Creative Girly Projects

Having a girl is a lot of fun because you get to dress them up in cute frilly things.

For Gabriella's birthday I wanted to make her a tutu so I looked up on youtube several different videos and found one that I really liked because it's super easy.

And here is Gabriella in her tutu

The next thing I wanted to learn how to make was a boutique style hair bow. I was super intimidated by these because the first time I tired I used a hot glue gun and it was a hot mess! This video showed a much easier way to do it.

(I don't have a "gator bite" I just used the little alligator clips and that worked just fine)

And Gabriella wearing her new bow:

The next thing is a fleece blanket. Jordan's co-worker made one of these for one of the families in the program they work with. He thought it would be a great gift for his nephew and made this all by himself. Go here for instructions.

We also made him swaddling blankets. When I had Jayden a good friend of mine passed down some swaddling blankets someone had given her. They are so easy to make! All you need is 1 yard of flannel material and a sewing machine. We just hemmed the edges using our sewing machine. If you have a serger it would save you a lot of time and energy, but honestly how many people actually have one?! (I had never even heard of a serger until my sister told me about them. Her in laws have one and so she used it on Gabriella's swaddle blankets.)

I couldn't find a picture of Gabriella's blankets.... oh well. They also make great cover-ups for nursing.

I am needing something to pass the time this winter so if you have any suggestions for creative projects please, please, please tell me!!!!

Homemade Potato Soup

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE potatoes! In fact I've been craving potatoes this whole pregnancy. I've been eating more mashed potatoes than any person probably should. Anyways, I've been wanting to find a good restaurant style potato soup recipe, so I did just that. I searched in Google "restaurant style potato soup" and came across this website with this recipe. I made it today for lunch and it was delicious. I didn't alter anything in the recipe, but I did notice the price of heavy whipping cream is pretty expensive, so I looked up a substitute. If you are interested go here for directions.

Ingredients

• Potatoes (6-8 depending on the size)
• 1 Onion, diced
• 4 14oz cans of chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• Celery salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 dash of basil
• 1 dash of sugar
• 2 sticks of butter
• 3/4 cup of flour
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Garnish

• 4-6 pieces of cooked bacon, chopped
• Chopped chives (amount depends on your preference – I like a lot)
• 2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack / Cheddar cheese blend.

Directions

1. Boil the potatoes, peel and set aside (someone suggested you rub with kosher sale and bake the potatoes, leaving the skin on)
2. In a large soup pot, melt the butter over a low to medium heat, being careful not to burn it.
3. Add the onion and cook until softened.
4. Add the flour and stir while it cooks for about 3 minutes.
5. Slowly add the chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, basil and sugar.
6. Bring to a boil, stirring often with a wire whisk.
7. Gradually add the heavy cream until you’ve reached the proper consistency.
8. Chop the potatoes into bite sized cubes and add to the soup.
9. Simmer for approximately 5 minutes to bring the potatoes to temperature.
10. Ladle the soup into individual bowls and garnish with chopped bacon, chives and the cheese blend.
11. Enjoy!