Chair Pockets

Having stuff on the dinner table is getting old so I took a note from Elementary teachers and made chair pockets.  The pockets hold items that you use at the table during work time, but don't want on the table during dinner.

I used pet mesh to make the pockets.  This is a plastic replacement screen you can get at home improvement stores in the window and door section.  It sews up great!

I wanted to have two sections: one for papers and one for pens and pencils.  To make the pens and pencil part I used felt.  You can cut it to any size.  I did the embroidery on it with my machine then sewed a strip of fold over elastic across the top.  You will see more of the elastic soon.

I wanted the pockets to be able to hold letter size materials.  I started with a piece of mesh that was 14 in x 25.5 in.  On one short size I sewed on the fold over elastic.  This stuff comes in every color of the rainbow.  I got a grab back from Etsy that has fueled many projects.

At the other end I folded over a double hem of 1.5 inches.  Based on where the slats are on my chairs I added ribbons that would be able to tie into bows around the top of the chair.  Sew them on the back securely.

I placed the pocket on the front (after folding it so that the hem on top faces the back) and sewed around the felt three sides.  Because we are using felt there is no need to finish those edges.

Before sewing up the sides you need to figure out if you want additional stabilization on the chair.  Our chair backs are at an angle so we needed a way to hold the pocket against the chair instead of straight down.  Double sided velcro to the rescue.  A 4 inch strip located on the back right above the fold can wrap around a slat in the chair.  You can see it in action in the photo below.

With all the extras on it you need to only sew up the sides.  I sewed them once then added fold over elastic in black to finish off the seams.  This material is plastic so you don't really need to do it, but it did look nice.

Secure them to your chairs and enjoy a clear table!

January 24 - February 1, 2014

Back at it!  During the spring and summer we had the CSA from Earth Dance Farm so we pretty much ate the same thing we ate the year before.  Some weeks I didn't even plan the meals.  Those we called crazy weeks.

I have found something new for breakfast.  I had to get away from eggs and needed more protein than just oatmeal.  The solution came as almond meal/flour muffins.  Then I got sick of making little muffins so I decided to go to bread and yipee I have a new breakfast.

Pumpkin Version with pumpkin and squash that I roasted whole at 375 until a knife inserts easily.  I cook all kinds of squash this way now.  I just mashed all the squash together and put it into the bread.  Make sure you add enough of the spices.
Chocolate Zucchini Version

For both of these you can use the Almond meal from Trader Joe's which is less expensive than the blanched almond flour.  I have found that on Amazon and use it for cupcakes.  When you are cooking with almond flour things are really moist.  You need to be sure to bake it until it is on the edge of being burned.  Really browned!  Sticking a toothpick in doesn't work great to tell if it is done.  I had many a loaf with a mushy middle.  They were still OK.  Butter makes it all better.  These loaves freeze perfectly when wrapped in parchment then in foil.

Another great find is this recipe for pulled pork.  I've made lots of this as my freezer can tell you right now. I serve it on Trader Joe's pretzel rolls or on a salad with corn, peas, carrots, etc. and dressed with barbecue sauce.

Can't forget chocolate coconut macaroons!  These are so healthy I don't have to count them as sweets!  Dad would inhale them if left alone for a few minutes.

So this week!!

F - Tacos.  Grass fed beef seasoned with chicken taco seasoning.  I didn't realize I would out of beef taco seasoning until the beef was in the pan.  They turned out really yummy.  Serve on top of corn chips.  I got some from Garden of Eatin and the Red Hot Blues were the favorite flavor.  Top with tomato, black beans, taco seasoned cheese, lettuce, avocado, sour cream and super yummy avocado dressing.  The link for the dressing is blocked by Pinterest, but here it is.

Avocado dressing for tacos:
1 large avocado
1 Tablespoon 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
1/2 cup greek yogurt (or regular)
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt.

Blend it all together.  I use the little smoothie blender.

Sa - Taco Potatoes.  Same taco stuff, but on top of baked potatoes.

Su - Pulled pork (recipe above), raw veggies, and hummus

M - Steel cut oatmeal with diced apples, cinnamon, and liquid stevia.  If you add cinnamon you have to have some sweetness to develop it.  It turned out great and leftovers heated up for breakfast.

T - Chicken and wild rice soup.  This one doesn't have cream!!  I made a double batch and it was really good.  I cubed the chicken and just left it in the whole time and added more of the rice blend.  Great for lunch for many days.

W - Pizza night (can't change tradition)

Th - Black Bean spaghetti with jar sauce and frozen meatballs.  This was our second time with brown bean pasta.  It looks like dirty shoelaces, but tastes fine.  The kid won't eat it, so I make up a little wheat pasta for her.

F and Sa - Leftovers

March 19 - 30, 2013

T - Grilled chicken, veggies, and squash cassarole from this summer.  It froze well.
W - Pizza
Th - Chili in the crockpot.
F - Frozen squash soup
Sa - Turkey in the crockpot.  Cooked with veggie broth, butter, and pepper.  Whipped up some lara bars and hummus as well.
Su - Tuna salad on greens.
M - BLT deviled eggs and salad.
T - Sausage and sour kraut.  Chocolate zucchini cake.
W - Frozen Pizza
Th - Spaghetti squash
F - Leftovers
Sa - Chicken tortilla soup

March 3 - 9, 2013

Su - Chicken Wild Rice Soup
M - Pumpkin pancakes
T - Shepherd's pie again.  It was so yummy
W - Frozen Pizza
Th - Kale Salad
F - Leftovers
Sa - Steak and Salad

Feb 24 - March 2, 2013

Su - Smokey Turkey Shepherd's Pie - This is a Rachel Ray 30 minute meal that I can't cook in 30 minutes.  I can however do it in under an hour.  It also says it serves 4, but those would be huge servings.  I cut it into 12 servings and sometimes we have seconds.  I used instant potatoes instead of peeling, cooking, and mashing my own.  Turned out great.
M - Leftovers (plan was chicken wild rice soup)
T - Mac & Cheese - This was better, but still not quite there.  I don't think I cooked the sauce quite long enough to thicken.  It was better leftover.
W - Frozen Pizza
Th - Leftovers
F - Grab what you can.  Tour de Habitat night.
Sa - Trader Joes Chicken Burritos and veggies

Feb 17 - 23, 2013

Su - Mexican stuffed peppers.  I'll also make some spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce and hummus.
M - Mediterranean Turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli or asparagus.
T - Soup and Salad
W - Frozen Pizza
Th - Leftovers
F - Grilled cheese
Sa - Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto

Feb 10 - 15

Su - Homemade Chili and sweet potato chips with my silicon microwave chip maker.
M - Pumpkin pancakes
T - Steak, roasted fennel, and salad
W - Frozen Pizza
Th - Leftovers (Happy Valentine's Day honey, you get leftovers)
F - Out to dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day as a family.