Mom's "Red Hat Society" Birthday Party!

We had a "Red Hat Society" theme for my mom's birthday party a couple weeks ago!  As I was looking up ideas for a "Red Hat" party, I found this little song...

Red Hat Society

(To be sung to tune of "My Favorite Things")

Red shoes and purses and boas with feathers

 Purple ensembles to wear in all weathers 

Earrings that sparkle and big diamond rings

These are a few of my favorite things!

 by Barbara Lukas

 I made the cake to look like a red and white crocheted hat!  I made two gluten-free chocolate cake mixes and divided the batter between a 2 1/2 quart Pyrex bowl and a mini muffin pan.  (The last time I made a cake in a Pyrex bowl was for Kaitlyn's Barbie cake!)

After flipping the cake onto the platter, it didn't lay flat so I tucked mini muffins under the edge to make a scalloped crocheted edge to the hat!  Red icing made the hat ribbon that tied into a "bow" and also created the crocheted effect.  I added white sugar pearl sprinkles to look like little beads.

Elli wearing her "purple" for Grandma's "Red Hat" party!

Red hat ladies drinking tea and playing Bingo… then later playing Apples to Apples.

My sister had pretty "Red Hat" party decorations!

We missed having Brady there.  He was on a Scout trip.

 In the "Red Hat Society", you are supposed to only wear a "red" hat if you are 50 or older, but we broke the rules a little…  :)  Elli, however, did wear the under-50 "pink" hat.  ;)

 Pretty party princess.

 When is it time for cake and ice cream?

 A Princess does not plank… haha!

New iPad Air!

 New clothes!

 Flowers and gifts!

 Cousins!

Sisters!

Singing "Happy Birthday" in English and Chinese!  Make a wish!!

Elli asked Grandma, "What did you wish for?" Grandma said, "It wouldn't come true if I told you!"  ;)

Swedish Braided Pigtail Loops!

Elliana's hair is long enough to make Swedish braided pigtail loops!

Here is how we did them:
Make pigtail braids and secure them with an elastic hair tie at the very end.  Fold the braid into a loop and secure at the top with a larger elastic hair tie.  Make a little hole at the top of the braid with your fingers and tuck in the end of the braid.  Wrap a ribbon around each loop and then tie each ribbon into a bow!      

Making Homemade Granola!

I have been having fun finding recipes on Pinterest for homemade gluten-free granola!  Granola is easy to make, and there are so many ways you can vary a recipe with different dried fruits and nuts! 

The first granola we made was Vanilla Almond Granola!  I used Bob's Red Mill gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats.  It was a hit!

(recipe from mygluten-freekitchen.com) 

Next we tried Honey-Pecan Granola!
(recipe from marthastewart.com)

It was great too, but it almost had too many pecans… or is that possible? Ha!  I want to try a combination of pecans and sliced almonds next time.  We left out the salt and it was fine.

 Elli tasting the honey… She liked it!

I think Elli could be a Cooking Channel child host, don't you?

Spreading out the granola on parchment paper to bake.

 Play while granola is baking.  :)

The granola is ready!  Yummy!

Disney Infinity Video Game

We got the Disney Infinity video game for Playstation 3 for Christmas.  There are different Disney movie "worlds" that come with the game and also more you can purchase, including additional characters.   Elli loves the Disney movie, "Frozen", and has been having fun playing with the Elsa and Anna character in the "Toy Box"!

"Elsa" walking around near the castle in the Toy Box.

Elli and Daddy playing!

Whipped Coconut Oil Body Butter

We made whipped coconut oil body butter!

The only ingredient you need is coconut oil!  You can also add a teaspoon of vitamin E oil if you would like.

Measure 1 cup of solid coconut oil.  Do not melt the coconut oil or it will not whip.

Mix the solid coconut oil on high speed using the wire whisk attachment for 6-7 minutes until it is light and airy. 

Spoon the whipped coconut oil body butter into a small jar with a lid.  The whipped coconut oil stays soft and does not return to its solid state, but is very oily when you use it.  The fresh coconut smells so good!

(Idea from livingthenourishedlife.com)

"Charlotte" Has Been Matched!

"Charlotte", the little girl that we sponsor at New Day South Foster Home in China, has been matched with her forever family!  Her family is naming her "Kate" and are currently raising funds through a project call "Both Hands Project" which also helps a widow simultaneously!

Here is the link if you would like to find out more or make a tax-deductible donation to this "Both Hands Project"!
http://www.soapandbeans.com/2014/03/both-hands-project-anita-and-jarrod.html

Maple Snow Candy & "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" (Videos!)

A week ago Sunday, we got more snow!  We made maple snow candy, or "sugar on snow", like Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about in Little House in the Big Woods.  It was really cold outside, so we brought some snow inside!

Maple Snow Candy

1 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup real butter
Fresh clean snow (or you can also use ice cream)

Heat syrup and butter in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches 235-240 degrees (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.

Remove the syrup from the heat for a minute or two to cool, then drizzle it over snow (or packed snow in a pan).  Let it cool for a few seconds, then twist it onto a popsicle stick while its still warm, or let it set up on the snow and then pick it up with your fingers.

The candy starts out as a taffy texture and will harden the longer it stays in the snow.

Video!

After making the maple snow candy, we got some more snow to make a little snowman!  I cut a little sliver of carrot for his nose...

Some peppercorns for his eyes, mouth, and buttons...

 And light blue felt for his scarf and hat!

Video!

 "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" (song from the Disney movie, "Frozen")

Adorable.

Now for a little nappy… rocking and singing nursery rhyme songs with Mommy.  <3