Little Fashionista
February 1st, 2010
Izzy has been growing like a weed again and has outgrown many of her lightweight pajamas. I stopped at the Carters store to see if they had anything on sale over the weekend. Jackpot! New PJs for $3.99 and $5.99. While I was flipping through the racks looking for cute jammies in Izzy’s size, I noticed she was copying me on the lower rack next to me. She moved hanger by hanger pausing occassionally to say, “wow” or “ooh.” She plucked a few items off the rack and held them up to herself. She picked out a couple of really cute outfits, but they weren’t in her size. It’s too bad though; I would have bought them for her.
When they bagged up the pajamas, they left them on the hangers. When we got home, I gave them too her. She’s been playing “shopping” ever since. It’s the cutest little pretend game ever! She picks up the PJs one by one and inspects them, oohs and ahhs, then walks around house showing them off. Too bad I need to take them from her so I can send them to laundry. I’ll just have to put something else on the hanger so she can continue the game.
My baby is growing up
January 12th, 2010
We changed her crib in to a toddler bed tonight. Kirby approves. Izzy loved being able to crawl in and out of bed. Pray that she goes to sleep and stays asleep tonight.
Animal Hands
January 5th, 2010
These are awesome! Available at Spoon Sisters.
Merry Homemade Christmas
January 2nd, 2010
Last year we went a little overboard with presents for Izzy for Christmas. Fortunately, she really like all the giant, blinking, singing plastic monstrosities we bought her and she’s still plays with them to this day. They’re not even that annoying, except maybe for Animal Train. That toy is kind of evil. It is also a liar. The wretched voice sings a song about how lions run very fast, but hippos cannot. Hippos can run up to 30 miles an hour. That’s pretty fast in my book. I’ve hidden that toy in the closet several times, but it keeps making it’s way back into the playroom. I think I need to bury it in the backyard. Animal Train was responsible for my vow to give only handmade gifts to Izzy this year. I’m pretty sure she liked them, and I had a lot of fun making them too. I also made two of everything to give a set to Izzy’s BFF, Anneke.
First up, these adorable outfits made from patterns found on the Internet. The kimono top pattern is from Habitual, and the yoga pants pattern came from Mani Mina. (I also just bought her kimono jacket and spring dresss patterns too).
This one is for Izzy:
This on is for Anneke:
The Black Apple is one of my favorite artists on Etsy. I’ve been following her career since Etsy was still in beta. I love her work. Mitch gave me one of her prints for Christmas this year and I love it. The Black Apple appeared on the Martha Stewart show showing the audience how to sew her signature dolls. She also gave the pattern away on Martha’s site.
Here are my renditions–the blond for Anneke and the brunette fir Izzy. I also made matching purses using a pattern that I designed.
Finally, I made no see tutus for the girls. These were super easy to make. Just measure out some elastic to fit the waist. Secure the ends an then tie strips of tulle all the way around.
I made everything with the supplies I already had on hand except for the tutus. I had to buy tulle and elastic, but that only cost about $5 each.
Here’s Izzy wearing everything at once.
Mitch bought me a super fancy flash for my camera. I’m able to bounce light around at will and I’m so surprised at how awesome my photos are coming out. No more harsh shadows screwing up my perfect shots.
Izzy is practicing dressing herself a lot these days. I leave a bunch of clothes for her in her bottom dresser drawer that she pulls out and attempts to put on. One day, we had our laundry bag packed and waiting in the foyer. Izzy was able to reaj through the gate and rifle through the bag. She pulled out a few things and got busy trying to put them on. She has one each of my and Mitch’s socks on her legs. She’s got a pair of my underwear hanging around her knees, and she grabbed another one of my really long socks and wrapped it around her neck like a scarf. She’s quite the fashion plate, dontcha think?
And finally, since there is still a kitties component to this blog, albeit not as robust as the kid part, here is a fabulous photo of Izzy’s feline boyfriend, Kirby. Isn’t he just the best?
Crunchy Tilapia
December 29th, 2009
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 parsley, chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 Tbsp milk
1 lb tilapia fillets
3/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp canola oil
Combine panko and parsley on a dinner plate. Mix egg and milk in a bowl.
Working one at a time, dip the fish fillets in the egg-and-milk mixture and shake off the excess. dredge lightly in the crumb mixture. Sprinkle with salt.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the fillets and cook until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes. Turn and cook until fish is no longer translucent in the center, about another 4 minutes.
Lemon Tartar Sauce
3/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/3 cup light sour cream
2 Tbsp sweet relish
1 tsp lemon zest
salt to taste
Creamed Spinach
stir 1 Tbsp flour into 1 Tbsp milk until smooth. Place over medium heat and immediately add 2/3 cup milk a pinch of nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, whisking until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1/4 grated Parmesan, then add 1 package 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained. Heat through.
Easy Turkey Stromboli
December 29th, 2009
1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 package refrigerated pizza crust
1 cup pasta sauce
2 tsp. milk
1 lb turkey breast cutlets
2 tsp grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded Colby and Monterrey Jack blend
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Boil a cup of water on medium in a large skillet; add turkey and return to boiling. Cover; simmer 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then chop.
Unroll crust on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Spoon half the sauce down the center length-wise, leaving 3″ on either side. Layer spinach, turkey and cheese over sauce. Cut 12 stripes on both sides of crust. Fold strips over filling, so they overlap. Brush with milk and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Bake for 12 minutes. Serve with remaining sauce.
My little artist
December 24th, 2009
A few photos
December 20th, 2009
Attention Clothing Designers
December 20th, 2009
Please add pockets to Women’s clothing. I really need them. Most of my clothes don’t have pockets or have fake pockets. I end up using my bra as an additional pocket to, most notably, stuff Kleenex or my iPhone in there.
Last night, we went to a party at Elena’s house and Izzy crammed the crackers she didn’t want to eat into my bra. She dug them out later and ate them.
While we were sitting on the floor playing tonight, she toddled over, grabbed the top of my shirt and pulled it open and safely deposited her beloved supply cup in there.
it’s pretty cute and funny now, but I can’t wait another 12 years or so until she has her own bra to use as a pocket. I need pockets now! I deplore you.
Happy Holidays Ya’ll!
December 15th, 2009
This is as close as I’m getting to sending out cards this year. Enjoy the holiday season! We wish you the merriest of happies and joyousness of the new year. Hearts from the Harris Family.
