Dough!

I survived my weekend on my own and perhaps even planned a bit too much. We had so much going on Saturday that we didn't have much time for outside play--something that is a must with an almost-two-year-old boy. Right now it is snowing (and actually sticking!), and we've been having high winds all week. Typical New Mexico spring weather. So, I've been trying to come up with more inside activities, especially because I'd like to have a little arsenal handy for when little brother comes.


Last week we made play-dough using my favorite recipe:

4 cups flour
2 cups salt
4 T cream of tartar
2 T vegetable oil
4 cups water (with food coloring added, if desired)
Mix together and stir over low heat until dough is stiff. Turn over on counter, let cool and knead. Store in an air-tight container.

This recipe keeps very well, although I have heard suggestions of keeping it in the fridge (we haven't, and it's been fine). I like the feel of it so much more than store-bought play-dough, plus I know the ingredients that went into it. Yup, I have a play-dough eater!

I have enjoyed searching the internet lately for activities to do with toddlers. Although I was an elementary teacher, I never took any early childhood classes. I am sure learning a lot now, though! Having a child is definitely the most hands-on, rewarding, practical, and difficult course I've ever had! Anyway, here are just a few of the websites/blogs I've come across:

The Toby Show (Click on the "Cheap and Easy" button)
Chasing Cheerios
The Crafty Crow

I'm sure there are many more out there--please let me know if you have any recommendations!

Update: The snow mentioned above brought about six inches and a snow day--yay! Spring break starts Monday, so this year it's extra long. :) (I care because my husband's a teacher).

Vintage Dish Towel

My husband is leaving tomorrow for the weekend to visit his sister and her family, as well as his mother, in Tucson. I've never been on my own for that long with Matthew before, so I'm a little nervous. Being 34 weeks pregnant doesn't help, either! I have several activities planned including attending a friend's baby shower, dinner plans with my parents both Friday and Saturday, and I even stopped by Hobby Lobby today to pick up some craft supplies "just in case." Hopefully it will be Sunday before we know it!

I am sending this dish towel and dish cloth with my husband as a gift for my sister-in-law. The dish cloth is similar to others I've made, except that this time I did an edging of single crochet with a hanging loop. The dish towel is the Mitered Hanging Towel from Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines, but you can find it here for free. Both projects just took two balls of Peaches & Creme, total. You have to love that!

Ribbitt!

Over a month ago I made these cute little bean bag frogs using the Purl Frog pattern. It's free, easy, and you can make four little guys with two contrasting fat quarters (or two from one fat quarter). I was going to put these in Matthew's Easter basket, but he found them before I could hide them. They have already been well-loved and are full of dirt and pet hair. But that's what they're made for, right? :)

The Purl Frogs even have their own Flickr group if you want to check out some more froggy cuteness.

A Fun Article

When I received my new issue of Mothering Magazine (or, as my husband likes to call it, Smothering Magazine) on Friday, I was thrilled to see an article about crafting/blogging mamas. Five women were showcased, including Amanda Blake Soule from SouleMama and Amy Karol from Angry Chicken. It was fun and inspiring reading about these two crafting/blogging "celebrities" who I have been following for quite some time now (I also have both their books!).

If you're not familiar with Mothering, it's a natural parenting magazine that's a little off the beaten path. I look forward to every issue and read the magazine cover-to-cover. I even read all of the advertisements (and I can't say that about any other magazine)!