The Cookie Cabin

I went to Mt. Lemmon last weekend for some sledding and nature time.  We went sledding for a few hours and then took a little break in Summerhaven and had some snacks.  We stopped at The Cookie Cabin for a giant cookie and a break.  Wow.  Not disappointed!

We didn't try to the pizza, but it looked goooood.

Nat enjoying her oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  Yum.

$5 cookies the size of a plate.  I got the chocolate chip and ate it for 2 days.  !  Great snack for sledding and a driving day.  If you are in Summerhaven or Mt. Lemmon for the day, stop in a get a cookie to go or stay there and enjoy some hot chocolate in their warm little shop.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Recipe

I got a new ice cream maker this week and decided to try Rocky Road.  Why Rocky Road?  I love chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts.  Oh, and my husband will eat it!

RECIPE:

1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)

1/2 cup cocoa powder

3 cups fat free 1/2 and 1/2

1 tsp. vanilla

handful of chopped walnuts

handful of chopped marshmallows

DIRECTIONS:

Heat condensed milk and cocoa on stove for about 5 minutes, until the cocoa powder is dissolved and the mixture is creamy.  Remove from the stove and add the rest of the ingredients, hold the nuts and marshmallows until the end.  Place the mixture in the fridge or freezer to cool.  The colder the mixture, the better the ice cream will freeze in the machine.

Turn on ice cream machine and pour in mixture.  Mix as directed for your ice cream maker and add the nuts and walnuts at the end of the mix.  Freeze overnight in an airtight container and ENJOY!

Bias Tape Bag Pattern and Tutorial

I love sewing.  I like to sew little toys, bags, small quilts, table runners, you name it.  When I came across this super cute and easy bag at Prudent Baby, I had to try it.

Here's what you will need:  bias tape, 1/4 yard of 2 coordinating fabrics. (that's it!)

I made mine with grey store bought bias tape, but you can make your own if you like, and 2 fabrics I have been saving for something special.

You can see the basic shape and body of the bag, I made the original size.  It would be a great lunch bag, date purse, or knitting project bag.  I think it would make an awesome shopping bag if it was about 2 times as big and a bit deeper.  Get the pattern and tutorial here.

Big Thanks to Prudent Baby for the awesome tutorial and pattern!  I can't wait to make more.  

Craft Room

Here are a few pics of my amazing craft room.  I love the organization, comfy space, and creative possibilities.  This room is an awesome step in the right direction.

I made this pennant banner that says : creative space on it to inspire me and remind me what this room can do!

This was taken during the beginning stages of organization.  I love having everything in one place where I can see it.  My fabrics are slowly taking up more and more space.  Love seeing that out of the box!  My yarn is in those two big white boxes on top of the shelving.  I love that because I can pull them down, take a look around, and then slide them back on top of the shelves.  No mess, lots of space.

I got this super comfy couch so my husband could keep me company while I sew.  It doubles as a laundry folding area...  I mean... 

This little gem keeps me sewing hassle free. I got it about 4 months ago and I have no complaints.  Ooo, ok maybe one.  I can't jam 4 layers of wool under the foot.  :)

Winter in Tucson and Changing of the Seasons

Tucson doesn't have many trees to change color during the fall and winter months.  It is mostly brown desert with speckles of green cactus, however there are a few areas with cottonwoods, sycamore, etc.  We found one in my neighborhood on Christmas day and couldn't help but play in all the yellow leaves.

My new sister in law and I threw the leaves up in the air and went crazy.

I love Fall!  (ok, I know it's Winter, but Tucson doesn't have a real Winter)

Da Da Dum, La la La....

You might have noticed my super cool boots in the top photo.  Oh, you did did you?  Those are the amazing Fit Flops boots that my awesome husband got me for Christmas.  He is so sneaky! I have been talking about those boots for months.  The shirt, sweater, and scarf are all new from my mother-in-law too.  Like mother like son I guess.  Awesome gifts that I put on right away.

Sewing on Sunday

I slept in today, on my day off, and enjoyed the cozy quietness of my apartment.  I let my husband sleep a few extra hours and here I am blogging away.  Here is a quick look at my week instagram style.

I made a cute little upcycled pillow for my craft room.  This fits perfectly behind my back on my sewing chair.  Thank you lovely sweater for lending yourself to such a useful pillow.  I added some fabric flowers that I made last week to one corner to spice it up a bit.

I am taking down my Christmas decorations today too.  These are the stockings I made and the little pennant banner that hung above them.  I can't wait to add a few more handmade pieces next year.  On the list: tree skirt, wreath, and tree topper.  WHOA!           

My husband gave me a charm pack with these amazing batiks in it for Christmas.  I started laying out an idea for a simple quilt.  I added a few more things, and started sewing this week.  Thanks HUBS.  You rock!

Another Wedding

My brother and his WIFE came to visit from Korea for the holidays.  They came to Tucson because I live here, her brother lives here, and... they got married!  They are having an official wedding in Spain this summer, but to get all the legality issues out of the way, they got married in Tucson last week.

They went down to the lovely Tucson Court House

I think this is where Zach gives Sara the ring, he had nowhere to put it and was worried she was going to see it anyway.

Awww...  I can't wait for the ceremony in Spain!

Whoa!  These two are married!

My Aunt and Dad came to watch the official wedding.

Paying the dues.

MARRIED!

Welcome to the family Sara!  You have no idea what you got yourself into...  

Zach and Sara "mini" engagement shoot

While my brother and his wife were here, we all took lots of pictures.  Some of them turned out fabulous and I thought I would share them because they really capture the beauty of Arizona too.  Here you go guys, your "mini" engagement shoot.  Can't wait to do another one in Spain this summer.  Practice those crazy poses and study up on how to look a little sillier...

Blue Willow

Desert Museum

Mt. Lemmon

Drive to Mt. Lemmon

El Charro

Desert Museum (pipe organ cactus)

Near Saguaro National Park (this one is my personal favorite)

Heart it out.

These are some of my favorite.

The Court House

Christmas Wedding

Handmade Gifts for the Holidays!

Wow!  I have been gone from my blog for some time and it has been an amazing month.  My family came to visit for the holidays and it was a whirlwind.  Lots of eating, sightseeing, and enjoying time together.  I spent the last two months sewing and crafting for the holidays and I think it paid off.  I baked, shopped, sewed, cleaned, and organized for 2 solid weeks at the beginning of December.

Here is what I have been up to:::

Eucalyptus Sugar Scrubs for my girlfriends.  Tutorial to come!

Chocolate dipped pretzels to ship out to family and friends.

A patchwork hot and cold bag with a matching tissue holder for my sister-in-law.

Go Huskers!  A Nebraska ornament for my father-in-law.

Another cute tissue pouch for my mother-in-law.

This little pouch is for my niece, it is for these zhu-zhu toys that she loves, and a snack...

Foot warmers for the family in cold weather.

A slouchy beret for my brother and a tissue pouch for his girlfriend.

Feet warmers all around!

I had a blast making everything and I hope everyone enjoyed receiving their presents!  I had a fantastic holiday and can't wait to see what the new year brings.

Candied Orange Peel Recipe and Tutorial

I love candied orange peel from the store, but homemade candied orange peel is amazing.  It takes a lot of work and time, but the end result is worth it.  I used 4 pounds of oranges and it made enough to give 4 small jars for Christmas presents.  I would do at least this amount. The more you do, the longer they will last before you have to make more.

Ingredients:

Oranges

Sugar

Water

Start by peeling oranges, then cutting away the pith.  Get as much of the white off of the peel as you can.  Then place the peels in cold water to cover and bring to a boil.  Strain and repeat for a total of 3 times.  Rinse with cold water each time.

Place 1 part water and 1 part sugar in the same pot and bring to a boil.  This will be your sugar syrup.  Place the orange peels in the syrup and simmer until translucent.  The syrup should remain at a simmer until you are satisfied with the results. I simmered mine for about an hour.  This can vary from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on how thick your peels are.

Remove (strain) from the syrup and lay out to dry.  When they are partially dry (not soaking wet) place them in a bowl of sugar and coat.  You can save the syrup and use it for iced tea or other cooking with sugar syrups, it is a great addition to a fruit compote, smoothies, or a pancake topping mixed with berries/syrup.

Allow the peels to dry until they are to your liking.  The humidity and temperature will make a huge difference in your drying time, so be patient and keep an eye on them.  I left mine out for a day on my counter, you don't want them rock hard, just firm and not wet. (in Arizona)

To finish them you can either dip them in dark chocolate, stripe them in chocolate, or leave the plain.  They will be devoured either way.  :)