Killing Time

The last two days I've had a little more time on my hands than usual.  I've been forced to sit back and "relax" a little.  Monday night I found myself in the ER again with getting IV steroids and fluids for another skin rash, this time on my face.  So from seven until three in the morning I found myself with not much to do, besides get stuck over and over and over and... a total of 8 times.  It doesn't seem to matter how many times you tell  a nurse that you are a hard stick, they still seem to like to give you the "oh I'm really good at this", followed by three failed sticks, and the inevitable "I'm so sorry I can usually get it, I'll find someone else."  So, in between sticks, I was able to start creating this scarf and hat set for my daughter.  I finished it today in between cleaning  up the poor princess's puke as I sat with her on the couch and we watched cartoons for the greatest part of the day.

I know it is a little out of season, but I bought some yarn on the way to the ER thinking that I just needed something to pass the time, and the scarf was quick and easy.  And I'm not real great at finishing projects, so  quick and easy is just up my alley.

The scarf was a very basic pattern of double stitches.  I got the idea off of a website, although I can't for the life of me tell you which one, and I didn't really follow the whole pattern. Basically, you just start out with a chain as long as you would like the scarf to be.  Since this was for a two year old, it wasn't terribly long.  I just wanted her to be able to wrap it around her neck at least once.  After you have a foundation chain, you work in 3 double crochet into each stitch.  When you get to the end, chain 2 and work in 2 double crochet into each stitch.  Chain 2 and work in 1 double crochet into each stitch, and then your done!  How easy is that!?!  And easy to remember too if your on the go and need something quick to do.  

The pattern for the hat can be found here.  Well, something similar anyway.  I didn't add the scalloped edge, and I added an extra row at the end.  The princess has a big head.  The flower turned out a little different as well, because I'm not sure I fully understand the concept of back post stitching.  But overall, I think it turned out pretty sweet!

So its been an interesting evening/day. But at least I feel like I accomplished something.  AND Princess M feels much better! 

So next time your looking for a project to start that can be done pretty quick and doesn't take a whole lot of concentration, try these and let me know how they turn out.  I would love to see pictures!

Happy crocheting, 

Momma Box

Trying New Things

I love to cook.  I'd say it is probably one of the things I am most passionate about, as long as the dishes are done and I can start with a clean kitchen.  Which means I don't cook every day.  Because we still don't have a dishwasher.  Meaning my kids aren't old enough to wash dishes yet.

So anyways, I tried something I've never made before last night, sweet and sour chicken with fried rice.  I'm not a going to have a job as a Chinese cook any time soon, but I will say it did turn out pretty good.  I just wish I had been smart enough to take pictures.  Fail on my part.  But, I do have the recipes that I half tried to follow, and you can click on the links below.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Fried Rice

My only suggestion is that if you prefer a more crunchy coating on your chicken, you might want to use flour instead of the corn starch.  Or a combination of both.

Also, if you like your fried rice a little on the crunchy side, don't give up too quick if it doesn't seem right. It takes a lot longer that the recipe says to cook for to get the rice just right.  Or at least just right for our family.  

The best part of the recipe was the sweet and sour sauce.  It was dead on perfect.  So, give it a try and let me know what you think!

We've Found that Caught Up Feeling!

Eh, not really caught up, but we are getting...somewhere!  At least its starting to feel like it.  I mean, I actually have clean floors today!  And with two little ones, that says a bunch.  I've been battling some serious allergic reactions since about the start of spring, and through the many steroids and antibiotics from subsequent infections caused because of the allergic reactions, I haven't felt like doing, well, much of anything.

One of the biggest accomplishments we celebrated here at the Box household was finally filling in the rest of the garden!  It has been successfully weeded and planted to the fullest for the time being.  We are even starting to see some rewards out of our late started garden.

Isn't it pretty?  I can honestly say it is the best looking I think we have ever planted, and I'm quite proud!
You can catch more pictures of our awesome garden by following me on Instagram or Facebook.

Major Fail. Life Lessons from the Maker Himself

So, once again, I thought I had life by the horns, and our loving Savior decided to show me otherwise.  Through several very blunt and to the point reminders, He's shown us here at the Box family household that this LIFE is not ours to decide where we  live, what we do, or in what ways we shall do it.  It's been a little over 6 months and our lives have been totally flipped upside down, torn apart and had us all in tears, but we're slowly regaining our bearings, our faith is stronger than ever, and through a lot of prayer and some changed "plans", were ready to start on this Made From Scratch journey again!