Caramel Apples Turn Monday Into Fun Day

Although I was so tired tonight, I had to give in to my child's plea to make caramel apples.  I had told her we would, and I had purchased the ingredients at the store today.  In the past, I have unwrapped the caramels and melted them to make the apples.  However, it is ultra easy to make your own caramel, no unwrapping necessary.  You just cook 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 cup light corn syrup over medium high heat for about 8 minutes until it is amber colored.  Then take it off the heat and slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (the liquid kind).  Then stir in 2 tbsp unsalted sweet cream butter, 1-2 tsp vanilla, and a dash of salt.  Put the sticks in about 8 washed apples, and dip the apples in the caramel mix.  Then, put them on wax paper sprayed with cooking spray, so they don't stick.  Naughty mom that I am, I let her eat hers at 8:30 at night.  I couldn't resist though, as she was such a good helper, and there was a gleam in her eye when she looked at them.  She even shared a bite with me and I almost died and went to heaven.

4th of July Yummies

This fourth of July, my hubby and I marked thirteen lucky years of wedded bliss.  Although we normally escape together, there is nothing we like more than being with each other and our kids.  So I decorated with stars and stripes, pulled out the croquet set, and made the following yummy food and drinks:

Drinks for the kids:

I took some fruit punch and filled about 1/3 of the glass, then added star shaped ice, then drizzled a thick pina colada juice drink over the ice.  Next, I drizzled some Blue Gatorade over the top of that.

Drinks for the parents:

I made some frozen pina coladas and frozen strawberry daquiries.  I added blue curaco to half the pina colada mix, then layered the concoctions.

For some yummy sides, Potato salad and sweet coleslaw....

Potato Salad: (credit Taste of Home Magazine)

Boil about 6-8 red skinned, chopped potatoes for about 10-15 minutes.  

Make a vinagrette out of

2/3 cup oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 tbsp dijon mustard

dash salt

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Whisk the vinegarette and pour over cooled potatoes, then stir.

Now add the following and mix:

2/3 cup mayo

2/3 cup sour cream

2/3 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup minced fresh parsley

4 hard cooked eggs, chopped

Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Now for the coleslaw.  This is my own sweet recipe...

For the dressing I stir the following ingredients

about 1/4 sweet onion, minced

1/2 to 3/4 cup mayo (I like the kind made with olive oil)

about 1 tbsp spicy mustard

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp sugar (brown sugar is even better

2 tbsp pickle relish (dill or sweet, whichever you like better)

dash salt

generous turn of fresh ground pepper

For the slaw...

1 package coleslaw mix

1 chopped gala apple

about 1 cup chopped grapes

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Mix the dressing with the slaw and refrigerate it for a couple hours.  Yum Yum.

We had a fun day, but I would love ideas and recipes to make it even more fun next year.  Please comment to let me know any fun traditions, games, or special foods you have at your house.

Picnic in the Park vs Picnic in the Yard....

This was our setup under the shade tree in our yard today.

At storytime this week, the kids heard it was National Picnic Day.  They rushed home to tell me, and asked if we could have a picnic.  I thought it sounded like a brilliant idea.  It didn't turn out so brilliant.  We brought our picnic basket, but drove through KFC to get our food (I was feeling blissfully lazy).  We got to the park, laid out our blanket and basket, applied bug spray, and took out our food.  So much food was missing from our order.  Being the hungry bear I was, I grouched at the kids for starting to eat without me and grouched at them to get in the car asap.  I later apologized for aforementioned grouching.  We had to drive back to KFC, and they gave us our missing food, but didn't say sorry or offer any discounts.  Well, at least we had our food.  Then we drove back and relaid our blanket, and resumed our picnic.  It was one o'clock by the time we finally ate, and you have never seen anyone eat so quickly as we did.  Then, I come to find out after searching the internet, National Picnic Day is actually April 23rd.  

Now, for the perfect picnic story which happened today...

It doesn't have to be National Picnic Day to have a picnic.  Every day can be a picnic day.  I have even been known to set a blanket on our living room floor in the dead of winter to have a picnic.  There is just something so unconventional about sitting on the floor or ground, eating out of a cute little basket.  Today, while enjoying the beautiful weather, I was inspired to make a picnic lunch.  It is so easy to pull together yourself as long as you have the fixings for a sandwich and some easy sides.  Or, you could do something simple like crusty bread and jams and cheeses.  Today, I decided on pasta salad and BLT's.  

 Nothing special, just from a box...

I was getting hungry while making these beauties.

In order to make it special, I did gussy up the sandwiches by wrapping them in wax paper, and tying curling gift ribbon around the paper.  Then I curled it with the scissors.  I also cut some wild roses from a nearby bush, and put them in a vase to add a touch of glamour to our picnic.

 Our spoils look pretty and yummy

 My boys are eagerly awaiting their food.

Remnants of a well had picnic...my husband and kids even took the dishes in the house for me.

In this round, the yard picnic definitly won.  It is kind of nice proximity if you forget anything.  However, I will still attempt the park picnic again.  I'll just make sure to check the contents of the food bag next time.  Better yet, maybe I will pack my own.  Have a picnic today with someone special.  It really is a fun way to brighten your day.  Also, please let me know any fun picnic stories or suggestions in the comments.  Linda

Mercury Glass DIY....Can I?

Above is the finished product. 

Picture yourself, soaking in the tub, or eating a candlelit dinner, with a flickering shimmering mercury glass candle nearby.  After seeing mercury glass on several home decor websites, I got the itch to get some for my own home.  However, it isn't easy to find, nor is it cheap.  I decided to make my own.  After seeing some how to tutorials, I decided to try it on my own.  I did not come up with the idea on how to make this, and this is the website where I found a tutorial http://www.takethesidestreet.com/2010/11/faux-mercury-glass-tutorial.html  First, I gathered and washed any gross old candlesticks, vases, and glass candleholders.  To get the wax our of the glass ones, I microwaved them for about a minute.  Then after pouring the melted wax out, I wiped the inside with a paper towel.  Watch out, they are hot.  I used potholders to hold them.  Then, I ran all of it through the dishwasher.  I set it aside for a day or two because I was doing other things.  Then, the day came for the spray paint.  I had purchased Looking Glass spray paint online at amazon.com.  I only got one bottle, but I probably should have gotten two.  Anyway, Here is a little photo with some of the jars before....

I accidentally started before taking pics...whoops at least here are a few pre paint glass jars/vases.

I painted the inside of the glass with a few coats of paint.  I also painted the exterior of the candlesticks with a few coats.

Notice in the pics there are some dull before it turns to mirror.  I loved to watch it turn like magic.

Messy

See how there is a little settlement.  I rolled it around inside the vases and jars a bit until it was mostly dry.

Once I was done painting, I hurried and got some white vinegar and water and put it in a cup.  Then I just used my fingers and flicked it onto the inside of the jars.  Then I let it sit a minute, and I took a paper towel and rubbed it gently to take off a bit of the paint.  I didn't want to distress it as much as the tutorial, so I just did a little bit.  Since I didn't have much paint left, I was scared to take too much off.

Above are the jars sitting with their vinegar water droplets.

It was a fun project, and I think they look cute.  Also, it didn't really take that much time, besides prepping the jars.  However, I did have silver cuticles for a week.  I hope no one thought I had a paint huffing problem.  I'll give you one more look at my finished project below.  They look really cool when they are lit.

Yummy Yummy PBJ Pie In Their Tummies.....

Pretty little lunch

Last week, after snowfall, snowfall, snowfall, my cupboards were getting bare. The nearest store is 20 miles away, so I hadn't braved the roads. I had to pack the kids lunch, but there was no bread to be found.  I baked a savory loaf to pack them, but it was gone in a day.  Therefore, I thought it would be fun to look outside the "loaf", and bake peanut butter and jelly inside something like bread.  I looked online, and to my enjoyment, I found the yummiest recipe on the following blog....http://www.mamaharriskitchen.com/2013/01/peanut-butter-and-jelly-pop-tarts.html

I want to make sure this lady gets all the credit for the recipe, so go to her site to see it. The only thing I did different was make my own pie crust.  We had a snow delay, so I had until 10am to get ready for school.  It was perfect to have the extra time to make these little devils.  I thought they were so cute, and the kids at school were totally envious of my kiddos lunch.  The kids liked them, but I wouldn't make them everyday, as pie crust is probably unhealthy to have every day.  Thank you Mama Harris for the creative, delicious idea.

Spring Cleaning Starts In Bed

A Little Vintage Laundry Ad (I wonder if this would whiten my pillows)

By the title of this post, you may guess Spring Cleaning is easy.  However, I just decided to start with the beds this year.  I was inspired by the coolest pillow whitening tips.  This is the link http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/02/how-to-wash-whiten-yellowed-pillows.html

Please, click on it to find some inspiration yourself. 

Now that you are inspired, here is a little step by step on how to deep clean the beds in your home.

Materials:

Washing Machine

Laundry Detergent

Bleach (or Bleach Alternative)

Borax

Powdered Dishwashing Detergent (I didn't have any, but I had washing soda, and used that)

Baking Soda and Essential oil mixed, Plain Baking Soda, or Scented Carpet Powder

 First Step:  Throw the pillows in the wash with hot water and the first three ingredients.  Naughty me threw 4 pillows in the first load.  I'm probably going to have to do several loads (frown). Well, at least I have a washing machine to do the grunt work.  I'm not that vintage! 

Step Two: Strip the beds of all linens (which will need to be washed).  Now, I have made a little mixture of 2 cups baking soda and a couple drops lavender essential oil.  If you do this, stir it to make sure the lavender oil is evenly distributed.  Sprinkle this (or carpet cleaner or plain baking soda on your mattresses.  Let it sit for a few minutes.  Then, take your vaccum and vaccum the mattresses.  Now for the grunt work.

Step Three: Find a helper and flip those mattresses!

Now, repeat step two on the other side of all the mattresses.

Step Four: Dust the headboards, footboards with the item of your choice.

Step Five: Vaccum under the beds with an attachment.

Step Six: Pat yourself on the back!  You have successfully Spring Cleaned the beds.  Now you just have to wait for all the laundry to be done so you can make the bed.

Please, comment and let me know if you have any tricks or tips (or website links) for cleaning your beds.

My Cozy Bed all fresh and clean 12 hours later....

Hunting For Spring

After all that glorious snow dumped on us, I felt like I was able to say a final good-bye to winter.  Thankfully, the groundhog saw his shadow, so perhaps an early Spring is due.  The last two days have had that feeling, and I have heard some chirping birds.  Plus, there was a gross old spider in the shower yesterday(maybe unfrozen by the warmer temps).  So I thought I would go check out the garden to see if there were any signs of spring.  Sure enough, there were some baby bulbs.

I think this one is a tulip.

 

 

 

I put a little frog to watch over it.

 

 

 

This is one of my Allium babys.  Isn't it cute?  I put a little gnome to keep it company.

 

Going on this little scavenger hunt really brightened my day.  Perhaps you have some baby bulbs peeking out of the ground.  Why don't you go on your own little hunt for spring?  Feel free to send me pictures of what you find.  I would love to see them.

Fat Tuesday

Tonight was one of the funnest family nights ever.  We celebrated Fat Tuesday!  Had I thought ahead, I would have planned on having Jambalaya tonight.  I had already planned the week's meals, so we had Chicken Tetrazzini, but I did go to the store for some crafts and a cake. Plus, when I got home, I cranked Pandora radio to New Orleans by Louis Armstrong.  I must say that station rocks.   I have seen some recipes for a king cake, and perhaps I will do it next year, but tonight, I just bought a tiny storebought cake, and washed one of my kids barbie baby figures to put inside.  Traditionally, the person who gets the cake with the baby host next years party, but we did something different this year.  We let our kids choose the prize.  If my daughter got it, she could plan next years Fat Tues. party, and if my son got it, he could choose where we ate dinner next time we go out (with no complaints from anyone in the family).  We made little Mardis Gras masks, and they were so cute.  It was great fun, and perhaps next year will be even more fun.  I hope you all enjoyed your Fat Tuesday.  Hopefully it is the beginning of a fun year to come.

Blizzard Warning

Something wicked this way comes...a blizzard.  There is always something scary about nature's forces, but sometimes I can't help but feel giddy when all the family is safely tucked inside the house with a beautiful whiteout outdoors.  There is hot chocolate and cider to be drunk, games of Uno, Chess, Monopoly, and what not to be played, and books to be devoured.  If I had a fireplace, it would most certainly be lit, and some of those scented pinecones would be thrown in.  I do hope for everyone's safety in the oncoming storm, as well as in the winter storm in the northeast.  Then, hopefully, there will be eight inches of snow to be played in when the blizzard takes its leave.

Pico Pico

Tonight, we are watching the superbowl together as a family.  It is so fun to make and eat yummy game food, and tonight I am making some stupendous nachos.  Here is a step by step delicious recipe for Pico De Gallo.  All you need to do is chop.  You need four tomatoes, one onion, one jalepeno, some chopped parsley (or cilantro), and some salt.

 I start by cutting the ends off the tomatoes and squeezing them over the sink to get rid of the seeds.  Then, chop the tomatoes, and place them in the bowl. 

Next, chop the onion and place it in the bowl.

Then, wearing gloves, seed and chop the jalepeno and add it.

Then, chop the parsley and add it.

 

Next, add the salt. ( I like to keep mine in a fun bowl)

 

Look how pretty it is.  Let it sit in the fridge covered until you are ready to use it.

 Ok, now to make some yummy nachos to go with this.  Brown some beef, onion, garlic and jalepeno, and add some taco seasoning (or if you don't have some, put some salt, pepper, sugar, chili powder, and cumin).  Put this mix on some tortilla chips on an oven safe dish.  Sprinkle with some sharp cheddar or pepperjack, and bake in the oven at 350 until the cheese melts.  Top with the pico de gallo, some avocado or guac, olives, sour cream or whatever suits your needs.  Maybe you could set everything out and let people choose.  Enjoy the game.

 

Snood Giveaway

My mom introduced me to my first snood around 7th grade.  She bought me an ivory one, and a black one.  Since my hair is usually unruly, I felt so beautiful when I wore it.  That was until the day a popular classmate sitting behind me in class said it looked like a hair net.  I was crushed, and I never wore a snood again.  However, those days are over.  I am going to buy some snoods to go with every outfit.  If I ever see her I will smile and wave, and in my brain I will say, "How do you like my snood?"  If you would like to win a beautiful snood of your own, please enter on the following blog.  You must blog about this giveaway, follow her blog, and let her know you did it.  Happy snood.