lila lou and cat

where did it go?

where did it go?  This is what Lila Lou would say as the dandelion dropped out of her ear.

I got a new fancy shamcy camera, which means I *need* a place to show them off.  So I might be back here more often.  No promises, though.

I did set up an instagram account (microbesofunusualsizes) for this blog though.  Probably will get more updates than the blog.  You can check it out in the sidebar.

tally ho

Bubble shorts- flip this pattern

Typing this on my phone- we are driving to Mount Rainier and I needed to post this before the end of the month.

Changes I made because it was midnight when I started.  I eliminated the cute pockets, joined the pattern pieces together, and flipped the contrasting band to the outside.  The fabric is knit from clearance t shirts from Old Navy.  Next time I sew gathers with knit, I am going to sew the gathers before I add the band.  When I used my serger, the gathers fell out until I got to the end.  

Oh well, I got them done, so Lila Lou can wear them to our reunion.

Speedy mushroom and sausage sauce for pasta

8 oz. bowtie or pasta of your choice, uncooked
1 lb sweet Italian sausage links cut in 1 in. pieces
8 oz. sliced white or brown mushrooms (approx. 2 1/2 - 3 cups)
1 cup each chopped green bell pepper and chopped onion
2 cups prepared marinara sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta per package directions.  Meanwhile in a large skillet cook sausage until browned and cooked through, about 10 min.  Remove, set aside.  Drain off all but 1 T. fat; heat until hot.  Add mushrooms, green pepper and onion, cook stirring occasionally, about 5-7 min.  Add reserved sausage and marinara sauce, cook until heated through, about 5 min.  Ladle sauce over hot pasta; sprinkle with grated cheese.  serves 4.



phew!  now I can throw away the backs of the mushroom packages.  I really liked this recipe, and so did the kids.

Asian Beef or Chicken Mushroom Wraps

3 T. oil, divided
1 lb. flank or round steak (or boneless chicken breasts), cut in thin strips
16 oz.  white or brown mushrooms sliced (about 6 cups)
1 package (about 16 oz) frozen stir fry vegetables (about 1 1/2) cups)
1/3 cup hoisin sauxe
6 (8 inch) flour tortillas

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 T. oil.  Add half of the meat, cook and stir until browned on both sides, 5-6 min.  Remove to plate and set aside.  Repeat with remaining meat.  Heat remaining 1 T. oil in skillet.  Add mushrooms and cook and stir until tender, about 5 min.  Add vegetables stirring frequently until vegetables are barely cooked, about 2 min.  Stir in hoisin sauce and reserved meat, heat 1 min.  Spoon equal amount of meat and mushroom mixture on one side of each tortilla, roll to enclose filling.  Cut rolled tortillas in halves diagonally, serve immediately.  Yield 6 portions.

timber!

animated gif version

movie version with music

Slackery

I guess you can tell when my wonderful help left and reality sank in!

Important things I am thankful for that I didn't get to in November, in no particular order:

-my in-laws! For feeding me dinner every Sunday, and for coming in the middle of the night to watch the kids when Lila Lou was born.

-veterans. I recently saw a badge for someone who was captured in Afghanistan. What a nightmare for him and for his family. I can't even imagine. Thank you for all you do to protect our country!

Isaac made my bed for me, because he said that it would be a nice thing to do.

Mallory had a birthday in November.

Always fun to see extended family at thanksgiving time.

Blessed Lila Lou at Thanksgiving. Her cousin Anya was blessed at the same time. Hooray for cousins!

Speaking of cousins, Lila Lou had another cousin Judith born five days after her. Hooray for cousins!

Well, I probably should get back to minding the children.

Thankful November, day 9

Cousins! (They're currently in a secret hideout right now.) Isaac is holding up a "fart gun"

Thankful November, day 8

Thankful for the Savior and the atonement.