Adventures in Homemaking

I feel that I have grown in my homemaking skills over the last few weeks.

When I learned two of my friends were coming to visit, I decided to try my hand at making refried beans to use for nachos to feed the three of us. I started with some ingredients.


Then, I put the majority of them in a crockpot to cook for a LONG time. (I have learned that I am an impatient cook- even with a crockpot.)


Next, I drained off the water and implored my friend, Smalls, to help me turn soft beans into what is known as Refried Beans. We decided to use a blender, which wasn't the best idea. There wasn't enough liquid with the beans to move them around inside the blender. The beans at the very bottom were quite mushy while the beans on the top were still in tact. The wooden spoon helped, though!


Here is the finished product! Smalls and I couldn't get the taste just right. We had to add a bunch of salt, salsa and ketchup to get it to taste good.


To make our nachos, we needed a few additional items before we could eat. So, The Quiet One was enlisted as "Cheese Grater" and did a fantastic job.



We also added tomatoes, green onions, chips and sour cream before we ate our delicious nachos!

*Food photography by Smalls*

In addition to increasing my food preparation abilities, I learned how to fill a need I found myself with. I have been called as the Ward Sacrament Meeting Pianist in my ward. I love this opportunity to serve and immerse myself in the hymns again. However, this calling comes with a "price". I get to cart around my big orange hymnal every Sunday. It isn't anything new, yet I have grown tired of carrying my scripture bag, my purse, my Joseph Smith Manual and my large hymnal! It gets bothersome to try to keep everything corralled each Sunday.

I finally decided enough was enough! I determined that I needed a tote to carry it all each week. So, I drove to JoAnn Fabrics in search of a tote pattern. I spent at least two hours in the store deciding between different fabrics and patterns and ideas, made numerous phone calls to my mom and even one of my sisters-in-law for help. Eventually, I was headed home with purchases in hand. I broke open the box my sewing machine is stored in and went to work.

It took me about three hours from the time I got home to the time I sewed the last stitch on my tote. I have learned so much from making this tote. I figured out (after the fact) that sewing handles is easier before the side seams are put in. I learned that it looks better if you fold the top twice before sewing, creating a more finished seam. (I should have known this from all the hems I have made.) I even honed my button sewing abilities.

Ta-da! The finished tote.

My tote is rather beautiful and amazing, if I do say so myself. It will have its debut at church on Sunday!