OK so I don’t have any finished stuff to show just yet, but I am knitting, I swear! Here is proof:

And yes, it’s been awhile. I have 2 projects to finish/sew up and then I’ll post pictures when I get the chance. What’s so sad is, it has been so long since I knitted… that I initially forgot how to…. GASP… cast-on! It took me a moment, but boy, that was kind of scary for a second. =)

I know I have fallen off the face of this earth and am barely crafting anything these days (sad, I know). I do hope to get back in the saddle one of these days. But I can show you something I’ve been doing that I am absolutely loving. Making my own baby food. Not only is it a healthier option (I know exactly what I’m feeding my kid) but it’s very economical too. Organic baby food can add up really quickly.

Here’s butternut squash in an afternoon:

I split the butternut squash in half, and scooped out the seeds.

Face down in a pan of water, I roasted it in the oven.

I scooped out the flesh (after roasting, it is very soft).

I pureed it (adding a little water until I got the consistency that I wanted), and then froze it in my ice cube trays.

Once frozen, I popped them out of my ice cube trays and stored them in a ziplock bag. (Each ice cube = 1 oz.) This one squash made almost 30 oz. of baby food.

And when I’m ready to prepare a meal for the kiddo, I pull out a couple ice cubes to thaw. Here is 1 oz. of homemade pear, and 1 oz. homemade squash (the kid loves this combo).

I’ve also been successful in making oatmeal cereal, avocado, zucchini, papaya, and green beans. This weekend I’ll make sweet potatoes, carrots, and more pears.

P.S. While I was making avocados, I realized that when you freeze them right away, they stay green! Yea!

ETA: For more information on making your own baby food, when your baby shows signs of being ready, simple/easy recipes, and other useful related topics, here’s a site I found extremely helpful: Wholesome Baby Food

It has been a long hiatus. I’m sure it’s implied why I have been away for so long. Life just got really hard. My lovable little guy has been a challenge to say the least. We are definitely now post-colic (THANK GOD) and have been battling insane sleep problems since Thanksgiving. Currently working on them (and seeing improvements, yay). And as you can tell, things are starting to slightly pick up, because now I actually have time to do something crafty.

The pattern is the Osito Infant Bear Hat (pdf link). Tres adorable, non? =)

I added ear flaps just to cover those tiny little ears from getting cold. My first time improvising with crochet increases/decreases. Easy peasy for a sleep deprived momma, I’m impressed and proud of myself.

Now that my little guy’s head is warm, let’s hope he sleeps better. Sigh.