A Cranberry Day

Last week I got in a bit of a festive mood and bought a bag of fresh cranberries. Why? Pinterest, of course. 

Check out the recipe link below for a wonderful recipe for a seasonal simmer pot filled with cinnamon, oranges (I used tangerines), nutmeg, and cloves. Molly enjoyed dumping everything in the pot, and I've enjoyed the wonderful smells filling my downstairs. You just keep it on the stove, and turn on low when you want to add some fragrance to your home. It will last for several weeks. You just add more water when necessary. 

http://www.make-it-do.com/make-it/the-smells-of-the-season/

We found ourselves with some extra fresh cranberries, which we sure couldn't let go to waste. So, I found this delicious recipe on allrecipes.com.

It's truly good, especially if you like the tartness of cranberries mixed with a sweet bread. I will likely make this bread as a Thanksgiving "happy" for teachers. 

Cranberry Orange Loaf

Rated: Submitted By: Carol Photo By: mormonmama Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Ready In: 1 Hour 25 Minutes Servings: 12

"Orange juice and zest really emphasize the fruity quality of this cranberry-nut bread."

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries

1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup margarine, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 3/4 cup orange juice

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in orange zest, cranberries, and pecans. Set aside.
2.	In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in orange juice. Beat in flour mixture until just moistened. Pour into prepared pan.
3.	Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until the bread springs back when lightly touched. Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Wrap in plastic when completely cool. One addition...Make a glaze of orange juice, powdered sugar, and a little bit of vanilla. Poke holes in top of warm cake, and pour over cake.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2012 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 11/8/2012

My little baker in training

Making Laundry a little more Enjoyable

We have just about updated every room in our house. We are still trying to make some decisions on our Master Bath, but our laundry room was one spot that was nagging at me almost daily. It's right off my kitchen, and has been an eye sore for quite some time.

The outdated cabinets combined with an ugly color on the wall was driving me a bit crazy. So, I took the plunge, and had a little fun. (and spent less that $100)

My Inspiration: Antique Green Hutch in my kitchen

Before: After cabinet doors were removed

Work in Progress...

added some decorative molding

added some fun Antibes Green Annie Sloan paint with dark wax

so long 70's cabinets

I finally found a place for one of my woodcut prints I made about 10 years ago in Printmaking 101 - one of the classes I took studying Art Ed.

Now, I'm just looking for the next little space to tackle...

Birthday Fun

Molly turned 3! 

This summer we celebrated Molly's 3rd birthday with a water party at our house. Our original plans included a moon bounce, but we cancelled it that morning due to 100 degree weather. We wanted to avoid having 3 year old heat strokes on our hands. 

Sprinklers, water balloons, bubbles, and squirt guns proved to be  the perfect party after all. 

Graham loved the bubbles

Molly loved that some of her "big girl" friends came

Dads

Molly's best buddy, Owen

Logan was the water balloon master

Sabrina and Lynlee

Xander

Banks girls

Molly was excited that Hudson came to her party. He's a new friend from her Sunday School class.

Hotdog Time!

There were some of favorite cookies to make

 

Me and my birthday girl

Coolin' off

Molly's favor at her party was a CD of her favorite songs. I need to be working on the playlist for next year!

Homemade Playdough

Molly loves play doh. I hate play doh because we ALWAYS leave it out too long, and it gets crunchy. What fun is that? Plus it irritates my frugal self to have to buy more each and every time the colors get mixed or the dough gets hard. So, I went on a recipe hunt...

And the winner is...

Colored Playdough

Materials

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• Food coloring
• Saucepan
• 1 cup flour

Directions

1. Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm.
2. Remove from heat and add flour.
3. Stir, then knead until smooth. The cream of tartar makes this dough last 6 months or longer, so resist the temptation to omit this ingredient if you don't have it on hand.
4. Store this dough in an airtight container or a Ziploc freezer bag.

My Little Friend

My heart is full when I think about the special friendship that is forming between me and Molly. Sure, we have our days where I feel like I am disciplining all day long. But, more and more often, we are having times that feel easy and sweet. I think 3 is going to be a fun year. Here are a few little things I've capture recently. 

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to cook. It's a hobby, and it's a job. I hope to instill that love in Molly. This morning Molly was helping me put together a Sausage Casserole for dinner that night. 

Coffee is a big deal to me. I love it, and never start the day without a cup, usually two. About once a week, I'll let her have a tiny cup of coffee when I drink mine. This is her pink coffee mug. 

Summer strolls down the street.

Graham's Party.

I just realized I never blogged Graham's 1st Birthday Party....

Better late than Never! (especially since he's on his way to 2!)

My friend, Cortney Cannon, made this adorable door hanger. It has definitely added a fun touch to all of our birthdays. 

My sweet and talented friend/new sister-in-law, Lauren. She has made both my kids smash cakes. 

Dalmation Cookies

 These two spent a lot of time together this year in the PDS and Kirby Woods nurseries. 

These Costco brownie bites are my go-to desserts. Ice a detail, and they are super easy, custom treats. 

 

Fire Hydrant Cookies

I feel so blessed that two of my dearest friends had babies right around the time Graham was born 

Riann and Lauren

Group Shot

Lexie Lynn, Miles, BJ, Edie, and Graham

So exciting!

We saw a side of his personality for the first time this night. so funny!

Thanks for coming!!!