Christmas 2010

Making Christmas Cookies for Santa (yes, Patrick's eyes are closed...again)

Megan is in her element...usually she works in crayons and paints, but frosting is just as exciting! (yes, she is wearing fairy wings...she just can't help herself.)

I know your thinking a professional frosted these round cookies, but it was only me
...aaaahhh the skilll.

The kids saved their allowance and bought each other a present.
They were so excited to be able to get each other a gift.

AAAHHHHH - a flash....Mom stop taking pictures!!

Trying to get a good photo of the kids - these didn't make it

Logan the Cat

Patrick and Megan loving on Logan

Logan waiting for me to pet him

Logan hiding in the leaves

Escaping

Megan was the culprit who had covered him with leaves in the first place. He stayed in them for about 20 minutes.

Here are some free skirt patterns...enjoy.

Found this website which compiles lingerie tutorials. Thought I would share it with everyone...enjoy!!

Handmade Laundry Soap Recipe

I probably have the most allergic child in the world...poor Megan. I have tried every soap known to man. I have tried every laundry detergent. I even went to far as to use All Free and Clear which worked on getting the clothes clean, but unfortunately they don't smell clean.

I have been on the hunt for something new, and about 3 months ago I finally broke down and started making my own laundry detergent. It has a very light pleasant smell, and it gets the clothes clean. What is great, is it really doesn't cost that much, but it works better than most store bought detergents.

Here is the recipe:

2 bar Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated - I leave this soap in a very dry place for a few days so that it breaks down into tiny pieces when grated. I also use the finest grater.)
2 cup Washing Soda
2 cup Borax

* Mix well and store in an airtight container. I use a 1 gal pickle jar.
* Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

I keep an old Mason Jar by the washing machine. I put the 2 tablespoons of my laundry mixture in their with water, swish it around and then pour it into the machine. I then put the clothes in.

I have had no problems with Megan - she has incredibly sensitive skin and when she doesn't agree with something she will get angry red blotches on her skin and the skin will dry out. Which for my sweet girl is very painful.

Also FYI for those of you who get dry skin in the winter - we are now using a bar of dove soap. It puts moisture back into your skin. After we rinse off, I have a spray bottle full of baby oil. We lightly spray the baby oil on our skin, rub it in, and then rinse it off with water. This also helps the skin to maintain it's moisture.

Hope this is useful to you.

Pizza Dough for the Bread Maker

My children are very spoiled - I make homemade pizza. It is their favorite and one of the reasons is the crust. The thing that is so great about this crust is you can make it ahead of time.

Pizza Dough

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

In bread maker put ingredients as follows:

1 1/2 Cups water (110 degrees)
4 Tablespoons Oil
2 Tablespoons Sugar
4 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons yeast

Set bread maker to dough setting and start.

When the machine has stopped, punch the dough down and put on a floured surface. The dough is a little sticky, just add more flour over the outside of the dough, and work it in a little. Then cut the dough in anticipation of getting ready to smooth it into pans.

If you want thin crust cut the dough in thirds. For a pan pizza cut the dough in half.

lightly oil your pizza pan (very lightly) spread dough out, working it into the pan.

When dough is spread into pan place in the oven for 8 minutes. Do this for each pizza. Let the crust cool.

When Crust has cooled place sauce and any toppings you choose on to the pizza and cook at 400 degrees for an additional 6 to 8 minutes (depending on how crisp you want the crust)

***You can also just take the dough and without cooking it first place, after you place dough in pan, add toppings and cook for 14 to 16 minutes at 400 degrees. But we prefer a crispier crust so I do it the other way.

I serve this at birthday parties, family gatherings, and just for dinner. It is great!!

Enjoy.

Cheesecake

This is the easiest Cheesecake recipe I have ever made...it always comes out beautifully.

My parents purchased a ceramic pie plate with the following recipe:

Crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 Tablespoons sugar
3 Tablespoons butter - melted

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix crumbs and sugar. Stir in butter thoroughly.
3. Press into bottom and sides of pie plate.
4. Bake 10 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and cool

Filling

19oz - cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs

1. Reduce oven to 300 degrees
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large mixing bowl
3. Add Vanilla
4. Beat in eggs one at a time.
5. Pour over cracker crust and bake 1 hour or until center is firm.
6. Cool and top with sweet fruit
7. Chill 3 Hours

This makes a very deep cheese cake. In the past I have purchased 2 graham cracker crusts and can fill them to about a 1/3 of an inch from the top of the crust which works out great when you put filling on top. I have also used the recipe to make individual cheesecakes with the foil cupcake you can purchase at the store. These are great because you can make individual cheesecakes and have multiple toppings. My favorites are cherry, triple berry, strawberry and lemon.

The reason I am putting this on my blog, is every year I misplace my recipe, and at least if it is on my blog I would find it.

Making bread and lovin' it

It has been awhile since I posted...with my camera DOA it is difficult to post without pictures. But life goes on and soon tax time will come and I can get a new camera.

I just wanted to share a recipe with everyone, I have been making bread (a lot) and decided to share this great recipe I found. I find myself using my bread machine to make bread, but decided I really needed to make it from scratch using my own muscles. I found the following recipe, and I am hooked.

Amish White Bread

2 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.

2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. (I mix in 5 cups of flour and then I knead the last cup of flour into the dough. I found that this gets all of the bubbles out of the dough) Knead dough until it is smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about an hour.

3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

This bread comes out beautifully - it is slightly sweet and wonderful with butter. I find myself making 4 loafs a week. The kids love it, and when it gets a little dry we make croutons out of it.

Enjoy!!