January Focus: Women in the Middle East

This 2014 year, I am trying to focus on one topic for a month. In January, I kind of fell into learning about women in the Middle East. I had read I Am Malala in December and was really intrigued and inspired by it so I decided to stick with it.

Here is what I read and watched:

Read this (Dec 2013 actually): I Am Malala
Watched this: Wadjda
Read this: The Complete Persepolis
Read this: Reading Lolita in Tehran
Read this: Infidel
Watched this: Submission (Part 1)
Watched this: Debate: Is Islam a Religion of Peace?
This website: Cause of Death: Woman
Read this: The Qur'an: A Translation (not in its entirety)
Reading this: Exodus

A Simple and Adorable Rag Dollie

I have the sweetest little niece that I don't get to see very often. I have been wanting to make her a little dollie for a while now so when I saw this tutorial, I knew I wanted to give it a try. And I love how it turned out. I want to make hundreds of these little dollies because they are just so cute. I can't wait to give this little doll to my niece!

Stumbled Upon Favorites

Here are a couple of my favorite things I've stumbled upon recently:

Shrinking Women video

These photos are quite remarkable!

A Great Video on Empathy vs Sympathy

Cut Food

Love this picture collection.

Birds vs Egg Camera video

Very inspiring video about a doctor for the homeless

Party Like a Donut...so cute!

Famous Movie Quotes in Chart Form!

Thread Holder

I hate it when I think I have another spool of thread in my sewing box only to discover when I go to get it...I'm all out. I had been seeing these little thread spool holders on Pinterest and decided it would solve my problem. So now I know exactly what colors of thread I have and what I need to get more of!

I took a long dowel and broke it into about 2" pieces. I sandpapered the edges so they weren't sharp then I hot glued them to an extra embroidery hoop that I had laying around. That is it!

I love how it looks hanging on my wall.

Pear and Feta Salad

I threw these ingredients together a while back and then proceeded to have it again the next day. If I could have, I would have had it again the next day. And the next.  The pear and feta combo is so tasty.

All you do is take a bowl of spinach leaves, throw on chopped pear, and top with roughly 1/4 cup feta. I then topped it with a walnut and raspberry balsamic vinaigrette.

I hope you love it as much as I do!

Easy Shirt to Nightgown Revamp

I had this silk dress that I never liked how it fit. I looked and looked for a picture of me wearing it to show the before shot but I couldn't find one (a true sign that I never liked it). So it sat in my closet for a long time before it moved to my giant pile of possible revamp clothes. And finally it was picked for a new look!

I tried the dress on and marked with a fabric marker where I would like the neckline to be. After cutting out the fabric and sewing the edges, I twisted the fabric on the shoulders to make the straps more defined. I did a zig zag stick over it to make it stay.

I slept in it last night and was so happy with it!

Heceta Beach at Sunset

These are the last round of pictures from our trip to the coast on Christmas day. After our hike, we went down to the beach and watched a lovely sunset. The sky was gorgeous--as you can see!

Pan Seared Brussel Sprouts with Cranberries

Ugly photo, but tasty food!

My husband and I love brussel sprouts but we hardly ever make them. I saw this recipe here and decided to give it a try.  Next time I will cook the brussel sprouts a little longer but I really liked the flavor!

DIY Dishtowels

 Isn't that the cutest little package of dishtowels? I made them for my sister for Christmas!

The Hobbit Trail in Florence, Oregon

These are some more pictures from our trip to the coast on Christmas day. We decided to go on a hike past the ligthouse and it was so peaceful. We didn't encounter another person on the trail! We even grabbed two geocaches along the way!

Easy Marble Necklace

I picked up a bag of marbles for $1 a couple weeks ago and decided to try this tutorial out. I love how it turned out--I can't wait to try out different variations of it.

A Very Fondue New Year's Eve

This fondue set was one of our favorite wedding presents that we received. It isn't something that we use very often but it is always such a treat when we pull it out. Along with it came a set of fondue recipes that are delicious which I thought I would pass along today. We've decided that fondue will be our new New Year's Eve tradition.

Classic Cheese Fondue:

8 oz. Emmenthal Cheese
8 oz. Gruyere Cheese
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 T. lemon juice
3 T. flour
pepper and nutmeg, to taste

Shred and combine cheeses and mix in flour. Rub fondue pot and cooking pot with cut garlic clove. Pour wine into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until warm, but not boiling. Add lemon juice. Add cheese, by handfuls, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until cheese is melted and mixture has the consistency of a creamy sauce. Add pepper and nutmeg to taste. Let boil once. Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot and keep warm.

We ate our fondue with bread cubes, apples, pears, and grapes. We both decided that we liked the grapes the best!

My Favorite Projects of 2013

 1. DIY T-Shirt Dress  2. Pom Pom Valentine Flowers 3. Cat Stuffed Animal

1. Journal Prompt Jar 2. Dino Print Shirt  3. Wine Cork Trivet

 1. DIY Polka Dot Shirt 2. Pottery Bowl  3. Hello! Pottery Tray

1. Shoe Organizer 2. Farmer's Market Embroidery Bag  3. DIY Tee to Tank

 1. Square Block Curtain 2. Felt Stuffed Tree  3. M&M Cookie Bars

 1. T-Shirt Redo  2. Long Distance "I Miss You" Mugs 3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

 1. Birthday Box of Balloons  2. Cream Cheese Cake Cookies  3. T-Shirt Revamp with Lace

 1. Chocolate Chip Muffins 2. Cloud Hair Clip Holder  3. Map Journal

1. L'Abri Strawberry Scones  2. Simple Fall Wreath  3. Simple Fabric Napkins

1. Fireplace Insert 2. Mom's Apple Cobbler  3. T-shirt Revamp

1. Banana Oatmeal Bake  2. Knit Headband 3. Eugene's Weather Halloween Costume

 1. Turkey Meatball Soup  2. Woodcut Prints  3. Scratch Off Christmas Card