Apple Pie Spice Soap Bars

Freckles and I bought supplies to try out a couple soap recipes we found on Pinterest, since Autumn is in the air and we like doing seasonal projects... This was so easy....I think it just may be something we will be making as gifts for Christmas etc....

If your interested in making this soap yourself please click here:

Apple Pie Spice Soap Bar

Note the recipe is for Pumpkin Spice Soap...Just do everything the same except use apple pie spice and use a little more red coloring. I used food coloring btw. I also added a 1/4 tsp vanilla extract..You can also add some apple spice essential oil for more apple fragrance.

We also made the pumpkin spice soap and added 1/4 tsp. almond extract. 

Have fun!!

Making Candy Cane Syrup & Homemade Pancake Mix

I pulled together a couple homemade gifts from my kitchen for a few friends this year. There is nothing like a sweet, thoughtful homemade gift to give to a friend. Thought I would share the recipes for an easy, inexpensive gift. Most items you would probably already have on hand in your pantry.

For Candy Cane Syrup:

Combine 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan. Stir well and cook on medium heat. Add 6-8 broken pieces of candy cane to the sugar mixture until dissolved. It will turn a nice pink color. Stir frequently. Let it come to a boil for about 2-3 minutes and turn off heat allowing the syrup to cool in the pan. Once cooled, pour into a jar with lid for storage.

****

I saved my glass maple syrup containers through the year to use for such things. Syrups are easy to make. You can make different flavors and give them to friends or family for any occasion. If you don't have a maple syrup container. A jar will do.

For Homemade Pancake Mix:

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.

4 cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

Mix well together and store in a large mason jar. You can double this recipe to make more!

I made a card and wrote in the instructions to make them:

 Add fabric, twine, tag etc...to personalize the gift to the receiver. Use your clever quips and be creative! Have fun with it!

You can double or triple the recipe for making the pancakes here:

Add 1 cup of mix above

1 egg

1 cup of milk

1 tablespoon melted butter or oil

mix together well.

Preheat greased griddle on medium to high heat.

 pour 1/3 cup of the batter and cook until pancake bubbles on top,

 flip and cook 1-2 minutes more.

Enjoy pancakes with candy cane syrup for a nice

 Christmas breakfast treat.

Enjoy!!!!

Top Ten Homemade Christmas Gifts For Tween Girls

This year will yet again be a very frugal Christmas for our family. I surfed Pinterest, Etsy and the web for gifts I could make my tween age daughter..Keeping in mind the things I already have on hand...Which means some of these items will just be pennies or free... and my time to create them. I searched for things I knew she would like, colorful, fun, needfuls and just because things.

****

 #1.The top picture are some adorable owl pillows...

Looks very simple to make. I have just the fabrics

for them already on hand. Yay!!!

 

#2. The past several years I have made all of us PJ pants...

I already have the pattern and some fabrics to work with.

 This one is a piece of cake. There are many free tutorials

 to make your own PJ pants if you want to try your hand at making some too.

They are really easy to stitch a pair together...

It has become our Christmas Eve Tradition...

We all wear them Christmas Eve night, then wake up and open

 presents while wearing them. So fun.

 

#3. My daughter has an i-pod which she could really use a protective case for when out and about...These cuties are made of felt and floss...I just so happen to have all that stuff too...Another very easy looking project I can conquer in a couple hours...or less. She will love this one...

An owl full of color...What's not to love?

 

#4. As my girl has been changing and growing the past couple of years. She makes an effort on her own to take better care of herself. She has some makeup which I have allowed on certain occasions, she love perfumes, hair pins, accessories and all that...This cleverly cute cosmetic bag would be great to hold her cosmetics, skin care items and whatever her heart desires to put in it. You can do so much with this project, using any fabric choices imaginable...

Find a tutorial for this here.

 

#5. These are the coolest things. Simple crochet round face scrubbies...You can use them over and over, use a cleanser to clean your face with...After using, toss them in the wash...I love re-usable needful things. I think she will enjoy these colorful scrubbies along with the next homemade item.

#6. A lovely DIY Natural Facial Cleanser...Easy to make and so much cheaper than natural products sold in stores. This will go well with the scrubbies. I think she's gonna love it. Look up www.diyNatural.com
And find the tutorial for making this cleanser.
 
#7. Yummy bath fizzies. Another easy tutorial found on Pinterest. Just search for bath fizzies and you will find the directions for them. My daughter loves to soak in a nice hot bath sometimes...These would be an added goody for that time spent in the tub relaxing...I will be sure to make all sorts of vibrant colors and use some fun molds that I have.
 
#8. For my daughters 12th birthday, she received a Kindle from her Grandparents. She also looked on the Internet for cases, yet none of them appeal to her. So I searched for a kindle case tutorial...And, found this...Oh my...totally up her alley. Again, lot's of colorful fun.
 Find the tutorial here.

#9. My daughter also received another gift for her birthday from her other Grandparents: A darling little vintage typewriter. She loves it and uses it almost everyday...She loves to write creative stories. I came across this shop called Lemon Tree Studio...I love this pillow and know my girl would love it too...But....It is not available and I don't have the $ to spend...So, I decided to take some inspiration from this sweet thing and make her one myself..Seems easy enough.


#10. Lastly. My kids have been watching all the newer Seasons of  Doctor Who...From BBC. My daughters fave Doctors are the Tenth and Eleventh...The Eleventh Doctor though, is her most favorite with his sidekick friends Amy Pond and Rory...So, I found these little finger puppets on Pinterest..No tutorial that I could find, but i am pretty sure I can create them from the picture. I have felt and thread waiting to be used. I also have a little rectangle pine box with a clasp which would make a great Tardis ( The Doctors Time machine) I am thinking of painting it and putting the puppets inside. Perfect. I think it will be a hit.
****
I hope you like some of these ideas...Now, what to do for my 18 year old son???
Man, it's hard to think what I could make, any ideas anyone?
Come back here on Wednesday I have a great Home Sweet Home Tour
from a very talented friend of mine. Your gonna love this home.
~Tootles

Monday's Wash Day.....

( sweet dish towel gifted to me from sweet bloggy friend Shelly )
Monday's are always wash days here in my home. I meant to share this yesterday...but, I have been sick...and well, I was busy doing laundry. So, Monday's Wash Day is shared with you this Tuesday.
    

Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 bar of soap (any kind you want)
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of washing soda
a big pot ( that holds more than 2 gallons)
a grater
a funnel
a long spoon
3 empty gallon jugs/containers
( I store mine in half gallon containers I found at The Dollar Tree)
****
Directions:
Grate soap into large pot, fill one gallon jug of water and pour into pot with grated soap. Cook until soap dissolves. Add Borox and Arm & Hammer washing powder. Bring to a boil. It will start coagulating as it cools. Turn off heat. Add one gallon cold water. Mix well. Let cool. Pour soap into empty gallon jugs using your handy funnel. This soap is really thick....so, what I did was pour the soap mixture just a little above halfway then add more water to it. It should be thickened within 24 hour. I had about 3 gallons of soap to use for washing. If it is still too thick...add some more water and mix to your consistency liking. I use about 1/2 cup per load.
****
Estimated cost is $6.00 for 576 loads
 (depending on soap used and amount used per load,
ONE BOX of Borax and ONE BOX of Washing soda)

The savings is incredible.

P.S. I also made my own fabric softener.
Recipe:

6 cups HOT water
3 cups white vinegar
2 cups Suave Conditioner {or other favorite scent-I found it for $1}
Directions:
Measure out conditioner.
Whisk together hot water and conditioner.
Make sure the conditioner is mixed completely with the water- no clumps.
 I had to whisk for a minute or so.

Add Vinegar and mix well
 (This is the actual softener- the conditioner I think it just for scent. Vinegar also helps with static sling).

Use 2 tbsp in a Downy ball or in the softener dispenser in your machine.
Voila...soft clothes at a wonderful price. Just as good if not better than store bought fabric softeners.
****
 I store mine in a half gallon container which I found at the Dollar Tree.
I am happy with the results and on a frugal budget...My pocketbook is happy and so am I.
Happy Wash Day to you...whatever your Wash Day may be.

Today...Happiness Is....

 

Homemade apple juice.

 Thank you Juice Man.

What a treat to make healthy juices for the family.

 ( I saved my Martinelli jars for apple juice drinking)

 

Added two more thrift finds to my happy mug collection.

  

Sweet prayers in embroidery for my girls room.

 (Found the one on the bottom this last Winter while thrifting. $3.00 score)

  

More happiness in the kitchen. Making homemade honey~ peanut/cashew butter. Yummy.

Hope you find happiness throughout your day.

Good Things...

Today after schooling, we spent the late morning/afternoon making good things...like good wholesome healthy snacks. The past couple years i have made dried apples,bananas and strawberries to snack on...I decided to make that and try my hand at fruit leather. I am so happy I did. It turned out delightfully yummy. We made pear and apple fruit leather....no sugar, no preservatives all good.
 
I had Freckles make gluten free granola bars...since we are cutting out wheat and as much processed foods as possible...I found a recipe but switched it up a bit to our liking. We used gluten free all purpose flour, gluten free oats, cinnamon, honey, my homemade applesauce, cashews and almonds,dried cherries and raisins, some cherry chocolate my son brought back from Czech, Almond butter, and apple juice which I juiced myself with our Juiceman.
   
My little me helper mixed up all the ingredients, poured it onto a foil lined
 cookie sheet and spread it out evenly....
  
We baked it on 375 degrees for 30 minutes just as it was lightly browned...Cut them into bars while they were still warm, storing them in an airtight container for snacks or a quick breakfast on the run for my guys.
  
We were pleasantly surprised with the flavor and consistency of the granola bars. I always thought gluten free stuff is kind of bland and the texture would be gross...But no...It was really good...and that's a good thing.

 I love that they are healthy for us too...Hope you get a chance to make them...
Your family will really enjoy the wholesome goodness.

Joyfully At Home & Orange Brownies.....

The night before our fieldtrip to the Citrus Park I made up this simple batch of orange flavored brownies using a recipe by Paula Dean. The morning of our trip we had the delightful little cake like brownie or shall I say Orangie...with a glass of orange juice and a maderine cutie to start off our morning.

 
I ponder many times what a blessing it is to be home really, I am joyfully home...schooling my children and being able to share with them everyday, their milestones. It truly has flashed before our eyes...My son was in public school for the first two years of his schooling, in which I regret,yet must have faith that it was for a purpose for that given season. We had always wanted to school at home but didn't have the guidence or go about at the time. We finally decided we would just do it...I was a stay at home mama anyway...surely it was my calling to teach our children at home. Why in the world would I want some stranger teaching him. Let alone steal the time I should be with him. Freckles was just a wee baby at the time...Which worked out just fine. Homeschooling turned out to be the right fit for our family in which we have swore to homeschool all the way. My son is already going to be graduating next year and off to college. I can't believe how quickly time has slipped. I feel so blessed to share my days with them through each moment...Even the days where I fail...I wouldn't trade it for the world, even our son says the same. Staying home caring for my family, loving, praying, cooking, cleaning, & teaching has fulfilled me, which may be hard for some people to understand or swallow. Homemaking & homeschooling has been the most rewarding part of my life thus far. I may not get paid with dollar bills but really I do...I get paid every day with the warmth, the hugs, the kisses, the moments treasured, the giggles, the talks, the joy they bring is like sunshine to what may seem to be dark days....even the tears. That my dear friends is far more precious than silver, gold or rubies combined. I have a job... a job that was ordained to me a job that surely is not complete. This is the job I love...
a job of being joyfully at home.

Well these are just my thoughts anyway.
 I didn't forget to leave you the
 recipe for the orange brownies here.
Enjoy!!
Thanks for listening! (reading)

Linked to: Homemaking Link Up

Cornmeal Pound Cake Cupcakes With Lemon Curd Filling Topped with Sour Cream Frosting!

 

Once again we have been blessed with a ton of lemons from our friends with lemon groves.... Time to bake and make some yummy lemonade... I'm linking up with HomeMaking Makes us feel like it's a nice Summery day when we are in the middle of Winter blues. My day was brightened last week when my new issue of Mary Jane's Farm arrived in the post. I flipped through and saw this recipe using lemons....Perfect! Since I need to use them right? Plus I needed to make a dessert for my MIL & SIL visit. I was thrilled beyond measure that I even had all the ingredients I needed to do my baking. Whew!

 

I have realllly grown to love baking and cooking from scratch as well as making new things for my family.....Which is also a lot healthier for them too! This new year I am setting out to try baking and cooking more new foods that are made from scratch. Okay so are you ready to start? Lets start with:

~Cornmeal Pound Cake Cup Cakes~

2 1/2 T butter
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C sugar
3 eggs
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla ext.
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 C + 2 T flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 C cornmeal
****
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins.
* In med. bowl, combine butter and sugars with elec. mixer on medium speed till fluffy for about 2 min. Add eggs one at a time.Stir in sour cream and vanilla.
* in a separate bowl sift together salt, flour and baking powder. Stir in cornmeal, add the dry ing. to batter and mix on low until blended.
*Pour batter into lined muffin tins about 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Take care not to over bake. Let cool while making lemon curd.

 

~Lemon Curd~

5 egg yolks
1 egg
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C freshly squeezed lemon juice
zest of one lemon
***
*Place egg yolks, egg and sugar in the top half of a double boiler.
Whisk together, then stir in lemon juice and zest.
*Cook over simmering water, whisking constantly, until very thick, about 5-8 minutes.
*Strain curd through a fine sieve into a glass container and cover
 with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming.
*refrigerate for several hours, until chilled

 

~Soft Sour Cream Frosting~

1/3 C heavy cream
1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 C sour cream
3 T lemon curd
***
* In a medium bowl, beat cream and powdered sugar together with elec. mixer until soft peaks form starting on low speed, then increase to high speed.
* gently fold in sour cream and lemon curd until well mixed.

Note* Before frosting the cupcakes place lemon curd in a pastry nag with a long narrow tip.Inject tip in the center of the cupcake and squeeze curd into the center.
*Now spread cupcakes with frosting. it will seem runny, but sets a bit after a while.

 

My family enjoyed this delish dessert...They are very different with the
 cornmeal texture and zesty flavor of the lemon filling... P.S. Any Lemon Curd left over can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 weeks and great on scones!!!
I do hope you enjoy!
Makes 12 delightful cupcakes!