LunchBox Pizza Rolls

It's that time of year again, kids are off to school and that means school lunches.  If your kids are anything like mine, what they like in their lunch box can change from day to day (or minute to minute).  I whipped up these two days ago and have to make more today!!  This is also an easy enough recipe that you can let the kids help, which usually means they're more likely to eat them!!  Win-Win!!

I started with a basic pizza crust recipe (passed to me from my lovely Mother in law), which I'll share in a second.  You could use frozen or store bought dough easily enough, just make sure it's thawed fully.  For the gluten free folks out there, the best pizza crust I've seen yet is a mix from Duinkerken foods, and if I was still cooking gluten free it's the one I would use.  You may need to use a gluten free flour blend (Our Compliments All Purpose would work) just to make it easier to work with.

You could really use any fillings your kids (or you) love on pizza.  Just be careful not to overfill them or they won't roll properly.  I used Catelli pizza sauce (Spicy Garlic and Onion), Pizza Delight pepperoni and grated mozzarella.  You also have to go light on the sauce, or it makes one hell of a mess.

Pizza Dough

3 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbsp instant yeast
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp sugar

Mix all ingredients together.  Knead for 5 minutes.  Roll into greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth.  Set aside and let rise until double in size.  Punch down and cut in half.

Roll out each half into rectangles and line with toppings, leaving about an inch on one end.  Brush olive oil on that end to help seal them when you roll it up.  Roll and chill for about a half an hour.  (See below for pictures).

Preheat your oven to 375F.  Cut each roll into approximately 1-2" sections (like you would when making cinnamon rolls).  This recipe makes around 24 total.  I use muffin pans, just to help them keep their shape, but you cold use a round cake pan, or whatever you have handy.  Just remember, if you don't use muffin pans the edges will stick to each other and make separating the rolls harder.

Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven.  Remove and cool.  These are tasty warm or cold, my girls loved them both ways.

Half of the dough, rolled out and ready for toppings.

Notice the blank edge...olive oil that when rolling it up.

Pepperoni...yummy!!

Cheese, and as counter-intuitive as it seems, there can be too much in this instance.

Rolled up and ready for the fridge!

Sliced, and waiting to cook.

Deliciousness!!

There you have it.  My girls are ridiculously picky, and devoured these in no time flat.  Enjoy!

Curious George Hat *Free Crochet Pattern*

So I made this Curious little guy as a custom order and decided to share the pattern with you!  I couldn't find one I liked so I just sort of winged most of it until he looked right.  The basic hat pattern came from the lovely Sarah over at Repeat Crafter Me, and if you don't follow her you should (amazing patterns). The rest was all in my head until now. As this is my first attempt at writing out a pattern, please let me know if you find any errors or have any difficulty following along!

Here is the link to the hat pattern I used, it's the basic form from the Hippo Hat Pattern from Repeat Crafter Me, just choose your size and work the basic hat shape.  Her patterns have never steered me wrong, and I've been doing this for 6 years.  

And now, on to the rest!  I use an I hook (5.5MM) because my tension is a little tighter than most, so adjust your hook accordingly :) 

This was made to fit a 3-4 year old.  The facial features could be sized up or down using a smaller/larger hook.  I may add more sizes later.

Materials

I 9-5.5mm hook

Loops and Threads Impeccable in Chocolate and Heather (any shades close would work)

Small amounts of black and white yarn for the eyes

Yarn needle

Stuffing of your choice for the lower portion of his face

Note: Ch 2 does not count as a dc, always place your first dc in the same space as the Ch 2

Forehead

(In Heather/Tan)

Row 1  Ch 20, dc in 3rd ch from hook and across, Ch 2 and turn. (18)

Row 2  2 dc in 1st, 1 dc in next 14, 2 dc in last stitch, Ch 2 and turn. (20)

Row 3-4  Dc in same and across to end, Ch 2 and turn (20)

Row 5  Dc2tog, 1 dc in next 16, dc2tog in last two, Ch 1 and turn (18)

Row 6  1 sc in NEXT, 1 hdc, 4 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, slst in nxt, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 4 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc

Sc around, fasten and leave a tail long enough for attaching to hat

Eyes (make 2)

Using white, 6 dc in a Magic Circle, join.  Ch 1, 2 sc in same, 2 hdc in next, 2 dc in each of the next two, 2 hdc, 2 sc, join and leave enough for sewing onto face. 

With black yarn, 6 sc in a Magic Circle, join and leave approximately 6 inches for sewing. For the white accents on the black I just made three loops (back to front) so they formed a small triangle.

Sew eye pieces together and then attach to forehead portion.  Using Chocolate/Brown yarn, sew on the eyebrows.

Mouth

(In Heather/Tan)

Round 1 Ch 19, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next 16, 4 dc in last.  **Do not ch 2 here, continue working down the other side of the beginning ch** 1 dc in next 16, 2 dc in last.  Join to top of 1st dc. (38)

Round 2 Ch 2, 2 dc in each of the first two stitches, 1 dc in next 15, 2 dc in each of the next 4, 1 dc in next 15, 2 dc in each of next 2.  Join. (46)

Round 3 Ch 1, 2 sc in each of the first 2, 1 hdc in next 2, dc in next 15, 1 hdc in next 2, 2 sc in each of the next 4, 1 hdc in next 2, dc in next 15, 1 hdc in next 2, 2 sc in last 2.  Join.  (54)

Round 4 Ch 1, 1 sc in first 5, hdc in next 2, dc in next 15, hdc in next 2, sc in next 8, hdc in next 2, dc in next 15, hdc in next 2, sc in last 3.  Join.  (54)

Round 5 Ch 2, hdc in first 5, hdc2tog, hdc in next 14, hdc2tog, hdc in next 14, hdc2tog, hdc in next 8, hdc2tog, hdci n last 6.  Join and fasten off.  Leave a long tail for sewing. (50)

Using chocolate/brown yarn, sew on a big "curious" smile, and nose.

Ears (Make 2)

*Heather/Tan - inside of ears

Round 1  6 sc in magic circle. Join. (6)

Round 2  Ch 1, 2 sc in each. Join. (12)

Round 3  Ch 1, *1 sc in first, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around.  Join.  (18)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

*Chocolate/Brown - outside of ears

Round 1  6 sc in magic circle. Join. (6)

Round 2  Ch 1, 2 sc in each. Join. (12)

Round 3  Ch 1, *1 sc in first, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around.  Join.  (18) 

Do not fasten off, here is where you will put the inside and outside together!  With wrong sides facing each other (right sides facing out), using brown, sc in each around (through both tan and brown).  Join.  Sc in next 15, slst to join and fasten off.  Leave a tail long enough for sewing onto head.

Hair

Ch 8, 1 sc in 2nd from hook and across.  Do not join or fasten off.  Ch 8 again, 1 sci n 2nd from hook and across.  Do not join or fasten off.  Ch 4, 1 sc in 2nd from hook and across, and continue along the bottom. Slst to join and fasten off.  Leave a long tail for sewing.

Now it's time to put him together!!  Make sure to pin the pieces in place before you start, especially for the face.  When attaching the lower portion, sew most of the way around and then add your stuffing.  The mouth part should line up with the edge of sc in the front, and extend up approximately 6 or 7 rounds, and then the forehead portion should be centred over that.  The facial features should take up most of the front of the hat when sewn together.

Again, if you have any questions or find any mistakes, do not hesitate to comment here!  This is my first written pattern, so if all goes well I may post more.  I would also love to see your finished product if you make one!!  

You may sell the finished product, all I ask is you link back to my original pattern :)

Gluten Free Oatmeal Muffins

We've been doing this gluten free thing for awhile now, and baking is a whole lot easier now than it was 7 years ago.  I stumbled upon this recipe a while back for regular oatmeal muffins and have been tweaking it for gluten free ever since.  The recipe that follows is the result.

Super Tasty, Kid Approved Gluten Free Oatmeal Muffins

1 cup milk (or non-dairy milk like almond or coconut)
1 cup quick cooking oatmeal (we use Only Oats brand which is wheat free)
1 egg 
1/4 cup oil (doesn't matter what type)
1 cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour (we use Our Compliments, but Bob's Red Mill has a good one as well)
1/4 cup sugar (either white or brown)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup applesauce (I've used homemade, or the small container of flavoured like blueberry or pear)

1. Preheat oven to 375 F, grease muffin cups or use paper liners (12 normal size or 24 mini muffins).
2. Combine oats, milk and applesauce and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, lightly beat egg together with the oil.
4. Combine all dry ingredients.
5. Add egg and oil mixture to oatmeal mixture, then stir it all into the dry ingredients.
6. Spoon into muffin cups (about 3/4 full)
7. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.  I always do the toothpick inserted in the middle test.  If it comes out clean, they're done.

These muffins are such a hit in my house I've had to start making them in double batches, usually twice a week.  The middles are moist and fluffy, and they aren't gritty like a lot of gluten free baked goods tend to be.  You can also add just about anything you'd like to them, chocolate chips, nuts, whatever you'd like.  Try them out and let me know what you think!!!

Homemade Gluten Free Granola...aka...Easiest. Recipe. Ever.

So, being a SAHM who runs a small business is great.  I get to do fun stuff with my girls, hoard yarn like I'll need it when the zombie apocalypse happens, and make things like homemade granola.  Which is what I did today. We're a mostly gluten free household, so we make it with gluten free oats.  I figured I would share the recipe I use with you all.  It's a little sweeter than some of the recipes I've seen, but that's how we like it.  Hubby likes to take it to work with some Greek yogurt and mango chunks.  I eat it just straight, or sometimes as a breakfast cereal.  Either way, it's yummy :)

Here's my take on it:

Homemade Gluten Free Granola

5 cups Only Oats gluten free rolled oats
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup safflower oil
1 cup honey
1 tbsp vanilla
cinnamon to taste
assorted nuts or other fixins' (we used sunflower seeds, pine nuts and pumpkin seeds)

Preheat your oven to 325 or 350F.  Just throw it all in a bowl and mix well.  I always taste a bit at this point to make sure it's ok.  If it tastes the way you want, spread it out on a parchment lined cookie sheet so that it's mostly even.  Bake for 10-15 minutes, then mix it around and bake some more.  Once it's golden brown most of the way through, or not if you'd rather it less crunchy, take it out and let it cool.  We store ours in the large freezer bags.  Seriously, easiest recipe ever.  I tried taking a picture to show you all, but all I had handy was my phone, so it isn't the greatest shot, but here is the finished product.  Next time I'll take step by step pictures :)

Christmas is Coming...

Sitting here, working on crochet orders for customers, I decided to take a break. Christmas is coming, and I though I'd share some of the traditions we are keeping, and some we are starting for the first time with our girls.  Christmas was always a big deal for me growing up, I have a rather large extended family of aunts and uncles, some near and some far, but there were always a lot of people around over the holidays.  We're hoping to create a lot of memories that stick with our children for many, many years to come.

1.  "Fred" - our Elf on the Shelf.  This will be his second year checking up on our girls.  Last year he played a huge role in toilet training our oldest, and hopefully this year he will help to instill a sense of giving in them as well.  I found a link on Pinterest about an Elf who brought the children boxes and a letter.  The letter contained instructions for the children to fill the boxes with toys they didn't want anymore, or that they wanted to donate to other children who maybe didn't have as much.  We are so doing it with our girls this year.  Between our 4 year old and our 1 year old, they have tons of toys.  Like, Way. Too. Much.  I figure we can start teaching them about helping others now, and it will be a natural course for them to follow later.

2.  The Christmas Eve gift - pj's. snacks and a movie.  I was always allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, and it's something I'd like to continue with my girls.  By turning it into family movie and pj night, it becomes a moment of togetherness that they will (hopefully) carry with them in to adulthood and will pass on to their own children.  

3.  The 5 Gift Rule - they can ask for 5 things.  Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, and one random gift.  We don't focus on Santa gifts as much as some, we refuse to give some random guy credit for all of the awesome stuff ;) so the one random thing will be what they ask Santa for.  The rest is all Mommy and Daddy.

4.  Family Breakfast - before presents.  That's right, we have breakfast as a group before they can open one present.  Their stockings are fair game, doesn't matter if it's 4am.  Everything else waits until Opa is in from doing the barn work and we eat.  Christmas isn't just about presents around here, it's spent as a family.  We open gifts when everyone is here to enjoy the fun.  Plus, Opa wears the Santa hat and passes the gifts around from under the tree.  It's great fun and will teach my girls patience.

5.  Donating to a Toy Drive - again, I want them to know that they are fortunate to have parents who can afford to buy things without sacrificing on groceries.  They need to understand that not everyone is as lucky as they are, so I will take them shopping for a toy and let them donate it to a toy drive or specific family in need.  Maybe we'll grab some groceries for the Food Bank while we're at it.  I want my girls to have a spirit of generosity.

6.  Cookie baking with Mommy - I went out and bough three aprons, one for me and two for them.  While our youngest is still too young to help, she will need the apron soon enough.  Our 4 year old is a great helper, and loves to "cook".  So we will don our matching aprons and make cookies, and cakes, and what ever else she feel like.  I will introduce her to the Newfie "snowball" cookie, and the Dutch Botter Koek (Butter cake).  She will know that both of her heritages are fantastic and unique.  And that real butter makes the cookies taste so much better :)

So that's a small glimpse into some of our Christmas traditions, we may add more as the years go by. Some may fall by the wayside.  But hopefully we will make lots of memories to be taken into lives beyond childhood.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?  Leave a comment and let me know!!

Hook + Yarn = Catharsis

So, between toddler meltdowns and teething babies this week, I still managed to get a few new projects completed for my customers.  Super pumped about that, since normally I don't even get to pee alone...but what Mom does?   I've also been trying to help my DH with his new clean eating/fitness program, so there's a lot of early mornings making lunches and cooking oatmeal going on in my house right now.  I must admit, it feels pretty good to get back into the swing of the WAHM thing.  I crochet a row or round in between diaper changes and feedings, and try and work on my Facebook and Etsy store in between juice refills and pretending to be a scary dragon or brave knight.

All around, if I manage to get all of that done and can send Mr. out the door in freshly ironed work clothes with a healthy lunch I figure I'm doing pretty good.  Which is huge for me to admit, since I have some residual PPD/Mommy guilt from after our first LO was born.  Admitting that I'm doing a good job despite sometimes not getting the laundry put away on the same day that I wash it is huge.  2 years ago I would've felt like a complete and utter failure.  Not now.  Which is why I'm no longer on my meds (Yay!!).  

Crochet has been a kind of outlet for me, it helps to calm my brain down when I start to go into freak out mode about not being "Super" Mom.  Who would've thought that a hook and some yarn would help to pull me out of the pit that PPD tossed me into?  

So, here is some of my yarn therapy from the last week :)  

Custom Order Owl Hat

Cutest.  Thing.  Ever.  Can't wait to see the little one wearing it!!!

Better Late Than...

    It's been far too long since I've written anything.  But mostly because we've been pretty busy.  Two moves, a new job for Mr, plus a new baby and we got married.  So both writing and my crochet habit kind of got pushed aside.  Since I'm a little rusty, I'm just popping in to say hi for today.  That, and to post a few shots from the last little while :)

Traditional Celtic Handfasting Ceremony July 20, 2013

Hay Bales and Smooches

Our wedding was outside, on the hottest day of summer. No large bridal party, just us and our girls.  It was fantastic, and we couldn't be happier. The picture on the left is of our traditional celtic handfasting ceremony, I braided 13 colours of ribbon together and our hands were bound with it. It's where the phrase "tying the knot" originates from, and it was lovely.  My grandmothers' (who is no longer with us) hummingbird pin and wedding ring were attached, as was his grandmothers' wedding ring.  Just a way for them to be there when they physically couldn't.  Our seats were hay bales, as was our backdrop decor.  Complete with a little wooden shoe planter because his family is Dutch.  We has a great day surrounded by family, smiles and sunshine.

Hungry Caterpillar Photo Prop - Available in my Etsy Shop

I've been picking away at some crochet over the last little while, like the caterpillar photo prop, as well as a turtle shell and these cute owl hats (below).  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  

9-12 month Owl Hat

Child size Owl hat