Oatmeal Date Bars

These are so yummy, and very simple, great for school snacks.

Enjoy!

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg white

1. In a small saucepan, combine the dates, water and sugar. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened, stirring constantly.
   


2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in the butter and egg white until blended. Pat half of the mixture into an 8-in. square baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Carefully spread with date mixture. Gently pat remaining oat mixture over date mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Rainbow Mittens

I finally did it! I made a matching pair of mittens and both are the same size!

I have attempted to make mittens a few times now and with perseverance I finally got two mittens that I am happy with.

I used this basic beginners Lion Brand pattern, but instead of using worsted weight yarn which I was suppose to use, my daughter really wanted this yarn but it was a light weight. I doubled up the yarn and it worked out great, the mittens are cozy and warm.

Knitted Marker Bag

I am a bit of a knitting freak these days and I can't seem to get enough of it.

My kids have a little art area set up in our kitchen, with an art wall to display all their "fine art". I picked up this really cute easel from Ikea(of course) and one side has a dry eraser marker board on it but no place to put the markers. I was thinking what could I do with these markers, when it came to me! why not knit a bag! and so I did. I just knitted a simple rectangle and there you have it, a really cute bag to hold the markers.

The Man Scarf

My Little man modeling his Dad's scarf

This Christmas season I ended up knitting a whole load of scarfs. Sadly my memory was horrible and I forgot to take pictures of most of them before I gave them away as gifts.

But I did manage to take a picture of this one. I made it for my husband using this Meandering Rib Scarf pattern from Lion brand. I used about one ball of inexpensive black acrylic yarn. The original pattern is for a very long (130inch) scarf. But I made mine a lot shorter, about 30inch.

SCARF

Cast on 34 sts.

Knit 3 rows.

Rows 1 and 2: K2, *k3, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 3: K2, p1, *k3, p3; rep from * to last 7 sts, k3, p2, k2.

Row 4: K4, *p3, k3; rep from * to last 6 sts, p3, k3.

Row 5: K2, p2, *k3, p3; rep from * to last 6 sts, k3, p1, k2.

Row 6: K3, *p3, k3; rep from * to last 7 sts, p3, k4.

Rows 7 and 8: K2, *p3, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 9: Rep Row 6.

Row 10: Rep Row 5.

Row 11: Rep Row 4.

Row 12: Rep Row 3.

Rows 13 and 14: Rep Row 1.

Rows 15 and 16: Rep Rows 11 and 12.

Rows 17 and 18: Rep Rows 9 and 10.

Rows 19 and 20: Rep Rows 7 and 8.

Rows 21 and 22: Rep Rows 5 and 6.

Rows 23 and 24: Rep Rows 3 and 4.

Rep Rows 1-24 until piece measures about 130 in. (330 cm) from beginning, end with Row 2.

Knit 2 rows.

Bind off.

Knitted Bookmark

Here is a little project I quickly made last night.

I ordered some very nice lace weight yarn(still no project for it yet) and I got a sample of this yarn, wool/bamboo blend. It was easy to knit with and gave me some practice knitting with lace weight. I used 2.5US size needles and did a K1,P1, K 5, P1,K1. till it was as long as I wanted it to be. Then I added a little fringe to one end.

Super cute and very practical!

Lazy Day Beanie

ETA: I knitted this hat lastnight after the kids were in bed. I used a chunky yarn and followed the below pattern exactly and it fits my very small 4 year old little girl. The pattern really needs to be revised to say "kids" hat. I knitted a matching scarf a while back and now she has a set. My next project is to try and make matching mittens, I just might have enough yarn left.

This is my first attempt at making a hat. I have to say I love the yarn and the end result. The pattern on the other hand said it was "one size". I added 4 more rows and it just fits my 6 year old son. If you make the pattern I suggest adding 8-10 rows for an adult hat.
want the pattern? it was a Lion Brand pattern.

Dragon Party

Wow, this is seriously long over due. I have neglected my blog long enough!

I think when September hit and the lazy days of summer were over I found my free time was limited.

My son had a party in August, yes that was many moons ago. But he wanted a dragon theme and I wanted to finally share some of the fun things we did for his party.

We melted some crayons in a dragon mold to give away as party favours. we made some neat colour combinations and the kids loved to see the crayons melt and what colours it would create. We peeled a lot of crayons!

I made dragon wings for all the guests. This is my son trying to fly like a dragon. I got the instructions from Dabbled.

I did make some changes since mine were a no-sew project. I used that iron tape instead(I can`t sew)

My husband drew this dragon for a fun game of pin the flame on the dragon.

oh and the cake. My first attempt at making a shaped cake. It turned out OK. The kids loved it so that is all that counts. I made the wings and spikes out of chocolate and free formed them on some wax paper.

At the end of the party we set the kids out on a hunt to find the dragon hiding in the cave. My husband had fun making the clues and the kids had a blast following them to find the dragon.