My old skirt = a new dress for my daughter

This dress is so cute, and it was easy to make!

I have finally come to terms with the fact that, after having three children, I will never be a size 2 again.   So... instead of tossing out one of my favorite skirts... I turned it into a dress for my six year old!

I just turned it inside out and cut off the zipper. 

I then sewed it back together where the zipper was and sewed a hem along the top of the dress. 

Before finishing the hem, I slipped in some one inch thick elastic and stitched it to itself. 

Lastly I just made some straps from some thick grosgrain ribbon and two buttons.

That it!  See, I told you it was easy!

Smores Cone!

One of my favorite blogs that I read made these treats in a mini version, since I didn't have any of the right ingredients in mini version we used what we had!

Her version is here. We used normal sized cones, two sections of a Hershys bar (chopped up) and EXTRA LARGE marshmallows :)

Just fill the bottom half of the cone with the chocolate pieces and then stick the marshmallow on top. Place in a broiler oven for 1-2 minutes (keep an eye on this part) And then let cool for a couple of minutes.

My son said this was one of his most favorite desserts ever!

Here he is in shock at how good it was, and showing the yummy chocolate part in the end!

Hope you enjoy this fun summer treat as much as we did!

Homegrown Sunburst Squash

Here is another way to prepare Sunburst or Pattypan squash.

The ones pictured here are from our garden and might have crossed with our zucchini, but they are sure delicious!

Stuffed Sunburst Squash

• 4 medium Pattypan Squash
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (extra-virgin is best)
• 1 clove minced Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
• 1 bunch Fresh Spinach, washed and finely chopped
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 dash Cayenne Pepper (optional)
• 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup grated Swiss Cheese (or Gruyère Cheese for more flavor)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Fill a large pot 3/4 full of water and bring to a boil.
3. Place squash in boiling water and boil for 5 minutes.
4. Drain the water and allow squash to cool.
5. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each squash so that they will stand on their own.
6. Cut about 1/2 inch from the tops of each squash and remove the insides to hollow the squash. Set squash insides aside.
7. Melt butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat.
8. Add garlic and sauté until soft.
9. Add the spinach and soy sauce and sauté until the spinach is tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
10. Move the spinach mixture to a bowl and allow to partially cool.
11. Season with salt, pepper, and optional cayenne pepper to taste.
12. Stir in the egg and 1/2 cup of the swiss or Gruyere cheese. Mix well.
13. Add a small amount of the squash insides and discard the rest of the insides.
14. Spoon the spinach/cheese mixture into the squash shells.
15. Place the stuffed squash in a single layer in a baking dish.
16. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
17. Pour hot water into the pan to fill about 1/2 inch.
18. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or the squash is tender and the filling is no longer runny.

Or try this recipe:

Baked stuffed pattypan squash

• 4 Pattypan Squash, washed
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 1/2 lb. lean sausage, chopped
• 3/4 cup Parsley, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Bread Crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

  1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2.  Cut squash in half (horizontally) and hollow.
  3.  Chop onion finely.
  4.  Crumble the sausage into a pan and cook until no longer pink.
  5.  Remove sausage from pan and set aside.
  6.  Add onion to the pan with sausage fat and cook about 2 minutes or until soft.
  7.  Mix together in a bowl the sausage, onion, parsley, bread crumbs, pepper and 2 tablespoons water.
  8.  Divide mixture among squash halves.
  9.  Brush the tops of the stuffed squash with olive oil.
10.  Place squash in single layer in baking dish just large enough to hold all of the squash.
11.  Fill baking dish with 1/2 inch water.
12.  Cover and bake 30 minutes.
12.  Uncover and continue baking about 15 minutes or until stuffing is browned and squash is tender.

Pirate Birthday Party!

My son Oliver is turning 3 soon and we are planning a pirate birthday party in our backyard.  He has been into pirates ever since we took him to Disneyland last spring and he rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  Although he has never seen the movie, he knows all the characters and a pirate themed party was what he wanted!  I bought Disney's Ultimate Swashbuckler Collection from iTunes for some pirate background music to play outside while everyone is swimming and party-ing it up.  I was planning on making my sister's pirate hat cake you can see here. 
Also, here are a few things I made for his party:

A treasure map invitation

The invitation reads: 

Avast Ye Scallywags!
Hoist yer anchors and set sail to celebrate
Captain Oliver's third birthday.
Chart yer course for (our address)
on the twenty fourth of July at two o'clock or walk the plank!
Come dressed to swim unless ye are a Landlubber!
Arrrrrr... ye coming to the party?  (our phone number)

I drew the map and compass and found a scripty font for the words.
I printed the invitations on parchment paper and cut rough edges with scissors to look like it was torn.

Pirate Flag

What pirate party would be complete without a pirate flag!  I lucked out and found half a yard of black felt in the clearance bin at our local fabric store for $2!  I then got some white sticky-back felt in white.  I then found a skull and crossbones picture online that I used as my inspiration.  I followed This tutorial (well sort of) to make the flag.  I sewed a thin pocket in one side so that I could slide in a wooden dowel.  This was so easy to make, and could have been done with no sewing at all.

Pirate Photo Board

 Just for fun, I found a large piece of cardboard and painted this pirate on it.  My kids have had so much fun playing with it already!  I had to put a chair behind it for the little one to put his face in.

Arrrrr!

Captain Oliver on his big day!

I also bought this shirt for the birthday boy and drew the skull and crossbones on the pocket with a bleach pen.  Can't wait to do more bleach pen crafts, this one was fun!

Enchiladas~

These are very simple to make, I use ground beef, but feel free to use shredded beef or chicken.

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb. of ground beef

2. About 2 cups of shredded cheese (more or less depending on what you like)

3. 2 cans of HATCH enchilada sauce

4. 8 Tortillas

Cook up the meat

Spread a spoonful of sauce down the center of a tortilla, then top with two spoonfuls of meat and a sprinkle of cheese.

Roll up the tortilla keeping the ends open and place in baking pan. (I spread about 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce in the bottom of the pan first)

Our FAVORITE brand is HATCH, I feel like it has the best flavor, and makes this dish the best it can be!! I buy this brand at Target.

Last, spread plenty of the sauce onto the rolled tortillas making sure you cover all of the edges, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake in a 325° preheated oven for about 15 -20 minutes, and... voila! Delicious, and very easy homemade enchiladas!