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Handmade Burp Clothes

I recently made a few handmade Burp clothes for a baby shower I was attending. I got the idea a few years back from my friend Melissa who made them and they sold very well in my store. It is a wonderful way to dress-up those boring old cloth diapers that many moms use as burp clothes. I think they turned out great and the Mom-to-B loved them.

Baby Bubbles

For the Love of the Game

Adorable Dots & Stripes

Ride'em Cowboy

Decopaging Tin Buckets - Great Storage Idea

I recently go in touch with my crafty DIY side and made some decoupage tin buckets for a baby shower gift for my friend Gena. They really turned out nice and I am sure they will look adorable in baby Necose's nursery. Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts or material onto it in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and so on. It is a fun way to decorate and brighten up items just lying around your home. Here I will share the steps to make this wonderful decoupage project.

Decoupage 

Supply List:

• Item to be decoupaged.  You can decoupage pictures to almost anything: furniture, photo albums, shelves, frames, cardboard boxes, vases, mirrors, hard cover books, trays, suitcases, metal tins, plastics, dishes, candles, cans, bottles,  and much more.
•  Fabric to fit size of item to be decoupaged or you can use items such as cut out pictures, motifs, or shapes from wrapping paper, wallpaper, fabric, napkins, greeting cards, post cards, photographs, handbills,  garden seed packages, pages from old books, foil covered paper, paper doilies, ribbon, posters, dried flowers, tissue paper, and more.
• Popsicle Stick - You can use this to help smooth out wrinkles and removed excess glue. 
• Foam Brush - This is used to spread glue onto the item you will decoupage. If you don't have a foam brush, you can use an ordinary paint brush.
• Scissors - Used to cut out the pictures and other items you will be decoupaging. 
• Tweezers - Tweezers work great when it comes to positioning small pictures.
•  Damp Rag - Keep one nearby to wipe up excess glue and to help with other clean up.
  
• Decoupage Medium such as Mod Podge which works best or you can use white school glue diluted slightly with water.  
• Ribbon, buttons, etc to decorate
• Optional:  Folk Art Acrylic Sealer (clear Coat)

1. Start out by making sure the item you will decoupage is clean and dry.
2. Cut out the pictures you are going to decoupage. or cut fabric to the size of item.
   
3. Arrange the fabric onto the item you are decoupaging before you add glue.
4. Working in a small section at a time, apply a generous layer of decoupage medium onto the item you are decoupaging. Make sure you completely cover any area the fabric picture will touch.
5. Stick the fabric on the decoupage medium. Use your fingers to gently push down the fabric and push out any wrinkles and excess decoupage medium. You can  use a popsicle stick or your hand do this.
6. Continue with the last 2 steps until all your fabric is glued on. Let the decoupage medium dry.
7. Once your item is dry, coat your item completely with decoupage medium. Let this dry. 
8.  Now, you can continue to add coats of the decoupage medium until you get the desired results. I added 3 thick coats.
9.  Let your decoupage craft dry completely and then spray with acrylic sealer....  You you can embellish with ribbon, buttons, etc.  Hot glue items onto item to ensure a proper fit......  it is now ready to use, display, or be given away as a gift.

Decoupage Tin Buckets - Great for Nursery to store books, blankets, toiletries, Etc.

Big Brother is Home

The house was recently buzzing as our eldest son came home with his girlfriend Jeanie for a visit.   Pito came home and surprised the kids.  We haven't seen him since last summer when we took a trip to New York.   It was such a wonderful visit and we all had the time to spend some quality time together. 

Many of my readers are probably curious and didn't know we had another son besides Matthew.  Well, Pito came into our lives back in 1997 when he was almost 14 years old.  I worked as a Caseworker at Pius XII foster care and adoption agency for almost 10 years and resigned upon the birth of my daughter Taryn in 1996.  Soon after, I was contacted by the agency to see if my hubby and I wanted to be foster parents for 2 teenagers who had recently come into care.  Without much hesitation we decided we would open our home up to Pito and his sister Jackie as well as several other young people who needed our help and our love.  

Jackie was 16 and Pito was about to turn 14 when they came to our home.  They both fell into the routine of the Smith home and quickly became members of our family.  Jackie became a single mother at an early age and left our home to attend college.  Pito remained in our home for another 3 years and left to attend Job Corp in the state of Maine. He graduated high school and left upstate NY to live in New York City where he continues to live today.  Jackie gave birth to a beautiful little girl Alexis in May of 1998 and now is attending graduate school in Chicago, Ill.  Pito is currently employed at a drug treatment center in NY as a drug treatment counselor.  We are so proud of both Pito and Jackie.  

Having them as a part of our lives has been such a amazing, challenging.... but mostly,  rewarding experience.  Being a foster parent has taught me that I have so much of myself to give to others.  They have taught me to love unconditionally. They were victims of hard circumstances, yet they keep loving and holding out hope for the best. We gave them our best as well as  love and direction and commitment that they yearned for.  Love is not always enough, but when you add unlimited patience and a sense of humor, you can usually get through. 

I had a wonderful conversation with Pito while he was here, a Mom to Son conversation which was amazing and extremely heartfelt.  We talked about life in general and about his plans for the future and it amazed me to see this young man standing in front of me with thoughts, hope and dreams and a vision to reach his goals.  He thanked me for being a wonderful Mom to him and thanked me and my hubby for believing in him and for being such an influential part of his life.  All of those years of dedication, devotion, and unconditional love really paid off when he thanked us for helping him become the man he is today. 

I am one proud Mom and I am happy to call him, My Son!

 

Matthew Taryn and Pito - Days gone by.

This is an awesome family picture.  One for framing for sure.

 

The Golden Hues of Autumn

WELCOME AUTUMN!!!

Before we know it the frost will be in the pumpkin and those steamy Carolina summer days will be but a memory.  I have always loved when the fall would come and bring along those cool crisp nights and those breezy but sunny days that quickly lead up to those cold and snowy winter days of the Northeast. 

I loved to watch the transition of summer to fall when I lived in New York.  Beauty would be in abundance.  Mount Beacon along the Hudson River and as far as the eye could see would glisten with golden and reddish hues that screamed winter was on the way.  The colors that sprawled across the mountains were an artists perfect palette of amazing and breathtaking colors.  

The smell of fall is such a memorable one as the cool air and gentle breeze would swirl around the aroma of crisp leaves, lavish apple trees, burning fires and home-cooked meals.  I spent many days as a child sitting in the apple trees in my grandparents orchard witnessing the beauty of God's creations transform into yet another stage of grandeur.  Home-made apple pie and simmering meatballs and sauce always filled the air.... and I would sit and watch.  I remember sitting there and it seemed like forever and I would wait for the last leaves to fall and giggle at the Weeping Willow Tree dancing in the Garden. 

Life was so simply back them and I try every year to sit back and look at the world around me as if I was seeing it through the eyes of my own children.  I try to instill in them the importance of taking time to smell the daisies or take time to dance freely in the grass or to watch the falling leaves.  Life quickly passes by and I think it is so important to once in a while stop and enjoy the simple things in life.  

The following Pictures were taking last October in Milton New York

at a family farm (Trapani Farms)  

It is a beautiful and breathtaking place.

Good Bye Summer.... Hello School

The day has come where we retire the swimsuits and beach chairs for school books and new book bags. Summertime is almost over and the school buses have flooded Union County as the 2010-2011 school year begins. I am sure may Mommy tears have flowed this morning and I am sure some Moms had a sigh of relief. For me.... I had a slight sign followed by some feeling of loneliness. I do admit I did love the sound of the buses buzzing through the neighborhood. With the start of the school year begins the daily grind the 5:30 a.m. alarm clock, packing of lunches, homework, after school activities, fall soccer and softball and yes.... a quiet house, for the most part.

Matthew has begun his second year of college at CPCC. He has a full course load and seems to be excited about the classes he has chosen. History.... OMG... I am sure we will get daily trivia from Matt as he is well of knowledge. It amazed me that this kids knows such random facts and a little bit about EVERYTHING.

My Taryn is starting her Freshman year at Sun Valley High School. Where has the time gone. It seems like yesterday that she started Pre-K and now she is a big High Schooler. I am so excited for her. She admitted that she is a bit nervous but is delighted. She can not wait to take the year round Art class. That girl is really talented. :)

Jaedan is still at Sun Valley middle and is starting the 7th grade. After this... one more year and she will join Taryn at the High School. Jaedan is excited about the start of the new year and can not wait to see her friends. Aww... to be almost 12... friends are so important to them. She is a bit worried about Math already as this isn't her favorite subject. Mine, neither. She was accepted into the drama program and for her this is a year long course and she is so excited. My little actress. Go, Jae!! You are already a star.

And last but truly not least... Tristan is entering into the BIG 3 year old classroom at First Presbyterian Preschool and can not wait for her first day. She will have a new teacher this year but as she told me she would only visit that class but wanted to be with her Ms. Angie. Angie has been Tristan's teacher for 2 years now, so I am curious how that transition will go. Fingers Crossed!!

 

And for Me, MOM.... Damn this coffee is great. And I can hear a pin drop in my humble little abode.

Polenta Crusted Chicken With Ravioli

     This dish was inspired by a recent visit with my girls to the Olive Garden,  It is a Polenta Crusted Chicken Breast with Ravioli in a Parmesan cream sauce.  My sister Linda and I ordered this dish as it looked delectable and pleasing.  I usually take the safe road while dining out but a night out with the girls made me want to live on the edge. 

     The meal was so delicious that my friend Jill and I just had to recreate the dish.  We experimented and prepared it for ourselves and 4 children.  The preparation was a bit time consuming but in the end it was well worth it.  It would be a lovely meal to serve at a dinner party or any other special event.

Here goes.......

First, prepare the Polenta.  If you are unfamiliar with Polenta....   Polenta is made with ground yellow or white cornmeal (ground maize)  It is usually boiled in water and can be made into a mush or cooled and sliced. 

Polenta

4 Cups of chicken broth
1 Cup Ground Corn Meal
2 TBS Butter
1/4 Cup half & half (a little less, if desired) can also use Heavy cream
1 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt & Pepper

Chicken Broth & Corn Meal

Bring broth to a slight boil, gradually wisk in corn meal until it becomes thickened and smooth.  You can add a bit more broth (or water)  if needed. 

When Polenta is thick and the consistency of oatmeal or grits, add butter and half and half and continue to wish.  This will make it extra creamy.  Add salt & pepper to taste.  Gradually stir in cheese until combined.  Thats it!  Polenta is done.  Can be served as a side dish instead of rice or potatoes.

Completed Polenta

Set Polenta aside and let it cool a bit until needed.

Crusted Chicken

1 1/2 Pounds of Chicken Breast (or more depending on amount of people serving)
Salt & Pepper
Prepared Polenta
Parmesan cheese

Clean chicken thoroughly.  Pound Chicken with kitchen mallet until 1/4 of an inch thick.  Salt & Pepper to taste and quickly cook in frying pan with a small amount of EVOO (Will bake in oven to finish)  Set aside. When chicken is completely cooked.  Place chicken on a lined cookie sheet.  Cover each piece of chicken with cooked Polenta.  When done, sprinkle each piece with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Bake in oven for approximately 20-30 minutes until polenta starts to brown.  You can turn on the broiler if needed to crust the polenta.

To complete the dish, cook cheese ravioli according to directions.  While ravioli is cooking prepare the parmesan cream sauce.

Parmesan Cream Sauce

1 small container of Heavy cream

1 Cup Grated parmesan Cheese

Salt & Pepper

Heat heavy cream to a slight boil, add cheese until melted.  Salt & Pepper to taste.  Cheese is a bit salty so minimize the amount of salt you add.

Plate the Polenta Chicken and ravioli's....  add vegetables if desired.  I used baby bella mushrooms and spinach which accompanies the dish well.  Add cream sauce to chicken and ravioli and finish with a few chopped tomatoes for color and taste.  ENJOY!

Polenta Crusted Chicken with Ravioli's in a Parmesan Cream sauce..

Oh, So Delicious!