Christmas Crafts

This crafting/making stuff is getting quite out of hand!  I'm loving the stuff that I see out there.  Not only that, but I think that I can do this stuff too!

Now, all I need is more time to be more efficient with my time.  I can do that.  And, Burl is purty entertained by the metal ends of my yardstick.  When I really get things cranking, I am going to have a home office that looks like this:

{credits}

How cute is that.  Tons and tons of cute cards right by my desk just waiting to inspire me.

Speaking of being inspired, my Christmas list of stuff to BUY people is shrinking.  The list of stuff to MAKE people is getting Longer and Longer.  I'm not talking lame stuff either.  I'm talking super cool stuff that I can't wait to make and blog about.  (I can't spoil any of the fun now...some of the soon-to-be-recipients read my blog.)

I'll give you a hint: today I called my local craft stores to price Printable Fabric.  You heard me.  Fabric I can run through my printer.  Giddy with excitement!!!

From Three to Two

Naps, that is.  He's growing up, his needs are changing, and I'm learning our new routine.  This means, we have more active play time.  

Instead of eating, diaper change, and a little playtime rolling over, Burl is eating, diaper change, and a lot more playtime.

One of his favorite things he likes to do is to get into stuff.  Since he's not mobile, it gets hard. Here's our new thing: putting the toy basket on it's side and letting him "get into it."  

When I sit him on the floor, put the basket on its side, his eyes literally light up!  Jackpot.  And he starts going for things.

Then, he is distracted by all the pictures being taken and wants the camera.  I set it down, just out of his reach and scoop him up for...that's right, lots of kisses.

* Side note: it was a little cool in our house this morning, hence the hood.  Well, that and Burl prefers da hood look.

This Week's Menu

Here it is, my menu for the week.  Last week, Tanya sent me a great recipe that looks great (hello, kale, we've never met).  Any other healthy, sick-fighting, fat-burning recipes are greatly appreciated.  Send them MY WAY!

Winter Pasta*

Killer Lasagna**

Cumin Chicken and Black Beans (that I meant to make last week)

Cream of Broccoli Soup with Cheesy Tomato Sandwiches

Sausage and Spinach Pizza

*This recipe involves Kale. I've never made anything with kale and I'm so excited.  It's cheap, super healthy, and makes the checkout girls lookup the produce code.  You know it's cool when they do that!!!  Is it weird that I know bananas are 4011...thank you, self checkout.

**The recipe for Killer Lasagna, my version:

Lasagna Noodles, oven ready is the easiest!!!

Meat Filling:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 clove garlic, minced

1 T dried basil leaves  

1 1/2 t salt

1 28 oz can of tomatoes (diced, petite diced, whatever)

12 oz can of tomato paste

Brown meat, spoon off fat, add other ingredients.  Simmer for 30 minutes or longer.

Cheese Filling:

large tub of cottage cheese (32 oz, I think)

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

2 T dried Parsley

2 eggs

2 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1 pound sliced mozzarella (that's two packages. Yum)

Layer 9x13 pyrex with lasagna noodles.  Then, add half of cheese mixture (spread over noodles), then half the mozzarella & half the meat sauce.  Repeat layers.  Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Let stand before serving.

YUM!!!

Crawling, So Close

Burl is getting so close to crawling.  He is getting pretty good at inch-warming, a close relative to  the crawl.  

Here's the problem...his clothes.  Pants and socks make it pretty slippery for him to crawl.  I got out my text book and taught him about friction, but the only friction he was interested in was chewing on the pages. 

When it's warm enough and Burl's in the right mood, I strip down his clothes and watch him do his thing.

The other day, the conditions were perfect, and he had an audience.  Just like his mom, Burl puts on a show for an audience.

With all his little movements, he eventually got some of the baby bait that we had scattered on the floor.