Ready or not, winter weather is upon us. I am not ready. I admit I am a pansy when it comes to cold weather. I don't like snow. I don't like cold. Funny coming from a girl who grew up in Idaho where the winters are bitter and harsh and never-ending. This year mother earth skipped fall and went directly to cold weather. Here it is October and we had our first snow last week. It didn't stick, but that doesn't matter to me.
On days like today where I feel like blasting the heat to a nice toasty 70 degrees and forgetting for a while that it will be winter soon, I like to make something comforting for lunch. My kids have already eaten and now are down for a nap and while they are sleeping, I am making a Potato and Sausage bake. Hold on a sec.......
So remember how I said I would post the good,the bad and the burned? Funny, here I am, typing away and all of a sudden I smell something burning. Darn it, the potatoes that I had started to cook. I got lost in thought and they burned. Hate it when I do that. Oh well. Starting over now.
Potato and Sausage Bake
4 Medium Potatoes, cubed
2tbs Oil
1 Can Cream of Mushroom soup
1/4c Milk
1/3c Sour Cream
1 Hillshire Farms Sausage (or any kind that you like)
1 1/2c Cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2c Potato chips, smashed
Heat oil in a skillet and brown potatoes for 5 minutes.
Add sausage and cook for another minute.
Pour in soup, milk, Sour cream and seasonings
Add cheese and stir.
Pour into a greased casserole dish and top with crunched up potato chips and bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
This recipe cost just under $6.00 and will serve 4 people.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Basic Pantry Items
The other day I was straightening up my pantry. It's huge and gets messy with 4 people going in and out of it all day long, gathering the things we need for dinner. I thought to myself, I should post something about basic pantry items that I keep on hand.
I keep a little of everything just in case I don't feel like going to the store, or I have a sick kid with me or a freak snow storm. In any of these cases I can make a nice homemade meal that my family will enjoy eating.
So, here are my basic pantry items.
Dried beans of every kind
Canned beans
Canned tomatoes
Peanut butter
Jarred Jam-I can this myself as well
Coconut flakes
Boxed meals
Spaghetti-o's
Ravioli
Bags of chips
Cookies
Canned soup
Canned meat-I can my own, so this is just jarred chicken.
Canned veggetables
Canned fruits-I have a mix of home canned and store bought
Applesauce
Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Pasta sauce
Pasta in every shape
Mustard
Canned salsa
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Salad Dressings
Steak sauce
Soy sauce
Hoysin sauce
Flour
Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Brown Sugar
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
Salt
Seasonings
Soup mixes
Taco and Fajita seasoning
Canned olives
Soda
Drinking water
Bottled apple juice
Potatoes
Onions
Hard Squashes
Rice
Oil
Syrup
Mac and cheese-a staple at my place with 4 kids who think it is Manna
Noodle soups
Cake and cookie mixes
Tubs of frosting
Brownie Mixes
Cereal
Karo syrup
Dried milk
Crackers
I am sure I have missed a few items, but you get my point. I can make a number of meals with the basics from my pantry alone.
I also have a few non-edible items that I keep in my pantry like:
Laundry soap
Cleaning supplies
Bleach
Paper towel
Toilet and tissue paper
Air freshners
Hygiene needs of all kinds
Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Razors and shaving cream
I also keep several things in my freezer
Hamburger
Chicken
Diced onion
Diced green bell peppers
Mushrooms
Butter
Milk-yes, it does freeze and I do it all the time. Super easy too!
Tortillas
Yeast
Cheese-this freezes great as well.
Berries/fruits
Nuts
Pie/pastry crusts
Deli meats
Bread dough
Homemade mozzarella sticks
Spinach
Frozen Veggies
Cookie dough, homemade of course.
Bread
Muffins
Pancakes/french toast
In my fridge I keep:
Soy sauce
Salad dressings
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Hot sauce
Eggs
Butter
Jams
Mustards
Fresh veggies/fruits
Sour cream
Cream cheese
Browned butter
Yogurt
I try to keep a few of each on hand, you never know when something is going to happen that prevents you from going to the store. I hope this helps you get started on basic pantry items.
I keep a little of everything just in case I don't feel like going to the store, or I have a sick kid with me or a freak snow storm. In any of these cases I can make a nice homemade meal that my family will enjoy eating.
So, here are my basic pantry items.
Dried beans of every kind
Canned beans
Canned tomatoes
Peanut butter
Jarred Jam-I can this myself as well
Coconut flakes
Boxed meals
Spaghetti-o's
Ravioli
Bags of chips
Cookies
Canned soup
Canned meat-I can my own, so this is just jarred chicken.
Canned veggetables
Canned fruits-I have a mix of home canned and store bought
Applesauce
Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Pasta sauce
Pasta in every shape
Mustard
Canned salsa
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Salad Dressings
Steak sauce
Soy sauce
Hoysin sauce
Flour
Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Brown Sugar
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
Salt
Seasonings
Soup mixes
Taco and Fajita seasoning
Canned olives
Soda
Drinking water
Bottled apple juice
Potatoes
Onions
Hard Squashes
Rice
Oil
Syrup
Mac and cheese-a staple at my place with 4 kids who think it is Manna
Noodle soups
Cake and cookie mixes
Tubs of frosting
Brownie Mixes
Cereal
Karo syrup
Dried milk
Crackers
I am sure I have missed a few items, but you get my point. I can make a number of meals with the basics from my pantry alone.
I also have a few non-edible items that I keep in my pantry like:
Laundry soap
Cleaning supplies
Bleach
Paper towel
Toilet and tissue paper
Air freshners
Hygiene needs of all kinds
Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Razors and shaving cream
I also keep several things in my freezer
Hamburger
Chicken
Diced onion
Diced green bell peppers
Mushrooms
Butter
Milk-yes, it does freeze and I do it all the time. Super easy too!
Tortillas
Yeast
Cheese-this freezes great as well.
Berries/fruits
Nuts
Pie/pastry crusts
Deli meats
Bread dough
Homemade mozzarella sticks
Spinach
Frozen Veggies
Cookie dough, homemade of course.
Bread
Muffins
Pancakes/french toast
In my fridge I keep:
Soy sauce
Salad dressings
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Hot sauce
Eggs
Butter
Jams
Mustards
Fresh veggies/fruits
Sour cream
Cream cheese
Browned butter
Yogurt
I try to keep a few of each on hand, you never know when something is going to happen that prevents you from going to the store. I hope this helps you get started on basic pantry items.
Decedant Cinnamon Rolls
Really, is there anything better than a gooey cinnamon roll dripping with butter, cinnamon-sugar and frosting? I don't think so.
Today I've got all four of my kiddos at home with me. On these mornings I like to do something special. We are in too big a hurry during the week to get a homemade breakfast on the table for the older two. They go to school at 7:36, I am a work by 7:30. Unless I want to get up at the crack of dawn to make something, and I don't, it's just a quick bowl of cereal and out the door.
As I said, Saturdays are made for a special breakfast and I am up making cinnamon rolls. They take under an hour to make and bake and are so good. Dripping with butter, extra cinnamon-ey(?) with the perfect amount of frosting oozing every where, these are definitely my kids' favorite breakfast of all times.
You won't believe how simple and easy these are to make. I use my Fluffy Roll recipe and add a few more things to them. They rise and bake in the same time and only cost a few more pennies to make.
Ingredients for rolls
1 Fluffy Dinner Roll, rolled out into large thin rectangle
1tbs Vanilla
10tbs Sugar
8tbs Cinnamon
1cube+4tbs butter, softened and divided
Make dinner roll recipe as called for but add an additional tablespoon of sugar and vanilla to the dough recipe.
Let rise in warm bowl with plastic wrap for 5 minutes.
Roll out on floured surface until very thin and in a rectangular form.
Let rest for a few minutes while you get the other ingredients and the pan ready.
Mix the remaining 9tbs of sugar with the cinnamon
Slather 1 cube (gasp!) of softened butter over the entire dough, leaving about a 1 inch border along the whole thing.
Sprinkle cinnamong-sugar where butter is and press down firmly so the sugar sticks to the butter.
Small cube the remaining butter and dot all the dough and cinnamon.
Starting at the long end, start rolling the dough tightly. Keeping it tightly rolled will help after you cut them to keep the sugar inside.
Cut into 18, 1" rolls and place on a greased cookie sheet side by side. These are going to expand so they will be pretty big when they finish rising.
Let rise in a preheated 170 degree oven for 20 minutes or until double.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes until they are no longer doughy inside.
Frosting Ingredients
1 1/2c Powdered Sugar
2 1/2 tsp Milk(+/_)
1/8 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Vanilla
4tbs Butter, room temp
In a mixing bowl combine sugar and butter. Whip until nice pale yellow color and completely smooth.
Add in salt, vanilla and milk a tsp at a time. If you need more milk add it in a tsp at a time. If it is too runny, add more powdered sugar.
Frost rolls after they have had time to cool, about 10 minutes.
Enjoy! These rolls are so easy to make and only cost an additional $1.55 in extra ingredients. That means these rolls only cost $2.55 for 18 servings or .14ea!
Pull these out of your recipe arsenal the next time you want to make something special. You won't be disappointed and your family will love them!
Friday, October 11, 2013
The fluffiest rolls ever!
Now, some of my family will debate with me about these rolls. They will be picky and say that our grandmothers rolls are the fluffiest rolls ever. Once upon a time I used to agree with them. Then I grew up and tried to make said rolls and they always turned out like bricks. See my post about bread making and you will understand my angst. A friend posted this recipe on her Facebook page and I had to try them. The recipe said they could be done in under an hour, so I couldn't resist making them for dinner that night. I also invited the son of that grandmother over to try them out. I didn't tell him they weren't his mothers recipe until after he had eaten a couple. Much to his surprise, they were better. Mmmm, warm fluffy dinner rolls slathered with butter and jelly. Makes my mouth water just thinking about them. By far the easiest recipe for rolls ever. I also made this dough for cinnamon rolls that turned out Ah-MaZiNG! Here is the recipe, thanks to my friend Nicholya for posting and thanks to www.jamiecooksitup.net for coming up with this recipe. It is now the star of my Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and pretty much anytime I want them, dinners!
This recipe costs about a $1.00 to make, that's a much better deal than going to the grocery store where you can pay about $3.00 per dozen and they don't taste as great as these. You can also substitute buttermilk for the regular milk for pennies more!
12.
Leave your pan in the oven and turn the heat up to 350 degrees. Bake for
15 minutes. The 15 minutes includes the time it takes the oven to
increase in temperature. If your oven takes a long old time….you will of
course need to increase the time baking. Bake until golden brown.
13. Brush with a little softened butter.
This recipe costs about a $1.00 to make, that's a much better deal than going to the grocery store where you can pay about $3.00 per dozen and they don't taste as great as these. You can also substitute buttermilk for the regular milk for pennies more!
Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Time: about 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls
Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!
3/4 C milk
4 T butter
3/4 C hot water
4 T sugar
1 t salt
4 – 4 1/2 C flour
1 heaping T yeast (I use active dry)
1. Pour your milk into a microwave safe
container. These Pyrex glass measuring cups work fabulously. Add your
butter to the milk and put it in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.
2. Preheat
your oven to 170 degrees. While the milk is getting nice and toasty,
turn on the tap to get your hot water. Temperature is important to
making these rolls rise quickly. If you add cold water, your rolls will
are going to rise at a snails pace, and you’ll feel like cursing. We
wouldn’t want that kind of thing going on….so please add hot water. I
put my hand in the water to test it. You want it to be almost too hot to
put your hand in.
3. Put your
milk/butter and hot water in the bottom of your Kitchen Aid Mixer. Add
the sugar and salt. Then add 2 C of the flour…let it mix for 1 minute.
4. Add the yeast. Turn the mixer on and add the rest of the flour 1 C at a time.
5. You have enough flour when the dough scrapes the side of the bowl clean. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 5 minutes. You need the plastic wrap to trap the heat.
7. Take a bit of butter and coat the inside of a 9×13 pan.
8. Spray your counter, or a cutting board with cooking spray. Lay your dough on top of it.
9. Take a sharp knife, spray it with
cooking spray and cut your dough into 12 pieces. Make them as equal as
you can….perfection is not necessary. What a relief.
10. Gently round them into balls, and put them in your buttered 9×13 pan.
11. Put the
pan into your warm 170 degree oven. Let them rise for about 20 minutes
or until they have risen an 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
13. Brush with a little softened butter.
Homemade Laundry soap
Mmm, I love the smell of laundry soap. My mom will laugh over this one because she LOVES the smell of laundry soap and will walk down the soap isle even if she doesn't need any.
I made my first batch of laundry soap and my house smelled amazing after. I can't take credit for this recipe. I found it on Pinterest and I will never go back. Thanks to www.allnaturalessentialoils.wordpress.com Here it is and I hope you make it and use it.
P.S. I didn't use essential Oils in mine, but next time I will.
P.P.S. I did a double batch and paid just under $20 bucks. I am no where near close to running out and I made this nearly a year ago.
Ok, we FINALLY did it! Kelli and I had to try this do it yourself
laundry detergent. It not only is SOOOO dang cheap, but it really does
an incredible job cleaning as well! Here are some snap shots of how we
did it:
Here is what you need:
Grate all three bars of Fels-Naptha soap. I used the smaller side of
the cheese grater. This is the ONLY part of this process that took
some effort. I read you could use a food processor too, but I gave mine
away! 
This is about the consistency you want the grated soap to be so it dissolves easily in the washing machine:
Pour each ingredient into a 5 gallon bucket so there is room to stir.
This will cause a bit of a dust storm so you will want to stir slowly.
- See more at: http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/04/17/recipe-to-avoid-disasters-all-natural/#sthash.DKhaiVIu.dpuf
Recipe to avoid Laundry Disasters that it. Here is my ALL NATURAL Laundry Soap recipe.
I have looked at so many different recipes for making your own laundry soap. I knew I wanted an all natural one so after all was said and done this is the recipe I created.
Only 4 ingredients.
I purchased everything at WalMart. The bars of soap were in the health and beauty area with other soaps but everything else was in the laundry area.
I grated my bars of soap. Mmmmmm it smelled so good.
I do want to try Dr. Bronner’s soap next time. It is another All Natural Soap.
I love that it is all white. The soap smells so clean. Our clothes smell fresh and clean.
I mixed everything together in a trash bag then put some into a jar.
It makes quite a bit of laundry soap for a fraction of the price of store bought laundry soap. I filled another container and have a large ziploc bag full of laundry soap.
I am planning on getting some oxy clean and mixing 1/2 of a container with 1/2 of the laundry soap to have a soap for my whites.
I paid less than $10 for everything and I have more than a store bought box of laundry soap
- See more at: http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/04/17/recipe-to-avoid-disasters-all-natural/#sthash.DKhaiVIu.dpuf
Recipe to avoid Laundry Disasters that it. Here is my ALL NATURAL Laundry Soap recipe.
I have looked at so many different recipes for making your own laundry soap. I knew I wanted an all natural one so after all was said and done this is the recipe I created.
Only 4 ingredients.
I purchased everything at WalMart. The bars of soap were in the health and beauty area with other soaps but everything else was in the laundry area.
I grated my bars of soap. Mmmmmm it smelled so good.
I do want to try Dr. Bronner’s soap next time. It is another All Natural Soap.
I love that it is all white. The soap smells so clean. Our clothes smell fresh and clean.
I mixed everything together in a trash bag then put some into a jar.
It makes quite a bit of laundry soap for a fraction of the price of store bought laundry soap. I filled another container and have a large ziploc bag full of laundry soap.
I am planning on getting some oxy clean and mixing 1/2 of a container with 1/2 of the laundry soap to have a soap for my whites.
I paid less than $10 for everything and I have more than a store bought box of laundry soap
- See more at: http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/04/17/recipe-to-avoid-disasters-all-natural/#sthash.DKhaiVIu.dpuf
I made my first batch of laundry soap and my house smelled amazing after. I can't take credit for this recipe. I found it on Pinterest and I will never go back. Thanks to www.allnaturalessentialoils.wordpress.com Here it is and I hope you make it and use it.
P.S. I didn't use essential Oils in mine, but next time I will.
P.P.S. I did a double batch and paid just under $20 bucks. I am no where near close to running out and I made this nearly a year ago.
DIY Laundry Detergent with doTERRA Essential Oils….AWESOME!
15
Jul
Here is what you need:
- 25-30 Drops doTERRA Purify Essential Oil
- 1 Box of Pure Baking Soda 4 lb.
- 1 Box of Borax 4 lb. 12 oz.
- 1 Box of Super Wash Soda 3 lb. 7 oz.
- 1 Tub of Oxy-Clean (or generic) 3 lb.
- 3 Bars of Fels-Naptha 5.5 oz.
Stir until all the ingredients are evenly
distributed. This fills the bucket about half full. I put the lid on
tightly and turned the bucket upside down and rolled it around a bit to
help stir it as well. But you have to be sure your lid is on very
tightly or you will really have a mess!
Now is the time to add your essential oil.
I used Purify because I love the clean smell and it’s ability to
remove odor. You could use lavender, lemon, citrus bliss, or the
essential oil of your choice. I used 25-30 drops.
Mix it together well.
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!!
All it takes is 1 Tablespoon per load!
It cleans very well, better than the detergent I was using. We will
never buy regular, high priced laundry soap again! If you have a really
dirty load, you can add an additional Tablespoon of detergent to the
wash cycle. This pail of detergent should last you a LONG, LONG time!
- 1–4lb box of Borax — a natural mineral found in California
- 1–4lb box of WASHING Soda –Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate (also called Soda Ash which can be purchased in swimming pool stores or departments)
- 1–4lb box of Baking Soda –Baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate
- 3 bars of Castile Soap (all natural coconut oil soap)
- See more at: http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/04/17/recipe-to-avoid-disasters-all-natural/#sthash.DKhaiVIu.dpuf
Recipe to avoid Laundry Disasters that it. Here is my ALL NATURAL Laundry Soap recipe.
I have looked at so many different recipes for making your own laundry soap. I knew I wanted an all natural one so after all was said and done this is the recipe I created.
Only 4 ingredients.
You will need:
- 1–4lb box of Borax — a natural mineral found in California
- 1–4lb box of WASHING Soda –Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate (also called Soda Ash which can be purchased in swimming pool stores or departments)
- 1–4lb box of Baking Soda –Baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate
- 3 bars of Castile Soap (all natural coconut oil soap)
I purchased everything at WalMart. The bars of soap were in the health and beauty area with other soaps but everything else was in the laundry area.
I grated my bars of soap. Mmmmmm it smelled so good.
I do want to try Dr. Bronner’s soap next time. It is another All Natural Soap.
I love that it is all white. The soap smells so clean. Our clothes smell fresh and clean.
I mixed everything together in a trash bag then put some into a jar.
It makes quite a bit of laundry soap for a fraction of the price of store bought laundry soap. I filled another container and have a large ziploc bag full of laundry soap.
I am planning on getting some oxy clean and mixing 1/2 of a container with 1/2 of the laundry soap to have a soap for my whites.
I paid less than $10 for everything and I have more than a store bought box of laundry soap
- See more at: http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/04/17/recipe-to-avoid-disasters-all-natural/#sthash.DKhaiVIu.dpuf
Recipe to avoid Laundry Disasters that it. Here is my ALL NATURAL Laundry Soap recipe.
I have looked at so many different recipes for making your own laundry soap. I knew I wanted an all natural one so after all was said and done this is the recipe I created.
Only 4 ingredients.
You will need:
- 1–4lb box of Borax — a natural mineral found in California
- 1–4lb box of WASHING Soda –Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate (also called Soda Ash which can be purchased in swimming pool stores or departments)
- 1–4lb box of Baking Soda –Baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate
- 3 bars of Castile Soap (all natural coconut oil soap)
I purchased everything at WalMart. The bars of soap were in the health and beauty area with other soaps but everything else was in the laundry area.
I grated my bars of soap. Mmmmmm it smelled so good.
I do want to try Dr. Bronner’s soap next time. It is another All Natural Soap.
I love that it is all white. The soap smells so clean. Our clothes smell fresh and clean.
I mixed everything together in a trash bag then put some into a jar.
It makes quite a bit of laundry soap for a fraction of the price of store bought laundry soap. I filled another container and have a large ziploc bag full of laundry soap.
I am planning on getting some oxy clean and mixing 1/2 of a container with 1/2 of the laundry soap to have a soap for my whites.
I paid less than $10 for everything and I have more than a store bought box of laundry soap
- See more at: http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/04/17/recipe-to-avoid-disasters-all-natural/#sthash.DKhaiVIu.dpuf
Sweet sweet babies
Now, this isn't a post about food. I love babies. They are so stinking cute and fun and cuddly and warm and precious...I could go on and on. A close family member is having their first little baby boy and I can't wait to meet his sweet little face.
My mother, SIL and I planned a baby shower where we were going to tie a baby blanket for this precious new child. My other SIL asked if I could make her a few receiving blankets and burp cloths. For those of you who know anything about me or my family, you will laugh at what I am about to say. I kinda blanched at this though. She knew better than to ask my mother who goes from sweet to wicked witch in 3 seconds when the sewing machine is out. I am kinda the same way, mainly because I don't know how to sew a button on a shirt. I said yes. We bought the material, and I went home to sew blankets.
I had made a few for when my youngest man child was born, but they looked horrid from the start, and after washing, it looked even worse. I decided to watch a YouTube video. Best idea ever. I learned how to lay sod watching YouTube. Learned how to caulk a tub and toilet with YouTube. Surely there has to be a video or two about sewing. A few huh? Thousands. I watched a couple and learned a few things. Things I wished I would have known when I made those blankets for my kiddos.
First, wash and dry all the material before you get started. This way, the material has already shrunk as much as it's going to. You are supposed to wash in the hottest water the fabric will handle. I did not know this which is why all my blankets looked lumpy after the first wash.
Second, that cute minky fabric doesn't shrink and is a pain in the rear to sew with. If you use this fabric with any other fabric, make sure you wash it first.
Third, Iron all fabric before you start sewing. You don't think this will make a big difference, but it does in the finished product.
Fourth, after you finish sewing something, if it says press with hot iron, then press with a hot iron.
Last but not least, I learned that I really really like to sew. No really, I do. It's fun and even a little relaxing.
So, I made her two receiving blankets, 8 burp cloths and am finishing the last touches on the blanket we tied at the shower. I'd better hurry on that one, because little baby is due any day now and I want him to have it for the drive home.
I must say I went a little crazy after that. I made 20 or so burp cloths and am now making 3 or 4 more blankets. Do I know of any other people who are having babies? No, but what does it matter right now? This way when a friend of family member makes a big announcement, I have these already made and ready to go. I got the material for half off and I figure it cost me under $4.00 to make a blanket and about .50 to make a burp cloth. That is so much cheaper than going out and buying those items.
Next on my list, pajama pants for my family Christmas. When you can get the material half off and have the means to sew, you might as well try. I am going to make 12 pairs of pj pants for under $20 bucks and that is sweet! Christmas gets spendy with 6 of us and I am all for finding ways to save.
Here are a few pics of the blankets I made. They are so stinking cute, it almost makes me want to have another baby....and then I remember my 3 year old wakes up 5 or 6 times a night and I forget that thought. I will just have to hug on this sweet little boy and get my baby fix from him.
This is his crib blanket. SO cute. I swear, just 21 months ago when I had my baby boy, this fabric wasn't around and I feel a little bit cheated. I told my SIL that I was going to fight her for this. She smugly said all she had to do was hand over her baby boy and she would win. She's right, she would.
Like I said earlier, photography just isn't my thing. I know nothing about how to set things up, or lighting. Nor do I have the patience. Hmm, maybe this will become a hew hobby of mine. These are just a few of the burp cloths I made. These fabrics are so stinking cute! Almost too cute for their intended purpose.
My mother, SIL and I planned a baby shower where we were going to tie a baby blanket for this precious new child. My other SIL asked if I could make her a few receiving blankets and burp cloths. For those of you who know anything about me or my family, you will laugh at what I am about to say. I kinda blanched at this though. She knew better than to ask my mother who goes from sweet to wicked witch in 3 seconds when the sewing machine is out. I am kinda the same way, mainly because I don't know how to sew a button on a shirt. I said yes. We bought the material, and I went home to sew blankets.
I had made a few for when my youngest man child was born, but they looked horrid from the start, and after washing, it looked even worse. I decided to watch a YouTube video. Best idea ever. I learned how to lay sod watching YouTube. Learned how to caulk a tub and toilet with YouTube. Surely there has to be a video or two about sewing. A few huh? Thousands. I watched a couple and learned a few things. Things I wished I would have known when I made those blankets for my kiddos.
First, wash and dry all the material before you get started. This way, the material has already shrunk as much as it's going to. You are supposed to wash in the hottest water the fabric will handle. I did not know this which is why all my blankets looked lumpy after the first wash.
Second, that cute minky fabric doesn't shrink and is a pain in the rear to sew with. If you use this fabric with any other fabric, make sure you wash it first.
Third, Iron all fabric before you start sewing. You don't think this will make a big difference, but it does in the finished product.
Fourth, after you finish sewing something, if it says press with hot iron, then press with a hot iron.
Last but not least, I learned that I really really like to sew. No really, I do. It's fun and even a little relaxing.
So, I made her two receiving blankets, 8 burp cloths and am finishing the last touches on the blanket we tied at the shower. I'd better hurry on that one, because little baby is due any day now and I want him to have it for the drive home.
I must say I went a little crazy after that. I made 20 or so burp cloths and am now making 3 or 4 more blankets. Do I know of any other people who are having babies? No, but what does it matter right now? This way when a friend of family member makes a big announcement, I have these already made and ready to go. I got the material for half off and I figure it cost me under $4.00 to make a blanket and about .50 to make a burp cloth. That is so much cheaper than going out and buying those items.
Next on my list, pajama pants for my family Christmas. When you can get the material half off and have the means to sew, you might as well try. I am going to make 12 pairs of pj pants for under $20 bucks and that is sweet! Christmas gets spendy with 6 of us and I am all for finding ways to save.
Here are a few pics of the blankets I made. They are so stinking cute, it almost makes me want to have another baby....and then I remember my 3 year old wakes up 5 or 6 times a night and I forget that thought. I will just have to hug on this sweet little boy and get my baby fix from him.
This is his crib blanket. SO cute. I swear, just 21 months ago when I had my baby boy, this fabric wasn't around and I feel a little bit cheated. I told my SIL that I was going to fight her for this. She smugly said all she had to do was hand over her baby boy and she would win. She's right, she would.
You pay how much for pasta sauce?!
Who do they think they are charging that much for pasta sauce?! I must be out of touch. I make my own from scratch usually, but the other day I was in a huge hurry and I just didn't want to expend the time/energy to make it homemade. Plus, I was already at the store and the pasta isle was only 2 isles down. So, I zipped down to where they keep it and searched for a good brand.
They want $3.50 for a jar of pasta sauce. Ridiculous! Preposterous! I can make it at home for much cheaper. But, by this time of night, I just didn't have time, so I bought the jarred pasta sauce and went on my way. Did it taste good? Yeah, but I make better for sure.
I use this recipe for not just pasta. I use it on pizzas, for dipping bread, and as weird as it sounds, dipping pretzles for an afternoon snack (seriously should try this, it's amazing) So, here is my recipe, it only takes a few minutes of prep and 45 minutes on the stove to cook up.
Marinara sauce
1tbs Olive Oil
1c Onion, chopped
1tsp garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes
1tsp dried oregano
1tsp dried basil
1tbs sugar(yes, you really need it)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large skillet and add onion and about 1 tsp of salt and the same of pepper. Cook on med high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the onion starts to soften. Add in garlic, oregano, and basil. Cook for 1 minute more and then add in tomatoes and sugar. Stir for a few minutes and then reduce heat to med-low and simmer on the stove for 35-40 minutes. If sauce gets too thick, add a tablespoon of water to thin out. You can use chicken broth for an additional .003 per tablespoon. Serve over pasta noodles, dip cheesy bread or foccocia, or serve on top of a pizza.
This recipe cost me $1.73 in ingredients to make and it serves a family of 6! This recipe also freezes well if you have leftovers or if your family is smaller than mine is. If you are meat lovers, just brown up your meat of choice and add. It will only cost you a few dollars more and makes the sauce a hardy one for cold winter nights. Enjoy, you will never look at canned marinara sauce the same again.
They want $3.50 for a jar of pasta sauce. Ridiculous! Preposterous! I can make it at home for much cheaper. But, by this time of night, I just didn't have time, so I bought the jarred pasta sauce and went on my way. Did it taste good? Yeah, but I make better for sure.
I use this recipe for not just pasta. I use it on pizzas, for dipping bread, and as weird as it sounds, dipping pretzles for an afternoon snack (seriously should try this, it's amazing) So, here is my recipe, it only takes a few minutes of prep and 45 minutes on the stove to cook up.
Marinara sauce
1tbs Olive Oil
1c Onion, chopped
1tsp garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes
1tsp dried oregano
1tsp dried basil
1tbs sugar(yes, you really need it)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large skillet and add onion and about 1 tsp of salt and the same of pepper. Cook on med high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the onion starts to soften. Add in garlic, oregano, and basil. Cook for 1 minute more and then add in tomatoes and sugar. Stir for a few minutes and then reduce heat to med-low and simmer on the stove for 35-40 minutes. If sauce gets too thick, add a tablespoon of water to thin out. You can use chicken broth for an additional .003 per tablespoon. Serve over pasta noodles, dip cheesy bread or foccocia, or serve on top of a pizza.
This recipe cost me $1.73 in ingredients to make and it serves a family of 6! This recipe also freezes well if you have leftovers or if your family is smaller than mine is. If you are meat lovers, just brown up your meat of choice and add. It will only cost you a few dollars more and makes the sauce a hardy one for cold winter nights. Enjoy, you will never look at canned marinara sauce the same again.