25.2.13

Yummy Treats that are Healthy too!

Finding out Kaelyn's allergies last summer and recently finding out I have some food intolerances has made cooking a lot more interesting. Most of you probably know I am not a kitchen person so feeding a kiddo that can't have egg, wheat, dairy, peanuts or any kind of nut products... well it put me in a bit of a shock on what to feed her at first. No quick meals like mac and cheese, chicken nuggets or your usual peanut butter and jelly on regular bread. Luckily a neighbor gave me some helpful tips last year since her son has several allergies too. After doing more research the last few months it has become much easier to feed Kaelyn and really it has made cooking a bit more exciting for me. Crazy right?! I now look at recipes and think, how can a make this work? How can I make it as healthy as possible for her and me? It's more like a game I have to figure out and if Kaelyn likes what turns out, I win. :) We have done lots of veggie and fruit smoothies but sometimes you just need a real treat. Well how can you do it a healthy way? Thanks to pinterest, I found some fun ideas. If you already follow my boards I'm sure you've seen these but now you'll know they are worth trying. :)
Below the photos I put the ingredients I used. You can click on the link to take you to the photo and it has the site listed in the corner which will take you to the actual recipe.

Breakfast shake - oats, cocoa powder, coconut milk, cinnamon, frozen bananas, sunflower butter (sunflower butter is similar to peanut butter but Kaelyn friendly)
 
Banana Oatmeal Cookies ~ bananas, quick oats, bit of cocoa and cinnamon,
vanilla, dairy free mini choc. chips  and a little sunflower butter
Just made these. I did try some with just the bananas, oats, cinnamon, and a few
choc. chips and they were good too. I didn't think K would like them much since they
weren't too sweet tasting, but she loved them! Hooray!
 
Easiest Ice Cream ~ Frozen bananas, cocoa, splash of coconut milk and sunflower butter
I loved it!
 
Here are a few pins I thought looked delicious and want to try next:
 
 
Oatmeal Casserole ~ will have to do some variations on this one.
 
Have you found some delicious recipes on pinterest?
If so please share in the comments. I would love to check them out.

21.2.13

Trying New Things {horse on wood}

Working on wood isn't new for me, but allowing the wood grain to show through is. I'm having fun experimenting with this one. The way I finish the horse is going to be completely unexpected... I'm not even quite sure how it will end, but it will encourage some thought from the viewer to make sense of it. Few will probably understand it, but to me it will make perfect sense.

Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination,
because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise,
gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed.
~Joseph Addison

11.2.13

Five!

I can't believe my baby is already five. Sure some days she seems well beyond her age... like when she talks about her boyfriend who she is going to marry. ;) Her daddy won't let that happen any time soon. But really it doesn't seem that long ago I was holding her in my arms in complete awe.
Best day of my life.
She has taught me so much.
Crazy how someone so small can teach you more than you could ever imagine. :)
 
Last Friday was her birthday.
She got a morning surprise with five baby roses from her grandpa Bob. Seriously, how sweet is that!?
After celebrating her b-day at school she came home to more surprises from her mom and dad and her grandma Shari who had made her another adorable hat.
 
Then Saturday was a little rainbow celebration with friends...
 Thank you to all those who called her, sent cards and packages. You made her day! :)
 
We are so blessed to have you in our lives Kaelyn Jade.
Happy fifth!

4.2.13

Another Painting on Wood ~ In Progress

Chugga-chugga choo-choo! This train project has honestly pushed me more than any other. At first the 4 foot by 4 foot size was a bit overwhelming plus the constant blending of colors... but I'm finally seeing it come together, and that is a good feeling. The clock is ticking... not much time left to get it completed and on its way to its home. Then next on the agenda is to celebrate two special birthdays. :)