Shared Girls' Room: 3 children

My 2 year old has wanted a big girl bed since she first crawled over of the crib 4 months ago.
And here it is!
Nowhere to store the crib for now, so... maybe it will be filled before you know it?  ;)

Anyway---- I am constantly amazed by the deals one can find when being ultra-resourceful, and equally by how having LESS space really forces you to maximize it.  We are a family of 4 living in a  2 bedroom right now, and I have to say---it still feels like plenty of room!

Both beds have drawer storage-- the closest is a good size, and we try to keep toys in bins-- once they start to overflow, we "weed".

 

Rustic Spanish Tortilla

Rustic Spanish Tortilla

ADAPTED BY EMILY FROM:

 

Florida Coastal Cooking

Altered from Linden Tea

8 Dinner Portions

(0r 12 Appetizer Portions)

Ingredients


2 1/2 lbs potatoes (I used 7 medium potatoes)
2 large onions  (I used 4 small)
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
10 ounces fresh or frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry if frozen), chopped  (I used asparagus because it's what I had!)
8 farm fresh eggs, room temperature


Directions


1. Slice the potatoes with a mandolin (Do not peel, skins add a rustic texture and extra fiber!).  Layer in a Dutch oven; seasoning with salt and pepper between the layers. 
EMILY:  I did not have a Dutch oven, so I used my thing that looks like a wok but goes on the stove.
2. Slice the onions a bit thinner with the mandolin, layer on top of the potatoes, seasoning as well.  Press garlic cloves and layer on top of onions.  Spread gently and evenly. 

3. Pour olive oil over entire mixture.  Cover and heat over medium heat.  Simmer until onions have reduced and potatoes are soft but not cooked through; about 30 to 35 minutes.  EMILY:  Using the wok-thing I only simmered it for 14 minutes.  Remove from heat and cool. Drain excess oil.

4. Preheat oven to 350.  Pour 1/2 onion and potato mixture into a casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray.  Spread spinach (EMILY:  ASPARAGUS) evenly, season with salt and pepper. Layer second half of onion potato mixture on top.

5. Whisk eggs and pour over slowly and evenly.  Bake uncovered for 45 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Space saver: Replace closet door with curtain

Our girls share a room right now, and my youngest is insistent on sleeping ina  big bed--- so she crawls into her sister's, and her sister comes to us... so!
We are saving up for a twin bed  & mattress, but meanwhile, I thought I'd really maximize the space, so I have started some projects around the room.

This was one of them---- take off the closest door, and put up a curtain.  Now I can put two beds in an L shape.  If I had done that with the door on, it would only have opened halfway or less--getting caught on the corner of the bed.

Tension rod= $4.99 Target
Fabric= $4.02  80 inches at Hobby Lobby (go for the satin, it's cheap!)

I sewed hems up the sides, then made a casing for the rod, then hemmed the bottom-- done.
Took 35 mins.

If you want it to touch the ground, I guess get around 85".  :)

Chocolate Tart

I saw this on the Today Show-- maybe around New Year's-- the chef was a hoot.

Anyway, I skipped making the crust and just bought a vegan one (I don't go for the lard...)

This is SO easy and delicious.

It is supposed to be served warm, but I really like it chilled:

1 crust (bake it 10 mins)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup milk (I used rice milk)
8 oz semi-sweet chips
2 eggs, beaten into submission

Heat a pan and add milk & cream.
Once it boils, take it off heat and whisk in the chips till totally melted and mixed.
Add eggs and completely mix in.
Scrape into pie shell and bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  (If it's giggly in the middle and you want to serve it warm, bake longer-- if you want it chilled, allow it to cool, then chill at least 1 hour.)

My Laundry Solution

So... I have no problem washing clothes... but between three part time jobs and two children under the age of 5, after it's clean, it usually sits in round, clean mounds.  Forever.

So, I got an idea yesterday.

My 4 year old is a great sorter.  And-- she has learned to read all of our names!

I bought a separate basket for each family member, wrote their name on it--and now, the laundry comes out, and my 4 year old sorts it!  This way-- MAYBE it's stay in clean mounds, but:
1. At least they are contained
2. They are SMALLER + sorted mounds

Let's see if it works!

(I also offered her 25 cents to fold her little sister's clothes and she did!!!! )

Eye Patch for Little Girls... no elastic needed!

My 4.5 year old daughter has astigmatism, and at her annual exam Monday, we were told the left eye needs a stronger prescription.  GAH.  This girl had to wear glasses at 3 years old and now they aren't even improved!?  No matter.
The doc said we need to start patching her right eye 45 min per day and the left 30 min per day.  She needs to color, string beads, writing--any hand-eye coordination.  (Using the mouse on the computer, anyone?)  ;)
Anyway-- I went to Target to find a patch at the pharmacy--- $6 for a pack of 20 disposable!  I'd read moms who say kids HATE these because they really hurt coming off.
So, Google.
I found this woman who made a pair for her daughter that goes RIGHT on the glasses!  No annoying elastic to fiddle with--and best of all---she could make it fun and pretty looking.

I just finished making one for Zoe and she was all about it.

You can use the same patch for each side--just turn it upside down.  Love this!
And it cost me $1.89!

Need:
1 piece each:  black, hot pink, green, pastel pink felt + 1 button, thread, needle, scissors

CREDIT:  I followed this woman's blog post to make this:
http://lucykatecrafts.blogspot.com/2008/02/eye-patch-tutorial.html

Cheesy Veggie Chowder

Got this one from Pinterest, but made it vegetarian-- so good!

Only thing is because it is REAL cheese and not "cheese product", you really have to keep it simmering or it congeals immediately.

Original recipe:
http://luluthebaker.blogspot.com/2011/09/cheesy-vegetable-chowder.html