Pinterest Pick- Quinoa Patties

I was checking up on my bunches of blogs that I try to read on a daily basis (being out of town doesn't work well with that).  In my search I found a new recipe idea that I just had to pin.

It is from Sugarmamabakeshop and I couldn't help myself but to pin it on my Pinterest boards (I have since found that she pinned it herself too!).

It.  Looks.  So.  Amazing!  I can't wait to try it and see how delicious it is.  And I love Ashley (the brains behind the Sugarmamabakeshop blog).  She is down to earth and is gluten-free too!!!!  I know that when I see a good looking recipe that I can make it without worrying about gluten being in there.

Please check out her site because I know that you will find some great recipes.  (Hint Hint Tracy!!!!)

Food Friday - Trail Mix Fever!

For this Food Friday I will be sharing what I made in preparation of our trip to New York!!  I knew that I would need snacks while we were there and I was not sure what the situation would be like once we got there.  I wanted something easy and I didn't want it to have to be refrigerated.  That is how I decided on Trail Mix.

Now I can't have just any trail mix as I have to stay away from wheat/gluten and sugar.  Normal trail mixes have both of those things.  I have made homemade trail mixes before so I knew it wouldn't be that hard.

In my mix I chose to use cashews, almonds, pistachios, Glutino gluten-free pretzels, and for a little flavor I picked banana chips.

 I also put Rick Chex and some sunflower seeds.

Lastly I used raisins for a bit more flavor.  I chose these as they had a lower sugar content than craisins.

I mixed all of the nuts, preztels, and Rice Chex.

I then added the banana chips and pistachios.

The last item I added in was the raisins.  I shook the bag all around to mix the items all together.

I then split up some into smaller sandwich baggies to bring with me to New York.  The rest I left at home for a snack to bring to work.

If you don't the stuff I used to make mine it is super easy to sub in other things.  We have used marshmallows, M&M's, peanuts, and candy corn (which I hate by the way).

I can't wait to share my trip to NY with you!!!  Be ready for photo crazyness probably on Tuesday!

Clothing Tailor for Hire

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I may have a new income source.  Tailoring clothing.  How you ask?

A few weeks ago my co-worker asked if I could alter a dress she had bought. She bought it because it was very on sale and only needed the straps taken in and the bust sewn closed a little. I gladly accepted the challenge.

All pinned and ready to go.

The top was sewn with elastic thread so that it could be form fitting but stretchy at the same time. I was initially worried that it would not sew well.

I found a thread in my stash that almost perfectly matched the elastic thread. I even decided to use my new sewing machine also. It was a chancy idea.

I sewed across the straps following the direction of the threads that were already there.  I made sure to go over the line at least twice.  I sewed each strap two times.  Once at the top and one at the bottom.  I wanted to make sure it was secure.

I managed to sew the first strap perfectly.  I moved onto the second strap and sewed the first line great.  I moved on to the second line and of course the machine decided to eat the dress material.  I freaked out!  I immediately started trying to figure out how to get it out.  It took taking apart the machine to get the fabric loose.  And Jon had to help me figure out how to get it all taken apart.

You can't even hardly tell that I sewed the straps again.  Look closely and you can see the tiny threads above the middle elastic thread line.

Once loose I finished sewing the strap on my reliable old machine.  You couldn't even tell that it had gotten stuck in the first place.



I was able to sew up the bust area very easily since it had a lining.  I made sure the thread didn't show through the top fabric.

I made sure to use the matching thread when I sewed up the bust area.

You can't even tell from the front that the bust area was sewn smaller!

I brought it back to work and my co-worker tried it on and everything was perfect.  I was so glad and proud of the work that I had done.  I am feeling a bit more confident in my abilities and hope to alter some of the clothes that I have at home.

Happy sewing!

Gluten-Free Food Review: Gluten-Free Beer!

My friend Jim likes to try different kinds of beer.  Most recently when I was hanging out last week he had happened upon a gluten-free one and bought it.  He forced me to try it.  Yes, forced.  I normally don't enjoy any beer I try.

 It was Tweason' ale by Dogfish Head.  I was immediately curious about the use of strawberries in it.

 I was excited by the nutrition facts because it didn't have any sugar!  And you know, wheat/gluten.

The color was similar to other beers.  The taste was definitely different.  I could tell right away it was unlike any other beer I have had.  It was not a bad taste and I actually kind of liked it.  Now that is big for me since I seem to hate most all of the beers I try.  I could tell it was sweeter than normal beer, I think due to the strawberries.

Overall I would purchase this myself again and enjoy drinking it.  It is nice to know that I could drink it without having gluten and sugar.

Happy Hump Day friends!

Taggie Blankets x2!

Friends of Jon's just recently (on my bday) had twin girls!  Since I had made a cute taggie blanket for a shower my mom had gone too and had enough fabric left over to make 4 more blankets I decided that is what I would make for the girls.

Now I started this back when I went to Jackie's back in May!  I know, it took me a while to finish them.

I embroidered them on the day of mass crafting at Jackie's.  I was pleased with how quickly I was able to complete them.

Back home, I cut out the polka dot fabric to match the size of the pre-cut pink fabric.

I was going to use three different ribbons.

 I cut all of the ribbons the same size.

It took forever to decide how to line them out.  I have a problem if the pattern does not evenly work out.  I went through three or four different options before I found one that worked and I was satisfied with.

I pinned all of the way around.  I had to make sure that both layers of fabric were lining up correctly once they were pinned.  Bad cutting on my part.

I got to us my new sewing machine!!!  More on it in a later post.

I sewed it right up, making sure to leave a turning spot.

I couldn't believe how small the stitches were!  And the machine was much quieter than my other one.

I snipped the corners to make sure the opened nicely.

Once it was all sewn up I prepared to turn it.  I just recently figured out the easiest way to turn the fabric right side out.  Don't worry I will share. :)

 Take the corner opposite of the opening and place your thumb in the corner.

Push the fabric through until it starts to peek out of the open end.

Begin pulling the fabric out of the open end.

Gently pull the fabric closest to the corners right side out.

Use a chopstick or other long pointy object to push the corners completely out.

And here are the final products.

I still have enough fabric to make two more blankets.  :)

Happy sewing!

What I'm Reading Monday - Last Summer

This past week I still managed to do some major reading even while out of town on vacation!

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I started and finished Last Summer (Of You & Me) by Ann Brashares.  It was quite funny that I picked that book to bring to New York as part of it was set in New York.  The story was about two sisters and their best friend.  It explores their adult relationships while looking into their joined past.  I enjoyed the story very much and felt a stronger connection due to the fact that I was in the city the story was partially set in.

I am getting farther and farther through this book and I am really enjoying it.  I still can't imagine being in the situation these characters are in.  I keep finding myself yelling at the car window because of something that happens or is said in the book.  I am sure that I look like a crazy person during those moments especially if there isn't any bad traffic around.

I did a bit of reading of Lola this week before we headed out for vacation on Thursday.  I am still enjoying it and can't wait to get back to reading since I didn't bring it with me on vacation.  Since it isn't my book I didn't want to lose or damage it.

I was able to read a few chapters of Undercover in High Heels.  Still can't seem to find a good time to just read read read to finally get it finished.  It is getting good though so maybe I can find time this week.

I am looking forward to being home and having time to do some more reading.