Advent 2012

I tried to start Advent with extra prayers for different intentions....some have already been heard and answered...others will take more time...God's time.  I'll keep praying.

In the household, I've kept myself busy making homemade laundry detergent.  I love the smell of Fels Naptha soap when mixed with borax and washing soda.  I do have to give my clothes an extra rinse cycle and pre-treat for stains, but this homemade detergent works very well on not-so-dirty clothes that mostly need to be freshened.

From the garden...broccoli, lettuce, radishes, Swiss chard, Chinese cabbage, and kale...lots of greens to add to our meals.

I've gotten a little sewing done.  Santa Claus printed quilting cotton pajama bottoms for Sweetpea, Rosebud, and Rosebud's not-so-little-anymore baby brother.

Sweetpea and I have done a bit of baking.

We called this recipe:

Brownies on Steroids

Inside the brownie mix are two oreos with peanut butter smeared between and on top of them.  The brownie mix is then spooned on the top and sides in the muffin pan and baked.

See the layers of oreo cookie and peanut butter.  

Next, I made a recipe of Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies from the recipe on the side lid of the Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal box.  My husband loves these cookies.

This morning Sweetpea and I made these cute, brownie Santa hats for her to bring to a friend's house later today (for an end of exams and fall semester/Christmas gift exchange celebration.)  Brownie mix baked in a mini-muffin pan, cream cheese/butter/vanilla frosting, and fresh strawberries.  Cute!

While browsing a bit at Farmhouse Fabrics in Sally's "new items" section, I spotted this vintage Barbie doll pattern for sale.  Many, many!! years ago, one of my aunts made my Barbie several dresses from this pattern.  My Barbie dolls and the sweet dresses are currently stored under my bed.  I do NOT play with them anymore, but cannot give them away.  They look older than dirt!  (This pattern was published in 1965.)

And now on to Christmas - I'm mostly ready with just a bit of decorating, baking, and cooking left to do.

Wishing you all much joy in these final days of preparation!