A little something for Spring

So today while the kiddos where resting, I did a little blog hopping. Checking in on all the lovely ladies that share all their ideas and stories with the rest of us. And low and behold I stumbled across Very Jane and snagged this adorable Spring Time Print. And the best part it was FREE! Want it? Go get it, it will be up for 3 days, 1 hour 36 minutes and counting. 

So now that I now possess this lovely art print , I had to find a place to put it. So, as I am picking up all the tiny and sharp (when did they get so sharp) cute toys, I do a mental crafting inventory. 

It went a little bit like this...

Hmmm, No photo frames hanging out. Don't really want to run to the store, Daddy is working and it just me and the monsters kids.

Ooooo, look you have this wood thingy that was the base for some walnut stuffed dates (not my cup of tea, but the wood thingy is cute). Also Free, Score 2 for me!

Umm, what else so I have?? Owww, Legos are sharp too! I bet that paper pack you got for your spring wreath (pictures later I promise) has something that would work. 

White Spray Paint, from my new storage drawer cabinet.

I am so organized now, I can work in not chaos, until of course I start to work. 

Hehe, Oh well. Check!

Hot Glue Gun?! Yup. 

Ok so Long story shorter. This is how I made it...

Measure

 Paint and Sand

I just dulled the edges and in some spots so that is slightly warn but mostly not.

 See

 Glue!

I left the print curved out so that it gives it some 3D effect

It is currently living on one of the two ledges (aka crap catchers, do you have them in your house too?) in the archway of our house. Doesn't it look pretty. I sandwiched it between one of my favorite pictures from our wedding and last years Santa Picture of the Kids and under our Wedding invitation.

But don't be fooled by the neatness, it normally looks like this.

See: remote controls, bobby pins, ear buds, birthday cards, old fire nozzle, Optimus Prime .

Now I get that probable don't have the stuffed date wood thingy at your place too, but I am sure you could find something to up-cycle and make a handmade Spring Print for your house too! 

He's 3!!!!

 He is THREE!!!

AAAHHHH!!!!

I can't believe that just 3 years ago we were celebrating his birth and first years. 

He is so big now, riding his two wheeler (still using training wheels most of the time), hanging out, learning new things every day and pretty much make me feel super blessed to be his Mommy.  Here are pictures form this past year and all the cool things Marty has done.

 Birthday Boy April 2010

Big Brother April 27, 2010

 Mother's Day, May 2010

 June 2010

Back Yard Camping,  June 2010

 July 2010

 August 2010

 Getting Ready to fly to Massachusetts, September 2010

 

Marty the Builder, October 2010

 Cuddling with Mommy, Thanksgiving 2010

Please ignore me passed out on my in-laws couch.

 Big Boy Bike, Christmas 2010 

Playing with Michaela January 2011

Hanging out with Mommy February 2011

MONSTER TRUCKS!!! March 2011

Oh Big Doggie! Happy Birthday my beautiful Big Boy!! 

Mommy and Daddy Love you All the World!

 

Crafting in the Kitchen: Homemade Fruit Leather

If you kids are like mine, they love fruit leathers. 

Actually I do too.  

They are a great way to get some sugar and fruit when you are out or in the car. 

They are a treat, like candy but way better! 

We normally buy them from Winco (which is the greatest store by the way, if there is one, near you check it out) but after reading the ingredients one day I got to thinking, I could so totally make this at home. 

After some web searching I found a bunch of recipes (here is just one) and all had about the same info. So I decided to give it whirl.  

After the first batch when flying out of the fridge I made a second and remembered to take pictures this time. If you are making your own baby food, simply make a little extra and use it to make a snack for you, any older kids and friends! 

Ok, so here is what you need:

A big pot or sauce pan

4 cups of fruit

about 2 tbsp of sugar (depending on your sweet tooth)

Enough Water to cover the fruit

Parchment Paper or a Silpat sheet

A fine mesh strainer

Cookie Sheet

Ok so here is where I missed a picture. Just imagine the water is filled with mixed berries from Costco.

I boiled the fruit, water and sugar until the fruit was soft. I am not sure how long it took. 

 

Once the fruit was cooked, I strained it and put all the fruit in my food processor (you can use a blender, but you need to do smaller batches)

The liquid you have left over from boiling the fruit can be tossed or used to make oatmeal, a simple syrup or what ever else you can think of.

Ok so back to your fruit. Once you have a nice even consistency puree use your fine mesh strainer to separate the seeds and other bits. 

It is time consuming I know but just use a soft spatula or the back of a big ladle to push the yummy fruit through.

 

 You get about 1 cup of puree from 4 cups of berries. 

Note: I made my with only the berry puree it is an intense flavor (good still) but looking at the store ones have apple puree (apple sauce) as a filler. This will extend your berries and give you more leather for your time. I would do equal parts berries/apple. One Large Apple makes about 1/4 cup of apple sauce (cut, boil, puree)

 Now you get to the oven and boring part! 

Set your oven to 200 degrees

Line your pan and.. pour!

Try to get your puree in an even layer. Any thicker parts take longer to cook.

Place your pan in the middle of your oven and set the timer for 2 hours. 

I did not even bother to start checking it until 1:45. 

The fruit leather is done when it is no longer tacky/sticky

Pull it out and off the cookie sheet on to your drying rack. 

Let it cool then remove from the parchment. 

Slice or break up your HOMEMADE Fruit leather and store in a ziplock bag. 

I have made cherry and mixed berry so far and since I am again running low I foresee an apple/berry coming soon. 

Just about any fruit you can think of would make a good fruit leather, so go forth and puree!