Month: August 2019

Making Blackout Curtains

Dear Sis,

Daddy moved William’s toddler bed out of our room and into his room. We explained that baby sister will cry and wake him up, so it is best for him to sleep in his own room. He nodded and said, “Baby sister fuss like Baby Em at night night.” Your visit left an impression in more ways than one:)

His first night went well, but the following day during nap time, he said, “Mama turn the lights out.” I replied, “Sorry sweetie, I can’t turn off the sun.” We hung a blanket over the window as a quick fix, but I realized it was time to make some blackout curtains for William’s room!

Not sure exactly how to go about making curtains, I did some research online. I used this measurement guide to help me decide how large I wanted my finished panels to be.

Confetti Style: Your Guide for Stylish Living

Then, I stumbled upon this wonderful tutorial: How to Make Blackout Curtains

I went to the fabric store planning to buy 6 yards 54 inch wide home decor fabric and blackout lining. JoAnn Fabrics carries a suitable lining for $8.00 a yard. As a bonus it was, 30% off. However, I was unable to find a suitable home decor fabric in that width, so I decided to look in the 45 inch width section. This width change meant I needed 9 yards and I’d have to piece my curtain panels. Sadly, all the fabrics I liked were on an 8 yard bolt! Feeling a bit defeated I wondered the clearance section. Just as I was about to wrap things up and many try Hobby Lobby instead, I found the perfect 45 inch wide fabric on a 10 yard bolt on clearance for $3.00 a yard! My 20% off entire purchase including sale and clearance items kept me on budget at $54.00.

Assembly took the better part of a day… wrestling huge heavy rectangles slows the simplicity of a bunch of straight seams. I hastened the process of creating rod loops, by using Dritz Rod Loop Tape along the top edge. I happened to have a pack in my notions box I picked out of a clearance bin some years ago:)

We are using the curtains on the rod left by the last family, so our curtains look much to long and full at present, but Papa Carmin will hang the new rod for us when he comes with you to help with baby sister’s arrival.

The curtains work so well, the picture is quite dark:)

Love,

b

Cranberry Apple Crisp

Dear Sis,

Today I tried a new recipe to use the remaining frozen cranberries from last year. 

Cranberry Apple Crisp
Serves 8
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Cranberry Apple Filling
  1. 3 c green apples, peeled and sliced
  2. 2 c fresh or frozen cranberries
  3. 1 c granulated sugar
  4. 3 T unbleached flour
Oat Topping
  1. 2 c old-fashioned oats
  2. 1/2 c brown sugar
  3. 1/2 c salted butter, melted
  4. 1/2 c unbleached flour
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a glass 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Toss together cranberry apple filling ingredients and pour into prepared dish.
  3. Combine topping ingredients and pour over fruit layer.
  4. Bake 45-55 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
Adapted from I Heart Eating
Adapted from I Heart Eating
Tag Sis, You're It! https://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

This crisp is very nicely tart, so it pairs well with vanilla ice cream without being overwhelmingly sweet!

Love,

b

Cherry Crumb Bars

Dear Sis,

It was wonderful that your brother-in-law and sister-in-law were able to visit for dinner to see you and Evelyn last night. We made dessert with all the yummy cherries you brought:)

We even had enough leftover to serve it for our lunch today with Aunt Angel and cousin Charity. 

Cherry Crumb Bars
Yields 24
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Crust and Crumble
  1. 3 c unbleached flour
  2. 1 c granulated sugar
  3. 1 t baking powder
  4. 1 t almond extract
  5. 1/2 t vanilla extract
  6. 1/4 t salt
  7. 1 c unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  8. 1 egg, beaten
Cherry Filling
  1. 5 c cherries, pitted and halved
  2. 1 c granulated sugar
  3. 1/2 c unbleached flour
  4. 2 T lemon juice
  5. 1 t almond extract
  6. 1 t cornstarch
  7. 1 t vanilla extract
  8. 1/4 t salt
Crust and Crumble
  1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. Combine dry ingredients and extracts. Crumble in cold butter and beaten egg.
  3. Press half crumble mixture into prepared pan. Set aside remaining crumble for topping.
Cherry Filling
  1. Toss together filling ingredients. Pour over crust. Top with remaining crumble.
  2. Bake 50-60 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.
Adapted from Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen
Adapted from Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen
Tag Sis, You're It! https://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

Battery Hooper 2019

Dear Sis,

Last year you ventured to Caesar’s Creek Pioneer Village with me with a three month old! This year we decided on an August event since baby sister is due in September:) 

I hope it was worth the travel and sewing days:) The kids had fun and we stayed cool enough to make it through alive! Summer events when pregnant, in hind site, perhaps not the best idea:)

Despite your dismay at the brightness of the pink fabric you ordered online, I think your bonnet and apron pulled it together nicely! You are now the fuchsia dress queen:)

Civil War Maternity wear is funny. Nobody who didn’t know could tell I’m five weeks from having a baby. Maybe they just thought I was fat:)

Although it stared raining, William diligently awaited the 3 o’clock cannon blast. “The Boom” is by far his very favorite part of this event! This year and last:) Come to think of it… Battery Hooper 2018 was his very first event ever!

Love,

b

Mac n Cheese… Can You Guess the Secret Ingredient?

Dear Sis,

Today we made Macaroni and Cheese with a secret ingredient. One would never guess it was butternut squash!!!!!

 

Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
Serves 8
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Ingredients
  1. 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  2. 2 c chicken stock
  3. 2 t dijon mustard
  4. 2 c shredded Gouda
  5. 3 c shredded Cheddar, divided
  6. 1 c whole milk
  7. 3/4 c greek yogurt
  8. 1 pound mini penne, cooked
  9. 2 T butter, melted
  10. 1 c Italian breadcrumbs
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 and grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  2. Simmer squash in stock for 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
  3. Stir in mustard and 2 c each gouda and cheddar until melted and smooth. Stir in milk and yogurt until smooth.
  4. Stir in cooked pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
  5. Top with a mixture of breadcrumbs, remaining c of cheddar, and melted butter.
  6. Bake 20-25 minutes until bubbly and warmed through.
Notes
  1. When smaller batches are desired, I used two 8x8 pans and freeze one for later. Don't bake the one for the freezer until it is thawed and ready to go on serving day.
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook by Aurora Satler & Allison Childress
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook by Aurora Satler & Allison Childress
Tag Sis, You're It! https://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

This is my new favorite mac n cheese recipe! Though I probably still use my old one on time crunch days:)

Love,

b

Touch a Truck 2019

Dear Sis,

Today we went to Touch-a-Truck, hosted by our community library, with Carter and family. William liked the Firetruck and Bobcat best this year.

William waited his turn while Carter and his big brother Zack tried out the bulldozer.

This year William was big enough to reach the controls!

Afterward, we took the kids to the local park for play and pizza. It was a fun morning, that lead to good napping:)

Love,

b

Touch a Truck 2018

A Civil War Gown for Evelyn

Dear Sis,

William and I are counting down the days until your visit with excited anticipation! Today I patterned and made Evelyn’s new 12 month sized gown. 

…a close up of the bodice.

My Inspiration:

1860-69 Cotton American Dress in Met Museum Collections

I used Elizabeth Stewart Clark’s Infant Gown Pattern as a base for my patterning. The “Infant” bodice with the gathered option is pretty close to perfect for this reproduction. I had to lengthen the bodice slightly and cut the sleeves from the dashed line instead of the solid line so they would be short enough to frill like I wanted. 

The original was obviously hand gathered and hemmed at the neckline. I machine gathered and used bias to bind the neckline to save time and effort:) 

I used a 2 inch strip to create a 1 inch waistband. The skirt is 2 (30) inch panels with a single 1 inch growth tuck. I used hook and eye tape for the back closure.

Can’t wait to see it on Evelyn!

Love,

b