LEAP FAIL (AND LEAP SUCCESS)!

Posted by Lori~

Today, I was reading this post where I broke down the Mission Quantum Leap plan.  Guess what—I failed miserably!

The post was written February 27, 2011.  During this post, I committed to losing 60 pounds and to follow a strict plan.

Ethne and I even agreed if we hit our goals, we would go on a Mexican vacation.  What happened to that vacation?  It never happened—I personally did not hit the goal.

Two years later, I am still at it, but guess what.  I have news.  I am down 15 POUNDS!  That’s right!  

I have been working out with a trainer and using MyFitness Pal.  

So WOMS…here it goes again.  I am DOING THIS!  Steve and I are headed to France this summer and I want to go healthier (and thinner).

WISH ME LUCK!  Ethne (and Shaun), if I hit the goal—you are still stuck going on vacation with me!  Steve may not get to go with (ONLY if he hits his goal).  So far, he has failed too!

SELF-BINDING RECEIVING BLANKET (tutorial)

Posted by Lori~

My Mom (Crafty G-Ma) is a BIG-TIME quilter.  She is always looking for fun and easy ways to whip-up blankets.  Recently she found a quick and easy step-by-step tutorial video for making self-binding receiving blankets.  Crafty G-Ma is walking us through the process today!  (If the instructions are not super clear--I would also encourage you to watch the video). 

Take two pieces of fabric--you choose.  Consider flannel or minky.  Typically, you will have either two flannel or one flannel or minky.  Crafty G-Ma (or my mom) likes to put the flannel as the outside fabric with minky on the inside.

You will need a piece of 40 inch square fabric and a piece of 30 inch square fabric.

Determine the center of each side and pin the fabrics right sides together.  Do this on each side of fabric.

Pin along the edge to indicate a 1/4 inch seam.  Do this on each side.  On one side leave a four inch opening (that you do not sew).

Sew all four sides with 1/4 inch seam leaving 1/4 inch at each corner (leave this open).

Fold the fabric at each corner to form a triangle (photo below).

Line up your ruler along the bottom fold to create a line.  Your 90 degree line will end at the 1/4 inch opening.

Draw the line (on all four corners).  Sew on the line (all four corners).  Trim 1/4 inch from the seam.  Ensure that you have a mitered corner by checking inside before cutting.

Turn the blanket right-side out.  Press it to lay flat.  Using a decorative stitch (ex:  zig-zag) sew along the top of the blanket at the seam, which will close the openings.

There you have it.  Thank you to Crafty G-Ma for walking us through this popular new way to create an easy receiving blanket. 

IRISH SODA BREAD

Posted by Lori~

We arrived back from NYC on Sunday night, and Monday was St. Patrick’s Day! 

I will confess that I was a little sad I didn’t get to celebrate all things GREEN in NYC.  Around 5 years ago (pre-Mur-Man), Steve and I were there for St. Patrick’s Day.  We were able to celebrate with my dear friend Janelle.  And, let’s just say it was a different trip, complete with lots of green beer!  The St. Patrick’s Day parade was fabulous—there were men in uniform everywhere (great for Janelle)!  I was happy to be her partner in crime (along with Steve).

This trip was also amazing, but different.  I enjoyed NYC with my mom!  What could be better!?!

We had different plans this year and were back a day prior—just in time to celebrate with Mur-Man.  

First, we started with Dublin Coddle Hotpot.  It was delicious! 

We also created Irish Soda Bread.  The Soda Bread was amazing and so easy to create.  Mur-Man also joined in on the fun.  I found the recipe here.

Irish Soda Bread supplies needed:

3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 pint sour cream
2 eggs
3/4 cup raisins (I despise raisins, but I put them in anyways.  It was still good).

Irish Soda Bread Directions: 

Combine dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a small bowl beat eggs and stir in sour cream.

Add the egg and sour cream mixture to the dry ingredients and stir. 

The batter will be very thick.  Now add the raisins and stir well.  You may even need to knead the batter with your hands. 

Place batter in a greased pan. (It called for a spring-form pan, but my traditional pan worked just fine—it popped right out).

Dust the top with enough flour so that you can pat the batter like bread dough evenly in the pan without it sticking to your hands.

With a knife make a shallow crisscross on the top.

Bake for 50 minutes in a preheated 350 oven.

We had friends over for the St. Patrick’s Day feast.  The bread and Irish Hotpot were both delicious!  A great way to ring in the holiday (better than cold NYC—I hear they had snow!).