Our boys love Ranch Dressing with carrot sticks and other fresh vegetables. This is a great treat but sometimes they get out of hand with the dressing. To make it a little cheaper, I've started making my own. Most of the ingredients I already had but I did buy the dill weed and it's simple mix this up and keep it on hand. I use an empty pickle relish jar to store it.
1/2 cup buttermilk powder
1 Tblsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. dill weed
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt (or adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Mix well and store in an airtight container. To use, mix 1 tablespoon of mix with 1 cup of mayonnaise and 1 cup of milk.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Did I Tell You? Huh? Huh? Huh?
Well...did I? Our oldest son who has been serving in Baghdad, Iraq is coming home!
He should be here in a matter of days and we'll be so happy to have him home and safe.
Please continue to keep these men and women in your prayers. There are still many more over there and even when they do come home they need the prayers to help them adjust back into "normal" life.
To Will...we are proud of you and love you very much!
To everyone else...have a great week!
Mavis D.
He should be here in a matter of days and we'll be so happy to have him home and safe.
Please continue to keep these men and women in your prayers. There are still many more over there and even when they do come home they need the prayers to help them adjust back into "normal" life.
To Will...we are proud of you and love you very much!
To everyone else...have a great week!
Mavis D.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Homemade Vapor Rub
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It's cold and flu season again and we've already had our first round of colds for the year. I hate having a cold and we've always seemed to use a lot of Vicks. However, lately I'm concerned with a lot of ingredients in many of the things we use rather it's food items or medicines.There's a product called Winter Breeze vapor rub that is made with natural things like beeswax, oil and essential oils but it's rather costly. I've found some instructions to make my own "vapor rub" so I thought I'd share.
Here are the instructions I used:
Vapor rub
1/2 cup non-petroleum gel
1/2 Tbsp sweet almond or olive oil
1/2 tsp essential oil of Eucalyptus
2 - 3 drops of tea tree oil
Combine the non-petroleum gel and the almond/olive oil in a double boiler. Melt together, blending well, then remove from the heat. Add in the eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil and mix well. Pour into container and allow cooling and setting.
How to make "non-petroleum gel"
Using a double boiler melt together 1 ounce of beeswax per 1/2 cup of oil. Pour into container and allow to set.
You can use baby oil, mineral oil, almond oil or olive oil. I used olive oil because mineral oil is a by product of petroleum (like what is used to make gasoline!) and baby oil is usually made of mineral oil. Almond oil is ok but might be more costly...I haven't compared the cost of it to olive oil but I also just like the properties of olive oil.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Christmas Preparations...Not for the Faint of Heart
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The trim is DONE in the living room. It's amazing how "finished" it looks even though it's not painted yet.
Tonight, we'll be repairing a toilet by installing a new wax ring and possibly install the trim in the "main" bathroom.
On another note, how many of you braved the chaos and cold to go shopping on Black Friday? I scanned the ads while the turkey was baking and was not excited about anything. With our economy as it is, I really expected more "fabulous" sales and savings...you know, to get the customers out to stimulate the economy and help their bottom-lines.
Many found something worth going out for but I stayed home and waited until about 10am before I left. I only stopped at two stores...Walmart and Walgreen's to pick up a few things...most were already gone but I did get a few things I wanted to purchase.
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I came home, we set up the tree, and decorated a little...we don't usually decorate much, just a tree and the mantel. We definitely don't do a bunch of lights outside but this year I plan to have at least a wreath on the door. I've done bows in the past but I'm thinking I want a wreath instead.
Lastly, I've been working on Christmas gifts. I plan putting together some gift baskets and I really want to think about what would be a good theme for each person. For example, I have one person that is always journaling so I'll probably put together a basket for her that has something to do with writing her "life's story" or other short stories. It's something she enjoyed when she was younger. Don't worry, she's not "online" so she won't be reading this! LOL!
I do have to stay within a budget...like everyone else so I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck and trying to make many things as "homemade" as possible.
Do you have any ideas? What are you doing to keep your Christmas budget from getting out of hand? I'd love to hear more ideas including gift ideas...so leave a comment and tell us how you are filling your Christmas with cheer.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Tonight, we'll be repairing a toilet by installing a new wax ring and possibly install the trim in the "main" bathroom.
On another note, how many of you braved the chaos and cold to go shopping on Black Friday? I scanned the ads while the turkey was baking and was not excited about anything. With our economy as it is, I really expected more "fabulous" sales and savings...you know, to get the customers out to stimulate the economy and help their bottom-lines.
Many found something worth going out for but I stayed home and waited until about 10am before I left. I only stopped at two stores...Walmart and Walgreen's to pick up a few things...most were already gone but I did get a few things I wanted to purchase.
.JPG)
I came home, we set up the tree, and decorated a little...we don't usually decorate much, just a tree and the mantel. We definitely don't do a bunch of lights outside but this year I plan to have at least a wreath on the door. I've done bows in the past but I'm thinking I want a wreath instead.Lastly, I've been working on Christmas gifts. I plan putting together some gift baskets and I really want to think about what would be a good theme for each person. For example, I have one person that is always journaling so I'll probably put together a basket for her that has something to do with writing her "life's story" or other short stories. It's something she enjoyed when she was younger. Don't worry, she's not "online" so she won't be reading this! LOL!
I do have to stay within a budget...like everyone else so I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck and trying to make many things as "homemade" as possible.
Do you have any ideas? What are you doing to keep your Christmas budget from getting out of hand? I'd love to hear more ideas including gift ideas...so leave a comment and tell us how you are filling your Christmas with cheer.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I didn't Fall off the Earth!
Well...I guess you might think I fell off the earth. Not quite although I think it might be a nice vacation!
It's been an interesting month. I've been working on a few project and trying to get things ready for the holidays. We've also been doing some work on the house.
We started the house in 2003 and we are FINALLY putting up some trim. The living room and hallway look GREAT and they are almost finished! I'm so excited! I also got a great deal on a mantel-shelf and hubby and the boys put that up Saturday. Soon they will be done with the installing the trim and they'll be looking to me to paint it! LOL! I didn't think about it until later but I should have taken a "before" and "after" photo to show you! Oh well...you'll forgive me, right? I hope so.
Another thing I did this past month was present a "Money Saving Tips" night to my fellow homeschool moms. It was great! We played a little game; had some snacks and they tell me that they learned a lot. I hope they did. :) We even made homemade laundry soap although my crockpot (which I used to heat and dissolve the soap) went cold on me so the soap didn't turn out EXACTLY right but it still works.
Now I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. I've experimented with a few new recipes and want to share those with you and I'm working on a few more.
Thank you for checking back with me and thanks to all those who subscribe!
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
It's been an interesting month. I've been working on a few project and trying to get things ready for the holidays. We've also been doing some work on the house.
We started the house in 2003 and we are FINALLY putting up some trim. The living room and hallway look GREAT and they are almost finished! I'm so excited! I also got a great deal on a mantel-shelf and hubby and the boys put that up Saturday. Soon they will be done with the installing the trim and they'll be looking to me to paint it! LOL! I didn't think about it until later but I should have taken a "before" and "after" photo to show you! Oh well...you'll forgive me, right? I hope so.
Another thing I did this past month was present a "Money Saving Tips" night to my fellow homeschool moms. It was great! We played a little game; had some snacks and they tell me that they learned a lot. I hope they did. :) We even made homemade laundry soap although my crockpot (which I used to heat and dissolve the soap) went cold on me so the soap didn't turn out EXACTLY right but it still works.
Now I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. I've experimented with a few new recipes and want to share those with you and I'm working on a few more.
Thank you for checking back with me and thanks to all those who subscribe!
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Make-A-Mix Monday - Savory Rice & Vegetables
This recipe uses instant rice and dehydrated vegetables called "soup greens" to make an easy and healthy alternative to those boxed dinners. Place all the dry ingredients into a Mason jar or reseal-able bag to make an easy to prepare mix.
1 1/2 cups instant white rice
3 Tbsp. dehydrated Soup Greens (can be found in health food stores or online at HomeStyle Mercantile)
1 Tbsp chicken bullion granules
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
Mix and store an airtight container until needed.
To prepare - Bring 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 of milk to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes or until all the water and milk is absorbed.
1 1/2 cups instant white rice
3 Tbsp. dehydrated Soup Greens (can be found in health food stores or online at HomeStyle Mercantile)
1 Tbsp chicken bullion granules
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
Mix and store an airtight container until needed.
To prepare - Bring 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 of milk to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes or until all the water and milk is absorbed.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Make a Mix Monday - Rich Chocolate Cake Mix
Last Saturday was the birthday of one of the boys. We don't do birthdays like a lot of families we know. It's usually a nice quiet evening at home with just our family. We enjoy a cake and usually even have candles for the smaller guys. The birthday boy gets to choose what is for dinner and he choose what kind of cake he wants. Chocolate is a pretty good favorite around our house so it didn't surprise me that he chose German Chocolate cake.
It's hard to find a chocolate cake mix that doesn't have those nasty things in it like hydrogenated oils and things but more than that it's just not in me to pay so much for a decent cake mix when I can put together my own.
So, here it is..."Make-a-Mix Monday" and I thought I'd share our recipe. It's a dark chocolate cake mix that you put together yourself. Make up a few and put them into bags so they'll be ready. Personally, I'm going to try putting mine into a mason jar. I don't know what it is but I like the looks of things in mason jars. :)
Rich Chocolate Cake Mix
2 cups self-rising flour
2/3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups baking cocoa powder
1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Mix well and store in a tight container. Gallon sized bags work well.
To Prepare:
1 pkg Rich Chocolate Cake Mix
2 cups water
1/2 cup olive oil
2 medium eggs
Place the eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk a bit. Add in the olive oil, water, and mix a bit more. Add the cake mix and stir for 2 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and all the lumps are gone. Pour into oiled 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Insert knife or toothpick into center to check. Cool and frost how you like.
It's not "German" chocolate but it tastes great with coconut pecan frosting!
By the way, our boys have always thought the best part of having a birthday is that they make their own birthday cake. :) Some of our friends think this is mean...let them make their own birthday cake but there's quite a commotion when I try to make it for them!
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
It's hard to find a chocolate cake mix that doesn't have those nasty things in it like hydrogenated oils and things but more than that it's just not in me to pay so much for a decent cake mix when I can put together my own.
So, here it is..."Make-a-Mix Monday" and I thought I'd share our recipe. It's a dark chocolate cake mix that you put together yourself. Make up a few and put them into bags so they'll be ready. Personally, I'm going to try putting mine into a mason jar. I don't know what it is but I like the looks of things in mason jars. :)
Rich Chocolate Cake Mix
2 cups self-rising flour
2/3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups baking cocoa powder
1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Mix well and store in a tight container. Gallon sized bags work well.
To Prepare:
1 pkg Rich Chocolate Cake Mix
2 cups water
1/2 cup olive oil
2 medium eggs
Place the eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk a bit. Add in the olive oil, water, and mix a bit more. Add the cake mix and stir for 2 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and all the lumps are gone. Pour into oiled 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Insert knife or toothpick into center to check. Cool and frost how you like.
It's not "German" chocolate but it tastes great with coconut pecan frosting!
By the way, our boys have always thought the best part of having a birthday is that they make their own birthday cake. :) Some of our friends think this is mean...let them make their own birthday cake but there's quite a commotion when I try to make it for them!
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
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