1st time making homemade jam (peach and raspberry)

A special thank you goes out to my friend Jessica Mault who invited me over to show me how to make homemade jam. I went a little overboard at Green Acres Pick-Your-Own -- the peaches looked so good. I had never done this before so I had no idea how much to get.

What a process!!! Boiled the peaches, then pealed off skin. Began removing pit and cut up peach into pieces. Back into a pan on the stovetop and add pectin and water. Bring to boil. Add sugar and let it boil again. Place in can and close. Put entire can in boiling water. Whew!

Fall Leaves Pillow

Thank you http://prettyladydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/fall-leaves-pillow-cover.html for your inspiration. I attended my moms group weekly craft night and made 2 of these pillows as gifts for others.

Deceptively Delicious - cooking french toast with pureed carrots

A special thank you to Jessica Seinfeld and her book Deceptively Delicious that has allowed me to find great recipes where I can sneak in fruits and vegetables. I also love that I have 2 little eager children who love to help me cook and bake!

Recipe:

4 large eggs

2 tablespoons banana or pineapple or sweet potato or carrot or butternut squash, or canned pumpkin

1/4 tsp cinnamon

4 slices whole wheat bread (I used 6)

2 tsp trans fat free soft tub margarine spread

Pure maple syrup, confectioners' sugar, or fresh fruit, for serving

Flaxseed Meal (optional)

Directions:

1.In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs, puree and cinnamon. Add the bread slices and turn them in the mixture to soak for 30 seconds to 1 minute (any longer and the bread will get soggy)

2. Coat a nonstick griddle or large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the margarine. When the margarine sizzles, add the soaked bread slices (sprinkle with flaxseed if you like) and cook until golden brown on the outside, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

3. Serve warm with syrup, confectioners' sugar, or fruit.

Peach Upside Down Cake - baking with Aiden and Maya

I just love getting the kids amped up to cook or bake with me! Our peaches were looking a little bruised so I wanted to use them up -- what better way than a Peach Upside Down Cake. Thanks to www.allrecipes.com

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

5 peaches - peeled pitted and halved.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking power

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

Directions:

1. Melt 1/4 cup butter or magazine in an 8 inch square pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and nutmeg. Arrange peach halves, cut side down, in pan.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Spread batter over peaches.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Remove cake from oven, and let stand in pan for 5 minutes. Invert into serving platter. Served with whipped cream

Our Adventures with Flat Stanley -- Summer 2011

Aiden received Flat Stanley from a boy, Troy. He asked us to spend some time with Flat Stanley and chronicle our adventures. We took Flat Stanley camping, to the beach, swimming and a campfire amongst other places.

1st Day of Kindergarten Frame (for Gavin)

source: http://www.alittletipsy.com/2011/08/point-of-view-back-to-school.html

I headed off to the stores to find my supplies: 4x6 frame, brown no2 pencils or colored pencils, stickers/scrapbooking accents, pencil sharpener, school lined paper.

(I already had my hot glue gun and glue)

The most challenging part of this was sharpening the pencils to fit perfectly. I started on each edge and worked my way in. Wahlah!!!!

Ice-cream Cookie Cups

Source:http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/ice-cream-cookie-cups-684749/

YUM! We made up cookie dough from scratch -- Aiden and Maya LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook/bake with us.

(just look at those faces)

We turned the muffin tins upside down and placed the cookie dough to cover the tins. Note to ourselves: next time don't cover completely (allow for expansion while cooking).

Smurf Village - August 2011

Pat came up with a great idea to create a Smurf Village for all the Smurfs we had been collecting at McDonalds. He went to the local craft store and bought foam cones and balls along with felt. We have so much felt from other projects we were all set to go! Pat "Mr Enginner" went to work. I pitched in to cut out circles and hot glue gone the fabric onto the foam balls which Pat had cut in 1/2. The kids absolutely LOVED it. They even took it to daycare (Creative Preschool) for their Smurf party--what a hit!

Eric Carle Notecards and matching envelopes

The kids love any opportunity to paint but it was an added bonus when we brought out our Eric Carle books for inspiration.

DIY Postcards from cardboard

source:http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/2011/07/kids-craft-diy-postcards-1.html

A lot of fun with the kids today. I cut out the cardboard into 4x6 pieces. They each took a couple and painted each side. They stamped their little hearts away until the one side was filled and then put a personal message on the addressed side. They are so excited to send these out to some of their friends tomorrow. Who doesn't love a little personal mail?