One would assume that being told you are a 'strong person' would qualify as a compliment. However, most people may not realize that the sheer need to state this opinion implies that the person has to stand firm and press forward in life, even when they may not want to. Being a strong person is not something they want to be, but have to be. Thus, the idea is not a compliment but rather a reminder of the struggle.
Of course the words are said with support and best intentions and are to be taken with gratitude and love... it takes a strong person to accept it as such, and thus- brings us back to the original point. A hidden secret, at the point the person is being told they are strong- inside, they want to cry.
Strong people are weak as well. They cry, they need and they want. Understanding your weakness and knowing how to work around it is what gives the appearance of being strong and courageous. Knowing that there are people with struggles bigger and scarier than your own puts life into perspective, and no matter how much you might want to crawl away and hide- life has to move forward. Hiding from life only diminishes the more difficult struggles others have to face. If they can walk forward and live each day, there is no reason why we cannot either.
Faith in oneself and in ones life is what really makes a difference. Understanding that no matter what struggles lay in front of you- there is something and/or someone there to walk towards. Some people choose religion, others choose a goal or a cause- to give their life a purpose with meaning. Still others put their faith in others, special someone(s) that give life its purpose and meaning.
Whether it is one special someone or 4 perfect people... those special people make life worth living. They make every day worth getting up for, though albeit slowly. They make feeling tired and sick manageable. Their faces, their arms and their love is what makes the world go 'round. The sun rises and falls every day on their beings... and when they are not close by, the hold they leave behind seems endless. It doesn't matter if they are gone for minutes or weeks, when you build your life's purpose around them- it becomes off kilter when your world is not whole. It's a dangerous system for someone who is pretending to be strong- but worth it.
Every minute of every day is worth it when it revolves around them. And no matter the difficulty and no matter the struggle, ensuring their world is how it should be- makes whatever test is offered a simple one. And a happy one. Pretending to be strong and graciously accepting the compliment has meaning. The secret is tucked away where it should be. The smile is reapplied and one foot moves in front of the other... happiness is found when you look for it. Struggles are an every day thing, as is happiness. There is only room for one to be the leader.
:-)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Fairy Tea Party Invitations
My daughter recently turned 7, and like her mother, got a little crazy in her ideas as to what she wanted to happen. I felt a twinge of pride as she told me her birthday party 'vision' and yet cringed at the monster I knew that I was responsible for creating. We had a lot of fun planning, and I had a lot of work to do to fulfill her wishes. It was a lot of fun, a lot of crafting, and lots of great blogging ideas to share.
To begin with, we needed to invite her friends to the party. We needed something special in order to set the pace for the rest of the event. It was going to be girly, full of fairies and a beautiful good time. We chose two different prints of 12x12 scrapbook paper, one a splotched design of darker pink and the other a white paper with light pink ribbons running through the paper. The wonderful thing about 12x12 sheets of scrapbook paper is that they come in an array of colors, textures and prints. You can fall in love with a piece of paper, and craft around it as the main eye catching work of art. This is what we chose to do, let the paper do most of the work for us!
We began by cutting the paper into 12"x6" pieces. This gave us 2 cards per piece of paper. A 6"x6" piece of white card-stock and a 24" piece of coordinating ribbon were also used to create the base card.
Most scrapbook paper is not thick enough to hold itself up as a card, and requires a bit of help to strengthen it. On the inside, I used a glue stick to affix a 6"x6" piece of white card-stock. No need to put card-stock on the front flaps, that could make it too heavy or bulky to work with. A simple square will do the trick. Choose a color that will enhance the scrapbook paper. I kept it white, because it looked best overall.
Mark a line centered along the entire length of the card, should be 3" from both top and bottom. Carefully erase the line roughly .5" from the center folds. You will run a very thin line of glue along this line, but in order for it to tie correctly it has to have a bit of room at the end or it will rip.
When the glue is completely dry, you should be able to tie the ribbon while it remains in place.
Because we decided to let the paper we chose be our overall focus, the ribbon color was chosen to enhance its design. This also meant that we were free to embellish our paper, but didn't need to go overboard. It was time to highlight the theme of our card, and create a sense of our 'fairy' themed tea party that was being announced.
We began embellishing with simple sparkly rhinestones at opposing corners.
We added a butterfly, cut from a contrasting color and pattern. The body was embellished with black puff paint, to give it depth, and the antenna's were drawn onto the paper using a black fine-tip pen. Opposite the butterfly, we formally 'invited' the guests to the party. The words, You're Invited, were printed on a matching piece of card-stock and framed by a contrasting color. In this case, we chose a matching cream because it was similar to that of the faint design printed on the paper, and the contrasting white was also used inside the card. When the ribbon was tied closed, the card appeared as it would in its finished state.
Opening the card would reveal the actual invitation inside,
The invitation inside used a fun poem found from the web which fit perfectly for our use. We gave the important details, as to the time and place. It was printed onto cream colored tracing paper, printed out and trimmed to fit.
Overall, the cards took only a few minutes each to assemble (minus glueing time for the ribbon, be certain to allow time for the ribbon to dry.) We first created each card to the point of allowing the ribbon to dry, then moved on to working on the printer. Once we assembled the outside invite and the internal invitation, all ribbons were ready to move onto the next step.
Thus, we had beautiful hand crafted party invitations... the first step in creating a wonderful fairy tea party.
To begin with, we needed to invite her friends to the party. We needed something special in order to set the pace for the rest of the event. It was going to be girly, full of fairies and a beautiful good time. We chose two different prints of 12x12 scrapbook paper, one a splotched design of darker pink and the other a white paper with light pink ribbons running through the paper. The wonderful thing about 12x12 sheets of scrapbook paper is that they come in an array of colors, textures and prints. You can fall in love with a piece of paper, and craft around it as the main eye catching work of art. This is what we chose to do, let the paper do most of the work for us!
We began by cutting the paper into 12"x6" pieces. This gave us 2 cards per piece of paper. A 6"x6" piece of white card-stock and a 24" piece of coordinating ribbon were also used to create the base card.
To create the opening doors of the front, fold the sides inward so they meet at the center. If your paper is cut properly, this should be 3 inches from both sides.
Most scrapbook paper is not thick enough to hold itself up as a card, and requires a bit of help to strengthen it. On the inside, I used a glue stick to affix a 6"x6" piece of white card-stock. No need to put card-stock on the front flaps, that could make it too heavy or bulky to work with. A simple square will do the trick. Choose a color that will enhance the scrapbook paper. I kept it white, because it looked best overall.
Mark a line centered along the entire length of the card, should be 3" from both top and bottom. Carefully erase the line roughly .5" from the center folds. You will run a very thin line of glue along this line, but in order for it to tie correctly it has to have a bit of room at the end or it will rip.
Because we decided to let the paper we chose be our overall focus, the ribbon color was chosen to enhance its design. This also meant that we were free to embellish our paper, but didn't need to go overboard. It was time to highlight the theme of our card, and create a sense of our 'fairy' themed tea party that was being announced.
We began embellishing with simple sparkly rhinestones at opposing corners.
We added a butterfly, cut from a contrasting color and pattern. The body was embellished with black puff paint, to give it depth, and the antenna's were drawn onto the paper using a black fine-tip pen. Opposite the butterfly, we formally 'invited' the guests to the party. The words, You're Invited, were printed on a matching piece of card-stock and framed by a contrasting color. In this case, we chose a matching cream because it was similar to that of the faint design printed on the paper, and the contrasting white was also used inside the card. When the ribbon was tied closed, the card appeared as it would in its finished state.
Opening the card would reveal the actual invitation inside,
The invitation inside used a fun poem found from the web which fit perfectly for our use. We gave the important details, as to the time and place. It was printed onto cream colored tracing paper, printed out and trimmed to fit.
Overall, the cards took only a few minutes each to assemble (minus glueing time for the ribbon, be certain to allow time for the ribbon to dry.) We first created each card to the point of allowing the ribbon to dry, then moved on to working on the printer. Once we assembled the outside invite and the internal invitation, all ribbons were ready to move onto the next step.
Thus, we had beautiful hand crafted party invitations... the first step in creating a wonderful fairy tea party.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Counting Down the Days...
In a religious setting, the Advent Calendar begins on the first day of Advent, which changes from year to year based upon the liturgical calendar. It can begin as early as November 27th and as late as December 3rd. It celebrates the first four weekends prior to Christmas, the time of anticipation and preparation of the birth of Christ. This year, Advent began on November 29th.
Most commercial Advent Calendars forgo the change of date and begin on December 1st and last until December 24th. They are the most fun for small children and help them keep track of the time until Santa brings them presents. As a mother of young children, I understand that the holiday season can be a bit overwhelming for our smallest friends. They see the decorations and the anticipation of it all can be too much. It can also seem to drag on forever... though for us, it's gone in a blink of an eye.
Giving children something special and tangible is a great way to keep them eager, involved and moving along. We have a special Advent calendar that my father gave to our family just last year (we got to replace the cheap one I bought years ago.) It is special as it is the same calendar I used as a child and it brings back many memories. I always wanted to make my own, in my true fashion, but never did. I guess it was fate that we adopted this one instead.
I like to cut small pieces of paper and insert them into various dates throughout the month to let the kids see what is coming up, it helps break up the month and give them little things to look forward to as they wait for "the big day." I also create the ever so popular, Candy Chain. I pull out 24 baggies, or cut 24 squares of plastic wrap and fill it with chocolates. I have three kids, so each baggie/wrap gets 3 pieces (of the same thing, of course). I tie them to some ribbon and hang them up around the Advent Calendar. Each night, we get to cut off one of the baggies and eat the chocolates as we move our Christmas Mouse to the next day and discuss what is coming up next.
There are many possibilities to incorporate into the Advent Calendar idea... you can note songs, poems or biblical verses each night- incorporate a Jesse Tree into the idea and discuss biblical characters. The main idea is that our children become involved and are not just waiting for something so far off into the future that it becomes overwhelming... because too much stress really has a way of taking the fun out of the whole idea of it being, The most wonderful time of the year.
Most commercial Advent Calendars forgo the change of date and begin on December 1st and last until December 24th. They are the most fun for small children and help them keep track of the time until Santa brings them presents. As a mother of young children, I understand that the holiday season can be a bit overwhelming for our smallest friends. They see the decorations and the anticipation of it all can be too much. It can also seem to drag on forever... though for us, it's gone in a blink of an eye.
Giving children something special and tangible is a great way to keep them eager, involved and moving along. We have a special Advent calendar that my father gave to our family just last year (we got to replace the cheap one I bought years ago.) It is special as it is the same calendar I used as a child and it brings back many memories. I always wanted to make my own, in my true fashion, but never did. I guess it was fate that we adopted this one instead.
I like to cut small pieces of paper and insert them into various dates throughout the month to let the kids see what is coming up, it helps break up the month and give them little things to look forward to as they wait for "the big day." I also create the ever so popular, Candy Chain. I pull out 24 baggies, or cut 24 squares of plastic wrap and fill it with chocolates. I have three kids, so each baggie/wrap gets 3 pieces (of the same thing, of course). I tie them to some ribbon and hang them up around the Advent Calendar. Each night, we get to cut off one of the baggies and eat the chocolates as we move our Christmas Mouse to the next day and discuss what is coming up next.
There are many possibilities to incorporate into the Advent Calendar idea... you can note songs, poems or biblical verses each night- incorporate a Jesse Tree into the idea and discuss biblical characters. The main idea is that our children become involved and are not just waiting for something so far off into the future that it becomes overwhelming... because too much stress really has a way of taking the fun out of the whole idea of it being, The most wonderful time of the year.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Solving The Great Dinner Problem...
I've been asked to write about my menu planner by multiple people... though I was not certain that I should actually divulge my awesome secrets (insanity, be be more specific) I did realize that it might benefit other similarly crazy people out there.
To understand my process, it is important to understand its history. When my husband and I first shared an apartment, we were in college, thus our income was almost nothing. One thing we had going for us was the fact that we enjoyed eating at home and we enjoyed eating foods that were rather cheap. As our family grew our need to eat healthier increased, but our monetary supplies did not increase as would have been helpful. I learned by necessity how to cook healthy homemade meals using a very limited means of money. This has really shaped by shopping brain and has solidified my basis as to how I cook today. In truth, because we struggled early on- we learned how to manage ourselves in such a manner that we still eat well and shop within our means today.
I do openly admit that because of job changes, our income is very different than it was when we first started out and I do spend quite a bit more on food, because I can. However, I still spend MUCH less than many people I know and we eat very well. The most important factor in saving money when shopping and menu planning is the PLANNING portion. Knowing exactly how much you need and how to share materials amongst meals is a necessity.
When you have a fully stocked kitchen and a specific menu in place, most of your problems are removed when it comes to frivolous food spending. Please note, fully stocked does not necessarily mean FULL. It means, you have what you need to cook the foods on your menu. Also, this means you have taken into account breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack foods in between. If you are hungry and looking for food, if you cannot satisfy this craving- you're in trouble. You'll spend. If you do not know what you are going to make for dinner or have a set plan for meals, then food is used vicariously and not there for other meals. Most often ALL of these problems are fixed by running to the store or heading out to eat. Both costly solutions.
To begin: Create a menu. Not just for the week... broaden your horizons. My menu plan is set for 6 weeks. I shop every 2 weeks, thus I have a 2 week rotating plan. This works marvelously because we do not ever eat the same meal twice in a six week period of time. This seems like a daunting task to begin with, but really it can be fun. Sit down with your family and ask what dinners they love best. Instantly, everyone has already contributed and everyone's favorites are included.
Ponder your cookbooks for ideas... not necessarily for new meal ideas (not that this is a bad idea, hint hint) but for things that you may have forgotten. We all come across meals that we love but tend to forget about. We mean to make them, but are filed away... and we get stuck in a dinner rut- eating the same foods time and time again. This is your chance to pull yourself out of the rut- pull up old ideas and integrate new ones. If you are going to make a 6 week plan, you need 42 meals.This may seem like a lot, but when you really start listing out meals you know and love... it is far easier than you'll realize.
Once you have a list of your meals, take a look at them individually. What do you serve with them? Think of side dishes, vegetables and breads that you enjoy. Make a separate list of vegetable you love and incorporate them into your meal plan. Treasures such as deviled eggs, potato salad and asparagus do not have to be brought out for special occasions only... integrate them into your plan. Once you have them noted, you'll be able to shop accordingly and enjoy them regularly.
With your meals planned and balanced, it is time to organize. I used MS Word to print my meals off on 1.5"x1.5" squares... the complete meals! I noted the main dish, the side, the vegetable and the bread if applicable. I printed all 42 meals and cut them out. I carefully arranged them into 1 week groupings. This ensures that I do not have an entire weeks worth of eating Italian dishes. I also carefully planned more expensive meals, such as steaks and turkey, into separate shopping cycles. This allows us to eat great food- and even the spending each pay check. Afterall, this is all about saving money as well as your sanity.
Using the system.
After I put together my meal plan and sorted out my squares- it was time to get crafty. I began with 4 sheets of 12"x12" cardstock and created a grid system. I cut 3 of the papers to 6.25"x10.75" and the final piece to 3.25"x10.75". I drew in grid lines to separate my menu squares so that I had 2 rows of 7. Begin from the bottom up on the larger pieces of paper- you'll note that on the smaller piece, there is room for exactly 14 squares and a boarder edge.
I covered all of my menu squares and grids with clear contact paper (I call it cheap crafter's laminate.) It really helps keep it firm and long lasting. It also helps with the next step, which is placing all your squares onto their grid pages. I use reusable wall putty, which comes by lots of names and is rather inexpensive and found everywhere. A small bit of it on the back of each square and you can move your pieces around with ease.
This is helpful particularly with the lunch menu- as I didn't want to create separate weeks, but I hide my extra choices on the back.
Now, after all your menus have been planned, sorted and organzied, you should have a collection that looks similar to this:
42 organized dinner meals, 5-7 breakfasts foods and a supply of lunch ideas. Dinner meals are contained on 3 rotatable cards and can be moved about as needed.
Now, what to do with them? Mine hang up next our family calendar. I used 2 3M Mini Wall Hooks, evenly spaced on the wall, and hole punched my cards so they hung up. Notice breakfast and lunch hand above the dinner meals- and the other dinner plans hand behind the one in use.
What I love about my system is that I have complete freedom of choice- no matter how much you may be thinking otherwise. Looking at my plan, I have 14 choices to choose from. All foods that I know my family and I love to eat. This means that I know my kitchen is stocked to prepare these meals, so when I want them- I can make them. No further thought required. I can pick and choose from my choices depending upon my mood and know that everything will be there as needed.
When it comes time to making lunches, fixing breakfast and grocery shopping... I don't have to think. All the thinking is already done- now, I'm free to fix the meals and move on. It is a rather liberating thing. Also, after a few times around... you can reuse shopping lists. Print them up on the computer- adjust as you learn the method... and congratulations- shopping lists come pre-fashioned as well. I'm not sure about you- but for me? This is a HUGE time saver. Sure, I have to add toiletries and such... but that's nothing when compared to trying to recreate meal ideas and plan for dinner in your head. Having everything laid out for me to work around is more than a relief to my already busy day.
I have other projects that need that time and mind space, thank you very much.
**Special Note- if you become bored with your rotations, change it up. If you come across new recipes- add them in! You don't have to become completely fixed to the system once it is in place... but you'll love it just the same.***
To understand my process, it is important to understand its history. When my husband and I first shared an apartment, we were in college, thus our income was almost nothing. One thing we had going for us was the fact that we enjoyed eating at home and we enjoyed eating foods that were rather cheap. As our family grew our need to eat healthier increased, but our monetary supplies did not increase as would have been helpful. I learned by necessity how to cook healthy homemade meals using a very limited means of money. This has really shaped by shopping brain and has solidified my basis as to how I cook today. In truth, because we struggled early on- we learned how to manage ourselves in such a manner that we still eat well and shop within our means today.
I do openly admit that because of job changes, our income is very different than it was when we first started out and I do spend quite a bit more on food, because I can. However, I still spend MUCH less than many people I know and we eat very well. The most important factor in saving money when shopping and menu planning is the PLANNING portion. Knowing exactly how much you need and how to share materials amongst meals is a necessity.
When you have a fully stocked kitchen and a specific menu in place, most of your problems are removed when it comes to frivolous food spending. Please note, fully stocked does not necessarily mean FULL. It means, you have what you need to cook the foods on your menu. Also, this means you have taken into account breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack foods in between. If you are hungry and looking for food, if you cannot satisfy this craving- you're in trouble. You'll spend. If you do not know what you are going to make for dinner or have a set plan for meals, then food is used vicariously and not there for other meals. Most often ALL of these problems are fixed by running to the store or heading out to eat. Both costly solutions.
To begin: Create a menu. Not just for the week... broaden your horizons. My menu plan is set for 6 weeks. I shop every 2 weeks, thus I have a 2 week rotating plan. This works marvelously because we do not ever eat the same meal twice in a six week period of time. This seems like a daunting task to begin with, but really it can be fun. Sit down with your family and ask what dinners they love best. Instantly, everyone has already contributed and everyone's favorites are included.
Ponder your cookbooks for ideas... not necessarily for new meal ideas (not that this is a bad idea, hint hint) but for things that you may have forgotten. We all come across meals that we love but tend to forget about. We mean to make them, but are filed away... and we get stuck in a dinner rut- eating the same foods time and time again. This is your chance to pull yourself out of the rut- pull up old ideas and integrate new ones. If you are going to make a 6 week plan, you need 42 meals.This may seem like a lot, but when you really start listing out meals you know and love... it is far easier than you'll realize.
Once you have a list of your meals, take a look at them individually. What do you serve with them? Think of side dishes, vegetables and breads that you enjoy. Make a separate list of vegetable you love and incorporate them into your meal plan. Treasures such as deviled eggs, potato salad and asparagus do not have to be brought out for special occasions only... integrate them into your plan. Once you have them noted, you'll be able to shop accordingly and enjoy them regularly.
With your meals planned and balanced, it is time to organize. I used MS Word to print my meals off on 1.5"x1.5" squares... the complete meals! I noted the main dish, the side, the vegetable and the bread if applicable. I printed all 42 meals and cut them out. I carefully arranged them into 1 week groupings. This ensures that I do not have an entire weeks worth of eating Italian dishes. I also carefully planned more expensive meals, such as steaks and turkey, into separate shopping cycles. This allows us to eat great food- and even the spending each pay check. Afterall, this is all about saving money as well as your sanity.
Using the system.
After I put together my meal plan and sorted out my squares- it was time to get crafty. I began with 4 sheets of 12"x12" cardstock and created a grid system. I cut 3 of the papers to 6.25"x10.75" and the final piece to 3.25"x10.75". I drew in grid lines to separate my menu squares so that I had 2 rows of 7. Begin from the bottom up on the larger pieces of paper- you'll note that on the smaller piece, there is room for exactly 14 squares and a boarder edge.
I covered all of my menu squares and grids with clear contact paper (I call it cheap crafter's laminate.) It really helps keep it firm and long lasting. It also helps with the next step, which is placing all your squares onto their grid pages. I use reusable wall putty, which comes by lots of names and is rather inexpensive and found everywhere. A small bit of it on the back of each square and you can move your pieces around with ease.
This is helpful particularly with the lunch menu- as I didn't want to create separate weeks, but I hide my extra choices on the back.
Now, after all your menus have been planned, sorted and organzied, you should have a collection that looks similar to this:
42 organized dinner meals, 5-7 breakfasts foods and a supply of lunch ideas. Dinner meals are contained on 3 rotatable cards and can be moved about as needed.
Now, what to do with them? Mine hang up next our family calendar. I used 2 3M Mini Wall Hooks, evenly spaced on the wall, and hole punched my cards so they hung up. Notice breakfast and lunch hand above the dinner meals- and the other dinner plans hand behind the one in use.
What I love about my system is that I have complete freedom of choice- no matter how much you may be thinking otherwise. Looking at my plan, I have 14 choices to choose from. All foods that I know my family and I love to eat. This means that I know my kitchen is stocked to prepare these meals, so when I want them- I can make them. No further thought required. I can pick and choose from my choices depending upon my mood and know that everything will be there as needed.
When it comes time to making lunches, fixing breakfast and grocery shopping... I don't have to think. All the thinking is already done- now, I'm free to fix the meals and move on. It is a rather liberating thing. Also, after a few times around... you can reuse shopping lists. Print them up on the computer- adjust as you learn the method... and congratulations- shopping lists come pre-fashioned as well. I'm not sure about you- but for me? This is a HUGE time saver. Sure, I have to add toiletries and such... but that's nothing when compared to trying to recreate meal ideas and plan for dinner in your head. Having everything laid out for me to work around is more than a relief to my already busy day.
I have other projects that need that time and mind space, thank you very much.
**Special Note- if you become bored with your rotations, change it up. If you come across new recipes- add them in! You don't have to become completely fixed to the system once it is in place... but you'll love it just the same.***
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Ninja Waffles *drool*
One of my very good friends turned me on to a waffle recipe so amazing, they have been dubbed "Ninja Waffles." They'll be consumed so quickly- you won't even see them disappear. They swipe in with their super goodness and make children AND mom's happy.
Yup- they really are THAT awesome. Lucky for my followers, I'm going to share the secret of the Ninja Waffle with you. Enjoy them, pass the recipe on and live in awe of the greatness that is, Ninja.
First off- this recipe makes quite a few waffles. I have an 8" round waffle iron and I get about 18-20 waffles. (actually, I have 2 8" round waffle irons... because I make these regularly and it helps to make 2 at a time.) But, no worries about the extras- they freeze up wonderfully, toast up perfectly under the broiler in less than 2 minutes, and are a PERFECT on the go breakfast food for the whole family.
See why they are so amazing? Kiss those silly little premade store waffles goodbye. These bad boys are filling and are full of good for you stuffs... just don't tell the family, they'll be weirded out.
To begin: You'll need 4 cups of buttermilk. If you're like me, you do not usually keep buttermilk on hand. The substitute is far too easy of an alternative to mess with keeping more stuff in the fridge. In your big mixing cup- add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice before measuring your milk... then, fill up to the proper amount. *this works anytime you need buttermilk- it is a 1 tablespoon to 1 cup ratio* Stir really well and let sit off to the side for 10-15 minutes.
Next you'll be mixing your dry ingredients into a big mixing bowl:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger (a must!)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup milled flax seed
In a medium sized mixing bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar until well dissolved. The more you allow the sugar to dissolve into the butter, the easier it'll be to incorporate the mix into your dry ingredients. As you can see, I use a fork.
Combine 1 tablespoon of vanilla to the butter/sugar mix. Then mix in 6 large eggs- ensuring they are well blended. Slowly combine your soured milk mixture while stirring the mix so the sugar does not settle back to the bottom.
Slowly pour wet ingredients into the dry bowl. Mix well.
At this glorious point- think of your batter as a blank canvas. You can pretty much add anything YOU are willing to eat. Nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, fruit and seeds all come to mind. I will personally add that the peanut butter chips are my number one. However on this occasion I added 3 cups of blueberries to the batter. *when adding fruit, you will need to grease your iron more often* The results are just so darn yummy...
As I stated above, these freeze REALLY well. As I pull them from the iron, they cool completely on my cookie rack. Then I stack them 3 high and place them in the freezer until frozen solid. I then store them in groups of 6 in gallon sized ziplock bags. They MUST be cooled before going into the freezer and they cannot be stacked very high. The taller the stack, the heavier they are... the heavier they are- the more the bottoms ones get squished while freezing. If they squish together, they'll be harder to get apart in the morning... and if you're anything like me, you do not need any added stress to your morning routine. So, just make sure those wonderful tasty treats are frozen solid before stacking them too tall.
In the morning, or afternoon, or late at night... when you are ready for a waffle, turn your oven on to broil and put the rack up high- pull out however many waffles you need, and lay them under the heat. Keep an eye on them, it doesn't take long... less than a minute! Flip once (twice sometimes... if you feel a cool spot) and you're READY!
Trust me... you'll love me for this recipe. So, you're welcome.
Yup- they really are THAT awesome. Lucky for my followers, I'm going to share the secret of the Ninja Waffle with you. Enjoy them, pass the recipe on and live in awe of the greatness that is, Ninja.
First off- this recipe makes quite a few waffles. I have an 8" round waffle iron and I get about 18-20 waffles. (actually, I have 2 8" round waffle irons... because I make these regularly and it helps to make 2 at a time.) But, no worries about the extras- they freeze up wonderfully, toast up perfectly under the broiler in less than 2 minutes, and are a PERFECT on the go breakfast food for the whole family.
See why they are so amazing? Kiss those silly little premade store waffles goodbye. These bad boys are filling and are full of good for you stuffs... just don't tell the family, they'll be weirded out.
To begin: You'll need 4 cups of buttermilk. If you're like me, you do not usually keep buttermilk on hand. The substitute is far too easy of an alternative to mess with keeping more stuff in the fridge. In your big mixing cup- add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice before measuring your milk... then, fill up to the proper amount. *this works anytime you need buttermilk- it is a 1 tablespoon to 1 cup ratio* Stir really well and let sit off to the side for 10-15 minutes.
Next you'll be mixing your dry ingredients into a big mixing bowl:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger (a must!)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup milled flax seed
In a medium sized mixing bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar until well dissolved. The more you allow the sugar to dissolve into the butter, the easier it'll be to incorporate the mix into your dry ingredients. As you can see, I use a fork.
Combine 1 tablespoon of vanilla to the butter/sugar mix. Then mix in 6 large eggs- ensuring they are well blended. Slowly combine your soured milk mixture while stirring the mix so the sugar does not settle back to the bottom.
Slowly pour wet ingredients into the dry bowl. Mix well.
At this glorious point- think of your batter as a blank canvas. You can pretty much add anything YOU are willing to eat. Nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, fruit and seeds all come to mind. I will personally add that the peanut butter chips are my number one. However on this occasion I added 3 cups of blueberries to the batter. *when adding fruit, you will need to grease your iron more often* The results are just so darn yummy...
As I stated above, these freeze REALLY well. As I pull them from the iron, they cool completely on my cookie rack. Then I stack them 3 high and place them in the freezer until frozen solid. I then store them in groups of 6 in gallon sized ziplock bags. They MUST be cooled before going into the freezer and they cannot be stacked very high. The taller the stack, the heavier they are... the heavier they are- the more the bottoms ones get squished while freezing. If they squish together, they'll be harder to get apart in the morning... and if you're anything like me, you do not need any added stress to your morning routine. So, just make sure those wonderful tasty treats are frozen solid before stacking them too tall.
In the morning, or afternoon, or late at night... when you are ready for a waffle, turn your oven on to broil and put the rack up high- pull out however many waffles you need, and lay them under the heat. Keep an eye on them, it doesn't take long... less than a minute! Flip once (twice sometimes... if you feel a cool spot) and you're READY!
Trust me... you'll love me for this recipe. So, you're welcome.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Ice Cream, A Health Food.
My children love ice cream. I love ice cream... MOST people love ice cream! Sadly it is full of so much ickiness. Actually, it is so full of goodness- which is why we love it so much. But, in hopes of being a good mom, I know that my children cannot have ice cream just any ol' time. However, I've found a great and wonderful way to help them survive the time between ice cream consumption with a ice cream substitute using only 1 ingredient, BANANAS!
Wait, wait, wait. Here me out for a minute. Because seriously, its been time tested and proven to work and taste very much like vanilla ice cream. It has a science to it that is rather amazing... much like science can be.
In order for your "ice cream" to not taste like bananas, your fruit has to been VERY over-ripe. Not just speckled- but black and darn near disgusting. Each time I buy bananas, I toss a few in the back of the fridge and let them "cure" for dessert. Once they are supery doopery gross and ready for banana bread- I make a batch of banana bread for breakfast and a batch of ice cream for dessert!
Vanilla Bean (for those who are true vanilla fans)
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at wor k leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
Wait, wait, wait. Here me out for a minute. Because seriously, its been time tested and proven to work and taste very much like vanilla ice cream. It has a science to it that is rather amazing... much like science can be.
In order for your "ice cream" to not taste like bananas, your fruit has to been VERY over-ripe. Not just speckled- but black and darn near disgusting. Each time I buy bananas, I toss a few in the back of the fridge and let them "cure" for dessert. Once they are supery doopery gross and ready for banana bread- I make a batch of banana bread for breakfast and a batch of ice cream for dessert!
________________________________________________
**SCIENCE ALERT!**
As bananas ripen the starches turn into sugar, which means the riper the banana- the sweeter the taste! After the bananas reach a certain age and begin to decay (yup, that's what they are doing there in the fridge turning all black and stuff) the sugars begin to break down. The bacteria and friends love these sugars! They begin to eat them up, thus the break down. The whole banana DNA make-up is frozen in time during the freezing process and continues to alter the banana's flavor make-up. Upon rapid blending, the whole thing is basically ripped apart- which removes most of the flavor entirely. Which is why your "banana" ice cream tastes very little like banana... and in some cases, not at all! If you want more banana flavoring- use fresher bananas.
________________________________________________
Ready to trust me? Here we go!
First you need about 3-4 very spent bananas and your food processor. Earlier in the afternoon (assuming ice cream is for dessert as it is in our house) cut up the bananas into roughly 2" pieces and freeze. They need to be frozen solid for maximum awesomeness.
When you are ready to serve- pull out the frozen bananas and put them into your food processor. I've heard instances where people have had success using their stand mixer but I'm not sure I would try that... and I wouldn't recommend a hand mixer. Seems a bit crazy to me, as you'll soon understand.
Cover securely and chop. After a bit you'll have this:
Keep going! Don't give up- it does happen like a great and wonderful surprise... for a long while it looks like this-
Then suddenly, the magic happens!
You have ICE CREAM!
At this point you scoop and serve. You can refreeze it, but it does melt quickly so eating it NOW is really the best option. It melts into a goop, which is very unappetizing.
My family loves to drizzle chocolate and add peanuts-
--Special Variations--
Chocolate Ice Cream:
- Drizzle chocolate syrup into the bananas while they are mixing. More chocolate- the chocolatier it'll taste!
The Obvious Banana Split:
- Add pineapple chunks, strawberries and chocolate syrup to the ice cream after mixing. I would recommend a fresher banana so you can taste more of the flavor here.
Moose Tracks-a-like:
- Swirl hot fudge and chopped reeses peanut butter cups
A Timeless Hot Fudge Sundae:
- Pour on the hot fudge, sprinkle nuts and whip cream!
Vanilla Bean (for those who are true vanilla fans)
- Toss in some vanilla beans into the mix while blending... and a few drops of vanilla extract. You'll be in purist heaven!
Really... the possibilities are ENDLESS, ever so tasty and really much better for you that the real stuff. Beware- from personal testing- bananas are very filling. Banana ice cream can sneak up on you... there will be times that the pure awesomeness of the dessert is actually too much! Less is more. Don't worry- you can eat it again later!
Great Banana Facts- In case you weren't already sold!
Banana Nutrition Facts
- A banana contains Vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber.
- Bananas do not contain sodium, fat or cholesterol.
- The Vitamin C, which is found in bananas, helps the body to defend and heal against infections. This vitamin also proves valuable in the synthesis of the connective tissue, absorption of iron and the formation of blood.
- Not only are bananas rich in vitamin C, they also contain potassium. Potassium is a mineral that helps in the building of muscles and protein synthesis. This is done as potassium stimulates nerve impulses for muscle contraction.
- A diet rich in potassium is said to reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. As bananas are free from sodium and very rich in potassium, they can be included in the diet to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
- Bananas contain three natural sugars, sucrose, fructose and glucose along with fiber. A banana thus gives an instant and substantial boost of energy.
- A banana contains Vitamin B6, which helps in the synthesis of antibodies in the immune system apart from red blood formation, protein metabolism and functioning of the central nervous system.
- No other fruit contain more digestible carbohydrates than bananas. This is advantageous because, the body burns off calories from carbohydrate more easily and quickly than calories from fat or protein.
- The word banana is derived from the Arab word "banan," which means finger.
- Bananas are harvested green because they keep ripening even after they are picked.
- Unlike most other fruits that grow on trees, bananas grow on plants.
- An average American is said to consume more than 28 pounds of bananas every year.
- Brisbane holds the world record for the longest banana split, which measured 7.3 kilometers.
- 3 medium bananas would weigh about a pound.
- Despite that fact that bananas love a tropical climate, they are grown in Iceland too, by heating the soil with geysers.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at wor k leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Daisy Purse
My daughter is a Daisy... for those of you unfamiliar, that's the youngest of the Girl Scouts. So far, she loves it. I am enjoying myself in its honor as well. Volunteering my crafting skills to a good cause. Most recently I have devoted myself to making the girls their own Daisy Purses... in lieu of some cheesy felt purses that we an option. I wanted them to have something better and thus, 10 Daisy Purses were crafted.
I didn't want to buy a pattern, as it didn't seem that difficult. I spent some time looking on the internet, scoping out ideas that others have shared. My version is an accumulated mixture of ideas that seemed to suit my needs best. The purpose of the purses is for the girls to earn their responsibility petal. They are supposed to remember to bring their bags to each meeting filled with their required materials. I designed the bag with a blank square on the front for the girls to decorate with fabric paints. The rest of the bag is a gorgeous daisy pattern in the perfect Daisy blue.
To begin I cut-
From Daisy Materials:
3- 9"x9"
1- 10"x3"
2- 7"x3"
1- 10"x2"
1- 2"x15"
From Blue Material:
1 6"x6"
__________________________________________________
**Always pre-wash and iron materials before beginning, this ensures that material is in the best form to work with and will not shrink incorrectly later. All seams were sewn to 3/8 of an inch.**
___________________________________________________
I use a rotary cutter and board to ensure that my pieces are perfectly squared and the correct size. I love this tool set and use it for far more than just sewing.
Begin creating the front piece by joining the 3"x7" Daisy material to opposing sides of the 6"x6" Blue square. The Daisy pieces are longer than the blue square, so they allow for extra room to wiggle around while joining them.
Iron the seams cleanly on the back. This step is important and should not be skipped, ever. It ensures that the squares are properly aligned, correctly sized and wrinkle free. It will also remove any lumps from the final product. It might seem easier to sew all the pieces together and then iron, but if it is not done in step, the final square will not be aligned correctly.
Now trim the extra material, ending with a final product of 6"x9".
Follow the same steps in order to attach the 10"x3",
and then the 10"x2". Trim the final product to a clean 9"x9" square.
Combine the newly made 9"x9" square with another 9"x9" Daisy square, right sides together and the smaller of the daisy bands facing the top. Stitch along the 2 sides and the bottom. It is recommended to sew all three sides separately, beginning and ending each with a back-stitch. This ensures that if any on side comes undone, not all sides will follow. You now have the makings of a real bag...
The other 9"x9" squares need to be joined together. Sew along two opposing sides, then along the bottom stitch 1/3 of the way, back-stitch, leave 1/3 as an opening and then continue to sew the remaining 1/3. This whole in the middle will allow you to turn the right sides of the bag out, creating a seamless look between the outer casing and the lining.
Next, begin creating the strap. Fold the 2"x13" piece in half, sewing along the full length and one end.
Flatten the strap so that the seam centers down the strap with the iron. This is important, again because it will allow the strap to lay flat when complete and not bunch up.
Using a pointed object (my favorite is a fat paintbrush) flip the ironed material right-side out. Iron flat, again, ensuring that the seam is directly in the middle of the strap. Run a stitch along both sides of the strap to keep it from moving around after the project is finished. I placed my foot right along the edge and positioning the needle to the left.
This purse has only one strap. I positioned the strap just to the right of the left seam, flipped the purse to the back and repeated. Make sure you check that the strap will be correct and not twisted. I also left a bit extra over the edge to make sure it didn't miss while sewing. Pin securely in place.
Insert the outer casing inside of the inner-lining, which is turned inside-out.
Line the seams closely and pin along the top. Sew along the top, unpin and flip the material.
Close the hole at the bottom of the inner lining and tuck the lining inside the outer casing.
Carefully iron the last seam, ensuring that the seam is lined up along the top. Run a finishing stitch that will keep the inner casing tucking inside. I decided to attach a centered ribbon along the back, forming a loop, and a matching Daisy button centered in the front. This will keep the bag closed, if needed, and made it look a bit more finished.
Final product, which I'm rather proud of...
Each one did not take very long to make- and in three evenings, I made all 10. If I had the ability to work continuously and uninterrupted by children and a husband, it wouldn't have even taken that long- but, I must craft around my regular life.
I didn't want to buy a pattern, as it didn't seem that difficult. I spent some time looking on the internet, scoping out ideas that others have shared. My version is an accumulated mixture of ideas that seemed to suit my needs best. The purpose of the purses is for the girls to earn their responsibility petal. They are supposed to remember to bring their bags to each meeting filled with their required materials. I designed the bag with a blank square on the front for the girls to decorate with fabric paints. The rest of the bag is a gorgeous daisy pattern in the perfect Daisy blue.
To begin I cut-
From Daisy Materials:
3- 9"x9"
1- 10"x3"
2- 7"x3"
1- 10"x2"
1- 2"x15"
From Blue Material:
1 6"x6"
__________________________________________________
**Always pre-wash and iron materials before beginning, this ensures that material is in the best form to work with and will not shrink incorrectly later. All seams were sewn to 3/8 of an inch.**
___________________________________________________
I use a rotary cutter and board to ensure that my pieces are perfectly squared and the correct size. I love this tool set and use it for far more than just sewing.
Begin creating the front piece by joining the 3"x7" Daisy material to opposing sides of the 6"x6" Blue square. The Daisy pieces are longer than the blue square, so they allow for extra room to wiggle around while joining them.
Now trim the extra material, ending with a final product of 6"x9".
Follow the same steps in order to attach the 10"x3",
and then the 10"x2". Trim the final product to a clean 9"x9" square.
Combine the newly made 9"x9" square with another 9"x9" Daisy square, right sides together and the smaller of the daisy bands facing the top. Stitch along the 2 sides and the bottom. It is recommended to sew all three sides separately, beginning and ending each with a back-stitch. This ensures that if any on side comes undone, not all sides will follow. You now have the makings of a real bag...
The other 9"x9" squares need to be joined together. Sew along two opposing sides, then along the bottom stitch 1/3 of the way, back-stitch, leave 1/3 as an opening and then continue to sew the remaining 1/3. This whole in the middle will allow you to turn the right sides of the bag out, creating a seamless look between the outer casing and the lining.
Next, begin creating the strap. Fold the 2"x13" piece in half, sewing along the full length and one end.
Flatten the strap so that the seam centers down the strap with the iron. This is important, again because it will allow the strap to lay flat when complete and not bunch up.
Using a pointed object (my favorite is a fat paintbrush) flip the ironed material right-side out. Iron flat, again, ensuring that the seam is directly in the middle of the strap. Run a stitch along both sides of the strap to keep it from moving around after the project is finished. I placed my foot right along the edge and positioning the needle to the left.
This purse has only one strap. I positioned the strap just to the right of the left seam, flipped the purse to the back and repeated. Make sure you check that the strap will be correct and not twisted. I also left a bit extra over the edge to make sure it didn't miss while sewing. Pin securely in place.
Insert the outer casing inside of the inner-lining, which is turned inside-out.
Line the seams closely and pin along the top. Sew along the top, unpin and flip the material.
Close the hole at the bottom of the inner lining and tuck the lining inside the outer casing.
Carefully iron the last seam, ensuring that the seam is lined up along the top. Run a finishing stitch that will keep the inner casing tucking inside. I decided to attach a centered ribbon along the back, forming a loop, and a matching Daisy button centered in the front. This will keep the bag closed, if needed, and made it look a bit more finished.
Final product, which I'm rather proud of...
Each one did not take very long to make- and in three evenings, I made all 10. If I had the ability to work continuously and uninterrupted by children and a husband, it wouldn't have even taken that long- but, I must craft around my regular life.
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