A lot of people I know have a pajama tradition for Christmas. Usually it’s a gift that each child can open on Christmas Eve – brand new exciting pajamas! I think most years my mom made my sisters and me matching pajamas, and I think the handmade-ness of it is kind of special. There’s nothing… Continue Reading
Handmade Christmas–Part 6: Coloring Wallets
I decided to make a few of these little travel coloring clutches for Anneliese and some of her toddler friends. I thought they would be easy to throw into a diaper bag or stroller to take along anywhere you might need a little distraction. A doctor’s appointment or a trip to the DMV or whatever…. Continue Reading
Handmade Christmas–Part 5: I Spy “Scavenger Hunt” Boxes
This simple-to-make toy is sure to bring lots of “I Spy” scavenger hunting fun. Make yours themed, or make a more general one like mine. I’ll show you step-by-step how to craft your toddler game! … Continue Reading
Handmade Christmas–Part 4: Hand-painted Rainbow Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
This handmade Matryoshka project took about a week of evening sketching and painting, but the labor of love was well worth it! A little rainbow nesting doll set for my daughter was the result, and I hope she loves playing with it as much as I loved nesting dolls when I was a kid…. Continue Reading
Handmade Christmas–Part 3: Wooden Matching Game (Pegs and Cups)
Here’s another little gift I made for Anneliese. I haven’t really made much of an effort to hide them as I made them, because she’s a year old and doesn’t really “get” Christmas yet, so she has already seen them and has been VERY interested in playing with them. I’m excited to set them up… Continue Reading
Handmade Christmas–Part 2: Crocheted Tea Set
Inspired by the Land of Nod Crocheted (“I’m a Little Knit Teapot”) Tea Party Set, I decided to make a teapot, cups, and saucers for my daughter. … Continue Reading
Handmade Christmas–Part 1: Decorations
You know those cinnamon scented pine cones that are always in grocery and craft stores around Thanksgiving and Christmas? I’ve never bought them before. I have no idea why. They smell WONDERFUL. So the first decoration I made involved those, some ribbons in my “theme colors” for this year (and probably several years after this)… Continue Reading
First Visit with Santa Claus
I heard he was a good Santa with a real beard and everything, so we signed up. The first thing she did when she walked into the room was ask Santa (with sign language) for cheese and water. When, instead, she got a cuddle from a stranger with facial hair, the wailing began…. Continue Reading
Christmas Books Advent Countdown – A New Family Tradition
I have so many winter/Christmas/Hanukkah/Holiday children’s books, and this tradition will make sure they are all read and enjoyed each year. I’m looking forward to seeing how this tradition evolves, and how my kids become more involved in it as the years go by…. Continue Reading
Gluten-Free Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings (like Cracker Barrel!)
I came across this recipe on pinterest, which is adapted from this recipe at The Kitchn. It’s for southern-style chicken and dumplings. You know, the kind you get at Cracker Barrel. Like Emily’s husband (hey, that’s my name!), that’s what I ordered at Cracker Barrel EVERY SINGLE TIME we would go. Because it’s amazing and… Continue Reading
Barefoot and Pregnant in the Kitchen–Week 24
I’m 24 weeks pregnant, in full nesting mode, feeling pretty great. Baby #1 is getting used to the idea of tandem nursing, and I found The Best Boots of my life. Life is good…. Continue Reading
Hatched It – Family Calendar!
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of HATCHEDit for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. If your entire family is on google or yahoo or one of those sites that offers calendars, great. But if you’re still rounding everyone up to try to get a family calendar together, you might try… Continue Reading
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
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