Stuck on creativity

Ever since the "Creative" giveaway I can't stop thinking about creativity! I made a pact with myself when I moved back to the city that I would cook something everyday. Cooking (or knitting/sewing) is my creative outlet without it I go a little bonkers! There is nothing like making something with your hands. Today I cooked something with Stacey, what fun!

And then I found this quote:

"Another word for creativity is courage." - George Prince

How true is that. You never know if what you begin to create will "work out" and as you try something new you test those "I can't" boundaries and suddenly see that yes you can! What have you created lately that was new and took a little (or a lot) of courage?

Creative Submissions

Here are the others who submitted pictures into the first ever Pleasures of a Prairie Girl Giveaway. They were so fun to receive and each were very creative! It is interesting how creative our lives can be if we just stop in our busy days and make a point of it. Turn dinner time into a creative culinary adventure, try a new ingredient or recipe. Sit down with your kids and make cards for your other family members. Meet with your friends one evening and try something crafty. Yes, it takes time and effort but the pay off is totally worth it.

Check out these creative people...

Stacey submitted this picture of a penguin she felted out of wool:

Isabelle made this Corn Chowder:

Nathalie created this piece of art:

Chantelle made this Avocado Chocolate Pudding:

And Zoe made crochet this hat and mitten set:

Thank you to all that submitted pictures, you did a great job!

And the winner is....

Thank you to all who submitted their creative pictures, I loved receiving them all and will put them up tomorrow in a separate post. But for tonight the winner!

***DRUMROLL***

"AND THE WINNER IS...."

BRENDA! YAY!

She submitted this picture of a willow basket she made!

And her prize is a cutie knitted pumpkin for her fall decorating!

Congratulations Brenda!

I'll post the other submissions tomorrow for your viewing pleasure.

Stay tuned for future Pleasure of a Prairie Girl giveaways!

Rakin'

I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret...I LOVE raking leaves. No, this doesn't mean I want to come to your house an rake leaves. But that one weekend a year, on that sunny and cool day, I am so glad to spend a few hours rakin'.

Just a friendly reminder that Pleasures of a Prairie Girl's first giveaway is wrapping up tomorrow before I go to bed. So if you want to participate and potentially win something really awesome send in your picture of something creative!

Treats

I made these the other day for Annie Rose to take on a school trip...

Something as small as a cookie brings me such joy, and in turn brings it to others.

Baby Tag Blanket

One of the perks of living in a city is being able to go out and buy certain things whenever you want. Like ribbon! Which is what I needed to make this baby tag blanket.

A friend had told me about these blankets that have loops of ribbon on the outside for babies to play with and chew on. They are so simple to make and are only about 12 inches, which means they are really easy to take anywhere.

I made it for the little girl that Stacey nannies, I met the babe and noticed her munching on the tag of her stuffed animal and I went *boing* "BABY TAG BLANKET!". I got a call from Stacey today saying it was a success! And isn't it cute?

Note: I think I'll need to start labelling certain posts as "Granny in Training" posts....

A Giveaway!

I follow quite a few blogs and always love when they have giveaways and so I thought I'd do one here...but of course with a twist!

So here it is, send me a picture of something creative you did. Now that pretty much means the sky is the limit, it can be a picture of something you created (food, craft, etc) or a creative picture you take. A picture like this one, a creative expression of how much I love my car Subee:

Send your picture to me at pleasuresofaprairiegirl@gmail.com and you will be entered in to win a surprise hand made gift. This giveaway will close on Sunday October 23rd so send your submissions in!

A walk in the park

What did you do this lovely fall Saturday?

If it wasn't confirmed before, this seals the deal...

I am a Granny-wanna-be, because yesterday I made this casserole carrier.

Insulated casserole carrier.

Isn't that cool!?!?

Maybe I'll make a casserole today and tote it somewhere...

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Here is the recipe I promised! I have a catering job coming up and there are a few people that have food intolerance's so I've been testing out some recipes. This one turned out great and is wheat-free! They can easily become gluten-free if you choose to use gluten free oats (which you can find at most health food stores).

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

adapted from Mennonite Girls Can Cook

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

3/4 cup peanut butter (I used the no sugar stuff)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups oats

1/2 cup coconut, I didn't actually have coconut in the house when I made these but I'm 100% certain that it would be such a delicious addition! You could also add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins.

1. Preheat the oven 375F.

2. In an electric mixer (or by hand if you have big guns, or want to) beat the butter and sugars for 2 minutes. Add in the peanut butter, egg and vanilla, beat for 30 seconds.

3. Add the baking soda and oats to the mixer. Mix until just combined. Stir in the coconut.

4. Drop by teaspoonfuls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let set on the pan for a few minutes before moving them onto a cooling rack.

Make for all your wheat-free buddies!

Summer Pictures

While perusing my Gran's camera I found some fun pictures from this summer, I was reminded of what a great time I had.

Like this picture...sweetest girl ever!

Or this one, it totally says "summer"!

And I just thought this one was beautiful! I'm fairly certain that Isabelle's hair in the summer is either wet, drying, or just about to be wet. Life with a pool!

We are totally spoiled...because we have the most caring, smart, and generous Grandfather EVER!

Stay tuned, a recipe is coming soon!

Thanksgivin'

In all the craziness of packing, moving, and driving I misplaced my camera. Luckily I found it but not till Monday morning...after all the Thanksgiving festivities were over. But I rounded up a few pictures from Thanksgiving Sunday to share!

A morning walk with a few of the people I'm THANKFUL for, in the crunchy colorful leaves!

The walk involved a coffee treat, of course!

And because we had such a windy start to the weekend we were all harassed by Grandfather to collect all the fallen twigs, so I brought home this...

And that is where the pictures end..but I could paint you a picture of the rest of the day if you close your eyes. Ready? Picture this:

Sight: People crowded around a fire, then in a kitchen, and then around a full table.

Smell: Simmered short ribs, fall leaves, and of course wood smoke.

Sound: Non-stop talking and laughing, with the occasional scream.

Taste: Garden vegetables, homemade bread, and pumpkin jelly roll cake. Real stuff.

Touch: Gentle hands on your shoulders, big squeezes, and the odd pinch.

How did you celebrate? What did you eat?

I'm back!

Hello Everyone,

Usually I would be posting on Northern Snapshots but my big news of the season is I've moved back to Winnipeg...may seem like a surprise to some and I was kinda surprised by the decision too! But here I am. You can expect more regular posts now, sorry I have been M.I.A on Northern Snapshots, it's been a crazy few weeks.

Hope you all like the new design of Pleasures of a Prairie Girl, it was time for a change.

Where I came from

For the first time in over 12 years I went back to The Farm. The place I was born. And am I ever thankful for that. Even though we moved when I was still a kid, I am grateful to be born of the prairie. 12 years is a long time, I left as an 8 year old and returned as a 21 year old. Everything was a lot smaller. The burs were still growing strong though...

We hiked through the woods looking for old paths,

and ended up having to make a few new ones!