Sewing Sneak Peeks

I have been busy sewing but all my projects have to be kept secret until the time I can post about them!

I'm guest posting on a few blogs in September/October, pattern testing and I'm also sewing along during Project Run and Play! I love everything I'm working on and I can't wait to share it all with you!

Here are some peeks into my recent projects.

I guess I've been into patterns lately. Not a lot of solids in the mix. Think I will remedy that soon!

Hoping its not 95 degrees again tomorrow so my kids will nap...and I can sew!

Family Meals

I remember the weekly list of dinners, in my mom’s handwriting, placed on the side of the refrigerator. Chicken cacciatore, chili dogs, taco salad, macaroni and cheese, chicken tacos , turkey burgers, chicken kabobs, manicotti. We always knew what we were going to have for dinner and we ate dinner together, as a family. Every night at 6:00pm. We prayed and then spent the time together laughing, talking about our day, sometimes arguing or not saying much at all.

Growing up I didn’t really cook. Well, I helped my mom in the kitchen but I was grossed out by meat and didn’t enjoy making dinner. After getting married I realized that we needed to eat and that meant cooking, so I made the meals that I knew. Ingredients and recipes I was familiar with. Casseroles, tater tots (oh how I love tater tots!), chicken, turkey, pasta.

Then, I found cookbooks. Wonderful new foods to try, foods that were different, foods I had never heard of. And I started to love cooking. We never had a list of weekly dinners posted on the refrigerator. Dinner would be a surprise when Brian would come home from work.

After almost 15 years of marriage, I’m now doing meal planning. I was resistant. It felt too…stay-at-home-mom, boring, predictable. But I’ve found out that it’s helpful. It’s more cost effective and it makes me more organized and with a toddler that is important! Each week the menu is different. I guess in my mind that’s one way I can keep it from becoming too boring. Plus, I love experimenting with new recipes! So far, it's working out well. I don't have something planned for each day of the week because some days are for leftovers or for my lazy, comfort food cooking (grilled cheese, pasta, risotto).

Here is one of my weekly menus:

Black bean, butternut squash and swiss chard chili  

Stir-fry with Tofu, noodles and vegetables  

Roast chicken and crisp potatoes with a salad  

Pasta baked with spinach, herbs and walnuts

Miette is now old enough to know that we pray before eating our meals. And she makes sure to remind me if I forget! It’s so cute watching her fold her little hands and then enthusiastically say “Amen!” when the prayer is done. I love sharing meals with my family (and with friends) and I look forward to sharing many more with the ones I love.

Black and Green Stripes

ILife has been busy lately which means not much sewing has been happening. But I realized I never shared this cute green and black striped hoodie

I actually made this for someone else. I participated in a Peek-a-Boo pattern clothing swap. I was matched up with someone who had a child the same size as Miette and sewed for him. Then another person sewed something for Miette. It was so fun! The recipient of the hoodie was a boy but I think it looks just as cute on my girl!

The Pattern: Hangout Hoodie by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

The Fabric: Green and black striped jersey knit. Solid black double knit. Both found at SAS Fabrics.

The Size: 5

I have a lot of projects in the queue but can't share a lot of them until September!

Blueberry, Banana, Bran Muffins

I used to be a morning person. Then, I became a mom and now I find it very difficult to drag myself out of bed in the morning. Well, unless a crying baby forces me out of bed and down the hall.

For the past 6 months I've been trying to wake up early, do my devotional, enjoy the quiet morning and get mentally prepared for the day ahead.

It's a little easier to wake up in the morning if I know there is a little treat waiting for me to enjoy with my coffee. I started making these when I had a newborn and I needed a filling, yet quick breakfast. These definitely hit the spot and now my little one enjoys them as well.

My triple "B" muffins. Blueberry, banana and bran muffins. With a crumb topping. Because everything tastes better with a crumb topping. I make a batch and freeze half of them so I can have one anytime. Try them. You will love them!

The Best Banana Bran Muffins

Adapted

Makes 12-18 large muffins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups wheat bran

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 cups mashed, ripe banana

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-2 cups fresh blueberries

Crumb Topping:

1 cup flour

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

6 tablespoons butter, melted

Method:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 and grease, or line with baking cups, muffin tins.

2. Blend the wheat bran and buttermilk in a small bowlLet sit for 15 minutes.

3.  In a separate bowl, whisk the mashed banana, sugar, eggs, vanilla and oil (or butter). Add bran mixture.

4.  Add flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon to the batter. Stirring until just combined. Add blueberries and gently stir until combined.

5.  Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.

Crumb Topping:

1. Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl. Combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and baking powder with melted butter. Stir until crumbs form.

2.  Place a generous amount on top of muffins.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Enjoy!