The Best Laundry Detergent Ever!

3 bars Fels Naptha, grated
1 box Borax  
1 box Washing Soda 
2 cups of baking soda
1- 96 oz. container of  Sun Brand Oxyclean  
1 container of  Purex fabric softener crystals
    
Use 2 tablespoons per load. Put it right in the powder dispenser, or right in the wash tub. It can be used in your HE washer.

     I have been making my own liquid laundry detergent for almost a year and loved it except for no smell.  I am a person who loves to have their clothes smell like my favorite fabric softner!  There is just something about that just laundried smell that I love and it was totally missing with the product I was making.  So, one night I was on Pinterest and searching for something a little less messy with a wonderful smell and I came across this recipe.  This powder detergent,  cleans better than my old detergent and best of all it smells wonderful and isn't messy!

    

Here are a few tips to assemble this together:



 

1.  Grate your bars of soap in your food processor then using your chop blade mince as small as possible.

 

2.  I layered my ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid I got from Home Depot.

 

3.  When all ingredients  are layered put lid on bucket and roll back and forth to mix well.

 

4.  When doubling recipe (which I did) make sure to layer all ingredients.



What do you do with a gift of 10 Funfetti Cake Boxes?

 

  

You Make Confetti Brownies!

 

 I have this "Little Sister I Never Wanted" at work and she loves for me to bake Funfetti cakes for Birthdays and just for her.  Well, this year I received 10 Funfetti cake mixes(located in the center was a bottle of wine).  I did not just want to bake cakes, so I decided to make Brownies.  I first tried them on my Family.  They got the stamp of approval, so now my coworkers will get to enjoy them.  Only 8 more boxes to go!

 

Confetti Brownies

 

1 Funfetti Cake Mix

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 white chocolate chips

 

Mix together cake mix, oil, whipping cream, milk, egg, and vanilla.  Add in chocolate chips. Bake in an 8x8 greased pan 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool 20 minutes then cut.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Homemade Wreath

Homecoming is quickly approaching for our Highschool.  I wanted to finish decorating the outside of our house and what better finishing touch than a Wreath!  I purchased all of my supplies at Michaels...oh and of course I had Coupons.  The ribbon was also on sale.
Items needed for this craft are as follows...
*One Grapevine wreath(size dependent on your door)
*Various roles of ribbon in different sizes and the colors of your choice
*Glue Gun and Glue
*Glitter Lettering
*Anytype of decoration(Our mascot is Stars so that's what I chose)

The creativity then lies in your hands.  I took the 2 inch tri-colored ribbon and wrapped in around the wreath first.  I then took the smaller ribbon and tied into bows and glued them haphazardly around wreath and continued to do this until the wreath was barely visible.  The glittered ribbon is a little more difficult to tie,, so I cut it and glued it in a loop around the wreath.  You must add a little" Diva Bling" to make it shine!  The ribbon in the middle holding the letters has to be taut!  I glued and glued to get this to work and then I safety pinned it tightly on one side. My after thought was to use a piece of card board to help support the stability of letters.  My star was purchased at Michaels.  It was a paper star that I painted silver and then sprayed with glitter spray.  My final project was then hung on the Front Door! 

Supplies

 

 

 

 

Final Project-Go STARS!

Firecracker Shrimp

    

     I first tasted these little morsels on Mother's Day last year and they were so delicious.  My

husbands Aunt Denise & Uncle Danny, made these with a few simple ingredients, a small amount of time.  It's amazing that after so little effort you have a hot spicy delectable morsel!  I think she made a double recipe but they didn't last long with our family. 

   

     I have found with this recipe you can change it around to suit you or your families taste.  I found that if want more heat add a little more sauce or red pepper, it's totally up to you.  This is also a great quick dish to make and bring to a picnic, pitch-in or pool party!

Printable Recipe

1 pint (2 cups) of mayonaise (I use Hellman's)

1/4 cup of Sriracha  Hot Chili Sauce (add more if you like it spicey)

1-2 teaspoons minced garlic (I use two, I love me some garlic!)

crushed red pepper (optional and to taste, I use 1/4 tsp.)

1 pound of medium shrimp; peeled, deveined

Fill a medium stock pot with water and bring to a boil.  Drop in shrimp until just turning pink; remove and drain.  Then mix hot shrimp in the bowl of sauce until mixed and sauce warmed.  Place in serving dish and cover to keep warm.  Serve and eat!  How simple is that!

Yeast Rolls

Printable Recipe

6 c. all-purpose flour (approx.)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 pkg. active dry yeast
1-1/3 c. very warm water(120 to 130 degrees)
10 T. butter, softened
3 eggs at room temperature
Poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl mix 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt and undissolved yeast. Add water and butter to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed via mixer (I use a Kitchen-Aid mix master). Add 2 eggs and 1 cup of flour and beat at high speed for 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/4 c. at a time until dough becomes stiff. On a floured surface knead 8-10 minutes (you can do this by hand or just use your Kitchen-Aid and make your life easier). At this point you can cover with plastic and set in a bowl in your fridge for up to 2 days, just bring to room temperature and let rise or set in a greased bowl and roll around to grease the dough and cover with a towel, plastic whatever. Let rise 1 hour then punch down and shape into rolls. Let rise in a warm place for another hour until doubled in size, and brush tops with egg and sprinkle on the poppy seeds. You can use any seed to top with that you desire. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or so until done and browned. These are warm and yummy and a family favorite!

Easy Fruit Salad

     Since the weather has been so warm, everyhing in my flower beds are starting to come up!  I was cleaning out the beds and before I knew it , half of my day was gone.  I was trying to think of a quick dessert I could whip up for the family at dnner tonight since I was limited on time, and I thought Fruit salad! 

     This fruit salad is so simple, and you can make it as fancy or simple as you want depending on the different fruit you want to use.   It's amazing that a few ingredients can taste delicious and most importantly, the kids actually eat it!  So, give it a try and enjoy!

Printable Recipe

1 - 11 ounce can of mandarin oranges; drained

1- 20 ounce can of chunk pineapple with juice

1- 3 ounce package Jello vanilla instant pudding

2 bananas

1 cup of red seedless grapes

Place pineapples with juice in bowl, add package of vanilla pudding and mix.  Add mandarin oranges and grapes; place in refrigerator until chilled.  I add bananas before serving because they turn brown and become soggy.  You can also add bananas to each individual bowl and mix it if you think you will have leftovers.

Inspired by Mr. Food

My Mom is able to watch Mr. Food daily with her news.  She sent me this recipe and I had to try it.  This was the simplest recipe and took less than 30 minutes to prepare.  I served rolls with it and my Mom said she served crackers.  Any way you serve it...it will be eaten!

Hearty Amish Chicken Stew

10 cups chicken broth

4 potatoes peeled and cut into quarters

1 small onion diced

2 celery stalks cut into 1/2 inch chunks

1 carrot peeled and cut into think slice

2 teaspoons of salt

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

12 ounces bowtie pasta( I used the mini ones)

1 rotisserie chicken, skinned, deboned and shredded, about 3 cups

(My Mom used her own chicken and broth and added Swanson broth)

In a soup pot combine broth, potatoes,onion, celery, carrot, salt and pepper, bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Cook 10 minutes.
Stir in pasta and cook 8 minutes.  Add chicken and cook 4-5 minutes, or until chicken is heated through.

This will thicken up as it sits,, so you may want to add additional water or broth when reheating leftovers.

When in a pinch and looking to be inspired hit Mr. Food's website!

www.mrfood.com

Homemade Pizza Dough

     Guess what we are having for dinner?  You guessed it homemade pizza!  I was going to take a picture of the finished pizza, but we are focusing on the dough today; I also thought that my dough picture looked pretty.... This recipe is easy and very kid friendly, because I mix and knead the dough and the kids roll out their individual portions of dough and then slap on the toppings.  Then we bake them and viola, we have delicious homemade pizza!

Printable Recipe

1 package of active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

1 teaspoon honey

1 cup luke warm water (105- 115 degrees)

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (you can also use any flavor infused EVOO; I use garlic)

     In a small bowl dissolve the yeast and honey in 1/4 cup of the luke warm water, let it sit and bubble for 5-10 minutes.  In a stand fitted with a dough hook, place in the yeast-honey mixture.  Turn mixer on low and 1 cup of flour, then salt.  Continue adding remaining flour until the dough comes off the sides of the mixing bowl, continue mixing with dough hook for 5 minutes.  Depending on the humidity you may need all 3 cups or just a little less. 

     Turn the dough out on a lightly fluored board and knead by hand for 3-5 minutes.  Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, take a little bit of olive oil and rub on surface to prevent dough from drying out.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes.  

      When dough has risen, cut into 4 pieces and shape into your pizza and top with your favorite toppings.  Bake on a pizza stone, pizza pan or sheet pan, in a preheated 500 degree oven for approximately 10- 12 minutes, when cheese is gooey and lightly browned.  Don't walk away from the oven keep an eye on your pizza, as it could easily burn.  Enjoy!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

     I started making homemade laundry soap about two years ago, because I was tired of constantly buying over priced laundry detergent.  Since we are a family of five, I can easily do two loads of laundry a day, so I can go through a bottle of detergent in a blink of an eye.  So, to save money, I started researching how to make homemade laundry detergent and came upon many recipes, which are basically the same.  Most recipes contain four common ingredients: borax, washing soda (not baking soda), Fels Naptha bar, water.  So, below is the recipe that I use and have tweaked to fit my laundry needs.  I did invest in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid, that my husband picked up at our local hardware store, to store my homemade detergent.  The reason I use a 5 gallon bucket, is that I usually make a double batch so I can make it less often.  I use my recycled vinegar bottles, to store my detergent I keep near the washer and when my bottle gets low, I refill it from my large 5 gallon bucket of detergent, using a funnel and a cup.  You may need to shake or stir the detergent in your storage container because the detergent may become gelatinous and clumpy, but a few shakes or stirs will even it out and make it easier to pour.  You may also add a few drops of essential oils (I use lavender and rosemary) to give your detergent a scent that will be light and not overpowering.  For my fabric softener, I use 1/2 cup of full strength white vinegar, it makes clothes soft and doesn't leave a vinegary smell.  Try this recipe and let us know here at D3 Diva's how it has worked for you, and how it feels to save so much money!

Printable Recipe

1/2 bar of Fels-Naptha, grated
½ cup washing soda (I use Arm & Hammer brand, found in the laundry aisle)

½ cup borax powder ( I use 20 Mule Team brand, found in the laundry aisle)
2 gallon bucket

Put the grated soap and 6 cups of warm water in a sauce pan over low heat, until soap melts stirring occasionally.  Then, add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel (it resembles snoty egg drop soup). You use ½ cup per load.  Since it doesn't foam this is safe for HE machines; my washer is an HE and I have had no problems.

I have found that if your making a single recipe of detergent, for easy storage and use, pour your finished laundry soap in two 1-gallon containers, I use vinegar plastic bottles.  So while your being green making your own laundry soap , you can also recycle your vinegar containers.

Snickerdoodles

     I was in the mood for baking cookies today, and I was going through my recipes and I found this little gem.  A few years ago, I worked with this amazing baker named Venetta.  She would bring in a large container of snickerdoodles to share with everyone, but as soon as you heard that the cookies were out you had to be fast, or you wouldn't get one.  Let's just say over the years I have learned to become super fast!  These are so easy to make and when snickerdoodles bake, they send an aroma through the house that is just amazing!

Printable Recipe

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.   Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; I use a small cookie scoop.  Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes, rotating pans half way thru.  Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool.

Honey White Bread

     This bread is so dense and delicious!  I found it in the Barefoot Contessa at home cookbook.  I think it's an easy recipe to try if you aren't familiar to baking bread, it's pretty self explanatory.  When you are finished baking this bread, you can use it to make sandwiches, crouton's, and my favorite french toast!  There is something about making your own bread that makes you feel you have accomplished something great; great to eat that is!

Printable Recipe

1/2 cup warm water (make sure water is like bath water, around 110 degrees)

2 packages rapid yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/2 cups warm whole milk

6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

2 egg yolks

5 -6 cups all purpose flour

3 teaspoons salt

1 egg white

Place warm water in mixing bowl, add yeast and sugar and allow to dissolve for 5 minutes.  Then with dough hook on mixer add milk, butter and honey, mix on medium speed.  Add egg yolks, 3 cups flour and salt, mix on low for 5 minutes.  Keep mixer on low add 2 more cups flour.  Increase mixer to medium and add enough flour so the dough doesn't stick to the bowl.  I add flour 1/4 cup at a time, slowly.  Knead on medium speed for 8 minutes.  Dump dough out on a floured surface and knesd for 1-2 minutes, until dough is soft and lastic.  Grease bowl with butter, turn dough in butter top cover lightly with butter, then cover bowl with cloth and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size. 

     Grease 2- 9x5 bread pans with butter, divide dough in half, place each half in a pan and cover with towel and let rise for 1 hour.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Brush top of loaves with egg whites and bake for 40-45 minutes, until they sound hollow when tapped.  Turn out onto cooling rack to cool.

When a Diva is too busy...

Do you ever have one of those days? or weeks?  My friends will tell you I am a yes person, this means I can't say no.  I found that my son's 16th birthday was quickly approaching, was volunteered to the max and with a full time job, I was asking myself...  When would I possibly find time to bake a cake for him?  Let alone decorate it!    I am a retired cake decorator and just couldn't make myself order from the local grocery for his 16th birthday cake.  What to do...Go to your social networking.  I placed this question on my facebook page...Who do you recommend for making my son's birthday cake?  My responses consisted of...Why aren't you making it, well you of course, that's a crazy question.  Then, my saving grace placed a name and ta...da!  I had hooked up with a new cake lady.  Sometimes Divas need help!  So Divas when you need a delicious cake, let me know.  My son is a Football Fanatic, his first cake was an Illini cake that served 6 people and was awesome, but the cake pictured knocked his socks off!  He actually stated that this cake was a wonderful tribute to him! This is his Highschool colors and football #.  The cake was moist and the icing was yummy!  The helmet was chocolate and the field was white.  I suggest if you need a cake and you want the best....check out Studio 3 Bakery!  This is a Diva stamp of approval!

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Studio3bakery@gmail.com                                   Phone 317.657.7846
Zionsville, Indiana

Shortbread

     It seems on the week-end I end up with the baking bug, which is unfortunate when you are trying to lose weight.  Instead of baking something low fat and nutritious, I wet whole hog and made  buttery shortbread.  It doesn't mean you can't eat it on a diet, just remember, everything in moderation. This recipe is pretty easy to make, so get out your mixing bowl out and lets bake.

Printable Recipe

10 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 cup superfine sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

1/2 all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cake flour

7 tbsp rice flour (avaliable at Whole Foods or Meijer)

Pinch of salt

     Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Combine the butter and sugar in a large bowl, mix together until pale and fluffy.  Add all-purpose, cake and rice flours, salt, together and mix well, make sure mixture is smooth.  Place dough in an 8 inch cake pan and press to cover bottom. Take your index finger and press around the edge of the dough; to get a crimped effect around the edge.  Take a knife and score into 8 triangular pieces then take a fork and prick each piece 3 times.  Place in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.

      Place in preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until light golen brown.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining sugar.  Let cool, take a knife and cut into eight triangles where you scored before baking.  Enjoy!

Homemade Chili

     It's cold and snowy out today, I have a fire going in the fireplace and I am not leaving the house.  I decided, that I would raid my pantry and use the ingredients I have on hand to cook something warm and cozy.  I came up with an easy time saving chili, that is hearty and sticks to your ribs, it's delicious.  Grab a bowl, get a spoon and have a nice warm bowl of chili! 

Printable Recipe

3 pounds ground chuck hamburger, cooked, drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic clove, minced
2- 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
1- 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
1- 10 ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chili's
2 packages chili seasoning (I use McCormick appox 1-2 ounce packets)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups water
salt to taste

In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil and then onions, cook until translucent.  Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.  Cook on low for 1 hour, stirring occationally.  Serve with toppings of choice:  Cheedar cheese, green onions, corn chips, sour cream.  You can also put this is a crockpot on low and cook for 4-5 hours.  

Betty's Peach & Blueberry Glazed Muffins

     In October 2008, DDG and I took our fellow diva JT to Madion County for her 40th birthday. JT had no idea where we were going, let alone where we were staying. So when we pulled up to the Whitehall Bed and Breakfast she was so surprised! Whitehall, was an old mansion built in the 1800's that was filled with rooms decorated from the Victorian era, it was like a time warp transported us back in time. The inn is ran by the cutest couple Bill and Betty Murphy who are retired teachers and have lovingly restored the mansion to it's former glory. In the morning, Betty made us these wonderful little morsels called Peach Glazed Muffins which are so moist and flavorful. We ate these until we couldn't eat anymore, then Betty placed the rest of the muffins in our room which we found later coming back from shopping and we fought over them.  These little muffins are so sticky with the glaze, and so freaking addictive. Hope you enjoy these they are addictive!  Thanks Betty!

Printable Recipe

1 C. flour
1/4 C. + 2T. sugar
1/8 t. salt
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
3 T. melted butter
1 T. Orange Juice
1 individual size container peach lowfat yogurt
1 egg
1 pint of blueberries

Topping:
1 stick softened butter
1 8 oz. container whipped cream cheese
1/4 C. powdered sugar
3 T. peach preserves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix melted butter, orange juice, yogurt, egg. Then add flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder combine until just mixed and let rest for 15 minutes.  Fold in blueberries.  Spray mini muffin tins with butter cooking spray then fill with batter 2/3rds full. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Do not over bake start checking them at 12 minutes. Let muffins cool and dip muffin tops in glaze topping. Keep in a covered container.

For topping:
Beat butter and cream cheese together. In a seperate bowl microwave preserves about 20 seconds to just melt and then beat in powdered sugar. Add preserve mixture to cream cheese mixture and combine. Add a little extra melted preserves to thin to a glaze consistency and dip your muffins.

Pumpkin Crunch Bar's

Today, I was totally craving sweets and on a quest to find something I could make out of the ingredients I have on hand.  So, with the ingredients I had found, Pumpkin Crunch Bar's were the winner.  This is usually the first dessert I make when fall officially starts, because it gets me in the mood for the start of the holidays.  I haven't made it since Thanksgiving and I am totally craving the crunchy buttery crust, the creamy pumpkin filling; well heck, I just want those delicious bar's! 

Printable Recipe 

Crust:

1 cup all purpose flour

5 tablespoons butter, melted

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix all above ingredients, reserving 3/4 cup.  Press the remaining mix into a 8x8 baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Cool.

Filling:

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together and pour over crust.  Sprinkle reserved topping over filling.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.  Cool.  You can double the recipe and make a 9x13 pan of bars.

Pineapple Spoon Bread

    

     At our last family we had a delicious baked honey ham with cheesy potatoes and this sweet moist pineapple spoon bread.  It was amazing how great it paired with the ham and potatoes, it's probably because when you bake a ham everyone sticks pineapple rings on it and bastes it with pineapple juice and brown sugar.  It's like pork and pineapple were a match made in heaven, I mean you have the salty with the sweet and it doesn't get much better than that.  So, if you are thinking Sunday ham dinner you must include this side dish because it's easy, tasty, and pineapple with ham it's just meant to be! 

Printable Recipe

10-12 slices of bread, cubed

1/4 cup milk

2 sticks of butter, melted

3 eggs, beaten

2 cups sugar

1 large can of crushed pineapple, do not drain

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Mix together in mixing bowl milk, butter, eggs, sugar, pineapple.  Then mix in bread cubes into mixture.  Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour. 

Birthday Cake

     In our house, we have a family tradition where you get to pick your favorite cake on your birthday and mom will make it for you.  The boy's will come up with some pretty funny combinations but together we figure out which cake we will be baking.   A big bonus is that the birthday boy gets to help mom make the cake, but I get to decorate it secretly, then it is revealed at dinner.  This year my youngest son Wesley wanted a chocolate cake with his two favorite things, Kit Kats and M&M's!  So I baked a chocolate cake from a box, decorated it and shazam!  Cool birthday cake.  Here are the following steps to make the cake:

Printable Recipe

Supplies

1 box of chocolate cake

2 cans of milk chocolate icing

wax or parchment paper

1 bag of Kit Kats

1 medium sized bag of M&M's

1.  Bake a chocolate cake per box directions (I used Duncan Hines) in two 9 inch pans; cool.

2.  Place first cake layer on plate or pedestal, tucking wax or parchment paper under sides to protect dish while icing.

3.  Using an offset spatula and starting on the sides spread  milk chocolate icing to cover; I usually use 1 1/2 cans of icing.  Then remove wax or parchment paper from under sides.

4.  Then before you icing sets up start on the sides and line your Kit Kat bars one after the other like little soldier's standing up until cake is covered.

5.  The spread M&M's on top, insert candles if desired.

     Now you have a fancy dancy birthday cake that was stupid easy to make!  Try other candy and cake combinations, the sky is the limit!

Family Game Night

Ever find yourself sitting watching the television alone when the Hasbro commercial comes on for Family Game Night?  Then you wonder what kind of family does that?  You wonder this as you know for a fact that your children are in the other room playing video games or on their ipod touch. The next question to yourself is when would we all have time to do this?  You wonder this on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon when everyone is just sitting around with a kindle, an ipod touch, a remote control helicopter, and a video game controller in hand.  It is time to take matters into your own hands!  Go to the closet and dust off your old board games, or head to the local retail shop and purchase a new one!  Your family will balk at this at first and an hour into the game they will want to play the game again or start another board game.  Family Game Night will open up the conversations with your children.  It is surprising the things they will tell you and the questions they will ask.  Go ahead and start this weekend!

OUR FAMILY FAVORITE GAME

Monopoly

What is your family's favorite board game?  Divas would love to know!

Grave Blanket

2011 was a rough year for my Family.  We had to endure several close family members' deaths.   One included my Hubsand's Mother.  He remembered his Mom going to the cemetery and placing a grave blanket on his Father's grave.  He asked me where we could get one.  Well...me being the crafty one, thought how hard could this be.  I researched the internet and when  in Illinois with my family for the Holidays my Mom and I made a trip to the cemetery.  One to check out all the winter decor on my nephew's grave and second to check out grave blankets.  I learned that Grave blankets come in wreath like shapes, crosses and  blanket style.  They are decorated to your liking.  Some of the round ones had pine cones and ribbon where the longer ones had ornaments and ribbons.  My husband and I decided to recycle our Christmas tree.   He bought chicken wire at the local Tractor Supply.  Since he frequents Lowes he purchased 3 treated firring strips($1.00/strip) and a package of 1/4 inch cable staples($4.00 for 40).  One could use a staple gun to secure the wire to the frame.  The dimensions of the firring strips were 6x3. He used corner brackets to hold them together. Once the strips are secured together,  lay out the chicken wire and secure with cable staples.  Take your cut branches from your Christmas Tree and weave them into the wire.  Continue weaving until you no longer see the chicken wire.  I like simplicity so I made a bow(with my bowmaker) and tied it to the top of the grave blanket.  The blanket is now ready to be delivered.  Make sure you anchor it to the ground.  We purchased something similar to tent anchors.  The ideal time to place the blankets are prior to first snow.  Thank goodness we haven't had a lot of snow this year so we will have time to place it. 

Supplies

Cutting Frame

Securing Frame

Frame

Securing Chicken Wire

Weaving

The tree sap is sticky!  I recommend gloves.

Add Finishing Touches

The Final Product Ready for Grave

Beef Tenderloin

     When I look at this picture it maks me soooo happy!  I look at this plate of tender medium rare tenderloin and visions of meat and potatoes dance thru my head.  When I see a sale and I can score a 5 or 6 pound tenderloin for $8.99 a pound at my local butcher, it's on like Donkey Kong!  Around the holiday's my local butcher shop starts taking pre-orders for tenderloins, that are offered for 8.99 lb, and they are top quality.  My butcher cares about the quality of the meat he sales and teaches you about different cuts avaliable and the smarter price route to go, depending on your budget. It's always a good idea to be a frequent customer and develop a good relationship with your butcher; my butcher's name is Joe and he own's Joe's Butcher Market in Carmel, In. 

Printable Recipe

1 whole beef tenderloin (4 to 5 pounds), trimmed and tied

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked and smashed

1 tablespoon salt

     Preheat oven to 500. Place beef on a baking sheet; pat the outside dry with a paper towel. Smear and rub butter on entire roast. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Roast for exactly 22 minutes for rare, 25 minutes for medium rare, 30 minutes for well done. Remove from oven; cover tightly with foil and allow to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Remove the strings and slice the filet thickly. Serve with you favorite sauce; I love blue cheese or bernaise.

Monkey Bread

I recently had a request from my oldest for Monkey Bread.  I had not made this since he was little( he will be 16 later this month).  It came out of the oven and this is what happened...

If only I had timed it...

Monkey Bread

3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon(I use the Pampered Chef)

4 cans of (7.5oz) Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits

1/2 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup brown sugar

Grease or spray 12-cup Bundt cake pan(I used the DeMarle bundt)

Mix sugar and cinnamon in 1-gallon bag.  Cut each biscuit into quarters.  Shake quarters in bag to coat; place in pan.  Mix butter and brown sugar; pour over pieces.  Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool 5 minutes and turn upside down onto serving plate.

Bake it and they will come!

Homemade Carmels

    I had gotten this recipe from a Greek nurse that worked at the same hospital that I did almost 25 years ago.  She was an excellent cook and everytime I make this I get nothing but oooh's and ahhh's!  I won't lie, this is very time consuming but well worth the reward.  The key with the carmels is to stir, stir, stir and don't over cook.  These make great Christmas gifts and will be well recieved.

2 cups sugar
2 cups dark corn syrup
1 cup butter
2 cups heavy cream; divided

Printable Recipe

Dissolve sugar, dark corn syrup, butter and 1 cup of heavy cream over low heat in a heavy bottom pan, stirring until dissolved.  Increase heat to medium and stir continually until mixture boils. Continue boiling until candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees.  Add remaining 1 cup of heavy cream.  Stir continually until thermometer reaches just above 240 degrees.  Pour mixture into buttered 8x11 pan and cool.  Then cut into bite sized pieces, and wrap with wax paper.

Not Your Mama's Christmas Pudding

Ok, this has to be the most beloved recipes of our family and friends. I found it when I was watching Paula Deen make it on her show a few years ago and it looked fabulous! This is one of those special recipes that you would take to a potluck and have nothing left to bring home except for a ton of requests for the recipe. When I made this recipe around Christmas for the hundreth time (just exaggerating but I have made his a lot.) I sent my husband to Walmart to pick me up two packages of Pepperidge Farm cookies. He came back with a pleasant surprise, they made a special edition chess cookie with Christmas pictures on them! So I had to post a picture of the pudding with the Christmas cookies because it is so festive and cute. Hope you enjoy, and thanks again Paula Deen!

Printable Recipe

2 bags of Pepperidge Farm Chess cookies
8 bananas sliced (sprinkle with lemon juice it will prevent browning)
2 C.  milk
1 -5oz.  box instant French vanilla pudding
1 -8 oz.  pkg.  of softened cream cheese
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 -12oz.  container Cool Whip

Take the first bag of cookies and line the bottom of a 9x13 pan and layer bananas on top.  In a bowl combine the milk and pudding and blend together using a mixure.  In another bowl combine softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk with mixer until smooth.  Stir Cool Whip into cream cheese mixture then pour into pudding and combine.  Pour mixture on top of bananas and top with remaining bag of cookies.  Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  Enjoy!

Maple Nut Fudge

I think this is the fifth Christmas we have made this fudge it is a true family favorite. I got this recipe from one of my friends that swore it was the best maple fudge she ever had and it is. My sons, husband and father-in-law are true fans of this maple sensation so make a few batches and make alot of friends for the holidays, enjoy!

Printable Recipe

2 cups white sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
3 tablespoons butter
3 cups mini marshmallows
3 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 1/2 teaspoons maple flavored extract
Walnut pieces to sprinkle on top, about 1/2 cup

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, evaporated milk and butter. Bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and quickly stir in marshmallows, white chocolate, chopped walnuts and maple flavoring. Spread in a 8x11 inch dish (you can use a 9x13 pan but I like my fudge a little on the thick side). Top with walnut pieces. You may let fudge set up at room temperature overnight, or chill for 4-6 hours. Cut into pieces and serve or package up for the holidays.

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Rice

Ok, this recipe is quick to prepare on your way out the door, delicious and cooks in your crock pot when your busy during the day.  The only work that it entails is browning the meat which takes 10 minutes tops!  Just FYI, my kids rate this meal in their top five.  I serve it with rice or egg noodles, a veg and a crusty French baguette.

 

Printable Recipe

1 1/2 pounds of stew meat, cut into bite sized pieces; browned

1 can French onion soup (I use Campbell's for all my soups)

1 can golden mushroom

1 can beefy mushroom

1 cup of water

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs (The brand I use is Progressive)

2 tablespoons olive oil; for browning meat

Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in pan over high heat.  When hot carefully place meat in pan and brown meat.  Place browned meat and remainder of ingredients into crock pot.  Cover and turn on low and cook 6 to 8 hours.  Serve over rice or egg noodles.

 

Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

     This recipe comes from our resident Diva JT!  She was going to take picture and post the recipe but a funny thing happened, her boys ate every last bit so there was nothing left to take a picture of.  So to help my buddy out, I took my pictures before my boys went in for the attack!  When you are pressed for time and want a great meal at the end of the day this fits the bill.  You stick all of your ingredients into the crock pot leave it alone for 6-8 hours then you have dinner; easy peesy.

Printable Recipe

1 bottle wing sauce
1 package dry Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
4-5 chicken breasts; boneless, skinless
blue cheese crumbles; optional

Place bottle of wing sauce and ranch dressing in crock pot and mix.  Place chicken in sauce, cover and cook 6-8 hours.  Take chicken out shred and place back in sauce.  Cook for 1 more hour.  Serve on rolls and top with blue cheese crumbles.  Enjoy!

Cake Balls

These little devils are so addicting! I first read about cake balls on the Bakerella website. They are so easy to make and people go crazy for them, I mean people were saying, "Oh my god what are in these things they are so decadent". I work with a bunch of fellow nurses and food is our thing especially around the holidays and they were smitten by the cake balls. The recipe below is just a starting point, I mean we are talking making up your own cake and icing combo and either dip them in chocolate, vanilla bark or melted peanut butter chips, Andes mints, the possibilities are endless. Last Christmas we had made the following combinations and they were a hit.

*German chocolate cake & German chocolate icing
*Red velvet cake and cream cheese icing
*Carrot cake and cream cheese icing
*Butter pecan cake and Carmel icing
*Devil's food cake and chocolate icing

(Printable Recipe)

1 cake baked per box directions in 9x13 pan, crumbled
1 can of premade icing
2 packages of candy coating (also known as almond bark found in the baking isle)

Crumble cake in bowl and add icing. With your hands combine until completely mixed. Roll into balls about the size of a walnut or just a little larger and place on a plate. Stick in the freezer until really hard (about 3-4 hours, this makes them easier to dip in the chocolate so they don't fall apart while dipping. Then when balls are hard frozen, melt chocolate either in the microwave or in a double boiler. Then insert a lollipop stick carefully in the frozen cake ball and roll in chocolate to cover.  Tap stick on the side of the bowl while turning cake ball to shed extra chocolate.  Then stick lollipop stick down into a thick piece of styrofoam and let chocolate set up.  When set gentally wiggle lollipop stick ot of cake ball and decorate or eat!  When using white chocolate bark with a darker cake mix you may have to dip the balls twice to coat.  Let dry and stick in you favorite holiday container. There is no need to refrigerate.

Oat Square Snack Mix

I was at work one day and my co-worker Lori brought in a large container of this snack mix for everyone to snack on. I got my cup scooped some in and proceeded to munch while I was doing some paperwork, and thought wow this is so yummy! Of course the girls I work with finished off the snack mix over the day and everyone wanted the recipe. So Lori made copies of the recipe to everyone and I stopped at the store to get my ingredients on my way home. When I was whipping up a batch that evening my sons asked me what I was making and I told them a snack mix with oat squares, dried cranberries and other healthy things. My sons reponded by saying ew! That sounds gross! But low and behold, once it was cooled and finished in a bowl they came, they ate, they ravaged, need I say more....

Print Recipe

2- boxes Quaker Qatmeal Square- brown sugar flavored; regular sized box
1- box Honey Nut Cherrios; regular sized box
4 c. pecan pieces
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white Karo syrup
1 stick of butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. Craisins
4 c. M&M's or chocolate chips

Combine cereal and pecans and divide between 2 cookie sheets. Bring brown sugar, butter and Karo syrup to a rolling boil. Stir in vanilla and baking soda and stir until foamy. Pour over cereal and mix well with a spatula. Bake 45 minutes at 300 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and place on wax or parchment paper to cool. Then place in a container breaking apart as you go and add Craisins and M&M's. Store in covered plastic containers. Yum!!

Time To Brine The Turkey

      Over the years our family has prepared our turkey a variety of ways:  the traditional turkey, the injected turkey, the injected deep fried turkey, the smoked turkey and the ultimate brined turkey.  When I first tried the brined turkey, I thought it the end product would be extremely salty; but I was wrong, it was the most delicious and moist turkey we have ever had. To understand brining you have to go back to science class and remember the ole theory of osmosis.  When you keep the ratio of salt, sugar and liquid within certain parameters, you get you get flavor infused liquid pushed into the cell of the meat making it flavorful and moist.  Here is the recipe I started using and it makes a wonderful delicious turkey.  I usually brine a 12-16 pound bird, it just depends on the amount of people I am feeding on Thanksgiving.  Remember, if your turkey is frozen, you need to stick it in the fridge at least 3 days before you get ready to brine to thaw it out.

 Turkey Brine:

7 quarts water

4 cups apple cider

3/4 cup kosher salt

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 large onion, peeled, cut into quarters

1 orange, cut into quarters

1 lemon, cut into quarters

1 head garlic, cut across the cloves in half

1bunch fresh rosemary

1 bunch fresh sage

4 bay leaves

3 Tablespoons whole peppercorns

1 (12 to 16 pound) turkey, fresh or thawed

     Go ahead and get a large pot and place it on the stove and get all the ingredients for the brine. Throw all of your ingredients into the pot and cook on medium until your salt mostly dissolves.  Let mixture cool completely, then add your turkey and stick him in the fridge covered or in a place where it's at least 38 degrees.

    Then let the turkey brine for 1 to 2 days.  After your brining time is completed, take turkey out and drain over sink.  Lay on a cookie sheet and dry with paper towels.  Then take a couple sticks of butter that is softened, mix in some 1/4 cup chopped rosemary, 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme, 3 cloves chopped garlic.  Push your finger under the skin of the breast to loosen and stuff in the butter mixture under the skin, then take threst of butter mixture and rub all over the outside of your turkey.  Next sprinkle with salt & pepper and Lawery's salt.  Place in the fridge uncovered and bake the next day.
On the day you are ready to bake your turkey, preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Stuff your bird with a bunch of rosemary, sage, a lemon and a chopped apple.  Tie his little legs together to keep everything in the cavity.  Add 2 cups chicken stock and 1 1/2 cup apple cider in the bottom of your roasting pan. Place in oven and cook for 30-40 minutes until the skin turns golden brown.  Then decrease oven temp to 350 degrees for approx.  2 hours or until thermometer reads in thickest part of thigh, 160 degrees.   Baste the turkey every 30 minutes and add stock and more apple cider to the pan, if needed.   When turkey turns a rich bronze color tent bird with a piece of foil so it doesn't over brown.  Remember to save the drippings in the pan, it makes great gravy!

Crafting At The Diva Den!

     Ok, is this not the cutest thing you have ever seen before!  Me and my fellow diva DDG, went to the Holiday Mart at the Indiana State Fair and saw these cute Christmas  plaques.  DDG bought this one and had the lady paint the names of everyone in the family, and it set her back about $20.00.  On our way home we looked at it closely and decided, we could make these for our friends and family cheaper than $20.00. 

So here we are, all gathered at the Diva Den ready to craft our little hearts out. We invited Shirley my sister-in-law; who is a honorary Diva and is filling in for Stella, myself (TKL), JT and DDG. We started our morning off with a Mimosa's, which is basically 1/2 orange juice and 1/2 champagne. Then I baked a savory Sausage Casserole and a sweet Creme Brulee Casserole; these are my go to recipes for a successful holiday brunch. Then a large pot of coffee to counteract the Mimosa's!  Then after we had had our wonderful brunch we set up all of our supplies and settled down for an afternoon of crafting.  Shirley brought along a lot of the supplies that we needed:  Various colors of acrylic paint, small and medium sized brushes, paper plates to mix paint on, round foam spouncers (large and small), fine tipped paint markers, bowls with water to clean brushes, roll of paper towel, paper to cover table, Gorilla glue, wire for picture hanging, paper clips and 6x12 inch grey tiles.  Here is a picture of the Diva's in action painting their tile, of course I'm not in the pics because I am taking the pics.

     Here are pictures of the wonderful casseroles and if you click on the picture they will take you to the recipe link.  These casseroles are easy to make ahead the night before which makes the next day less stressful and more enjoyable.  Just imagine waking up on Christmas morning and knowing you have breakfast already made in your fridge; how great is that!  You get to spend time with your family while the casserole bakes. 

    

Here are a few of our cute tiles that we painted.  We started painting around 9:30am and by the time we wrapped it up around 2:00PM we couldn't believe our craft day had come to an end.  So take a look be inspired and host a fun craft day for the holidays an enjoy the time with friends and family!