Granny square toddler blanket

My first granny square blanket! Made this blanket for my little girl for Christmas.  I used a combination of patterns and stopped when I got to a size I thought was good for her. 

I used a square pattern I found here. But I'm sure this pattern is everywhere and you can make it unique by switching colors every round for a checkerboard effect or use all one color for a solid square.  I also used a flower pattern which I can't seem to find right now but I'll add that on if I come across it. I used 6 squares across and 8 squares long.  All my yarn was Caron Simply Soft and I used a G hook size.  Quick tip to make your blanket 1000% easier....WEAVE IN ENDS AS YOU GO! I learned this the hard way...

Joined all the squares using a youtube tutorial.

 Finished!

I think she likes it :)

Soft Pretzels

I have made these several times since finding the recipe a few weeks ago and they have turned out amazing each time.  Definitely delicious and worth the couple extra steps it takes to make pretzels.  

After you've mixed up the dough and let it risen a while cut into 8 equal pieces and roll out into a long snake shape.  * I had some trouble getting my dough to rise this last time and I think it was because my kitchen was too cold.  If you suspect this is your problem you can place in a slightly warm oven or I placed my bowl on the mantel with the fireplace on. Worked like a charm. 

Fold each side over to make the pretzel shape or roll the dough into small balls to make bites.
A little helper can make this task so much harder easier.  At least she is adorable!

Dip pretzel into the baking soda and water mixture

Now to find some delicious dipping sauces!

Soft Pretzels

2 C. Flour (can use all white flour if desired use 2 1/2 C white and omit the 1/2 C whole wheat) 

1/2 C. Whole Wheat Flour 

1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 pkg instant yeast
1 C warm water (110 degrees F)

Before placing in the oven:

1/2 c  water
1 Tbsp Baking soda
Pretzel Salt or just regular salt works too!

Dissolve the yeast in the cup of water.  Combine all other ingredients and mix just until blended.  Knead with your mixer or by hand.  I use a mixer to knead and it takes about 3 min to get a smooth ball.  You want your dough to be soft and not sticky.  Flour the ball of dough and let rise about an hour.  I usually just let the cover the  mixer bowl with a towel and leave to rise.  

Combine water and baking soda and microwave 1 min.  Mix thoroughly and set aside.  Grease your cookie sheet. Cut your dough into 8 equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a long strand and form into a pretzel shape.  Dip the pretzel shape into the mixture of baking soda water and place on a greased pan. Sprinkle salt or topping of your choice over the pretzels.  Place pan into your oven and turn to 450 degrees.  (Placing them in the oven without preheating just allows them to rise for a few min before baking.)  Bake for 12-14min or until golden brown.




Adapted from original recipe found here:  http://busy-at-home.com/blog/hot-buttered-pretzels/

Apple Raisin Muffins

After trying many different "healthy toddler muffins" (all of which I might add my toddler loved), I have decided that these are the easiest, pretty healthy and very tasty.  I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and altered it slightly according to our tastes and what we had on hand.  You can find the link to the original recipe at the bottom of the post. I loved this particular recipe b/c I usually have all the ingredients on hand.  These are easy, moist and, best of all, delicious!

Apple Raisin Muffins

1 1/4 c flour
3/4 c whole wheat flour
1 c white sugar
1 tbs cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs
1/4 c oil
1 c unsweetened applesauce
1 tbs vanilla

4 carrots finely grated
Toasted wheat germ for topping

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare your muffin tins* using non-stick spray or muffin liners.  In a medium bowl mix the flours, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.  In a separate bowl or your mixer whisk eggs and oil together. Add applesauce and vanilla.  Gently stir in your carrots, apple pieces and raisins.  Slowly add the flour mixture to the batter and stir just until moistened.  Fill your muffin tins 3/4 of the way full and sprinkle wheat germ on top before placing in the oven.  Bake at 375 for 10-12min.

*I use mini muffin tins. For larger muffins bake 15-20min.

Source to original recipe
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/morning-glory-muffins-i/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=muffins&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page

Free Starbucks Today 

Free Caffe Latte today at participating Starbucks from 4-6....Yay!

Click here for more details. 

http://dealnews.com/Starbucks-Caffe-Latte-for-free/623205.html

Earflap hats and booties

OHIO STATE baby hat and booties for an infant!  Makes such a cute baby gift.  Can't decide if it looks more like Ohio State or like Christmas but all for the same season I guess.
I used this earflap hat pattern
http://allicrafts.blogspot.com/2011/02/free-pattern-baby-earflap-hat-newborn.html
and
this one for the boots (although I made a couple of changes to make them less girly and more footbally)
http://imtopsyturvy.com/crochet-wrap-button-infant-boots-girls-boys/

Another baby gift for my 'coming soon' niece.  Used the same patterns as above except added a border of single crochets in the white fluffy yarn.  

Kitchen table redo

We have been looking at kitchen tables for a while now for the eat-in area in our kitchen.  Before our child we used it as a sun-room with a couch and rocking chair, the best coffee drinking spot in the house. Now it seems more practical to have a kitchen table so we can sit and eat meals in the kitchen instead of  the dining room (which for some unknown reason has carpet!....project for way down the road).  I finally found a table that I loved at Crate and Barrel that was hmm slightly out of budget. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/avalon-45-black-extension-dining-table/s241787.  But not one to give up so easily I found this one on craigslist and talked them down to less than $100.  A little sanding and paint and TaDa.  Now to figure out the chair situation...

Little Girl Dresser Project

My new favorite pastime is redoing old furniture so here is a look at my latest project.  My little girl has finally gotten to the point where she needs a dresser.  The bins and baskets I used for her baby clothes don't hold near as many toddler clothes...shocking right?  Anyways I looked at dressers but nothing really seemed to fit and I wanted something that would make the transition from nursery to her little girl room.  An old hand-me-down lingerie dresser that has been sitting empty in guest room was the perfect size for her room just not the right color.  So hence my next project...

This is the only before picture I took (ugh sorry).  It is only of the drawers but the rest of the dresser looks the same as these drawers.  First step for me is always to sand, sand and sand! It's annoying and dusty but necessary.  I would definitely recommend buying a sander.   You can find some that are pretty inexpensive and still work great.  This is the one I use "1/4"" Finishing Sander QS900"  and I got it on sale at Amazon for around $25.  Someday I would like to upgrade to an orbital sander but for the money this one is just perfect.  

Next step is to prime the drawers and dresser.  I apply primer in super thin coats and use about 3 coats to fully cover everything.  Make sure you allow for plenty of drying time in between coats.  Next I paint!  After lots of back and forth I finally decided on white with a small pink border around the drawers.  I always have a tough time actually committing to a color...(which is why the all the walls in my house are still white).  I use the same system with the paint as I do with the primer.  Thin coats, lots of drying time in between and as many as it takes to get it fully covered.  

My next step was the hardware.  I scoured the internet for hours searching for the perfect handles but couldn't find anything that was both adorable and in my budget.  So out came the spray paint. 

I sprayed the original handles silver and added a sparkly gem to the center with a hot glue gun.  Loved the way they turned out.

...And the finished product!!