Big Girl Baths and An Offical Poll

Elora's ducky bath was dying.  He was needing patches and reinflation daily, so we allowed him to die a natural death.  RIP, ducky bath.

The upside is that Elora was beginning to be to big for her ducky bath anyway, and since she's gotten to be so good about sitting up on her own, it was time to move on to bigger, better things.  Namely, the Big Girl Bath Tub.  She has lots more room to play, which is good, because she's recently decided that she likes to play in the water.

Elora's towel-hoodie is still a favorite, thanks again Kara!!  I can foresee this being used and washed until it's so thread bare that it must be retired, lest it fall apart.

And now: my poll.  I am still trying to decide what to name my Etsy shop.  There are 3 options up there, but if you think you have something better, select the fourth option in the poll and leave your suggestion as a comment on this or any post. (If you don't have a Google or Blogger account, please leave your name so I know who to credit for the ideas!) I am totally up for suggestions.  The poll will be open until the end of February, unless I fall in love with something before then, in which case I will certainly let you know.  Thanks!

Snow Baby

I took Elora out to see the snow after that first good snowfall.

We got all bundled up, and headed out to our little front yard.

She didn't much like it, and I certainly can't blame her!

Snow is pretty to look at, when it's fresh, but other than that, it's just terrible.

Quilt update: I got the embroidery finished on her name, and I got the backing pinned on.

Then I folded it up and put it on my table, and every time I see it I tell myself, "I'll get to it in a bit." The truth be told, I'm rather intimidated by the idea of hand quilting it, and I'm procrastinating. Now, I'm working on jewelry. I'll try to get some pictures posted.

Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie

9" pie crust (I use the frozen rolled Pillsbury pie crusts.)
1 cup light corn syrup
3 large eggs
2 tbsp stick butter, melted
1½ tsp vanilla
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup flour
½ tsp salt
1 cup pecan halves
½ cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips

Place oven rack in lowest third of the oven, and preheat to 350°F or 180°C. Unroll thawed pie crust and place it in a 9" pie plate, I've found that the glass works best. Trim edge to ½" around plate, and fold the excess under. Flute or crimp the edges. Set aside.

In large bowl, whisk together syrup, eggs, butter, vanilla, sugar, flour and salt. Stir in pecans (both the halves and the chopped) and chocolate chips. Pour into prepared crust. Bake 50 minutes at 350°F/180°C or until crust and pecans are browned. If the crust darkens too quickly, cover edges with foil. Cool completely on a wire rack.


Optional Kahlua whipped cream:

½ cup heavy whipping cream
1 tbsp kahlua

Beat until soft peaks from when beaters are lifted.

I made this for Thanksgiving this year, and it was delicious! (Photo above.) I have another one in the oven now, and I am looking forward to digging into it tomorrow. Since I don't have a mixer, and I'm not wild about the idea of beating it by hand, I haven't tried the whipped cream; you'll have to let me know how it is.