40 Before 40

 

Lately, I've been seeing lots of lists like this. It got me thinking of all the things I'd like to accomplish before I turn 40. I really like the idea of listing long-term goals in this way. For starters, it's nice to have everything jotted down in one spot. Plus, I like the simplicity of revisiting the list whenever motivation strikes. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day. A list like this keeps goals in plain sight which will (hopefully) make them more achievable :)

1. Achieve parasympathetic dominance
2. Learn to be present/live in the moment
3. Vacation in Hocking Hills with my hubby :)
4. Learn to knit in the round
5. Take a pottery class
6. Go to lunch/dinner with a friend at least once a month
7. Create and list more patterns, kits and upcycled yarn in my Etsy shop
8. Roast marshmallows with my family over a campfire my hubby built
9. Watch every Modern Family episode created
10. Read the Hunger Games trilogy
11. Knit Christmas stockings for the fam
12. Learn to use a sewing machine
13. Dye my own yarn
14. Adopt a dog
15. Adopt a cat
16. Plant a garden/grow my own food
17. Go on a picnic
18. Visit a museum
19. Go to the orchestra
20. Go see a play
21. Find a church and become a regular
22. Read/Study the Bible
23. Buy a new car
24. Develop photos and update family albums
25. Get new couches
26. Reinstate insurance license
27. Knit myself a sweater
28. Be matron of honor at my sister's wedding
29. Throw a kick ass bridal shower
30. Redecorate apartment/house??
31. Update my wardrobe
32. Get a whiter smile
33. Start a teapot collection
34. Start a savings account
35. Pay off credit card debt
36. Buy a DSLR camera and take a photography class
37. Bake an allergy free cake
38. Learn to paint
39. Practice yoga nearly every day
40. Simplify

"Oatmeal" Cookies

"Oatmeal" Cookies

I haven't done much baking lately (or much blogging either, tee-hee). Due to my food allergies, I'm eating gluten, dairy, egg and walnut free now. It's been frustrating at times, finding things to eat and to make. I was discouraged for a good long while. However, I have luckily stumbled across some great allergy free cookbooks and recipe blogs, plus a great selection of gluten and vegan products in stores. It's because of these findings that I am able to finally (truthfully!) say, I don't really mind eating with food allergies. Sure, there are things that I miss, like eating at restaurants and enjoying holiday foods. I miss cheese, oh God do I miss it! HOWEVER, eating gluten/vegan/dairy/walnut free is pretty easy, once you get the hang of it. Plus, I've found that I can still eat burrito bowls at Chipotle (all is not lost people!!)

So, here are some of those above referenced items/books/blogs that have helped make my allergy free lifestyle manageable (listed in no particular order):

1. Living Intentions ~ Sprouted Flour
(I used this flour for the "Oatmeal" Cookies above. The recipe was on the bag. Nora, Claire and I made them for the first time and they are AMAZING.)

2. Tasty Yummies, A Recipe Blog
I have Pinned tons of recipes from this blog. I can't wait to try them all!

3. The Dairy Free Gluten Free Kitchen 
Some recipes use eggs but many do not.

4. Allergy Free Desserts
I can basically bake and eat anything in this book. I love that!!

5. Bold Organics Deluxe Pizza
SO INCREDIBLY GOOD! I don't know what I would do w/o pizza!

However, there are upsides to living with food allergies. It has broadened my horizons. I know more about food now than I ever did before. Also, I've discovered that there are many NEW foods to love that I never would have tried otherwise. So in some small way, my food allergies have enhanced my life. I can't think of a reason to complain about that! Just keep that cheese platter AWAY, okay? Lol!!

X is for X-Mas (Just This Once, Anyway)

Okay so I'm not super fond of taking the "Christ" out of Christmas. I also realize that Christmas starts with the letter "c". However, I'm stuck with the letter "x" right now and it's December. I wanted to do a holiday lesson so I taught Nora that "x" is for Christmas. So sue me ;)

We bought this cool printed tape at Target. It's made by Kid Made Modern. Don't you just love it? I love all of their stuff!  We used it to make lots of x's. Lots and lots and lots of x's. It was fun!!

It was also fun playing "Pretend X-Mas" together. I gave N and C some gift bags, which they filled with little toys. Then we put them under the tree and opened them. Not only did I do this in order to practice for Christmas morning but I also wanted to pass the lesson on that at one point or another, these toys that they own were shiny and new. These things are still special and we shouldn't take them for granted once the new toys arrive on Christmas day. Call me crazy, but I want my kids to appreciate things, whether they got them a day ago or a year.

Breakfast with Santa 2012

Wow, It's had to believe that this was our fourth annual Breakfast with Santa! This is one tradition that I absolutely LOVE. Our church really does a fabulous job putting this on every year. They serve pancakes for breakfast, play Christmas movies for the kids, provide coloring pages and gifts and invite the local high school choir to sing carols for everyone. Best of all, there is a visit from Santa Claus at the end :) If you ask me, it doesn't get much better than that.

This year Nora was really thrilled to see Santa. Although she asked me to go up with her at first, she got brave enough later on to approach him on her own. She whispered in his ear that she wanted a stick pony. It was so adorable. I almost cried. Claire loved sitting with Santa. She kept cuddling up against his velvety coat. It was so sweet.

Thank you so much, FUMC for hosting the annual Breakfast with Santa. You always make our holiday memorable and merry!

Cousins in Columbus

Earlier this month we went to Columbus to celebrate my beautiful niece. It was a whirlwind of family, fun, fairies and a touch of make-up too (okay, gobs)! Nora had a blast playing with her cousins and Claire had fun chasing Gracie, the cat. Both girls loved spending time with Miss Amy (Aunt Amy just wouldn't stick ;) It was great taking the time to celebrate Sophie Su. She is such a sweet and lovable little girl. We were so glad that we made the trip down. I just adore spending time with my sister and her fam and I know that my girlies feel the same.

W is for Wands and Wings :)

 

This week's letter lesson is going to be lots of fun. We're learning all about W. W, as in wands and wings and all sorts of wonderful things :) We'll be painting with watercolor and and making stained glass butterflies. It's going to be pretty cool.

Today we started off with fairy wands, which we made out of chopsticks and fancy bows. Nora had fun using hers to tickle Claire. To even the score, Claire got one of her own ;) She learned to use it quite efficiently. I was proud.

V is for Vampire Bats!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, Trick-or-Treating has been postponed. However, that didn't stop us from celebrating here at home :) Nora and I did another letter lesson. We learned that V is for vampire bats. We decked out some Hershey's Bars with a craft idea I found HERE. Then we made our very own pumpkin patch on paper. A little later on we got a visit from Gam, which prompted a goulishly fun pizza party. It was such a blast. The only thing missing were the costumes. But Nora and Claire will get to show them off soon enough. Trick-or-Treating is this Sunday :)

Girlies :)

Q: What the heck is a button snake?

Mothercraft: Button Snake Activity

Shaded Ripple Afghan

A: I have no idea!

At least, that's what I would have said about a week ago. But thanks to Vickie Howell, I know better now. It's a cute, easy, super fun sensory activity for kids. Being the craft-loving (and super tactile) person that I am, I couldn't resist making one during nap time. Now I'm just waiting for my lovies to wake up so they can play with it. I can't wait to see their faces. I can see them getting really excited about playing with this toy!

I also thought I would share my "completed" afghan with you. Although, thanks to my husband, it isn't really done. He can't quite stretch out in it so I'll need to add some length. I guess it's back to the yarn basket for me..after a short intermission. I'm enjoying this weather too much to be cooped up indoors with my hook ;)

Free Pattern: Cinnamon Bun

I've been dreaming up some new patterns for fall. Here is my first one, a gift from me to you :) I hope you find it simple and rewarding. Be sure to let me know if you stitch up one of your own. I'd love to see some photos! So, without further ado, here's the how-to:

 

Cinnamon Bun 

By: Sarah Mancini

Skill Level: Easy

You Will Need:

•  Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool in Oatmeal and Nature's Brown
• Crochet Hook: US G6 (4mm)
• Blunt tapestry needle
• Scissors

  
Abbreviations: I have used American terminology for this project.

• Ch: Chain
• Dc: Double crochet
• Hk: Hook
• St(s): Stitch(es)

Directions:

Pastry: Using Oatmeal
Using Oatmeal colored yarn, ch 77.

    1. Dc in third ch from hk and in ea remaining st. (75 dc total)
2-4. Ch 2, turn. Dc in ea st. (75 dc total)
        Fasten off and weave in ends.

Cinnamon Swirl: Using Nature's Brown
Using Nature's Brown colored yarn, ch 67.

    1. Dc in third ch from hk and in ea remaining st. (65 dc total)
2-4. Ch 2, turn. Dc in ea st. (65 dc total)
        Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing:
Left align the layers of fabric, placing the Nature's Brown on top of the Oatmeal colored one. Stitch the aligned ends together then slowly roll them forward, into a swirl. Sew the ends (which should align after rolling) securely to the side of the bun.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Enjoy :)


*Disclaimer: This pattern is for personal use only. You may use this pattern to make items for charity or for gifts but you may not use it to make items for sale.

Breakfast Garland Crochet Pattern

There is a brand new pattern in my shop. Be sure to click on over and check it out. So far, I've listed it on Etsy. I'll be listing it on Ravelry soon :)

Summer Reading Wish List

As with everything else, I am behind on my reading. Like way way behind. Let's just say that by the time I get around to a book I'm interested in, my friends have already finished reading it, book clubs have already discussed it, someone has already made a movie about it and said movie has been out on video for months (okay, years). And that's just when I manage to get started. After that my progress is always slow, a page or two here, a chapter here or there. Sadly, I can't tell you the last book I've managed to finish. It's just been way too long to remember.

There once was a time when I was constantly reading, each and every spare second of my life. I would devour whole novels, ingest collections of poetry, constantly consuming more and more. Those were my college days, my working days, my first pregnancy/new mommy days. But now it seems my days are always full, full of mothering, housekeeping, working, blogging, crocheting, sleeping... Somewhere along the way, my beloved books got left behind. It's a bit shocking when I think about it. Books have always meant so much to me. They were my daily dose of art, pop-culture, escapism, self-awareness, depth, entertainment, companionship. It has been a bit lonely without them.

I don't recall when I started reading The Swan Thieves (sometime before Christmas?) or Water for Elephants for that matter (last spring or fall maybe?) but I haven't managed to finish either and I'm pretty annoyed with myself in that regard. I've been downright neglectful of my collection. But they are loyal friends, these books of mine. I know they'll be waiting for me when I find the time, right on the shelf, where I left them <3

Carrot Ginger Soup: Dairy Free (or Not)

Who loves being sick? Well, definitely not me but there is something I love about being sick. That one and only thing is comfort food. What, no appetite, you say? Well, don't cry to me. Sick or not, I always want food. Ginger is a great stomach-settler and this soup is just the thing if you've got a touch of the flu. But it's also really great if you don't. Actually, I make this soup all the time and every time I do I'm glad I made the effort. It is a bit labor-intensive though so if you're sick, you may want to ask someone else to make it for you. Here's the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/carrot-and-ginger-soup/ if you'd like to try it out yourself.

Cupcake Garland

 

I just finished making this adorable cupcake garland designed by Twinkie Chan. I nearly got a sugar high when I hung it up this morning. I'm so pleased with the way it looks in the girl's room. It's just the right amount of cute :) 

This is the first pattern I have completed by Twinkie Chan and let me tell you, she is quite the crocheter. She has a serious knack for design and I don't just mean style. I'm talking about construction, form, the way she uses stitches to make shapes. Not only did she teach me to crochet a cupcake, she taught me to do it in a way I'd never thought possible. In doing so, she has made a lasting impression on me. I may just need to go purchase her book ;)

In addition to being a super talented lady, she also happens to be generous. She shared this pattern for free over at Rock N Roll Bride. Click on over to check it out!