'11 Happy Dance # 30: DIY Harry Potter Wands

Happy Halloween from Hogwarts!

In celebration of this festive fun occasion...let's make some Harry Potter wands!  I found this cool idea over at Cut out and Keep.

First thing you need is some sort of base for your wand.  I used those disposable round pointy wooden chopsticks.   They are on the short side, but that is ok since these wands were for Blockette.

Next, hot glue on some beads and what not.  I used the glue gun to add various bumps and nodules.

As I used shiny painted and plastic beads, I needed to give my wands several coats of primer.  Spray paint would have worked well, but I just had regular acrylic craft paint, so I used that.  I painted the one on the left with a red base coat and the one on the right with black.

Next, I used a dry brush technique to apply several different shades of brown.  I thought the one on the left looked a little boring, so I added some white dots.  Finally, I sprayed them with a coat of matte sealer so the paint wouldn't wear off after a few play sessions.

Viola! There you have it, DIY Harry Potter wands.  Sure beats spending $18-40 at Universal Studios, Warner Brothers or Alavans, particularly when I already had the paint, beads and glue in my crafting stash, I "liberated" the chop sticks from a Chinese fast food place, and borrowed the Matte sealer from my best friend's husband.

Oh, and Blockette LOVES them.  The redish one with the polka dots is her favorite.  She is swishing and flicking all about the house saying things like Alohomora or Riddikulus every chance she gets.

'11 Happy Dance #29: Snowy's Halloween Costume

A few weeks ago Blockette won this little white poodle for completing her reading assignments on time. And that was how Snowy came to join our wee little band of crazies.

Last week Blockette asked me if I could make Snowy a skirt.  I told her "sure" and left it vague as to when said clothing was going to be completed. Today she asked me again(in her sweetest, most polite, non whiny voice), and of course, as I feel like I got hit by a mac truck, I told her, "Not today." 

Blockette was crestfallen but was trying hard not to show it.  Then she said, "Oh mom, but I really wanted her to have a Halloween costume." 

Sigh.  She's been super good and helpful lately.  I knew it wouldn't be too hard if I just sat down and focused. 

I present to you, Ballerina Snowy with her white tutu, jewel collar and snowflake earrings (and one very happy little girl.) 

Rotary Blade Sharpening

So maybe I've been living on another planet, but I just found out this really awesome tip on how to sharpen your rotary blade over at Penny's Hands.  Wanna know what the trick is?  Tin foil!!! (or if you belong in the 21st century, Aluminum Foil.)

Yeah, you just run your rotary over the foil and shazaam...it's good as new.

People, you can do this with scissors and paper punchers too!  How neato is that?

OK.  I'll go back under my rock again.  Next week, maybe I'll tell you about these new fangled things they have for warming up your feet.  I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I'll just give you a hint...they're called socks!  Drat.  I ruined it.  Now I have to think of another equally exciting post for next Saturday.  Sigh.

Blow Your Mind Sloppy Joes

Soccer practice night is a bit hectic. We have to leave the house by 5:45, which doesn't leave much room for screwing around at dinner time, eating or preparation wise.  One night I was particularly pressed for time so I whipped out a good old fashioned can of Manwich...and steeled myself for a fight.

Oh, Blockette likes Manwich well enough, it's just the bun she doesn't particularly care for.  My daughter, who loves carbs in all other forms, doesn't like hot dog or hamburger buns.  But this time I had an ace up my sleeve.  You see, back in September I saw this post for lunch lady sloppy joes over at Simply Scratch.  The idea is brilliant.

I told Blockette I was going to BLOW HER MIND.  First, I got out a hot dog bun for the sloppy joes, instead of the boring ordinary hamburger buns.  I could have just stopped here.  A hot dog bun, for sloppy joes?  Blockette was floored and amazed at this minor change.

Then I said, "Oh just wait.  I'm really gonna blow your mind."  And I whipped out the cheese sticks...and I stuck that cheese stick. In. The. Bun.

Whoa...

Her mind was sufficiently blown. And I continue to hold the trophy for the world's best mother.  (::insert visual image of me headbanging and playing the air guitar.::)

Thankful Thursday 42.11

1. Mrblocko took Blockette to her roller skating party.

2. Mrblocko stayed with Blockette when she realized she was terrified of roller skating, even though he probably would have been much happier on the couch watching football. (P.S. Blockette is a roller skating fanatic now.)

3.  Star Wars family movie time.

4.  Seeing Blockette's friend's family at church this Sunday.

5. I found the bugs in the bag of rice before I used the rice.

6. Not crying when I realized I didn't have any other rice besides the buggy stuff that went into the trash.

7. The bread I made on a whim turned out AWESOME.

8. Family reading time.

9. Being a mean mom.

10. Seeing Mrblocko go crazy trying to find the super secret stash of Halloween candy.

Microwave Apple Crisp

How is it that I have not written about this amazing apple crisp before?  I got to thinking about it and I haven't made this awesome microwave apple crisp ever for Blockette.  That means it's been at least 6 years since I've made it.  I guess that I've just gotten so focused on baking new things that I lost touch with some of my favorite classics.

My mom and I used to make this all the time when I was a whipper snapper.  It comes from Betty Crocker's Microwaving for One or Two. This was perfect for the two of us.  We were never big eaters so most recipes that even served four left us with loads of leftovers.  It was nice to have some dishes where we knew we wouldn't have to be eating the same thing for days on end.

This is also the perfect dessert when you want apple pie, but are too lazy to make crust and want your dessert in 15 minutes or less.  And let's face it, most of the time I'm too lazy to make a pie crust and I want dessert NOW!

Below is the recipe for two servings.  You can easily half or double the recipe to your liking. If you are going to make a serving for one, just use a dash of the spices and nuke the apple crisp for about 3 minutes.

Microwave Apple Crisp for Two (A la Betty Crocker)
1 1/2 c peeled, sliced tart apples
2 T Flour (I've used All purpose and unbleached whole wheat.  Both were tasty.)
2 T oats (the recipe says quick cooking, but I've used old fashioned and that works fine too.)
2 T brown sugar
2 T margarine or butter, softened
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Spread apples in a 24 oz microwavable dish.  Mix remaining ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle on top of apples. Nuke that bad boy for 5-6 minutes until the apples are tender.  Serve with ice cream if you know what is good for you.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

I was wanting something chocolaty after dinner one evening, but wasn't willing to break into the stash of Halloween candy I have hidden somewhere in the house. (Shhhh Amy. Secrets.)  I thought that this pb hot chocolate from eat live run might satisfy my sweet tooth, and warm me up at the same time. 

This hot chocolate is slightly sweet, with just a hint of Peanut butter in the background.  Mrblocko was a bit skeptical that it might be too peanut-y, but once, again I proved him wrong. Blockette thought it was the best hot chocolate ever.  I, however, think the Hot Toffee Chocolate I made last year, still holds the blue ribbon.

Had I actually paid attention, I would have seen that you add the peanut butter after all the other ingredients have been whisked together.  I just dumped everything into a sauce pan and whisked away.  It may have taken a bit of extra whisking, but it turned out just fine in the end.  So go ahead and dump everything in at once if you feel like it.  I do suggest not dumping half the bottle of vanilla extract onto your kitchen counter like I did.  Although, that's just a suggestion.  Do what you will.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate from Eat, Live, Run serves 1
1 cup milk
1 T peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 T sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk milk, cocoa powder, vanilla and sugar in a small pot on the stove. Bring to a simmer and add peanut butter, stirring well to get rid of any clumps. Pour into favorite mug and serve with whipped cream and salted peanuts.