Burst of creativity

On July 1st we started the P90X workout program, which includes at least an hour (up to an hour and a half) of exercise every single day. Between work and Mason and making a bunch of healthy food, I haven't had much time to create, that is, until a trip to the thrift store gave me some inspiration for a couple of simple projects!

The three shirts in the above photo had some stains on them, so those just needed a quick soak in some pearl grey Rit Dye.

Mason's went from dingy white to hides-the-drool-better grey.

That weird green pillow thing above? It looked like the perfect shape for a portable buckling activity for Mason. He is obsessed with buckles right now... the car seat, the high chair, the Ergo...

I had all the fabric, felt and ribbons so I picked up 4 buckles in various sizes for him to buckle and unbuckle for as long as he wanted during our drive last weekend. It worked! Not bad for a weird $1 find.

The basketball hoop was also $1 and has a tab that the ball hits when it goes through the net and makes a cheering sound. It looked like fun but it was so ugly! Two pieces of scrapbook paper and some Mod Podge later...

Finally, the mirror in the picture was another thrift store $1 find. It is the first time we've had one in the car and I think I get more entertainment out of watching Mason make faces at himself than he does. :)

You would think that would satisfy my urge to be crafy for a while, but it actually only motivated me to start on a couple of other projects I have had on my list. Who needs sleep, right?

Have a great weekend!

Homemade Ketchup

Those of you who already think I'm crazy for doing stuff like making yogurt and potato chips, you're right. At least I know it.

In case you were wondering how these things happen, this time it started with an empty bottle of ketchup and an abundance of tomatoes.

"How difficult could it be to make ketchup?" I ask myself.

The answer? Not difficult AT ALL.

Start by putting all of this in a big pot:

(Recipe adapted from HERE)

Simmer the whole pot on the stove on low for about 4 hours (or if you're impatient, like me, set it to medium low and simmer for 3 hours, stirring every once in a while). You want the mixture to reduce down until it's really thick. Next, pour everything into the blender and blend until smooth.

Done.

You just made ketchup.

Seriously. It's that easy.

Then you can use the ketchup to make Beer and Ketchup Meatballs.

Enjoy!

*Next time I use that ketchup recipe I'm going to double or triple the amounts. It made about 2 cups.

Easter treats

Happy Easter card from Oh My Handmade (free download!)

Homemade marshmallows using this recipe

Cutie pie picture of my cutie pie kiddo taken by Mel

We delivered these treats this week via Mason's diaper bag. A small thanks to our incredible families who help us out SO immensely. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Wishing you a meaningful Easter Sunday and lots of precious time with your families.

♥

Homemade Kahlua

Every year for the past several Christmases I've intended to make kahlua using my great grandma's recipe. This year I finally did it in time! Homemade kahlua takes a month to "season" in order to get the richest vanilla flavor, so if you want the drink to be ready for consumption when you give the gift, you've got to prepare ahead of time.

Want to make your own? Here is Grandma Ina's recipe!

4 c. beet sugar

4 c. + 1/2 c. water

3 c. decaf instant coffee crystals

1/5 of your choice of liquor (gin, whiskey, bourbon, vodka or brandy)

1 whole vanilla bean

Step 1: Bring the sugar and 4 c. of water to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Combine the 3 cups of instant coffee crystals to the 1/2 cup of water.

Step 3: Break the vanilla bean into 1/2 inch pieces and add to the sugar water.

Step 4: Combine the coffee with the water/sugar/vanilla bean mixture and let it cool.

Step 5: Add the 1/5 of whatever liquor you chose.

Step 6: Pour into bottles or jars (make sure to include a couple of pieces of vanilla bean in each container) and sit in a cool, dark place. *Note: You can purchase mason jars or glass bottles, but we try to reuse as much as possible-- so you're looking at an assortment of re-purposed wine bottles and various glass jars (like from the Pizza Friday marinara sauce) in the photo above.  

Shake the containers a little each day for at least a month.

Add a cute fabric top and a fun holiday label. Enjoy!

Homemade Potato Chips

Okay, okay, to echo Lindsey's question when I made yogurt, "Why would you do that?" In this case there are several reasons I was prompted to make homemade potato chips. A) We always seem to have an abundance of potatoes in our kitchen (I'm Irish, what do you want?) B) We're on a budget (and really, who isn't right now?) C) Tage likes chips in his lunch. D) I don't like them because they're always so greasy.

So I gave it a shot and was amazed at how easy it was to make my own and found that I really liked them! Tage is okay with them but he really likes the salt and grease in regular old store-bought potato chips. The best part? These are made in the microwave. So here's how you do it...

1. Wash a potato and slice it into thin slices. I prefer the skins on but you could peel them.

2. Spray a plate with oil. We use olive oil for just about everything because it's good for the heart.

3. Lay the potato slices on the plate, making sure they do not overlap, otherwise they will stick together.

4. Spray the potatoes with oil and season to taste. I make Tage's with just seasoned salt but I like mine with chili powder. I really want to try to make salt and vinegar ones!


5. Put the plate in the microwave and cook. This part you'll have to adapt for your own microwave. In ours I cook the chips for 5 minutes on one side, turn them all over and season the other side, then another 3 minutes. You want to stop cooking once they begin to turn light brown. The thinner you slice them the faster they will cook.

6. The chips have a tendency to stick to the plate so as soon as they come out of the microwave I run a knife under them to separate them. Let them cool before you package them so they don't get soggy (I learned that with the first batch.)

Enjoy the crunchy goodness!