Recipe: Pickled Radishes

Pickled radishes are so easy to make and if you get a chance to visit a Farmer's market, it's a nice recipe to make. I'm the only person who eats radishes in my house and so I decided to make some pickled radishes.

All you need are 4 ingredients:  Radishes, Sugar, Salt, and Vinegar.  Easy easy easy!

How to:

1. Use a bunch of radishes (about 9-10 in a bunch).  Slice the radishes and set aside
2. Whisk together 1 tbsp of sugar, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/4 cup vinegar (you can add more or less of the salt or sugar depending on how much "bite" you want it to have).
3. Add the radishes and mix
4. Refrigerate for about an hour.  Serve within 24 hours.

Warning: These can get pretty stinky so if you make it, try to finish it the same day or else your kids will be complaining every time you open the jar.

Let little fingers help out

And don't forget to check up on it by eating one or two

Happy Eating!

Bird Toddler Backpack

Here's a little toddler backpack that I made for a friend's little girl. It was her 2nd birthday and I wasn't sure if she would want a train or truck on her backpack.   So I decided to make a bird.  I love making backpacks for friends because it gives me a chance to experiment a little more.

I bought the striped fabric ages ago and was so happy to find it in my stash.  The only other bird I've made so far was for this owl toddler backpack

I spent a long time figuring out the eyes.  Joshie and I debated it and even hubby weighed in.  In the end, I ended up taking it to my Facebook Page for a vote.   (Since this pic, I also changed the beak and made it pink instead of yellow).

I put her initial on the side of the bag since I felt that the "G" would be too much for the front.  I also added a little tassel for the zipper.

I tried a new twill webbing vs my usual.   I also had to use D rings because I ran out of backpack connectors.

I used a simple black cotton for the lining.

Here's another angle.

and here she is waiting on the front porch.

Don't fly too far little birdie!

Linked here:

Dinosaur Backpack for J's First Day of Junior Kindergarten

My baby started junior kindergarten last Friday.  I'm not entirely sure who was more nervous:  Joshie or me (or my husband)!   I had to remind myself that every year, there are kids who start j/k who have not been through daycare.  In fact, there were many uncomfortable faces in his class - some were kids but most were the parents.

After making so many backpacks for other people's kids, I wanted to make sure that I finished Joshie's backpack for his first day.

On  Monday, I was panicking because I was only at this phase.  Lots and lots of pieces!

Somehow, I managed to pull through and ended up finishing by Wednesday night.  He was happy to see his new backpack but ran off to play with his toys.  I suspect he thinks that all moms make backpacks for their kids. 

I ended up doing a double pocket like this garbage truck backpack that I made for Sarah's son.  Joshie chose the army green piping for the zipper, pocket trim, and piping.  I would have preferred beige for contrast but I left it up to him to decide.

I lined it with owl fabric (again his choice) and made a large inner pocket.  The pocket is great for hiding away his spare change of clothes (pants, shirt, socks, undies) and leaves the main compartment for his hat, snack cup and water bottle.

Here's another view but flipped inside out.  I bound the seams with some leftover grey bias tape.  I love the owl fabric because you have so many choices when it comes to the bias binding.

I wondered if I should write his name on his backpack but since I was pressed for time, I appliqued his initial onto the back of the pack.

On his first day, his teacher Mrs S showed him where to hang his backpack.  He was very proud that he was able to take it off the hook and back on again.  It's funny what kids will remember about their first day.  I asked him what the other kids had for snacks and he said one girl had a very tall container full of Ritz crackers.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day.  I hope little guy has a good time on Monday.  I hope I can stop worrying about it.

Readers who have been through this before, how did you cope with the first day of school?