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Friday, June 15, 2012

Caramel Apple Suckers

Okay so a couple of weeks ago I posted how we made Jolly Rancher Suckers for play day--- and they were really good.   Well, I started thinking about those caramel apple suckers the boys used to love... and I thought I would try to make some.  This is what I did:   Place two unwrapped green apple jolly ranchers per sucker on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper- bake @ 250 for 6 minutes- take them out of the oven & place sucker sticks in them- let them cool. ( Make them just like we did the Jolly rancher suckers.)
When they are cool, melt some caramels- I added a little bit of water, just a few drops to help thin it a little bit. Then dip the suckers into the caramel & place on parchment paper sprayed with cooking oil.  Oh my.... they are so yummy.


Thursday, June 14, 2012

BUG LUNCH playday!!

It was play day at Grandma's today!!!  I threw together some things I had on hand... BUGS are always a hit with the little boys!!  So I thought a BUG LUNCH would be FUN.
I put some butterfly nets in a bucket & a sign on the front porch.
Then inside the FUN began.......



we had spiders, caterpillars, and ants on a log


they had to make their own "bugs" for lunch... that's where all the fun happens.  Look how cute this little guy is putting those legs on his spider...


and there is nothing better on a hot day than Lady Bug Juice...


add a butterfly sandwich and you are good to go.....


here is worm dirt dessert-- made with crushed oreo's, pudding, gummy worms, candy rocks and an instant flower... 


and at every summer lunch you need a fly swatter....   these are made with jolly ranchers, I posted how to make them a few days ago
look at that plate so FUN to make & fun to eat....



oh my, that is a lot of BUGS!


this little guy ate everything as he made it.... he couldn't wait!


after lunch it was time for the water games to begin there were water balloons, squirt guns, sponge balls ( I'll post how to make them later) and the slide....


after all that FUN they were ready to kick back in the swimming pool and sip homemade slurpees!!!  Oh what a life... I think we might have to get a bigger pool!! What do ya think?
It was a very fun play day, and Grandma's tired!!  :)

Boeuf Bourguignon

This is a such an easy meal to make but you will not believe the flavor! It is so yummy!
<---- click here for the printable version

Anthony Bourdain's Boeuf Bourguignon Recipe
(Adapted from Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook)Ingredients

2 lbs of beef, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
4 onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsps all purpose flour
1 cup red Burgundy cooking wine
6 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 garlic clove
1 bouquet garni
A little chopped flat parsley

* Bouquet Garni: 1 sprig of flat parsley, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf, tied together with string and used for flavouring (usually stews or sauces). Tying the bundle in cheesecloth makes it easier to retrieve from the pot.

Method 
  1. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
  2. In the Dutch oven, heat the oil over high heat until it is almost smoking. Add the meat, in batches - NOT ALL AT ONCE! - and sear on all sides until it is well browned (not gray). You dump too much meat in the pot at the same time and you'll overcrowd it; cool the thing down and you won't get good color. Sear the meat a little at a time, removing it and setting it aside as it finishes.
  3. When all the meat is a nice, dark brown color and has been set aside, add the onions to the pot. Lower the heat to medium high until the onions are soft and golden brown (about 10 minutes).
  4. Sprinkle the flour over them. Continue to cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the red wine. Naturally, you want to scrape up all that really good fond from the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon. Bring the wine to a boil.
  5. Return the meat to the pot and add the carrots, garlic, and bouquet garni. Add just enough water so that the liquid covers the meat by one third - meaning you want a ratio of 3 parts liquid to 2 parts meat. This is a stew, so you want plenty of liquid, even after it cooks down and reduces. Bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, and let cook for about 2 hours, or until the meat is tender (break-apart-with-a-fork tender).
  6. You should pay attention to the dish, meaning to check it every 15 to 20 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot to make sure the meat is not sticking or scorching. You should also skim off any foam or scum or oil collecting on the surface, using a large spoon or ladle. When done, remove and discard the bouquet garni, add the chopped parsley to the pot, and serve.




 
Recipe card made using kits from http://ggdigitaldesigns.com/shop/
Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Mozzarella Balls

These little babies are so darn good. A lot healthier
than the fried versions you get at dinner places too!

First you need:
Milk or Yogurt
String Cheese
Italian bread crumbs
Pizza dipping sauce (opt.) 



Cut up String Cheese Like this..


Dip into your milk or yogurt


Then into the bread crumbs


Put on a foil lined baking sheet and bake
@350 until cheese starts to melt


Put on plate with pizza sauce and enjoy!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Fathers Day 2012

Fathers Day is this Sunday! Have you got everything ready? If not, we are here to save the day with some printables. Simply click on the download and print! PLEASE FOLLOW OUR BLOG IN RETURN! Thanks




Water Bottle Labels Mini Candy Bar Wrappers Food Flags Cupcake Wrappers Cupcake Toppers Card Banner D Banner A
Monday, June 11, 2012

A trick to help you open those tight jar lids

Here's a trick to help you open those jar lids--- it's simple and works everytime.
Next time you have a lid that is too hard to open, grab an elastic band and put it around the lid---
it gives you something to grip onto and the lid will come off so easy!!!


Lavender Foot Soak

Today I'm sharing with you a recipe to make a wonderful foot soak.  I don't know about you, but this time of year I spend a lot of time in the garden-- and working outside.  My feet get looking & feeling horrible!!   I had gotten a few Graduation announcements from some darling girls I know.... and so when I was soaking my feet the other night I thought  " I bet they would LOVE some of this Lavender Foot Soak too.    I made a batch of it up and glued together some cute jars & candle sticks I had--   and this is what I came up with.  They are the perfect gift to give & to get!!!

It's very easy to make, but I admit I am always changing or adding different things to it, depending on what I have on hand- but this is the basic recipe.

2 Cups of Epsom salt
2 Cups of sea salt
1/2 Cup of Baking Soda
1/2 Cup of Ground up Rolled Oats ( put it in the blender until it is fine like flour)
10 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
A few sprigs of dried Lavender (crush them up)
Mix everything together really well and put into a cute jar.

To use:
Add 2 Tablespoons to warm water & you have a WONDERFUL treat for tired sore feet. 
ENJOY!!!