Being on bed rest

Okay so I've been on bed rest for a little over a week now, due to Orson trying to make his escape. While I'm not able to do the complete bed rest like the doctor wants (only getting up to go to the bathroom or shower) I have been trying to stay down as much as I can. I got annoyed with feeling like I was being baby sat and having people here 24/7 so I stopped asking for help and this is what I'm doing now. 

Get up and bathe Scylla whenever she wakes up in the morning. After getting her dressed I start a movie for her while I make her eggs for breakfast (her favorite) then I get me a bowl of cereal. 

We eat while watching the movie then I lay down on the couch in which Scylla goes from cuddling with me to laying on the floor and back and forth. 

After her movie we normally turn the tv off  and at this point Scylla starts bring me toys to play with her. We play while I'm still laying/sitting on the couch. We play with toys, read books, she dances to music etc. basically I try staying down until lunch time while still giving her the attention she needs. 

For lunch I make something quick and easy. Oh yeah I've started keeping the dishwasher unloaded so after each time we use anything it goes right into the dishwasher instead of sitting in the sink. I also wash any pans right after I use them so dishes staying caught up. This is what's helping the most! 

After lunch it's nap time. During this time I nap, read or watch tv so I'm down once again. 

After nap I get Scylla a snack and put on a short cartoon and we cuddle (she needs this to fully wake up) 

Caleb's normally about home by this point, so after the cartoon we go back to toys. When Caleb gets home if I'm needing more down time or sleep he watches Scylla while I go lay in bed. If not I stay on the couch until dinner time.

I've came up with a list of dinners that we pick from. I've been talking Caleb through making dinner. After dinner I quickly load the dishwasher and do any hand dishes.

By this time it's either scyllas bed time or close to it. 

We both put her to bed, then Caleb cleans up toys and does any vacuuming or sweeping we need. I make his lunch for work and lay out his work clothes then take a bath, watch tv, read etc. 

so I'm not down 100% like I should be but this is as much bed rest that's working for me. 

Yummy & Easy Mini Donuts

Ingredients

for the donuts
• 5 TBSP unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp baking powder
• pinch salt
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
for the topping
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF
2. Lightly oil mini donut pan and set aside (alternatively you can use mini muffin pans)
3. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar
4. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix until combined (mixture will look curdled)
5. Mix in the baking powder, then the salt
6. Mix in the flour just until combined
7. If using mini donut pan, transfer mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip or into a ziplock baggie with the tip cut off. Pipe into the pan only filling ½ of the way fill. If using the mini muffin pan, fill each well ½ full
8. Bake at 325ºF for 8-10 minutes
9. Allow to cool slightly before dipping in topping
10. Melt the butter for the topping and combine the cinnamon and sugar
11. Dip each donut lightly in butter then roll in cinnamon and sugar
12. Makes about 36 when using a Mini muffin pan

Baby blankets 101

First you purchase your material I like the big baby blankets so I buy 1 1/4 yds of two different flannels for the receiving blankets or enough fabric to piece together a top typically 45X45 for a quilt.  When making a quilt you also need batting.  They sell crib size quilt batting in a bag or you can buy it from the roll.  Wash your fabrics and iron the cotton if your making a quilt.  Next cut out your quilt pieces as you want the design to look.  I like using graph paper to figure out how much I need of each and a design I like. Then cut out using a rotary cutter and mat.  I love my omnigrid. It is so helpful to keep things square.  Be sure to leave 1/4 inch on each side of piece as you cut so for a 6 inch square when finished cut out 6 1/2 by 6 1/2 squares.  

Lay out the fabric in your design.  Start sewing the pieces right sides together to make rows. 

Next sew the rows together.  Press seams so they lay flat. 

Finished quilt top. 

Now put the front and the back right sides together (for quilt or receiving blanket) and sew the edges in a 1/4 inch seam. Leave a 4-6 Inch hole on one side to turn it. Turn so the right sides are out and the seams are in the inside.  Press edges so they lay flat.  Make sure the corners are all turned nicely.  You can use a chopstick or pencil to push them out.  Fold the edges of the hole and press.  Pin all the way around the edges to keep your pressed edges nice as you sew.  Sew around the outside closing the hole and leaving a nice edge in the blanket.  

Sew the blanket down the middle in a design you like.  I just did straight rows across the middle and down the middle long ways on this one.  This helps to keep the fabrics from getting bunched up even if they are not being quilted or tied.  I have been using this technique on receiving blankets for a while now and it really helps.  

Moms meatballs

Italian meatballs 

Hamburger chopped onions garlic cloves Italian seasoning Parmesan cheese egg bread crumbs. Mix all together shape into balls and brown in oil. 

If using for sweet and sour meatballs omit the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.  Season with season all, salt and pepper instead. 

Shopping list

Mom says I need to post my shopping list. I just typed up a list of what we normally buy and made it so  that I can just print out. I love it! I just use different colored highlighters to mark what store I plan to purchase the item at. I have been making much more complete lists and I don't feel as tired and stressed when shopping. This list is done specifically for my family but I encourage you all to make one for your family.

You can download a copy of the shopping list from Google Drive here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0YSY_9a0yWFVTF3SjBDaWFrZ2M

DIY swaddle me blankets

After trying a swaddle me when Scylla was born we decided we loved them! They kept the baby swaddled and tucked in while not coming undone like swaddling with just a blanket does. The only problem is they cost a lot! So I searched all over for a DIY instructions to make my own. Well the limit amount of ones I found were not only different in shape they don't seem to be able to work the same. So I took one I was given that was pretty beat up unpicked it and used it as a pattern but my first attempt made me realize that this was the large size and given that I already have 3 large size I want the smaller ones I can use after Orson is born. So I had to cut down my "pattern" so this is for the smaller size which I'm hoping will work for a new born on up but seeing how Scylla dolls don't really work well for testing I'm going to have to call it goods for now and adjust if needs be when he is born. 

Step 1: I used extra left over flannel fabric on all of mine. I didn't double layer it but if you use cotton I probably would unless its for a summer baby. But mines a fall/winter baby so I'm sticking with flannel but you can also use fleece but I found with the fleece ones I used when Scylla was born that she always got too hot in it so again if you use fleece do only one layer of fabric.

Cut out pattern. I don't have the measurements for mine but you get the idea of the shape and leave a comment of anyone wants me to measure it out so they can make one just like mine if not use this as a guideline. Also see the 2 triangle shaped slits in the curve of the smaller piece? That's to give the baby's legs more room.

Step 2: Surge along all edges and surge the slits closed by placing the good side of the fabric together giving you a tiny point at the bottom of the curve. 

Note: You can also sew instead of surging but I was going for easy and didn't want to fold down the edges and make a clean edge to finish. So I left my edging surged which works for a blanket that will mostly be used at home anyways. 

Step 3: With good sides of the fabric together place the two pieces together matching the curve and making it straight with the to of the large piece of fabric. Pin together then sew or surge together along the curve. 

This is a picture of mine pinned notice how I will surge at about the edge of the curve on the "wings" of the large piece. 

Step 4: Turn right side out then pin Velcro. It will take a few adjustments so make sure you try out folding the swaddle me before you sew down the Velcro. Once you have it pinned in place top stitch the Velcro on. 

Here's how I placed my Velcro. (This is what I might have to adjust when I try using it on Orson because I'm not sure if its going to be snug enough)

That's really all to it! You can always make the edging of the fabric finished edges but I didn't see the need. Below is some photos of it using my daughters Ariel doll which is 18 inches tall.

 

Best ever Enchilada (beef or pork) in the crockpot

I made the most amazing enchiladas tonight this is by far my favorite. I wasn't thinking and forgot to take a picture.  

 Make mom's enchilada sauce but add an extra cup of water so it is runny. 

Then pour the sauce over the steak or pork in the crockpot. (I used 2 frozen cheap steaks I had in the freezer) 

Cook on high for 4 hours but at the 3rd hour the meat will be tender enough to shred to soak up the yummy sauce. 

In the meantime make some plain white rice and open then rinse a can of black beans. 

Preheat oven to 350

When meat is done scoop some of the sauce in the bottom of a cake pan then dip the tortillas into the sauce from the crockpot the fill with black beans, rice and scoop sauce/meat over the rice. Add plenty of meat. Fold tortilla shut. 

After the pan is full grate some cheese over the enchiladas then place in oven long enough to warm.

Serve with sour cream, guacamole, shredded lettuce etc. 

Enjoy! 

Baby Clothes

We had some productive shopping trips to Other Mothers this weekend.  It was Quarter Sale (.25) weekend. We ended up with a whole bunch of baby boy clothes and even a boppy for Kristal all for about $30!  I feel so much better knowing that these baby boys that are joining our family will have something to wear that isn't pink.  Kristal has her ultrasound on Wed.  If she has a girl she is set with clothes from Kelsey.  If its A boy she will be in on the clothes distribution on Friday. So excited!  

Enchilada sauce

I have been making this sauce for years. I don't remember where I came across the recipe but I do remember that not long after we moved to the middle of nowhere I wanted to make enchiladas. It wasn't worth $4.00 a gallon for gas and 40 minutes out of my life to go buy a can so I made this recipe and it has been a family favorite ever since!

Enchilada Sauce

2 Tb oil

2 T flour

2 T chili powder

1/4 t garlic salt 

1/2 - 1 t cumin

1 small can tomato sauce

1 C water 

Heat oil in skillet.  When hot stir in chili powder and stir constantly for about 2 minutes. Add flour and stir. Add garlic salt and cumin then pour in tomato sauce and water.  Stir well, turn down to simmer for about 10 minutes. 

Update on moving Scylla into a toddler bed

The first night of the toddler bed was rough! Pregnant mommy and a wiggly toddler wasn't comfortable at all but I must say one bad night was worth it! The next night she woke up at 3:30 am and all we heard was a loud crash so Caleb and I RAN straight in afraid Scylla fell out of her bed. Turns out that she was just up playing with her books and dropped a book. So we just put her back to bed with a book and turned on her pillow pet light, then went back to our bed. Not another peep out of her until the morning when she got up and played with toys. Night 3 she slept all night with out any problems! Now today for nap she has started climbing right into bed and pulls up the covers. The problem is as soon as I left the room she starts crying and wondering around. I just let her until I stopped hearing her then I checked on her to find her fast a sleep by the door so I moved her bed and she slept for a good 2 hour nap! We are really liking the new bed set up I think it makes her feel big. So  just stick with it for a few nights and then your toddler will start sleeping good again! Oh Scylla is a bit young at almost 20 month moving from crib to toddler bed. 

Breaded zucchini

I made breaded zucchini for Sierra's family birthday party on Sunday.  She just turned 14.  It was so good I don't know why I don't make it this way more often. Maybe because I have so many good recipes for zucchini...

Here's what I did 

 Breaded Zucchini

Seasoned bread crumbs about 1 cup

Flour maybe 1/4 to 1/2 cup

Italian seasoning 

Garlic salt

Parmesan cheese maybe 1-2 T

Egg 1-2 depending on how much you are preparing.

Milk or buttermilk 1/2 to 1 cup. Buttermilk makes these especially delicious. 

Olive oil 

Zucchini cut into spears lengthwise (this is a good way to prepare the ones who kind of get away from you if you know what I mean. They hide in your plant or you don't pick them soon enough. ; ) )

Mix dry ingredients well in gallon ziplock bags. Mix egg and milk well in large bowl then put your zucchini spears in the bowl.  

Heat olive oil. When it is hot remove some zucchini spears from bowl making sure they are plenty wet. Place them in the ziplock bag and shake until coated. Place in the hot oil and turn carefully with tongs frying until crisp in the outside and a little soft on the inside.  Place on wire rack on top of cookie sheet. Can place in oven at low temperature to keep warm.  Continue until they are all cooked. 

Delicious as is our try them dipped in Ranch. 

 

Moving from crib into toddler bed

We were given a toddler bed shaped like a car so we moved Scylla's bedding into her new bed. I kept all the same bedding because I wanted to make this change as smooth as possible. 

After setting the bed up we let her explore her new bed for a while. She really likes climbing up and then back down her bed. She even helped more her stuffed animals from her crib to the new bed. 

We stayed up pretty late last night because we had people over, so by the time we put her to bed she was really tired. She was happy to go into her new bed but as soon as I left the room she did cry for maybe 5 minutes which she normally doesn't cry at all at bedtime. 

When I went to bed an hour later I did my nightly checking on her (half expecting to find her a sleep outside of her bed) but nope she was under the covers cuddled next to her stuffed dog. 

Went to bed myself only to be woken up an hour later by her crying. She calmed down right away when I went in there, she even laid her head back on the pillow. So I rubbed her back for a minute or 2 then went back to sleep. 

That lasted about 2 hours by which time it was 3:30 am. So I woke Caleb to go see what she needed this time. I guess he gave her a hug and calmed down her down then left the room. Maybe he should have waited until she was almost a sleep or something because she started crying right after and I had to go in there by which time she was pretty upset. It took me 2 hours to get her back to sleep but this was also because I didn't move her out of her bed. I finally ended up crawling in bed with her and cuddling her while we both fell a sleep. Lucky for me it wasn't more then 30 mins I was a sleep in her bed because dang I really don't fit in her bed! 

This morning she did not cry or make a peep when she woke up, instead I heard her playing with toys. She was happier today waking up then she normally ever is! 

I think moving her into the toddler bed will be a good thing very soon. She seems to love it. 

We just need to get past this waking up scared because she isn't use to the bed and feels unsecure. (I think that's why she calms down when we come in the room. 

All in all it could have been a worse first night. 

I welcome any advice on anything more I should be doing when she wakes up like this. But I'm hoping tonight will be better. 

Preview of the quilt mom is making for my son Orson

This is the quilt mom was talking about in her post. It's going to be so cute! 

Baby Quilts

I am working on a baby quilt or Kelsey.  I am having so much fun I wish I could just work on it!  Last night I was applying wonder under to the little motif I am using and got the sticky stuff on the ironing board cover and my iron.  I spent a lot of time last night trying to heat it up and run or pick it off the cover which worked pretty good.  I also got a dish towel damp and ironed it over those areas.  It was pretty clean today so I tackled the iron and used krud kutter to remove the sticky residue. I'm sure goo gone would work too.  I was going to try alcohol but since I was frustrated enough I jumped right to the Krud Kutter.  I then rubbed the slightly warm iron with a wad of wax paper.  It slides so smooth now!  

My Easy Cornbread

This is my cornbread recipe that everyone goes crazy for. This is the doubled recipe because even for my small family of 3 I have to make a double batch so I'm sure everyone else would too. 

2 cups cornmeal

2 cups flour 

1 1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt 

2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon baking powder 

2 eggs 

2 cups milk

2/3 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400.

Mix all ingredients together then pour into a sprayed 13 by 9 pan. 

Cook for 25-30 mins or until done. 

Enjoy with honey, butter or plain! 

Note I've also made this with soy or almond milk and replaced the flour with gluten free and it still turns out amazing. I've tried honey instead of sugar but its less honey then sugar needed and its not my favorite, I think the sugar is what makes this recipe so good!  

CHICKEN GYROS CROCKPOT

Liked this recipe I found from Six Sister and stuff but like all recipes I make I changed things to be my own. (I normally combine 2-3 recipes of how to make the same item. Or more often then not use the original recipe as a loose guild line). So here is what I did. But note don't over cook because chicken will dry out.

CHICKEN GYROS CROCKPOT 
2 lg chicken frozen breast 
2 lemons juiced
2-3 cloves of garlic minced
Thyme
Rosemary
Oregano 
1/2 Cup chicken stock 

Serve with lemon rice, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce. 


Spray crockpot with non-stick spray (trust me makes cleaning a lot easier!) 
Place frozen chicken in bottom then combine lemon juice, garlic, thyme, rosemary, oregano chicken stock. Should create about a cup of liquid total. Then pour over chicken. 
Cooks for 4-6 hours on low. 

Note: Costco has the best tasting and value of pita bread.
 

Introduction

I am Pam. Pam I am.  

I am mom to my 7 wonderful daughters, and Grammie to my 4 granddaughters and 3 new grand babies that will be arriving in November and December.  We know that one is a boy!  Waiting to see on the others.  

I love to sew especially baby blankets and quilts, and dresses.  I am also famous for Grammie Pammies Christmas Jammies. 

I am a good cook and taught my daughters well too.  

I work as a CNA at our local hospital which I love doing!

I am currently serving in the Primary Presidency which I love doing. 

Crock pot stew

Last night I made my delicious crockpot stew and I thought I would share the recipe.  I just throw in whatever vegetables I have and I can easily adjust it more or less depending on how many people will be here for dinner that night.  

Potatoes about 1-2 small per person 

Carrots either baby or scrub and cut into small pieces. 1-2 handfuls. 

Onion 1 large diced

Celery 4-5 stalks washed and sliced. 

Zucchini 1 small or 1-2 large cut into chunks

Cabbage 1/2 head. 

Diced tomatoes 1 can 

Tomato sauce 1 small can

1/2 to 1 lb hamburger cooked. 

Black beans 1 can drained and rinsed. 

Layer all of the above in crockpot in order. Sprinkle 1 package of au jus over the top. Throw in 2 beef bouillon cubes Add 1/2 to 1 tomato sauce can of water. 

Let cook on low all day. 

Serve with rolls or biscuits if desired. 

Pineapple chicken in the crockpot

So I'm trying out recipes that are easy to do so that my wonderful husband can make dinners after I have Orson. With a csection still as a possibility I would rather be overly prepared then under. Seeing how Caleb normally only cooks breakfast on weekends (pancakes, waffles, French toast, etc) I'm trying to find yummy dinners yet keep it on the easy side. This is harder for me then most because most people would just do freezer meals and with both Caleb and I not being a fan of left overs, freezers meals basically tasted like left overs to us. I've even tried not cooking the chicken and why not until its put in the crockpot. But I think if I had a recipe collection put together of crockpot meals he or even myself would be able to throw them together really fast. I'll just have to make sure I have everything on hand before I have the baby which shouldn't be hard. So here's my first recipe I tried and we both loved!

Pineapple chicken
(Feeds 2-4 people add more chicken for more people)

1 large or 2 small frozen chicken breast
1 can of pineapple it doesn't matter what kind but I used pieces
1/2 cup of chicken stock (or 2 chicken bouillon in 1/2 cup water)
2-4 Tbs soy sauce
1-2 Tbs of ginger
1/3-1/2 cup brown sugar

Put everything in and cook on low for 4-6 hours. The first time I made this I was out of brown sugar when I put the stuff in the crockpot so after about 5 hours I took everything out of the crockpot and transferred it to a pan on the stove with the brown sugar now being added (also about 1-2 Tbs of ginger)  and let it all simmer until most of the liquid was soaked up. This gave it a really nice texture. I might do this at the end again next time if there is too much liquid.


Serve over white rice or Chow Mein noodles (Chinese egg noodles)

One of my favorite crockpot meals yet!

Will post more as I try them. Also going to post a few pictures of some crochet items I'm working on.

I made this last night for dinner it was really good! I used a can of diced tomatoes with chilies instead of salsa, and sautéed the peppers, green onions and chicken in butter then added the spices they say plus dried cilantro, cumin then the canned ingredients then the cooked white rice at the end just for maybe 3-4 mins. Turned out wonderful and so easy!

Hello Everyone!

This is Kelsey I'm number 3 out 7 girls! A little about myself is I'm a stay at home mommy taking care of my husband and mine's 19 month old daughter. Did I forget to mention I'm 22 weeks pregnant with the first boy on my mom's side! Pam (our wonderful mother) tried to have a son yet ended up with us 7 girls! lucky mom and dad! My son will be the 5th grand kid on my side. (Well actually the 5th on both sides). But I'm one of the 3 of my sisters that are expecting though the other 2 don't know what they are having yet.

Anyways I'm hoping my sisters will start posting on here after they see that I have.. We will see.