Thursday, March 29, 2012

Bead Board Easter Eggs

I took a break from working in the basement yesterday and made this cute little Easter egg bead board. 

I was having a hard time deciding what to do for my Easter bead board. I was wanting to do eggs, but I knew that since I'm not an artist I would not be able to paint them and have them look good. 

Then it came to me: Just cut out egg holes and let some cute fabric be the decoration. 

This was super easy to make. I just took a board and traced on an egg shape. Then I drilled a hole, and then used a jigsaw to cut out the eggs.
I painted it with spray paint - Krylon Ivory in gloss.

Then I just glued the fabric to the back using Fabric Mod Podge. 



What do you think?

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Paint in the Basement

I have a few before and after pictures of the paint in our basement. Please ignore the mess. After painting everyday for a solid week, I really didn't feel like cleaning it up for pictures. 


Here's our wall that the TV will go on. We chose Bittersweet Chocolate by Glidden



 This is our fireplace all taped off.

The color is Olivewood by Glidden
This is the color throughout the rest of the living room and the halls. 



In the guest room / craft room I chose Prairie Sage by Glidden. 


 I did one accent wall in Frosted Pine by Glidden. It's hard to tell in the picture. It's just a shade darker. 


I still want to do some stenciling in this room, I am just lacking gumption at this point. 



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Terrific Tuesdays #8

Thank you all for linking up some terrific projects.

The most viewed link was:

He has Risen! Printable by One Woof Dog
 She did a great job. I love the colors and fonts she used.

 Some of my other favorites were:

This sweet little PB Inspired Quilt by Sew Sweet Cottage

I love the fabrics she chose. I really want to do something like this for my two youngest daughters rooms. 


You have to go check out this Mitered Stripe Pillow by Sew Passionate.
She starts with striped fabric and turns it into this pillow. Go see how she does it. It's so cool. 
I think it's so odd that I like throw pillows so much and yet I don't have a single one in my house.


This Chocolate Pudding by Keeping Up With The Cyperts looks sooo delicious. Would you believe it's made in the microwave?




Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:

Absolutely nothing! 
I think this is the first week that I haven't blogged since I started blogging. 
I haven't been being lazy though. I've spent every waking moment painting the basement. Pictures to come this week so stay tuned.

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:
1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.


2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.










Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Terrific Tuesday #7

Thank you all for linking up some fabulous projects. I really enjoy looking through all the links.

The most viewed link was:

Cut your grocery bill in half by Blissful and Domestic
Go check it out and see how she does it! I like her tips and I do almost all the same things she does and it really does save money.


Some of my other favorites were:

 Easy Yeast Rolls by Country Momma Cooks
These look sooo yummy! I'm going to be trying them.


This pillow is super cute. Love the colors and all the ruffles. Find out more at Ode to Inspiration.

I love this bench by vixenMade. I need one for my entry.



Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:
and 

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:
1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.


2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.










Friday, March 16, 2012

Mama's Homemade Wheat Bread and Scones

One of my favorite things to make is breads. I started making bread when I was in my early teens {probably 13 or 14}. And I made it by hand - no fancy machines to help with the kneading. I have to thank my mom for giving me such free reign in the kitchen. 

Whenever I wanted to make something, I don't remember really asking, I would just do it. I think the best way to learn things is to JUST DO IT.  I picked up a lot of things by watching my mom, and then I would just try it myself.

Today I'm going to share my mom's homemade wheat bread recipe. This is the the best wheat bread I've had. Sometimes wheat bread tends to be dry, but this is moist and delicious. I made this using flour ground in my wheat grinder that my parents gave me for Christmas {Thanks again}



First we'll get our yeast going. Take 1/2 c. warm water (think baby bottle warm) and mix it with  1 1/2 - 2 T. yeast and 1 t. sugar.



Stir it together.



Then let it sit about 5 minutes or until it looks like this.



Next mix together 2 c. warm water, 3/4 T. salt, 1/4 c. honey 1/4 c. oil, 2 c. whole wheat flour. Then add 1 more cup flour and yeast mixture and mix together. I always use my kitchenaid for breads now.



The next step is important - just let it sit there for 10 minutes.  This will allow the gluten to start working. I'm not sure about all the technical details, I just know it makes better bread if you do this. 

It will raise a little during this time.



Add up to 3 c. flour one cup at a time {You may only need 2 cups but do NOT add more than 3 cups. Too much flour leads to dry bread} Knead 10 minutes.



Let raise 30-40 minutes. It will start out looking like this...



and end up looking like this.



Punch down the dough.



Shape into loaves. I know lots of people roll out their dough and then roll it up to shape their loaves. I take the easy way and just shape it using my hands.  I don't really know how to explain it - I just learned from watching my mom. 

Another tip to keep the bread moist and not dry, is to spray the counter with cooking spray instead of using flour to keep it from sticking.



Let raise.



Bake at 375 for 35 minutes {I think my oven cooks hotter than my mom's, so I'm going to try 30 minutes next time}



Remove from pans immediately and let cool.

This recipe makes 2 1/2 medium sized loaves.  Something fun to do when making bread is to use some of the dough to make scones.  This recipe works perfect, you can make two loaves and have some dough left for scones. {Of course, if you're kids love them as much as mine, you'll only have enough dough left for one loaf}

To make the scones: After the dough has risen, pinch off pieces of the dough and flatten. Place them in hot oil. {You can make a mini scone to test your oil temperature.}



When one side browns, flip with tongs. Place cooked scones on a paper towel covered plate. Let cool so you don't burn your fingers or tongue. 

We always dip them in jam or honey butter. Or sometimes a little of both.



Here's the recipe:

Mama's Best Bread

1/2 c. warm water
1 1/2 - 2 T. yeast
1 t. sugar

Mix and let rise.

2 c. warm water
3/4 T. salt
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. oil
5-6 c. whole wheat flour

Mix water, salt, honey, oil and 2 c. of the flour. Then add yeast mixture and one more cup flour.
LET STAND 10 MINUTES.
Add up to 3 c. flour one cup at a time {You may only need 2 c.} Knead 10 minutes.
Let raise 30-40 minutes.
Shape into loaves and let raise.
Bake at 375 for 35 minutes.
Immediately remove from pans to let cool.

 Additions: add after 10 minutes resting just before final flour addition.

Seeds {use any or all of the following}:
1/4 c. ground flaxseed
1 T. whole flaxseed
4 T. sunflower seeds
2 T. poppyseeds
OR
Grains: 3/4 c. 10 grain cereal {or 6,7 9 grain cereal}


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Tile in the Basement

Last week my husband and I laid tile in our basement.  When I say I helped, mostly I handed him tiles and did the cleanup. I have to say that I am so lucky in how handy my husband is. We have been able to save so much money because we're doing so much ourselves.

Here's a few pictures of what is going to be our little kitchenette.

  


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

St. Patty's Hair Clips

We are in the home stretch in finishing our basement. Over the next couple weeks I will be spending all my time doing finish work and painting with my husband. I will not have much time for crafts so I thought I'd share one from last year.

 I made my girls some hair clips for St. Patrick's Day.






If you'd like to make your own check out the tutorials over at Keeping it Simple.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Terrific Tuesday #6



The most viewed link was a tie again this week  between:


Caramel Rice Krispie Bars by Stella B's Kitchen
 My friend makes something similar and they are to die for! I'm gonna have to make me some.

and:
This adorable crocheted hat by Jerry and Kay
I love the cute flowers she added.


Some of my other favorites were:

Threading My Way turned a woman's dress into this cute little girls dress complete with accessories.

Doesn't this look so delicious!?! This is definitely my kind of dessert.
Go check out Inspired By Family Magazine to find the recipe.

 Bits and Pieces shared this giant ruler growth chart. I really want to make something like this to put in the basement when it's finished.




Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:


Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:
1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.


2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.









Sunday, March 11, 2012

Something to think about Sunday - Helping without Hovering

I saw this article in the Ensign Magazine. 
It was called Helping without Hovering by Mark D Ogletree. In it he listed "five ways to help your children become independent". 

Here are a few excerpts I found helpful.

"President Boyd K. Packer has written, “I think one of the major mistakes in teaching children is the tendency for parents to be bothered when children want to participate and to learn something. … Our children were allowed to help when they were little, urged to help when they grew a little older, and sometimes ordered to help when they were teenagers. They have, accordingly, learned to do many things for themselves, and very expertly.”"

 This is something I need to work on - a lot of times when my kids want to help, I don't let them because either I don't want a mess, or I'm in a hurry and don't want to help them learn. 

"Consider giving your children clear communication about rules in your home and what will happen if those rules are disobeyed—and then consistently follow through with the consequences when necessary."

This is plain old common sense but so hard to execute at times. It's something else I need to work on. 

 "Good parenting sometimes means allowing our children to fail and to deal with some heartbreaking experiences. President Thomas S. Monson reminds us that “life was never intended to consist of a glut of luxury, be an easy course, or filled only with success. There are those games which we lose, those races in which we finish last, and those promotions which never come. Such experiences provide an opportunity for us to show our determination and to rise above disappointment.”"

I think this is so important to remember, not only for our kids but for ourselves.


Friday, March 9, 2012

Orange Rolls

Today's recipe is for Orange Rolls.



 I started by mixing the dough in my Kitchenaid. 



Then roll it out and spread melted butter on it.



Sprinkle your sugar mixed with grated orange rinds on top.



Roll it up.



Slice them and dip them into a bowl of orange sugar. {I make this by grating an orange with a small grater, you could use a zester if you have one. It puts all kinds of orange flavor into the sugar}



 Place in a pan and let rise until double in size.



Bake and drizzle with orange glaze while still warm.




Orange Rolls

Orange Rolls

Yield: 30
Author:
prep time: 120 hourcook time: 15 Mtotal time: 120 H & 15 M
Delicious orange rolls drizzled with a yummy orange glaze.

ingredients:

  • 4 T. sugar
  • 1 T. yeast
  • 5 T. shortening
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1 c. warm milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 1/2 - 4 c. flour
  • 4 T. butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 c. sugar
  • zested rind of two oranges
  • 1 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 T. butter, melted
  • 3 T. orange juice 
  • 1/2 t. vanilla

instructions:

How to cook Orange Rolls

  1. Place the first seven ingredients in a stand mixer and mix 5-7 minutes.
  2. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Then spread on the melted butter, 1 cup of the sugar and one zested orange rind.
  3. Roll up the dough into a large log.
  4. Slice the log into 1 inch thick pieces. 
  5. Dip into orange sugar (1/2 c. sugar and one zested orange rind mixed together)
  6. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Let rise until double in size.
  7. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
  8. While baking, prepare the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar, butter, orange juice and vanilla.
  9. Drizzle glaze over warm orange rolls.
Calories
324.72
Fat (grams)
5.15
Sat. Fat (grams)
2.37
Carbs (grams)
62.05
Fiber (grams)
1.89
Net carbs
60.16
Sugar (grams)
16.61
Protein (grams)
7.01
Sodium (milligrams)
103.39
Cholesterol (grams)
19.34
Nutritional information is automatically generated and is not guaranteed to be correct.
orange rolls, homemade orange rolls,
Desserts
American
Created using The Recipes Generator