Not Quite Vintage

warm bread for a cold and busy weekend

What is a girl to do on a cold Saturday morning when she has extra ripe banana's sitting on the counter and there is a waffle shortage going on? Make banana bread of course. I pulled out Momma's old fashioned recipe - it isn't at all healthy, but extra yummy. It is one of those tastes you always remember and other renditions just don't hit quite the spot even though they are just as good and surely more healthy.

I had enough ingredients for three batches and it made eight nice sized mini loaves. Enough for Pops and I to enjoy and even have a few loaves to share and a couple to freeze. Mmmm.

After the banana bread making I spent a few hours at work. Yes, I just said I spent time at work on Saturday. Crazy. I am not used to being this busy (a big implementation happening over the next two months), but I am and on top of it all I have jury duty this coming week. Not perfect timing for work, but I am actually looking forward to the change of pace and a little time to read my book. Is that wrong? Saturday also included some shopping and a few hours spent with my Pop's. He even grilled for me in the below freezing chill. 

Today I have been crafting up a Christmas gift storm. By the time I shut off the sewing machine for the evening, it was too dark to take pics. None are finished yet, but I am making progress - yay! I will share pictures as I complete them.

I also started crocheting together my stars. I thought ten would be enough for my mantel, but I guess I attached them too close together and need to make four more. If I succeed at completing a couple tonight, maybe I will have garland to decorate my mantel with by Wednesday.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Have you been Christmas crafting too?

pb granola bars

I have noticed that many of the gals out in blogland have been making their own granola bars lately. I have had success in the past making my own granola, so I thought I might try my hand at granola bars this week.

I have many, many recipes bookmarked, so I gave them all a once over to determine which recipe to start with. I settled on a Peanut Butter and Honey Granola Bar recipe from Active Life Cooking. Mostly because I love peanut butter and had most of the ingredients in my pantry.

They were super simple to make and while hard to photograph turned out pretty darn yummy.  If you take a look at the recipe it calls for your favorite “chaser” and “additives.” I chose flax seed as my chaser, sunflower seeds, almonds and dried cranberries as my additives and also included some rice protein powder (I try to stay away from all soy products and vegan rice protein powder was suggested by my niece as a good alternative – it is great in smoothies too).

The only one thing I may change next time is to toast the oatmeal a bit more before mixing all the ingredients together so that my granola bars might be a bit crunchier.

I think I will keep trying granola bar recipes so I can compare and determine which is my favorite. Anyone have any good recipes to share?

my first green monster

Over the past few months, I have really become reenergized when it comes to health and fitness. I have been revamping my diet, adding in more exercise and general daily activity. I have to say that I am really feeling better.

I think I say that every time I get into the groove health and fitness wise, but something happens and I fall of the wagon. I really don’t want to fall of the wagon this time, so I am focusing on taking things step by step. No crazy dieting or restrictions - just the intention of eating a balanced diet that keeps my metabolism fueled, exercising to keep energized and taking every opportunity to move forward in my life.

One thing that keeps me on track, helps me learn new things and inspires me every single day is reading health and fitness blogs. Just like crafty blogs, health and fitness blogs are inspirational and insightful – both add to my to do list and make me feel part of a bigger, like-minded group.

Here are a few blogs I find interesting. You may or may not - I find that a lot of finding blogs you like is in the tone of voice, the picture taking or even the design of the blog. A lot is very subjective, but for some reason, the blogs below draw me in – probably mostly because of their journeys.

For a long while now, these blogs have been daily reads:

Roni’s Weigh
Green Lite Bites
Kath Eats Real Food  

More recently, I have found these:

Eat Live Run
Oh She Glows
Catapult Fitness

I think most of these came from guest posts on Kath Eats Real Food or from links on other blogs.

One of the things the new blogs have introduced me to is a smoothie called the Green Monster.  A green monster is a smoothie with fruit and some sort of green, like spinach. Honestly I was a bit nervous to try one, but after reading how amazing people thought they tasted, how great they made them feel, not to mention how glowy it made their skin, I had to.

I picked up the ingredients for a basic green monster at the grocery on Friday – spinach, unsweetened vanilla almond milk and berries (I already had a nice stash of bananas in my freezer). Many people add other things like flax or protein powder, but this was my first attempt, so I decided to keep it very simple. Out came the blender on Sunday morning and in went the ingredients. My green monster didn’t turn out as green as I have seen, probably because I used a few berries and a whole banana, and it wasn’t quite as smooth as I expected (blame my blender), but it was SOOOO yummy (much, much yummier than it looks).

I made another for breakfast this morning and am planning the ingredients for my next variation! I dare you to try one  : )

Next up on my health and fitness journey is this. More on that later – I plan to start on next Monday.

mmmm oatmeal brownies

I love oatmeal cookies and I love brownies, so what could be better than oatmeal brownies?

Last weekend I tried out a new recipe for oatmeal brownies. I am not sure how I came across the recipe, but I am sure glad I did. It is a total cheater recipe since you get to start with a Betty Crocker brownie mix. Simple is good.

I made them as a special treat for my Pops. He has the incredible ability to enjoy just a hint of dessert every day and not ever go overboard and eat every piece of dessert in sight. I am not quite that good, so I took some to kickball on Sunday and some to work on Monday. I think I may have eaten two total and for me, that is a great accomplishment.

I am definitely saving this recipe to make another day.

crafting identity crisis

For a while now, well pretty much the entire past year, I feel like I have been having a crafting identity crisis. There are so many things I want to do (you can tell from my ever growing Crafty To Do List), feel like I can do, start to do, but totally lack the motivation for.

Here is an example: For weeks I have been turning the pages of Seams To Me and looking at the pin cushion project. And yesterday, when I finally got myself into the basement sewing, it was just a total mess. I did fine picking fabrics and cutting them out. I really liked the mixture of green and blue scraps I chose and was actually excited to get sewing. The sewing, it was icky. I think it was a combination of my rushing/excitement/anxiousness and some issues with the pattern (after sewing the 8 pieces together and making the tube, the outside was an entire piece too wide and I watched my seam allowances, something just wasn't right) that made this project destined to be part of the trash pile.

My Sunday afternoon sewing left me wondering if I have been kidding myself about this sewing stuff. Maybe I am not as capable as I thought. Maybe my lack of motivation just has me feeling blah. Maybe I was forcing myself to create something because I feel it has been weeks since I had something good to share with all of you.

So I turned out the basement lights, went upstairs and planted myself on the sofa with a soda and a lifetime movie on the tv. I know, pretty sad. After a while I decided a little pampering was in order and painted my nails bright Little Red Wagon red (actually, it was needed, the pinning and stuffing I did while sewing totally tore up my nails). I guess that was as creative as I was meant to be yesterday because the only other fulfillment I got was seeing a piled high basket of nicely folded laundry ready to be put away. I am not sure what that says about me right now.

I promise that I am not giving up! But, I am going to honor this struggle and give myslef the freedom to not feel like I have to force myself to create. I have to remember that create doesn't have to be defined as sewing - last week I did create a logo, knit 3/4 of a fuzzy red scarf, cook a big pot of soup and loads of twice-baked potatoes (I was trying to recreate 2 of Mom’s signature dishes that there isn’t a recipe for), and motivated my Pops to start exercising again. That has to count for  something, right?

recipe card - holiday giveaway!

Wanting to spread a little holiday cheer, I came up with a little recipe card design.

Post a comment about your favorite frugal yet fabulous holiday recipe by Tuesday, December 16th at 12 p.m. CST and I will draw four names to receive printed sets of your very own. Please be sure to include the name you would like the cards personalized with (it doesn’t have to be your own) and provide a way for me to get in touch with you.

some weekend moments

Yesterday I got up early and went to church. Nothing unusual. It was a cold, quiet morning. I drove slowly so the car could warm up. As I drove I passed a little boy and his mom walking to church. Once I parked and was on my way inside, they were only a few steps behind me. I could overhear them talking. As we got closer to the Advent wreath she asked about the candles he was so proud to exclaim that two candles were lit and next week it would be the pink one. It was so nice to overhear their little exchange.

Once inside and settled in, a family I see often but do not know sat at the other end of my row. They have the cutest little girl. She has shiny red hair and is always dressed so pretty. She was a bit more antsy and chatty than usual today. It was really distracting the women who sat between us. I have to admit, I was struggling with my patience too. Then she caught my eye, held out her hand that was holding her tiny snow white princess. She looked straight into my eyes and smiled so big as if to say you can play with her if you want. It made my heart swell and me smile widely right back at her. Her little smile brightened my day. Just thinking of it makes my heart smile again.

A little later in when the middle school kids came back from their study time, I glimpsed a different boy with his mom. He was old enough to be wary of public affection with his mom, but not today. He was excited to show here his papers and he put his arm around his mom's shoulder and kept it there for a while. The mom looked so happy in that moment.

Sometimes I get so caught up in my troubles that I don't notice some of the really small but special moments in the day. I am not sure what was different about today, but I was more aware and these three moments really stuck out. They were just the everyday type of inspiration I needed to have a peaceful, restful Sunday.

From there, I went grocery shopping. I love Sunday morning grocery shopping, the store is quiet so I can take my time. I picked up the items on my list and saved $4 with the coupons I had. Too bad I didn’t shop at the store that has double coupons everyday.  Once I got home I cleaned the kitchen, made banana bread and lentil soup. This time, I added a can of diced tomatoes with garlic and basil to the soup. It made the soup extra yummy. Good thing because it will feed me most of the week. I have to admit, I didn’t get much crafting or decorating done this weekend, but I do feel rested.

Do any everyday moments stick out for you from this weekend? I hope I keep noticing these little moments, they are helping to renew my spirit.

computers, groceries, budgets and organizing - whew!

Is it Monday already? This weekend was busy. Lots of running around, planning, thinking...

I got up early on Saturday to help my Pops with his computer – well, lets be honest here, I tried to fix it on Friday without luck. See, I am a Mac person and I try with Windows, but it isn’t my specialty – luckily I have a friend who specializes in both and he was able to meet me at my Pop’s office and work his magic. All I am left with is adding some memory once it is delivered. That I can handle, yay.

When I was finished, I made a quick stop at the store and was amazed at some of the prices. $4 for a loaf of good bread, close to the same for milk and oddly $4.50 for really bad for you light mayo (I know, but I needed it). I am really trying to cut down on my grocery bills. When I balanced my checkbook last week, I realized that I spend a lot at the grocery store and at places like Walgreens and Target where it is really easy to throw just one more thing in the cart because “what is an extra 2 dollars going to hurt?” Those extra dollars really do add up. In reaction to my spending, I decided to challenge myself to two things this month (yes, I know it was a fourth over when I came up with my challenges last Monday): spend only $50 at the grocery store till the end of November (thank goodness I am not cooking Thanksgiving dinner) and allow myself only one out to lunch each week now through Christmas. Oh, and almost forgot, never go to stores like the grocery store or Target without a list. I figure these three things will help out my finances a lot. So, when I saw that mayo was going to take a 10 percent chunk out of my grocery budget I was taken aback. Yes, I still bought it, it will last forever, but still I had second thoughts.

Those second thoughts told me I need to really plan my meals and use what I have. I have to admit, I am a pantry hoarder. I love a full pantry – it makes me feel safe. I got this trait from my Momma. Problem is, sometime things go bad before you get to them – in the panty and the fridge/freezer too. This is not good. It is wasteful and really not a good use of money. So, in conjunction with my grocery budget, I figured a good way to make it stretch would be to use as many staples out of my pantry and freezer as I can. Then I can supplement them with fresh fruits and vegetables.

This plan inspired me to clean out my pantry. I needed to see what I really have on hand and to be honest, once I cleaned it out, it is still pretty full and has plenty of options to help get me through the month. Oh, and is it sad that I had so much fun organizing it? I used a bunch of the jars I have been collecting for dry goods – it feels so Martha. I just want to keep the door open so I can look in :)

With the pantry items I had on hand and a butternut squash I had in the fridge, I was able to throw together a stew recipe Kelli forwarded me last week. It is made with beans, winter squash and quinoa. It said to make it a day ahead of time... I’ll let you know how it is after I have it for dinner tonight. It made a lot for a rather small investment, under $5 for supplies I think and I will be able to eat it pretty much all week and share some with a friend too.

So, how are you facing the growing grocery prices? Any ideas for getting through the holiday baking season on a budget? I welcome all ideas...

Sorry for the rambling, I think I could have made three posts out of this one...

hi... and some links

Wow, I have been quiet lately – sorry for the unintentional break! Honestly, things have been crazy busy at work and by the time I get home I am just plain worn out. Hey, I guess I should be thankful for being busy... Maybe being busy means I am useful and therefore needed. Since our layoffs I haven’t been able to squelch the fear, the insecure feeling in my stomach. So, at work I am trying to give 200% and at home I am trying to recover.

Crafting hasn’t completely gone by the wayside, I have been working on a couple secret crafty projects/proposals. I wish I could share them right now, but can’t... I’ll know if I can in a couple weeks. But, honestly I want the answer to be “nope, can’t share them” because that means the book people liked them. If they didn’t, look forward to some tutorials.

 
A few other themes running through my life these days are budgeting, reading and cooking – I’ll be working on some posts on these soon. To hold you over till then, here are a few interesting links:

The authors of the book I just finished have an amazing site: Carrie and Danielle

I made these yummy oatmeal breakfast squares last week. Way yummy, but when I added up the calories, I went in search of some ways to cut them. Pretty successful switching out the brown sugar for Splenda brown sugar blend and the butter for light butter... but not perfect.

Went in search of some other oatmeal options (without the not so natural Splenda and light butter) and found Kath Eats Real Food. If Kath can eat right, exercise, work and go back to school, I should be able to reach my health and fitness goals too. Maybe the key is setting such a pretty place setting at every meal?

I found two great, quick and easy bag tutorials while searching for Christmas present ideas for my sisters: Sew Bunny Bum’s Market Tote and Label-Free’s My Tote Bag. Both these bloggers were very creative in how they presented their tutorials.

This lunch bag tutorial by Katie is great too. l

And because everyone needs a little nice in their life: Operation Nice 

I'll be back soon with more, promise!

Breakfast for dinner: pumpkin pancakes

Last night I finally got around to making a recipe I clipped a few weeks ago for Pumpkin Dollar Pancakes. Each time I went to the store I forgot an ingredient – even when I took a written list with me. So, this week when I went to lunch a couple doors down from Penzeys Spices, I had to stop in and get the final ingredient I needed – pumpkin pie spice. And a few others. (If you are a Penzeys fan, they just replaced all their little plastic containers with glass jars. Their plastic containers weren't recyclable and they wanted to fix that. I love the glass containers.)

I love all things pumpkin, especially when it is Fall. So when I came across the recipe, I knew I had to make it. Plus the ingredients looked pretty darn healthy for pancakes – whole wheat flour and only 2 tbsp of sugar.  What got me hooked was the recipe’s suggestion to make an entire batch and freeze them. Just a minute in the microwave and breakfast is ready – perfect for busy mornings before work.

They were super simple to make. I didn’t encounter any problems except the recommendation to cook over medium high heat. On my gas stove, medium high worked good for the first batch, but for the second batch the pan was just too hot. I turned it down to medium-low and the rest of the batches turned out perfect.

 

So, my Pumpkin Dollar Pancakes were great for dinner. Yes, dinner. I love breakfast for dinner. And anxious to try out the freeze and microwave suggestion, I brought cakes into work to share with a coworker this morning. Just 45 seconds in the microwave and a little sugar-free syrup made a perfect breakfast. I will definitely make this recipe again.

The recipe came from a complimentary recipe magazine that a local grocery store publishes. I looked on their website for a link without luck. Since the magazine is free, I am going to go ahead and share it with you. Let me know if you make some for yourself.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 can canned pure pumpkin
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Pancake syrup

In a large bowl, whisk dry ingredients. In medium bowl whisk together eggs and buttermilk. Add in pumpkin and oil. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in pumpkin mixture. Stir just until moistened – batter will be lumpy. Lightly goat large nonstick skillet or griddle with nonstick cooking spray.  Heat over medium-high heat. Spoon 2 tablespoons batter per pancake into skillet. Cook until bubbles appear in tops and bottoms are lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Serve with syrup. (Serving size = 4 pancakes. Calories: 171. Fat: 6 g. Chol: 44 mg. Sodium: 255 mg. Carbs: 24 g. Fiber 2 g.)