Designs for a good cause

Alphabet in the Round print

I recently submitted a few designs to a new Minted challenge. And the voting is now open! The great thing about these designs, is that the proceeds from the winners will go to benefit Every Mother Counts. I have submitted a few designs, and if you like what you see, I would really appreciate a vote! Find my all of my designs HERE. (Note: As soon as you rate a design, it takes you to another, random design. So if you feel like rating more than one of my designs, you'll need to go back to my designer page.) Many thanks! :)

Love at Home

Finn and Maya have to share a lot of things in our little home—much to their chagrin. But then I see moments like these, and I think maybe they're doing alright. I'm so glad I have one of each to love the other.

 

Saving my sanity with french fries

It's true that I am still eating very limited sugar, and adhering strictly (and successfully) to my insane diet. I really have no other alternative. (Although I have had a cold and spent all day Tuesday watching made-for-BBC Jane Austen movies, drinking chamomile tea, and eating dairy-free chocolate chips hoping they weren't doing more harm than good...) But on a normal, more lucid day, I am diligent because I know it's what my body currently requires of me. So I am obliging. The ONE THING that keeps me from dissolving on the floor in a pool of my own cake-craving madness is french fries. French fries. A normal person's food! But (of course there's a but), I have to make them myself. And I have them down to a science. Just see below for evidence.

These are not deep-fried (oven-baked instead), but taste just as good in my book. I use Simple Heinz ketchup because it is gluten-free and has the least sugar with all-natural ingredients. Here's my method:

Lyndsay's Oven Fries

• Rinse/scrub as many Idaho potatoes as your little heart desires (2-3 small to medium sized, in my case—I share with Maya)

• Peel first if you don't like the skins. Lately I am a fan of the skins!

• Cut into strips as thick as you like (hint: thinner = crispier + more authentic)

• Soak overnight in water. This is my secret step thanks to a recent tip. It may seem like it's not worth the wait. I assure you IT IS. The fries are SO crispy when soaked. If you're in a big hurry, at least rinse. But I am telling you. Soaking makes these fries!

• Rinse, drain, dry a little to remove excess water.

• Toss in a bowl with olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper.

• Bake on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes until crispy and golden brown. 

• Serve with ketchup or your favorite fry sauce. Enjoy!

I also like to crack a little extra sea salt over the whole lot for visual appeal before serving. Hey—it's the little things at this point. :)

Valentine's Day Freebies!

Last year I sold these little numbers to raise money for a good cause. But this year they're all yours—for free! Just the right size for school. Simply click HERE to download.

Little Dancer

Maya started ballet and tap today...

 But not without her usual dose of sassafrass!

Valentine cheer this time of year

Valentine's Day. Ugh. NOT my best holiday, I'll admit. But I wanted to try to get into the spirit just a bit. So I'll be handing out a few of these this year:

The jars were simple and fun to assemble. Here is how you do it:

Add ingredients in this order to a quart-sized, wide-mouthed glass jar 

(you can get smooth jars for crafts if you prefer to add a sticker label):

1 1/3 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp soda

1/4 tsp salt

wisk together, and pour in bottom of jar, packed down

Add to jar in this order:

1 cup oats, packed down

3/4 cup M&Ms

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

1/2 cup white sugar

To bake the cookies, follow these instructions. They can be printed on a small label for the jar, as well, if you don't want to do a hang tag:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir dry ingredients in a large bowl and add:

½ cup butter almost melted

1 slightly beaten egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine thoroughly

Roll into 1 ½ inch balls

Bake for 10-15 minutes

I prefer not to have a sticky label on my jar because then I have to scrape it off. So I just printed out these small instructions, punched them out with a 2" round circle punch, and glued them on to 3" flower-punched cardstock to make my label. Add a little fabric and ribbon, and you're good to go! 

Enjoy! I know Maya did...

Walls, adorned

Despite demanding little ones, absentee husbands, and persistent colds, some part of me still asks to be a graphic designer. And I am definitely dedicated to adorning walls with beautiful things. So I stocked my shop. It includes lots of cheery and colorful new designs, some additions you might recognize, and it now even boasts a few prints perfect for Valentine's Day. So if your walls are begging for a little love, click on over and check out my shop, Sprig and Sprocket, for fresh and fun designs:

State of the Union

Wes just got back from a week away on an IMAX shoot:

Normally a week without Wes isn't so bad, but this week was rough. The kids were really sick, and I have just started in on the first sniffles of what will become my illness, as well. But hopefully things are on the path to normal again. While I'm getting caught up, here are some shots (Instagram-style) from our rather uneventful week. I challenge you to create Neverland in your dining room. Super fun!

working through this pile o' books

bribing Maya to eat

ordered a little love letter

neverland

little sneak last night when Dada was occupied with Finn and video games

Hope everyone has a great week!