Preserving: Pear Jams and Chutneys

The pears are actually still going strong on our three trees, but we were able to harvest far more than we need. This is actually what's left over:

The kids enjoy nomming them as they walk about the yard, but I had other plans:

I made pear chutney using this recipe as inspiration...

Some spiced pear jam using this as a jumping off point (I added some minced candied ginger), and a standard reduced-sugar pear jam.

Of course, none of this even begins to touch the rhubarb I still have to deal with from this Spring, but what're you gonna do? pies!

4: Pirate Party

Captain Tightpants turned four and everyone (okay, mainly mum and dad) wanted to be pirates:

The first map led the kids around the yard to the location of the  X - the second map.

 

Going on a treasure hunt.

 

The kids were shockingly good at reading a map.

 

Booty.

 

 

 

 

 

Why yes, the sails on this did catch on fire when I added and lit the candles...

Pirate treats:

Modding the Bunkie

So we've been working on the bunkie quite a bit, even renting it out (very successfully - I was STUNNED, srsly) via airbnb. Just today we built a wee shelf:

Yep, just plywood, sticks and hot glue (for a lip. So stuff doesn't fall off). And then we stuck it on some brackets, which were half off from Kent, which is my best and favouritest store EVAR.

Oh, and some other stuff like bunk beds and things. Check this, it'll be almost like a panorama:

Bunks in one corner...

Handwash station hack...

Nice private, er, privy...

Breakfast station...

Original twin bed (shelf!)...

Original twin bed's bro, desk. We didn't build the bunk beds from scratch; hubby actually used to sleep on them as a kid and they're still going strong. Our kids are now sharing a double mattress on the floor but we figured, ‘bunkie comes first.' amiright?

Cooking: Low-Carb Egg Cups

These were inspired by a post at Simple Delights, stumbled upon by way of Pinterest. I decided to add a slice of tomato and some spinach leaves to the bottom, and used chives from the garden. I also used sliced turkey breast instead of ham, but both work beautifully.

You could fill a 12-cup muffin tray, but I have individual silicone cups (well that just sounds wrong) so just made enough for breakfast.

1 egg per muffin cup
1 slice turkey or ham per muffin cup
1/3 cup shredded cheese
1/3 cup chopped green onions or chives
1 slice tomato per cup
approx. 3 leaves baby spinach per cup
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400F. Spray each muffin cup with cooking spray (I use canola oil in a pump spritzer). Lay a slice of turkey ham in each hole creating a little cup. Lay one slice of tomato at the bottom, on top of the meat, and top the tomato with spinach leaves. Crack one egg into each cup; sprinkle with salt and pepper, and onions or chives.

Bake for about 11 minutes, then add cheese on top and bake for another 1 to 2 minutes.

Life-Hacking: Some Wee Projects

Mother's teaspoons, re-purposed (koff):

 

 

I thought this was rather fetching! Love that Pinterest. We've done the same thing with winter scarves in the hall closet.

 

The Slacking, it burns...

Meep, it's been a while!

Christmas was pretty wonderful. It was just the younger generations this year, since we all decided to do the “move ridiculously far from home all at the same time" thing. But we had lots of peeps and lots of food, and the kids were beyond cute.

Light snow - we've had about four feet since then.

 

 A few wee projects:

Sis-in-law and her husband blew us away again with some homemade pretties:

Yes, that is a handmade Minecraft Creeper and some handmade Angry Birds, along with some gorgeous hand-painted art for the kids' room.

I made some cool stuff that I neglected to take pictures of before storing away, so we'll just forget I ever said anything and pretend that they're new next Christmas.

As for New Year's, I wasn't going to do the official Resolution thing, and then I read this Cracked article and decided to be more awesome. So we'll see how that goes. Life is good.

Making: Cat Cottage

We were totally going to construct a wooden box and line it with styrofoam for insulation for our kids cats to hang in outside. Then we found a wooden box lined with styrofoam in the garage. Makeshift cooler? What are you gonna do...

We added some carpet, carved out a space for a cat door, and prettied it. A vinyl tablecloth covering the top should protect it somewhat from rain and if it gets too cold we can add a heater (or even a 100-watt incandescent light bulb).

Kepler is a fan