Applesauce Adventure

Homemade applesauce is so yummy and one of the many reasons Autumn is my favorite time of year.  On a good day it would have been so easy.  One can never predict the sort of day you will wake up to with a toddler in tow.  Mason enjoyed the first five minutes of putting the cut apples into the bowl.  After that he was done.  So I had to make the applesauce in-between dinner, bath and bedtime.  Hence the lack of any really good photos.  

I'm done with this applesauce making business.

San Diego weather was unfavorable for apples last April so many of the U-Pick places were closed this season which left the few open to run out quality apples quickly.  We didn't make it there in time.  Plan B:  farmer's market organic apples.  A dozen or so apples yielded two quarts.  Not enough to go through the hassle of canning, so I used leftover Mason jars to store the sauce.  What we don't eat or give away in the next few weeks, I will put in Ziplock bags and freeze.  

I de-cored the apples, threw out the cores and left the skins on.  I put the apple slices in a large pot with some water and low heat.  Stirring occasionally or whenever I made it back to the kitchen.  Then I blended the mushy pieces, adding cinnamon along the way (no sugar needed if you use a variety of apples).  The result: warm, yummy, cinnamon-y goodness.  Now to find some lucky neighbors who will help us eat two quarts of homemade applesauce... 

Mason's Grommet Valance

As Mason progressed into a toddler bed (where did my baby go?!?!), I have slowly transformed his room from a baby room to a toddler room.  The biggest project so far has been making him a window valance.  I had purchased material to match his bedding when he was born, and I sort of just strung it up over the window, not feeling the need to spend any more time on it.  A year and a half later, I am ready!  After throwing around a handful of ideas on what to do with the material, I decided to keep it as a valance but make it a more permanent fixture.  If you have been to my house, then you know I am a fan of grommet curtains: classy, modern, easy.

I took on the project with tons of motivation and, although it took a few weeks to finish (sometimes nap times are for mommy naps too), I am very pleased with the outcome.

First I lined the material to make it darker and more durable.  Then I had to sew two long pieces together for the width since Mason's window is 72 inches wide.  I hemmed the material and made a four inch header.  Using an extremely helpful video (click on video to view) and website (click on website to read) I measured and traced the grommet holes.  I then reinforced the grommet holes with some zigzag stitching (not as easy as it looks) so I could remove the grommets and wash.  Then I cut out the grommet holes.  Almost done!  To test my zigzag hem, I washed the valance.

Since I hadn't sewn perfect circles, and the circles were a little smaller than the actual grommets, this helped fray the edges up to the grommet hem.  It made snapping on the plastic grommets a piece of cake.  I purchased the grommets at JoAnn Fabrics, but after some research found them cheaper online and at Walmart.  I didn't return and buy online (click on online to see grommets) because I was in a hurry to see my project completed.   These grommets were super easy to install and did not require any other tools.


Craigslist had a cheap wooden rod with finials for sale, and I snatched it up.   I roughed them up with sand paper, sprayed white primer spray paint on them, and then painted them navy blue to match the rest of Mason's room.  I purchased one of the sample paint containers that are three bucks at Home Depot.

Bed, Bath and Beyond had some off-white sheers with branch cut-outs on them.  Perfect!!

Here is some artwork I made before Mason was born.

Now to find a nice reading chair for my little man since the only toys in his room are books.  It forces him to read, and it is working. ;)  He loves books.

Breakfast Cookies

You heard right.  Breakfast cookies.  I am not going to lie.  I was skeptical at first.  How could a cookie be somewhat nutritious and taste good?  They passed the Mason test so I'm sharing them with you.  

These amazing oatmeal sandwich cookies taste delicious for big and small people alike.  Mason devoured his almost immediately.  Then his dad devoured two.  And they didn't even know they were eating vegetables...

They also make a great post-nap snack.

Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies


1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. non-aluminum baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup organic canola oil
1/2 cup packed organic, brown sugar
1/4 cup organic granulated sugar
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup or 2 medium finely shredded carrots
1/2 cup raisins
6 oz organic cream cheese, softened
1 Tbs. pure maple syrup

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl combine oil, sugars, egg, oats, carrots and raisins.  Mix.  Add flour mixture.  Mix.

4. Drop dough two inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies begin to brown.  Don't over bake!   Let stand for one minute on cookie sheet and transfer to wire rack to cool.

5. In a small bowl mix cream cheese and maple syrup.  Spread onto cooled cookie and top with another cookie.  Chill cream cheese cookie sandwich and devour within three days.

Not-So-Sloppy, Sloppy Joe's

I was stumped on what to make for some girlfriends I was inviting over for dinner.  While pondering I realized that summer is half over.  Or, at least July is almost over.  This made me vow to go to the pool or beach every day possible until the weather turns gloomy.  At least here in SoCal we have until October.  Growing up in the Midwest always makes me think August is the last warm month, and I still can't help but feel the need to soak up more sunshine.  Either way I am planning more trips to the beach and more riding around topless in the Jeep (the Jeep is topless, by the way, not me).

 Anyway, I decided on something that screams summer for dinner.  

Sloppy Joes!  Corn on the cob!  Lemonade!  

Here is the amazing Not-So-Sloppy Joe recipe: 

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped 

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 pound ground turkey**

1 6 oz can tomato paste

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Salt to your taste

Whole wheat hamburger buns

Grated cheese (garnish)

Light Sour cream (garnish)

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper.  Cook until softened, about 3 minutes.  Add turkey.  Cook and crumble with spoon until no pink remains.  Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon and salt.  Add a little water if it's too thick.  Maybe a 1/4 to a 1/2 cup.  Stir occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.  Spoon turkey mixture onto bottom half of bun and top with cheddar cheese and sour cream.  Sandwich with the top half of bun.  Enjoy!!

**This can also be made with vegetarian meat crumbles for the vegetarians out there.

Festive, Fast Fourth of July Treat

Crap!  I am a week late on this post.  I made this amazing dessert twice last week for the Fourth of July.  It was an instant hit at both parties.  With my hubby having a week off, everything was pushed aside including computer time...so while this may not be useful this year, bookmark this page for next year.  You will be a sure hit at your next Independence Day celebration! 

What you will need:

Fresh blueberries

Fresh sliced strawberries

One white angel food cake, torn in pieces

One or two containers of cool whip 

What to do: 

Layer dish with torn angel food cake  

Smooth cool whip on top of cake

 Push down with a spoon to get in between cake pieces

Line strawberries and blueberries on top for a pretty design

Dig in! 

Sorry you're sick, baby

I'm not a fan of being sick.  Who is a fan?  No one I know.  

My mom would tell me how she wished she could be sick for me when I was ill as a kid.  I always asked, "why, Mom?"  I didn't understand why anyone would want to be sick for someone.  Even as I got older, I didn't get it.  Then I had a child.  Then he had his first down and out sickness.

Poor guy spiked a fever to 103.5 and 104.4 two nights in a row.  Of course, the first night Rob and I freaked out.  We hadn't checked out the latest on children and fevers since Mason was an infant.  We immediately put him in a cool bath, gave him some children's Tylenol and called the on-call pediatric nurse.  We found out 105 is the emergency temperature, although 104.4 was a bit too close for comfort.

Since he didn't get better the next day, I took him in to the doctor.  VIRUS!  I hate those pesky buggers. Insert an unhappy, scrunchie face here.  We waited it out.  The fever finally broke for good after many false alarms.  Then a lovely rash appeared, and we headed back to the doctor for a prognosis I had already guessed: roseola or baby measles.

What made my heart ache the worst was how miserable Mason acted.  He wanted to be held all day and didn't want to eat a thing.  At night when the fever spiked, he would curl up next to me in bed and moan every thirty minutes in his sleep.  I ran cool wash clothes over his arms, legs, and forehead.  What else could I do besides pray and give him Tylenol?  I wished I could be sick for him.  Finally I understood what my mom meant all those years.  

Thankfully, Mason made a full recovery.  He is back to his old ways of climbing over the couch and putting his blankie in the toilet.  Dear boy.

My heart goes out to all the Mommas and Daddies who have to watch their children battle terminal illnesses or lifelong diseases.  You are in my prayers.

Rootbeer Float Pops

My last few posts have had nothing to do with food...so...here is one for all you foodies! 

My besties and I devoured these handmade rootbeer float pops. 

A perfect way to cool down on a warm day.

Learn how to make these summer treats here.

Fourteen Months and Four Wheel Drivin'

Yes, that is right.  We took our 14 month old son 4x4ing.  Rob and I have this minor obsession with Jeep Wranglers.  That is how he got me hook, line and sinker, isn't it?  The minute I saw his red Wrangler,  I knew we were destined to be together.

After our last deployment, Rob decided it was time for a family toy: another Jeep!  The red one is long gone, and this time we had to have one in our favorite Jeep color: mellow yellow.  It is a true off-roading machine.  I don't quite comprehend all the off-roading essentials on our new toy because, honestly, I am not a gear head.  I just nod and smile and say "cool" when he tells me all about the latest addition.  I have learned to distinguish a Smitty Built fender and winch, Rancho steering stablizers and KC Daylighters.     

Luckily, Mason loves the Jeep.  He peers out the open back and waves to all the cars.  The other cars love seeing a baby smiling at them, and they don't hesitate to make all kinds of goofy faces at him.




We decided he was old enough for some real fun.  We spent Father's Day on dirt roads paths winding our way up, over and around Palomar Mountain with our Jeep club.  It was hot (110 degrees at one point), and it was dusty (I could write in the dust covering the dashboard).   Mason did amazingly well.  Not a squawk of complaint.  Just smiles and giggles.

The Perfect Baby Shower

A week or so ago three girlfriends and I threw a baby shower for a friend.  Sometimes throwing a wedding or baby shower can be stressful, but with four of us combining our talents and ideas, it was a breeze.  Here are a couple of things that made the day a success.

*Instead of games, we opted for guests to design onsies with fabric markers for the baby.  We provided stencils of shapes, animals and letters with a large variety of colored markers.  We hung the onsies up on a clothes line to add to the party decor.  This was a huge hit!

*Instead of flowers and table decoration, we brought and gave people the option of bringing children books to line the table.   The books were an awesome start to the baby's library.  Guests also had the option of writing a message to the baby in the books!

*We re-used paper lanterns and party poms from another party to decorate as well homemade table confetti (cute paper and a cute star hole punch).  We made a flag banner welcoming the new baby.

*Photo boards lined with baby pictures of the mom- and dad-to-be added a nice surprise for the guest of honor.  It was fun trying to imagine out what their munchkin will look like compared to their baby photos.

*Guests could fill out wish cards, words of wisdom and draw the baby cards (we made ourselves using PowerPoint).  We placed the cards along with photos from the shower in a small, keepsake scrapbook.

*Instead of party favors that you will never use again, we made chocolate covered pretzels in coordinating colors for the guests.  Three to a bag because one chocolate covered pretzel is never enough!

*We had a mid-morning shower, so we made brunch items including: two delicious breakfast casseroles, a strawberry and spinach salad, and yogurt with berries and granola.  We offered water, a non-alcoholic and an alcoholic punch.  Yum!!  And we were all salivating over the chocolate peanut butter cupcakes for dessert.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the activities that allowed them the chance to mingle and eat without ever feeling rushed.  It was the perfect baby shower!

The Secret to Camping with a One Year Old

The secret to camping with a one year old...is being okay with dirt.  Everywhere.  

A few things changed between camping without a kid to camping with a kid.  But like all other things, it was worth it.  Plus, he slept better than we did.   Maybe we should camp out every night!

Birthday bells and other traditions

My husband celebrated a birthday recently, and even though I had a huge hoopla for my son's first birthday, we didn't really focus on any traditions.  Although we did make him a bunny cake since his birthday was in the same week as Easter which my mom has done for all her kids and grandkids who have Easter birthdays.  I digress.

My husband celebrated a birthday recently, and I realized the importance of birthday traditions.  I read that traditions help make your kids feel apart of something and make them want to keep you around when they start their own families.  Or, something like that.

For my hubby's birthday we started a few new and old traditions.  We took one from my family, one from his, and made up our own.

Rob's family always had a birthday bell.  The birthday honoree had full privileges of the birthday bell on their big day.  Every time they rang the bell, everyone else had to run to do their beckoning: get them a piece of cake, tie their shoes, etc.  A few years back Rob's mom gave me the sacred birthday bell.

I dug that magical piece of silver out of my hope chest for Rob's special day.  His first, and only, ring of the day: morning coffee in bed.  I wonder how many times he must of rang the bell in his life and how lucky I was to only have heard it once that day.  Mason, on the other hand, rang the bell plenty of times, but we did not do his bidding!  We just laughed as he rang it all over the house.

My family's tradition was to let the birthday boy or girl choose their cake or dessert, plus my mom made our favorite food for the day.  Rob choose angel food cake with fresh strawberries and whip cream.  Yummy and easy!

I downgraded to one candle on the cake.  Too many candles are depressing.  Maybe we will put the same number of candles on our cakes as our kids have on theirs, and then we won't feel so old.

We changed up the favorite food to let the birthday person choose whatever food they want to eat for the day...this could get very interesting in the near future.  What will two-year-old Mason want to eat?!

My hubs choose to go out to one of our favorite breakfast spots at the beach for his first meal, second meal I packed him a delicious lunch (it was a work day), and third meal I picked up a pizza from his favorite pizza joint.  No cooking for momma!  A win-win situation.

Also, we decided the birthday person also gets to pick the activity for the day.  Rob picked to keep working on our bathroom remodel.  My, how things change when you pass through your twenties.

And last, but not least. We read Happy Birthday To You by Dr. Suess.  A tradition borrowed from a dear friend.

What are your birthday traditions?  I'd love to hear about them.  We are always looking for more!

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Zucchini Goodness

To all my friends who have been asking for vegetarian recipes...here is a winner!  It is easy, yummy and takes advantage of zucchini coming into season (at least here in SoCal).   Plus, this recipe is great to feed babies who are eating solids since it is easy to mash, or it makes great finger food for your toddler.

For lack of a better name, my family calls it Zucchini Casserole, but I also think it could also be called Melt-In-Your-Mouth Zucchini Goodness.  The recipe originates from my mom who probably got it from one of her million kazillion cookbooks and tweaked it to perfection.  Feel free to tweak it for your family.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1/4-1/2 cup chopped onion
3-4 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup cubed Colby jack cheese
1 can mushroom soup
1 cup water
Herbed bread crumbs (I keep stale bread pieces in my freezer.  I cut up and add Italian bread crumbs to have a homemade casserole topping in seconds.)
Salt to taste

Directions:
Mix rice, onion, zucchini and cheese.  Mix soup, water and salt.  Add liquid mixture to rice mixture in an oiled casserole dish.  Top with herbed bread crumbs.  Bake 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees (30 minutes covered, 30 minutes uncovered).

 To make the dinner complete, I steamed some green beans in the microwave.  Another color vegetable would have been more fun but this is what I had on hand. 

 Since the oven was still hot, I threw in some frozen rolls and had fresh bread to accompany the meal.

  Hope you enjoy it as much as my family did!  

How to make Oreo pops

I saw a photo of these yummy Oreo pops on Pinterest but the link was gone by the time I got around to researching how to make them.  Through trial and error I figured out how to make these delicious treats.  My colors did not turn out nearly as cute as I had hoped, but lesson learned:  don't mix food coloring into white candy chips.  Just buy the colored candy chips.  Maybe it was because I used natural food coloring instead of the typical dye food coloring.  Who knows!

First, I used a double boiler to melt the candy or chocolate chips (found at Michael's).  A double boiler is just a half pot of boiling water with a small pot with the chips in it sitting in the large pot with water.  It melts more evenly than in the microwave, so you don't have to worry about burning the sugar.  It was super easy and stayed hot a long time. 

Next I careful took off the tops of the Oreos (like in the commercials!). 

 I used chocolate and vanilla wafers, although only chocolate are pictured.  

 Then I carefully pushed the sticks (I used the thinnest lollipop sticks from Michael's) into the cookie frosting.  [BOTTOM ROW]  Sometimes the cookies cracked.  I used them anyway because they would get covered with yummy goodness.  Then I put a layer of the warm candy or chocolate coating over the cookie frosting and sticks.  [MIDDLE ROW]  I put the cookie top back on to seal the stick inside. [TOP ROW]  If you don't do this, then the stick will either break the cookie or fall out.

Lastly, I took a knife and covered the tops and sides of the cookie with warm chocolate or the candy coating.  I didn't frost the backs of the cookies so they would dry on the parchment paper.  I used short and long sticks because I wanted them to display at different heights.  Like I said earlier, I wish I had used the colored candy instead of trying to dye it myself.  I did this the night before the party so it was a too late to re-do the Oreo pops.  

 Here is the finished product! 

Not only are they easy to make, but they are super cute and YUMMY!!!

Mason's First Birthday Party

Our little man turned one!  We went all out and had a Hungry Little Caterpillar themed party.  It was a blast.  Here are a few pics from Mason's special day:  

The birthday boy!

 My mom helped me make regular and small sized cupcakes for the caterpillars body.  A round cake made his head.  We used colored frosting, jelly beans and pipe cleaners to fashion his eyes and antennas.

 I made chocolate covered Oreos to put in a terra cotta pot.  I put the green foam for floral arrangements in the bottom and topped that with paper grass.  I just stuck the pops in.  A how-to on making Oreo pops on another post.

 To highlight each day of the week and what the caterpillar ate, I purchased the appropriate flavor Jelly Belly's and made little signs to put into the jelly bean containers (i.e. Wednesday had plum Jelly Belly's).

 Another fun way to highlight the days of the week was to put little caterpillars in mason jars with construction paper fruit.  It made fun toys for the kids.

 Of course, I had to have a hanging caterpillar!

 I displayed my first birthday cards. Hurray for my  mom who saved them all these years!

 The birthday sign and also a framed photo for each month of Mason's life.  The largest frame was his one year old photo.

 Juice boxes and fruit packs for the kids along with some bug catchers.

The food table!