger deal than you might think. We do not have easy access to any Matilda Jane here. I have certain pieces that I like from her collections, I wait and buy them off ebay, usually. I mostly love Matilda Jane tights and socks. We have a collection of those. I can't wait for it to be cool enough outside to wear these tights, with the Winter Paper Bag Shorts that are waiting in the closet. To take a peak at the Winter shorts, just click Here.

Raspberry Sticks & Twigs Peasant Blouse

Was at the fabric store......yes, again.............and bought more, lot's more............This material only had 2 yards available, such a shame!! I bought both yards and made this top this morning for my little girl. The background is a gorgeous creamy colour, reminds me of creme brule!!! The twig and floral/berry pattern is a raspberry red. I think it looks delicious!!! I have a bin of vintage lace from great grandma's sewing basket. I think this one is perfect for this top! It is a size 3, perfect for Sadie.  You can find the listing for this sweet top here. I only have enough fabric to make one more  like this one, but tons more fabrics to choose from! Hope you like it!! Use the code SEPTFREESHIP to receive free shipping on an order of 2 or more items. Free shipping in the USA only.

Peach Pie

Alright, I can admit it, it may not look so good but oh it tastes so good!!! Homemade peach pie, nothing like it!! I started with the pie crust recipe here. It is great, but, be sure to follow their directions exactly. I did the first time I used it, and it even looked perfect, but, this morning, I was rushed and the crust crumbled while loading it onto the pie, but it is flaky and fantastic anyway!!

Here are the ingredients for the ooey, gooey goodness inside!!

PEACH PIE

• 
  
• 1 egg, beaten
• 8 cups sliced peeled peaches
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Line the bottom and sides of a nine inch pie tin with your rolled out crust.

Brush the pie crust bottom with beaten egg. This keeps your crust from going soggy if it sits out for a day or so.

Cut up your peaches and sprinkle them with the lemon juice. Mix the next five ingredients together, in a separate bowl. Toss the peaches in the dry ingredients. Spread into your pie pan. Dab the butter here and there on the peaches. Top the pie with the second rolled crust. Crimp edges, wash the top with egg, cut out steam holes if needed (mine was so cracked, no steam holes were needed......sigh).

Pop pie into oven. Keep it at 450 for 10 minutes. Turn oven down to 350 degrees. Cook for 35 minutes. Remove from oven. I serve this warm.

Enjoy!!!

Looks like we are all Smiling!! Yay!!!

Well, for the most part the weekend was a success!! Gorgeous weather was had! Scrumptious food! Spider Dogs on the Fire! Swimming in the still warm water!! All Good!! Happy Labour Day Everybody!!