Nate's Rebuttal & Introducing 'Irene'

What alot of feedback from yesterdays' post! I think alot of great things were said in your comments. Some made me laugh, some made me think, but all of them had to be shared with Nate.

So last night, the laptop was brought to our dinner table. I read through my entire blog post, then started reading Nate your comments. I especially chuckled reading him things like...

"Sorry Nate..."

"Oh dear Nate..." (Ok, the Oh dear part still has me chuckling).

As he packed up to head to the gym last night he said "You have to post my rebuttal, tell them WHY I don't like hand knit socks" I half contemplated he should post his own rebuttal - lol.

On his return from the gym, I was sitting on our sofa, knitting, and he said "See, I'd like socks like those!" I raised an eyebrow, given I was sitting knitting the 'Rose is a Rogue' pattern. Roses, in pink yarn. Mmhhhh, you'd like these??? And here came his rebuttal:

His Aunt made them all hand knit socks one year. He was probably a young teen (this is my guess). He says they were fluffly, baby blue, made of wool and INCREDIBLY itchy. He hated them. But, he says he would like my pink rose socks (do you think I should knit them for him and see if they fit?) lol. Just kidding. I shouldn't rib him so hard. But, I do now see this as a challenge to knit him some nice, sportweight, non itchy socks. I think he will be sold.

All your comments yesterday really highlighted why handmade is just so wonderful. And also laid out some unspoken "rules".

- Chose who you give to and what you give to them carefully. Some people will never appreciate the work and the cost that goes into handmade gifts.
- I get really attached to the things I make and I want other people to love what I make. The thing is, someone else may not love it as much as I do, and that's o.k.
- I only give handmade to people who I think are worth the effort! It takes time and money to give handmade gifts.
- I think what it boils down to is - what are you giving and to whom. Need to pick your battles I guess.
- I don't feel insecure about giving handmade because it is sincere and genuine and from the heart. If the recepiant flinches or seems unimpressed, that is their issue - not mine. Why do we need to be so hung up on price tags and labels? Oh sadness... (I completely agree)

The last little nuggets of advice?

- there is more pleasure in giving than receiving, and if giving handmade feels good and right to you, gift on sister.
- forge ahead. It's all good!
- don't obsess...

Final note that Nate would like to place a comment - on dolls. He agrees with those of you who have said that giving stuffies, robots, dinosaurs, etc. are OK. He just has an issue with dolls. Dolls that look like, well, dolls. Anyone have a dinosaur pattern?

Wow, this is a long post! Now for the great doll reveal. Here is my first Wee Wonderful. At first I thought she looked like an Irene. Now I'm thinking Lucy. In anycase, I'm glad I gave her, and I will selectively gift on! Thank you sage readers!

On Giving Homemade

As I've probably noted a few times on this blog, but perhaps not so directly as now, I decided to give handmade gifts this year to Grace's friends. I was feeling pretty proud of this decision - making use of my creativity, not adding more plastic toys to somebody's collection, perhaps therefore also being a bit nicer to the planet, until it got to the point where the gift was done, and wrapped and had to be given.

I started to question myself "Is this really ok?" "Are they going to be pleased with it?" "Am I going to be seen as ridiculous?" (I believe that it is our society's culture of consumerism that had me questioning myself).

The gift was given yesterday, and I believe the recipients were pleased, but ack, still questioning myself. I said to Nate last night "Was that a smart thing to do?" "Should I just buy the rest of the kids Mr. Potato heads?" Not to my surprise, Nate had some rules on homemade (he said he could be my moral compass)

1. Don't give people handmade socks
2. Boys shouldn't be given dolls. They will be ridiculed in school.
3. Grace shouldn't be sent to school in homemade clothes (see #2).

Other than that, he said my homemade gift giving is just fine, and that after the gift is given, I shouldn't worry about how it is received. But alas, I have a soft heart, and I do worry! Alot of time and love is put into each gift!

So, all you out there who are experienced handmade givers - was taking that first step to go handmade hard? Did you question when stepping away from commercialism? Am I just crazy and over thinking the entire thing (ok, yes, I do realize I am doing that a little).

But your thoughts on giving handmade would be appreciated. Good or bad? Which side of the camp do you fall into?

How very Martha

My girlfriend Amanda and have been talking for quite some time about getting together for a craft night (almost a year to be exact!), and last night we made it happen. With the kids in bed, we got together to make ourselves an Easter wreath.

Supplies needed:

Wreath - we chose twig wreaths and picked them up at Michaels

Eggs - now, if you are truly adventurous, you can blow out your own eggs and dye them. I only saw disaster in this with broken eggs everywhere. We chose the *easy* route and bought colored styrofoam eggs (it took me just seven stores to track them down). Thankfully I think Amanda found hers in one stop.

Ribbon of your choosing

Hot Glue Gun

Any other little bits you'd like - I have seen some where they have added in flowers or willows.

Now the fun part - get assembling!

Easter Egg Mayhem

After many rounds of "Hmmm, should I add another egg" and, "Shoot, that one looks out of place" we decided they were complete.

I have mine hanging just inside our front door. I showed Grace this morning and she said "Beans???" "No honey, those are eggs."

And just because I think she's incredibly sweet, here is a Grace photo for you all.

Knit Knit Knit *MARCH RSC 2009 SPOILER*

I received the next shipment of yarn for the Rockin Sock Club on Tuesday night. I opened up the package and thought "Wow, interesting". It isn't my usual choice for colour, but I have slowly been falling in love with it. With Grace tucked into bed last night, I started knitting. I knit and I knit and I knit. For 3 hours. Yes, three.

I got up off the couch, saw it was 10 pm and thought, I should stop. I have learned if I keep knitting past the point when I'm tired, mistakes are bound to happen. But, I wanted to complete one rose (more on that in a minute). So I kept knitting. Round 4 of a chart. Crap. Mistake had happened. I undo a number of rows. Somehow ended up with more mistakes. I undid the ENTIRE sock. By the time I made it to bed, it was one in the morning.

Here is where the project is at.... again.

It's called "A Rose, is a Rose, is a Rogue." It has beautiful little rose buds that travel up the sock. Gorgeous.

The last sentence on that page says "Be patient with yourself."

Two important knitting notes:

1. Don't knit when you are tired.

2. Take your time.

I have a million and one other things that should be done while Grace is asleep. But I'm headed back to my chair, with my needles. Rose attempt #2.

Quack Quack Nibble Nibble

Here is a little Spring cheer for those of you still surrounded by snow.

Last night, after dinner, we took Grace to see the "trains". (In non Grace speak this means taking her to our local bookstore where in the kids area there is a train table set up). This just makes her giddy with glee. It also makes it hard to leave.

Nate and I were successful last night getting her to go, asking her to say bye to the trains, until we saw a red wagon on the way out and she REALLY wanted to get in for a ride. "No sorry honey, not tonight" She started to cry, not a tantrum, just alot of tears. Nate scooped her up and we continued out the store. I have found the key to crying, or a tantrum, is a distraction. Sitting on an easter display table was a stuffed duck, wearing rabbit ears. So I got their attention and asked Grace "What would a duck rabbit say?" Perhaps "Quack, Quack, Sniff Sniff?" I think Nate was pretty sure he hoped nobody was listening to me, and kept walking, while I kept talking. But Grace did stop crying.

The point of that story? I was on Soule Mama this morning, saw the link to this book, and it reminded me of the video below. Strangely coinciding with the weird duck rabbit episode from last night.

Enjoy :)

There isn't much happening for me this week. Work is really slow, days feel really long, and Spring keeps eluding us. It's sunny, then it snows, then the sun tries to break through again, but the next day it is overcast. For those that said February is a long dreary month, I think it is actually March. I spend my days at work right now figuring out how to start my Queen of Bead socks, how to darn the socks that now have holes, and, planning Grace's second birthday. Second. Two. T.W.O. How did THAT happen so fast?

I watch her in amazement lately. Her hair becoming curlier every day, how she now plays pretend with her toys. Her starting to ask to go to toilet, and the rejoicement that follows when something actually happens whilst on said toilet. I remember approaching her first birthday and feeling that I was letting something go. Now I look back at her one year photos and think how small she was. I realize that as she approaches three I will feel that two was so small, and I will marvel over everything a three year old can do. Time just seems to fly.

All this reminiscing came about reading this post today. It's a good read, but grab a coffee. Takes a bit to get through it all. One part says that most people don't have any recollection of their childhood under the age of 3. I know I don't. My earliest memory is from Kindergarten. I would have been 5.

I still have a horrible memory and am shocked about stories that friends tell me. I can't believe I was apart of some of them they seem so unreal. I was really apart of that?

As I watch everything that Grace is learning and taking in, I can hardly fathom she won't remember any of it. I have watched her go from a little person who couldn't remember what happened the day before, to someone who could remember the week prior. I can easily say now I think she can recall everything - at least the people, places, and things that she holds dear.

What were your earliest memories? Were they before the age of 3?

Weekend Away

I dashed out to the Mountains this weekend with Erin, for a scrapbooking retreat. Just the two of us, bunked up in a condo suite, working away. My mission was to finish off Grace's 1 year album. I had from 4 months onwards to go (a rather lofty goal I thought). But, after about 14 hours, I am SO close. I have just her Birth Day to go and some 1 year photos and it will be complete. Here is a peek at some of my favorite pages:

Erin had done this technique in her wedding album and I loved it. A great way to get quite a few photos on one page. We had these photos taken when Grace was 7 months old.

Every month during the first year I took a photo of Grace with her stuffed Dragon. It's alot of fun to look at each one and see how much she grew.

And an Easter page. I posted a photo a couple days ago of her looking at a cream egg. What you missed was her sticking the entire cream egg in her mouth. Middle shot on the bottom. It was priceless.

*Thank you for your feedback about Etsy. I am glad to hear this is perhaps just a bad apple. I have contacted the seller for a refund. We shall see where it goes from here.

*I managed to untangle the yarn on Friday while Grace had her breakfast, then her lunch. I have yet to start the socks.

*I have started Grace's leg warmers this weekend, but there are multiple colour changes which will have to occur. I am trying to figure out the best way to do the join. I'm thinking a Russian join would be the tidiest given the leg warmers are pretty small in circumference to be fussing with alot of weaving in. Thoughts?

Yarn & Etsy

First Etsy. Back in February (the 12th to be exact) I did my first purchase on Etsy. Some Anna Maria Horner fabric. I was so excited to receive it. It was coming from California so I assumed a couple weeks wait. I get into the 3rd week - nothing. 4th... nothing. 5th!!!! Ok. By now I had contacted the seller to say um.... what's up? She sent me the tracking # which only says that the shipper was notified to receive the item. Nothing about it being shipped. A few e-mails have been flying back and forth between us. As I am the receiver I can't start a search with USPS (United States Postal Service) and she seems uninterested in doing so. (Wouldn't you be if you lost what you had shipped?) She said she would re-ship the same fabric if I re-paid shipping. I'm hestitant to do that if I have no guarantee of it's arrival. What would you do? Go through paypal, submit a claim and hopefully get your money refunded? Or pay for shipping and give iit a second go? Can you etsiers out there reassure me this is not typical? That etsy is a safe reliable place to shop??

Now onto yarn. My January shipment of Rockin' Sock yarn arrived yesterday (note, it only took two business days from Seattle). Isn't it gorgeous!!!???

The pattern is called 'Queen of Beads'. Yep, I have 150 beads to string onto the yarn before I begin knitting. And um, after reading the pattern, the knitting terrifies me. There are right twists, and left twists, and bead placing. GULP.

However, first this needs to be untangled.

Nate asked me last night if I just take my skeins and pull them end to end.... because this ALWAYS happens to me. I get the skein laid out, start to hand wrap it into a ball, and always near the end, it becomes a tangled mess. This however is the worst I have ever created. At least 2 hours have now been put into fixing this disaster. As you can see I had to start untangling from the other end, so now I have two ends I'm working with. Now you all know what I will be busy with whenever I have a free moment - lol.

W.I.P. Stuffie Edition

The sewing machine my husband bought me as a Christmas gift has been seeing alot of good use lately.

A couple of weeks back, I whipped up this rabbit, testing a pattern by Tacha. I think my favorite part about him are his ears. Or perhaps his belly which can be stuffed with goodness.

I had full intention of hiding him, and putting him away for Grace for Easter, but alas he was mistakingly left out and was discovered by Grace the next morning. She was ECSTATIC, and the rabbit quickly joined her stash of favorite toys.


I was a little concerned about the zipper and the lining, being new to sewing either of those, but Tacha's instructions were really clear, making this a cinch to create. Thanks for picking me!

I have also been busy starting to make my collection of dolls for the many upcoming birthdays this Spring. Not to give her fully away, here is a glimpse of my first. I am seriously in love with the fabric I found for them, and plan to switch up the three fabrics so each doll looks slightly different (ie the shoe fabric may the shirt fabric on the next doll etc.)
A big thank you to all who responded to my embroidery help post yesterday. This little lady is going to get a face tonight thanks to you :) I have decided she looks like an 'Irene' to me. She will be revealed by the end of March!

Check out the other W.I.P.'sters here :)

Embroidery Help!

Anyone out there tonight? I need some embroidering tips - and amazingly Google doesn't have the answer! (on page 1 or 2 anyways... I always decide there is no hope going on to page 3).

When you have a finished doll, or stuffie and you are ready to embroider the face, what type of knot do you tie with your floss? Do you tie one? My biggest question though is where do you hide the knot so that everything looks streamlined?

I can understand doing it before assembly so the floss can be on the wrong side, but what when it's finished?

HELP!

(and thanks) :)

Simply Delightful

How beautiful is that? I have watched it at least a dozen times since first seeing it posted on Maribeth's site. It speaks to my soul and makes me long to pick up a paintbrush again.

I first discovered art when I was going into Grade 12. I had some free time where I could take another course, submitted some of my work and got accepted into Art AP. That year changed my life. I went from applying to a University to being a teacher to applying to an Art College. I have heard alot of nasty things about my Bachelor of Fine Arts. And for a long time, my head would dip a little bit lower and I'd think "maybe these people are right, maybe this degree is worthless".

Some 7 years after having graduated University, and after 6 years of working in a completely different field, my perception has changed. I am proud of my degree. I LOVE the things I learned. I miss having my paintings put up in galleries for others to enjoy. I miss the feeling of paint on my hands. And strangely I miss preparing a canvas with Gesso.

Despite that I thought I no longer "painted", I realize I have never been able to strip it out of my life (not that I'd want to!). I've been knitting, sewing, doing craft painting. As a young girl I did craft shows with my Mom and made origami bird earrings and fleece mittens. I think it is part of my genetic make up. To create.

There is a quote that a friend gave me in Grade 12 about art. It goes something like "As young children we are geared to want to create, to explore with textures, to be artists. And then the world tells us it isn't acceptable, and we walk away thinking we are no good at it, and never go back and pick up a pencil to colour with on a blank page." That breaks my heart.

I hope to raise my kids to love to be creative. Whether that means that they will be creative in the way they think about sending an astronaut to space, or creative about the materials they use on a canvas for a piece of art they are displaying in a gallery in New York (lofty thoughts heh? lol).

Now go watch that video again. SO beautiful. It makes my heart sing.

On Funerals

Death is awful no matter how it happens. Fast and unexpected, or slow and drawn out. My family is becoming experts on funerals (which is a horrible thing to be an expert at, I know). But, I have been to many a wonderful funeral. The only benefit I see of knowing that you are terminal, would be that you would get to plan each detail of your funeral procession. My Aunts funeral this weekend was amazing. She planned each aspect of it from the prayer service, to the interment, to the funeral service. She planned it so that her children, her husband and her grandchildren wouldn't need to do a thing. Her FRIENDS did it for her. It was absolutely beautiful, and truly was a celebration. I think my family all agreed that we would like a service like that.

I know I give a shout out to this gal quite a bit. And today is no exception. In the past three years my family has lost 5 loved ones. And of those, my girlfriend Erin has been to three of the services. Without question, I can walk into the church and know she will be there. Quick to hold my hand, steady my soul, and be still with me. My Mom once told me that throughout your life you will have many friends that come and go, and about a handful of friends that will stick by your side through all seasons of your life. I count myself extremely blessed that Erin is one of those. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm still feeling emotionally heavy from it all today. I have looked at my knitting needles the past couple of nights, and my sewing machine, but have ended up on the couch with a blanket (so not my style). I'm hoping my productivity and spunk start to revamp. Not to mention, I have alot of blogs to catch up on. At the moment, I'm busy uploading photos to print, as prep for my upcoming Scrapbook weekend away. I'll be working on finishing up Grace's 1st year album. Here's a couple of the memories I'm sifting through right now:

Grace with her Auntie Alicia - 8 months old

11 months at the Zoo Easter Egg Hunt. Checking out a Cadbury Cream Egg!

Sock Goodness

I am so far away from Wednesday now, I've officially missed the weekly W.I.P. Sigh. I had some good craftness to show you all too! Perhaps this will suffice until next week?

I was so excited to finish off the second sock this morning. I bought this pattern in the summer online. I was looking for a new challenge beyond scarves and hats. Like all things we choose to do for a challenge, this one pushed me. I learned ALOT and feel much more confident with those five little sticks in my hands.

Look at that heel flap! I was most worried about this part, and then having to join it back into knitting in the round. On both socks I had made a mistake and had to rip a large portion out. I was always so pleased to have this part complete.

I'm in sock heaven. Which is good, because I have a new challenge ahead of me. It actually fills me with a bit of fright, which I suppose is good, because then it will be given the respect it deserves. I signed up for the Rockin Sock Club '09. GULP. Since I am signing up late, I will get the January yarn, and March together I suspect. The bonus? I didn't have to pay for it (insert a very happy dance here). Our work gave us an extra amount of money for things like hobbies, sports fees, medical bills our benefits don't cover. Part of mine, is now being devoted to socks. All year round. I'm a very happy lady. I'm extremely grateful for this gift.

Here is another great thing. It was -30C earlier this week, and today, it was +5. Spring may be on it's way.

*If I new how to create my own award button, I would. Jumbleberry Jam has the most blogs on her reader out of everyone that posted! Stop on over, say hello to her so she will have even more to check out ;) lol

New Inspiration

I now have 35 blogs on my 'Places to Go' list. All of them I love, and find great inspiration from. Some are family, some are friends, and many, many of them make me run to my sewing machine, or to my knitting needles to create something new and wonderful.

Upon my continuing search to come up with the perfect Advent Calendar pattern, I stumbled upon these three blogs.

If you are looking for some crafty inspiration today, these will surely fit the bill. I hope you enjoy my new blog finds as much as me!

Pink Chalk Studio

Disdressed

Allsorts *This one is seriously awesome. Even the colours of the webpage make me giggle with delight!

How many blogs do you have on your list?

I will be back, late tonight, with my W.I.P. In the meantime, check out the other W.I.P.'sters here!

Linkage

Here are a few things that captured my attention these past couple of days:

First, let's visit with Mrs. Spit. Her post relates to Mom's who have lost their babies, but this part really resonated with me:

"Here's the thing about grieving - it's individual. It's your story, your show. You are here because your baby is dead. How you handle your baby's death, well, it's how you handle it. There's no right, and there's no wrong. You grieve how you grieve. There's no exam, and no one's marking you. (And if you are marking others, knock it off.) I assure you, there are no medals for grieving properly, and no one is going to hold you up as an example of how to do it well. No prizes, no models, no best-practices. There's no great way to do this. Do what you can, with what you have. Tell your story."

I had an Uncle pass away a year and a bit ago in a hospice, from brain cancer. As we watched Paul suffer for two years with his disease, I became hard. Calloused against death if that is possible. And, I will finally state it, that I turned from the church (and only partly my faith). I was angry. I still am. With my Aunts passing this weekend, I have said things like "I wasn't that close to her" "She isn't suffering anymore" "She's in a better place". Last night, while not able to sleep (see the next post) I thought - ALOT. And the truth is... I have lost someone. I am going to miss her. I am angry. I hate death. It all seems so unfair. And I probably appear calloused, or uncaring. I'm just numb from all the loss our family has seen these past few years. Death can you give us a break please? Just one year, without any loss. One filled with more joy, than tears.

Next up - Maribeth.

"I'm not so tired anymore, but I went through a long stretch of time (years) during which I felt tired a lot. This was when I had my babies, and when I was also working as a midwife. Being tired can become a way of life, but not a very good or productive one. For me, being tired is like treading water. You've got your head up, but there is no more energy left for swimming or graceful dives.
When I was tired, I had little room for creative thinking or doing. And I was not always as generous or kind to my family as I wanted to be. I've thought a lot about whether becoming a mother should automatically mean becoming exhausted. Has it always been this way, in all times and places?"

I smiled when I read this post this morning. Grace has been having trouble going to sleep in her crib. It usually takes an hour with hysterical crying. Last night (not typical) she woke up at 2 am and we were up until 4 am. I think being a Mom does involve years of being sleep deprived. But everytime I end up in the rocking chair in her room, with her face nuzzled into my shoulder, and her feet dangling off my lap, I tell myself that this time is so precious, and soon she won't fit in my lap. When I'm really tired, I remind myself that this time when they are little doesn't last so long. And I rock her a little longer.

And lastly, this link from Soule Mama. Those are some delightful hats. I might have to knit them all.

Joy

Serious sock knitting.

Tulips on the table. Building your first snowman with your Grandparents.

Thank you all for your prayers for my extended family. Funeral arrangments have been made for this coming Saturday, with a prayer service on Friday night.

Today

Today, this morning, my Aunt lost her battle with cancer.

I lost an Aunt.

A Mother lost her Daughter.

A husband lost his wife of 45 years.

Three men lost their mother.

Eight kids lost their Grandma.

One daughter, welcomed her Mother home.

There is a long road ahead for those left grieving. If you could keep my Uncle and his family in your prayers, it would be appreciated. There is a long road ahead and as many hands holding his and my extended family as possible may help lighten the load.

Blocks & Trucks

Are those the only toys boys can play with?

Here is a conversation I had with Nate the other night:

Me - I'm thinking of making all of the kids with upcoming birthdays something homemade

Nate - That's great (insert loads of enthusiasm here)

Me - I'm thinking of making them all a doll

Nate - (insert an eyebrow raised look) Boys don't play with dolls.

Me - Why not?

Nate - They play with trucks and blocks (insert a stern tone here).

Me - I see them play with stuffies. Dolls are stuffed (see my humour?)

Nate - That is NOT the same (more sterness).

Sigh. So, what do I make for some two year old boys? Any ideas? Second question... why can't boys play with dolls? I'd make them boy dolls....

W.I.P. Bookmarks & a Reveal!

I was so inspired by Tacha's bookmark post last Friday, that I spent the time while Grace was napping that very day creating some of my own.

I have never stitched on paper, and quickly fell in love with the sound the machine made as the needle pierced. Punch. Punch. Punch. I could see myself doing this MUCH more frequently. As I'm a bit of a paper-a-holic I had to work to remember to incorporate fabric. There is just a touch at the top and the bottom. The letter was created using my Cricut and I accented the cardstock with some stamping. A paper flower and a button were added at the end to finish it all off.

I was so excited to give them away that I forgot to photograph them all. There was a T, an M, and E (in addition to this one) and an A. One for each of my bookclub members, and for my cousing Meghan who was down for a visit. This one is soon to be sent off in the mail.

Last but not least, last Friday evening, a bunch of great gals gathered together for the Doll Quilt Swap. That means I can finally show you the one we received in the mail!

Isn't it great! And I was tickled pink about the embroidered names on it. Being so new to embroidery myself, I'm in awe. We are very lucky quilt recipients!

March 2007

On Today's Date.... (a couple of days late!).



In March of 2007 I was 34 weeks pregnant with Grace. I had started maternity leave on March 15th and was enjoying being at home getting ready for our little arrival. Yes, that photo is JUST 34 weeks. Grace was delivered on her due date - I still had a full 6 weeks of belly growing to do!

Something other than Banana Bread?

I had some bananas to use up, but having just finished off a loaf of 'nana bread, was looking for something different. Cookies to be specific.

I wasn't sure such a thing existed so was surprised Google turned up so many possibilities. I stuck with this one, but made a few changes (listed in purple).

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed bananas
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I used Non-Dairy Chips)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together, and set aside.
Cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the mashed bananas. Add the flour mixture, and stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. (Mine only needed 8 minutes).

Yes, one cookie in the photo is half eaten...

The batter seemed 'gooier' than that of banana bread, and I was concerned they wouldn't bake properly. I was pleasantly surprised that they turned out like muffin tops! I have one of these tins and think I will probably use that instead of a cookie sheet next time. They aren't quite as banana flavored as bread would be, which aids in them seeming more like a cookie. Overall, I think they are delicious and I'm sure they will be devoured in no time!

On Today's Date to come tomorrow!

Down by the River

We spent the afternoon down by the river today.

Having her first taste of Hot Chocolate.

Walking with her Mama.

And learning to throw stones with her Dad.