Showing posts with label 2 thumbs up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 thumbs up. Show all posts

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Perfect White Bread

I don't know about anyone else, but we go through bread like it's no body's business!! The hub takes 2 sandwiches to work every day, we have 3 kids who love sandwiches for lunch, and I just love bread. I cringe buying bread. The bread we buy is 2.50-2.98 a loaf.

I decided to try out baking our own bread. I tried a couple recipes, didn't like the bread. Then I tried THIS recipe. Holy yummm. I have made it twice this week, just to make sure the first time wasn't just by chance. I think it turned out even better the 2nd time. It is insanely easy. It is the perfect white bread recipe!

granny’s perfect white bread
Ingredients
  • 3 cups warm water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup powdered milk
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 Tbsp salt
  • 2.5 lbs Better for Bread flour {1/2 bag}
what to do
Mix water, sugar and yeast in Bosch mixer {for doubled recipe, Kitchen aid works fine for this recipe.} When bubbles start to form, add milk, oil, salt and flour. Once all flour is in, knead on high- 5 min with the dough attachment.

Let rise double. Spray pans generously. Punch down form 3 medium loaves or 2 large loaves. Let rise to 1/2″ above pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for 17-18 min. Butter tops, let cool in pans 5 mins then turn out to finish cooling completely.

The cute girl that posted the recipe has a wonderful post about her granny. This is her granny's bread recipe. {make sure to hop on over to her page to read about her granny}









Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Menu Board

I saw THIS on pinterst, and I totally wanted to make one for our house. I had all our favorite dinners on a spread sheet with the ingredients already (thanks mom!!) But I was always losing the paper, and having to search and search my emails for it... So I thought this was wonderful!!!

Instead of using cork board, I got a frame 11x14 frame at walmart. I covered the board behind the glass with the fabric, and put the ribbon behind it as well. I also just bought a plastic notecard holder & cut the top off for the dinner items.





Saturday, August 23, 2014

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

This morning I took my little kiddo's to the farmer's market in our new neighborhood. Someone was selling a whole bag of Rhubarb for $1, so I of course had to buy it. I was planning on making a Rhubarb Crisp with them, but saw THESE muffins on Pinterest. I decided to try them out.

I totally enjoy them. I may have possibly eaten 2 so far... My kids thought they were cupcakes, and were a little disappointed at their first taste, but now they totally like them.

Super easy recipe. Will be making again.




Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1/2 cup chopped fresh rhubarb

TOPPING:
6 small fresh strawberries, halved. **I actually did 1/4**
3 teaspoons sugar **I didn't measure. I just pinched and sprinkled**

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat egg, milk and oil until smooth. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in strawberries and rhubarb. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Place a strawberry half, cut side down, on each. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375° for 22-25 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm. Makes: 1 dozen.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Car Shirt

For Father's Day this year, I wanted to do something fun for my dad. I saw this tutorial on Pinterest, and knew that I needed to do this. My dad has 4 granddaughters (& 1 grandson on the way). I thought this would be fantastic for when all the kids were over.

This shirt is so not my idea, I am not that amazing. I got the tutorial & the prints at The Blue Basket (click name for link). It was a hit!! I changed a little to the print- as my daughter picked out Police cars for the shirt because her daddy is a Police Officer. So we changed the Fire Dept building to a Police Dept, added a runway for the plane, and we added a Jail (totally free handed that, and it's not the best, but for someone that can't draw, it was pretty good! lol!)

 

Started out printing the layout, and taping it together. It didn't print it all, so I had to draw missing pieces.
 
Placed the shirt on my kids princess table, and slid the layout underneath to trace.
 
Here are the cars my 3 year old picked out. My husband was very proud of her!
 
I bought just the cheap fabric markers. I didn't feel like paying $10+ just for fabric markers... Thanks Crayola!
 
Let the tracing begin...
I called the town "Papaville" for my dad! :)
 
I decided to add tracings of my daughters hands for memory sake. It was adorable.
 
Colored...
 
All done!
 
The girls LOVED it!
My dad said it actually felt pretty good on his back!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Windex Touch-Up Cleaner

Bought this today, and I love it! The idea is fantastic! I dislike getting bottles of cleaner out just to clean up little messes... This little thing can sit on my counter, and it's just brilliant. I figure, when I run out of the cleaner that it came with, I can refill it with my choice of cleaner OR even a homemade cleaner (like Lemon essential oil).
Silly little post. But I am sold on this bottle.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Our Favorite Drying Rack

I know I am crazy, but I don't use our dryer for a lot of our clothes. Our daughters are both super tall, so I don't want their clothes to be shrinking. I also don't like any of my clothes to be dried... The husband learned that the first month of our marriage. Those pants never were the same.... Hahaha

Anyways.

Before I bought this rack, my house would be COVERED in clothing as it dried. The house smelled fabulous, but it was soooooo annoying to have clothes everywhere.

One day we were at my brother & sister's house, she showed me their drying rack and I fell in love. Silly I know. But I know others will feel the same if they air dry their clothes.

We bought this rack about a week ago, and LOVE it. It is fantastic. The shelves fold up. They hold a lot of clothes. It fits PERFECTLY in our little laundry room. Ahhh. Love it.

 

It was purchased at Ikea. Only $34.99

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Oatmeal Bake

I'm baaaaaaack! Have you missed me??

I know, I know... I have been a big time SLACKER at posting lately. How come no one told me that being pregnant with baby 3 would be so exhausting the first trimester?? Ha. Hit 12 weeks, and my energy is coming back! YAY!

Now onto this beauty....

Oh so yummy, Oatmeal Bake!!



I got this recipe from one of my best friends, Jen! It is fabulous. Not going to lie.

Oatmeal Bake
Ingredients:
3 C Rolled Oats
1 C Brown Sugar
2 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 C Milk
2 Eggs
1/2 C Melted Butter
2 tsp Vanilla
3/4 C Blueberries **I cut mine in half because they were HUGE and I am not a blueberry fan to begin with**
3/4 C Peaches (diced)
1/2 C Apple (diced) optional **I didn't use apples. I actually used Strawberries this time**

Preheat oven to 350*.
Mix all dry ingredients together. Set aside.
Mix milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients.
Stir in the fruit.
Spread into a sprayed 9x13 pan.
Bake for 40 minutes.

I put the ingredients into the MyFitnessPal to figure out the calories per serving-
If I serve 18 people- 114 Calories.
15 people- 136 Calories
12 people- 171 Calories.
So... Not too bad!



I actually put a little drop of Whipped Cream, it was soooooo good! It's great with or without. My kids LOVED it. My 3 year old kept going into the fridge and making plates of it for herself. It was adorable. She actually even brought a plate to my mom when she visited, and my mom loved it as well. It is a fantastic recipe. I change up the fruits with whatever I have on had.



Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Jello Slime

I love this stuff. That's all.
Ha.
We always have Slime at family functions- bbq's, thanksgiving, baby blessings, potlucks, etc. the fabulous thing is that is can be changed up super easy. We usually have Lemon-Lime, it is bright green, hence the name "Slime". For Valentines Day, I made Strawberry-Banana.
Super easy to make. Super yummy.

Ingredients:
1 Large Box Cook & Serve Pudding (make sure it's COOK, not Instant) I used Banana for this one, we usually use Lemon for Lemon-Lime
1 Large Box Gelatin - I used Strawberry, use Lime for Lemon-Lime
Cool Whip

Make both following the directions on the boxes. When both boxes are made, whisk together, pour into a 9x13 pan, chill in refrigerator. I personally think it tastes better when it sets overnight. After it is set, top with cool whip. *In the picture I took, there is just cool whip plopped on top, I wasn't in the mood to cover the whole pan at the time, lol*

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Taco Soup

Winter is in full force!
Hello Snow!
Hello SOUP!

Sooooooo easy to make!!

I know there are a bunch of different versions of Taco Soup floating around, but this is the one my family uses.

Ingredients:
1 pound hamburger
1 medium onion chopped
1 15 ounce can of chili
8 ounces water
1 8 ounce tomato sauce
1 28 ounce stewed tomatoes (I use the petite diced ones)
1 15 ounce kidney beans (we were out, used black beans instead. Mmmmmmm)
1 4 ounce diced green chilies (didn't have any, totally fine to leave it out)
1 can corn
1 package taco season mix (Again, was out. So I used THIS recipe to make my own.)

Brown hamburger & onion together and drain the fat. In a large pan, add hamburger and all the other ingredients. Heat through and serve warm with shredded cheese, fritos, and sour cream on top. (We were out of fritos, they're my weakness, so we used tortilla chips.) You can also add guacamole on top, but I don't do "rottonmole". Lol.

Enjoy!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Pancakes + Cinnamon Roll = How could I resist!? In our house, we have pancakes AT LEAST once a week. We heart our pancake goodness. Mmmmm. Plus, my 1 year old is the most picky, ding dong, little eater EVER. So, when we find something she likes, we have it a lot. Yeah....

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with Cream Cheese Icing. *drool* These were good. Like, yummy in my tummy, have a glass of milk by you, good. The best part about taking pictures of my food is that I get to eat however many I stack... Ha. I may be 957lbs by the this time next year, but dude, so worth it.
 

Recipe found HERE
Ingredients:

CINNAMON FILLING:
 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, just melted (not boiling)
 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE:
 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
 2-ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
 3/4 cup powdered sugar (if you're out of powdered sugar, check out my post about how to make powdered sugar)
 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

PANCAKES:
 1 cup all-purpose flour
 2 teaspoons baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1 cup milk
 1 large egg, lightly beaten
 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil

Directions:

Prepare the cinnamon filling: In a medium bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a quart-sized heavy zip baggie and set it aside (see *Tips below).

Prepare the glaze: In a small pan, heat the butter over low heat until melted. Turn off the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until it is almost smooth. Sift the powdered sugar into the pan, stir and add in vanilla extract. Set the pan aside while you make the pancakes.

Prepare the pancake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in the milk, egg and oil, just until the batter is moistened (a few small lumps are fine).

Cook the pancakes: Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-heat and spray with nonstick spray. Use an ice cream scoop (or 1/3 cup measuring cup) to add the batter to the pan. Use the bottom of the scoop or cup to spread the batter into a circle (about 4-inches in diameter). Reduce the heat to medium low. Snip the corner of your baggie of cinnamon filling and squeeze the filling into the open corner. When your pancake begins to form bubbles, add the filling. Starting at the center of the pancake, squeeze the filling on top of the pancake batter in a swirl (just as you see in a regular cinnamon roll). Cook the pancake 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bubbles begin popping on top of the pancake and it's golden brown on the bottom. Slide a thin, wide metal spatula underneath the pancake and gently but quickly flip it over. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is golden as well. When you flip the pancake onto a plate, you will see that the cinnamon filling has created a crater-swirl of cinnamon. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, and repeat with the remaining pancake batter and cinnamon filling. Re-warm the glaze briefly, if needed. Serve pancakes topped with a drizzle of glaze.

Tips:

*Quick and easy tip: Use a boxed pancake mix as the base for this recipe.

*Tips for the cinnamon filling: Before swirling, open up the baggie again and give it a good stir to re-incorporate any butter that may have separated from the sugar. You want the mixture to thicken a bit- it's best when it's similar to the squeezing texture of a tube of toothpaste, which will happen if you leave it at room temperature for several minutes. Don't try to use the filling for the pancake swirl unless it has thickened as it will be too runny to make a solid swirl.

*Keep the heat low or your pancakes might cook up too quickly. Don't flip them until you see those bubbles starting to pop on top. Flip them with a wide spatula so you can grasp the whole thing without batter and filling dripping all over the place!
 

 


Would I eat these every day?? If I could still fit into my jeans, yes.
Will I actually make these every day? No, maybe once a month for a yummy treat...
Good bribery for the kids?? Possibly... Don't judge.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Make Your Own Powdered Sugar

This morning I was making breakfast, I was so excited, until I realized that I was out of powdered sugar!! Tragic, really. So I posted it on my Facebook Page and received a great suggestion, from Amber, to use the pin that tells you how to make your own powdered sugar. I had never seen it! I was pretty excited.Thanks, Amber!!
THIS is where I got the recipe from.

How to Make Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Sugar
2 tbs Corn Starch

Combine the 2 in a blender.
Turn the blender on and blend until the mixture is a powdery combination, depending on your liking.
Store final mixture in an airtight container.
 
Pretty simple. I probably could have blended mine a wee bit more, it was a little grainy & not as powdery as store bought, but the husband had just gone to bed, so I didn't want to disturb him too much longer.

All in all, it worked. I probably will just use this method when I'm in a pinch!