Portable High Chair

I got the idea to make a portable high chair on this cool blog. Really easy and a fairly simple concept, but it totally works! Great if you're out somewhere without a high chair or if the high chair is totally nasty!

Tutu

When I was at the fabric store the other day, the lady at the cutting counter insisted that I buy some tulle because, "every little girl needs a tutu." Since it was on sale, I folded. They are so easy! I followed directions here, but there are countless places to find directions and tutorials. Eden wasn't the biggest fan and it didn't last long, but she sure looked cute in it!

A few book reviews...

I had a friend recommend and pass along this book. It is historical fiction and follows the story of four sisters living in the Dominican Republic, fighting a difficult era of dictatorship. Three of the sisters end up getting killed in the end (I tell you this because it is mentioned from the beginning of the book...not trying to spoil it), and the story outlines their lives and their road to becoming national heros. I thought it was a pretty good read and recommend it.

We read this book for Book Club this month and I thought it was a fun, quick read. It is about Lara, a girl in her late twenties who's world changes when her great aunt passes away. Not because she knew and loved her aunt (actually the opposite), but because the spirit of her great aunt, Sadie has some unresolved business and relies on Lara, the only one who can see Sadie, to help her. I loved the 1920's aspects and the quirky twists and turns. The author wrote Confessions of a Shopaholic, which was made into a movie. I could see a movie being modeled after Twenties Girl as well!

Warning: the book does include quite a few explitives. Boo!

An Apron for Mom

I had some fabric I bought a while back (the blue flowery print) and was trying to figure out what to make with, so I did a little brainstorming and dug through my fabric bin (and found some leftover baby bib material, lace-like material I used for a table cloth, and some fabric I bought in India) and this is what I came up with...an apron for my mom for mother's day. I used another apron we already had to sketch out the measurements. Definitely far from perfect (especially for my mom, she is an amazing seamstress), but it was fun to make!

She likes it and it fits her well! Yay!

*Sorry the pictures aren't the best. I was in a hurry to get it off in the mail and my little model wasn't quite big enough for this one.

Granola

OH how I love granola; I sprinkle it on my oatmeal every morning! I made a big batch of it yesterday and it turned out so yummy! I got the recipe from my mother-in-law and it is so easy and tasty, just thought I would share the recipe.

Mom's Granola

7 c. oats

2 c. Rice Krispies

1 c. chopped nuts (I prefer almonds)

3/4 c. coconut

1 c. wheat germ

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 c. soy flour (optional)

1/2 c. oil

*1/2 c. honey

*1/2 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 Tb. water

1 c. dried fruit

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix together the oats, rice krispies, nuts, coconut, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon, and flour. In a separate bowl combine the oil, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and water. Slowly add in the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well until it is evenly coated. Spread half onto a cookie sheet and bake for thirty minutes, stirring every ten minutes. Then, repeat the process with the remaining half. When cool, stir in the dried fruit (I prefer raisins).

*My husband doesn't like his granola too sweet, so I've reduced the amount of honey and brown sugar I include. For sweeter granola, increase to 3/4 cup.

I borrowed my friend's dehydrator this past week and made dried apples and mangos. Maybe I'll cut some up and put it in the granola... (or maybe I'll sneak some in my diaper bag and eat it at church today :)

Garage Sale Finds...

My friend Jenn came over yesterday morning and we ventured out to some garage sales in the area. I love Scottsdale because you don't have to go very far (in fact, I just drove down one main street) to see dozens of garage sales.

Here's a few of my "scores"

Salad spinner $4

Jogging stroller $15

I also picked up books and a sippy cup for Eden. Last week I got some cute toys for her too.

I love garage sales!

Beauty, A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

We read this for book club this month and although it was good, I wouldn't put it at the top of my favorites list. I had a hard time getting through the first 100 pages and found myself forcing myself to pick it up and read it. It did pick up towards the end. Supposedly it is what Disney based their cartoon movie after.