Handy Men

My dad is a pretty handy guy. He can make anything!

I realize every little (or not so little) girl says this about her daddy, but in my case it's true!

Zac loves helping others build things; and if the project involves any sort of manly tool, even better! So while visiting my parents I really wanted my dad and Zac to do a little project together.

I thought they would both enjoy the manly bonding.

When I saw this over on Cakies, I knew it was the project for the two of them tackle.

Such a cute memory!

Creamy Orange Popsicles

Summer has finally hit Newfoundland!

I have learned that it is not entirely uncommon for the warm weather to hold off until late August/early September and this year proved to be no exception.

Although I feel slightly behind in the celebration for warm, sunny days I have been enjoying them as much as possible.

The town we live in is close enough to the Ocean that we almost always have a breeze, making warm days cool in the shade and hot days entirely bearable in the sun (my personal opinion of course).

Going through out kitchen cupboards a few days ago I stumbled upon our popsicle moulds and simply had to make creamy orange popsicles.

I was really pleased with how they turned and the boys loved them!

My mister felt they were a little too orang-y, which isn't entirely surprising as our citrus preferences are polar opposite - so adjust the proportions of the orange juice concentrate to your tastes, of course.

3/4-1 cup (roughly 1/2-3/4 of the carton) orange juice concentrate, thawed (I used 1 cup)

1 cup vanilla yogurt

Mix together and pour into popsicle moulds. Freeze overnight.

Yummers!!

(our mould is only 4 popsicles so I just froze the left overs, thawed it after everything was cleaned and made some more)

Musical Monday: Peter, Paul & Mary - Blowin' in the wind

I've been thinking about the 60's a lot these days.

Nothing in particular, just as a whole.

Last Wednesday there was a special on TV about Peter, Paul and Mary and I got a little sucked in. I remember learning this song in my public school music class - love it.

Riding a Bike

Zac can officially ride his bike - with out any help!

I'm so proud of him but it's breaking my heart to see him grow up so fast!!

Old Picture

I love old photos, especially black and white ones.

Something about them is just too cozy for words. I always wish I could go back and sit in on whatever event was taking place in the picture. It seems like it would be so much more magical then anything that could happen in this time.

We recently visited my grandparents and she had some old pictures laying around. I found a wedding picture of some close cousins that I was completely taken with. I was even so bold as to ask if I could take it home with me. She chuckled, I'm sure thinking I was a little nutty, and said of course.

...I want her dress...

Fleece Blanket

I am an Auntie to 7 fantastic kids.

After my first niece and nephew were born I made them blankets, not realizing the commitment I would feel to make each one of the kids blankets going forward. That said, the blankets I made were not at all hard so I haven't found it too daunting a task to make more. Thank heaven I didn't make quilts! sheesh!

Any-hoo since the blankets are super easy I thought I'd share a little how to...

You'll need:

2 types of fleece (I get 1 meter each... just cuz I like them big... think nursing mommy up at midnight, I wanted them to be able to be big enough for mommy to snuggle up with too)

Scissors

Pins

Cardboard Tab (optional)

Lay your fleece flat, right sides facing, pin and stitch along one short end (the top). Trim, so it lays nicely when flipped so right sides are facing out.

With right sides facing out snip into the fabric along the two long sides and remaining short side. I'm crazy about making the tabs all the same size so I always make a little cardboard guide, roughly 1"x 3". I also pin the materials together so there is no shifting during the next step.

Tie knots into the fleece using the front and back pieces of the tabs you just cut.

Easy-easy, super cozy and always appreciated!

Homemade Protein Granola Bars

A few weeks ago a friend gave me a recipe for homemade protein bars.

SUPER YUM! I kind of wish there was a better word to use then yum... they are like... yummilicious!

or yumtastic, if you will.

They're good... you should try them...

Homemade Protein Granola Bars

2 cups quick oats

1 cup protein powder

1/2 cup flaxseed

1/2 cup wheat germ

2 cups trail mix

1/2 cup walnuts (my trailmix had a bunch of nuts in it so I just put in 2 1/2 - 3 cups of the trail mix)

1/2 cup coconut

1 cup honey

2 cups peanut butter

Melt the honey and peanut butter in a big sauce pan and then mix in everything else. Press into a greased 9x13 pan and toss in the freezer. I melted peanut butter and drizzled it on top, and I know my friend does the same with chocolate.

I found it easiest to cut after about 20-30 minutes in the freezer and I stored them in the freezer, removing my bar roughly 10-15 minutes before I ate it.