I finished another sewing project…and I am so pleased with the way it turned out. This skirt is called the Julia Skirt and it is one of Patty Young’s gorgeous Modkid patterns.  I sewed this skirt up about 10 days ago…and Audrey has practically worn it every single day since. Pretty sure I need to make a couple more….

This post is linked at:

Sew and Tell @ Amylouwho

I have a problem with sides. My husband would definitely attest to that. A typical dinner at our home usually consists of something like, say, spaghetti with a loaf of bread (still in the bag) thrown on the table. Or perhaps tacos with some warmed up canned corn. Nothing too fancy at our house…I have always been of the mind set that: Isn’t the main dish enough? After all I did cook something! (he he)

Well, I’ve decided it is time to change my ways, and learn how to cook a more rounded meal. You know, with a main dish, a side dish, a vegetable, a fruit… I’m not sure if I can do it, but I thought I would give it a try. (And then maybe I will be able to do it sometimes, which is definitely better than never RIGHT!?!) So here is my first side dish recipe of what I hope to be many many many many….

Tri-Color Pasta Salad Recipe:

• 1 (12 oz) box Tri-Color Rotini
• 1 small can sliced olives
• Cubed cheese (I used Monterey Jack)
• Cubed ham or turkey
• Italian dressing

Cook pasta, and let cool. Mix in olives, cheese, ham and Italian dressing to taste. Refrigerate for an hour (if you can) since this salad tastes better cold. I actually think it tastes best after the flavors have had time to mix over night…but lets be realistic here—-who honestly remembers to make a side salad the night before??? So just know, that the left overs will be delish!

I need some side dish inspiration!!! Please leave me a link if you’ve got a great recipe post!!!

A month or so ago, I ordered this book called Pretend Soup, which is a super fun cookbook made specifically for preschoolers. It gives picture instructions on how to make about 20 or so different recipes:

The other day, I finally got out some ingredients and let Audrey make some yummy Pop Overs. And I can’t even tell you how much fun she had doing it.

At the beginning of each recipe the author gives specific instructions to parents, which I thought were VERY helpful. One idea was “to help your child measure the milk, place a one-cup measure in a pie pan. Put the milk in a small pitcher and let your youngster pour it into the cup. Any spills will be contained in the pie pan.” Her ideas were so obvious but it really helped me to step back and let Audrey make this recipe with minimal help from me…and making it all the more fun for her…

and you can see that she was quite proud of her accomplishment!

Next on the Menu:

Number Salad and Oatmeal Surprise!

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A few weeks ago, at our family Easter party, all of the girls got to learn how to make earrings. I’ve never really made any kind of jewelry before. Well, okay, that might be a lie…I did make beaded flower necklaces back when I was a kid….but those aren’t too glamorous for anybody over about the age of 7. So, I was pretty excited to be able to make these beauties:

Pretty good I thought, for my first go at it (of course my cousin may have had to help me bend the wires in the right spot…I kept messing up. Don’t laugh, it was hard!)

I’m hoping to be able to make a few more…it was so much fun! (I seriously think I could get addicted) Plus I think homemade earrings would make perfect gifts!

Last weekend, my cousin asked me if I would make boutonnieres & corsages for her prom group. I had so much fun because nothing makes me happier than a big ol’ bucket of flowers that go from this:

to this:

and my very favorite: (you can tell because they got special backgrounds. ha ha.)

I added little fabric flowers made from left over scraps from when my aunt hemmed my cousins dress…can you tell?

learn how to make a boutonniere here!