Blessed with Aqua Sky + Healthy Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

>>>>>>>>>This is not a sponsored post....I just had to share my good fortune>>>>>>>>>

Big title...I know. There's been a few silver linings to this whole diabetes mess. In trying to find healthy recipes, I found Maria Emmerich's blog and had my very narrow low-carb world opened up a lot. I also discovered Swerve Sweetener. Most sugar replacement products don't agree with my tummy, but Swerve is different, and has made a big difference for me.

Well, long story short, Swerve sponsored a giveaway on Maria's blog for a Kitchenaid Mixer.  And I won.  I still am in a bit of shock.  I got to pick my color, so this Aqua Sky beauty now lives on my counter.

Yummy French Toast for Guests

Due to some unexpected life circumstances, I am pulling out a guest post I wrote last fall.  It's a yummy recipe I shared with Stacey at Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy. 

 I actually was given this recipe in a cookbook about 14 years ago.  One of those great church lady recipe books with the homey recipes.

It's called McCoy's Mill French Toast.  Let me preface by saying I'm not a food blogger, and the day I made this it was rainy and cold, which is perfect for a warm gooey dinner, but not so much for photos.  It was just too good not to share!

Adventures in Low Carb Cooking

I thought I'd share some fun recipes I've been experimenting with as I try to control my blood sugar through diet.

It's been an adventure.  :)

Five for Friday

Just a fun summary of what we've been up to around here.

It's been another busy week.

And wiser too?

So last week, Mr. Pickup and I had our birthdays.  It was a crazy week, and so very low-key.

Not to say nothing happened...I went on a lunch date with Mr. Pickup on his birthday, and we went to see the Avengers movie on my birthday.  :)  However, on Sunday I decided we still needed to have a belated birthday cake.

Something sweet

A little while back, I saw Pioneer Woman's Oatmeal Whoopie Pie recipe post, and knew I needed to try it.  One of Mr. Pickup's favorite treats are Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies.

This looked like a great DIY version.

Mixing Bowl Cover + curvy sewing tips

My Sister-in-law requested a mixing bowl cover for her birthday.  She sent me a photo via Pinterest of what she had in mind.

Out of respect for the etsy seller and originator of this idea, I won't post a full tutorial, but I did want to share one tip that helped me make a casing around the edge of a circle.

Pinterest Experiments, take two.

I had so much fun with the last post showing you my latest Pinterest experiments I thought I'd show you some new things I've run across and tried.

Up first is my latest iteration of Cheryl's ice cream.  I made plain vanilla this time by substituting 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for the mint, and made strawberry shortcakes as a treat last Sunday.  So good!

Treats for school? Let's bring cookies.

I've found a new-to-me cookie recipe I had to share. Today is my son's turn for taking treats to kindergarten. All he wanted to bring was cookies. Thankfully we're back to sanity land where I can make homemade treats and bring them to school.

Favorite Oven Mitt Tutorial, with free template.

I have a favorite oven mitt. I've had it since we were married over 11 years ago. However, it's showing it's age.

Am I the only one who's accidentally placed a mitt on a still hot but turned off ceramic cooktop? {crickets chirping} I wanted one just like it, and I thought maybe someone else might as well.

Let's get started!
Before you begin, download your template HERE. 

Gather up your materials. 

You'll need:

• Outer fabric, a fat quarter is perfect.
• Lining fabric, a fat quarter also
• Matching double-fold bias tape, one yard
• Insulbright batting
• Quilt basting spray
• Matching thread
• Fabric marking pen
• Sewing tools; including scissors, seam ripper, pins, and sewing machine.

Before you begin, make sure your fabric has been prewashed and ironed.  Oven mitts often take a lot of abuse, and I know mine needs washing fairly frequently. 


Step one.  Lay out your fabric into a sandwich.  The outer fabric first, then the batting, shiny side down, and finally the lining fabric.

It's really important that the shiny side of the batting faces the outside.  This is what protects your hands from the heat.

Repeat, making sure the fabric will fit your template in reverse.  You will have two halves of an oven mitt, each a mirror of the other. 

Step two.  Lay out something to protect your work surface, like newsprint.  Get out put down your lining fabric, and spray lightly with the basting spray.

Press the batting to the lining, with the shiny side up.

Give another light spray, and then press the outer fabric to the batting.  You may have a little wrinkling, do your best to pull things tight with your hands. 

Repeat for the other half of your oven mitt. 

Step three.  Trace your template onto each sandwich's lining.  

Make sure you flip the template so that each side is a mirror of the other.  You are making one oven mitt.  :)

Step four.  Quilt the fabric sandwiches. I used a wavy stitch, and sewed in a fairly straight pattern every inch to inch and a half.

I stopped just passed where the tracing line was.

 Repeat for the second side. 

Step five.  Following the template line, carefully cut out each mitt piece.

Step six.  Add the bias tape.  First, add a little hanger. 

Fold into a loop, and baste to one oven mitt half as shown.

To finish the bottom edge, apply bias tape to the bottom of each mitt half.  I struggle to get bias tape placed like I want it, so I am really careful.  I first pin and sew the tape to the outer fabric.

I fold the tape over so the bottom is covered and baste in place.

I then stitch the tape into place and remove the basting stitch.

Be sure to trim all your threads. 

Step seven.  Sew the two halves together.  First, pin the halves right sides together.

Stitch together, being very careful around the curvy parts, 1/4" seam allowance.  

Don't forget to clip the curve where the thumb meets the rest of the mitt.  I did, and when I turned it the first time, everything pulled funny.  

Finally, finish all your edges.  If you are lucky enough to have a serger, go for it.  For the rest of us, a tight zigzag will be fine.

Turn the mitt right side out.  You made need to use a wooden spoon to push out everything, as the fabric may be a bit stiff. 

Well done!  These are really not too hard to make...and make kitchen chores so much more fun.  Enjoy.


Featured on Craft Gossip, One Pretty Thing, and I Share Crafts, and Cut Out and Keep.
Sharing with Blue Cricket Design, Tea Rose Home, and Freckled Laundry, and Just a Girl.

Holy Guacamole

A favorite tradition that came from my family (I grew up in Arizona) was having Mexican food on Christmas Eve.

I thought I'd share my favorite Guacamole recipe with you all, in honor of my parents and grandparents.  

Pickup Guacamole

2 ripe avocados, diced and mashed with a fork
2 small tomatoes, diced
1/4 c. onion, grated OR 4 green onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
juice of one lime
1/2 teaspoon of fruit fresh (find it in the canning section)
dash of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
4 stems of cilantro, stems removed and leaves chopped (optional, but oh so good if you dare.)

Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Refrigerate for about an hour.   Serve with tortilla chips as an appetizer or as a garnish with your favorite tacos or enchiladas.  

IF you have any extra, cover tightly and refrigerate.  Avocados oxidize (turn brown) quickly, and don't stay good more than 24 hours.  

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your families.  

p.s. Another great gift for you, Aimee at HomeSpun Threads is offering her PDF patterns for free.  Check it out HERE.

Happy Halloween

With hopes that your day was filled with treats and not tricks.

Dipped nutter butter ghosts inspired by Marta.

Taking time to make life sweet

The little ones still at home and I needed to do something fun together, away from the upstairs organizing.  The kitchen was a perfect spot to have some fun, and make a little big mess.  My preschool boy has been begging for a treat, so yesterday we made muddy buddies.  I add about a cup of raisins.  It's healthy, right?

My son's favorite way to help:  

Mmm sugar coated goodness.

And the very  best part?  Licking the bowl.

I'd love to know what snacks you enjoy making with your little ones.  Any faves you'd care to share?

Linking up to Blue Cricket Design, and Someday Crafts.

Preserving corn...yum.

Just before we moved, we harvested what was left in our garden.  We had baskets full of corn, more than we could eat at dinner.

Corn is fairly easy to preserve.  Get a pot of water boiling while you pick.  Shuck the corn and remove all the silk you can.  Then add the corn to the boiling water, and leave in for only four minutes. 

My lens got steamed up a bit.

Quickly remove the corn and place in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.

Once cool, carefully cut the kernels from the cob, being careful to only remove the top 2/3 of the kernel.

Place in freezer bags.  Fill the bags about half-full.  Remove all the air you can, and seal.  Label your bags, and then place in your freezer until you're ready to use it.  I love my flexible cutting board, it also works as a funnel of sorts. 

I'm so glad we had some small part of our garden to bring with us.

Featured on


Linking up to:
Creation Corner,  Be Different Act Normal, and Under the Table and Dreaming.

First Day of School

We have a little tradition in our family of having cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Sometimes you just need a little extra frosting. 

Then we always take a photo before school starts.

What fun traditions do you have in your families?