a "been-there" mom of six offers encouragement
to wives, young mothers, and those not so young,
and simple common-sense approaches to
the "ings" of life:
child-rearing (hints and helps), homemaking (all areas),
cooking (simple, cheap, and do-it-yourself)
making (toys and gifts), preparing (for the unexpected),
maintaining (sanity and peace in this increasingly crazy world) and more---
all aspects of making the most of making do on little---
and having fun in the process.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Orange Julia --- as good as the original and . . . my first Quiet Book page

I have been making the following for many years and can't believe I haven't shared it with you.

It's better than plain orange juice (which is great all by itself) and easily lives up to it's expensive commercial counterpart.  Plus it is quick and simple to make.

It's 6 p.m. and still 105 degrees outside.  When I finish this post I think I will go make up a batch.  How 'bout joining us?

Orange Julia

In a blender combine:

One-half of a 12 ounce can of frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed but not reconstituted
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
10-12 ice cubes

Place all but ice cubes in blender and mix. Add the ice cubes, a few at a time, until crushed. Serve immediately.

Peek-A-Boo Quiet Book Page

In my last post I mentioned the huge task I am undertaking -----  making 12 quiet books to leave for our posterity --- one for each of our grandkids to have for their children when that times come. 

When I first started making these 48 years ago, the page I am about to show you was simply a large felt face with felt hair and sewn on eyes and mouth. The mittens were also cut and sewn from double thicknesses of felt so the children could put their hands inside of the mittens and open them for peek-a-boo.

This time I found little mittens on clearance for 50 cents a pair, a little cheaper than the same amount of felt would cost.  I stitched them 3/4 of the way across the lower side of each cuff so they could put their hands in them.

I added the heart because it fit the "theme" and was quick and easy to do.




Instead of a face I cut  a clear plastic pocket from a heavy sheet protector (I used both sides to make it even more sturdy), and used a wide zig-zag stitch around three sides leaving the top open so a photo could be inserted.

Before I sewed the pocket on I inserted the little caption "My Family Loves Me" I made on the computer.