Oatmeal Muffins

Here's a wonderful recipe for a cold, late-winter Saturday afternoon.

Oatmeal Muffins

INGREDIENTS
1 cup milk
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
In a small bowl, combine milk and oats; let soak for 15 minutes.
In a separate bowl, beat together egg and oil; stir in oatmeal mixture. In a third bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into wet ingredients, just until combined. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups until cups are 2/3 full.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Scary Harry Doll

OK I admit that I ripped off the Ugly Dolls, but I just had to make one of these for the Bambino.



Scary Harry is made out of felt, ribbon, buttons, and embroidery thread. I cut his body, face, and ears from blue and maroon felt. Then I made his face details by using embroidery thread and more felt, and attached the details to the face. Then I sewed him together, right-sides-in; I turned him right-side-out, stuffed him, and top stitched his body. I added the ribbon scarf and buttons last.

Appliqued bird onesie

I'm really into birds lately. Birds seem to be this year's big design element. They are so sweet.

I made this onesie for the Bambino by using fleece, felt, and embroidery thread. I cut out the bird patterns from fleece, hand-stitched them to the plain blue onesie (I could have used my sewing machine, but I couldn't get the thread tension right; besides, it looks folksier hand-stitched), and then added the little beaks, which I cut from felt. I used embroidery thread for the eyes and legs. Next time, I'll use iron-on adhesive to give it a little more strength.

Sunday morning breakfast

Homemade Belgian waffles and maple syrup. Probably--no, definitely--the best Belgian waffles I've ever had. They're really easy because of the Bisquick. We eat them every Sunday.

Heirloom Bisquick Waffle Recipe

2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1 1/3 cups milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg

Stir ingredients until blended.

Pour onto center of hot greased waffle iron; close lid.

Bake about 5 minutes or until steaming stops. Carefully remove waffle.

This morning with the Bambino

It was a rough night--he's teething, poor buddy--and he's right now refusing a nap, but this morning he was Jokey McJokester.

Bird Wallhanging

So I saw these gorgeous bird things in Pottery Barn Kids.



I am all about the birds lately. I wanted them for the Bambino's room but thought I could make one from what I have around the house: a stretched canvas, Mod Podge, little paper flower thingies, and scrap material. I love how it turned out!

Aaaand...I'm back!

Having a baby takes up a lot of time, hoo boy.

But he's here, and he loves to eat. I make a lot of his food, such as these frozen heart-shaped cubes of pureed organic carrots and broccoli.



The hearts are a nice touch, no? It was the only type of ice-cube tray I could find!

Bean & Corn Salad

I'm seven months pregnant and always looking for good-for-me and filling snacks. This one is a keeper, and it's really easy.

1 can of corn, drained
1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup light Italian dressing

Mix everything together. Chill to let the flavors come out, and serve. Next time, I think I'll add some cilantro or parsley.

It would be really good tossed with some spinach or romaine.