Happy Birthday Bear

This sweet, softly stuffed little bear was a birthday present in response to my granddaughter's request.   She loves the story Corduroy by Donn Freeman (an American classic).  I decided to make a little girl bear for her.  Click here for the pattern that I found online.  I decided to make her a little dress.  I created the little dress for her and included the pattern to download if you'd like to make it too.  I included some basic instructions with the pattern.  The bear pattern says that it's "easy" but I wouldn't venture this little bear unless you have some sewing experience.  I used 35 mm plastic joints and only stuffed her with poly fill.  I also sewed a wind up music box into the back of the bear (my "grandma trademark" for stuffed animals).

Basil Magic!

Basil grows fast and furious during hot weather so in Arizona, I get a lot of basil.  I hang it to dry (looks nice on the kitchen wall), I eat it like lettuce, wrap it around slices of cheese, make pizza, pesto, and whatever else takes basil and still have leftovers. Below, you can see one of 3 pickings that I brought in from my herb garden over the last several days.

Want to know how I keep my basil fresh? Click here for a printable "how to" with pictures.

Wheat Berry and Roasted Vegetable Salad

http://www.goodforlife1.com/

This is something I've been playing with.  If you store wheat, it's a great way to add the whole wheat berries right into your diet.  It's a chewy salad so it feels satisfying to eat.  You can add some legumes or nuts to create a meal with a complete protein.  I put about 9 cups of prepared raw veggies into the roasting pan for this batch.  I'm thinking they were so yummy, that next time, I'll put in 10-12 cups of the veggies or maybe reduce the wheat berries.  This makes enough to serve a crowd.  About 10-12 cups after you're done cooking.  Rule of thumb in my kitchen:  Do what you want and if it alters the recipe, then good for you!  Let me know how it turns out for you!  Also, feel free to follow me on Pinterest.  :)  Click on the photo for complete directions.

Grandma "Bessie" Shaw's Yellow Tomato Preserves

I got this recipe from Curly Grandma.  She told me that great grandma “Bessie” Shaw (Baldy Grandpa’s mother), would make this to brighten up a winter meal.  I make a batch of this up every year in memory of grandma Bessie.   I never knew her, but this recipe gives me a connection to her.  She was a small, but sturdy farmer’s wife in the harsh climate of Eastern Colorado.  They lived outside of Hugo, near the ranch where my mother grew up.
Click here for directions with pictures

Dryer Balls - a chemical free solution!

http://www.goodforlife1.com/ 

I've seen these around and finally decided to give them a try and here they are!  They look great on the dryer, reduce my drying time, reduce static cling, and I can add essential oils to make my laundry smell great.  I've been amazed at how much these little balls help.  They cost a bit to make but will last a long time while stylishly hanging out in your laundry room between loads!  
I also hang clothes on the line to reduce my electric bill.  I'll post a pattern for my clothes pin apron soon!  Click here to view the "how to" document with pictures.  Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Tortillas

Delicious Home-made whole wheat tortillas!  I had to mess around a bit to re-create the recipe I used before I moved to my new house.  These are easy to make, store well in the freezer or fridge.  I made them with fresh ground whole wheat, but you can use the flour that you have on hand.  If you have a wheat allergy, try something else and let me know how it works!  

I'm also experimenting with natural (home-made yeast).  I'll re-post when I have that recipe ready. Click here for the printable recipe with pictures included.

No-bake Cookies...Reinvented

We love these cookies!  The great thing is that the recipe can be played with, adding your own favorite seeds, nuts, or fruits.  It only takes 5 minutes to make from start to finish, which is great for summer "cooking".  I rested the cookies in the photo at left on a sprig of chocolate mint from my garden and they took on some of the mint flavor.  Very delicious!

Visit me at http://www.mydoterra.com/karensue/#/ to contact me or learn more about essential oils to enhance healthy living.

Stir together the following ingredients in a thick-bottomed pan.  Bring it to boiling and boil fro 2 minutes (not less or your cookies will be a bit runny).

3/4 cup organic coconut oil (I buy mine at the grocery store)
1 1/2 cups turbinado or "raw" sugar of your choice
2-3 tablespoons powdered cocoa
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons milk or milk alternative

Remove the pan from heat and mix in the following.

2 1/4 cups rolled oats
1 cup of your favorite nuts, seeds, coconut or dried fruit
1 Tablespoon vanilla (or so...optional)
3-5 drops wild orange or other favorite citrus essential oil.

Drop mixture by tablespoons onto a cookie sheet (brushed with coconut oil).  Refrigerate to solidify cookies.  Keep refrigerated until they are all eaten (not long at my house but they will keep over a week and be fine).  I know that the sugar (even raw) is "bad" for us, but this recipe lessens the sting of traditional no bake cookies a bit.  Always remember that when eating desserts, moderation is a good thing.

Summer Quiche - one of my fresh garden favorites!

This is one of my favorite summer foods.  I make it once and it lasts several days.  Great cold or re-warmed.  It's a good food to bring to work for lunch too!

Click here for the recipe.

Count my blessings plaque. It's a "home run" gift that's easy to make!

This is an awesome idea for a grandmother gift!  My daughter made this from a purchased board.  She sanded the wood and used acrylic paint from our local craft store.  Small wire brads nailed on the labels then drilled small holes in small pieces of wood for the numbers.  She hung the wood numbers on partially hammered in brads so I could easily change out as the numbers of grand children change.  She gave me a small drawstring bag with additional numbers.  Easy to make and wonderful to hang on the wall!

Money-wise Laundry Room Makeover. Yay!

This was my first project in my new home.  Click here to view pictures of the project with helpful hints and tricks that I used to make this happen.  I'm no master of wood working, so this is something even the average amazing sista' can do!  If you find inspiration here, then please pin and share your work with me.  I always love to see what people are creating.  ~  Karen