Blogs, Chickens, and Yarn Pyramids

Oh my darling bloginites! How I have missed all of your wonderful IP addresses! Just kidding I am not that smart (or am I). I have however missed bitching about everything I can think of- and that is why I think most of you read this.  Not to hear me bitch but to relate.... or maybe you just like to listen to someone else have a miserable life so you feel better about yours. Who knows- but I do know you ended up here one way or another and that is why I will continue to type away.

I have also decided to put a spin on things here on the farm.  I think I might supplement some days with a vlog entry. And who doesn't like a little one on one action with the face? You take that anyway you want to.  But in all seriousness some days I don't have time to type up a long little blobby post so yelling at my camera sounds better.  Today you get a little taste of that down at the bottom.  Whoa innuendos all around today.

So the fiance and I have been discussing the house situation for when he gets back from his little overseas adventure.  We aren't buying a house until he gets back so we have plenty of time to discuss what we want and what we can afford blah blah.  And so far my input has been nil to not helpful at all.  I have decided we will be having chickens at our house.  Come on how amazing would that be? Fresh eggs all the time and really on the level of ease, chickens are not nearly as expensive as lets say a cow or horse.... although I would kill for those animals too.  But I am being realistic for what we can actually raise.  I also keep joking (not joking) about bringing them inside to relax with us.  He totally thinks I am not being serious- but I half expect him to find me in the mudroom one day hanging out with the chickens. A little mama love with the poultry.  I also want a goat- we can name him Billy Bob.  He also thinks I am kidding about this. I don't think he realizes who he is marrying.

Some of you who have been here on the farm for awhile now (catching on that that is what i am calling this place yet?) know I am an avid knitter.  I believe I mentioned the giant blanket I was knitting the fiance.  If not then- hey! I knit my fiance a huge blanket and now I am going to show you! Hahaha, very subtle am I right?

He is such a wonderful model- am I right?

I also managed to knock out my nephew a hat right before the holidays as an added Christmas present.  I thought the sizing would be perfect since he grows like a weed- but he might need another year before his noggin fits into this bad boy.  The sizing was for kids so I guess I shouldn't be disappointed he can't sport my work quite yet.  

His mom has the inverted version of this hat as well.

And now my current project has resulted in a pyramid of yarn in the corner of my room.  I know, my adiction is getting so great it is taking up space in rooms.  It's almost like hoarding.  But you know you have a problem when you and the fiance are sitting at Michael's and you ring up $180 worth of yarn and between your rewards points and coupons you get it all for $50.  Sad part about this is I still need more yarn for this project. Yes you heard right- this project is going to need about 26 skeins of yarn annnnnd I only have 18.  Oh yay.  But I figured I should dwindle down the pyramid before I start a second one... or before the fiance actually stats to object to my giant yarn piles.  

Its chunky yarn- that is why I need so much.

But enough is enough my darlings. I have a giant blanket to get to knitting.  But I will leave you with my tidbit of vlog just like I promised. Go pour yourself some wine and drink up- I am currently sipping some Relax Riesling from you guessed it, a mason jar.  Stay classy my darlings. 

Banana Bread and Beginnings

Tossed away in the back of your ques rested this blog.... Dormant and lacking love. UNTIL NOW! Guess who's making their come back? Boom. Y'all miss me? Some of you may remember my random, explicit filled blogs that discussed food and liquor. Some of you didn't tune in until I was a mom and the blogs were still filled with explicits and liquor. And mom things. And for my loyals- y'all remember when this blog wasn't called Mama Tried. Those were dark days. But everyone has to start somewhere. So what's been going since I last left you... Well hmm. For starters I'm still losing that baby weight.

Whoever said it takes a year was a liar. Hope their pants burned right off. But I'm sure most women were more active than I was at first. But never fear! I've restarted my yoga practice and have lots of little bits and bites for you there. 

Also- school? Oh boy let me tell you. Whatever dream land I was living in that made me thought as a single mom with a newborn I could tackle nursing school must have been pretty. But here in the real world I realized I couldn't tackle both at once and think about working. Enter stage right, the best opportunity that could have arose. I now work in a dispatch center for my county's ambulances and love it. And because I wouldn't be me if i didn't have a plate full, I'm also going to EMT school and being the single parent I've been. 

Speaking of single parent- little miss EM is a weed. She has seriously sprouted up and over to the moon! Almost two now she's climbing and running and how could I forget, talking. And I mean she talks. All day. All night. Wakes up and still talks. It's like she doesn't know what silence is. Unless of course she's getting into something. Then suddenly silence. Funny how that works isn't it? 

But the most important thing (and something new to touch this blog) is my struggle with mental illness. I'm not one to talk about it or even admit to it but it seems that this might be the best thing to do. I know not many people like to discuss their issues but when you have people like me who Google and Google for hours searching for ANYONE who feels like you- it sucks that no one will just talk about it. And let's face it- it can be an ugly topic. That being said I'm going to lower walls that haven't ever been lowered before and hopefully I'll help someone out there to know they don't have to be alone. I realized over a year ago I had something going on mentally but never wanted to deal with it. Shit I still don't. But it's time to stop playing for just me and start playing for the little girl who depends on me. The yoga however is just for me. 

So quick review; new house, new job, new school, new goals, new outlook on life? Lots to talk about. Where to begin? 

At banana bread. Because everything is better with banana bread. And because I just happened to feel motivated halfway through writing this and decided to crank out so bread. That's what normal people do, right? No? Well. Without more rambling, here is the recipe for a most delicious bread (and if you feel rebellious like I did- throw some chocolate chips in there). 

I decided to make this at 8 at night so there was no way I was dragging out my mixer. And really you don't need to- use those arm muscles ya mama gave ya!

Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, peeled
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- pinch of salt

Preheat that little oven to 350 degrees and butter a 4x8 loaf pan.

In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Stir the melted butter with the bananas until mixed together.

Mix in the baking soda and salt.  Stir in the sugar ,beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.  Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes (check at 50 minutes). Loaf is done when you can insert a tester and it comes out clean.

Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack.  Remove the banana bread from the pan. The first slice of warm bread is always the best.

I will be honest, I was out of baking soda and used baking powder.  The ratio to do this is for very 1 teaspoon of baking soda needed, use 4 teaspoons of baking powers.  Not sure if this will be able to be carried into every recipe so use with caution.  But definitely turned out wonderful with this one!

Until next time my lovelies!

Mercilessly Plugging Myself

Don't you hate when people promote themselves? Yea, so do I. But that isn't going to stop me! For about a month now I have been getting my Etsy shop back up and running from when he who we do not speak up ran it into the ground.  He caused me many bad reviews, and I have remedied all but one.  But, that won't stop me.

So, my shameless plug! I have realized there is this demand for mothers who work gruesome hours to put on this big show for their children's parties.  However, unless you're a stay at home mom who really has the time to make tutus and Olaf cupcakes?  How about those cute Jake and the Nederland Pirate nick nacks? Or the chalk board stat board to boast about your child's teeth and favorite foods? 

I do.  As a stay at home mom it allows me to make all those things you don't have time for.  And who has to know that it came from me?  No one, thats who.  My current favorite thing to make are those adorable tuts I mentioned previously.  Because, what is cuter than a child in a tutu? Nothing. 

Look at that face.  Who can deny that?  What makes this photo? The tutu.  Okay, maybe I a fibbing, its my daughter haha but really now, you know that is a stinking cute photo.  

So, lets say you aren't throwing the party but going to one... what do you get the child who has everything (like my LO).  Something handmade is always better than plastic and impersonal.  But who has that time? Yep, me again. I make hats, dresses, mittens, headbands. You name it I make it.  My current two projects are a crown and barefoot boho sandals.  I am dying to break those bad boys out!  

So where can you see all these wonderful things? Here of course! If you have any questions, or want something custom made just shoot me a message and I can discuss any ideas with you!  Hope to see you soon!