Lemony Fresh!

I picked this up recently on a whim (not sure what I was actually out shopping for). I've been loving it! A simple, all natural, deliciously-fresh-smelling spray. Perfect for giving your baby's nursery/playroom a great signature scent. Spray in the room as an air freshener, toys, changing area, diaper pail, car seat, stroller etc. Made from pure essential oils, so it's easy on the little guys...(but don't spray it on them, obviously)! Also, you may want to check out the rest of Mrs. Meyers Clean Day products.

Pizza Pizza

I was planning a Sunday-night-in together with my husband (and a old Woody Allen film), and needed a simple not-so-ordinary dinner idea. My sister-in-law (thanks, Rivky!) gave me her always-awesome pizza dough recipe, and within 5 spare minutes- i spruced it up a bit to give Freida a fully nutritionally balanced meal in one slice of pizza, and a comfort-food treat for Manasseh. The Pizza Dough Recipe:

- 2 packets dry Yeast

- 1 cup lukewarm Water

- 2 teaspoons Sugar

- 5 cups Flour (I used 2 regular, 3 whole wheat)

- 1⁄2 teaspoon Salt

- 4 tablespoons Oil

- 1 cup Apple Juice

I used a small bowl to dissolve the yeast in the water, added the sugar, and let that sit and bubble. Meanwhile, I fitted my Mixer with the dough hook, and put together the rest of the ingredients, pouring the apple juice and yeast mixture in together and started the machine. Let it mix until there is no more dry flour, and then let it get kneaded a bit too. Oil a large bowl, put the dough in, and cover with a towel to rise.

When you are ready to make the pizza, cut your dough to separate it (it can make 3 medium pies), stretch the dough, set it onto a baking tray (or whatever you intend to bake it on), and poke holes with a fork. Layer the sauce and cheese, and bake for about 20-30 minutes on °350 (you may want to bake the dough alone for about 5 minutes before topping it if your like crisper pizza).

For Freida I steamed a bag of broccoli, mashed it with a fork, and mixed it up with the pizza sauce. I spread that on the pizza, topped with mozzarella cheese, sprinkled it with some salt and oregano - and she devoured it!! I froze the rest of that great broccoli sauce to use later (over pasta, pizza bagel etc.). You can do this with any vegetable - just steam, puree, and mix with the sauce!

For Manasseh, I cut up some of our favorite pizza veggies, some fresh basil (i had leftover from a pesto for shabbos), and topped with mozzarella, parmesan, salt, oregano, and some crushed red pepper flakes --- totally kicked! Threw together a salad, and viola!

dough after rising...

Broccoli sauce...

Finished pies...

Wikki Stix

If you have never heard of Wikki Stix - you're life as a mom is about to change...! Wikki Stix are a nontoxic patented invention providing hours of imaginative no-clean-up fun for kids (and parents!).  Part pipe cleaner, part modeling clay - Wikki Stix can be twisted and turned into anything! Compact enough to take just about anywhere (car, restaurants, doctors office etc.), they can even go through the wash and come out just fine!!

I felt it!

So, I'm sure you kinda noticed that I've been super into all things wool/knit etc. Apparently I'm going through a "warming" phase - trying to bring some warmth to my (overtly minimalist-modern) home through textures and natural materials. Saw these wool felted bowls yesterday in the Anthropologie sale nook, and I can't get them out of my head! (I have a golden rule, when shopping for things I don't (really) need, if I am still thinking about something two days later - i probably should go back and get it.) So these bowls - non uniform, rustic, natural, and totally toasty. Only issue was, what would I use them for to justify the purchase? It finally dawned on me in the early morning hours - these would be perfect planters! I want to fill them with soil and plants, and give them a home on the windowsill above my kitchen sink!! Colorful, drainable, earthy, and completely contrasting my clean-lined kitchen... I'll let you know how it turns out - with a DIY of course! Wish me luck... : )

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

While planning Freida's first birthday party, I put together a few different recipes and landed myself with a perfectly delicious dye-free buttercream frosting!

Here's what to do:

Fit your Kitchen Aid mixer with the paddle piece and combine,

1⁄2 cup Shortening

1⁄2 cup Butter/Margarine (room temp.)

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

31⁄2cups Powdered Sugar (sifted)

2 tablespoons Milk/Mocha Mix

4 tablespoons Strawberry Preserves

1⁄8 teaspoon Salt

The frosting should be a good consistency, light pink color, and have specks of strawberry fruit throughout - giving it some rustically homemade character!

For thinner cream add some more milk, for piping decorations gradually add more powdered sugar.

Can be made early and refrigerated, just bring to room temperature and re-beat when ready to use.

Enjoy!

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