Tiny Owls

After finishing my tiny Russian nesting dolls, I had a few wooden egg blanks left. While searching for nesting doll references, I came across an owl nesting doll set that was so cute. I decided I could do a few owls, since they seem to be so popular right now. Our Daughter L. Is known for loving owls. I whipped these out in just a few minutes, since the colors were all the same. My nesting doll run has been really fun!

Winter Morning Mist

This morning's postcard from God was a white wonderland made by a winter fog. Photo by M.

Hearty Granola

The girls found this granola recipe on line and we have been enjoying it.

Megan's Granola

Recipe makes 30 servings

8 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups wheat germ
1 1/2 cups oat bran
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup honey
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups raisins or sweetened dried cranberries

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line two large jelly roll pans with parchment or aluminum foil.

2. Combine the oats, wheat germ, oat bran, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a large bowl. Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets.

3. Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through. Cool, break up. Stir in the raisins or cranberries if desired before storing in an airtight container.

Wet Snow

Postcards from God. Heavy wet, wet, lacy snowflakes from one day a week or so ago.

Tiny Matryoshka Doll Details

I used a variety of details for the Nesting Dolls. I looked up images on Google and put them in my I-pad photo gallery to use for reference. I made several of one style and then looked at the reference pictures for new ideas for the next batch. Gold paint lent an authentic Russian style feeling to them. They were painted with acrylic paint and sprayed with a couple of light coats of shellac when finished.

Dots placed with the back end of a paintbrush were effective and simple decorations.

Flowers provided filler and detail.

Ruffles and dots made edges fine. Some of the dolls had little necklaces and earrings.

Petals framed some of the faces.

Dots in various configurations are used on traditional dolls.

Simple dotted flowers were effective details.

Bright and rich colors looked good with gold or white highlights.

I made a couple with "fuzzy" fur trim and "fuzzy" hand muffs.

Lace shawls and fringe looked authentic.

Various details including hearts, flowers and dotted lace.

I tried to have a heart on every doll, since they were in honor of Valentine's Day.

Tiny Russian Nesting Dolls

The tiny Russian nesting dolls I made for Valentine's favors were made on wooden egg blanks. I went to the store looking for peg dolls, but thought these egg shapes fit the purpose better. I started out painting 4-5 eggs with a base color of choice. Then, I painted a small round face. Next I painted a cowl or head scarf of another color, and on some of them I painted an apron. Face and hair are next, then scarf and shawl details.

I made 40 little dolls. Here are close ups of all of them.

Winter Formal

L. went to Winter Formal last night with Bret. His mom made a beautiful supper for some of the kids before the dance. Friends Austin, Mary, L and Bret (below.)

Valentine Banquet

Last night the men of our church had the annual Sweetheart Banquet to honor the women. We think they have been having this banquet for about 30 years now.

We usually have a theme based on a small favor that I make. This year the favors were tiny "Russian Nesting Dolls" painted on wooden egg shapes. The theme was: "It's What's Inside That Counts."

There is always some kind of program, sometimes it is "homegrown": The Oldlyweds Game, jokes and games, identify the knees. Sometimes the entertainment is "brought in": a singer, piano concert, band, slide show. This year, because of our pastor's "connections", we had Boyd B. a locally famous guitar player and singer who has play with Kenny Putnum.

 

Here are the 40 matryoshka (Russian Nesting) dolls I made as favors. I will do a separate post on them later.

Couch Time

Several pictures from a couple of days with G. friends. The top pictures were from a knitting and peg doll painting day. The pictures below are from our annual Super Bowl food and couch extravaganza at their house.