A Few Oldies to Share

Hello All!

I wanted to show you a few of the projects I did before Christmas...enjoy!!

CooKoo for Cowls:

This project was a super quick knit!!  It took exactly 2 skeins of WoolEase Thick and Quick, and many, it is THICK!!!  We had temps around -40C with the windchill this week, so it was the perfect time to wear it!! 

The pattern is GAP-tastic Cowl and it is really popular on Ravelry right now!
Go grab yourself a copy of the pattern since it is free, and while you're at it, check out  my Ravelry notes...

Next up...The Christmas Surprise Blanket

I made this uber thick blanket for my new nephew.  It is doubled up Vanna's Choice yarn that I grabbed during a huge sale at Michaels.  It moves right along and the pattern is so easy!!  I like that if you double up the yarn it can be a floor blanket, and if you use a single strand, it is more of a car blanket.  I loved the pattern and I cannot wait to make another one!!  The pattern is Chevron Baby Blanket by Purl Soho, and here are my Ravelry notes.

Hannah's Build-a-Bear needed a new sweater, so I whipped one up using the Toy Pullover or Vest pattern.  I made a few mods, so check out my notes.  Doesn't Dolly bear look cute??  Once I can start knitting again, I have promised Stuffie the Bunny and Canada Bear their own new sweaters!!

Just before we left on Christmas holidays, we went over to the UofA Butterdome for their big craft sale.  I was bound and determined to find some yarn amongst all the candles, metal art, home remedies and wall hangings.  Sure enough, I found a stand for MelonHead Knitwear out of BC.  I loved all of the beautiful handspun she offered, and I bought some BFL and a pattern for a slouchy hat. 

Then, one night at my in-law's house, I whipped up this pink beauty.  (yes, I know the photo is not flattering at all...I look like I have a lazy eye!!)  The pattern is very well written, the yarn was a dream to knit with, and I love the final result!! 

You can find the pattern here, and my notes here.

Finally, I finished up a sweater for Hannah that I don't think I ever posted about.  We bought her a pair of (fake)Uggs and she wanted a sweater to go with them.  So, I went with a simple cardigan in a practical, yet girly grey. 

We named the sweater, "Even Princesses Wear Grey," since Hannah was reluctant to wear either the boots or the sweater at first.  She was convinced they were too boyish, and it took me showing her a photo of Princess Kate (God Bless Google) wearing grey Uggs to make her think twice.  Now she loves both items, despite their color. 

The pattern I used was Audrey's First Day, by Elizabeth Smith.  I had made another one of this designer's sweaters before and loved it, so I was anxious to make something for Hannah.  I did make a bunch of mods on the sweater so it would fit my little princess just right, though I forgot to add them to Ravelry.  I'll have to dig up my pattern and see what I wrote down.  So, with that said, stay tuned to my notes page in case I find them and post them.

So, other than two WCOBBS blankets that I will post about later, I think that should catch you all up on my knitting.  If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to post.

Cheers!!
Sharon

DIY Fun Foam Ornaments

Hello All!

Last night when we were putting up our family Christmas tree, I came across some ornaments that I thought I would share with all of you. 

When Hannah was little, we were concerned that her curiosity would result in some broken ornaments at Christmas.  So, I decided to make some 100% unbreakable ones. 

These are made out of fun foam, and take no time at all to make.  When I made these, sticky backed foam wasn't as available as it is now.  So, I used super glue and hot glue.  Now, you can get most any color or shape with a sticky back, making this project even easier!

First, you need to decide what shapes you will be making.  I used some cookie cutters as inspiration, but several of my ornaments were made free-hand.  I also based several ornaments on their breakable counterparts. 

Once you know what shapes you are doing, simply trace or draw out your shapes on the foam and cut them out.  Keep in mind the possibility that your shapes may end up reversed if you have any markings left from drawing them.  Also, be careful when you cut them out.  I was able to make two candy canes out of one cutting.  I simply made one in the reversed colors of the other.  Some other tools that can be helpful are hole punchers for berries and printable images on the computer. 


Finally, once all of your pieces are cut out, assemble them either with their sticky backs or glue.  When I use hot glue or super glue, I place all of my shapes on parchment paper.  It saves me from making a mess if the glue spills out the sides.
To hang your ornaments, you can use wire, ribbon, pipe cleaners, you name it.  I decided to use wire for mine.  I took a small piece of wire, doubled it over and twisted the ends together.  I then took a small scrap of coordinating foam and hot glued the pieces together, with the wire sandwiched in the middle.  On some of the ornaments, such as the blue ball with snow, I sandwiched the wire between the white and blue foam. Be sure if you do this that none of the wire is peeking out from under the foam.  It wouldn't take much to scratch a little one, which defeats the purpose of making kid friendly ornaments!! 

The possibilities are endless with this craft!  You could even pre-cut the pieces and have an ornament party with your kids and their friends.  These make great keepsakes, and you could even add a photo to a wreath shaped ornament for a great gift for family members.  I'd love to hear your ideas!!

Happy Crafting!!

Sharon

DIY Recycled Bird Feeders

Hello All-

I was going through some photos left on my camera and I came across a project that I had been wanting to post and forgot.  About a month or so ago (before the snow), Hannah and I decided to do something nice for both the birds and the environment.  We made toilet paper tube bird feeders!!  This was a mildly messy project, but easy to clean and lots of fun!  Even though many of you may have snow, this can easily be adapted to being an indoor project...just be sure to cover the surface you're working on well to avoid a big mess.

First, we collected a few toilet paper tubes from our craft bag.  I had been saving them for a bit with no project in mind, so this was a perfect use for them!!

Next, you'll want to gather all of your supplies.  I suggest getting everything out first, since things can get a bit messy once the peanut butter comes out! 

For this project you'll need:
- Toilet paper tubes
- Bowl for peanut butter
- A child safe knife (or an adult can do the spreading)
- Birdseed
- A tray to catch extra birdseed

Once everything is ready, you'll want to put a fair amount of peanut butter in your bowl.  It doesn't take much to cover the tube, but little ones may have some trouble spreading it because of the stickiness, so you'll want to give them some extra. 

Then, spread the peanut butter all over the tube.  I found it best to put my fingers inside the tube to hold it and keep it's shape better while spreading.  The oils from the peanut butter tend to make the cardboard a touch soggy and it will crush much easier.  you might even want to hold the tube for your child while they cover it with peanut butter.

Next, roll the tube in birdseed.  I found that putting a bunch of seed into an old pie plate worked well.  It also made clean-up easier.

Once your tube is fully covered, find a tree branch to slide your tube over.  Be sure that you can easily see the branch from a window in your home, since snow may prevent you from getting outside to view.

Finally, admire your work and wait for a few new friends to stop by! 

The best thing about this project is that we had all of the materials in the house already, so it cost nothing.  It is also easy enough to make year round, so your feathered friends won't go hungry!!

Have fun making your toilet paper bird feeders!!

Happy Crafting!
Sharon

DIY Christmas trees

Hello All-

I wanted to share a Christmas project with all of you that got a bit of attention on my Facebook page last week.  With a new house and new spaces to decorate, I have been spending a fair amount of time at various stores scouring through their decorations for "the perfect ones."  I noticed that one type of decoration that kept popping up in my search was small decorated Christmas trees.  Not decorated with ornaments and lights, but instead, feathers, paper sheet music, beads, you name it.  A quick search on Pinterest and you'll see countless variations.

I decided to give this new trend the old "DIY try".  So far I have made two trees for our mantle, and if time allows, I will add a third to the set. 

(I apologize that I don't have step-by-step photos, but they are quite easy to make. I didn't expect to be blogging about them until numerous people started sending me messages with questions about them)

The first one I made was the button tree.  I have quite a large button collection, but I wanted some variety and I picked up a few bags of mixed buttons at Michaels.  I will warn you, these can get costly, so this would be the perfect time to get your hands on one of their 50% off coupons!!  Not only do you need lots of buttons, but you'll also want to pick up a Styrofoam tree and lots of push pins.  I decided to go with red and green tipped pins for a bit more color, but any large headed pin will do.  I suppose you could also glue your buttons, but I wanted the ability to change mine around and potentially use some of them in knitting projects. 

You'll want to start pinning your larger, more basic buttons, around the tree.  I found that on the larger ones, using two pins was more helpful in keeping them still.  From there, you keep building up the layers and adding more of the smaller and more unique buttons.  Keep going until you feel that enough of the tree has been covered (you don't want a lot of holes and Styrofoam peeking through).  For buttons with shanks and not holes, simply bend your pin into an "L" shape and poke it through that way.  Also, when you get toward the top, be careful!  My pins started poking through the point of the tree and I had to take a break to let the bleeding stop!!

The next tree I made was a ribbon tree.  To make this one, you again need a Styrofoam tree, and pins, though flat headed ones work best on this project.  You will also need ribbon.  I went with four different patterns and one roll of each.  Depending on how full or colorful you want your tree, you may have to adjust how much ribbon you use.  I used every last scrap I had, and I probably could have used another roll for good measure. 

To make the tree, you simply cut your ribbon into 3-inch lengths.  From there, you fold the ribbon pieces in half and secure them to the tree using pins.  Once you finish your row, you start the next one, slightly overlapping the ribbons to cover the pins from the row below.  Keep going in whatever color pattern you choose, again being careful not to poke yourself as you near the top of the tree.

See, pretty simple!!  I have one more tree that is taller than the other two, and I think I will be covering it in yarn.  A friend suggested pompoms, and if I can get them to stick, that may be an option too.  Hmmm...so many ideas!!

Well, I'm off to ready the little one for school.  Tonight we are decorating our tree, so stay tuned for some photos of that!!

Cheers!
Sharon

Salt Dough Ornaments

Hello Everyone!!

I have been getting some questions lately from friends looking for ornament ideas that would be good for their little ones to make.  I did this post last year for "Kids in Cowtown" and I thought I would re-run it here.

Enjoy!!

I recently received my December issue of Canadian Living in the mail, and I couldn’t wait to try out one of the craft ideas, Salt Dough Snowflakes. I used salt dough for school projects as a child, so I was excited to use it again after all these years.
This project is great for doing with little ones. I had my 3 ½ year old help with every step, and she did a great job! I must also say that I had originally thought I was in for a big mess, but it wasn’t bad after all.


First, you need the following ingredients (Tip: I cut the ingredients in half for my first try and it worked fine):
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 cup warm water
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Add the water a bit at a time until your mix starts to look like cookie dough. Turn out onto your work surface, knead it a few times and roll it out to approx ¼ inch thickness.



After that, use cookie cutters to make your shapes, and place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Before you put them in the oven, poke a hole in the top of each one with a drinking straw (this hole is for a hanging ribbon). Bake at 300-degrees for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Once they cool completely, you can paint and decorate them any way you like!






Here are some tips I figured out along the way:
* You don’t have to use just snowflake cookie cutters…we used some that I already had in the house, and my daughter came up with the idea to use her Play Doh cutters. They worked great and made for some really fun shapes!









* I don’t have a lot of “kid-friendly” paints in my home, so we used washable markers. I found that they created less mess and Hannah was able to use more colors on each ornament. We also used glitter pens from one of her coloring sets to add some sparkle to each ornament.







* We split this project into two days…one to make and bake the ornaments and another to color them. I found that not only did it give me two days of crafty fun, but my daughter’s attention span wasn’t stretched too far this way.

We had so much fun making these! While creating them, I thought of a few other uses for the ornaments…wouldn’t they make great place cards at a holiday meal? Guests could keep them as favours and remember a wonderful time at your home. (Be sure to add the year on the back of them with a permanent marker) Also, I can picture these as cool gift tags. With cookie cutters coming in so many different shapes, you could really personalize them to the gift recipient. Finally, do you have a lot of children that visit your home during the holidays? You could make the ornaments ahead of time, then make goodie bags with an ornament, a few markers, a glitter pen, and a piece of ribbon. Place everything into a clear bag with a gift tag, and you have a quick, easy gift that costs only a few dollars. The possibilities are endless!!!

Have fun making your salty new works of art, and I would love to hear other uses that you can think of!

Cheers!
Sharon

All Around Town: Telus World of Science

Hello All-

If you live in the Edmonton area and you've never been to Telus World of Science, you are missing out!  This place is hands down, my favorite spot in the city.  My family enjoyed it so much that we bought memberships during our first visit. 

Hannah is a budding scientist, so around every corner was something for her to explore.  Even as an adult, I found the exhibits very interesting and I learned a lot as well.  During our visit, there was a Sesame Street special exhibit all about the body.  We had a blast learning with all of our favorite characters.  They were also showing One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure in the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre.  Both were highlights of the trip. 

Along with the Sesame Street offerings, we also had fun in the Health Gallery, Space Gallery, DiscoveryLand, and Forensics Gallery.  We didn't make it to the Environment Gallery or Robotics Lab during this trip, but we look forward to them the next time.  All offered hands-on exhibits for all ages and there wasn't a dull moment the entire time. 

One of the upcoming exhibits to visit the museum is Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.  We saw this exhibit when it visited the Telus museum in Calgary and it is quite good.  They are also currently showing Born to Be Wild in the IMAX^® Theatre.  Hannah and I saw this movie in 3D in Calgary at the Chinook Mall and it is fantastic!  If you haven't seen it, you should add it to your To Do List!!

What's your favorite part of the museum?  With goodies in every nook and cranny, I'm sure we missed some stuff and I'd love to hear your favorites!!

Happy Exploring!
Sharon

Fresh from the Oven: Thanksgiving!

Hello All-

I'm in the process of writing some new food posts (since I have been cooking/baking up a storm lately).  In the meantime, I thought I would share the menu we used at Canadian Thanksgiving this past weekend.  All in all, I think the food was quite successful.  Since many of my readers will be celebrating US Thanksgiving next month, I thought I'd throw out some food ideas.  Stay tuned in the next week or so for more elaborate posts regarding some of the items we made.

The guests we had for Thanksgiving stayed with us two nights, so on top of dinner, I also had to think of breakfasts.  We went out for lunch both days, so that helped. 

Thanksgiving Dinner

Appetizers

Wild Mushroom Pate on Pita Chip Crackers

Baked Crab Rangoons

Manila Clams steamed in beer

Homemade Cheese Crackers

Dinner

Lobsters (for the boys and Hannah)

Steaks (for the ladies)

Grilled Asparagus

Corn

Crispy Baked Onions

Homemade Bread

Dessert

Baked Apples and Vanilla Ice Cream

Sunday

Breakfast

Blueberry Breakfast Cake

Lunch

Dim Sum at Cha for Tea Palace

Dinner

Lobster Rolls (for the boys)

Steak Subs with leftover steak, onions, and garlic mayo (for the girls)

Dessert

S'mores Croissant Rolls

Monday

Breakfast

Cinnamon Buns

Lunch

Famoso Pizza

So there you have it.  A bit unusual for a holiday weekend menu, but since none of us are big fans of turkey, we decided to go with something different.  The biggest hits of the weekend were probably the blueberry cake, the onions, and of course those who had the seafood were quite please with it too.

Have a great rest of the week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Sharon

All Around Town: Reynolds-Alberta Museum

Hello All-

This week we venture out of the Edmonton city limits and head to Wetaskiwin and the Reynolds-Alberta Museum.  If you enjoy transportation and history, this is the place for you!  We visited back in early September when my in-laws were visiting town.  Both my hubby and father-in-law love old cars, so this was the perfect spot to visit.

The day we went, we not only got to see the museum and the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame, but we were also treated to the Harvest Festival, including the threshing competition.  Now I know that might not sound like fun to some of you, but it was actually quite interesting.  I just need to remember to bring my allergy medication for next year!!

For those of you with children, this could be hit or miss (unless you know they like transportation "stuff").  Hannah enjoyed herself, but I found myself walking around with her quite a bit looking for the various interactive displays, while the rest of our group stopped to read plaques, etc.  Though, with that said, there were quite a few things for kids to check out and stay occupied, so she never seemed to get bored. 

The museum is very well laid out and moves right along.  The day we went they had a quilting exhibit, bread making demos and a spot where you could shake your own butter.  I really liked the period costumes and the fact that they went above and beyond the typical car museum.  I felt like we were learning as much about history as we were about how people moved.  Hannah also loved the simulated drive in theater and the tractors that you can climb on and explore.

A short walk brought us over to the aviation building, home to the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame.  The spiderweb of planes and other aircraft was very well designed and showcased each piece nicely.  A highlight was being able to get up inside a helicopter and look around.

My only complaint about the museum was the food service.  Though they listed a variety of snack bar type items on their menu board, they only had a few offered that day.  I don't know if they were having trouble keeping up with the large crowd, or if this is a regular issue.  It also took nearly a half hour to get the grilled cheese and burger that we ordered.   I would be curious to see how smoothly things run on a non-event day. 

Though I am not a huge car enthusiast, I do look forward to going back again.  I think this will be on the list of attractions that we bring company to.  It is a nice drive and a fun place...a 10 in my book!!

Happy Exploring,
Sharon

Fresh from the Oven: Cream of Tomato Soup

Hello All-

With the changing of the leaves and a chill in the air, it is officially soup making time!!  I wanted to make something that would go nicely with the 5-Minute bread I made, so I started searching online.  I had recently had Cream of Tomato soup at our local sandwich shop, and it was heavenly, so that's the direction I decided to head in.

I stumbled across this recipe and it looked too easy not to try.  I used 2 pounds of on-the-vine tomatoes for my soup.  I used 7 or so small/medium ones, and that did the trick.  I probably could have gotten away with fewer beefsteak or another large tomato, but I wanted the sweetness of the smaller ones.  I also didn't want so much meaty-ness from the larger tomatoes.  Other than that, I stuck to the recipe.

I think the next time I will put the tomatoes through a sieve to remove the seeds (or cut them out before cooking).  Aside from some little pops from the seeds, it was super smooth, and so tasty with our Havarti and homemade bread grilled cheese sandwiches.  All in all, the perfect fall dinner!!

Happy Cooking!
Sharon

Fresh from the Oven: 5-Minute Bread

Hello All-

This week has been misty and cold here in Edmonton, so what better to make than a loaf of bread?  Normally, I would have busted out my bread machine to make some perfectly shaped, perfectly baked loaf, but this time I wanted to try something new.  Despite all of my baking, I had never jumped into the world of making bread from scratch...and now was the time to do it!

Of course I put aside my numerous cookbooks and turned to my trusty buddy, Pinterest, to help me find the perfect recipe to try.  I wanted something relatively simple with not a lot of ingredients.  Much to my surprise, I found a recipe that fit both criteria!! 

The recipe for this magical bread can be found on the Heart, Hands, Home blog.  One of the best things about this dough is that it only uses four ingredients, flour, salt, yeast and water!!!!  I had everything on hand already, and when I saw how much flour it used, I ran over to Save-On Foods to grab some more (they had their unbleached flour on special this week...score!!!)  Another wonderful thing about the dough is that it keeps for up to 2 weeks in the fridge!  I was able to make a small loaf the other night as a trial run, and save the rest of the dough for Thanksgiving!! 

Once you get the dough all mixed, there is a separate post on the blog for the actual baking.  (Click here)  I was so excited that despite all of the unpacked boxes in the basement, I was able to find my pizza stone.  After making this bread, I can assure you that it won't end up on a basement shelf like it did at the old house.  It has been promoted to the baking cabinet!!  I need it handy for when I start craving bread!

The final product came out awesome!!  It was great straight out of the oven with some butter, and later in the week, we also used some of it to make grilled cheese sandwiches.  I can see using this same recipe for small dinner rolls, bread bowls, baguettes, you name it!!  I have a feeling that there will be a batch of dough waiting in the fridge from now on!!

Happy Baking!!
Sharon

All Around Town: Muttart Conservatory

Hello All-
Looking for a way to bring some color to your day?  The Muttart Conservatory has got your covered!!  This (not so hidden) gem is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon and forget about any dreary weather that may be lurking outside.  Beneath three of the four glass pyramids are displays showcasing arid, tropical and temperate plants.  The fourth pyramid is called the Feature Pyramid and during our visit it was decorated for Breast Cancer Awareness. 

Though the Conservatory offers guided tours, we opted to roam around on our own.  After looking at their tour schedule, I am looking forward to their orchid and Christmas tours.

One of the best features of this Edmonton attraction is that you can either pop in for a quick visit or linger for hours.  We moved right along (at a pace that kept Hannah interested) and it took us about an hour to go in and out of the four pyramids.  If the weather is nice, be sure to add a bit of extra time to roam the grounds and the beautiful outdoor gardens that surround the facility.

I also loved the gift shop and the attached cafe smelled heavenly!!  I may have to schedule in some coffee time to my next visit as well!!

So, if you've got a case of the winter blues, the Muttart Conservatory has got your cure!!

Happy Exploring!
Sharon

An update:  We went back to Muttart this weekend and the orchid display is AMAZING!!!  Be sure to check it out!!!

Fresh from the Oven: Pink Lemonade Confetti Cupcakes

Hello All-

The Diva and I have been baking again!!  This time we decided to make Pink Lemonade Confetti Cupcakes!!  Hannah and I were in the mood to bake, and after scouring Pinterest for something that looked yummy, she pointed out these pink treats.  How could I say no?

This recipe is super easy and I love that I can keep all of the ingredients in the pantry.  Hannah loved mixing the lemonade crystals and the water, as well as adding a layer of sprinkles to the top of each cupcake before they baked.  I loved that the recipe called for unsweetened applesauce and there was no super sugary frosting on top!!

These cupcakes lived up to their tangy description.  It really tastes like you're having a tall glass of lemonade when you bite into one.  I wasn't sure if Hannah would be upset that they were frosting free, but with the layer of sprinkles on top, she was satisfied.

I can definitely see us making these again in the future.  I think they would be a great addition to a birthday party or princess tea party as well.  I mean, what little princesses don't like eating pink food??  Mine was a fan!!

Happy Baking!
Sharon

All Around Town: Edmonton Valley Zoo

Hello All-

It is time for another installment of All Around Town.  This week we visit the Edmonton Valley Zoo.  I must say that of all the attractions we've been to so far, this one was the most disappointing.  I had been warned that it wasn't anything like the Calgary Zoo, but that was a big understatement.  Though, after growing up in a city that didn't have any zoo, I guess something is better than nothing.

First off, the website boasts a collection of more than 350 animals, and though I didn't count each one we saw, I feel like this was a bit overestimated.  To the zoo's defense, they are renovating and perhaps that contributed to the numerous empty exhibits.

Now, I have never been one to fight against zoos, as long as the animals are being cared for properly and are providing an educational resource, though I have found myself being a bit uneasy regarding the small confines that many of the animals are housed in.  Mind you, I have been spoiled by visiting Zoo Miami (formally called the Miami Metro Zoo) several times over the years, and it is a cage less zoo.  That's right, no cages.  A series of moats separates you from the animals, and after seeing both options, I do feel that it is a more humane way to show off these creatures.  There's just something about two Emus pacing back and forth in a cage all day that concerns me. 

Animal rights issues aside, I must say that Hannah had a great time and wants to go back.  I hope to enroll her in a few of the educational programs the zoo offers with hopes that she can learn more about the animals and their habitats.  We also plan to bring a picnic lunch and try to take a ride on the train.  Apparently there are pony rides and paddle boats in the high season too.

Please check out the Edmonton Valley Zoo and let me know your thoughts.  I have high hopes that after a few more visits and after the renovations are completed I will become a believer.

Happy Exploring!

Sharon

Fresh from the Oven: Homemade Cheese Crackers

This post was supposed to have run back in September and for some reason it bounced back as a draft and isn't on my blog anymore...I'm reposting for those who didn't see it the first time.


Hello All-
I've finally gotten settled in enough at the new house to start baking again.  First up, a recipe that I spotted on Pinterest.  It is for homemade cheese crackers, similar to Cheeze-its. 

These little crackers are super easy to make and so delicious!!  I did make a few changes to the original recipe, one on purpose and one accidentally.  The intentional change was that I backed off on the red pepper flakes that the recipe calls for.  I halved the amount, but in all honesty, I think I'll skip them all together next time.  If I were making these crackers for an adult party or as twists, I would keep the flakes in, but for snacking, I prefer them plain.  The mistake that I made on the recipe was so silly.  I had my butter softening and I forgot to put it in!  I wondered why my dough wasn't forming a ball, so I added a touch more milk.  That's when it hit me that my butter was sitting on the counter...d'oh!  I added the butter and sure enough, a dough ball formed.  The extra milk made the dough a bit sticky, but nothing that a few sprinkles of flour couldn't fix.

I do encourage you to use parchment paper when you make these crackers.  I was still frazzled by my butter mistake, so I forgot.  They didn't stick, but started to brown up a bit sooner than I would have liked.

I must say, these crackers are addicting!  All three of us were munching on them last night, and I have already had a few handfuls this morning.  I am waiting for the weather to cool down a touch so I can make some homemade soup and throw a few handfuls of crackers in!  I think they'll be super yummy served that way.  Hubby couldn't believe how similar they tasted in comparison to the store-brand crackers. 

All in all, this was a wonderful recipe and a hit in our house!  I think there will be many more batches being whipped up in the future!

Happy Baking!
Sharon

All Around Town: Jurassic Forest

Hello All-
I wanted to keep my travel posts for Fridays, but we went to a new place this weekend that I had to share as soon as possible.  Tucked away about 15 minutes away from the northern edge of Edmonton is a town called Gibbons.  Located in Gibbons is one of the coolest attractions I have been to in a while, Jurassic Forest.

Hubby heard about this place from a co-worker and we knew that we needed to check it out.  Hannah has been telling us for quite some time that she wants to be a paleontologist when she grows up, so this was a perfect fit.  Jurassic Forest is a collection of moving, roaring dinosaurs housed within a nature facility.  You walk along beautiful boardwalks to view the dinosaurs, while also learning about various bugs, animals, and plants. 

For children who scare easily, I wouldn't suggest visiting.  The dinosaurs are quite realistic.  Even Hannah had to warm up to them a bit, and she saw similar robotic dinos at the Calgary Zoo a few years back.  However, if your child likes dinosaurs and wants to feel like they've stepped back in time, it is worth the trip out!

Once your walk is done, they also have a giant sandbox that has buried bones that kids can dig for and they can climb over the various skeletons.  We found their gift shop to be small, but very reasonably priced.  We made the most of some end of the season markdowns and we stocked up on lots of dino goodies!

I can't say that I would buy a membership to this facility, as it is a hike from our house, and I don't know how many times we'd visit in a year, but I know we'll be back next season for sure!

(Note: The park is scheduled to close on October 23, 2011 for the season, so be sure to check them out before then!!)

Happy Exploring!
Sharon