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  • Killer Bars

    IMG_2837 I made these chocolate oatmeal bars for an event a few weeks ago. I got the recipe from a friend when we lived in Boston. I think they may originally hail from Betty Crocker…but I have the recipe hand written in an old recipe book that's 11+ years old, so one can't be too sure. Anyway- I don't make these that often and I always wonder why because they are so flipping good. To good to horde, that's for sure, soooo…I'm sharing with you.

    IMG_2838

    Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

    Mix:
    1 C Brown Sugar
    1 C Granulated Sugar
    1 C Butter
    2 eggs

    Then add:
    2 C Flour
    3 C Oatmeal
    1 tsp Baking Soda

    Press 1/2- 3/4 of the mixture into the bottom of a 9" x 13" pan.

    Over low heat, in a small saucepan melt:
    6 oz chocolate chips
    1/2 C Butter
    1 tsp. Vanilla
    1 can sweetened condensed milk

    Pour the chocolate mixture into the 9" x 13" pan over the oatmeal mixture. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top. Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Allow to cool (at least an hour) before cutting.

    To get these to turn out just right, I line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper so they are easier to slide out (I cut them once they are out of the pan and on a cutting board.) Also, if you have them time, I would let them sit overnight. It seems like just an hour or two still leaves them gooey (not a bad thing) but the extra time allows them to set a bit more. 

    On a side note, I've upgraded on typepad and am now able to respond to your comments in the comments section (go there and you can see what I'm talking about) I think I got everyone who had a question in quilting post. If not, just email me.

    AND can you believe that Tuesday is the first day of FALL??? Huzzah! I love Fall!!

    Thanks for all the kind well-wishes. I'm doing about the same, but it means a lot to know you are here.

    xoxo

  • Old Mrs. Zink

    IMG_2876

    Old Mrs. Zink
    Had a purple sink
    A polka-dotted car that wouldn’t go very far
    She had an orange duck that couldn't even quack
    Now isn't this a silly song
    So what do you think of that that that that? What do you think of that?

    IMG_2873

    My grandma passed away last Tuesday morning. She made up that song when we were kids and used to sing it to us. The grandchildren (over 20 of us) got up and sang it on Saturday at her funeral. The funeral was really nice. I'm so glad we were able to go up to Utah for it, even if we were only there for 48 hours.

    IMG_2877

    This is a picture of my Grandma Betty & Grandpa Kenny on their wedding day in front of their first home here in Westchester, CA. My Grandma missed my Grandpa so much. He died about 14 years ago and she could not wait to be reunited with him. It’s hard to feel sorrow for her because you know she is on cloud nine,  just thrilled to be with her parents, sister & sweetheart again. Finally. 

    IMG_2879

    This is my Grandma with her Mother, my Great-Grandma Ava. She lived to be 100 and died only a few years ago. We would always tell my Grandma she could live for another 15 years (she was not so thrilled at the prospect!)

    IMG_2881

    My Grandma used to work for a company called the “Automatic Screw Machine Co.” We all thought that was so funny. I need to make shirts that say that. Here she is on the right, working hard! Grandma was the queen of corn, as in corny jokes. And she had the most hilarious laugh. I was telling Henry about coming to Utah and the funeral and I asked him what he remembered about Grandma, and he said she was the one that had the  M&M’s. The woman loved chocolate and turquoise. She had turquoise carpet. It gave her warm fuzzies.  We are going to miss her but have comfort in knowing that she was not taken one second before her time. We love you!

    IMG_2882

    (Betty, third from the left)

    We drove back home today and have the burial tomorrow. It's been so good to be around family and celebrate the life of my Grandmother. She was loved and we miss her already.

  • Quilting

    IMG_2754 Mama & Kate, Malibu Beach, Sept 2009

    Hi there, blogland. Long time, no chat. These past few months, and weeks especially have been really hard. I've been feeling myself slipping into a bit of depression (read: lots of crying and general despair) that has left me not wanting to be in this space, or any space really. But I need to, it will be good for me, so I am back.     For now at least. Plus I finished the quilt and have no one to share it with. Wanna see?
    IMG_2863 The children were out in the courtyard earlier today enjoying some popcorn (an all time favorite snack) on the quilt. So I used all fabrics from my scrap bag and cut them into 2 1/2" widths (the length varied on each strip.) I heard of a technique once (I swear I am not making this up) where you throw all the scraps into a bag and sew whatever pieces you pull out together. So I did just that. I cheated only a few times when I pulled the same fabric pattern out twice, and had to throw it back in and grab a different piece.IMG_2868 A couple of patterns ended up being sewn close together, but overall, I'm really happy with how it turned out. The only piece I had that was big enough to cover the back of the quilt was this red & white polka dot that I picked up at a thrift shop last time I was in Utah:IMG_2870 The batting is pretty light-weight, so this makes a perfect blanket that we'll probably keep in the car for last minute trips to the beach and park. Everything made to use this blanket I had in my stash with the exception of the binding- which is Amy Butler (I think the pattern is Belle?) that I went and purchased because I loved the pattern so much. IMG_2871 I really wanted to hand-sew the binding on this one, which I did. It only took a few nights to finish and c'mon how about those corners. Good, no? The quilt didn't end up being the size of Texas, but did end up being just slightly smaller than a twin size, which I think will be perfect. I love it. IMG_2866 They love it, too!

  • Shop is stocked!

    You can find scrap bags and appliques here.

    We are off to enjoy a fun day with family. Happy Holiday Weekend!!

    xoxo

  • A little sneak-a-roo

    IMG_2716 I'm back on my MAC hoping this thing doesn't burst into a ball of flames! Here's a little sneak peak of the appliques that will be listed in the shop tomorrow. Henry is modeling the Tree applique with all it's colorful Fall leaves. We've also got:

    IMG_2708 We''ve got an apple, maple leaf and turkey (gobble, gobble)
    IMG_2709Christmas tree, candy cane and present.IMG_2712 And last, but not least (and my personal fav) the bat, ghost & pumpkin.

    These are all iron-on (I usually sew on top just because I prefer the look of it) and can be ironed onto book bags, shirts, Halloween treat-bags, etc., basically any fabric. Perfect for your kids, or a great gift to give.

    See you here tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PST. These sold out last year.
    I'm just sayin'.

    xo

  • A samba shop update

    ETSYSHOP

    My MacBook is on the verge of dying. I took it to the MAC store yesterday (with ahem…5 days left on the warranty) and the genius working the 'genius bar'  said I need to get everything backed-up asap because it's a ticking time bomb. I believe the words "Russian Roulette" were used, so now I'm too freaked out to even turn it on. I have over 7,000 photos on there. Nothing has been backed up. Because it was ahem…dropped once or twice in it's 3 year life means the warranty is not valid. Boo on that. This all means I am on Chris' computer and am scrolling through his photos to see what I can use for a little 'shop update' pic. This is what I got. If you know Chris, you aren't surprised.  The man loves a good samba (not really.)

    The shop update on Friday and will have more appliques (akin to these) but will be a combination of Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas designs. They will be sold in a set of 10 for $20 (a screaming deal, I tell ya!)  and there will be 25 sets available. That's all the fabric I've got, folks. Also I will have 4 or 5 scrapbag grab-bags so you can start your own crazy quilt (as seen here) I'll post pics of the appliques tomorrow.

    HAPPY SEPTEMBER!! 
    (I'm so glad you are finally here!    )

  • Happy scraps

    IMG_2703 So….all the scraps are going to be made into a quilt. Initially i was just going to do a stroller sized one for the kids, but upon laying all the sewn strips out, I realized it could be much bigger. That is, until I started sewing the strips together- that 1/4" seam allowance really shrinks things down! But even so, I hadn't even dented the scrap bag, so I cut and cut and cut more pieces and now I'm sewing, sewing, sewing them together. So this 'little' weekend project it going to take a few more days. I do, after all, want this quilt to be the size of Texas. It didn't help that last night when I went to kiss Henry goodnight- I fell asleep next to him for 2 HOURS! Sheesh. Needless to say, I'm a wee bit behind but I can't wait to share the finished project (along with a funny technique on how I put this thing together.)

    Happy Monday!

    xo

  • Family Missile Appreciation Day

    IMG_2657 The children have been quarantined in the house all week battling bronchitis/ear infections, etc.,. Saturday afternoon we went for a drive up the PCH and ended up in Oxnard. We stopped for a milkshake and on the way home, stopped at the Pt. Mugu Missile Park. IMG_2673 Nothing like a little missile observing to perk up the old spirits. IMG_2699  We call him Mr. Sharkteeth. IMG_2686 And how about them apples? Miss Kate started walking, WALKING I tell you!IMG_2684 She's unstoppable. Both she & Henry started walking at the exact same time (15 mo's) and not a moment too soon. It was getting tricky for this very pregnant mama to pick her up!IMG_2693 Family Missile Appreciation Day: Complete.

  • When the scrap bag overfloweth…

    IMG_2646 I literally have a garbage sack overflowing with little fabric scraps leftover from various sewing projects over the years.  Last night, I started pulling them out, one by one, and cutting them into strips. Not sure whats going to become of them yet, but determined to complete a project this weekend.

  • Handmade Home

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    While I was in Boston, I had the pleasure of going to Maine to meet everyone's favorite blogging Mama: SouleMama. Handmade Home is Amanda's second book and is truly a gem. A 4-hr wait at Logan airport gave me the opportunity to pour over every single page (while I nursed a cup of Chowdah from Legal's, of course)IMG_2631 The book is so incredibly well written and I love how the crafts include re-purposing old fabrics. Amanda herself, well, she's adorable. She's sweet and soft spoken, endearing, welcoming and you can just tell she has the kindest soul. I've been a reader of her blog for the last 3 years and was thrilled to be able to finally meet her. She does not disappoint. Head on over to her blog for some big time inspiration! I strongly recommend curling up next to a bowl of chowdah while reading.