homemade popcorn

wow. this is one of those things that is so easy i feel stupid for not doing it all along.

popcorn. made from kernels. in the microwave.

not the store bought pre bagged kind, (complete with nasty chemicals :::yuck::: )

but the kind that you prepare yourself, from scratch :::gasp:::

it's easy.

i promise.

a quick swagbucks search brought me to here

what you need:

bag of popcorn kernels

(i store mine in a mason jar)

paper bag

microwave

measuring cup

1. Pour a quarter cup of popcorn kernels into a paper bag.

1. Fold the top of the bag three times.
2. Place the paper bag in the microwave.

1. Set the timer for 40 to 60 seconds.

1. Remove the bag and pour the popcorn into a dish.

1. Cook unpopped kernels for about 15 to 20 seconds.
2. (mine took 60 seconds;
3. (be aware that this will make a mess in your microwave. why i thought the kernels would pop & stay in the bowl is beyond me?)

1. Serve.

homemade granola clusters

we love granola over here; love love love LOVE it.

it's really easy to make too.

and you can add whatever you want to it & 97% of the time it will turn out yummy.

here's what we tried today:

6ish cups of kashi cereal

3 packets of all the oatmeal no one likes

1.5 ish cups raisins

1.5ish cups crasins

handful or so of almonds

x1 can of sweet condensed milk

preheat oven to 350

mixed it all in my mixer

dumped it in a large pyrex

baked for 10ish minutes until top layer was light brown

took out of oven

gave it a good stir/flip/mix

baked for another 10ish minutes

remove from oven

let cool

dont burn fingers when you try it anyway

store in a container

while your kids nap, take container to your room while you catch up on TV shows on Hulu

homemade applesauce

this recipe is so easy

sooooooooooooooo simple

ready?

peel a bushel of apples (like 12 or so)

cut them into same sizeish pieces

toss them into crock pot

sprinkle some cinnamon over the apple chunks

cook on low for 2.5ish hours

when you start to smell the yumminess, mash the warm apples up (i use a fork)

let them cook a little bit longer (if you can)

turn crock pot off, let applesauce cool down

exercise self restraint when consuming.

i've been known to eat an entire batch in one day

(during nap-time, so the kids didn't even get any)

this batch i hope to give to the neighbors (because i'm great like that)

peach cobbler

i forget where i orginally found this :/

Easy Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups fresh peach slices
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

Melt butter in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt; add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter over butter (do not stir).

Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peach slices, and lemon juice to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly; pour over batter (do not stir). Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.

Bake at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve cobbler warm or cool.

Your welcome :D

ohhhhhh look. still bubbling...

get crafting!

Sabrina

sneak peek of the girls birthday fabrics

I'm sewing birthday decore today.

My plan is to sew some fun decorations that we can reuse year after year.

unpaper napkins

birthday banner & streamers

birthday crowns

get crafting!
Sabrina

crowns

Both girls will be getting their very own birthday crowns this year. I plan on making all the decore & reusing it each year; a fun family tradition that I hope we all enjoy.

While waiting for the fabric to go on sale I wasted some time making a few play crowns for the dress up box.

she's pouting because it's not pink "wiff sparkles on it"

it's reversible

fun & easy to make!

get crafting!
Sabrina

BIRTHDAY GIFTS!!!

Bear is turning 3 in September.

oh-my-gosh I will soon be the Mother of a 3 year old.

Where has the time gone?!

What should I make/buy her?

Already on the list:

* a Mae doll (made in her likeness)

* fabric tic-tac-toe game

* crayon roll

* art case

* indoor hopscotch mat

Bunny will be 1 in September.

Holy cow. It has already been a year?

Oh dear me. I am sad.

But birthdays are fun times.

So let's celebrate.

What should I make/buy her?

Already on the list:

* her very own Bailey Bunny

(fabric to be determined, help me out here) This will be her first doll/stuffed animal & I am oh so excited!

easy, homemade pizza

start this early, as it takes some time to get the dough ready.

PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE
4 cups bread or all purpose flour (I used all purpose)
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water (I microwaved mine for 30 seconds)
1 packet active dry yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar, or 1 teaspoon honey (I used sugar)
1/4 cup milk or 1/4 cup water (I used milk, fat free organic)



Scoop flour into large glass bowl. Make a well in middle of flour & pour salt inside. Stir to combine & set aside.

In another glass bowl pour in water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes. Allow to foam up (or proof).

After waiting the 5 minutes for the yeast/water/sugar to cure, pour the milk & olive oil inside. Then add this wet mixture to the bowl of flour/salt. Stir together using a wooden spoon or clean hands.

Sprinkle some flour onto a clean, flat surface ( this is where you'll be kneading your dough.) Knead for about 8 minutes or until you get a smooth elastic rubbery dough ball.

Place dough in a clean glass bowl.


I lightly rubbed mine with olive oil (to keep it from drying out.) Let dough sit covered (I draped a clean kitchen towel over mine. Don't use a plate or something heavy, as the dough may push it off when it rises.)


Set aside for 30 to 60 minutes. Restore order to your kitchen during this time. Empty the dishwasher & refill it. Wipe out your fridge shelves. Start a load of laundry.





or stand at the back door, pounding on it until someone takes you outside.

Halve your dough.

This made x2 personal size pizza crusts. Flatten it out & manipulate into a circle. Spread it out evenly, lifting from underneath to stretch the dough. Sprinkle pan (I used a Pampered Chef stone) with yellow cornmeal or Farina or flour (I used cornmeal, it gives that crunchy, grainy texture to the crust.)


Preheat oven 450°F. (my oven takes 10 minutes to preheat to 450)

Top with your favorite spaghetti sauce, spreading out using the back of a spoon, then add shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese, and jack or Parmesan cheese.



Layer on some cooked meats, and add vegetables (ours had corn, bell peppers & broccoli.)

Bake for about 12-14 mins, but watch it!


When the bottom looks slightly browned and the pizza looks bubbly, remove from oven.


Now enjoy! & Please let me know how your turned out!