Month: June 2021

Fabulous Fish Party

Dear Sis,

It’s hard to believe that Evelyn is three already! She looks amazing in her Fabulous Fish Party Dress. It was nice that we had a half dozen kids to craft, snack, and play together. A proper big girl birthday party!

Crafts

Paper Plate Fish Bowl Craft

We started with teal colored paper plates. I squeezed out a bit of white school glue on the bottom of each plate and the kids arranged dry beans in it. Then we taped, pipe cleaner, seaweed down with scotch tape. Finally, the kids added foam stickers. I found these particular stickers at Michaels. 

Painted Wooden Whale

I found these wooden whale cutouts in the dollar bins at Michaels. I gave each kiddo a squirt of gray and blue acrylic paint and a sponge brush. When they were finished painting, I let them dust it with silver glitter. Here is a picture of our little artists at work:

Sand Art

I purchased kits to make this craft at our local Dollar Tree. 

Menu

Fish Sticks

Seashell Mac n Cheese (recipe below)

Cracker Barrel Carrots

Cake and Ice Cream

Cake inspired by Fish Cake Tutorial on My Cake School

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

b
Creamy dreamy homemade macaroni and cheese to bake, slow cook, or freeze for later.
Print Recipe
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound medium shell pasta cooked al dente
  • 3 c medium cheddar shredded
  • 1 c gouda shredded
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 3/4 c mayonnaise
  • 3/4 c sour cream
  • 1 t onion powder
  • 1/2 t dry mustard
  • 1/2 t ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • Rinse cooked pasta in cold water. Combine all ingredients.
  • To bake: place in a large casserole dish, cover with foil, bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 30 minutes more.
  • To slow cook: place in the crock of a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1.5-2 hours. Stirring as needed.
  • To freeze for later: portion in foil pans, cover with wax paper, wrap in foil, and seal in a ziplock bag. Thaw and bake when needed.

I got this recipe last fall from my neighbor Nina. It is now a family staple!

 

Happy Birthday to a very special niece!

Love,

b

I Made Stuff

Hi Sis,

It has been about a million years (okay, maybe a year) since I last did a blog post. But, I am a little excited about my latest crafting. I haven’t had much time to craft. However, the kids are getting to a stage where I can actually do things again. Grant naps and Evelyn plays on her own, it is fantastic.

When we went to Spring Gove Cemetery, I wore a tropical weight dress. It was perfect for the weather, but with most living history events out your way and in the summer, I knew I wanted a sheer. I once had a sheer dress. Remember this beauty? It may have been one of my favorite dresses ever. Sadly, I outgrew (gained weight) since I was twenty-one. lol 

I really wanted to make a dress that I liked just as much as this pink sheer. But, first I had to find the fabric. Finding sheer fabric was difficult. Would you like a solid? Maybe a plaid? Prints aren’t always the easiest to find, or at least ones that look passable for reproduction. 

I decided, on an Indian Border print. So, I checked out cotton saree fabric. There are a few sellers on Etsy… if anyone else is looking. I purchased 7 yards from RaajMa.

After, picking my fabric I looked for some inspiration. 

Going to be honest, this is probably more 1850 than 1860 sheer. But, oh the flounces and those sleeves!!! I really wanted those sleeves. Naturally, I didn’t have any pattern remotely like that, but heck I would figure it out. 

And I did. I just modified a progada sleeve about six times and got it. The rest of the dress was pretty easy, as I already had a dress that fit me and a decent pattern. But, I already see areas on the bodice to improve next time around.

That is it! I still have a little tweaking to do to the bodice to get it to lay completely flat at the closure. I think a few more hook and eyes will solve that problem. 

I also had a lot of fun with the accessories.

  • I made the belt from silk taffeta, and threaded a buckle from Ensembles of the Past through it.
  • The bonnet… I did NOT make. Making one bonnet was enough for me, and I have since then decided millenary isn’t a strong point. The bonnet is from Timely Tresses and is a Marie Stewart Style. 
  • The miser purse was handmade by me. After all the silk reticules I have made, sold and given away I actually didn’t have one for myself. So, I decided I was going to make one. Hopefully, I will get the pattern up sometime. 

 The originals/inspiration

I was pretty proud of this little reticule. It was my first time doing really getting into the beading on the edges. I have made plenty of tassels, but I never managed to get the beads on the top. (wrap them around with one strand, and sew them on with another piece of thread and a needle).

That’s it! More crafty to come… I can’t wait.

Jamiegoof

Cake Testing – Day Three

Dear Sis,

We found another flavor for the wedding this fall! Now I’m halfway done finding the perfect recipes. Only funfetti and vanilla to go!

Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes

b
Fudgy Moist Cupcake that last for days.
Print Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 30 cupcakes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 c unbleached flour
  • 1 3/4 c granulated sugar
  • 2/3 c cocoa powder
  • 2 t baking powder
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 t vanilla extract
  • 2 T white vinegar
  • 3/4 c canola oil
  • 2 c water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350. Line 30 cupcake tins with parchment liners.
  • Whisk together dry ingredients.
  • Beat in wet ingredients until smooth.
  • Fill liners half-way and bake 14 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean.

Source Recipe: Amelia Bedelia’s Chocolate Sheet Cake

We tried it with both Swiss Buttercream and Swiss Meringue Cream Cheese Frosting. We preferred the cream cheese frosting. A dusting of shaved chocolate completes the look!

Love,

b

Nashville Reunion

Dear Sis,

We had a wonderful weekend in Nashville visiting with Josh’s family! 

Great-Uncle Ken’s back (one of Josh’s dad’s brothers), Great-Aunt Peggy (Josh’s dad’s sister), Uncle Jason (Josh’s younger brother), Great-Uncle Steve (Aunt Peggy’s other half), Collin (Uncle Ken’s daughter Jennifer’s older son), Cousin Ken Jr. and wife Robin. There is always a game table when our family gathers:)

William is old enough to enjoy game time too!

(Collin, William, Great-Uncle Steve)

Great-Uncle Ken, Logan (cousin Jennifer’s younger son), and William

The three boys enjoyed playing the day away in the pool together!

We stopped by Great-Granny’s (Josh’s mom’s mother) before heading home. 

Granny’s new cat (Puddy) was very sweet with the kids!

Granny took a family picture for us!

Time spent with family always goes so fast!

Love,

b

Quick Zoo Day

Dear Sis,

A zoo trip was a wonderful way to spend our last day together.

Evelyn and Charlotte really enjoyed each other this visit! It is apparent they are a great fit! I can’t wait to watch their friendship grow over the years:) It cracks me up how much Eve is like me as a kid and Charlotte is like you were!

Thanks for visiting!

Love,

b