I Made a Skirt!

I'm VERY proud of myself for finally branching out into clothes!!! Yes, it was just a 2 year old's skirt, and yes it was from a free Oliver+S tutorial that did not involve a pattern, but I did it! I love it, and especially love how the yellow ribbon "glows" at the bottom. Double click photos to see better.

Before I started I got out the beginner's sewing machine that my mom gave me years ago and I actually opened the box and tried to get it sewing. Yeah. Didn't work. I have no idea how you people do that, it's very confusing, lots of threads everywhere and dials and such. So I just sewed it by hand. I'm going to try their other free pattern, the Popover Sundress next, and this one does have a pattern, so we'll see how it goes.

By the way, Gigi is sick this week, so above you see the rare paci-during-the day and the grumpy face that only happens when she's sick.

Yes, SHE is very grumpy.

Wolf wanted me to show you the "pillbug amusement park" that he and his friends made for their pet pillbugs. He was very proud also. I love how "boy" he is, always dirty and grass stained and sweaty-haired, running the neighborhood with his friends.

Forgot to show you, check out the sweet swag my sister sent me! These are vintage cutter quilt blocks made into pillows, and a gorgeous wallet using Nicey Jane fabrics. Thanks Heidi! Gigi's dolls are enjoying the pillows.


And lastly, I have some bread to show off! I'm trying out the new book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. The whole concept is that you make up a batch of bread and keep the dough in the fridge. Then when you want a pizza crust or a cinnamon roll or a loaf of bread for dinner, you just lop off a chunk and rise it, then bake. Voila, fresh bread every day. It's pretty good, not life changing, but I bake almost every day anyway, so it would be more life changing for someone who rarely bakes.

What are you up to lately?

Thanksgiving Sweets!

Yum! I love baking from scratch and I had lots of fun making all these with my older daughter last night! Here's what we made, with recipes, so you can make them too!

* We made the strawberry cake in the front for her friend's birthday today.
* The chocolate truffle cake on the left is soooooo thick and rich. More like a brownie. You really need vanilla ice cream with it.
* That's a tiramisu in the back. I should have taken the springform off so you could see all the little soldiers standing up in a row. I used the new instant coffee Via from Starbucks to soak the ladyfingers. It was really good! It's the new thing for when you need coffee flavor in baking.
*And finally, that's a sugar and spice pumpkin pie on the right. I had never made it before so I can't tell you if it's good yet. It had a ton of spices in it, including black pepper!


Enjoy your day!

Edited to say: What is it about pumpkin pie? It always tastes the same, no matter what you put in it. The pie was very good, but no better than any other pumpkin pie from the store or homemade! I did think, however, that it needed a 1/4" layer of bitter chocolate over the top - that would have made a flavor splash!

Turkey Cupcakes!

No, not cupcakes made FROM turkey, cupcakes made to look like A turkey! Silly! If my sister in law makes it to Thanksgiving with her kids, I will totally make these with them. I promise! Except I will steal an idea from another internet site and make the tail not with cut outs from fruit roll ups, but with a row of point-down candy corns.

Hop on over to cakespy.com and check out the tutorial in the guest post from Meringue Bake Shop.

Car-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay, I live in Austin, TX and it's been over 100 degrees here for a few weeks. I found this recipe and I just might try it! You can see the whole recipe with photos at bakingbites.com. Too funny! The photo is of cooked cookies, they don't brown in the car ;)

Car-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies
Place dough on a large sheet of wax paper and roll into a log approximately 11-inches long by 2.5-inches wide. Freeze for 2-3 hours, or overnight.

When ready to bake, park your car in the sun on a 100F+ day. Slice cookies into 1/4-inch thick slices and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Place baking sheet on car dashboard (with protective towel underneath) and bake for 2 1/2-3 hours, until done. Just put them on when you arrive at work, and by lunchtime simply open the car door to the smell of fresh, hot cookies for your co-workers!!! If you have a big dashboard (or a friend with another car), you can do two batches at once.