Toddler approved meals

I have a lovely toddler who is not into eating a lot of vegetables. As of late I have decided to try and find ways to get her to eat her veggies without her even realizing it. This recipe portions and freezes well for make ahead meals (which is great for me since baby #2 is almost here and cooking meals will be out the window soon), and it is pretty delish even for adults.


Broccoli and Spinach Pasta
1 TBL butter
1 TBL flour
1 cup milk (for a lighter sauce, use skim)
1/2 cup grated cheese
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cooked pasta of choice, about1 cup uncooked (I recommend wheat or fortified pasta)
Vegetables of choice, chopped finely

Melt butter and stir in flour. Once it is smooth slowly add in the milk, using a whisk to get rid of any chunks. Bring to a light boil so that it thickens. Reduce heat, add in cheese, salt and pepper, and voila! Sauce is ready.
Add in vegetables of choice to your sauce and keep on low heat so they get soft. **If you are doing a lot of hard vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc I would recommend steaming them quickly in the microwave beforehand to save time.**
Add in cooked pasta and you're ready to go. With the extra pasta (if there is any) divide it into plastic bags portioned for your toddler and freeze. It reheats in about 1 min, stir after 30 seconds.

The nice thing about this recipe is that it is simple, completely flexible, and healthy! I know that the makers of baby/toddler foods have the best intentions, but this is preservative free and way cheaper than buying pre-made food.

Crocheted baby blanket round two

Tiffany and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. I think it was 3rd or 4th grade when we were really good friends. When I lived in CO we got to hang out a few times and it was so great to catch up after several years! She is also expecting her first baby, a girl! And I, in my domestic stage, decided to crochet her a blanket. I searched for free patterns for a while when I found these two that I used and someday, when I have my own babies I will make them this blanket.
For the blanket part:
http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=4368&cps=21191
For the edging:
http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/TiramisuBlanket.pdf
I love love love how it turned out, and my Tiffany friend also loved it, (and her husband thought I bought it; success!)
Look at that texture!

 It's not square... but it's pretty. And I know it's white... for a baby... but it's so pretty!

Who's having a baby next? I'll make you a blanket :)

[Bow]tie baby onsies

I found the directions for my following project on these blogs:

http://www.merrimentdesign.com/images/tie_onesie_bodysuit_kathy_beymer.pdf

http://www.merrimentdesign.com/sewn-tie-applique-baby-onesie-bodysuit.php

But first... look what I got me: Isn't it beautiful? I am a big fan. 

 My BFHS (Best Friend from High School) is having her third little boy any day now. I'd seen onsies with (bow)ties sewn onto them a few different times and at Joann's the other day I saw the following pack of fat quarters (at 50% off!) so I picked it up, along with a 4 pack of onsies.

 And made the following ties:

 They're all different, none of them are perfect, but I think they are so darn cute!

 I just put them back in the mesh bag they came in and shipped it off the other day. Now I'm just waiting for baby pictures/notice that she got them!

I was talking to one of my friends the other day and she paid me the best compliment: she said "I can't wait until you hit the point where you are a mom and you make the rest of us look like amateurs!" Maybe that's true, maybe not, but I'm going to practice making baby stuff till that happens for me. Then my kids will be the cutest in town!