Routine

I've been driving this road for almost a year, 5 days a week and today was the first time I noticed the flashing lights and "do not block intersection" sign.  The thing is, I'm sure it isn't new.  I'm sure it's been there the whole time, but I honestly just noticed it today.  How many times does that happen?  That you never see what is right in front of you? 

Squash Casserole

I am working full time now with a long commute and I no longer have the time to prepare the meals I use to so I've been creating short cuts.  This is an easy vegetarian recipe for when you don't have a lot of time.

• 2 cups Sliced Bell Peppers (you can use fresh peppers or take the short cut and buy frozen pre-cut pepper strips)
• One 14oz box of frozen pureed squash
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• sprinkling of cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic seasoning
• 2 tsp chopped dried onion
• One 16oz container plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups of mashed potatoes (I used some that I had leftover from another dish but no one will judge you if you use instant) 
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 400.
Grease casserole dish.
Place box of frozen squash in a microwave safe container and microwave for 5 minutes. 
If you are using instant potatoes prepare them according to package directions, if you are using leftover mashed potatoes press them into greased casserole dish.
Chop walnuts in a food processor and set aside.
Saute peppers until soft.
Add all the remaining ingredients in the order that they are listed and cook on low heat for only a few minutes.
Add that mixture over the mashed potatoes in the greased casserole dish.
Top with chopped walnuts.
Cook for 30 minutes, until walnuts are slightly browned.

Navigating Life

"Mommy I'm not going to drive a motorcycle when I am grown up, I'm just going to stay with you."
Logan says to me over winter break with an exasperated sigh.  He's often talked about wanting to drive a motorcycle when he's allowed (age 21).  I love motorcycles so I'm not a mom who deters him of this dream but I do believe most boys aren't mature enough till about 21 when they have slightly outgrown their need for speed and have a few years experience driving a car.
"Why aren't you going to drive a motorcycle Logan?", I reply.
"I'm just going to stay with you, Mommy.", with a deflated look across his face.
"But aren't you going to grow up and be a scientist?"
"Yes and an astronaut.  But I won't be able to drive a motorcycle."
"I don't understand why not, sweetie."
"Just cause. I don't know...I won't know where to go.  I'll just stay with you, you know where to go"
Logan begins to get this worried look in his eyes, it's a look I've seen before.  I've blogged about a previous experience with the lock on our front door. 
"Logan when you are old enough you'll be able to drive a car all by yourself.  That's a long time from now though."
"No Mommy! I won't! I won't know where to go!"  Tears are now forming in his eyes, his lips are making a frown and he's trying so hard to not cry.  It seems like just yesterday when he would burst into tears and now he's fighting them back because already at 7 he's learned that it's not socially acceptable to cry and that just breaks my heart.
I sit down next to him and I wrap my arms around him.  I know that to him this is a very serious conversation and it has more to do with something else than actually driving a motorcycle.
"Logan when you are old enough we will get you one of those computers for the car that will tell you where to go.  You won't get lost if that is what you are worried about."
"One with the maps?", he asks as he wipes the backs of his hands across his faces repeatedly, a recent stemming behavior he's adopted.  "But won't I need a helper? Like ms. drew? Won't I have a helper when I'm grown up?"
"No. Ms Drew is just your helper at school.  You won't need her forever, just for right now."
"But what do I do when my brain gets jumbled up?  And I get lost and I don't have a helper?"
"You will learn how to get by without a helper, Logan.  You'll learn.  Don't worry.  And if you ever get lost we will make sure you have a cell phone and you can call me."
"okay I'll like that."
He's instantly relieved.
People on the spectrum tend to have a higher level of anxiety and often will become fixated on one fear or concern even if it doesn't affect them right now.  I know from past experience that if I don't take these concerns seriously when they happen they manifest into a larger problem.  This panic in his mind about something ten years from now will effect his awareness and productivity today, to him it's a real concern.
When he's 21 he may or may not drive a motorcycle but he will be able to get by in life on his own.  He'll learn to navigate, even if he has to use a GPS.

Routine

 

Spreading joy in the form of yummy goodness to all our neighbors, wishing them a Happy New Year!

One Yard Valance Continued....

After making the valance in the dining room I was inspired to create something for my bedroom.  And once again I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something temporary.  I found these sheer curtains at Lowe's for 10 bucks and used a tension rod to hang it in the window frame.  I pulled fabric from my stash that matched my quilt perfectly and doing the same technique as the dining room valance, I sewed the sides and added a casing at the top to use these inexpensive curtain rods.
This time I had to use a little over 2 yards and as you can tell I didn't have quite enough of the striped fabric so I improvised and added a bit of blue on the ends.
Try this technique next time you want to change the decor in your house without breaking the bank.

Easy One Yard Valance

The window in my dining room needed a little something.  I know that I won't be living here forever so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a temporary fix.  I shopped Target and Walmart looking for some sort of valance but refused to pay 20 bucks on something that I wasn't in love with, that is my new "thing" I have to be in love with it to buy it otherwise I don't need it.  And then I remembered this post from CloverLane's blog.  I bought one yard of fabric from Joann's, it's from the fancy have to pre-order section because it was 60% off!  So worth the wait since I was in love with it!  I quickly sewed up the sides, made a casing at the top and mounted it on one of those cheapo curtain rods that you can get at any hardware store for under 5 bucks.  I love how it turned out.  And the whole thing cost me 15 bucks.
The frames I picked up years ago at Ikea in their as-is section.  And recently I scored these vintage maps from a fellow neighbor on freecycle.  The colors match the fabric beautifully and are quite interesting to look at.

No Sew Tutu

This Christmas I whipped up some no sew tutus.  They were so easy to make once you get past the headache and frustration of cutting the tulle, goodness I hate working with tulle.  Though the tutus came out so cute and the smiles on the girls faces who received them made it completely worth it!
I followed this tutorial.
I bought 5 yards of tulle for each tutu.  And for the waistband I used elastic, sewing the ends together.  Measure the child's waist and then reduce the size of the elastic by 2 inches and that should be a great fit.  These tutus are so easy to make that I sat on the sofa and attached the tulle to the elastic while watching a movie. With 2 of the tutus I added ribbon every few inches to just add a different element to it.   So simple and a fun, inexpensive gift!

Mouse Hat

 

"Mommy I want a mouse costume", begged the littlest one in my house.  And if one wants something the other does too but in a different color, of course.

So I put on my creative thinking cap, grabbed a pencil and paper and set out designing a mouse costume.  I started and ended with just the hat because I didn't want to put a ton of work into something that I didn't know if they would even use.  I've learned that lesson many times before.  And I knew the hat would be the coolest part and often all you need is one costume piece to make the character "real".  

The entire hat is made out of felt because it's easy to sew and you don't have to finish the seams.  I added encased wire in the ears so that they would stand up and used elastic and a button at the neck to hold the hat in place.  

Requests from my kids are often the beginning of future designs.  As I was making the mouse hats I envisioned other animals I could make and quickly jotted down notes for future crafting which will grace my etsy store soon.

 

Routine

Mornings like this one make the 45 minute commute worth it.  Glorious!

Holiday Teacher Gifts

I believe teachers should be celebrated and I love adding a little bit of holiday cheer in each of their mailboxes.  This is what I gave to each of the boys teachers.  In each goodie bag is a handmade pocket tissue holder and a small sampling of chocolate chip shortbread cookies.  I wrapped the shortbread cookies in freezer paper and included a label with all the ingredients listed just in case there are any food allergies that I am not aware of.  I included handmade cards with a photo of each of the boys.  Make sure to tell your child's teachers how much you appreciate them!

 

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

This recipe is great to make with kids, measure and dump everything in the mixer and then press into a pan.  Super simple!  And they don't break very easily which is great for traveling or if your child needs to transport them in his/her book bag.

•  3 2⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup arrowroot flour
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 lb. (4 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup real maple syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ½ cups mini chocolate chips
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips (any size as it will be melted for topping)

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Mix all the ingridents together in the mixer except the chocolate chips.
Once the the dough looks fluffy add 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
Transfer dough to 15- x 11-inch greased pan. Press dough into the pan with your fingers, and then prick all over with fork.
Bake 35 minutes, or until edges just begin to brown and dough looks slightly firm. Remove from oven and, using thin knife, cut shortbread into squares. Allow shortbread to cool completely in pan.
Melt remaining 1 cup chocolate chips in a glass bowl in the microwave 40 seconds to1 minute. Spread melted chocolate onto shortbread, spreading almost to edges. Refrigerate overnight to allow chocolate topping to set. Break apart, and serve.

Reverb 10- Future Self

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Author: Jenny Blake)
  
Dearest Gretchen/2015,
                Take a deep breath and enjoy this moment. Try to not take everything to heart.  Remember people are processing and growing and you have to allow them time to do that.  Reevaluate the people who surround your life and make sure these are the people who are  helping you to become a better version of yourself.  Don't waste your time on toxic relationships and negative thinking friends, allow them to fall out of view so that you can focus your energy on spreading joy and inspiring others.
Remember to think good thoughts, speak good thoughts and do good thoughts. Daily.
You are a remarkable mother and an amazing friend.  Embrace what life has put in front of you.
Be well,
Gretchen/2010 

Last Minute Christmas Shopping- Deals!

Some people are still shopping for Christmas gifts and if you are one of those people make sure to check out this website for printable coupons.
I just printed this coupon for myself, 30% off at Border's.  Merry Christmas to me!
The boys need new pajamas and  I'm hoping to score some on sale at Old Navy and use this 30% off coupon.
And for all you crafty folks here is an extra 40% off at Joann's.
So if you are headed out, stop at Mommy Saves Big first and print off the savings!

Winter Crochet Hat with a Brim

 

I made this style hat last year for Logan and I absolutely loved the look of it that I had to finally make one for myself.  I didn't use a pattern, I never do, I measured the circumference of my head and then began with single crochet and followed into 2 double crochets into a single stitch so that the hat had a fuller body; decreasing stitches once it reached the desired height.

  

Winter Scarf

I love scarves, they look good with everything!  Every winter season I like to make a new scarf for myself. 
This scarf is pretty simple using a ribbon yarn for the trim and the core of the scarf is an acrylic wool blend (AKA: not itchy!).  I single crocheted the length of the scarf that I wanted and then continued to single crochet until I reached my desired width.  For the trim I don't know what the official stitch is called, I single crochet into one stitch and then double crochet in the next stitch, do the double crochet 3 times and then single crochet in the 5th stitch and it creates this pretty wavy trim.  Not too girly, just enough flair.