Baking with the Mini Chef

I've been meaning to do some baking but the last couple of weeks have seem to have gotten away from me.  Today however was set aside for baking no matter what.  Tomorrow is the last day of "little school" for my son and he informed me that he wanted to give his teachers flowers and cookies to say goodbye.  To be exact, he wanted chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles. 

Baking with kids can be alot of fun...and alot of mess....and you have to resign yourself to the idea that the end result will not be as pretty (or sometimes, as edible) as what you can bake on your own.  My little guy tends to get bored with the process and wanders off until its time for the taste tester.  Today however I was pleasantly surprised that he stuck through it from start to finish with both cookie batches....and then suggested that maybe when he grows up he will be a "cooker".  WHOOP!!!!  That's my boy!!!!!


Chocolate Chip Cookies (kids choice)

Adapted from Company's Coming - Cookies by Jean Pare

1 cup butter                  1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs                          2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour            3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda         2 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar together, then beat in eggs one at a time.  Add vanilla.

Sift together flour, salt, baking soda and the kids "secret weapon" cinnamon.  Stir into sugar mixture.

Add chocolate chips (or whats left of them after the taste tester does some quality control)

 I roll them about the size of Timbits ( for non-Canadians that would be about a 1 1/2 inch ball) and then flatten slightly.  Bake at 350 F (180 C) oven for 10 to 15 minutes. (until bottoms are slightly golden).  Makes about 3 dozen.

Kitty Cats and Bunnies

Well finally the nice weather has decided to join us so the kids and I have been spending lots of time at the park.  Yipee!  I've also been able to get a fair bit of Spring cleaning done...I don't know if it's just me...but I do my best cleaning when its bright and sunny.  If its raining ...forget it. 

So with one thing and another I haven't spent much time in the kitchen.  I did do a couple of batches of various berry muffins for the kids lunches but since they look like every other muffin on the planet I won't bore you with them here.  I did do some baking for Easter.  Mini Carrot cake  (Forgot to take a piccture) and for all the kids I made Brownie Bunnies Pops.

Yes, that is a snowman hiding behind them....my cousin has already teased me about still having that out at Easter....but thats not the worst bit I'm afraid...Mr. Snowman is also filled with my kids Halloween candy!!


So I haven't been baking but I have been continuing my stash-busting efforts and have just completed this stroller blanket.  Its in WW yarn so it can hold up to trips to the park and such.  I used the Kitty Afghan pattern that I found on The Adventures of the Gingerbread Lady although I did my final round different then hers.  (at 2 am I just couldn't follow the instructions..not her fault... so just did a simple 2 DC in each space going around...)

Pattern can be found here:   kitties-in-row-afghan

Goodbye Mrs. A, we'll miss you

Well I know I said I wouldn't be the type to post non-stop, but today is a bit of a special case.  Yesterday I found out that my daughters teacher is leaving tommorow.  (She was only filling in for another teacher who is now coming back from Mat. leave).  I'm not sure how I missed out on knowing this and I feel bad.  She is a great teacher and I know how hard it will be for my daughter to adjust to this change, this far into the year.

So anyways  yesterday after school my daughter makes this announcement and then says she wants to give her teacher something special to say goodbye.  2 days notice!!!!  Ack!!!!

Luckily I have recently come to grips with my yarn addiction and in an effort to reclaim my closets i have started to do some serious stash-busting.  (hey 8 large rubbermaid totes and 3 garbage bags of yarn take up ALOT of space you know).  So I have a couple of afghans on the go.  Just finnished one of them tonight with time to spare. (ha!)  Its a good size for a couch throw, as my daughter says, its a good cuddle blanket for her teacher to share with her husband.  I hope she likes it.

The pattern is one that I just ended up liking after about half a dozen false starts.  The finished size ended up being approx. 4 ft x 5 ft  and I used 2 - 400gram balls of Stylecraft Aran Knitting yarn (80% Acrylic 20% Wool)  I bought the wool probably about 15 years ago or so (I told you my yarn stash was bad...)

Chain length desired

Row 1 - DC in each chain stitch

Row 2 -chain 4,  skip 1st st then TRC through both loops (whole row is done through both loops) in next 2 sts, * skip one st, TRC in next 2 sts, TRC into skipped st. * ( * forms cluster)  Continue clusters along row until last 4 sts.  Skip one stitch, TRC last 3 sts. Turn

Row 3 & 4 -DC straight across crocheting into front loops only.

Repeat rows 2-4 until desired length is achieved ending with Row 3.