Duggars in Lawrence

Just thought I'd put the word out that the Duggar Family (TLC's 19 Kids and Counting) are coming to Lawrence on Sunday, February 13th. For more information, or to buy tickets, you can go to: http://www.duggarsinlawrence.com
I'm very curious to hear first hand from this very well-practiced Mama and Homemaker; I'm hoping that she will be able to share a lot! Whether or not you totally agree with them on everything, the way that they are raising, homeschooling, and training their children, along with their debt-free, organized, simple lifestyle is a refreshing change from the typical family life portrayed on TV.

The best part is that the proceeds go to the Pregnancy Care Center Of Lawrence

Under Construction!

Please bear with us as we update our blog!  We shall be continuing to post amidst the dysfunction.

Yummy, Edible, Homemade Playdough!

Or, more aptly titled:

My Obsession with Peanut Butter Continues.

I love all things peanut butter.

That's probably been established by now!

All that aside ...

A couple weeks ago I was talking about making some more homemade playdough for the boys. Eli commented that he remembered a "couple times" when he was little, his mom making a peanut butter playdough that was meant to play with, and be eaten! Since Jonah is also a peanut butter monster, we thought he might really enjoy it. I asked Robin if she had the recipe still: she didn't. But, then I thought "duh ... GOOGLE" and then went and Googled "Edible Playdough Recipes". Tons came up. Some with Kool-Aid, some with Cream Cheese, some meant to taste good, some meant to taste bad - just not dangerous if ingested. And MANY with peanut butter as the focus. I read through lots of recipes, lots of posts on all kinds of websites. I was wanting to try one that tasted good. We already have a homemade one that uses regular baking ingredients, but tastes, well ... not so good.

I settled on trying this one:

1 c. Peanut Butter

1/2 c. Honey

2 c. Powdered Sugar

(*note, this recipe appeared many times, with no easy pinpoint on the origin. So, there is no one I can actually credit it to)

Thursday, we had another snow day around here. So, we invited Jonah's older cousin, Mya, to come play so her mom could go to exercise at the gym. I had promised Mya the week before we would try the yummy playdough!

It was good. At first, it just seemed kind of crumbly and not mixing into a "dough", but once I started kneading it with my hands, it truly did come into a dough-like consistency. Not sticky, but pliable. It was easy to play with, and sweet to taste! It's very sugary, but it keeps wrapped in plastic, so it's not like it all has to get eaten in one sitting. Sadly, Jonah would have nothing to do with - he brought out his regular playdough - but Mya loved it! I sent the leftovers home with her for a later playdate she has with a friend from school.

I wouldn't make it all the time, but it's something that deviates from the norm: and snow days, especially, make me feel like trying something new and fun to do at home!

Recent projects

Bird in the Hand is on a bit of a break as we determine the best way to move forward with this blog.  While you are waiting for more posts here are some pictures of recent projects.

Sewing and embroidery kit for my girls

There are fat quarters in the pockets and that triangle in the middle is for scissors.

Freezer Papers Stenciled Itty Bitty Baby Dress from this pattern. 

And Modern Baby Shoes from this Tutorial

Another one...

And some more shoes.

Hopefully we will be back soon!!

Homemade Goodness

Homemade Goodness,

in edible form,

in a doable way ...

So, a friend of mine has a blog that I follow,

and off her blog I found another blog that had this post.

Of course I had heard about making your own nut butters.

But somehow the thought had never really occured to me

that I could do it MYSELF.

I tend to think that "everyone else" does these type of things ...

But, it looked so cute and pretty simple!

So, I decided to try it last weekend and make some for

two wonderful friends of mine that I would be seeing on Saturday.

homemade double roasted honey nut peanut butter

First, buy your nuts. I bought them at Aldi. Roasted, not salted.

(Hence, how mine were "double roasted" as well)

I think I had about 3 cups total.

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Spread nuts on a foiled-lined cookie sheet.

I microwaved 1 1/2 Tablespoons of honey and drizzled over the nuts.

(I wish I had sprayed my foil w/ canola oil, though - next time!)

Roast in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Pull out and cool.

Into the food processor they go! (Hint, I did read that this will NOT work

in a blender ... so don't attempt that)

And ... turn that baby on and let it go!

First, the nuts break down into a meal,

Then, the oils SLOWLY start to break down,

and the mixture clumps up a bit.

When mine got to this point, I added 1 more Tablespoon of warm honey

and about a 1/2 T. of salt (I eyeballed it - as always!).

Scrap down and keep processing!

Don't give up ... I promise eventually you will be rewarded with gooeyness.

And then suddenly, you'll look, and yay! Peanut Butter.

Taste, sigh, smile.

And then scoop into a container, jar, etc.

Either save for your family, or give as a gift!

I am excited to make more peanut butter, and try
other nuts as well. You could make all kinds of combinations!

And ... you still have time before Christmas, in case you're looking for a

last-minute, homemade, and universally liked gift!